Newsletters

End of Autumn Term 2021

Plymouth High
School for Girls

 

NEWSLETTER

 

End of Autumn Term 2021


HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

Hello everyone and welcome to our Christmas edition newsletter.

As usual, we have a bumper publication. There are articles in the newsletter on our charitable work and how PHSG has supported local Christmas appeals, information on how to access our virtual Carols and Mince Pies event, the outcome of our Christmas Card competition, a variety of articles showcasing what our students have been up to and details of our 2022 Student leadership team.

Student leadership is a central feature of life at Plymouth High and I am delighted with all of our new student leaders; House Captains, Junior Captains, subject Captains, Head Student Team and Earth Alliance.  Indeed, our website details much of what our student leaders do and is well worth a visit.

Following my letter to you about January lateral flow tests, I can confirm that we will be able to complete all the tests (for those who have consented) on Tuesday 4th January. Students will be given the times of their test when they arrive in school.

I would be grateful if you would also ensure that your child has completed a lateral flow test on either Sunday 2nd January or Monday 3rd January.  Anyone who tests positive should self-isolate and book a PCR test at the earliest opportunity. Testing before returning to school increases our confidence that we will not bringing Covid-19 back into school after the holiday.

The last day of school is Friday 17th December and we will finish at 12.45pm. Students who usually catch DHSB buses will still be able to do so.  All students return to school on Tuesday 4th January 2022.

I wish you a happy and relaxing Christmas holiday and best wishes for the New Year.

Simon Underdown.


Student Achievements

03 Dec 2021
Harmani marches in the London 2021 Remembrance Parade
Harmani in 10DVS was invited to represent the Saltash Fire Cadets at the Cenotaph in London for the 2021 Remembrance Parade.
Read more
03 Dec 2021
Oxbridge success at PHSG
We are delighted to announce that some of our Sixth Form Students have been invited to interviews at both Oxford and Cambridge University.
Read more
29 Nov 2021
Abi's Eco Project, in partnership with Earth Alliance and Pollenize Plymouth.
Abi, 12VAN, has been working in partnership with Earth Alliance and Pollenize Plymouth on echo project to increase pollination in urban environments. 
Read more
25 Nov 2021
Megan's climb to success
Megan 9K has been competing in the National Youth Climbing Series following her win in the Team Bouldering League last term. 
Read more
12 Nov 2021
PHSG Staff and Student's ride for St Lukes
Staff and Students from PHSG took part into the Tour de Moor last term in order to raise money for St Lukes.
Read more

Duke of Edinburgh Updates

07 Dec 2021
Year 9 Bronze DofE Expedition UPDATE
The payment deadline for the Year 9 Bronze DofE Expedition in July 2022 is Friday 17th December 2021.
Read more

Departmental News

Art

08 Nov 2021
A Level Art Trips
On Friday 15/10/21 both Year 12 and 13 Art students experienced a valuable snapshot into both established and up and coming organisations within our city. The day allowed our students a deeper understanding of career paths they could follow if they decided to take their creative practice beyond...
Read more

Design and Technology

15 Dec 2021
Year 9 Bag Project
Students in our Year 9 Design and Technology class have been designing bags under the theme ‘supporting people’, investigating how products they design can support their target market or improve their current use of a product.
Read more
15 Dec 2021
Year 10 Textiles visit the Plymouth College of Art
Students have been completing an Interior design project alongside Cornish interiors and Plymouth College of Art. All students have designed and printed their own block print design across their chosen fabric and today constructed this into a lampshade.
Read more
15 Dec 2021
Year 7 Textiles
The Year 7 Design and Technology students have been learning multiple skills this term by designing and making cushions.
Read more

Drama

15 Dec 2021
Razzmataz have been having a 'Wicked' time this term
We have had a wonderful time this term at our ‘Razzamataz After school club’. The girls work so hard each week. We have been learning dances from Six, songs from Wicked and doing a mixture of devised and scripted drama. It is fantastic to watch the girls’ confidence improve week af...
Read more

Library

07 Dec 2021
Looking for some festive spirit? The PHSG library is the place to be!
Throughout December, the library have been hosting festive events for students during the break and lunchtimes. 
Read more
26 Nov 2021
PHSG Annual Book Quiz
Each year, our school Library Team and Student Librarians host the PHSG Annual Book Quiz. The Team were delighted to welcome the event back following the restrictions over the last couple of years and the event was a huge hit with students and teachers alike. 
Read more
11 Nov 2021
PHSG Student Librarians
Congratulations to Esther, Elizabeth, Rosa and Emma 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.
Read more

Library news

It was great to see the PHSG Annual Book Quiz back this year. The event was a huge hit with students and teachers alike. The ‘Agatha Quizities’ were crowned winners. To read more please see the article above.

Student Librarians.

Congratulations to Esther, Elizabeth, Rosa and Emma 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. To read more on this, please see the article above. 

Library Advent Challenge.

Well done to all the students that participated in the advent challenge. Each day during December there has been a new challenge. We have loved reading your poems, finding out about your favourite authors and trying to baffle you with our Christmas anagrams. As it stands, 7A are the winners with the most entries!

Book Review Baubles

A big thank you to all the students that helped with one of our Christmas displays, by filling in a ‘book review bauble.’ Writing book reviews is a skill in itself and reading a review by a peer can be really helpful if you’re stuck on what to read next. Book reviews can also be submitted on Accessit.

Science

15 Dec 2021
Student Leaders host PHSG's new Science Fair
The PHSG Science Fair was created and managed by 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. 
Read more

Maths

03 Dec 2021
There is no problem too big for our student Mathematicians!
On Wednesday 10th November a group of students sat the Senior UKMT Mathematics Challenge. The 90-minute multiple choice challenge promotes the students love of problem-solving. 
Read more

MFL

13 Dec 2021
Year 8 French class pen pal project
PHSG Year 8 French class get their first return letters from the cultural and educational exchange project with the students of Mayotte.
Read more
07 Dec 2021
Chinese Club celebrate the end of the Autumn course
This week saw the end of the Chinese club Autumn course, students celebrated with homemade Chinese themed food and traditional Chinese folk dancing. 
Read more
07 Dec 2021
St Nikolaus visits Year 8 in their German Class
The 6th Dec is St. Nikolaustag in Germany and Year 8 celebrated it in a traditional German way during their German lesson today.
Read more

PE

15 Dec 2021
PHSG ALevel PE class visit to the sports science lab
To enhance their learning experience, our PHSG A Level PE class went to visit the superb facilities at the Marjon Sports Science lab last week.
Read more
26 Nov 2021
PHSG Sports Council Selection
We are delighted to announce that the Sports Council has been announced for 2022.
Read more
26 Nov 2021
Year 9 Netball on a winning streak
Our Year 9 Netball Team took to the courts once again this week to play against some our local school competitors.
Read more
25 Nov 2021
PHSG competes at the National Schools Netball Tournament
Our U14 netball team made it through to the Devon round of the National Schools Netball Tournament in Exeter on Thursday 18th November.
Read more

Careers department

Explore all the latest information and opportunities to support your career options with the Heart of the South West’s free-to-use Student Padlet

https://hotswcareershub.padlet.org/jacquelinehobson/yfp4rek12r1g196h

Parents, not sure about the options that are available for your child? This new website from our Partners at Heart of the South West Careers is packed full of information for Parents/Carers

Save this link to your favourites or access the Student Padlet via the Student's section on the PHSG.org website by clicking on The Careers and Work experience page.

Any questions please contact Heather Longford, Careers Leader & Advisor

H.Longford@tsatrust.org.uk

Whole School

13 Dec 2021
PHSG Christmas Card Competition
The winners have been selected for the PHSG Christmas card competition.
Read more
03 Dec 2021
PHSG in support of the Plymouth Homeless Shoebox Appeal
Last month we launched our support for the Plymouth Homeless Shoebox appeal and we are delighted to announce that this year we have had 82 shoeboxes donated!
Read more
25 Nov 2021
Head Student 2022 selection
PHSG are delighted to announce the successful applicants for Head Student Team 2022.
Read more
08 Nov 2021
PHSG students in support of COP26 Youth Day
On Friday 5th November, PHSG students conducted a silent protest on the school grounds with a message of 'Enough Talking, Time for Action' in support of the COP26 Youth Day.
Read more
19 Nov 2021
PHSG raising money for Children In Need
Today students took place in a range of activities to raise money for the annual Children in Need campaign.
Read more
15 Nov 2021
PHSG students wear their rainbow laces with pride
Throughout the week Plymouth High’s LGBTQIA+ Alliance (lead by Lauren in 13MCA) sold rainbow shoelaces for £2 per pair to support th Stonewall charity. On Friday, the students were able to show their support by wearing them in school.
Read more
16 Dec 2021
Earth Alliance 2022
We are delighted to announce the successful applicants for Earth Alliance 2022
Read more

Student & Class of the Week

07 Dec 2021
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Eleanor, 10RIC. ''Eleanor joined my PE Outdoor and Adventurous Activities group from another PE group back on early October. Having taken part in Mountain Biking she is now Climbing where she has really excelled, both in terms of her climbing skills and ability. It has b...
Read more
29 Nov 2021
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Niah, 10K. ''For volunteering to support a new student in Year 10'' Nominated by Miss Boyle, Awarded 10 House points.  Class of the week: 7T in PSHE Class, ''For participating in thoughtful and open discussions.'' Nominated by Miss Yarwood...
Read more
25 Nov 2021
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Issy, 11T ''For achieving one of her highest grades in a Biology test.'' Nominated by Dr Doddrell. Awarded 10 House points. 
Read more
15 Nov 2021
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Student of the week: Jacob, 13MAL, ''For teaching his class about the carbonate buffering system of the blood last Friday, doing a very good job. He even had a retrieval task and a salient slide.'' in Chemistry class, nominated by Mrs Hatfield. Class of the week: Year 13 Diversity...
Read more
03 Nov 2021
PHSG Student and Class of the week
Class of the Week: Year 10 PE/Mountain Biking Group with Mr Payne. ''For choosing the toughest route to complete on their last lesson with lots of big climbs, fast downhills, demanding single tracks and lots of hazards to overcome. Amazing - well done!''
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. 

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

Attendance

A polite request for parents & carers to advise the school of the following regarding student appointments and illness:

  • Provide medical evidence indicating attendance at the dentist, doctor or optician before the arranged appointment unless an emergency situation has arisen.

Whenever possible all appointments should be made outside of school hours.  Students must be collected at Reception from parent /carer unless written permission has been received prior to the appointment.

  • Provide written explanations/email of any absence and medical evidence for whole day appointments as well as medical evidence for absence from school due to illness after 3 consecutive days.

Medical evidence may be any of the following:

Hospital discharge letter

Note from your GP

Screenshot copy of your appointment notification or eConsult from your GP

Copy of the prescription or copy of the medication label

Note from a pharmacist

Note from any other health care professional (e.g. physiotherapist, optician, podiatrist etc)

Emails to be sent to: absence@plymouthhighschoolforgirls.org.uk

Late arrivals

Please find details below which may help students in the event of cancelled or delayed bus services arrive to school promptly and safely.

Skipper ticket

The Skipper ticket can be used on Plymouth buses across different bus companies on the following buses:

  • Go Cornwall Bus
  • Oakleys Coaches
  • Plymouth Citybus
  • Stagecoach South West
  • Tally Ho

You can travel in Plymouth, Torpoint, Saltash, Roborough, Langage, the built up areas of Ivybridge, Lee Mill, Smithaleigh, Wembury and Heybrook Bay.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/download.png Skipper ticket map [PDF, 360KB]

Please visit the following link for more information https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/publictransport/skipperticket


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

Year 13 Mocks
All Day
From 04 Jan until 19 Jan
04
January
Year 11 taster lessons for KS5
All Day
From 10 Jan until 14 Jan
10
January
All year 13 back in timetabled lessons (except Art students)
All Day
17
January
Year 13 Art Mock
All Day
From 18 Jan until 19 Jan
18
January
Year 9 options and parents evening (Time TBC)
All Day
20
January
Year 11 Mock Result Event
3:00pm – 3:30pm
20
January
Year 11 & Y13 Eden Project Trip
All Day
26
January
Year 11 Options Form Deadline
All Day
28
January
Year 13 Drama Practical Exams
All Day
02
February
Year 10 Art trip to the Eden Project
All Day
02
February
Year 12 History Trip to Westminster, Houses of Parliament
All Day
04
February
Year 7 Enterprise Day
All Day
08
February
Year 12 'You're Hired' Event (TBC)
All Day
09
February
Year 9 Options Deadline
All Day
10
February
Operating Theatre Live Event
All Day
19
February

Term dates

Calendar Term Dates 2021-2022

Term
Starts
Ends

One

7th September 2021

21st October 2021

Autumn Half Term 25th October 2021 29th October 2021

Two

 2nd November 2021

17th December 2021

Christmas Holidays 19th December 2021 3rd January 2022

Three

4th January 2022

18th February 2022

Spring Half term 21st February 2022 25th February 2022

Four

28th February 2022

7th April 2022

Easter Holidays 11th April 2022 22nd April 2022

Five

25th April 2022

27th May 2022

Summer Half term 30th May 2022 3rd June 2022

Six

6th June 2022

22nd July 2022

Summer Holidays 25th July 2022 6th September 2022

 

Curriculum Enrichment Week

Monday 4th July—8th July 2022

 

Non Pupil Days

6th September 2021

1st Oct 2021

22nd October 2021,

8th April 2022 (additional Bank Holiday for the Queens Platinum Jubilee)

2nd May 2022 (Bank Holiday)

25th July 2022

26th July 2022

Drama Festival (Virtual)
All Day
16
December