Head's Newsletter 27 September 2021

OLD TIFFINIANS AND MAKING US PROUD

BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP

On the first day of the Bushy park trip, A - Level biologists partook in random sampling of vegetation. The day kicked off at 10AM; as a warmup, we examined the features of Donkey Meadow, identifying plants such as buttercups and yarrows. In our groups, we then moved to Pixie Meadow, an area of taller vegetation. There, we began our official investigations of its features by conducting random coordinate sampling. We repeated this process at Donkey Meadow. Some of the data we collected includes soil depth, light intensity, and local plant populations. Despite the awful weather, our spirits were kept up by the charisma of our instructors. At the end of the day, we conducted a statistical test to determine the significance of the data we collected. On the second day, we did pond dipping. After our tour of North and South ponds and a practice dip, we spent an hour at each pond dipping and counting species like shrimp, noting their local populations on a data sheet - the biodiversity varied greatly between the lakes, perhaps because one was covered by a thick layer of duckweed which reduced the levels of light and oxygen, both of which are essential for life. Again, we conducted a biodiversity test in the classroom and confirmed or rejected our hypotheses. The experience really highlighted the importance of being able to study biology in the field, and how fortunate we are to have such a biodiverse location at our doorstep. No amount of classroom learning could replace the physical experience of using professional equipment under the guidance of experts: it was really different to how I had imagined it would be, and all our classroom learning was at last applied to a practical, real life situation, truly making the experience invaluable. Written by Maria Duminec 13LL

Many thanks to current Harlequins player and former Tiffin student Hayden Hyde for coming in and sharing some words of wisdom with our Y11 rugby squads. A fantastic opportunity to learn from someone who has firsthand progressed from schoolboy to professional rugby. We wish Hayden all the best with his upcoming season where he is playing on loan at London Scottish Rugby Club.

A massive congratulations to Old Tiffinian Tom Barras who secured an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the quadruple sculls - Great Britain's first ever Olympic medal in the class. The quartet of Harry Leask, Angus Groom, Tom Barras and Jack Beaumont held their nerve during a frantic finish to take second place behind gold medallists the Netherlands. Well done Tom!