“Sir, why, haven’t you seen it?” retorted one of the Year 10 students when I had said “No” rather bluntly to his previous question. Although, to be fair, the question had been, “Have you seen the latest Sony Ericsson RAZ92 V2?” I didn’t even know what is was, it could have been a food processor for all I knew. You see the problem is, technology has now engulfed everybody. What was cool yesterday you wouldn’t be seen dead with today and would fetch a moderate sum at the antiques fair tomorrow. Students now carry so much technology, each one looks like a mobile version of FNAC.

Firstly, the obligatory mobile phone that, apart from making and receiving phone calls (a rarely used function as this means speaking to someone) must also have the following minimum specifications: a 12 megapixel camera (not that you will be taking pictures of any of your friends since you only communicate with them electronically now), Xenon flash, satnav, media player, WiFi internet access, biometric scanner.

As you can see, as an ICT teacher, not only do you need to know about everything and anything (and own it) but also keep on knowing about everything and anything until finally your head explodes or you collapse under the weight of carrying all these gadgets around. It’s a bit like a language teacher not only knowing every language on this planet but all those spoken on any other planet!

Back now to EIC where Josh Aldridge completed an excellent coursework project for his A2 Computing course, and combined with an A grade last year, should give him every chance of gaining a top grade again. In Year 12, there was an excellent uptake with eleven students sitting the AS course. All performed well but if I had to single out a particular student for commendation, it would have to be Sebastian Ion who took to the course like a duck to water, a real natural talent. In the GCSE course the Year 11s gained the best coursework marks in ICT ever, congratulations to them.

Away from the academic achievements, as a department we have run Robotics Clubs for Years 8 and 9 (thanks to Miss West and Mr. Pól). In Year 10, Mr Gardner has started a programming club with the intent of preparing students better for the Sixth Form course, should they opt for it.

Finally, well done to Alex Davies-Salkeld (Year 10) for demonstrating the robots in her extended project, it really gripped and excited the younger children who came to see it.

Barry Gardner