MAD Week 2026 preparations, Mock exams reminder, and Year 7 & BSM Book Club Visiting Filipino Author
MAD Week 2026 preparations, Mock exams reminder, and Year 7 & BSM Book Club Visiting Filipino Author
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Dear Students and Families,
As we move deeper into the term, university application season is in full swing. Many of our Year 13 students are working hard to finalise personal statements, complete supplementary essays, and meet early deadlines. Please continue to encourage them to make use of the support available from our College Counselling team.
Preparations for MAD Week are now underway, and we are looking forward to another inspiring celebration of service, creativity, and community. More details will follow soon.
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A reminder that mock exams will take place in January. Students should now be integrating regular revision into their weekly routines so they feel confident and prepared when the time comes.
While there is a growing sense of excitement for the upcoming holidays, I want to acknowledge the focus, energy, and commitment of our staff and students. We are a high-performing school, and we remain fully engaged in learning, growth, and support right up until the final day of term.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Mark Attwood
Head of Senior School
Year 7 & BSM Book Club Visiting Filipino Author
BSM was delighted this week to welcome Filipina author Katrina Olan as part of our growing partnership, following her excellent workshop at last year’s Writers' Fair. Our thanks go to the LRC Team and to Sofia Mangilog for securing Katrina’s visit and helping make the event possible. Katrina spoke to all of our Year 7 students, who are currently preparing to create their own pieces of writing for a published anthology based on Filipino and world myths.
Drawing on her unique reimagining of Filipino myths and traditions, Katrina explored the big question of what makes Filipino literature distinct. She also spoke honestly about the experience of being a woman in a genre often dominated by men, and about the reality of trying to build a creative life in the Philippines. Many students were struck by the way she described earning a living in the advertising and visual industries while still finding the courage and belief to produce work of celebrated artistic value. It was a message with relevance for anyone growing up in an elite international school.
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Katrina is best known for her award-winning sci-fi novel Tablay, which blends Filipino folklore with futuristic mecha world-building, and for Makina, her recent graphic novel collaboration with artist Ian Sta. Maria. Students were excited to hear about the creative journeys behind these books, and every copy she brought with her sold out.
Later in the day, Katrina met with our BSM Book Club and generously shared insights into her writing process. She offered thoughtful advice to any students who might want to develop their own stories or projects. With so many young creatives in our community, it was wonderful to see them supported and inspired by such a credible and engaging speaker.
The English Department was especially pleased by how the workshop was received. We are now looking at involving Katrina in further projects, including our Year 8 students' ethical project pitches, where her success in both creative and commercial fields would be invaluable in guiding and inspiring the quality of our students’ work.
Gregory Anderson & Mark Graham
English Department
RELATED LINKS
- Senior School News