Issue Number 13, w/c 4th November 2013 & w/c 11th November 2013 ‘The Malaria Puzzle’ We were delighted to welcome back Dr Samuel Assefa on 7th November, to talk about his work as part of the malaria research team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Malaria is responsible for an estimated one million deaths a year (80% of which are children under the age of five years old) and as yet there is no vaccine, whilst resistance against available drugs is widespread. Dr Assefa’s presentation was highly informative and the visual effects, vividly showing how the parasite invades our blood cells and the ensuing result, were extremely effective. The girls were intrigued to hear about Samuel’s genomic research and asked a great deal of insightful questions. It was heart-rending to learn that during the course of the talk another child would have died from the disease. This reinforces how vital and urgent is the need for global control and elimination of malaria and the invaluable contribution made by researchers, such Dr Samuel Assefa, in trying to solve the malaria puzzle. Mrs K Bramley School Librarian
Rough ‘n’ Ready for Remembrance On the sanctuary steps in the Chapel, looking completely out of place, stood a rough looking crate filled to the brim with sand. This odd contraption is similar to the trough that stands outside the Chapel in Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where the box filled with sand is used by service personnel as a kind of ‘Remembrance Box’. They place in it small wooden crosses with loving messages to remember their friends that have died. On Armistice Day at Heathfield, history students from the UVI Form & Form III gave a moving and powerful presentation at Morning Prayer, with letters and poems. At 11am the school gathered for the two minutes’ silence starting with The Last Post, and throughout the day students and staff placed candles in the sand reminding us that there is still conflict and war around the world, and helping us to give thanks, to remember and to pray for peace. Fr T Tregunno Chaplain Bonfire Night Bonfire Night at Heathfield is always one of the highlights of the year. Everyone had wrapped up warm, and toffee apples and sparklers were distributed. The girls headed over to the roaring bonfire which had been built up over the last year; it was very impressive! Then at 7.30pm the firework display started, accompanied by squeals of excitement as the night sky lit up. It was lovely to see so many staff at the display with their families. After the display had finished, hot dogs, hot chocolate and cookies were enjoyed by all. Miss S Lloyd Marketing Manager