QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 23
RETHINK.
REUSE.
REDESIGN
Eco-friendly innovation
This term, our Year 10 GCSE Design
and Technology students have been
getting hands-on with a creative
challenge: turning old, unused materials
into new, functional products.
With sustainability as a key focus,
students have been exploring how
everyday items (like cardboard
packaging and other materials that might
normally end up in the bin), can be given
a new lease of life. The aim is to design
products that are practical, while also
reducing waste.
Students are currently developing
prototypes of their ideas using simple
materials such as cardboard to create
model versions of their designs. These
early models might not be the finished
product, but they play a vital role in the
design process.
Prototyping helps students test their
ideas, identify what works and figure out
what could be improved. It also
encourages them to think carefully about
size, structure, function and the
practicalities of how their designs will be
used. Making adjustments at this stage
helps them refine their ideas and develop
better designs before moving on.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
QPHS rock bands compete at The Hive
The Nest Northwest in
association with Devafest and
The Love Music Trust hosted its
first 8Battle of the Bands9
competition at The Hive in
Winsford on Saturday 28th
February. The event brought
together student bands from
across Cheshire for an exciting
day of live music and
performance.
QPHS was proudly represented
by not one, but two fantastic
bands. Our youngest
competitors, Year 8 band 8The
Echoes9, featuring Rory, Sonny,
and Eashan, impressed the
audience with their confidence
and enthusiasm. They were
joined by Year 9 band 8Untitled
Dark mp49, made up of Rohan,
Otillie, Seren, and Aphra, who
delivered a powerful and polished
set.
It9s been fantastic to see the
range of ideas and how
students are applying their
problem-solving skills. As the
project continues, they will
build on these designs and
develop them further.
Miss Chapple
Teacher of Design Technology
Seren and Aphra shared their
experience of the day:
At the Battle of the Bands
competition, we had the amazing
opportunity to compete against
fourteen other bands. We
performed two songs that we had
been practising for two months,
and it was a great chance to meet
other like-minded young
musicians. We learned a lot about
performance skills, audience
interaction, and managing
ourselves on stage.
The sound and lighting teams were
incredibly supportive and helped us
with any issues during our
performance. All the bands were
amazing, and it was inspiring to
see the level of talent on display.
Although we were disappointed not
to rank in the top three or secure a
spot at Deva Fest, the winning
bands, 8The Voke9, 8Hune9, and
8Days Late9, fully deserved their
success.
Both bands represented QPHS
brilliantly, showing commitment,
teamwork and above all musical
talent. Well done to everyone
involved for taking on the
challenge and performing with
such confidence and enthusiasm.
