Lessons were abandoned for Years 7 and 8 at Burgess Hill School for Girls’ Enrichment Day. Mrs Liz Laybourn, Deputy Head, and Miss Melissa Bramley, Head of Lower School, had kept the plans under wraps, so the girls had no idea what to expect!

Their task was to design and build a bridge to support four 400g Cadbury’s chocolate bars over a gap, and the team whose bridge held out the longest would win. However, as always, there was a catch. The bridges had to be made entirely of PVA glue, dry spaghetti and string. The bridge could not touch the ground and equally could not be glued to the desk! Full of ideas, the teams started to build…

Their creative efforts were displayed in the group competition, with many surprising results. Team Bridge were particularly noted for their innovative “just stick everything together- we’ll be fine” approach to the task. However, other teams had really gone to town, with a full suspension bridge from one group. Other designs included a horizontal rope ladder from Team CHEERLE, a diamond based bridge from The Grapes and a single piece of string! The winners were, though, Team “London Bridge Isn’t Falling Down” with their very sturdy and strong bridge they won the chocolate and very quickly acquired many people trying to get at their winnings…

Year 7 & 8 all thanked Mrs Laybourn and Miss Bramley for organising such an exciting day and anticipate next year!

Written by Ellie Warner, Year 7 student

30/06/08

Testing the strength of their bridge, the girls were very pleased with their creative efforts.