NEWSLETTER
Autumn End of Term 2022
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HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME
Welcome to our Christmas newsletter, the last of our regular communications for 2022.
It has certainly been a successful and enjoyable year. Our examination groups of 2022 performed magnificently, rightly rewarded for their hard work and commitment. Our sports teams across all years have competed against other schools with true Plymouth High spirt and our clubs and societies have been thriving in a year finally free of national restrictions. Our Hummingbird success was a particular highlight.
2022 has also seen the full return of our Festivals, charitable events, assemblies, house competitions, Duke of Edinburgh and of course sports day. It has been wonderful to have had a year that feels like business as usual. The Christmas events have helped us to get into the spirit of the season with the return of our annual carols and mince pies event and the carol service. Our awards evening for last year’s year 11 and 13 was a huge success made particularly special by old girl Harriet Gill delivering the key note speech and inspiring everyone to feel confident to ‘take up space’ for who they are and what they believe in.
Thank you to all our parents who joined us for the various open evenings we ran this term. We were keen to reconnect with our families after restrictions were lifted and we were delighted that you enjoyed coming into school to meet with staff and see the range of improvements we have made to the curriculum, the fabric of the building and connectivity since 2020.
In this edition of the newsletter you can read more about the transfer of our student leadership teams, the climate protest and our charity fundraising and much more.
I wish you all a restful and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Very best wishes,
Mr Underdown
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16 Nov 2022
Ella (Year 8) and Caitlyn (Year 11) represented the school in a National Schools Equestrian Association Eventers Challenge at Pontispool, near Taunton last weekend.
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16 Nov 2022
Old girl, Emily Keen attended the Englands Business Awards in Birmingham on Sunday as a regional winner of the best fitness business. We are delighted to share the news that she won the award for the best fitness business nationally.
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15 Nov 2022
Ellen, Year 9, has been awarded a Gold Award for her entry into the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), against thousands of students worldwide. Many students will recognise the distinctive subject that is well known as part of the 'life at Plymouth High'...
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02 Dec 2022
This week, year 12 Law students were fortunate to receive an informative and engaging Bar None presentation from Nigel Hall, local barrister from KBG Chambers.
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16 Nov 2022
Well done to the Sixth Form boys who played in the football team against DHSB. This was our first boys match arranged against another school and the team won 3-0!
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11 Nov 2022
On Wednesday 9th November, Mr Payne, the DofE Manager, had the pleasure of presenting over 90 Bronze and Silver DofE Award Certificates and Badges to students who have successfully completed their awards over the past year.
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11 Nov 2022
Plymouth College of Arts have launched their National Saturday Clubs, which provide members with an array of transferable skills that are greatly sought after by employers in the UK’s thriving creative sector and beyond.
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12 Dec 2022
Something new for the DT department this year. Printed pencil cases have been made inspired by Vivienne Westwood's Climate Revolution collection. Year 8 students were asked to create a printed design that would make the public consider the impact of Fast Fashion along with a swing tag. We think...
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08 Dec 2022
Students in year 10 have completed their lampshades today as part of this year's collaboration with the Arts University Interior team and Cornish Interiors. We can't wait to see the final product photographed after Christmas.
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17 Nov 2022
On Tuesday 15th November Year 12 students visited Devon Contract Waste's Envirohub, where they had the chance to witness how the company uses plastic waste that is collected from the Southwest to create garden furniture and children's activity centres.
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02 Nov 2022
Year 10 Textiles students were visited today by Cornish Interiors Cathryn Bishop to discuss all things interiors ahead of their next project. We cannot wait to photograph their final products at the Arts University Plymouth as part of a photo shoot workshop.
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Following a successful application process, four students have been selected to participate in PHSG’s SWAT Challenge Team. Meeting regularly, the team will organise a variety of events to enrich and challenge our community. These challenges will take various forms. Through them we hope to continue to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity.
The first Whole School Challenge will be revealed in January.
Meanwhile, the team is preparing to enter the South West Challenge Cup. This is a prestigious event hosted at Colyton Grammar school in June 2023 and will see our team compete against other grammar school student teams. We will keep you posted on our progress.
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24 Nov 2022
On Wednesday 23rd November the Sixth Form and a class of year 10 Geography student were lucky enough to be visited by Professor Penelope Endersby, Chief Executive of the Met Office, the first woman to hold this position. Penny’s career journey as a physicist and engineer by training, with...
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14 Dec 2022
Congratulations to Hope, Cordelia, Grace and Izzy for being successful in their application for Student Librarian. They all performed exceptionally well during their interview and are already proving to be a real asset to the library.
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05 Dec 2022
From January, we will be revamping our existing provision for time set aside explicitly for ‘reading for pleasure’. Wednesday tutor time reading is a long-standing PHSG tradition and we wish to build on our success with cultivating ambitious, voracious readers.
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05 Dec 2022
Year 11 have been completing their independent learning in a different way all year with overwhelming success on the new SPARX platform.
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04 Nov 2022
On the 8th October some of our year 12 and 13 students sat the Senior Mathematics Challenge, and they achieved 4 Silver, 5 Bronze and 2 students achieved a certificate of participation. One of our silver awards was even more amazing as it was achieved by Megan who is in year 10, but loves mathe...
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Mathematician of the Year!
14 of our year 8-13 students participated in the first Grammar School Mathematician of the Year competition on Saturday 26th November.
Students were put through their paces as part of a live 90-minute online challenge, and we look forward to finding out if either our individual competitors or the entering group have won any prizes which include cash prize pots and a visit to Oxford University for a special Mathematics enrichment lecture. Winners will be announced in the New Year, well done to all of our competitors for committing to the challenge!
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02 Nov 2022
We had another successful evening of netball on Tuesday for our year 9 superstars, beating both Heles (10-1) and Stoke Damerel (11-2). The girls played really well together in various different combinations on court and as usual represented the school brilliantly.
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A plea from the PE department- we are in need of some trainers for our spare kit cupboard. If you have any trainers that are still in usable condition and you would be willing to donate them please deliver to reception or the PE block. We also collect PE kit from students who leave or when students grow out of items. If it is in really good condition it can be sold on as second hand to parents (co-ordinated by Ms Barker). Again, this can be given to reception or given to a member PE in the PE block.
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14 Dec 2022
The PHSG Science Fair was created and managed by student leaders, the school Science Captains, and offered to years 7 to 11. Students were given the opportunity to create a project on a science topic of their choice and display it in one large fair in the gym.
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14 Dec 2022
Our theme for this year's Christmas decorations is repair, reuse, recycle. In line with this theme, the tree in The Newman Hall is one which has grown on site and has to be removed so that necessary ground works can take place. At the end of term, we will be donating it to a local char...
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14 Dec 2022
PHSG are delighted to announce the successful applicants for Head Student Team 2023.
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09 Dec 2022
The winners have been selected for the PHSG Christmas card competition.
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08 Dec 2022
Year 10 Graphics students produced a variety of Pop-up Christmas Cards which were sold to parents at Carols and Mince Pies last night. If you missed them and are interested in purchasing some, students can find them on display in the library from today onwards. You can place your order for only...
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08 Dec 2022
Today, students and staff took part in the Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day aswell as the first round of the PHSG Christmas dinners.
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08 Dec 2022
The Autumn 2022 edition of the student magazine 'Hear me out' has been published today.
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08 Dec 2022
We are delighted to have held our PHSG Carols and Mince Pies event live again this year on Wednesday 7th December after a two-year absence due to COVID.
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07 Dec 2022
The Earth Alliance team and a group of student volunteers grouped together on Wednesday 30th November to take part in the Clean Our Patch Scheme implemented by the EA team.
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05 Dec 2022
On Monday 27th March we have the fantastic opportunity to, once again, host Med Soc Live (previously Operating Theatre Live) in school.
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25 Nov 2022
PHSG are delighted to announce that we have raised over £700 towards the charity and by coming together with schools across the Trust, we have contributed towards an incredible £18,130.79!
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25 Nov 2022
On Tuesday 22 November six students attended The Diana Award anti-bullying ambassador training where they learnt about the issues surrounding bullying and how to support students who may be experiencing it.
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25 Nov 2022
Last term we launched our support for the Ukraine Christmas Shoebox Appeal, where we collected boxes on behalf 'UKkyi Bear, Devon to Ukraine' group who have teamed up with the 'Na Hvili Krainy' foundation based in Lviv, Ukraine. We are delighted to announce that this y...
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11 Nov 2022
Starting off last year as a small smattering of players, our PHSG Chess Club has grown from strength to strength.
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10 Nov 2022
Plymouth High School For Girls Earth Alliance staged a silent protest on Thursday 10th November to demonstrate that PHSG students are passionate about turning the tide on climate change. They felt it was important to conduct the protest during the time COP27 was physically taking place, and reached...
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10 Nov 2022
Yesterday, our Year 8's visited Market Hall in Devonport to take part in the careers fair for virtual reality based careers and experienced the immersive dome.
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Student & Class of the Week
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14 Dec 2022
Student of the week: Kerry, Year 11. ''Year 11 Textiles, for working extremely hard with her GCSE coursework and going above and beyond to learn new skills that will support her in achieving her final design.'' Nominated by Mrs Young, Awarded 10 House points.
Class of the week: 10...
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05 Dec 2022
Student of the week: Molly, 7A. ''For producing a very high standard end point talk of handmade pasta and handmade pesto. She worked with excellent skill and resilience.'' Nominated by Mrs Banks. Awarded 10 House Points.
Class of the week: Litter Pick Students. ''For compl...
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15 Nov 2022
Student of the week: Ben, Year 13. ''For effort and changing attitude, as a result he has seen a big improvement in his subjects.'' Nominated by Dr Dodderell. Awarded 10 House points.
Class of the week: Year 13 Geography class with Mrs Nicol-Boyle. ''Fantastic research to...
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01 Nov 2022
Student of the week: Elizabeth, 9K. ''For helping the site team collect rubbish from the courts at the end of lunch. Rubbish left by other students. She showed selfless and considerate behaviour and lovely manners.'' Nominated by the Gareth Davies. Awarded 10 House points...
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Attendance Matters: Congratulation on Pupil Attendance!
I would like to express my thanks for your persistence and continuous support in ensuring that your child maintains good attendance at Plymouth High School for Girls. We were very pleased at a recent meeting that the overall attendance for PHSG pupil’s year to date is over 96%. This is a wonderful achievement! Many students having 100% attendance. These high rates of attendance ensure it maximises their progress as learners.
Once again, thank you for all your support and, in particular, for ensuring that your child attends school every day and punctually. I wish you a relaxing Christmas holiday
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Reporting Absence
If a student is absent, then parents should contact the school each day of absence before 9am.
Tel number: 033 33 602230 (Option 1 then Option 1 for 6th Form, Option 1 then Option 2 for all other year groups).
Email: absence@plymouthhighschoolforgirls.org.uk
Parents must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence – for example, if their child is unable to attend due to ill health – by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible.
Parents should ring the main school phone number and report their child’s absence to the Attendance Officer together with the reason.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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/
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Calendar Term Dates 2022-2023
Term
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Starts
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Ends
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One
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1st September 2022
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21st October 2022
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| Autumn Half Term |
24th October 2021 |
31st October 2022 |
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Two
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1st November 2022
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16th December 2022
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| Christmas Holidays |
19th December 2022 |
2nd January 2023 |
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Three
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3rd January 2023
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10th February 2023
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| Spring Half term |
13th February 2023 |
17th February 2023 |
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Four
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20th February 2023
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1st April 2023
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| Easter Holidays |
3rd April 2023 |
14th April 2023 |
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Five
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17th April 2023
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26th May 2023
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| Summer Half term |
29th May 2023 |
2nd June 2023 |
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Six
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5th June 2023
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21st July 2023
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| Summer Holidays |
24th July 2023 |
September TBC |
Curriculum Enrichment Week
Monday 3rd July—7th July 2023
Non Pupil Days
1st September 2022
2nd September 2022 - Only Year 7 and 12 in school
26th September 2022
21st October 2022
20th February 2023
1st May 2023 (Bank Holiday)
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