Newsletters

End of Summer Term 2024

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Plymouth High
School for Girls

 

NEWSLETTER

 

End of Summer Term 2024


HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our last newsletter of the academic year.  We have another bumper addition for you to enjoy packed full of details of the things our young people have been up to.

The annual sports day was a huge success with students participating enthusiastically for their Houses and for each other.  Records were broken, the sun was shining and our super PTFA were out in force selling tasty refreshing drinks.  Students took part in track and field events, tug of war and rounders in between ice creams and cheering on their friends.  We were joined by Shona McCallian MBE, GB Hockey Player and Olympic Gold medallist throughout the day, and she even helped with raking the long jump pit! Shona also joined us for our hugely successful Sports Awards evening, giving a wonderfully motivational speech and handing out the awards.

The sporting theme continues as we remember our swimming gala.  It was a wonderful event with students from each house giving their all in the pool.

PHSG was represented at the Carnegie Awards by students from years 8 and 9, so do read on to see how they got on.

Our sixth form put on a mock election hustings and local MPs were invited in to be quizzed by PHSG students, whilst the History team ran a whole school mock election to coincide with the general election.  The PHSG mock election turnout was considerably higher than the UK general election turnout, so I do hope the various political parties are listening to what young people want.

Congratulations to Sofia in year 13 for winning the Plymouth Youth Awards for Activist of the year, an amazing achievement.  Sofia was up against a number of very impressive young people to win the award, and we are very proud of her.

Last, but by no means least, Plymouth High officially celebrated its 150 anniversary on 4th July.  It was the culmination of a series of 150 related events in school.  Read on to find out how much our alumni enjoyed coming back to Plymouth High where they got to walk around the school, sing the school song, visit the archive room and enjoy a cream tea. Our visitors enjoyed their trip down memory lane, and we were joined by two past headteachers, Mrs Stoggall and Mrs Martin who spoke of their memories of PHSG.  A great day was had by all.

On behalf of us all at PHSG, I wish you a very happy and safe summer holiday.

Best Wishes

Mr Underdown


Student Achievements

17 Jul 2024
Isabel achieves a podium position in the Plymouth Triathlon.
We are delighted to share that Isabel in 8T came 2nd in the Plymouth Triathlon held at Mount Edgcumbe on Sunday 7th July. Well done Isabel!
Read more
03 Jul 2024
Lilia is awarded cadet of the year!
We are delighted to celebrate Lilia's (10K) achievement in being awarded as the cadet of the year for 2024, at her B Company, Army Cadets, Mutey Barracks. 
Read more
26 Jun 2024
Scarlett smashes her personal best score!
Scarlett, 7L, competed at the National Age Group Qualification no2 Trampoline event at Telford International Centre on the weekend and once again gained a new personal best score!
Read more
17 Jun 2024
Harriet's Pony Club Success
Harriet, 9K, and the team from Little Margate Equestrian have been competing in the pony club mounted games. They won the area qualifier, both the actual races and the tack and turnout, meaning they have qualified for the next round in Somerset on the 6th July! They also took part in th...
Read more
11 Jun 2024
Scarlett's achievements in her first English Gymnastics qualification.
Scarlett, 7L, has qualified at the English Gymnastics Championships and celebrates a PB on her highest score. 
Read more
11 Jun 2024
Maya is awarded bronze for her tumbling routine.
Huge congratulations to Maya, 8A, who competed in an inaugural tumbling competition, as part of the Trampolining, DMT and Tumbling League at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff on Sunday. Having smashed Regional 1 level in February, she was competing at Regional 2 level for the first tim...
Read more
11 Jun 2024
Suzie's Duathlon Success
We are delighted to share Suzie's achievement in in the Newquay Intotri duathlon on Sunday, where she came 3rd in her field. Well done Suzie!
Read more
05 Jun 2024
Celebrating Megan's Maths Achievements!
Megan, 11K has been invited to attend the UKMT Summer School and has been selected to attend the South West School of Mathematics from September!
Read more
05 Jun 2024
Isabel is amongst the best in the South West.
We are delighted to celebrate Isabel, 8T, who competed in the Bristol Triathlon on Saturday 1 June. She was racing against the best triathletes in the South West and South Wales. After a strong performance and a determined effort, she placed a respectable 11th against a strong field and on...
Read more
05 Jun 2024
Roxanne's double threat and Cheer City success.
Roxanne, 7A, has competed in two teams for Power Athletics at the Cheer City competition in Coventry.
Read more

Design and Technology

There is a slight increase in the annual voluntary contribution towards the materials purchased and used by the students in Design and Technology next academic year. Non-payment does not mean the student cannot participate in the project, but without the continued support of donations, we would not be able to produce such quality products or run such exciting projects. The amount asked will now be £7.50 per student for each KS3 year moving forward from September. Thank you again for your continued support.,

The DT Team

English

03 Jul 2024
Sparx Silent Superstars
On Friday last week, the English department and the Library team had the pleasure of celebrating over 130 students from KS3 for their hard work and consistent effort in Sparx Reader. In amongst these silent superstars, we also celebrated the top ten library borrowers throughout the whole year.
Read more

Food and Nutrition

03 Jul 2024
Food & Nutrition students get a Royal Navy visit
On Tuesday 2nd July we had the opportunity to welcome two chefs from the Royal Navy to work with some of our GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students.  They learnt about possible career options within the Navy, as well as being set a cooking challenge.
Read more

Library

18 Jul 2024
Library News
A round up of the events that have taken place in the library in the Summer Term 2024
Read more
25 Jun 2024
PHSG students shadow the judging process at the Yoto Carnegies.
Last week, our Year 8 and Year 9 students attended the Yoto Carnegie Medals for Writing and Illustration, hosted at Plymstock school. They delivered a presentation on their assigned shortlisted book, 'Choose Love' by Nicola Davies in front of a large audience from eight local schools...
Read more

Science

18 Jul 2024
Cambridge Chemistry Challenge
The results are in! For the first time, Year 12 students took part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge against 12,968 students from across the country. Our 12 challengers achieved 5 copper awards (bronze equivalent), 1 silver award, and a gold award - putting our students roughly in the t...
Read more

Physical Education

18 Jul 2024
PHSG Sports Awards Evening
Plymouth High School for Girls hosted their sports awards evening this week, celebrating the students sporting success over the past year.
Read more
18 Jun 2024
Students challenge our 'cream of the crop' in the PHSG Beat the Teacher event.
The PE Department ran a beat the teacher event at lunchtime this week to raise money for trophies for the annual sports leaders awards coming up in July. The students took on challenges against the teachers to win the opportunity to sponge them if they could beat them!
Read more

PE Kit Donations

A reminder that Year 11s who have now finished with their PE kits- if they would like to donate them to the PE department for our ‘spare kit’ cupboard, we would be very grateful to have them.

Also, if any other students from other years have grown out of their PE kit, or trainers, please could they do the same. Thank you.

PTFA

25 Jun 2024
WANTED: Preloved Uniform
Our wonderful PTFA are looking to recycle pre-loved uniform and are hoping that people with good condition current school uniform might be happy to donate it.  If you have any current uniform items (not blouses though) and you would like to donate, please bring your items to reception.
Read more

Whole School

16 Jul 2024
A hat-trick for Kendall- winning their third sports day in a row in 2024!
On Tuesday 16th July, students (and staff) at PHSG competed in the legendary and highly anticipated school sports day. With Sports Captains at the ready, athletes train throughout the year as the Houses compete against each other to win certificates, trophies and all important House p...
Read more
15 Jul 2024
Olympian visit to PHSG Sports Day and Sports Awards Evening
Shona McCallian MBE, GB Hockey Player and Olympic Gold medallist, attended the PHSG sports day on Tuesday 16th July 2024. 
Read more
05 Jul 2024
PHSG students host their own mock election
As part of PHSG’s preparation for this week’s General Election, members of our Sixth Form helped raise awareness and engagement by hosting a debate, taking on the roles of spokesperson for each of the main political parties. With a large audience taking up much of the Newman Hall, studen...
Read more
28 Jun 2024
PHSG celebrating the Arts
Last week PHSG will be taking part TSArT's week. This is a trust wide campaign to encourage students and staff across the Trust to celebrate and immerse themselves in the Arts. 
Read more
25 Jun 2024
Plymouth Youth Awards 2024
We are delighted to announce that Sofia, Year 13, has won the Young Activist of the Year at the Plymouth Youth Awards 2024. 
Read more
25 Jun 2024
PHSG students hold a Hustings debate with local party representatives.
On Monday 24th June, PHSG hosted candidates from a range of parties standing in the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport seats, including the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats, as well as representation from the Green Party in a hustings debate with our Sixth Form and wider school community.
Read more
17 Jun 2024
PHSG Swimming Gala 2024
On Wednesday 12th June, students from across the year groups, competed for valuable House Points in the annual Swimming Gala.
Read more
11 Jun 2024
Head Student Team Assembly
In a heartfelt and timely assembly held this week in Newman Hall, our inspiring Head Student Team addressed the crucial topics of exam pressures and student wellbeing. With assessments scheduled at the end of the school term, the assembly aimed to equip students with strategies to manage stress...
Read more

Student & Class of the Week

25 Jun 2024
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Kyla, 10A, 'For an excellent French speaking test - the best in the class so far!' Nominated by Mrs Carter, awarded 10 House points. Class of the week: Carnegie Book Group, Y8 & 9. 'Students’ hard work and dedication preparing for the book award ceremony...
Read more
17 Jun 2024
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Isabella, 7A. ''For mature behaviour when the bus broke down.  Informing us via phone to let us know she and fellow students would be late and the reason.'' Nominated by Miss Shattock. Awarded 10 House points. Class of the week: Lily, Evie & Grac...
Read more
10 Jun 2024
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Ella-Mae, 12WTE. 'For preserving in the 3.3 test and doing the best yet in Biology A level.' Nominated by Mrs Doddrell. Awarded 10 House points. 
Read more
05 Jun 2024
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Lily P, 8T. 'For sustained effort and achievement in English.' Nominated by Mrs Hoyte. Awarded 10 House points.  Class of the week: Under 15's Cricket Team. 'They won the tournament and qualified for the county finals. They played an excellent game agains...
Read more

School Notices

PARKING

Please can we ask Parents for consideration when parking near the school, there have been some instances where it has been difficult for our students to walk safely due to the volume of cars. 

There have been occasions where students have been late leaving for a sports fixture because parents had parked blocking the minibuses. Students can exit the site via Alton Road, and parents may consider this a convenient pickup point or one of the other streets surrounding the school. 

Be reminded that there is NO PARKING allowed on the double yellow lines outside the school main gates.


HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Students may contact staff if they have queries, firstly by visiting them in their department area, and only contacting them using school email system if they really can’t see them in person.

Parents may wish to contact staff. The following outlines what the Headteacher regards as important considerations regarding home/school communication, particularly by email:

¨ All communication must respect the dignity of the recipient.

¨ Within 48 hours: receipt of an email will be acknowledged by school either by the person contacted, or the most appropriate person able to deal with the issue (term time only, not after 5pm nor over a weekend).

¨ Within 5 working days: school will provide a response to the email by telephone or in writing, or e-mail.  This may include informing the sender that more time is required to provide a full response.  If this is the case, staff should indicate a time frame for a response.

¨ Staff will not be expected to monitor or respond to emails outside their normal working hours (nor at weekends and published school holidays).

Whilst this is extremely rare, if a member of staff receives an e-mail or call which is of an aggressive tone, sets unreasonable demands or could otherwise be interpreted as harassing, they will refer this to a senior line manager in the school, who will decide if consideration needs to be given to dealing with further communication under our Complaints Policy.

PARKING

Out of respect for our neighbours and for health and safety reasons there is NO PARKING on the school site or for collecting/dropping off  students on the double yellow lines outside our school gates. 

SCHOOL NURSE DROP IN

Don’t forget for our students, the School Nurse visits school to provide a “drop in” clinic on Friday Week A at lunchtime.  Just pop along to the Counselling Room.

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

For safety reasons if your daughter has to leave school during the school day, and you are unable to collect her, she must have a note in her planner with clear instructions that you give permission for her to leave unaccompanied.  Without your express instructions to this effect we will not allow any students to leave school unless they are collected by an adult from reception.

NUT ALLERGY

Please be aware that we have students who are severely allergic to nuts and we would, therefore, appreciate where possible that you try to avoid putting nuts into packed lunches.

Although we are not going completely nut free, we have stopped selling packets of nuts as snacks in the canteen to try to reduce the risk to them and appreciate your support. 

SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE SAFETY

Our Children are spending more and more time on their mobile phones.  Making them aware of the dangers of social media, and protecting them from these dangers can be very challenging.  These are some of the better known sites that pose risks to children—are they on your child’s phone home screen? 

To help safeguard your child please regularly take the time to talk to them about the way they use their social media apps:

Do they always know who they are engaging with? 

Do they share their passwords?

Do they feel comfortable with what they are seeing and doing?

Do they feel pressure from “friends” to do/say things they don’t want to?

For more information please regarding online safety, please visit our website: www.phsg.org/


School Calender

Inset Day
All Day
03
September
Year 7 & Year 12 in school ONLY
All Day
04
September
Whole school back
All Day
05
September
Team building event: 7A
All Day
09
September
Team building event 7K
All Day
10
September
Team building event 7L
All Day
11
September
Year 12 Expectations Evening (4.30pm - 5.30pm)
4:30pm – 5:30pm
11
September
Team building event 7T
All Day
12
September
Year 11 Theatre Trip (matinée)
All Day
12
September
11+ Examination
All Day
14
September
Year 10 Art Trip (date TBC)
All Day
From 16 Sep until 20 Sep
16
September
Open Evening (4.30pm - 6.30pm)
4:30pm – 6:30pm
19
September
11+ Examination
All Day
21
September
Y10 Expectations Evening (4.30pm - 5.30pm)
4:30pm – 5:30pm
25
September
KS5 Physics Trip
All Day
26
September
National Poetry Day
All Day
03
October
Y11 & Y13 Drama Trip - matinée performance
All Day
03
October
Year 11 Parents Evening (3.45pm - 5.30pm) Online, by appointment
3:45pm – 5:30pm
10
October
KS5 Art Trip
All Day
11
October
Head Student Team Launch
All Day
14
October
WeAreOne Event: Black History Month
All Day
14
October
Year 7 Trip to the Zoo
All Day
15
October
Year 11 Parents Evening (3.45pm - 5.30pm) Online, by appointment
3:45pm – 5:30pm
17
October
Inset Day
All Day
18
October
Half term
All Day
From 21 Oct until 01 Nov
21
October

Term dates

Calendar Term Dates 2024-2025

Term
Starts
Ends

One

4th September (Year 7 & 12 only)

5th September (All Year Groups)

17th October 

Autumn Half Term 21st October 1st November 

Two

5th November

20th December

Christmas Holidays 23rd December 3rd January

Three

6th January

14th February 

Spring Half term 17th February  21st February

Four

24th February

4th April

Easter Holidays 7th April 21st April

Five

22nd April

23rd May

Summer Half term 26th May  30th May

Six

2nd June

23rd July 

Summer Holidays 24th July  2nd September

 

Curriculum Enrichment Week

7th July - 11th July

 

Non Pupil Days

3rd September

18th October

4th November

5th May 2024 (Bank Holiday).

24th July 2024

25th July 2024

Week B
All Day
From 15 Jul until 19 Jul
15
July