NEWSLETTER
End of Spring Term 2024
|
|
|
HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME
Welcome to the Easter edition of our newsletter. As usual, our students have thrown themselves into the spring term school activities and events with enthusiasm. I do hope you enjoy it.
We have been really busy in school since the turn of the year with our 150th Anniversary celebrations being a particular highlight. Students very much enjoyed the House bake off heats and the 150 knowledge quiz whilst the entries for the 150 edition pencil case have resulted in a final design that will go forward into production. All students and staff have their own 150 Anniversary badge. The badges will only be issued in 2024, so will no doubt become a real keepsake. We have more activities planned for the summer terms and we are looking forward to our 150th Anniversary celebration day on the 4th July this year.
We welcomed some inspirational speakers into school this term. Brandie Deignan joined us for International Women’s Day and shared with students key moments from her life along with important messages about positivity and confidence. The multi award winning children’s author, Emma Carroll, joined us for World Book Day and stayed for an exciting book signing event. For national careers week we were delighted to welcome back Amber Fletcher, an ex-Plymouth High student. Amber shared with students the route she took from school to University to gaining her professional qualifications. Students very much enjoyed listening to all our visiting speakers and I hope you enjoy reading more about the visits in our newsletter.
During February we marked LGBTQ+ month. Inclusivity, tolerance, kindness and acceptance are important to us at Plymouth High and during the month there were activities to enable students to promote and share these values. Do read on to find out more.
Our 2024 Head Student Team have published their first edition of the Hear me out student written magazine. To read their Spring Edition, click here. It is crammed full of interesting articles and super artwork. There is also a section from Plympton Academy student leaders (Plympton Academy is the other school in Plymouth that is part of Thinking Schools Academy Trust). As usual, the magazine is fabulous and I encourage everyone to read it from cover to cover.
I wish you all an enjoyable and relaxing Easter break.
Best wishes,
Mr Underdown
|
|
|
|
 |
20 Mar 2024
We are delighted to announce the winner, Bonnie Year 13, of the Marcus Warering recipe book competition, hosted by our catering team, Chartwells.
|
 |
20 Mar 2024
We are celebrating Ruby, who has auditioned to be in a West End musical. She has been selected for the next round where she will be performing in a live show in April.
|
 |
04 Mar 2024
Roxanne 7A, a cheerleader for Power Athletics, competed at ICC Westerners at Bath and West County Showground on the 10th February.
|
 |
22 Feb 2024
Following on from her silver medal success before Christmas, Maya, 8A, who tumbles for Zero Gravity Academy of Gymnastics and Trampolining, has just won a gold medal at a competition in Milton Keynes. This has led to further training opportunities with some top level coaches. Well done Maya!
|
 |
09 Feb 2024
Ava, 8A, has been competing at the Devon County Swimming Championships over the past month. She has come away 9 winning medals across 9 of her swimming events.
|
 |
09 Feb 2024
The award was given to Tilly-Marie's enthusiasm towards the topics discussed each session (eg: first aid, healthy relationships and 10 hour first aid). It was also given for her ability to share such high quality information about each of these topics, from all of her own research.
|
|
|
|
150th Birthday Celebration
|
|
|
22 Mar 2024
As part of the 150th school birthday celebration, students have been representing their Houses in the PHSG House Bake Off! On Thursday 21st March, Y11 & Sixth Form Houses competed in 'Chocolate Week' for a place in the 'Bake Off' final next term.
|
|
12 Mar 2024
As part of the 150th school birthday celebration, students have been representing their Houses in the PHSG House Bake Off! On Thursday 7th March, Y7 & Y8 Houses competed for a place in the 'Bake Off' final next term.
|
|
23 Feb 2024
Plymouth High School for Girls is proud to announce the celebration of its 150th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the school's rich history of providing exceptional education.
|
|
|
|
|
11 Mar 2024
Plymouth High School for Girls is really pleased to be one of 300 schools across the UK to receive a delivery of canned Alaskan salmon as part of the Food Teacher’s Centre #fishheroes initiative.
|
|
|
|
|
28 Mar 2024
A round up of the events that have taken place in the library in the Spring term 2024.
|
|
|
|
21 Mar 2024
The Year 7 netball A and B team took part in the Plymouth Schools end of season tournament last Thursday, with our A Team awarded with silver medals for finishing as runners up.
|
|
|
|
 |
27 Mar 2024
Chartwells 'Pop-up' will be arriving at PHSG on Tuesday 23rd April. The dishes they are showcasing are the Mandarin chicken and the Roasted rainbow vegetable bowl. Come on down to the Refectory to try the dishes and have your say!
|
 |
26 Mar 2024
The Spring 2024 edition of the student magazine 'Hear Me Out' has been published today. It is the first edition under our new editor, Head Student, Verity, and we cannot wait to see what she has in store.
|
 |
25 Mar 2024
Our Earth Alliance Team have approached our corporate DIY centre to donate plants for our student outdoor spaces.
|
 |
14 Mar 2024
Yesterday, PHSG ended World Book Week on a high with a visit from award winning Children’s author, Emma Carroll.
|
 |
12 Mar 2024
On Friday 8th March, PHSG students celebrated International Women's Day with the highlight of guest speaker, Brandie Deignan addressing our Year 9 and Year 10 students.
|
 |
08 Mar 2024
In celebration of International Women's Day on Friday, Period Poverty was chosen as the student's charity to raise money and awareness. Students were invited to wear a red accessory to show their support and our very own Head Student Team representatives hosted a bake sale to raise mone...
|
 |
07 Mar 2024
World Book Week has got off to a great start at Plymouth High. Yesterday we started the celebrations with a book themed quiz in the library. Today we celebrated with our costume day. There are still many fun filled activities taking place throughout the week, finishing with our author visit and...
|
 |
29 Feb 2024
Thanks to our incredible sponsors Becton Dickinson, we are building a second car in the F24 kit car category! Construction is already underway, but we would like to offer you an exciting opportunity to design and name the car which will race at iconic locations such as Goodwood Motor Circuit!
|
 |
28 Feb 2024
Primary and secondary schools within The Thinking Schools Academy Trust recently gathered for the 'Student Voice' meeting, marking a significant step towards empowering students to shape their educational experience.
|
 |
28 Feb 2024
In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, Plymouth High School for Girls, collaborated with other schools across the Trust in participation in the "We Are One" event. This initiative, led by the Trust, aims to foster inclusivity, understanding, and respect for LGBTQ+ history and culture...
|
 |
22 Feb 2024
Every year on the 22nd of February, Scouts and Guides worldwide celebrate Founder’s Day (Scouts) and World Thinking Day (Guides). On this day we remember Lord and Lady Baden-Powell who created both organisations, and join in solidarity with our Scouting and Guiding family around the world...
|
|
|
|
|
12 Mar 2024
Daisy T, “We don’t just think grass, we seagrass”, sums up the amazing experience that year 12 students had during their enterprise day delivered by 21 Babcock representatives on Wednesday 6th March. The students were tasked with creating attachments for a Remotely Operated Underwa...
|
|
|
|
11 Mar 2024
As part of our celebrations of National Careers Week we were delighted to welcome Amber Fletcher back to PHSG. Amber left in 2014 and shared her career journey into becoming a probation officer with the students during last week’s assemblies.
|
04 Mar 2024
The 4th – 9th February is National Careers Week. Plymouth is marking this event by hosting an Early Careers Fair to meet Plymouth’s Top Employers! Students, families and friends are all welcome to discover the next steps and opportunities available to the city’s young people.
|
|
|
|
Student & Class of the Week
|
|
 |
25 Mar 2024
Student of the week: Miranda 8A, ''For showing great resilience and broadening her friendship groups (while her best friend is absent) during break and lunch times while accessing AO1.'' Nominated by Mrs Gill. Awarded 10 House points.
Class of the week: Martha and Annabelle, Y7...
|
 |
19 Mar 2024
Student of the week: Serenity, 11K. ''For organising the Year 11 year book photos. All the groups came up on time and in order, she was clearly very good at communicating the requirements to the classes. It’s not easy organising 120 of her own peers.'' Nominated by Miss Be...
|
 |
13 Mar 2024
Student of the week: Kyla 10A. ''For a marked improvement in English Literature and writing a clear and well-articulated essay on the theme of greed in Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. Congratulations!'' Nominated by Miss Readey. Awarded 10 House points.
Class...
|
 |
07 Mar 2024
Student of the week: Nerrisa, 7K. ''For quietly working so hard every French and German lesson and then coming out with amazing insights, answers and ideas, showing how well she is thinking.'' Nominated by Mrs Carter. Awarded 10 House points!
Class of the week: 8K Tutor Group. ...
|
 |
26 Feb 2024
Student of the week: Nerrisa, 7K. ''For quietly working so hard every French and German lesson and then coming out with amazing insights, answers and ideas, showing how well she is thinking.''. Nominated by Mrs Carter. Awarded 10 House Points.
Classof the week: 7K Dance Grou...
|
|
|
|
|
YOUR CHILD’S HPV VACCINATION IS NOW DUE.
Kernow Health will be on site to deliver the HPV vaccination programme for all students in Year 8 and students in Year 9, 10 or 11 who did not receive their vaccination in Year 8 on 23/04/2024.
Please follow the link HPV Vaccination Consent Form (kernowimmunisations.co.uk) to give consent and QUOTE school code DV148369.
Please click on this link Vaccine Update 339 June 2023 HPV Special (govdelivery.com) for more information about the HPV universal programme.
|
|
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.
|
|
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/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar Term Dates 2023-2024
Term
|
Starts
|
Ends
|
|
One
|
4th September 2023(Year 7 & 12 only)
5th September 2023 (All Year Groups)
|
20th October 2023
|
| Autumn Half Term |
23rd October 2023 |
27th October 2023 |
|
Two
|
30th October 2023
|
15th December 2023
|
| Christmas Holidays |
18th December 2023 |
1st January 2024 |
|
Three
|
2nd January 2024
|
9th February 2024
|
| Spring Half term |
12th February 2024 |
16th February 2024 |
|
Four
|
19th February 2024
|
28th March 2024
|
| Easter Holidays |
29th March 2024 |
12th April 2024 |
|
Five
|
15th April 2024
|
24th May 2024
|
| Summer Half term |
27th May 2024 |
31st May 2024 |
|
Six
|
3rd June 2024
|
19th July 2024
|
| Summer Holidays |
22nd July 2024 |
September TBC |
Curriculum Enrichment Week
Monday 8th July—12th July 2024
Non Pupil Days
1st September 2023
9th October 2023
20th October 2023
6th May 2024 (Bank Holiday).
22nd July 2024
23rd July 2024
|
|
|
.jpg)
