Year 9 Mandarin Excellence Programme Visit to Shanghai
From 2nd to 13th July, 21 students from the Year 9 Mandarin Excellence Programme, accompanied by three teachers, visited East China Normal University in Shanghai. This immersive trip offered a rich array of cultural activities, enhancing both their language skills and cultural understanding. 
During their stay, students experienced the vibrant culture of Shanghai first hand. They marvelled at the city's skyline from the Oriental Pearl Tower, standing 259 metres above ground on a glass floor. The group also enjoyed a mesmerising acrobatics show and participated in calligraphy and martial arts sessions alongside Chinese students from nearby schools. Other highlights included a traditional tea ceremony and a captivating shadow puppetry performance.
The trip culminated in a memorable closing ceremony. All Pinner High School students recited a well-known Tang poem from memory, showcasing their Mandarin proficiency. Special recognitions included Alex Pow, who served as the MC, and Nathan Evans, who, along with Mrs 
Hargreaves-March, delivered speeches in Mandarin.
This educational trip to Shanghai was an invaluable experience for our students, deepening their appreciation of Chinese culture and enhancing their Mandarin language skills. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to more such enriching opportunities.
First Give Programme: Empowering Year 9 for Positive Change
Over the course of the Summer Term, Year 9 participated in the First Give programme. The programme serves as a method of raising awareness of 
social issues within the local community and empowers young people to work towards positive change. Students worked in groups within their English classes to firstly choose a class charity. This had to be a charity that was doing work in our local area and included: Mind in Harrow, Harrow Gateway, Mount Vernon Macmillan Care Centre, Watford Women’s Centre. Over subsequent weeks, students planned and enacted a form of social action to raise money or awareness (sometimes both!) for their chosen charity. This led to students organising football matches, fun runs, mindfulness sessions, leading assemblies for younger year groups and many other imaginative methods of raising the profiles of their cause.
Finalists were chosen within the class based on a presentation that needed to creatively communicate their passion for their cause and the impact of their social action. These finalists were then invited to a Presentation Skills workshop on Thursday 6th June with a facilitator from First Give who honed their skills and prepared them for the Finals. The winning group received an incredible £1000 for their chosen charity MIND in Harrow.
Pinn Fest: Celebrating with Our Community
Pinn Fest was a spectacular event that brought together our entire community for a day of celebration, unity, and fun. The festival was a perfect blend of entertainment, food, and activities, making it a memorable day for everyone involved.
One of the highlights of Pinn Fest was the array of performances on stage. Our student bands, student musicians, and drama performances entertained the crowd with lively music and captivating routines. The talent on display was truly impressive, showcasing the diverse skills and creativity within our community.
Year 12 Economics - Bank of England Museum
Our A-level Economics students took a tour of the Bank of England Museum and learned about the key roles of central banks and of the Bank of England in particular, from reducing systemic risk in the financial system, acting as a 'lender or last resort' to commercial banks to printing money, extending the curriculum on monetary policy. Students learned about fintech and the role of AI in payment systems, macro-economic forecasting and fraud prevention in the 'future of money' exhibition. A fun day in which they applied economics outside of the classroom.
Year 12 Talk - Beyond growth: ecology, economics and policy
Our A-level economics, geography and politics students engaged in discussion with academics (PhD LSE) and Green Party candidate on the importance of managing the economy within planetary boudaries, exploring the role and critiques of growth and pathways to social and environmental justice, from the role of decentralised government, to producer cooperatives and carbon taxes to universal basic income and caps on resource use in what turned into a lively debate!
Bank of England Museum - Mithushan lifting a 13kg gold bar!
Chess Tournament: Pinner High vs. Hatch End
The highly anticipated chess tournament between Pinner High and Hatch End was an event filled with excitement and strategic prowess. This annual competition brought together the best young chess players from both schools, creating a thrilling atmosphere of friendly rivalry and intellectual challenge. After several hours of intense competition, the results were announced. Both teams displayed remarkable talent and sportsmanship, making it a close contest. However, Pinner High emerged victorious, clinching the title by a narrow margin. The victory was celebrated with cheers and applause, recognising the hard work and dedication of the players.
Celebrating Athletic Excellence: Sports Awards and Sports Day
Our annual Sports Day and Sports Awards ceremony were incredible celebrations of athletic talent, team spirit, and sportsmanship within our school community. These events highlighted the dedication and hard work of our students, creating an
atmosphere of excitement and pride.
We have superb sports people who embody our school values!
Theatre in Education Project: IOE Workshop
Our Year 9 students recently participated in a Theatre in Education (TIE) project through a workshop organised by the Institute of Education (IOE). This immersive experience allowed students to explore social themes using theatre. The IOE workshop guided students through creating and performing educational theatre pieces. They explored themes like bullying, mental health, and diversity, raising awareness and promoting empathy. Students engaged in, improvisation, and role-playing, developing their own theatre pieces. This collaborative process enhanced teamwork and allowed for diverse perspectives.
Year 9 Forum Theatre Project: Cost of Living Crisis
Our Year 9 students recently engaged in a unique Forum Theatre workshop focused on the Cost of Living Crisis. Guided by professional facilitators, students explored the crisis’s impact through research, scriptwriting, and role-playing. They developed scenes depicting struggles and resilience, inviting audience participation to suggest changes and alternative outcomes. The final performances sparked lively discussions among peers, teachers, and community members. This project significantly enhanced students’ understanding of economic issues, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The workshop successfully combined theatre with community engagement, empowering students to creatively address real-world challenges.
Exciting Braintastic Science Talk for Year 7 and 8
This term, our Year 7 and 8 students enjoyed an engaging talk from Braintastic Science, filled with interactive demonstrations to help them learn about how our nerves work and the science of learning.
Students participated on stage, helping to convey complex scientific concepts through models and experiments, even testing the electricity in their own bodies. The hands-on activities and live demonstrations made the science behind our nerves and learning processes come alive in a fun and accessible way.
It was a fantastic show for all, and we look forward to welcoming Braintastic Science back in the future.
Year 10 and 12 Trip to Tate Modern
Our Year 10 and 12 students recently enjoyed an inspiring trip to the Tate Modern, delving into the world of contemporary art. This visit provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with diverse artworks, enhancing their appreciation of modern artistic expression.
Students explored exhibits featuring works by renowned artists worldwide, encountering a wide array of mediums and styles. The visit encouraged 
critical thinking about the themes and techniques in contemporary art. Interactive sessions allowed students to discuss their interpretations with museum educators and peers, fostering a deeper understanding of the artworks and enabling them to express their perspectives on modern art.
Cannon Lane and Pinner High Collaboration: Printing and Typography Workshop
On Friday, 28th June, each Year 5 class from Cannon Lane visited the Pinner High School Art department for an exciting printing and typography workshop.
During the workshop, each student was tasked with creating their own piece of Statement Art. This hands-on experience allowed the young artists to explore their creativity and learn new techniques in printing and typography.
Year 5 students were supported by our Year 9 Art students, who also participated in making their own statement artwork. This collaboration provided a fantastic opportunity for both year groups to learn from each other and work together on their artistic projects.
The workshop was a huge success, fostering creativity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for the arts amongst all the students involved. We look forward to more such enriching collaborations in the future.
Outside lessons make a big impact on future Geographers!
