This week, I presented “Real-Life Ethical Issues In Neurology” at Senior Science Society! This is a topic I find incredibly fascinating and was eager to explore further.

This week, the Senior Science Society discussion (Thursday lunchtimes in M15) was on clinically induced seizures. My presentation began with a hypothetical scenario where everyone had to place themselves in the role of the doctor advising a patient. The scenario included a patient with a widespread condition of seizures caused by epilepsy which remains uncured. The doctor is given an opportunity to clinically induce a seizure in the patient, which would provide the information needed to cure this condition and potentially save millions, but it could also be fatal for the patient. Surprisingly, 12 people voted against the controlled seizure, whilst only 6 voted for the seizure. Most of the group believed that there were too many ethical issues in placing the patient in a controlled seizure, knowing that it could cause long-lasting physical and psychological harm. Then, when the scenario changed and the patient was now a close family member (or yourself), the vast majority (16 people) voted against the seizure and only 3 voted for it! Some people argued that it was “worth the risk”, whilst others oppositely argued that they believed their life was too precious, and would not be worth ending for a scientific discovery.

Seizures can either be focal (localised in one part of the brain) or generalised (widespread across the brain) and I explored the many techniques used to clinically induce seizures, which include photosensitivity tests, medication withdrawal (AEDs), sleep deprivation, electrical stimulation or stressors. Something I found interesting was that there are both invasive types of electrical stimulation (cortical stimulation with electrodes) and also non-invasive techniques (transcranial magnetic stimulation with magnets). This is followed by monitoring, data collection and then applications of the induced seizure. And finally, we discussed in further detail the specific ethical issues and considerations, including the Hippocratic Oath followed by doctors specifying that they will do no harm.

Presenting the science behind clinically induced seizures, as well as having group discussion about the ethics, was very fascinating to me. I can’t wait to see what is being discussed next week!!

Deya Dimitrova, Year 12

Last week, BGS Year 12 Senior Society attended King’s College’s annual Daniell Lecture. These are delivered by internationally renowned scientists and cover a topic of current interest or excitement in memory of Professor Daniell. 

First we heard from a PhD student who is exploring cutting edge nano medicine. I was particularly inspired by her masters project focussing on simultaneously diagnosing and treating diseases. We also heard from Professor Rebecca Goss, who was the first female professor of organic Chemistry at St Andrews in Scotland. It was amazing to see such an ambitious and successful woman in that position. She demonstrated to us how we can start building molecules sustainably, exploring areas of chemistry and biology. 

The Senior Science Society is a group of aspiring scientists in Year 12 who all come and meet every week. It is such a great opportunity to collaborate and fully embrace our subject. We took the initiative and booked tickets for this lecture and all attended together. It is so nice to work with like-minded students and I look forward to our meetings every week. 

Last week I had the opportunity to run a debate on the ethics behind stem cell research. I really enjoyed seeing everyone get stuck into the topic and discuss what science looks like outside the theory within our curriculum. I am really looking forward to seeing what else we will do within our society in the future… 

Matilda Jackson, Year 12

Bexley Grammar School looks forward to welcoming prospective students to its Open Evening on Tuesday 12th November. 

Bexley Grammar School recently hosted 2 Induction Days on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June. Over 400 students, including 200 of our own, from schools across the South East attended a highly successful event. Thanks to Miss Roberts and Mrs Aspill for the coordination and planning of the days, the current Year 12s for their friendliness and support on the day and with all the staff involved in supporting sign in, planning and delivering sessions for these prospective students.

Mr Martin - Head of Sixth Form

Induction day at BGS was so enlightening, even being an existing student, it was so exciting to try out the Sixth Form areas (SFC and K1) and meet all the new students. We were dressed in our new Sixth Form clothes, and it was great to see everyone looking so much older and ready for September. I really enjoyed being a tour guide for the new students and showing them all the best parts of BGS.

We started the day with an escape room activity, where we were randomly put into groups and had to crack many puzzles, padlocks and clues to get the secret code to open the final safe. Unfortunately, my group came 20th… last place, but it was a great icebreaker and a lovely surprise for induction day.

We also had subject tasters for the higher subjects we will be taking next year, which was so interesting considering that is what a day in our lives will be like from September. Another highlight was the taster TOK session, which was run by our amazing Senior Prefect Team and involved many debates and discussions.

I really hope to see all of Year 11 back at BGS next year and I can’t wait to find out what’s to come next year…

Matilda Jackson, Year 11

On Tuesday and Wednesday I had the pleasure of helping out with the Year 12 Induction Days. I started each day helping guide the incoming Year 12 students to their assigned rooms in the morning.  It was nostalgic seeing them all in the same position I was in just a year earlier, and seeing how quickly Year 12 had gone! The Escape Room activity in the morning was a joy to watch, and I was around the room helping out any teams that needed it. As both days went on, along with some of the other Senior Prefects, we ran the TOK taster sessions and each session brought up different ideas and questions from the students that made me further appreciate the spirit of debate that Theory of Knowledge brings out of students, including myself.

Speaking to the incoming Year 12s about the IB and BGS life in general and helping answer any of their queries was an incredibly fulfilling role and one that I enjoyed immensely. We ended each day off with a subject fayre which gave me the great opportunity to speak to some of the students about two of my higher level subjects in order to give them a better perspective into what it would be like studying them. The Induction Days were two incredibly productive days on which I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to help assist!

Princela Mensah, Year 12

The Year 13 students were introduced to a new award this year, the Student Recognition Award, which allows the students to vote for a member of their year who they believe deserves to be recognised for their impact on the Sixth Form and the school community.

The students voted for many people in the year group and for a variety of reasons, including engagement with House events, having a kind and caring personality, commitment to extracurricular activities and support for various school events. However, there was an overwhelming voice to recognise James Spatz as the winner.

James is described by his peers as being friendly, helpful, incredibly dedicated, always willing to speak up, joyful, passionate and the light of our school.

In the words of the year group, he also has a genuine enthusiasm for improvement within the school and beyond, which inspires those around him. He has made a huge contribution to the school community and listens to what the students' wants and needs are, yet he is constantly modest. He is a positive role model in the school. He is always available for a conversation and takes time out of his day for others. He is admired by many of the year. He is described several times over as an eco-warrior and an absolute legend.

James has had a significant impact on the school as he has introduced new recycling bins and taught us all how to use them correctly. He has ensured that there is a sanitary bin in every girls’ toilet cubicle in the school. James is a frequent litter-picker, and he has organised a rota to ensure that there will be toast for breakfast for the Year 13s every day over their exams. Even down to the smaller but important activities, James has been responsible for changing the Week A/B sign in SFC, he has organised public transport on trips, and he has helped several Year 13s book their holidays.

This quote from a Year 13 sums James up perfectly:

“I think that James deserves this award because of his constant hard work and dedication to our school community. He has made a significant impact on improving the environment and recycling and is such an inspirational figure who fully deserves to be recognised for his presence.”

On behalf of your peers as well as the staff in this school, thank you, James and well-done!

The award will be presented every year to a Year 13 student. In the book there is a picture of the Year 13 cohort, a timeline of news events from the year, and the reasons why the students voted for the winner. Many thanks to Ms Smith for donating the book and to Emily Hoang in 11EAB for the beautiful writing on the front page. We look forward to seeing the book develop year to year. Might you win it when you’re in Year 13?

Miss Roberts, Director of Studies, Year 13