Foundation Magazine 2021-2022 | Mount Kelly

ACADEMICS
TENNER CHALLENGE
Year 10 GCSE Business Studies pupils took part in the
Tenner Challenge over 4 weeks in March 2022. They
were lent £10 to come up with a business idea and
invest wisely in marketing, production and other business
activities, including writing a business plan, designing a
logo, recording a 60-second sales pitch and selling their
products. Businesses created included car washing, candle
making, selling recycled vases, sweets, and jewellery. At the
end of the challenge pupils return their £10 along with a £1
legacy fee, and can either donate their profit to charity, invest
further in their business or buy themselves a nice meal. The
challenge has been a great success and pupils have enjoyed
the opportunity of adding a practical application to their
GCSE studies.
ACADEMIC TRIP TO OXFORD UNIVERSITY
INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ
On Tuesday 18 January 2022, pupils from Mount
Kelly joined Wells Cathedral School, Exeter
School and King’s College, Taunton for the
Schools Challenge inter-school quiz hosted by Exeter.
Two teams from Mount Kelly were led by Year 13 pupils
Adam Nash and George Goodfellow in a competition
based on the University Challenge format. Despite not
making it as finalists, the ten pupils from Mount Kelly
had a great time during the competition, winning two
individual rounds. The experience was fun and engaging,
and pupils returned satisfied with the results from the
evening.
By Samir Mazumder, Year 12
A
group of Mount Kelly Sixth Form
scholars travelled to the University of
Oxford on Wednesday 15 June 2022
to view prospective colleges and explore
the university. The highlight of the trip was
meeting OMK Lucy Ryder, who is currently
reading International Law at Exeter College.
The group was treated to a private tour of
the college and fellows’ gardens and had
the opportunity to ask Lucy all about her
first year experiences at Oxford and her
application process.
THE POLITICS SOCIETY
ADOPTION
The Politics Society met to discuss whether or not adoption by opposite-sex couples is the best form of adoption. The majority
of the group took a liberal position, and argued that the sex and sexuality of the couple that adopts a child are not important. The
debate was wide-ranging and explored topics such as the influence that a couple has on the adopted child, and whether or not
the traditional family make up of a mother, father, and children is the best environment in which to raise a child. The discussion also
branched out into areas such as adoption by an individual as opposed to a couple and adoption by couples in which at least one
person is transgender. As always, it was great to see so many people, especially the new Year 12s who attended Politics Society
for the first time this week.
By Adam Nash, Year 13
NATURE VS NURTURE
One Politics Society meeting took a more scientific turn, discussing the age-old question of nature versus nurture Admirably led
by Year 13 pupil, Emma Bowles, the debate covered the issue of sibling ranking, nursery school experiences and peer group
influences, and then considered some of the consequences, including paternity leave and equality in the workplace. Sadly, no
definitive conclusions for society were reached.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Mount Kelly Politics Society met to discuss freedom of speech. The discussion focused on the extent to which speech should be
restricted and the extent to which free speech has been eroded in the UK. Excellent points were made by all in attendance, creating
a lively yet productive debate on a topic which is very relevant in society today.
By Adam Nash, Year 13
LORD CARADON LECTURE
A Level History and Politics pupils attended the annual Lord Caradon Lecture with the rather timely subject Security Challenges
in the Next Decade: How should we respond? The lecture was given by Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill of Sherborne, in the Quad
Theatre at Plymouth Marjon University. Mark was Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service (2018-20), National Security
Adviser (2017-20), Permanent Secretary at the Home Office (2013-17), and British Ambassador and NATO Representative in
Afghanistan (2009-11).
OXFORD UNIVERSITY | ADAM NASH
We are delighted to congratulate Adam Nash on his offer from Pembroke College,
Oxford to read Arabic and Islamic studies. Adam chose the course primarily
due to his interest in the Islamic faith - particularly Islamic hermeneutics, Fiqh
(Islamic Jurisprudence), and the Sharī‘ah. Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Dixon, explains,
‘Adam’s academic interests are wide-ranging and he is able to lead the Politics Society
discussions on a very broad range of subjects. His knowledge of the US political
scene is encyclopaedic! As one of this year’s pupil Academic Team in the Sixth Form
Adam arranged lectures by eminent speakers and lead a team in the inter-school quiz
competition.’
ACADEMICS
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