December 2012 - St Dominics | Sixth Form College

Page 10Materials ScienceFor the second year running we were lucky to receive a visit from Jayne Shaw from the Oxford UniversityMaterials Science Department.22 1st Year Physics students listened to a short presentation on Materials Science at Oxford and were encouragedto apply for the course if they were interested in a degree that combines maths, physics andchemistry and were likely to gain top grades in those subjects.A Materials Science degree can lead to a fascinating career developing the materials of tomorrow, be itbody armour to protect members of the armed forces or a new type of artificial heart valve. The course is afour year one, but the last year is spent on a research projectwhich gives undergraduates a chance to develop closelinks with future employers.This talk was followed by a hands-on workshop which gaveus the chance to make our own dye sensitized photovoltaiccell and test its efficiency. Jayne briefly explained the underlyingtheory and then we were able to choose a suitabledye – cold tea was quite popular – and assemble the cellitself. Every group succeeded in making a cell although theefficiencies varied considerably!A brief question and answer session rounded off a fascinatingand informative Wednesday afternoon.Michael Hardyman, Physics DepartmentSponsored SleepoutIn late October 22 students and three staff spent the night outside in cardboard boxes to raise money forthe Cardinal Hume Centre. Mercifully the weather was dry, albeit a little cold and windy, and the cardboardprovided adequate shelter. The following morning the students left for half term, slightly weary-looking butalso more aware of some of the trials that homeless people face. In total more than £2,000 was raised forthe Centre which works to support homeless young people in the capital. Well done to all involved, andthank you for all your support!Olivia Reade, Maths DepartmentThe Cambridge Schools Debating CompetitionHaberdasher Aske’s alumni include such notable people as the historian Simon Schama and the Israeliambassador Daniel Taub, but this in no way intimidated members of the St. Dominic’s Debating Society aswe walked across their extensive campus on the way to a competition debate on Thursday 6 December. Itwas a cold, wet evening but we were soon warmed by the welcome extended to us and the complementarysnacks and drinks on offer.Refreshed and energised our team were all set for the debate. St Dominic’s two debaters were, Laylan Siddikand Meghana Shukla. They were up against three formidable opponents, Queen Elizabeth's SchoolBarnet, Berkhamsted School and Watford Grammar School for Boys but performed magnificently.The two motions debated were: ‘This House Would Abolish the UN Veto’ and ‘This House would ensurethat there were equal numbers of male and female teachers in all our schools’.As the results were announced there was no surprise that Laylan and Meghana had won the first debate,but then had finished second in the second debate and by a whisker came second overall. However, thedebutants did St. Dominic’s proud. The pressure was immense and they acquitted themselves very wellagainst more experienced debaters, we were all cheering at the close of the debate!As we drove back to College in the minibus our debriefing also included cheers and congratulations to theDebating Society Chair Hanaa Hasan who has put so much into this thriving activity. Students who want toexperience a real live debate in College should come along on Thursday lunchtimes at 12.30 p.m. in H104!It was a great night topped off with some funny stories told by the former debating ‘whizz kids’ teachers JoeWhelan and David Palmer. Their support was much appreciated.Ahmad Hnieno