In the vast ocean of biology, every week is filled with new discoveries and understandings. From the microscopic world of cells to the macroscopic workings of living organisms, every bit of knowledge is like a sparkling pearl in the ocean, waiting to be explored and treasured. This week, our Biology learning journey set off once again, with students from Grades 9 to 12 making remarkable progress in different areas, from basic biological principles to complex life phenomena, each step of the way uniting their efforts and wisdom.

In Year 9 IGCSE Biology, we are embarking on an exciting journey of challenge and discovery. Recently, our learning has focused on the cellular structure, the cornerstone of the life sciences, from the command centre of the nucleus to the sophisticated workings of the organelles, each detail leading us to explore the microscopic mysteries of life. Not only do we analyse the amazing functions of the cell membrane, which is the gateway to life, but we also explore the vast world of ‘biomolecules’ to understand how DNA, proteins and carbohydrates work together to build the grand blueprint of life. We also travelled together in the vast world of ‘biomolecules’ to understand how DNA, proteins and carbohydrates work together to contribute to that blueprint.

This week, we celebrated the mid-term examination of the IGCSE Biology programme, which is not only an important test of students' knowledge, but also a critical moment for them to reflect on their learning process and adjust their strategies. The exam not only assessed students' mastery of basic concepts such as “cell structure”, “cell membrane” and “biomolecules”, but also tested their comprehensive application skills through practical applications and case studies. Through practical applications and case studies, the students were able to test their comprehensive application skills. We encourage every student to take this opportunity to analyse their own learning status, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and point out the direction for the second half of their learning journey.

This week, Year 10 students had their mid-semester exams, examining topics such as - excretion, plant reproduction and human reproduction. Through this examination, students not only tested their learning results, but also clearly recognised their weak parts. This undoubtedly pointed out the direction and provided a clearer method for them to check and make up for their weaknesses in the later stages of the course. During the evaluation of the examination papers, teachers explained in detail the skills of examining questions and the methods of answering questions, helping students to summarise the lessons learnt and laying a solid foundation for achieving good results in the next examination.

Meanwhile, Year 11 students focused mainly on DNA and RNA this week. They gained an in-depth understanding of the basic structures of DNA and RNA, and explored the similarities and differences between the two in detail through a comparative approach. In order to understand the mysteries of the genetic code more intuitively, students also investigated a variety of biological models to visualise abstract knowledge points. In addition, they systematically summarised what they had learnt by drawing mind maps to further consolidate their memory.

Year 12 students, on the other hand, embarked on a journey of internal homeostasis this week, focusing on the structure of the kidney and its functions. They gained a detailed understanding of how the kidneys perform filtration and selective reabsorption, which is crucial to understanding the homeostatic regulation of the body. Through the week, students not only grasped the complex working mechanisms of the kidney, but also furthered their understanding of the principles of stabilising the internal environment of an organism.

Looking ahead, we will use the mid-semester feedback as a guide to further explore its accelerated biological mysteries. We firmly believe that every challenge is a catalyst for growth and every reflection is a spark of wisdom.