High School News

of 20 High School for Girls’ Newsletter – Issue 6 – July 2009

High School News Issue 6: July 2009

Dear Parents/Carers

What an incredible few months it has been since April. In May I was lucky enough to be part of a Gloucestershire delegation to Weihai, China. This was a fantastic experience not just for me personally but also for the establishment of a link with Weihai No. 2 High School. The school has 4,500 students and is housed on two sites. The students all have to pass an examination to get into the school and places are highly prized. The staff at the school were very welcoming and are looking forward to developing our links.

Just last week we had an excellent production of Bugsy Malone at the Picturedrome Theatre. If you missed the show then you did miss a treat. The students, numbering over 100, were truly fantastic. The show really did surpass my expectations. My sincere thanks go to Mrs Day, Ms Picthall, Mr Haynes, Mrs Bowman and Mrs Dunnett for their hard work in putting the show together.

On the 7th July we had another Science lecture in school which was for students and parents. This time the title was ‘Science made Simple’ and the lecture was given by Becky Davies from Cardiff University. The lecture was very good and made you really think about sound and music.

At this time of the academic year it is always sad to say goodbye to some staff and this year is no exception as we have several retirements.

Mrs Christine MacLaren

Mrs MacLaren came to the High School for Girls in September 1983 (from Churchdown School where she was described as a ‘good and well-organised teacher’) to replace Mrs Banwell. In September 1986 Mrs MacLaren became Head of Geography. She has worked tirelessly to engage students in the subject, not only through her depth of knowledge, but also with her passion for the subject.

Mrs MacLaren has been very giving of her time in taking part in ski trips and through organising field trips to places like Cardiff Bay, Iceland, Italy and Disneyland, Paris. These trips have been a wonderful experience for students which I am certain that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Mrs MacLaren was also in her time an international lacrosse player. Something I wasn’t aware of until recently.

Mrs Jane Banwell

Mrs Banwell started work at the High School for Girls in September 1980 as a geography mistress. She came to the High School from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and stayed with us until April 1983 when she left to look after her elder son, Thomas. Mrs Banwell then returned in 1986 to the part-time position of Geography teacher, becoming a full-time member of staff in 1996.

Continued overleaf

Mrs MacLaren and Mrs Banwell on a recent trip to Wenchford.


Continued from page 1

For a time Mrs Banwell was also Assistant Examinations Officer. In 2005 Mrs Banwell returned to part-time work again.

Mrs Banwell is an excellent teacher and a passionate geographer. She has engendered in young people a great love of the subject and her real interest in the students has made her a person to whom girls, and more recently boys, have been able to turn for help and advice. Past students speak very warmly about Mrs Banwell as someone who has had a tremendous impact on their lives.

It’s true to say the Geography Department will no longer be the same!

Mrs Vickie Manning

Mrs Manning joined the staff initially in a part-time capacity at a time when the Design and Technology Department was growing rapidly, in September 1993. Mrs Manning was part of the team that transformed this area into a high performing, dynamic department. She is an energetic teacher who has a commitment to high standards and has a real passion for her subject. Last year Mrs Manning took on the role of Curriculum Director for Technology and did an excellent job. During her time at the High School for Girls Mrs Manning has taught Product Design, Art, Food Technology and PSHCE. For 3 years, from September 2002 - 2005, she was also the Head of Upper School and led a pastoral team of 8 staff.

Mrs Manning has been an extremely versatile teacher and we were shocked when she announced her retirement this year. She will be missed by staff and students alike.

Her retirement has not lasted long, however, as Mrs Manning takes up a maternity cover at Cotswold School in September 2009, before she moves to Somerset.

Mrs Gerda Iles

What can I say? Mrs Iles has worked tirelessly for the staff and students for 46 years as a cleaner and midday supervisor. This is a fantastic commitment and she will be greatly missed. I believe that she even once managed to catch a burglar! I certainly will remember her for her kindness and good will. Nothing has been too much trouble for her.

Mrs Mavis Hill

Mrs Hill has worked for the school as a Catering Assistant since 1997 and has been employed directly by the school since 2007 when we took catering in-house. She has always provided ‘service with a smile’ in the Dining Hall and we are delighted that we are a healthy school.

On behalf of the staff and students of the High School for Girls I wish to thank all the members of staff who are retiring for their dedication and commitment to the school. We all wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Promotion

Ms Annie Picthall

Ms Picthall joined the High School for Girls in September 2005 as KS4 Director from St Peter’s High School and Sixth Form College. Ms Picthall has worked extremely well with the Assistant Head, Student Support, the Year 10 and 11 Form Tutors and with the Director of Post 16. She has always had the students’ best interests at heart and has not been afraid to tackle even the most difficult problems. She is known for her gentle manner in dealing with problems and certainly numerous girls have achieved good results because of the way that she has dealt with issues and problems. Ms Picthall will be remembered also for her thought- provoking assemblies which have always been carefully prepared and presented.

Continued overleaf



In her time here Ms Picthall has been an excellent teacher of English GCSE and A Level as well as Theatre Studies. Over the last few years Ms Pitchall has, in fact, successfully run Theatre Studies A Level.

The students have thrived under her leadership as she has each student’s best interest at heart.

Ms Picthall is a true professional who has deservedly been promoted to the post of Assistant Head at Hanley Castle School in Worcestershire. We wish her well in her new role.

Pastures new

Mrs Rachel Smith

Mrs Smith was appointed to the post of Head of Music in September 2000. In her time at the school Music has continued to develop. She has been proactive in not only teaching GCSE and A Level Music, but has also enabled students to enjoy music both in lessons and in extra-curricular activities. The orchestra led by Mrs Smith certainly made Prizegiving a more prestigious occasion.

Mrs Andrews

Mrs Andrews joined the school in January 2003 as a teacher of Textiles/Art. During her time at the school Art Textiles has gone from strength to strength. The work produced by the students has been of a very high standard indeed and has been displayed in the AS and A Level Art exhibitions for all to admire (some examples of which are on page 16 of this newsletter). Mrs Andrews has certainly inspired the students within the creative subjects.

Both Mrs Smith and Mrs Andrews leave the High School for Girls to look after their children. They will be missed by staff and students alike. We wish them well in their new roles.

Mr Ian Hunter

Mr Hunter came to the school as a newly qualified teacher in September 2004. He came to the school with a wealth of experience as he had lived in Martinique, Cuba and Brazil. He is an excellent linguist as he is not only able to speak French and Spanish but also Portuguese and Russian. As a result of his expertise we have been able to offer the more unusual languages in Sixth Form enrichment and in extra-curricular clubs. Mr Hunter became Head of French in January 2007 and has been proactive in using new technologies within the Modern Languages faculty. He is highly organised and has enabled students to develop into excellent linguists.

Mr Hunter’s wanderlust has returned and he has recently accepted a job in Hong Kong. He will be missed by both the students and staff alike. We wish him all the very best in his new job. Bon voyage!

Miss Laura Pearcey and Miss Rosalind Camp

Miss Pearcey and Miss Camp both came to the High School for Girls on temporary, one year contracts in September 2008 when we were unable to make the appointment of Curriculum Director for English and the Performing Arts last year.

Both teachers have been hugely supportive of the English Department and the school. We are delighted with the work that they have done over the last year.

Miss Camp has also been responsible for ensuring that all the reports go out on time.

Miss Pearcey leaves to take up an English post at Bassaleg Comprehensive School, Newport, whilst Miss Camp has got a job as an English teacher at Farmor’s School in Fairford.

Continued overleaf



Mrs Beth Wynn Williams

Mrs Williams began work at the High School in September 2008 as a part-time teacher within the Food Technology department. Mrs Williams has been a very approachable and energetic teacher with a good sense of humour. Her subject knowledge and enthusiasm for Food Technology have been ably passed on to our students.

We are sorry that we cannot offer permanent contracts to such valuable staff and wish to thank the staff for their valuable contributions to the school.

Miss Pearcey, Miss Camp and Mrs Williams will be missed by everyone.

Miss Grace Ogilvie

Miss Ogilvie came to the school in April 2005 as a part-time teacher of History from Marling School in Stroud. We have been very grateful to Miss Ogilvie in her versatility during her time here, as she has been not only a teacher but also a Learning Support Worker, Faculty Technician and the key member of staff concerned with reporting.

Most people come to the High School to do one job, it is rare that we find someone who can be so flexible. The school is also grateful to Miss Ogilvie for her work with the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. She has spent many hours driving up and down motorways and trekking through the countryside checking on students doing this Award. The Award is highly successful at the High School at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and it is the dedication of staff like Miss Ogilvie that enables so many students to take part in the Award.

The staff, students and I am sure parents want to thank Miss Ogilvie for the success of this Award. We wish you a long and happy retirement!

Mrs Jo Tetley

Mrs Tetley joined the High School staff in June 2003 as a Student and Family Support Worker working one day a week. She has provided an invaluable service to both the students and parents during her time here. As a result of re-structuring we are now adopting a new pastoral structure and we have just appointed a Student Development Officer who will take over this role. We are grateful for everything that Mrs Tetley has done for the students and parents/carers and wish her every success in her future work.

New Appointments

It has certainly been an interesting time for the High School over the last few months and I am delighted to announce the following new appointments:

Curriculum Director for English and the Performing Arts .................... Mr Cattell Curriculum Director for Technology ................................................ Mr Playford Subject Leader for Geography ....................................................... Miss Davies Subject Leader for French .......................................................... Miss Ratinaud Subject Leader for Art Textiles ..................................................... Miss Bennett Geography Teacher ........................................................................ Mrs Slatter

The pastoral changes for September 2009 can be found on page 7 of the newsletter.

Lastly, I want to wish Miss Smith and her partner a wonderful day, full of lasting memories as they get married in July. We wish you every happiness in your future life. Further congratulations go to Miss Hallas who got married at Easter – her name changes to Mrs Parker from September. We wish you long health and happiness together.

It has been an absolutely fantastic year from many points of view as you will read in this newsletter.

I wish to thank all the staff for their hard work during this academic year not only in

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Parentline Plus This leading charity offers parents the support they need in a way which suits them. They can be contacted 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year either by phone – 0808 800 2222 or email [email protected]

or www.gotateenager.org.uk

The website offers topical, regularly updated information on all aspects of parenting from new baby days to teens and beyond. They can support parents on a 1-2-1 basis,

either locally or on the phone and parents can also be put in contact with other parents and families experiencing

similar problems.

Uniform – Main School

The standard of uniform is once again deteriorating and I would ask that parents/carers help us to ensure that the students are dressed appropriately for school.

Students should not be wearing black jumpers of any description. They must only wear navy blue.

Blazers must be worn to and from school whilst hoodies of any description are not part of school uniform.

Some students are rolling up their skirts or at least rolling down the waistband and thus damaging the zips. Skirts need to be worn properly and from September 2009 only the school regulation skirt will be acceptable. This is a straight skirt with a vent at the back. Lycra, jersey or any material which clings to the body will not be allowed. Skirts also need to be of an appropriate length which is 5cms from the middle of the knee. It is important that the students look smart when going to and from school.

Therefore, we ask all parents/carers to ensure that their daughters are dressed appropriately for school.

Mrs Sawicka

New Timetable Our current timetable has evolved over a number of years and has gradually become more and more complicated with different timings on different days. During the year we therefore have decided to take the opportunity to think carefully about what we really needed and how this could best be achieved. The girls told us quite clearly that they found the short lessons extremely frustrating in the more practical subjects as they felt that ‘no sooner had they got themselves set up than it was time to pack away’. In contrast to this, of course, we recognise that in some subjects like Maths and Languages a diet of little and often would probably be advantageous! We have therefore decided on a compromise which is now the most common arrangement in many secondary schools. So from September we will be switching to a two-week timetable with five, one-hour lessons per day. The timing of every day will be the same.

Morning registration 8.35 am - 8.45 am

Period 1 8.45 am - 9.45 am

Period 2 9.45 am – 10.45 am

Break 10.45 am – 11.05 am

Period 3 11.05 am – 12.05 pm

Period 4 12.05 pm – 1.05 pm

Lunch 1.05 pm – 2.10 pm

Afternoon registration + Tutor time/Assembly

2.10 pm – 2.30 pm

Period 5 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm

We will be starting the new term on Week 1. Any feedback during the new year on this change would be most welcome.

Mr Willis


preparing students for public examinations but also in encompassing the Every Child Matters agenda in everything that they do. Particular thanks go to the staff for the provision of all the extra-curricular activities that have occurred in this academic year.

I send my best wishes to all staff, students and parents/carers for an excellent summer and especially a well deserved rest.

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

Best wishes,

Mrs E Sawicka Headteacher

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.gotateenager.org.uk/


What’s on in Term 1 - 2009

Tuesday, 1st September INSET Day

Sixth Form Enrolment – 1.30 pm onwards

Wednesday, 2nd September INSET Day Sixth Form Induction – 1.30 pm

Thursday, 3rd September Term 1 Begins –

Students in school at 8.30 am

Friday, 4th September Duke of Edinburgh Silver

Training Weekend (return 6th)

Tuesday, 8th September Parents’ Association

Committee Meeting – 7.30pm

Thursday, 10th September Welcome to Year 10 Evening – 7.00 pm

Tuesday, 15th September Second-hand Uniform Sale –

3.30 – 4.30 pm

Wednesday, 16th September School ends at 2.30 pm

Prizegiving at Gloucester Cathedral – 7.30 pm

Friday, 18th September Year 7 Bonding Trip

Duke of Edinburgh Silver

Practice Weekend – return 20th

Tuesday, 22nd September Welcome to Year 12 Evening

– 7.00 pm

Wednesday, 23rd September Photographs for Years 7, 9

and 12

Governors’ Finance Committee Meeting – 6.00pm

Thursday, 24th September Parents’ Association AGM and

Social Evening for Year 7 Parents and Form Tutors –

7.30 pm

Friday, 25th September Year 11 History visit to Somme Battlefields – returns

26th

Monday, 28th September Welcome to Year 11 Evening – 7.00 pm

Wednesday, 30th September Governors’ Curriculum


Wednesday, 7th October Open Day for 2010 entry

School ends at 2.30 pm

Governors’ Premises Committee Meeting – 6.00pm

Thursday, 8th October Open Afternoon for 2010

entry

Monday, 12th October Book Week in School Library

Open Afternoon for 2010

entry

Tuesday, 13th October Governors’ Personnel


Tuesday, 20th October Governors’ Management Committee Meeting – 6.00pm

Thursday, 22nd October Years 11 and 13 Progress

Monitoring Sheets issued House Music Competition

Term 1 ends at 3.30 pm

Friday, 23rd October School closed for Staff

Training

Monday, 26th - Friday, 30th October - Autumn Break

Monday, 2nd November Term 2 begins

Term Dates for Students 2009-10 2009

Thursday, 3 September – Thursday, 22 October

Monday, 2 November – Friday, 18 December

2010

Monday, 4 January – Friday, 12 February

Monday, 22 February – Tuesday, 30 March

Monday, 19 April – Friday, 28 May

Monday, 7 June – Wednesday, 21 July

Care for the Family Life for teenagers is more complicated today then it

has ever been – and if that’s true for teenagers, it’s even more true for their parents/carers. They can be

contacted by phone – 029 2081 0800 or via their website www.careforthefamily.org.uk for help and

advice.

Second-hand Uniform Thank you to everyone who has supported the second-hand uniform sales over the past year by buying or providing uniform. Over £1300 has been raised this year.

Please keep on supporting this worthwhile event. We need more uniform, especially in the smaller sizes. Please bring all uniform into Student Services at the start of next term.

The next sale is on Tuesday, 15th September between 3.30 and 4.30 pm in the main hall.

Mrs Kingsford

Fundraising in 2009 We are delighted to report that the students have raised money in a variety of ways, for the following charities:

BBC Mission Nutrition £70.50 Hand in Hand £21.10 GDSVAP £30.00 Comic Relief £399.75 Railway Children £26.85 Guide Dogs £731.42 Time and Place £27.35 Philippine Community Fund £13.00

Total £1319.97

Our thanks to everybody who has contributed in any way.

Vacancy

We have a vacancy for a lunchtime supervisor to work Monday to Friday for 1 hour 5 minutes each day during term time.

If you are interested in this vacancy please telephone the school and leave a message for the Business manager who will get back to you as soon as possible.

http://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/


Changes for September 2009

Changes in the Pastoral Structure

From September the following changes will occur in the Pastoral Structure of the school. Each year group from Year 7-11 will be led by a Year Co-ordinator. The Year Co-ordinators for each group are:

Year 7 Miss Powell Year 8 Miss Cundy Year 9 Miss Daniell Year 10 Mrs Clemmitt Year 11 Mrs Simpson (née Smith)

The Year Co-ordinators will be supported by a Student Development Officer, Mrs Kittle, who will also be working with the students in Years 7-11.

We hope that the new system will be beneficial to supporting the students academically, socially and emotionally, as well as providing an additional point of contact for parents.

Sixth Form

By September 2009 we are hoping to have in post a new Assistant Head of Sixth Form and a Sixth Form Administrator.

Cover Supervisors

From September 2009 all schools have to employ Cover Supervisors to cover lessons for absent colleagues. Teachers, due to a government directive, should ‘rarely’ be doing cover. At the High School for Girls the cover supervisors will be Mr Climie and Miss Ostridge. They are both experienced in working with students in schools.

Reprographics and Resources Technician

We have also appointed a reprographics and resources technician from September 2009. Her name is Mrs Lusty.

Calling the next Anita Roddick …..

Year 10 had the chance to experience ‘Enterprise Day’ with a company called Bright Futures on July 15th. In a fun packed morning where sweets were handed out for correct answers, Year 10 explored the idea of what makes an Entrepreneur, what skills do they need and how could they earn a fortune! They even covered more serious issues such as Tax, National Insurance and Government Spending. The image of one billion pounds shown in £50 notes on a pallet will stay with most of us for a long time.

After lunch, the pace quickened as the students were asked to set up a card holder company and buy their raw materials from the presenters. Goods changed hands and fortunes began to mount up….. the tension could be felt as the clock ticked round to 3.15pm. Suddenly it was over and Team 3 had won the prize! Well done Year 10 for trying everything that was thrown at you and making the day such fun.

Mrs Lloyd-Owen


Cystic Fibrosis Fundraising

For my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh service section I decided to do something that would benefit a worthy cause.

So on the 21st March, after months of planning with the help of my friends, family and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, I put on a Spring Fair to raise money for the charity. It was a great event that was well attended and enjoyed by all. In total we raised a fantastic amount of £766 for the CF Trust. Many thanks to everyone involved!

Laura Scott, Year 10

Psychology Research

Chantelle Bailey, Psychology Researcher from University of West England, came into school to conduct research regarding the increasing popularity of Psychology at A Level (it is currently the 3rd most popular A Level subject in the country). The students enjoyed the experience of participating in a real psychological study that is going to be published in an academic journal. Our school was one of five schools that took part in a focus group investigation for this research project. This gave students first hand experience of generating qualitative research data for a psychological research project.

LIBRARY News

Our top borrowers this year are Aishah Ginwalla, Year 9, (183 issues), Amy Charley Year 7, (129) and Selina-Jane Spencer (126).

Harriet Husbands (Year 12) reports on the lower school book group she has led this year:

‘Our library book group is a small but friendly team of reading enthusiasts, which, for the past year, has been busy reviewing newest authors, sampling award-nominated works and discussing the latest developments in the world of books.

Together, we have sent reviews to the popular magazine ‘Books for Keeps’ (to be published in the September issue), made displays for the library notice board and explored some great new finds, such as Siobhan Dowd’s ‘The London Eye Mystery’.

We also like to have some fun and often indulge in a game of book-related ‘charades’ or ‘consequences’.

Our group meets every Tuesday lunchtime in the library and we have had a really great year. For anyone currently in Year 7 or any prospective Year 7s you are welcome to join us; all you need to do is find and read a copy of the book ‘Rain’ by Kate le Vann.

Happy reading!

Coming next term - Join in the ‘Big Read’

We are taking part in the Cheltenham Literature Festival ‘2009 Big Read’ and we are hoping to include the whole school community.

If you are a parent, student, staff member or governor we invite you to join us.

Book groups nationally and internationally are joining forces to read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ‘a tale of love and hate, glamour and decay’.

More details in September.


The Real Game On Friday 22nd May, the whole of year 9 was ‘off timetable’, with their tutors, to take part in the Real Game. This activity encompasses Careers, PSHE and Citizenship, and as a school, we have been involved with this activity for several years now as so much value can be gained from it.

Students are asked to create a ‘wish list’ of the kind of luxuries they would like as an adult, before being given a role. Attached to the role is a salary – and, of course, they discover that along with a salary comes a life-style.

Students then learn how to budget, taking their salary into account along with a variety of expenses, and still be able to afford a group holiday with the rest of their team.

Feedback is always positive at the end of the day, with comments such as:

“I learned that you can’t have everything you want.”

“Do not overspend when you are an adult!”

“I didn’t realise how much things cost.”

“I enjoyed budgeting and getting an insight into adult life.”

“I didn’t realise some adults have to cope with such a small amount of money – AND short holidays!”

………… and my favourite

“don’t have kids – they cost you a lot of money!”

A summary of the main points learned is shown below:

I feel that in taking part in the Real Game I have learned more about the following skills:

Disagree (%)

Unsure (%)

Agree/Strongly agree (%)

Working in a team 3 5 92

Making decisions 1 6 93

Listening to the opinions of others

4 19 77

Budgeting 0 4 96

Problem-solving 1 17 82

Negotiating 3 12 85

I feel that through the Real Game, I have learned more about the importance of:

Disagree (%)

Unsure (%)

Agree/Strongly agree (%)

Prioritising my spending 0 3 97

Living within my salary 2 4 94

Making the most of my time at school

10 12 78

Planning ahead 1 5 94

Enjoying leisure time 5 5 90

Leading historian to visit High School

The History Department are delighted to announce that Dr Marc Morris will be giving a lecture on the develop-ment of Castles on the afternoon of

Monday, 12th October.

Dr Morris has written a number of books, including a recent biography of Edward I, which has featured in the bestseller list for over a year. His TV work includes the major Channel 4 series “Castle”.

The lecture will be aimed at sixth formers to help with their coursework, but will also be open to all members of the school, and to parents.

More details will follow early in the Autumn Term.

Maths Revision Resources

Confused about how to improve your Mathematics?

Have you ever thought it would be useful to have access to online revision materials?

How about questions that you could complete online and that would be marked automatically?

From September 2009 the school will have full access to the myMaths website enabling you to take even more responsibility for your own learning. This has been financed by the school fund. The site also has games (mathematical of course!).

Your maths teacher will be able to provide you with a password next

term.


On June 12th Year 7 travelled down to “Mathamagic” at Techniquest in Cardiff.

The event allowed the students to spend time solving a range of “hands on“ mathematical puzzles, attend a lecture on the application of maths and take in the other scientific exhibitions at the centre. The students really enjoyed the day and it was difficult to pull some away from the 3-D connect 4!

Maths Challenge Earlier this year students from Years 10 and 11 took part in the UKMT Intermediate mathematical challenge. The event allows our students to compete against other schools across the country. Our students performed very well, with a number of students receiving awards and Vikki White qualifying for the Pink Kangaroo challenge. Special mention must also go to Beth Godley and Rebekah Edmondson of Year 10 who both qualified for the next round of the competition, the ‘Hamilton Olympiad’. This was a great achievement as less than 1% of the students entered across the country qualify!

Inventors Club

This term has seen the launch of our “Inventors Club”. Girls in Year 7 have been busy building “light following robots” that we plan to race. They have built the electronics and designed the outer casings. Next year we have plans for other projects and trips. If you are in the current Year 7 or 8 and want to get involved, then watch out for

the posters!

Sainsbury’s Vouchers

Many thanks for helping us to collect just under 11000 vouchers! We have now placed an order for the following equipment which will be used in Physical Education Lessons and Clubs next year:

Senior Boys Football Kit Netball Match Bibs Stopwatches Shuttle cocks Footballs Rugby balls Tag Rugby belts Cricket stumps

Road to Wimbledon

At the start of the summer a number of junior tennis players were involved in the initial stages of the Road to Wimbledon. Following a round robin competition Effie Hiram and Sam Collins in Year 8 emerged as our two winners. On the 3rd and 4th July they competed in the County Finals. The winner of this competition would progress to the finals at Wimbledon! Both girls played extremely well with Effie winning one of her 3 matches. Sam competed strongly throughout the day and made it to the semi-finals where she lost a very close game to the eventual winner of the competition. Well done to both girls!

Team Kit As you are aware, members of school teams are able to purchase a team shirt and jacket to wear at practices and matches. We have had a few issues this year with regard to suppliers. However this problem has now been rectified and from now on students are able to visit the National Schoolwear Centre and buy Team Kit.

Time Capsule

Members of the History Society have also been hard at work preparing a time capsule containing artefacts detailing both school life and the interests of a young teenager.

With much ceremony, this was buried near to the pond in the front garden to be dug up in 25 years’ time.

Leaving the school site When students in Years 7-11 have to leave the school site during the day for appointments, could we please ask that parents/carers pick them up from Student Services.

Regrettably it is not really safe for them to wait on the roads around school, nor are we allowed to let them catch a bus or make their own way home.

On rare occasions a parent/carer will be collecting their daughter and other girls and in this case we must have written permission from all parties before the girls can leave the site.


Meet the Sixth Form Team Head Girl, Head Boy Deputies House Captains

‘Ugandan Visit’ Happily, we received four visitors from Queens’ Comprehensive College, Kaliro, Uganda on June 10th. After the problems of last year, we were all apprehensive as to whether the visit would go ahead this year. Annet, the Headteacher, Simon, the Deputy Head and two students, Helen and Martha, all joined us for a one week visit. They joined many lessons, took an assembly and even ventured to Techniquest with Year 7 in Cardiff (see photo). We learned so much from them about their way of life in Uganda, while they returned home full of ideas of how our school runs and the lives we lead. They were amazed at how punctual the students were for lessons and how happy they seemed in their learning. They were also amazed at how everyone always talked about the weather! In Uganda it does not change much so no one ever makes a comment about it.

It was truly a wonderful experience to have our visitors in school for that week and it made everyone who met them grateful for what they have and question the ways of the world.

Boys Football The High School Sixth form boys’ football match verses Ribston Hall boys took place on 22nd June.

Team: Jack Eckworth, Farrell Hunt, Joseph Collins, Jack Flemons, Luke Quinton, Bradley Boughton, Rob Hilliard, Harry Harvey, Oliver Smith, Josh Taylor, Jordon Taylor and Darren Laten.

It was a hot, humid day when the teams from the High School and Ribston Hall met. The pace was frenetic but good, crossing and pressure from Ribston meant that, despite goals from Jack Eckworth and Joseph Collins, the High School went into the break 4:2 down. So the half-time team talk was vital and Jack Eckworth inspired his side with a rousing speech ending with the motivating line, “We are the High School for Girls”.

The second half started and the pace was still blistering. Then, early on, a huge turning point in the game was when there was a clear hand-ball in the box by a Ribston defender but the penalty was not given by the referee. This travesty galvanised the team and in a glorious fifteen minute spell the High School team played like Barcelona, through balls/crosses/mazy runs/stunning shots, they had it all! It was one-way traffic from then on and, with Jack Eckworth imperious in goal, the High School scored a further 5 unanswered goals.

The goal scorers were Luke, Jack Flemons (with the deftest of touches) and three more from Joseph Collins. It was an energy-sapping affair with, at one time, the whole of the Ribston back-four on the ground complaining of cramp.

All in all, it was an excellent exhibition of how to play football, not only in the skill level on show, but also the level of sportsmanship and commitment displayed by the whole team.

Mr Greenough

Chloe Foy and Matthew Gowell

Rosie James and Ruth Whyman

Luke Quinton, Jo Marley, Stefan Quarry, Courtney Gough

and Yasmin Kadodia


Absence Line - 01452 389983 If you wish to report an absence from school for any reason, we have

installed a direct dial number which is 01452 389983. If you wish to speak to a member of staff, or leave a message for a member of staff,

then the usual number of 01452 543335 should be used.

Returning to School

If your daughter/son has been absent from school suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea please do not allow him/her to return for 48 hours.

We all know how virulent these illnesses are and are keen to prevent the spread of infection.

Eurovision 2009 Once again on June 18th this year our primary school partners got together to celebrate the language learning they have received from the High School. Thirteen teams performed in French, German, Spanish and Hungarian! The marking was carried out by the pupils themselves with no team able to vote for their own school. After a morning of song, dance, plays and even a violin solo, the winners were declared from Innsworth Primary School. A group of boys sang a German song while performing a street dance – they stole the show and the ‘High School for Girls Cup’ for 2009.

Viva La France!

On Friday morning 10th July at 3 am a brave group of teachers and Year 6 students left Coney Hill Primary School for a day trip to France.

Most of the students had never been abroad before, so the experience was all very new for them. The High School sponsors this annual visit for Year 6 pupils at our primary partner schools. After the long coach ride and the ferry crossing, pupils had a visit to a hypermarket (where they had to buy their own lunch), then food and games on the beach, before a tour around a World War II Museum. Finally at 2 am the following day a very weary but happy group of people arrived home!

A big thank you to all the staff who accompanied this trip.

‘The Borehole is here!” Just before our Ugandan visitors arrived in the UK, we received the first pictures of the borehole – finished and working at Queens’ College. What a wonderful sight after all the hard work and effort given by students and supporters for this £5000 fund raising event that we managed to complete in March. The borehole has added so much to the life of everyone at Queens’ College: the students are safer getting the water and they don’t have to walk miles each day in the midday sun. The borehole also means that more students now wish to join the school, which in turn should bring in more income and prosperity for the future.

It’s music to our ears Following the successful launch last July of the Science College, we held another day of Science at school on June 29th.

This year we were joined by Becky Davies from ‘Science made Simple’ who explored the idea of sound and how science is behind most of the music we listen to.

Year 7 enjoyed the lecture in the morning, while some of our local primary schools were engrossed in the afternoon and many parents, students, staff and Governors enjoyed the performance in the evening.

History Society

Following the great success of the History Society’s participation in the “Look Behind You” Exhibition at the City Museum, Sofia Hartnell in Year 7 has been announced as the winner of a city-wide competition to design a commemorative coin for the City. Her design, which incorporates aspects of Gloucester past and present, will be struck in bronze and displayed at the City Museum.

Well done Sofia!


Year 7 trip to Chepstow Castle & Wenchford

Year 7 students enjoyed their visit in June. The weather was fine, and we experienced just how difficult it was to run up the hill to the castle defences, and how impregnable we all felt when at the top of the battlements!

Mr Hathaway also told everyone about how the Hundred Years War led to the development of one of our ruder hand gestures. In the afternoon, we all had a wonderful time under the cool shade of the trees at Wenchford.

Mrs MacLaren and Mrs Banwell helped students measure river flow and profile for the final time before their well-earned retirements!

What is an extended school?

Extended schools provide access to a range of services (often referred to as extended services) and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of students, their families and the wider community. This is an important part of the national priority to ensure that all children and young people receive their entitlement to the key outcomes of Every Child Matters.

All schools are expected to provide what is called the ‘core offer’ and beyond this we should be designing and adapting additional services. This we do in conjunction with our Science and Language specialisms and the work of the PE Department/SSCo.

The provision of the core offer is effectively a statutory regulation and as a school we are recognised, by the Local Authority, as a fully extended school. Below outlines the extent of the core offer.

The core offer of integrated services:

a) activities including study support, sport and music clubs allowing young people a safe place to be around the school day;

b) parenting and family support; c) swift and easy access, identified for students, to targeted and specialist services, using a CAF

(Common Assessment Framework) and d) community access to facilities including adult and family learning, ICT and sports grounds.

These will often be provided beyond the school day but not necessarily by teachers or on the school site. If you have any suggestions for activities we could offer either for students/parents/the local community then please let Mrs Dallow know. We tried to organise badminton coaching sessions for parents/carers and students in Term 3 but had no response at all and the tennis sessions, which were extremely popular last year, have only attracted one family. We are very keen to encourage, not only the use of our facilities, but also families enjoying quality time together.


Trip to Wimbledon 2009 On Sunday, 5th July eight students went to Wimbledon!

We arrived at 1.00 pm and we were free to roam around the grounds as we pleased. On Henman Hill, many of us enjoyed watching Rodger Federer (playing against Andy Roddick) gaining the Wimbledon record of winning six times. We also had tickets to watch the boys’ final on Court 1, between Jordan Cox and Andrey Kuznetsov. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and hopefully we will be attending this event again next year.

Holly Moore and Sasha Liddle

The Centenary Fete Good and bad news …

We are pleased to report that the Fete on Saturday 4th July raised nearly £3,000. This money is for the benefit of your daughters (or, if in the Sixth Form, sons too).

On the day the weather was kind to us. Parents and girls who came to the school Fete enjoyed traditional attractions such as the coconut shy and ‘bulls eye’ games as well as live music, craft stalls – plus strawberries and cream! The “Soak the Teacher” was predictably popular too! Particularly desirable was the free lip gloss for the girls who attended. We witnessed the magnificent release of more than a 100 helium balloons. And finally, just like at the Autumn Fayre, the students’ Smoothies stall one of the most popular – raising over £150. Well done to all!

We would like to thank all those students, parents and teachers who helped on the day and in advance in making this event a success. There was a small but very active group of key organisers who arranged the numerous raffle prizes, helium balloons, strawberries, Pimms and beer to be in place for Fete. Thanks to you all.

More disappointingly, for a school of 850 students, we would have hoped to see many more students, parents, governors and teachers than the small numbers that did attend. This is our school and we were saddened by the lack of support – particularly as a lot of work had gone into the preparation. This level of support from parents is quite a contrast to that given to events in other similar schools (notably Tommies get a lot of support from their parents).

Please, Please, Please - Support Your School!

Please do support us. At the moment the Parents’ Association effectively consists of a very small number of parents - the more parents who volunteer the less work for us all!

We would like to see a bigger and more representative group than this - we really do need some new blood! We are keen to recruit several to join the committee – your commit-ment can be as little or as much as you wish. The committee meets only once each term (in the evening). If you feel you want to help support your school, please contact me - either via the school or by email – hjhewett@ blueyonder.co.uk

Best wishes for the summer holidays.

Heather Hewett PA Chair

Language Classes

Intermediate Arabic and Spanish classes will be running on Wednesday evenings next term from 6.00 – 8.00 pm. Please contact Mrs Morris in the main office for further details.

Trampolining Competition

Anatasia Cooke, Meg Austin-Sparks, Naomi Osmond and Rosie Pearson recently competed in a schools’ trampolining competition. The event was held at Gloucestershire University and gave the girls the opportunity to perform skills and routines which they have worked on with trampoline coach, Clare Farrell.

Competition results: 1st Meg Austin-Sparks, 3rd Anatasia Cooke, 4th Naomi Osmond, 5th Rosie Pearson.

Well done – a fantastic result for the school.




Student Data Sheets New data sheets will be going out in the first two

terms of 2009/10 as we need correct contact details

and data for your daughter or son.

Please telephone or email the school with any changes that occur to contact details during the year.

Please don’t wait for a data sheet to be sent out. We

had several instances this year when parents/carers could not be contacted because of changes to mobile

and home telephone numbers.

Thank you for your continued help in this matter.

Forensic Psychology Talk Dr Jessica Woodhams, Principal Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Gloucestershire came into school to talk to the

Year 12 students.

RAF Netball Tournament

The U16 netball squad played in their final tournament at Bentham Country Club on Saturday, 16th May. The team have played together since Year 7 and have had many victories over the years, including becoming winners of the prestigious May Dent Tournament in 2008.

The tournament, organised by the RAF, attracted teams from the South West region and provided some tough opposition for the High School team. The girls fought hard in all the matches in their section, losing only one to Farmors School. They were then drawn against Wycliffe School for the 3rd/4th play-off match. At half time the High School trailed by 6 goals to 1 but despite a brave second half, the team failed to recover and lost the match by a single goal and so were placed 4th overall.

Well done to the U16 netball squad.

Children and Young People’s Service Directory

Gloucestershire County Council launched the Children and Young People’s Service Directory in August 2008. The directory continues to develop information about activities, events and services to benefit everyone in the schools community. You can visit the directory at http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/

schoolsnet/servicedirectory

Duke of Edinburgh – Gold Practice Expedition From 25th to 28th June 23 determined sixth formers embarked upon a gruelling 50 mile hike across the Brecon Beacons. We trekked through bogs, forded rivers, were eaten alive by swarms of midges and braved fields of unpredictable cows. But, despite the challenge, everyone found the experience very worthwhile. The incredible sense of achievement at the end of the four days was most rewarding and we will certainly never forget this fantastic weekend – and nor will our feet!

Duke of Edinburgh – Silver Qualifying Expedition

Between 3rd and 5th July, 35 of us set out on our Silver D of E expedition. It seemed a daunting task yet we were determined to see it through. We were eaten alive by midges, chased by cows and camped alongside horses. It seemed as though we would never reach the second campsite in daylight.

Although this seemed like the worst

weekend of our lives, we still love D of E!

The School Food Trust Recent research carried out by the School Food Trust suggests that the nutritional quality of school dinners are benefiting

from the introduction of new food-based standards for school

food. However, these improvements are not reflected in the nutritional quality of packed food brought from home. In

school there is a huge variation in the type of food students bring in and we ask for your continued support in helping us

to raise the profile of healthy eating. If you would like some

inspiration to see how packed lunches can support the food-based standards then please look at the following websites:

www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk, www.eatwell.gov.uk

and www.food.gov.uk

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/

http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/

http://www.food.gov.uk/


Parents/Carers If your daughter/son is feeling unwell in school they should go to Student Services. They will contact parents/carers if they feel a student needs to go home. Students should not contact home themselves.

Psychology Guest Speaker – June 2009

Diana Crossley, Clinical Psychologist at Cheltenham General Hospital, visited the school to talk to Year 12 Psychology students. She is pictured with two year 12 students, Holly and Ellie.

District Athletics On the 16th May we took part in the District Athletics event, held at the Prince of Wales Stadium. We took a selection of girls from Years 7-10 to take part in track and field events.

All the secondary schools in Gloucester took part and it was a lively, competitive day of athletics which everyone enjoyed.

The day ended with an exciting relay from the Year 10 girls as Ffion Kelly ran a fourth leg that can never be forgotten. Ffion received the batten 40 metres behind the girl in first, but still managed to power ahead and win the gold! Georgi Lowe, Oceane Steward, Georgia Cohen, Ffion Kelly and Elin Caine came in the top three in their events and were selected to take part in the next round of the County Championships. Even though it was miserable weather, we had a good time. Everyone gave a great performance and High School for Girls returned to school with the winning trophy.

By Georgia Cohen, Year 10

AS and A2 Art and Art Textiles Exhibition


Parents/Carers Check out www.school-run.org, the website that helps parents find other local parents with whom to share

the school run by foot, cycle or car.

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students went out on work experience recently - the majority to local places of work, but some stayed with family or friends further away. As usual, the girls had completely arranged their own work experience earlier in the year - they are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as placements are becoming more difficult to find nowadays. They were given plenty of preparation during Careers lessons, especially in matters of Health and Safety, and on return were encouraged to reflect on their experiences.

There were a huge variety of placements in job areas including education, health, work with animals, art and design, retail, IT, business, charity work - to name a few. Where possible, girls were visited during the week, and comments from employers were always positive -'cheerful', 'helpful', 'uses initiative', 'mature’ and all girls left with glowing employer reports.

As they reflected on their week, some girls have been greatly encouraged to pursue a certain career pathway. Others have changed their minds! No experience is ever wasted - and each student has come away from the week having learned more about a job, and more about themselves in the process - a very valuable and

worthwhile week!

Molly went to St Peter’s School. Here she is with Class 3 after doing an art lesson.

Emily went to Hempsted Primary school and helped out on a Geography project with Class 4.

Good News! Ben Coldray and Savannah de Villez have been selected to represent Gloucestershire County at the English Schools’ Track and Field National Championships.

Ben is to compete in the Senior Boys 1500m and Savannah is to complete in the Intermediate Girls 300m Hurdles.

The event is one of the largest schools’ athletics events in the world and some have likened it to a junior version of the Olympics. Standards are high at this event and Gloucestershire have performed extremely well.

We wish Ben and Savannah the best of luck and look forward to hearing about their success.

Reminder to Parents/Carers When sending in cheques for activities, please write the student's name and form on the back of the cheque.

Exam Results – Important Dates

AS/A2 Level – Thursday, 20th August 2009 (A2 at 10.00 am/ AS at 11.00 am).

GCSE – Thursday, 27th August at 10.00 am.

Please do not ring in for results – we cannot give them out.

Driving onto the School Site Could we please request that parents do not drive onto the site when dropping off or picking up students at the start or end of the school day.

Our site is extremely tight for space and we have to minimise vehicle movement whenever students are walking between buildings.

http://www.school-run.org/


Multi-Skills event at the High School On Friday, 10th July the High School for Girls hosted a Key Stage 1 Multi-Skills Event. Hillview and Upton St Leonards primary schools attended with just under 100 pupils from years 1 and 2. Schools arrived at 9.30 and left at 1.00 after a picnic lunch on the field. All participants received a certificate of attendance – there were no overall winners or losers, though outstanding performances and efforts were highlighted to the teachers.

Pupils were divided into 8 groups, and then followed a circuit of activity stations, devised and run by Year 9 students. These included tasks such as balancing, jumping, throwing and some basic ball skills.

The Year 9 girls were absolutely fantastic the whole time, from the organisation of their activities, their confidence and communication skills and the way that they interacted with the Year 1s and 2s, staff and parents.

Staff from both Hillview and Upton St Leonards were very impressed. Some parents commented on how they would love their girls to come to this school. The Year 9s were such good ambassadors for the school on Friday which I just thought that you should know!

These are the students who helped at the event:

Anastasia Looke Maddie Griffin Sallie Hodgin Hannah Liddle Issie Powell Thalynn Ayng Millie Hurdsutton Grace Gowell Jess Wright Wallis Day Helen Fraser Aishah Ginwalla Millie Midwinter-Lean Lauren Dix Clare Muscrop Vicky Park Nina Scholey Isla Greenwood Mollie Brice Emily Harding

Mrs Maidment

Meet the Sixth Form Team

The Senior Prefects

Heather Farmer, Gabby Clark, Kirsty Jones, William Chen, Alexandra Handley, Lucy Faulkner, Clair Branston, Jack Flemons, Philippa Taylor, Katie Stevens, Sophie Gray, Emily Tarbuck, Jess Merrett, Sophie Howard, Jennie Cosh, Laura

Cody, Sarah Harding, Tom McGrath, Georgi Keene, Supriya Singhera, Ruquaiyah Patel, Tom Jowett, Luke Cuttws, Steph Wheeler, Tania Haynes, Camilla Davies, Jess Bollen, Ashleigh Robinson


Showcase 2009 - Bugsy Malone

As Mrs Day and I first stepped into the Picturedrome Theatre in January 2009, we immediately felt the rush of excitement that only a real theatre can provide. Six months later and that same buzz has been fully appreciated by the whole cast, production team and audience – a total of some 900 people – who have all experienced first hand the same thrill of live theatre.

“Let friendship double up our powers” (Finale)

The whole moral of Bugsy has been fulfilled in our production – the team, cast and crew, have developed over several months, united in the single desire to create a thrilling, lively and entertaining production. Friendships across year groups and ages, and between staff and students, have developed throughout the production, leading to an environment of mutual support and cooperation.

“You give a little love and it all comes back to you.”

It has not always been easy! There have been tears of laughter, tears of sadness and frustration, endless worries and massive fulfilment! Through it all, a true team ethos developed as we have all supported one another through the high and low points!

Massive congratulations and thanks go to the fantastic cast superbly led by Sarah Webb (Bugsy Malone), Alice James (Blousey Brown), Sophie McAdam (Fat Sam), Emily Green (Dandy Dan), Jo Marley (Tallulah) and Ellie Neate (Fizzy). Also to terrific cameo parts: Erica-Jane Alden, Ellie Pickett, Jennie Cosh and Josie Palmer.

The show would have been impossible without the inspiring direction of Ms Picthall and Mrs Day, the energetic backstage work of Mrs Dunnett, the administration and production help from Mrs Bowman and Mr Haynes, and the whole PE staff for various help from driving, to stage door and prompting.

Everyone’s already asking “What’s next year’s show going to be…..?”

What’s for sure, we shall certainly want to use the theatre again!


Sports Day Extravaganza 2009

Sports Day 2009 Our annual Sports Day was a true festival of sport. Sports Day this year formed part of our involvement in Lloyds TSB National School Sports Week. The aim of this week is to celebrate sport and inspire future generations of performers through the Olympic Games. Key Stage 3 students have all made individual pledges to do more physical activity. With this in mind Sports Day had a slightly different twist to it this year. After a whole school picnic on the far field, the competitors processed in their House teams behind our newly created House Flag. Following this rather noisy procession, Emily Martin (Sports Ambassador) took an Olympic Style Oath on behalf of the competitors and Ms Picthall took an oath on behalf of the officials.

The day was a fantastic success. The quality of competition was outstanding with a number of school records being broken. This year also saw the introduction of the Boys’ 100m: during the week preliminary heats had been held and the long awaited final certainly lived up to expectations. Alongside this there was a great sporting atmosphere, with everyone cheering enthusiastically, despite the heat! The spectators were wearing their House colours with pride, cheering on their competitors. All students who took part in the events should be very proud of the contribution they made to their House and this very special event.

The final results were as follows:

Winners – Bearland, Runners up - Hartland

New school records were set by:

S Quarry Senior Shot 11.3m

M Cadd Senior Javelin 37.61m

S Quarry Discus 28.44 m

J Collins Hurdles 14.10 seconds

J Wright Hurdles Year 9 12.25 seconds

L Quinton 100m Senior 11.4 seconds

L Quinton 200m Senior 24.2 seconds

Senior 4 x 100m - Alice Garcia, Luke Quinton, Oliver Smith and Joseph Collins 53.35 seconds (Was 56 seconds!)

Year 10 Sports Leaders

The Year 10 Sports Leaders recently visited Heron Primary School to deliver netball workshops to a group of thirty boys and girls. The two sessions involved the leaders using a variety of communication and organisational skills to run a netball skills circus and a session based around mini games. Students and staff from the Heron School thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and the Sports Leaders did a fantastic job and were a credit to the school.

The Sports Leaders were also offered the opportunity to assist at Heron Primary School’s Sports Day during the final week of the summer term. They were again able to use their leadership skills to contribute to the running of the event.

High School News

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