Sophia High School

Education for a Better World. As we look towards a future of education in what will no doubt be an increasingly digital dimension, a focus on sustainability opens the door to a better, more equitable era of education. A New Path for Education The ability to challenge the assumptions of the past and forge a new path for education can be achieved through a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals in order to create global citizens. Young people who are empowered to develop their voice as changemakers and the leaders of tomorrow. This type of education will help to ensure a bright future for everyone. To change course, the world needs many more of its citizens, especially the next generation, to have the knowledge, values, and skills to better navigate this uncertain future, tackle its profound challenges, and build more prosperous and resilient communities. The age group 10 – 25 now has over 1.8 Billion youths, the largest demographic in this range in the history of the planet. Research shows that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a crucial tool, which not only empowers students to shape a better world but also perform better in school. At the heart of this challenge, must be the development of a model of education that celebrates, and promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The importance of devoting urgent attention to sustainable development is critical for the future of the planet and its people. According to scientists, climate change could threaten livelihoods, trigger conflicts, accelerate biodiversity loss, exacerbate disease outbreaks, destabilize political and social systems, cause economic shocks, and increase inequalities. We need to take action now, and education is a key part of the solution. Global citizenship is about caring for the world we live in and working together to make it a better place for everyone. It’s about understanding that we all have a responsibility to care for our planet and its inhabitants. And it’s about taking action to make positive change in the world. Through a partnership with the Junior Duke Awards and links with ProjectZero, a global movement supported by renowned scientists, business leaders, campaigners, culture makers and ocean experts, who are all working together to awaken the fight for the ocean, students are provided with the opportunity to develop their voices as changemakers and global citizens. School Leaders are recognised as UN SustainableDevelopment Schools Network Global Advocates for ESD which has opened the door to Sophia High School joining the Global Schools Program, an initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in support of UNESCO’s Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). In addition, the school is awaiting the outcome of the submission of its BCorp Assessment. When achieved, SHS will be the first British Online School to be recognised by the BCorp Movement. #education #sustainabledevelopment

For Black History Week at Sophia High School, we’ spotlight the impactful life of Katherine Johnson. Her achievements in STEM - overcoming racial and gender barriers along the way - show our students the strength of curiosity and resilience. In this week's article, by Roshni Sharma, we’ll dive into how her journey speaks to our values of inclusivity and excellence, inspiring our learners and community to reach further and aim higher. Challenging Stereotypes and Barriers Katherine Johnson broke through racial and gender barriers at NASA during the 1950s and 1960s. As a Black woman working in a predominantly white and male environment, she refused to be limited by societal expectations. She defied racial segregation practices, such as separate restrooms and dining facilities, asserting her right to be treated equally within the workplace. Asserting Her Expertise Known for her curiosity and assertiveness, Johnson consistently questioned her colleagues and insisted on being included in key decision-making meetings at NASA. She famously stated, "We needed to be assertive as women in those days — assertive and aggressive — and the degree to which we had to be that way depended on where you were. I had to be." Her determination set a precedent for inclusion within fields often dominated by men. 🌟 Pioneering Contributions to Space Exploration Johnson’s mathematical skills were critical to numerous NASA missions, including: 🚀 Calculating the trajectory for the 1961 Mercury mission 🌝 Syncing the Apollo 11 lunar lander with the moon-orbiting command module 👨🚀 Providing backup procedures for the Apollo 13 mission, ensuring the crew's safe return These contributions reshaped the narrative around who could excel in #STEM education and problem-solving roles. Inspiring Future Generations After retiring, Johnson dedicated her time to speaking with students about her career, encouraging them to pursue a strong education in STEM fields. She emphasised the lasting importance of mathematics and science, stating, "There will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics." Sharing Her Story Johnson took an active role in reclaiming her narrative by writing her story for young readers in her 2019 book, Reaching for the Moon. In it, she described her approach to overcoming obstacles: "I didn't allow their side-eyes and annoyed looks to intimidate or stop me. I also would persist even if I thought I was being ignored. If I encountered something I didn't understand, I'd just ask... I just ignored the social customs that told me to stay in my place." Recognition and Legacy By consistently questioning, excelling in her work, and later sharing her story, Katherine Johnson paved the way for greater diversity in STEM and reaffirmed that school and education play a vital role in shaping future generations who excel in problem-solving and critical thinking.

🌍✨ Celebrating Black History at Sophia High School! ✨🌍 This year, we're embracing the theme "Reclaiming Narratives," perfectly aligned with our ethos of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Here’s how we’re connecting the two: 💬 Diversity & Inclusion: We believe in celebrating all voices! This week, we’ll explore diverse perspectives within Black history, ensuring every student feels represented. 🗣️ Empowering Voices: Everyone has a story to tell! We encourage our students to share their experiences and contribute to a richer narrative within our global community. 📚 Critical Thinking: Let’s dive deep into history! We’ll analyse historical narratives, uncover biases, and explore alternative perspectives—skills essential for well-rounded education. 🌏 Global Citizenship: Black history is global! We’ll broaden our understanding by exploring narratives from around the world, fostering a more comprehensive view of Black experiences. ✊ Equality & Social Justice: This theme inspires us to learn about historical injustices and motivates us to work towards a more equitable future. 🎨 Creativity & Expression: We’re excited to see how our students will creatively present these important stories through art, writing, and digital projects! We can wait to celebrate with our global learning community and reclaim narratives this Black History Week at #SHS💖 #BlackHistoryWeek #ReclaimingNarratives #SophiaHighSchool

Reclaiming Narratives. Celebrating Black History Week at Sophia High School 💕 From November 4th to 8th, we are looking forward to diving into Black History Week celebrations at Sophia High School with activities across the school designed to inspire, educate, and empower our global community of students and their families. Through stories, music, creative projects, and discussions, we’ll explore the vibrant history, culture, and contributions of Black communities worldwide. We will be sharing with you this journey of reflection and celebration, as we embrace the theme of Relaclaiming Narratives - honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping a more inclusive future for all. Join us as we share the incredible power of our global learning community 🌍 Roshni Sharma Fernando Darcie Vanessa Temple Holly McKenna Tyler Wilson C. Harun Böke Victor Gaino #BlackHistoryWeek #ChangingNarratives #SophiaHighSchool #CelebrateDiversity #InclusionMatters #SDGs #EmpowermentThroughEducation

🕵️♂️ Pioneering #Esports at Sophia High School Huge thanks to Esports Trade Association for sharing the journey that Tyler Wilson is on and where he is taking our school. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/eTQZqRkK

Our incredible team of educators are master teachers in their own right. With careers that span the best of the British Curriculum in International Schools and UK Independent Schools, we just love their thoughts on the role that our digital classroom has played in igniting their learning communities and passion for teaching. This week, Liza-Marie Henshaw, Secondary English Specialist Teacher at Sophia High School, shares what are the benefits of studying the subject of English Online (KS3, GCSEs, and ALevels). #onlinelearning #onlineschool #digitaleducation #futureclassrooms https://lnkd.in/eTXVExRb

And just like that, with only 4/5 students competing against long standing teams and former champions, and connection issues last week which caused the event to his pause l, we’ve only just gone and won second place 🥈 at the NXTLVL Problem Solving-Olympiad. Read all about it here 🗞️ https://lnkd.in/een7tnDn Congratulations to the team and coach Tyler Wilson Melissa McBride 🚀 Daniel Turner 🚀

Latest Blog Alert 🔔 Transforming Education through a Digital Lens https://lnkd.in/dwY5UyYB

🥇 We made it to the Semi-Finals! 🥇 We are thrilled to announce that Sophia High Legacy took 1st place today in the First Round of the NXTLVL Problem Solvers Olympiad, competing against three other schools. 🎉 Our team delivered an impressive performance, scoring a total of 71 points! Final Results: 🏆 1st Place: Sophia High School (Legacy) – 71 points 🥈 2nd Place (Tie): Hazelwood School (Lions) @hazelwoodschooloxted & College Bento Benedini @bentobenedini (Bento Attack) – 64 points 🎖 4th Place: Hazelwood School (Tigers) – 52 points We’d like to congratulate all participating schools for their incredible efforts today! It was a fantastic experience to meet you all. We now move on to the Semi-Finals tomorrow! 🔥 Stay tuned for more updates as our talented team continues this exciting journey. Upcoming Schedule (UK Time): 🕓 Registration/Check-in: 16:00 - 16:10 🎤 Opening Ceremony: 16:10 - 16:25 ⚔️ Semi-Final: 16:30 - 18:00 ☕ Break: 18:00 - 18:30 🏆 Grand Final (if qualified): 18:30 - 20:00 🎖 Closing & Awards Ceremony: 20:00 - 20:30 Congratulations again to our exceptional learners for today’s victory! And well done to our coach Tyler Wilson 🚀 We are so proud of you all. Let's keep this momentum going into the next round! #SophiaHighLegacy #NXTLVL #OlympiadWinners #ProudMoment #ProblemSolvers #GameOn #LegacyOfExcellence

📢 Victory Alert! This Tuesday, Sophia High Legacy secured a 2-1 win 🏆 against Beech Hall School Riyadh in Round 3 of the Cottesmore School #Cottesports Brawl Stars League! 🎮 This triumph marks our 2-1 overall score over the past three weeks. 🎉 Our team of primary and secondary students from ages 8-13 continue to demonstrate incredible teamwork and determination! Onwards and upwards, team! 💪 Let's keep the momentum going for the next rounds! 🔥 👏 And congratulations to Beech Hall Riyadh for the performance and sportsmanship. Thanks to Tom Rogerson as always in leading from the front and Elliot Mack and DAIGON Esports for hosting the competition. If you want to know what the future looks like - you should check it out here 🔮 #SophiaHighSchoolUK #BrawlStars #esports #leadership #EsportsVictory #Cottesports #TeamWork #GameOn #SophiaHighLegacy