We had a fantastic afternoon at the first Tranby Senior School Showcase on Wednesday 12 March. We were thrilled to welcome a diverse mix of current and prospective families, led throughout the day by Tranby students for an engaging and interactive showcase event.
It was an opportunity to show the incredible work our students and staff do day in and day out, and to give families a deeper insight into life at Tranby.
Attendees included current Senior School pupils, Tranby Prep School children eagerly anticipating their transition to senior school, and external families keen to experience what makes Tranby such a unique and vibrant educational environment. From the moment they arrived, visitors were greeted with a warm welcome and lovely refreshments before settling in for welcome from our Headmistress, Alex Wilson. Following the welcome, it was time to dive into the exciting showcases that were set up around the school!
Design Technology: Innovation with Purpose
In the DT showcase, our visitors learned all about the practical and sustainable elements of our DT provision. One key aspect of our program is how we sustainably manage the trees on our grounds. When trees need to be felled or removed, they don’t go to waste (unless the wood is not reusable), they are used in DT to make some incredible pieces! We also replace them by replanting new trees in their place, often involving our younger Prep School pupils in the process.
Mr Chambers discussed our Engineering Club, a standout amongst our extra-curricular activities, with students demonstrating their remarkable ingenuity, such as designing their very own pizza oven. Our holistic approach to learning and innovation was clear as students served up fresh, homemade pizzas to our visitors (and we’re not joking when we say Mr Chambers’ dough belongs in Italy – phenomenal!)
The creativity didn’t stop there! Visitors were also impressed by the incredible design and build work of our students, including a stunning garden bench made by Year 13 student George and a hallway storage bench and coat stand crafted by Year 11 student Isla. Both were made using wood sourced directly from the Tranby grounds, adding an extra layer of connection to the project.
Visitors also saw how students use state-of-the-art Cad Cam software to design their work, bringing their visions to life with the help of our 3D printers.
Science: Hands-On Learning and Exploration
The Science showcase was a hands-on experience covering all disciplines of science. Guests were able to view human and animal tissue samples under a magnifying glass and take on the challenge of assembling a human body model. They also witnessed the spectacular effects of chemistry as they experimented with different chemical elements to create colourful flames. The highlight for many was making rainbow test tubes by mixing alkali and acid - a true lesson in chemical reactions - and testing the pH levels of various household items using universal indicator paper.
Physics enthusiasts enjoyed the waves on a string activity, which was a fantastic way to demonstrate concepts of energy and motion in an interactive and engaging way.
Sports: The Power of Feedback
In the Sports showcase, participants were in for a surprise when they were blindfolded! Led by Mr Henderson, this session focused on the various types of feedback in sport, including continuous, terminal, intrinsic, extrinsic, knowledge of results, knowledge of performance, as well as positive and negative feedback. The blindfolded aspect was a key part of the experience, helping participants engage with and better understand the impact of feedback in sport from different perspectives.
Languages: Unravelling the Mysteries of Words
In the Languages showcase, visitors took on the role of a "language detective." Armed with sets of words, teams had to sort them into groups based on their common features and explain their reasoning behind each classification. It was a great opportunity for our guests to think critically about language, its nuances, and the ways in which we group and categorise words.
At the end of the afternoon, visitors were invited into the Radcliffe Hall where they had the chance to chat with our subject leads. And of course, there were more refreshments, much-needed after an immersive afternoon in the life of a Tranby pupil. As one parent joked, “Now we know why our kids are so tired at the end of the day!”
The event concluded with an inspiring talk from our incoming Head, Mr Wainman, who is excited to return to Tranby this September. His enthusiasm and passion for our wonderful school was palpable, and we are delighted he will be rejoining us after Mrs Wilson’s prosperous tenure as Head Mistress of Tranby.
Thank You to Everyone Involved
We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success. From our incredible facilities team who set up the event to our teaching staff and Senior Leadership Team who planned and managed the day, your hard work was truly appreciated. A special shout-out goes to our amazing students, particularly our Sixth Formers, who represented Tranby so beautifully. Parents were blown away by your eloquence, attitude, and knowledge of the school – you truly made a lasting impression.
And finally, to those who joined us. Your enthusiastic participation brought the event to life. We are grateful for your time and energy, and we hope the showcase gave you a true sense of what makes Tranby such a special place to learn, grow, and thrive.
Thank you all for being part of this unforgettable day! We look forward to seeing you at future events and welcoming even more families into the Tranby community.