NEWSLETTER
End of Spring Term 2023
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HEADTEACHER'S WELCOME
Welcome to our Spring term edition of the newsletter.
As usual, our students have been up to so many interesting and varied activities since returning to school after Christmas. You may be interested to find out more about the Netball trip to Bath and catch up with our successful Bar Mock team who competed in the national finals. I am sure that you will be delighted for Sofia who was nominated for the Deputy Youth Parliament for the second year running. Student voice and student leadership is an important part of life at Plymouth High, so we are delighted that Sofia has an opportunity to campaign for what she believes in beyond school.
Read on to find out more about when Luke Pollard MP came into school to judge the debating completion run and managed by our debating Lead, Eleanor. February was LGBTQ History month and our student magazine team created a special edition to showcase student’s thinking and feelings on this topic. You may like to have a look at the copy which is filled with articles and artwork created by our talented student body.
You will know that Monday 8th May has been designated as an extra bank holiday to mark King Charles III’s coronation. School will be shut on this day in common with all bank holidays.
We return to school for a normal school day on Monday 17th April
Very best wishes,
Mr Underdown
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 | 15 Mar 2023 Sofia. Year 12, was shortlisted earlier this year to represent students across Plymouth in this year's Youth Parliament. Voting took place in schools across the city, and we are delighted to announce that Sofia has been elected as a Deputy Member of the local British Youth Council for the second... |
 | 10 Mar 2023 For the first time in a number of years we entered an equestrian team into a National Schools event and they did us proud. Well done to Ella (Year 8), Faith and Caitlyn (both Year 11) who did exceptionally well by coming 4th overall in the Eventers Challenge at Bicton Arena last Sunday. This competi... |
 | 10 Mar 2023 Verity has received her £10 Amazon voucher to celebrate her commitment to advancing her mastery of tier 3 vocabulary through her engagement with Bedrock. |
 | 08 Mar 2023 12 swimmers represented the school at the Devonport Royal Swimming Gala last week at the Life Centre. The girls competed against other local schools and completed a 50m freestyle relay. |
 | 21 Feb 2023 Ava, 7A, has recently competed in the Devon County Swimming Championships, where she achieved an impressive 16 Championship gold medals 🏅 and 1 silver medal. |
 | 10 Feb 2023 Yesterday. five students from PHSG participated in the Birmingham Royal Ballet 'Flash Flock' at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. |
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 | 28 Feb 2023 On Friday 24th February, Year 10 Textiles students were given a pattern cutting workshop at Makers HQ. Students were informed about the industry from a leading expert and learnt how to manipulate darts within a bodice block. This work will support them with their construction of a sk... |
 | 28 Feb 2023 On Wednesday 22nd February, Year 12 visited Arts University Plymouth to screen print their final print designs for an interior project set last term. They learnt how to expose their own designs onto the silk screen and how to complete a successful repeated print design. Many hope to use this as... |
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 | 27 Mar 2023 World Autism Acceptance Week takes place this week and the theme for 2023 is colour. Students can pop over to the library this week to check out the display and take a look through our recommended reading list. |
 | 14 Mar 2023 As part of the events that PHSG hosted for World Book day earlier this month, students were invited to submit a short story that incorporates Plymouth High values. We are delighted to announce the winning entry has been selected. |
 | 03 Mar 2023 Throughout the week, Students have been involved in activities and events to celebrate World Book Day 2023. |
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 | 28 Mar 2023 Our two year 8 runners were placed 6th and 7th and the year 7 team cleared the medals again taking 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th and 7th place. |
 | 14 Mar 2023 A team of year 7’s competed in the Plymouth School Sports Partnership Cross Country event on Thursday 9th March, hosted at the grounds of Coombe Dean school. |
 | 14 Mar 2023 On Friday 10th March, 52 students went up to Bath University to watch Team Bath play against Surrey Storm. |
 | 08 Mar 2023 The students enjoyed a fun packed two hours with lots of activities and a review of the project and the healthy habits they have been learning about. We then had a picnic at Central Park to celebrate the project with more fun and games. |
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PE & medical issues
As you are aware many of our PE lessons happen offsite, where we walk students to the university or travel by minibus to different locations around the city. It is essential that all students with medical issues such as asthma have the required medical equipment with them when we are offsite, or your child may be asked to stay onsite with a different group.
If your child no longer has a medical issue such as asthma or doesn't require a pump, please can you get in touch with the school so we can update this on our records.
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Sports fixtures
We run numerous sports fixtures at different schools all over the city after school.
We are happy to give the student the option to come back to school with us, or they are allowed to leave from the venue.
If you have given your child permission to leave from the venue, please can you supply the PE department with an email or send your child a text message they can then show the teacher in order to dismiss your child from the venue.
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27 Mar 2023 Do you remember the moment that you learnt about the rock cycle in your Year 7 science class? Nope, me either! However, Miss Joynes's Year 7 Science class has had a fun and engaging morning creating their very own performance on what they had learnt about the rock cycle. |
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 | 27 Mar 2023 Following their victory in the virtual first round, the PHSG Bar Mock Trial team travelled to London this weekend to compete against other schools from across the UK in the national final of the competition at the prestigious Royal Courts of Justice. |
 | 10 Mar 2023 PHSG Head Student Team led a workshop in the library this week for students to take part in to mark this important day. |
 | 08 Mar 2023 Last week saw the return of the PHSG Debate competition, where students debate against different subjects to win the Debate Cup. |
 | 07 Mar 2023 Tomorrow is International Women's Day and the PHSG Head Student Team are leading an event for students to take part in to mark this important day. #EmbraceEquity #PHSGHST #weareone |
 | 07 Mar 2023 The Spring 2023 edition of the student magazine 'Hear me out' has been published today. The theme for this terms magazine is the LGBTQ+ History Month, which PHSG has been celebrating throughout the month of February. |
 | 03 Mar 2023 This week saw the end to the celebrated LGBTQ+ History Month. The students ended the month celebrations with writing and performing speeches on 'What LGBTQ+ History means to them. |
 | 23 Feb 2023 Today, PHSG students took to the polling stations to cast their vote to elect the next candidates for the 2023 'Make your Mark' Youth Parliament, which is run through Plymouth City Council. |
 | 22 Feb 2023 Today, students and staff who are members of the Guides and Scouts wore their uniforms in celebration of the founders and to honour the promises that they made. |
 | 22 Feb 2023 Tomorrow, our amazing Mrs Jagger-Rowden will be undergoing her brain surgery to remove her benign tumour. Our whole PHSG family are thinking of her at this time, sending positive vibes and Rebecca has wanted us to share her story with our community. |
 | 10 Feb 2023 Today, students were invited to wear colours for our #weareone event 'Just Be You' day. |
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 | 23 Feb 2023 Today, our school canteen was bursting with colour as they offered a 'Rainbow Menu' in support of LGBTQ+ History Month. |
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Plymouth High School for Girls has held the prestigious Investor in Careers award since 2002. In January 2020 we were delighted to be awarded the Quality Standard Careers Award and we are committed to completing the reassessment for this award in 2023.
Being awarded the Quality Standard Careers Award is a real achievement. By fully meeting the accreditation criteria, incorporating the Gatsby Benchmarks, we are encompassing our school motto ‘for life, not school, we learn’. We are committed to continue to develop our careers provision to ensure that our students have the skills to enable them to make career decisions both now and in the future.
The PHSG Career Journey route map aims to give a concise view of the Careers offer at Plymouth High School for Girls.
Heather Longford, Careers Leader and Advisers values your feedback, if you would like to get in touch with Heather regarding the Quality Standard Careers Award reassessment or any aspect of the Careers Development programme please email; Heather.Longford@phsg.tsat.uk
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Unifrog – The Complete Destinations Platform
In keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next step after school, we are now using Unifrog; an award-winning, online careers platform. All students now have access to this website.
Unifrog brings into one place every undergraduate university course, apprenticeship, and college course in the UK, as well as other opportunities, such as School Leaver Programmes, MOOCs and every college at Oxford and Cambridge. This makes it easy for students to compare and choose the best university courses, apprenticeships or further education courses for them. They can also explore exciting opportunities further afield by looking at English-taught undergraduate programmes available in Europe and the USA.
Additionally, the platform helps students successfully apply for these opportunities by using Unifrog to write their personal statement, applications and CVs and guiding them through the process, allowing teachers to give live feedback.
Students access the platform by clicking a link in their welcome email, where they create a password and can begin using the platform. They login to Unifrog using their email address and password and they can do so from any computer, tablet or smartphone. We would encourage you to use the platform with your child so you can support them through the process of deciding their next step.
We have also set up a parent login so that you can use Unifrog as if you were a student yourself, allowing you to truly support your child.
For details of how to obtain a parent login or more information contact our Careers Leader & Advisor, Heather Longford; Heather.Longford@phsg.tsat.uk
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Student & Class of the Week
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 | 27 Mar 2023 Student of the week: Rondek Khaled, 7A. ''Rondek produced 2 sides of A4, beautifully describing her family in accurate German. She used all of her sentence builders to extend her current knowledge and include new vocabulary and produced an outstanding piece of work!'' Nominated by Mr... |
 | 14 Mar 2023 Student of the week: Paige, 7T. ''For enthusiasm and always contributing to class discussion in German.'' Nominated by Miss Yarwood. Awarded 10 House points. Class of the week: Y10 Anti Bullying Ambassadors. ''For the lessons they have delivered to Y7 as part of thei... |
 | 07 Mar 2023 Student of the week: Poppy, Year 12. ''For representing PHSG in the first ever Trust wide student council meeting. Poppy shared ideas with students from all 21 schools in the Trust and hosted the student leader from Plympton Academy.'' Nominated by Mr Underdown. Awarded 10 Hous... |
 | 28 Feb 2023 Student of the week: Molly, 10T. ''For her improved contribution in English. Molly has been a quiet and reserved student in the past. However, recently, she has grown in confidence and impressed me with continued positive contributions to class discussions and excellent, engaged ideas. It is... |
 | 23 Feb 2023 Class of the week: 10D GCSE Geography Class. ''For applying their mathematics skills to their geography work this week'' Nominated by Mrs Nicol-Boyle |
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Reporting Absence
If a student is absent, then parents should contact the school each day of absence before 9am.
Tel number: 033 33 602230 (Option 1 then Option 1 for 6th Form, Option 1 then Option 2 for all other year groups).
Email: absence@plymouthhighschoolforgirls.org.uk
Parents must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence – for example, if their child is unable to attend due to ill health – by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible.
Parents should ring the main school phone number and report their child’s absence to the Attendance Officer together with the reason.
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Road Closure
Please note, St Lawrence Road will be closed by the National Grid between 17th May to the 18th August for major roadworks. Access to the main school gate will not be affected, however, cars will not be able to pass down the one way system through to St Lawrence Road. We recommend that if you use this road when collecting / dropping off your child, that you consider seeking an alternative route.
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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.
There have been occasions where students have been late leaving for a sports fixture because parents had parked blocking the minibuses. Students can exit the site via Alton Road, and parents may consider this a convenient pickup point or one of the other streets surrounding the school.
Be reminded that there is NO PARKING allowed on the double yellow lines outside the school main gates.
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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 2022-2023
Term
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Starts
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Ends
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One
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1st September 2022
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21st October 2022
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| Autumn Half Term |
24th October 2021 |
31st October 2022 |
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Two
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1st November 2022
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16th December 2022
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| Christmas Holidays |
19th December 2022 |
2nd January 2023 |
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Three
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3rd January 2023
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10th February 2023
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| Spring Half term |
13th February 2023 |
17th February 2023 |
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Four
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20th February 2023
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1st April 2023
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| Easter Holidays |
3rd April 2023 |
14th April 2023 |
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Five
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17th April 2023
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26th May 2023
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| Summer Half term |
29th May 2023 |
2nd June 2023 |
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Six
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5th June 2023
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21st July 2023
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| Summer Holidays |
24th July 2023 |
1st September |
Curriculum Enrichment Week
Monday 3rd July—7th July 2023
Non Pupil Days
1st September 2022
2nd September 2022 - Only Year 7 and 12 in school
26th September 2022
21st October 2022
20th February 2023
1st May 2023 (Bank Holiday)
8th May 2023 (Bank Holiday - Kings Coronation)
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