The Department of Geography

Geography is a fascinating study of places, people & their interactions. It is truly synoptic, and is always relevant and changing – from the local to the global – and this is reflected at St Olave’s. Geography is everywhere – we live in an amazing, awesome, but delicate physical environment that needs our care. Through understanding the interactions between it and human activity, geographers can find sustainable solutions to wide-ranging problems.

In this spirit, many were inspired about the world and people around them through the fascinating talks in the new Geographical Society set up in 2012 by Mounif Kalawoun and Adelia Rakhimova. Sixth form students were able to attend stimulating lectures given by the Geographical Association during the Autumn term, discovering where new research is taking the subject.

The department once again achieved excellent results across the key stages, with 13 students choosing to continue their pursuit of Geographical understanding at Universities across the country.

Rachel Garswood joins the Geography Department this year. She studied BSc Geography at the University of Exeter, where she also continued on to complete her PGCE teacher training. She loves to travel and to enjoy the outdoors which is what led her to specialise in Physical Geography, with a particular interest in coasts.

Department for International Development: Shape the Future Competition

Since their creation in September 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have encouraged the many countries committed to them to work towards meeting the needs of the world’s poorest people. The target date for the MDGs is 2015 so beyond that, a new set of goals will be required. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, is Co-Chair of the United Nations High Level Panel that has been tasked with making recommendations on these new development goals, and he wanted to hear via the Department for International Development ‘Shape the Future’ Competition what young people in the UK think needs to be included. Year 9 Geographers at St. Olave’s study Development, and all year 9 students prepared group presentations to discuss, formulate and submit their own proposals for post-2015 development goals.

The 9H group led by Alexander Leggatt with Joshua Goulbourne, Kayo Kufeji, Jamie Macdonald and Charlie Peck was chosen to represent St. Olave’s in the Department for International Development ‘Shape the Future’ Competition. Their presentation covered issues surrounding the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty, promoting gender equality and empowering women, diseases, infant mortality and global partnership goals. There were 114 entries to the competition from schools in all parts of the British Isles. Alexander, Joshua, Kayo, Jamie and Charlie were congratulated on the excellent standard of their work and in recognition of the quality of their entry were awarded with a Certificate of Commendation signed by the Secretary of State for International Development, Rt. Hon. Justine Greening.

Year 7 Geography and RE field trip: Farningham and Eynsford

During our first Activities Week, Year 7 was taken on a walking fieldtrip to a number of locations in the Darent Valley, Kent. We visited the villages of Farningham and Eynsford, the hamlet of Hulberry and the Roman Villa at Lullingstone. Whilst the day was primarily based upon our studies for Geography and RE, we also saw a lot of history and got a clear insight into how the area has changed over time.

The aim of the RS part of the trip was to visit and learn about parish churches and the role they play in the local community. During the course of the visit, we visited the parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul’s in Farningham and the parish church of St. Martin’s in Eynsford. On arrival at St. Peter and St. Paul’s, we were given a small booklet with questions regarding the churches to complete over the course of the day. Some of the questions required us to observe the features of the church and grounds, others asked for thoughts and opinions. A Norman building, the church had various elements particular to it such as the interesting stained glass windows showing, amongst others, King Charles the Martyr - very rarely found depicted thus. We also visited the Lullingstone Roman Villa containing one of the earliest dated Christian chapels in all of Britain. All in all, it was a tremendous (though exhausting) day.

Ashdown forest: Year 8 field trip

On the 21st May Year 8 braved a windy spring morning to visit Ashdown Forest, an area of stunning beauty and home to many interesting geographical features as well as the River Warren. Although Ashdown is still a forest, we were surprised to discover when we arrived that many of the trees had been cut down for lumber in the past, leaving large areas grass and scrubland.

After sketching and observing this spectacle, we then proceeded down towards the more wooded areas of the forest where we found the River Warren itself. After lunch, at the river we divided into our groups and performed various tests that we had planned in class such as measuring the velocity, gradient and width of the river. Admittedly, several of us got more than a little soaked whilst doing this! Finally worn-out, Year 8 walked back to the coaches to conclude a fun and thought-provoking trip to Ashdown Forest.

Year 12 field trip: Malham Tarn

Year 12 geographers spent four days in the Yorkshire dales as a part of their AS level course. After our arrival in Yorkshire and a short minibus journey, we arrived at our first geographical feature of note, Malham Cove. This 260 foot high, natural limestone structure was not only evidence of the last significant period of glaciation in the UK, but also gave the group a beautiful view over the surrounding area. We then walked the short distance to Malham Tarn House, which, as its name suggests, is located adjacent to Malham Tarn – the highest river in England. This beautiful lake was the backdrop to our three night stay, and after a short period of exploration, we retreated to our rooms.

The following morning, after a brief by the staff at the field study centre, we left the house and soon arrived at our first of three field sites on the small Cowside Beck River. At each of the sites, members of the group would wade into the river, in order to measure a variety of variables, such as width and depth, which would be essential in our later assessment of the river as a whole, and whether hypotheses could be deemed valid. After an exhausting yet rewarding day, which involved a near vertical climb at one of our sites, we returned back to the House and after attempting to dry our sodden clothing, gratefully went to bed.

Our final full day of the trip saw some get up before sunrise to visit Goredale Scar, a limestone ravine a mile or so from the centre of Malham. Our early awakening didn’t go unrewarded, as a small group of us witnessed and safely navigated two waterfalls and peered over the edge of a 100m high limestone cliff – yet another eye-catching reminder of the power that nature possesses. A fascinating and constructive venture for all involved.

Jordan Fisher