8B Geography were given the task of inventing their own country to consolidate their learning from this year on geopolitics, biomes and development. Students worked in small groups or individually to design their country which included a physical map, human/political map, country flag, government set up, trade, social groups and international relations. I was so impressed by the level of design, thinking, and creativity which every member of the class demonstrated over the 3 lessons.

Geographical knowledge was presented in each country with groups thinking about what their flag represented, how their country's climate is linked to its location on the planet, and how the country could develop. Well done 8B! 

Mrs Nicol-Boyle

Biology - In June, our A level biologists visited Wembury beach as part of their Practical endorsement for the course. Despite the foggy conditions, students collected a range of data, comparing the biodiversity of different areas of the upper and lower shoreline. Once sufficient data was collected, the group were joined by the team from the Wembury Marine Centre who took students on a ‘rockpool safari’ to identify a range of the diverse species living around Wembury. Students found and identified Squat Lobsters, several crab species, Pipefish, and Starfish, giving an overview of the rich biodiversity along our coastline.

Mr Waite   

As a reward for working hard in Modern Foreign Languages all year and for students to experience an important cultural part of learning languages, 8A enjoyed a food tasting in one of their recent lessons.

First, we enjoyed some German specialities – Currywurst, Bretzeln, Sauerkraut and Erdnussflips. Students were brave and tasted everything, despite the smell of the Sauerkraut! Erdnussflips and Currywurst turned out to be a real favourite.

We then enjoyed a traditional French breakfast with students enjoying some chocolat chaud from a bowl and in true French tradition, dunking their brioche to enjoy it even more. This was described by students as ‘très délicieux’!

Mrs Gilchrist

As part of our Ecosystems module in Science, 7A have been learning about the different parts of a flower and how they reproduce.

They showcased their knowledge, curiosity and excellent practical skills by expertly dissecting Alstroemeria flowers to identify their structures, presenting their findings in informative posters.

Well done for being such excellent and enthusiastic scientists!

Miss Joynes  

Curriculum Enrichment Week - Isles of Scilly 

Our Year 7 students enjoyed a truly memorable camping adventure to St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly, staying at the beautiful Garrison Campsite above Hugh Town. With spectacular views, fresh sea air and the Atlantic all around them, it was a wonderful opportunity for students to explore one of the most beautiful parts of the British Isles.

The adventure began with a bracing 2 hour 45 minute ferry crossing westwards from Penzance, which certainly added to the sense of travelling somewhere very special. On arrival, students were rewarded with gloriously sunny and warm weather, crystal-clear waters and sparkling sandy beaches that made the islands feel almost Mediterranean - albeit with slightly more sensible waterproofs packed just in case.

Across the trip, students threw themselves into a fantastic range of activities. They enjoyed stand-up paddle-boarding and kayaking in the clear island waters, as well as an exciting fast RIB ride which gave everyone a real taste of adventure. There was also time for creativity, with watercolour painting on the beach and beach art competitions that made excellent use of shells, sand, seaweed and imagination.

A highlight of the trip was the wildlife tour of the Eastern Isles, where students had the chance to experience the remarkable natural environment of Scilly from the water. They also travelled by boat to Tresco, visiting the famous Tresco Abbey Gardens before spending time on the beach and enjoying more island exploration.

Perhaps the biggest achievement of the trip was the epic 10-mile walk around the entire coast of St Mary’s. Students showed resilience, good humour and plenty of determination as they completed the full circuit, taking in dramatic headlands, hidden coves, historic sites and some truly stunning coastal views along the way.

Camping together also brought its own rewards, from shared meals and tent life to evening reflections on the day’s adventures. For many students, the trip was a chance to build confidence, strengthen friendships and discover what they are capable of beyond the classroom.

A special thank you goes to Dr Clare Walsh from the PTFA for accompanying the trip and supporting the students so generously. I am also very grateful to Mrs Gill and Mr Thackray for supporting such a successful residential visit and of course our fantastic sixth form volunteers, Gabi and Zuzanna.

The trip was a wonderful example of learning beyond the classroom: adventurous, creative, challenging and full of moments that students will remember for years to come.

Mr Britz-Colwill 

What a lovely evening at the PHSG Annual Sports Awards. Thank you to all the parents, carers and students who attended and helped make the event such a success. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements of our students, both in and out of school, and to recognise their dedication, hard work and commitment. A heartfelt thank you also goes to everyone who helped organise the evening and ensure it ran smoothly. It was a wonderful occasion and a fitting celebration of another successful year of sport at PHSG. 

Our annual Sports Day was a fantastic success, enjoyed under glorious sunshine from start to finish. Despite the heat, students coped exceptionally well, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout the day. A huge thank you goes to South West Water, Tesco, our PTFA, and the ever-popular ice cream van, whose support helped keep everyone hydrated, refreshed and ready to compete. The PTFA have confirmed that an absolutely incredible £440 was raised from the 'bubble tea' stand! 

The standard of competition was outstanding. From the track races to the field events, students gave their all and represented their Houses with pride. The atmosphere throughout the day was superb, with excellent participation, enthusiastic support and a real sense of team spirit evident across all year groups.

The track events produced some thrilling performances, while the field events were equally impressive, showcasing the strength, skill and determination of our athletes. We were delighted to see several new school records set:

• Boys' 100m: David - 10.88 seconds
• Senior Girls' Shot Put: Michelle - 9.55 metres
• Boys' 800m: Oscar - 2 minutes 24 seconds

Alongside these record-breaking performances, many students achieved personal bests, reflecting the commitment and effort they have shown in training and competition throughout the year.

Congratulations to Anthony House, who were crowned this year's Sports Day champions with an impressive 137 points. The final standings were: 

Well done to all competitors, staff, volunteers and supporters who helped make the day such a memorable occasion. Sports Day once again demonstrated the talent, sportsmanship and community spirit that make our school so special. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part.

You can view the Gallery HERE! 

Our Year 11 prom was a fantastic evening and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the students' GCSE studies at PHSG.

The students arrived at The Elfordleigh Hotel in great spirits and looked amazing in their dresses and best outfits. Many made a memorable entrance, arriving in an impressive array of vehicles, including luxury cars, limousines and even as part of a motorbike convoy!

The glorious weather meant students were able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the venue, taking the opportunity to cool off outside in between enthusiastic celebrations on the dance floor.

It was a pleasure to see everyone enjoying themselves and creating lasting memories with friends and staff. We hope the evening provided a fitting send-off and celebrated all that this Year group has achieved during their time at PHSG. We wish them every success and happiness as they embark on the next stage of their journey.

Year 13 were also ready to say farewell in style! Emotions and excitement ran high as they arrived at the New Continental Hotel and excitedly greeted friends to celebrate their time and success at Plymouth High.

Laughter, smiles and stories filled the room and students danced the night away to the hits of all time - including a mass macarena! 

The prom was a fitting celebration of a Year group that has made a significant contribution to school life and a fantastic send-off into an unforgettable summer before they move on to university, apprenticeships, employment and other exciting opportunities.

Have you visited our new 'Reading & Literacy' webpage? Check it out here! 

While you're there, why not browse our staff and student bookshelves. 

Student reading achievements

Congratulations to Bea G, 7T and Eva-Rose 9T who have been awarded with a House 'Achievement in Reading' badge. They have read and reviewed 10 library books. Belle B, 7T has achieved the top award - a Gold badge - for reading and reviewing 50 library books! 

Book reviews are a valuable way for students to share their thoughts on what they have read, helping others discover new books and decide which titles they might enjoy reading next.

At the end of each school year, we recognise and celebrate our Top 5 Library Borrowers. These students have shown an outstanding commitment to reading throughout the year and are each awarded a certificate and a £5 Waterstones voucher in recognition of their achievement.  This year’s Top 5 are:

We also take the opportunity to review our library statistics and produce an End of Year Report (below), analysing borrowing trends, popular titles, student engagement and reading habits across the school. This helps us celebrate the success of the library and plan for the year ahead, ensuring we continue to provide the books and resources that our students enjoy most: 

PHSG teachers started their quest for the most extreme reading challenge action during recent Curriculum Enrichment Week - and Miss Roughton can't wait to see what our PHSG families get up to over the summer!  More details and how to submit your entry can be found here. 

We were delighted to hold our Book Cover Reimagining Competition, which invited students to unleash their creativity by redesigning the front cover of a favourite book. The competition attracted a fantastic range of entries, with students demonstrating imagination, artistic skill and a deep understanding of the stories they chose to represent.

Participants carefully considered the themes, characters and key messages of their books, creating original designs that captured the essence of each story. From bold modern interpretations to detailed hand-drawn illustrations, the quality and variety of the artwork was outstanding. The judges were particularly impressed by the thought and effort that students put into making their covers appealing to potential readers while remaining true to the books they represented.

Book cover artwork plays a vital role in the reading experience. A cover is often the first thing a reader notices and can influence whether they choose to pick up a book and explore its contents. Effective cover designs provide visual clues about the genre, mood and themes of a story, helping readers connect with the book before they even turn the first page. Artwork can spark curiosity, create excitement and communicate important ideas in an instant, making it a powerful tool for engaging readers.

The competition also highlighted the important link between art and literacy. By reimagining a book cover, students were encouraged to think deeply about the text, analyse key ideas and translate their understanding into a visual format. This process developed both creative and critical thinking skills while celebrating a love of reading.

Congratulations to all students who took part. Your enthusiasm, talent and creativity made the competition a great success, and we are incredibly proud of the impressive work produced:

Winner: His Dark Materials - Martha, Year 9

2nd place: The Bell Jar - Sophie, Year 10

3rd place: Ecce Homo - Em, Year 13

Commended submissions were...

Rosie, Year7;  Erin, Year8;  Luna, Year 7;  Charlotte, Year 7;  and Cleo Year 8

Free museums and galleries

• The Box (Plymouth, Devon): Explore this award-winning museum, art gallery, and archive that celebrates regional history and contemporary creations. 
• Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (Exeter, Devon): Discover world-class collections spanning natural history, fine art, and archaeology. 
• Museum of Cornish Life (Helston, Cornwall): Wander through rooms filled with working-class clothing, traditional folk art, and historical objects documenting regional history.
• Falmouth Art Gallery (Falmouth, Cornwall): View a collection of over 2,000 artworks including Impressionist paintings, contemporary prints, and a children's illustration archive.

Historic and heritage sites

• Buckfast Abbey (Buckfastleigh, Devon): Visit a Roman Catholic monastery located on the edge of Dartmoor, known for its architecture and peaceful gardens. 
• Truro Cathedral (Truro, Cornwall): Admire the striking Gothic Revival architecture of this late 19th-century cathedral.
• Botallack Mine Ruins (St Just, Cornwall): Walk among iconic cliffside tin mining structures that form part of the UNESCO Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
• The Hurlers (Bodmin Moor, Cornwall): Stand among three prehistoric stone circles dating back to roughly 1500 BC.

Cultural events and festivals in August

• Eats & Beats Food Festival (Barrowfields, Newquay, Cornwall): Attend a four-day festival running from August 28th, featuring live music from local bands, global street food, and talks.
• Viking Age St Tudy: The Danes Return! (St Tudy, Cornwall): Experience authentic Viking-age cooking, clothing, and combat demonstrations on August 15th, topped off with an educational history talk.
• Lemonaires - Men of Cornwall (Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall): Watch a powerful, free live performance of traditional sea shanties and local heritage songs on August 23rd.
• Commedia dell’arte on the Loose! (Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall): Catch a series of outdoor, improvisational Italian comedy performances on August 10th.

Morrisons and Kellogg’s have announced the return of their school holiday ‘Breakfast Clubs’, offering free meals to families across the UK to help ease the financial pressure over the summer holidays.

Families visiting their local Morrisons Café throughout the summer holidays can enjoy a free ‘Kellogg’s Breakfast’, which includes a bowl of cereal and a portion of fruit. The best part, it’s not just for kids, adults get to eat completely free too. Both kids and adults can choose from much-loved favourites, Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, topped with their choice of dairy or non-dairy milk and a free apple or banana.

The summer holiday offer will be available from 29th June to 6th September across all Morrisons Cafes nationwide.

Thank you, PTFA, for your generous support at our recent Open Evening and Sports Day! 

Our wonderful and hardworking PTFA have decided that they would like to trial the use of School Lottery to raise funds for school. Whilst the PTFA are not intending to specifically promote gambling, they have found that many schools have successfully used School Lottery to raise funds for school for those little extra things. Parents can find out more about School Lottery here.

Of course, there would be no expectation that parents buy lottery tickets, and the option to contribute to school via the usual methods to the PTFA remain open.

Should parents decide to take part in school lottery, some of the cost of each ‘ticket’ does go to School Lottery to cover things like administration costs. However, there are prizes, just like in any lottery, and a share of the ticket money comes directly to school.

Should you wish to get involved, please click here. 

Next Term's Key Events

2nd September:  Years 7 and 12 return to school 

3rd September:  Whole school returns 

Calendar Term Dates 2026-2027

Curriculum Enrichment Week 2027

28th June - 2nd July

Non Pupil Days 2026-2027

1st September 2026

2nd September 2026 (Years 8, 9, 10, 11 & 13 ONLY - Years 7 & 12 in school) 

16th October 2026

2nd November 2026

3rd May 2027 (Bank Holiday)

19th July 2027

20th July 2027