NEWSLETTER
Spring Half Term 2022
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HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our February publication of the newsletter, it is a bumper edition packed with articles celebrating what has been going in school. Our students have certainly been showing us what they are capable of; Oxbridge success, Youth Parliament participation, poetry day, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and the UK mathematics challenge to name a few.
Students have also been involved in awareness raising events including our colourful LGBTQ+ day, cultural food festival and events supporting good mental health. As always, students have thrown themselves into the activities with enthusiasm and determination, they are a credit to themselves.
I do hope that you enjoy finding out more about what is going on in school and I encourage you to keep an eye on our latest news section on the website.
I wish you all a relaxing and restful half term break.
Very best wishes,
Simon Underdown.
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17 Feb 2022
Our Earth Alliance Team have featured in the Plymouth City Council Climate Emergency Action Plan, forging the way to Plymouth becoming Net Zero by 2030.
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16 Feb 2022
Summer, 13MCA, competed at the British National Diving Cup at the weekend and secured a Bronze Junior medal.
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15 Feb 2022
We are delighted to announce that Elizabeth and Lauren have received invitations from Oxford and Cambridge. We spoke with them to capture their story and their personal experience of the processes that they went through.
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14 Feb 2022
We are delighted to announce that three PHSG students have been shortlisted to represent students across Plymouth in this year's Youth Parliament. Voting takes place in schools throughout this month.
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04 Feb 2022
India MB of year 9 has recently invited to join the National Academy for Water Polo as a goalie.
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18 Jan 2022
Lucy 8T, is awarded the PHSG Poetry Cup following her entries during the National Poetry Day competition, held last term.
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06 Jan 2022
Laura J & Kalina C, Year 12, have come runner-up with their film 'Lost Frequencies' in the Plymouth College of Art's 72hour Film Challenge.
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17 Dec 2021
Well done to Merin and Cordelia from 7WES who have been awarded their PHSG reading achievement badges.
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Duke of Edinburgh Updates
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14 Feb 2022
Over 80 students attended a DofE Award Presentation in the Newman Hall on Wednesday 9th February to receive their hard fought for Bronze and Silver Awards.
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15 Feb 2022
On Wednesday 2nd February, Year 10 GCSE artists enjoyed a fantastic day at the Eden Project, Cornwall, gathering source material for their acrylic studies based on the work of Georgia O’Keeffe.
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10 Feb 2022
Every year we select a team of outstanding A Level art students to represent the art department by running art club, competitions and supporting the Art Department to create amazing displays of artwork.
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Art Captain Updates! - Art Club and Top Picks from the Tate Modern
Here is a little update from your wonderful Art Captains!
Art Club sessions have been going well! All students new and old are coming to our sessions again and again and all of us from Art Club are so thankful for this! Us Art Club members are planning a few ideas for up and coming art club ideas to bring in the new Easter Term! We would love any suggestions on what students are interested in or would like to do for these new sessions! Remember that you can contact us and see weekly updates on our Instagram page, follow us at @phsg_art to do so!
In other news, our Year 12 students said “Hello!” to London on Friday 4th February! Looking around the Tate Modern Art Gallery as well as Trafalgar Square and even more sightseeing around London, taking pictures to use in personal projects. They are currently working on taking pieces they have seen in the Tate Modern and responding to them for their personal projects.
Take a look at some of our Art Captain’s Top Picks from the Tate Modern below!
-Eva, Xin & Anje
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04 Feb 2022
Esther, Year 9 has been entered into the Fashion Icon Competition this year which centres around a brief that looks at how a suit can be upcycled into a new piece of Fashion. Check out her awesome designs!
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17 Jan 2022
Year 10 Textiles class have been completing a project regarding the design and creation of lampshades with the help of Catherine Bishop at Cornish Interiors/ Plymouth College of Art.
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15 Feb 2022
Year 8 have been learning how messages can literarily be printed onto the latest fashion items.
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We are delighted to announce that Esther in Year 9 has made it through to the final of the Fashion Icon Competition this year.
She will be taking part in the final with her finished design on March 18th at the NEC Birmingham.
Good Luck Esther!
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15 Feb 2022
We just had to share the fantastic lesson that 7K had on Friday in Miss Readey's English class. In their ‘Poetry of Identity’ topic, they have been studying poems from around the world.
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Year 7 Letters
A big shout out to our Year 7's who are currently writing their letters to our Year 6 students who will be joining in September. They’ve all been really excited about doing it and taken some real care, which showcases the compassion, enthusiasm and pride that our school is all about.
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Subject Captains
We are looking forward to announcing our new subject Captains next term... watch this space!
GCSE Revision
We have daily lunchtime session taking place this term, it is super to see such a great turn out and passion for English.
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04 Feb 2022
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone, the Library hosted a Harry Potter themed book quiz on Thursday 3rd February.
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19 Jan 2022
On Saturday 19th February 2022 we have the fantastic opportunity to host Med Soc Live (previously Operating Theatre Live) at PHSG. There are only 4 weeks left to book tickets and secure your space at this sought after student experience.
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04 Feb 2022
PHSG students have taken part in the UKMT Intermediate maths challenge this week.
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18 Feb 2022
We are delighted to announce that our wonderful Miss Yarwood has successfully completed her MA in Education.
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17 Feb 2022
The Chinese club hosted a Lantern Festival this week to fundraise and promote the Butterfly Chinese Children's Hospice.
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15 Feb 2022
The Spring Term has seen the return of our inter- house competitions, we kicked off with the very popular Dodgeball.
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03 Feb 2022
Please can we celebrate the following above students who competed in the Plymouth Schools Rowing Championships on Wednesday 26th January at the Life Centre.
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We have chosen eCLIPS as one of our careers information resources. This easy to use online platform will help your child make informed decisions for their future. It is written specifically for 11 – 19s by career professionals and provides;
- Accurate information on over 1400 jobs to help your child consider the full range of options
- Live-streamed labour market information including local vacancies
- Information catering for all abilities and stages
- Careers linked to school subjects
- Impartial advice to help your child choose study and employment options and prepare for the world of work
- An interactive career matching tool.
By investing in eCLIPS we are helping to meet four of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks (2, 3, 4 & 7), the Government’s chosen standards for high quality careers guidance provision.
Our licence provides unlimited access both at school and at home.
Go to https://www.eclips-online.co.uk/ to log in and start using eCLIPS
eCLIPS password (case sensitive): yeepho14
If you need any further information or advice on how to use this resource please email Heather Longford, Careers Leader & Advisor H.Longford@tsatrust.org.uk
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18 Feb 2022
Following an evaluation carried out by the Careers & Enterprise Company, we are delighted to report that the careers provision at Plymouth High School for Girls remains at a very high standard.
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17 Feb 2022
We were delighted to be given so many nominations for charities to support this year, by students and teachers alike. All nominations were taken into account, with the final decision for one local and one national charity being decided by the Head Student Team.
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15 Feb 2022
Over the Christmas period, Miss Roughton used her craft skills to create beautiful handmade stocking fillers, to raise money for St Luke's Hospice.
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15 Feb 2022
This term Year 7 took part in a team building day at Killerton House in Exeter, Ruby D, 7L has reported on the days's activities.
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15 Feb 2022
Throughout February the student at PHSG have been celebrating the first ever LGBTQ+ History Month.
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11 Feb 2022
On Tuesday the Diversity Group held their first Cultural Food Festival. We aimed to raise awareness of the school’s rich cultural diversity through the medium of food, and to raise funds for the group to use for school wide events to celebrate this diversity.
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08 Feb 2022
Year 13 took part in a wellbeing afternoon on Wednesday 2nd February.
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04 Feb 2022
Plymouth Theatre Company's long over due comeback kicks off in a swamp full of all of your favourite fairytale creatures!
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03 Feb 2022
We are pleased to announce the launch of a Uniform Swap Shop at Plymouth High School for Girls.
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24 Jan 2022
The Plymouth School Sports Partnership are delighted to announce details of their Bikeability courses, todays' cycle training programme for cycling proficiency.
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19 Jan 2022
The PHSG signage has been installed into our uniform supplier's shop, Trutex, in Plymstock.
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Student & Class of the Week
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15 Feb 2022
Student of the week: Esther, 9A. 'For her Fasion Icon competition entry' Nominated by Miss Westaway. Awarded 10 House points.
Class of the week: 10P English with Mrs Blunden-Currie 'I was called away to a medical emergency and had to abandon this class – when I returned 15...
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08 Feb 2022
Class of the week: 11D GCSE RS, with Mrs McAuliffe, ''For the sheer effort and determination they have shown in approaching their first green assessment. The class average on this part of the syllabus improved by 13% since their mocks''
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03 Feb 2022
Student of the week: Kitty, 9K. ''In English for writing an astounding persuasive letter with beautifully formal phrasing and a sophisticated argument. Well done, Kitty, for going above and beyond and standing up for what you believe in! It was the highlight of my year so far!'' Nomi...
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25 Jan 2022
Class of the week: 9K RE class with Mrs Banks. ''9K worked in a mature and philosophical way. Contributing deep ideas on suffering and their relationship to God. They were an absolute joy to teach and philosophise with. My favourite lessons of the academic year so far.''
Active De...
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17 Jan 2022
Student of the week: Samuel, 13MAL. ''For offering his services to coach the year 7 football team. Especially when the year 13 are right in the middle of their mocks and final exam preparations.'' Nominated by Mr Jenkins. Awarded 40 House Points!
Class of the week: 10C French...
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10 Jan 2022
Student of the Week: Hannah, 11RRY. ''For getting through her mocks despite her very bad cold. She did not miss a single exam.'' Nominated by PHSG Invigilators, Awarded 40 house points!
Class of the Week: Year 8 Netball Team. ''Year 8 Netball Team for winning all their gam...
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Dear Parent/Carer
School is the best place for children to be. It’s crucial to their academic attainment and is a place they can make friends and play sports.
The time pupils spend in classrooms, with their friends and with our excellent teachers, is fundamental to their development, education and the opportunities they have to succeed. We know that Covid has led to some unavoidable absences from school, but that makes it even more important to reduce avoidable absence.
Medical Appointments:
Parents/carers are asked most earnestly not to arrange these appointments during school sessions, except in cases of urgency, so that considerable interference with school work is avoided. If your child has to have a medical appointment during school time, please inform the school in advance and provide a letter or appointment card.
Understanding absence percentages:
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You may wonder why a school would be concerned if your child’s attendance is 95%.
This may make it easier to understand:
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95% equates to half a day off every two weeks
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90% equates to a day off every two weeks
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85% equates to one and a half days off every two weeks
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80% equates to one whole day off every week
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A secondary age child whose attendance is 80% will have missed ONE WHOLE YEAR of education by the time they leave school. Even the brightest and most enthusiastic learner will find it hard to keep up with their work with these levels of absence. That is why we encourage the highest attendance possible.
PHSG want every single student to have?the opportunity to fulfil their potential, which only time in school can bring.?
As we transition from pandemic to endemic, we encourage your support for your child to be in school every day they possibly can be.?
 PHSG Attendance Policy
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Plymouth City Council Announcement on vaccination clinics:
Please see below some information regarding COVID-19 vaccination clinics that are taking place close to where your child/ren attend school. Please find the details below:
School: Plymouth High School for Girls
- 17th February 11am – 5:30pm, Methodist Central Hall, PL1 1BA
- 21st February 12pm – 7pm, Tothill Community Centre, PL4 9DA
- 24th February 11am – 5:30pm, Methodist Central Hall, PL1 1BA
- 28th February 9am – 4pm - Davie Hall, PL4 8HU
We do operate a number of other vaccination clinics each week so if the above are not suitable, please do check this website for further dates and locations.
All of our clinics are walk-in with no booking required. We’re currently offering 1st, 2nd, 3rd primary and booster vaccinations but please note that you will have already been contacted if your child is eligible for the 3rd primary and booster so please do bring evidence of this along with you if you’ve received it.
Please also note that your child cannot receive a vaccination if they have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 3 months.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate in contacting the COVID-19 Coordination Hub on 01752 307634 or by email at covid19@plymouth.gov.uk.
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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.
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 2021-2022
Term
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Starts
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Ends
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One
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7th September 2021
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21st October 2021
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| Autumn Half Term |
25th October 2021 |
29th October 2021 |
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Two
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2nd November 2021
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17th December 2021
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| Christmas Holidays |
19th December 2021 |
3rd January 2022 |
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Three
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4th January 2022
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18th February 2022
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| Spring Half term |
21st February 2022 |
25th February 2022 |
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Four
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28th February 2022
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7th April 2022
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| Easter Holidays |
11th April 2022 |
22nd April 2022 |
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Five
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25th April 2022
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27th May 2022
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| Summer Half term |
30th May 2022 |
3rd June 2022 |
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Six
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6th June 2022
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22nd July 2022
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| 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
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