Celebrating Empathy and Equality at PGHS

Earlier this year, we took part in the international celebrations for Empathy Week. Empathy Week is an opportunity for young people across the world to feel empowered to grow into conscious and empathic leaders. We felt that this was a brilliant opportunity for our students to develop our core values of compassion and social responsibility.  It is also a chance for them to learn about current global issues and develop their own ideas about how to make our school community and the wider world, a more empathic and equal place.

Our Respect Council in Year 10 have responded to the activities in Empathy Week by creating a thoughtful and well researched assembly all about promoting respect and equality. They have looked at important issues such as racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia and thought carefully about how we can work together to help ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given the chance to thrive. Additionally, this project underpins the work we are doing as a school to increase awareness of the concept of universal human rights and supports our progress in working towards achieving the UNICEF Silver Rights Respecting Schools award.

In response to empathy week, we’ve also been developing ideas about how to encourage empathy and provide support for those who may be struggling with their mental health. We’ve created posters and leaflets, which will be displayed and made available around school as a reminder that everyone has the right to help with their mental and physical health and to encourage compassion and empathy within our school community.

We want to continue celebrating the importance of empathy and equality, so in the coming weeks we will be taking part in a ‘Unitee’ competition. This is a competition organised by the ‘Global Acts of Unity’ campaign, that aims to spread the message of tolerance and unity among young people by challenging them to design a t-shirt (or ‘unitee shirt’) inspired by the theme of unity. We are looking forward to seeing all the creative and original designs created by our students!

Mrs Hall, Deputy Headteacher

and Miss Starkie, Equality Lead

BBC Young Composer Competition 2021

The nationwide BBC Young Composer competition 2021 is now open!

You may not think of yourself as a composer but if you love to create your own original music and are bursting with creativity, originality, and potential, then we’re here to tell you that you are!

The BBC are looking for musically-minded people aged 12-18 of all technical ability, backgrounds, and musical influences.

Find out more about this opportunity by visiting: bbc.co.uk/youngcomposer

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

Music Tuition

Music tuition continues to take place in school. If you would like your daughter to have Music tuition, please complete the online form using the link below and we will organise these lessons for you. Girls can have lessons on Brass, Woodwind or String instruments, Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, Drum kit or singing. Lessons are currently provided on an individual basis for 15 minutes and cost £72 per term. Students eligible for Free School Meals or those students who have been eligible for them in the last six years, are able to have tuition in one instrument/voice for free. If students need to loan an instrument, we can usually organise this for you – please just ask!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GkARh27PckqAhRMK-PwjQtBx0o60iiFDpPGdAdZ-cHtUQU9VUksxRUtXNFJBTFhaTERGU0lJTzdBMy4u

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

Year 9 Music

Year 9 students have been experiencing a taste of GCSE Music and have been learning to play parts of the GCSE set work, ‘Africa’ by Toto. The majority of the chorus of the song makes use of just 4 chords and introduces us to our next topic which will be ‘Pop Song Mash-ups!’ We are hoping that following the next government announcement, we may be able to sing along to these too! Fingers crossed! If you are interested to learn more about GCSE Music, then please watch the Music Department video which takes you through the course in detail.

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

Year 8 Music

Year 8 students have been thrilled to be back in the Music room and are already making up for lost time by developing their keyboard skills. Currently the girls are working on ‘The Tortoise’ from ‘Carnival of the Animals’ by Camille Saint-Saens and are working on changing hand positions and even adding chords. Here are a few of their thoughts:

“Being in the Music room is better than a classroom because we have access to the keyboard and the computer. This is a good change because we can learn how to play the keyboard and try new music pieces.”

“I’ve loved being back in the Music room since Music is one of my favourite subjects. I’m so happy to be able to do more performances such as playing keyboard again.”

“I’m so excited to be back in the Music room. Learning is so much more fun and joyful.”

“Being back in the Music room has been amazing. Finally, I have been able to play some music on the keyboard and learn about the different keys. It has been more than a year since I have been in here and being back is good!”

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

Year 7 Music

Just before Christmas, we were lucky enough to borrow a set of hand chimes so that the girls could use these to play ‘Jingle Bells’. We have now invested in our own set of hand chimes and have most recently been learning ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. In more usual circumstances, students would have been in the Music room and would have had access to a keyboard, which they would be using to facilitate learning to read and write using music notation. The hand chimes have allowed us to begin to develop our notation reading skills in a slightly different way and we hope to share some of these performances with you in the near future.

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

Zaynab

Mrs Pomeroy contacted parents/carers earlier in the week with regards to the extremely sad news of the passing of Zaynab Bhula in Year 10. This has come as a massive and mind-numbing shock to staff and students alike, but of course in particular for Year 10, and has been most intensely felt by those students who were friends with Zaynab and those that sat with her in lessons.

As a school, a year group and as the individual Head of Year involved, I/we are committed to ensuring we mark Zaynab’s tragic passing with an appropriate and long-lasting series of actions.

On Wednesday this week in school, we have held a minute’s silence for all students to reflect and if they knew Zaynab, to remember her. We are also planning to mark the occasion of her funeral with a further, smaller event in school that will involve her friends.

Numerous members of the year group have passed on cards and letters to me that I will in turn pass on to Zaynab’s family. If your daughter would also like to do this, she is welcome to do so.

Some members of both Year 10 and 11 have volunteered to take part in full recitals of the Quran to honour Zaynab. I would sincerely like to thank these girls for their involvement in this.

In the weeks ahead, we will keep Zaynab’s memory close to our hearts, and her friends will take the lead in plans for a permanent memorial here in school.

We have a school counselling service and have been offered access to bereavement counsellors through both the education authority and the Preston Muslim Burial Society. If you feel your daughter is in need to take avail of these services, please do not hesitate to drop me a line. We will continue to support each other as a year group and as a wider school community, while at the same time honouring the memory of Zaynab.

Mr Bowles
Year 10 Raising Achievement Co-ordinator

Given the tragic events of this week with the passing of Zaynab Bhula in Year 10, we have decided to dedicate this week’s newsletter to her. This issue has been put together with the help of her friends.

Zaynab was the most loving girl and was always willing to help us out. She was highly intelligent and had such a bright future ahead of her. She was more of a listener and supported us through difficult times. Zaynab was such a selfless and calm person who never had a bad word to say, and never made anything about herself. We will cherish the memories that we’ve made with her and it makes us smile every time we think of her. One memory that stands out to us, is when we used to face time together every week and do quizzes.  She always won and got all the questions right! We will never, ever forget her and she will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Marissa, Nur and Fareesha

I have been friends with Zaynab since childhood. She was the most kind, caring and loving best friend I have had. She was a true gem. There is no one like her. She will be missed immensely and she will remain in my heart forever. I will always pray for her, as that is what she deserves and wish that everyone can do the same. Zaynab understood me better than anyone else and would always support me no matter what and I am so thankful for that. We made many unforgettable memories, which I will always treasure and I cannot imagine my life without her. She made me the person I am today and whenever I was feeling down, she would lift me high and put me back together, piece by piece. There was never a dull moment with her and we would constantly laugh about everything. Zaynab was a true friend who would treat me like gold and would listen to me whenever I needed to rant. Without her, I would not be as strong as I am right now because she is the reason for my smiles. I would like to thank her for making my life brighter and happier as she knew how to make my day, even during my darkest moments. I will always remember her and I will never forget her amazing, bubbly personality because she was one of the most warm-hearted girls I have ever met.

Safurah

In years 8 and 9, I used to hang out with Zaynab and her friends. Although she was quiet, she always joined in with the jokes and the laughs and always seemed to be happy.

I also remember on the Year 8 passport walk up to Darwen Tower, that Zaynab was struggling with it physically but she just kept going and never complained and she made it to the top. She was always resilient when doing things even when it was clear that they were hard for her.

Eva

Zaynab was a very intelligent, funny and caring person who never failed to make us smile or laugh. When we first got to know her in year 8, we quickly realised how much of a kind and selfless person she was. One of our favourite memories was when we did group games nights. We always played ‘Among Us’ and had a good time. Nine times out of ten, Zaynab was the imposter which confused us and led us to believe that Zaynab’s smartness was enabling her to hack the game. We sometimes played with Zaynab’s younger brother and whilst doing so we had a great time. Thank you so much for these amazing memories, Zaynab.  We will cherish them forever.

Keira and Eloise

Zaynab Bhula. A gifted, kind-hearted and valued young girl who meant the world to us. We first met her four years ago and whilst on the ‘passport walk’, we grew closer and formed a group. As each school year passed, our group of friends changed, but Zaynab always stayed close with us. She was the strongest and most loving person we have ever had the privilege of meeting; she lit up every room she was in.

One of the most prominent memories that we have with Zaynab would be the Darwen Tower walk in year 8. Although a while ago, that day has stuck with us. We remember how much we all laughed that day, trekking up a hill (which we were all slightly unprepared for) and seeing a new side to our friend. We took some silly photos and laughed until we were red-faced under the June sun.

The small memories, such as chats before a lesson, meant equally as much to us as days out. She gave us the best advice and we will sorely miss her laugh and smile; it meant more to us than she ever thought and we wish we could tell her this. Although not here in person, the memories last forever.

Ruby and Emma

Staff memories of Zaynab

Zaynab was a quiet, yet conscientious and diligent pupil. Although shying away from the limelight, it was nonetheless clear to those of us who taught her, that she was an intelligent young woman who was driven to do well. She showed a particular flair for the Sciences and was predicted to achieve highly across the board. It is a testament to her kind-hearted nature that she had a very close-knit circle of friends from a variety of backgrounds, who will miss her dearly and remember her fondly. I have smiled at her memory often this week, and will continue to do so.

Mr Bowles

Zaynab had a compassionate and kind personality which was obvious to those who knew her. She was an intelligent girl with quiet confidence and was a peaceful and reflective person.

I got to know Zaynab both in and out of class over the last few years and she always adopted a positive and welcoming approach to others. We will fondly remember her friendly and generous spirit in our community, she will be sadly missed by us all.

Mrs Hall

I had the pleasure of teaching Zaynab Science for 3 years at PGHS. She was always very kind and always greeted me with a smile. She always gave 100% and was a great Scientist. In the last year, I was also lucky enough to have Zaynab in my form; she was a valued member of 10H and will be sorely missed.

Mr Dean

Zaynab, you were a gentle soul. Always quietly contemplative, you never missed a thing which was evident in the insightful work you produced. Never one to complain, you battled through your challenges with private determination and admirable courage. You were unassuming and conscientious; a valued member of our school community and you will be deeply missed by all who knew you. Shine bright, sweetheart.

Mrs McGibbon

I remember visiting Zaynab in her primary school just before she started here at Penwortham Girls’. As I do with all students, I told her about my motto, ‘Try your best in everything and be kind to others.’ Zaynab really did embody this motto; she quietly but determinedly tried her best to succeed.  I have fond memories of her playing the keyboard in music lessons, and she really was kind to everyone.

Mrs Cattanach

I started teaching Zaynab when she was in year 9 for French and Life Skills. It took a while to get to know her as she was a particularly quiet and reserved student; however, her knowing smile confirmed she was taking everything in and was enjoying learning. She was a lovely, hard-working, polite, bright and gentle student who was gifted in this subject. She was very humble and (I hope she wouldn’t mind me saying it) quietly achieved the best mark in last year’s French exam. I am so sad that she is no longer with us and will miss her very much.

Madame Raine

Zaynab was a quiet, articulate and thoughtful student. I thought I would give her the opportunity to talk to you today by reproducing an extract from an opinion piece of writing she completed in English:

“Teenagers and young adults are like the seeds of our planet. We are the roots, the stem, the leaves. Treat us correctly; let us unleash our skills, independence and our truth. Why do you insist on questioning and challenging the future which is rightfully ours? Let us grow, flower, flourish and demonstrate our true potential.

As young people grow and learn, we develop a sense of what is right and wrong – our moral compass evolves. To have a moral compass is to accept what you know is right, to refuse what is wrong. As a plant grows, it adapts to its surroundings; we do too. We learn as we grow; developing morals and a sense of right that we believe in. Remember that a child learns what they live from the adults around them.”

Mrs Woodhouse

Cards or letters for Zaynab’s family

Numerous pupils have already passed on cards and letters to school that they would like to go to Zaynab’s family. Those who have experienced great loss often find some comfort from such messages. If you would like to send a card or letter, please ask your daughter to pass it on to any member of staff.

Honouring Zaynab through faith

Faith was an important part of Zaynab’s life. To mark and honour this, some members of both Year 10 and 11 have volunteered to take part in full recitals of the Quran. This is seen as a both a gift to Zaynab and a way of expressing condolence to her family. We would sincerely like to thank these girls for their involvement in this. If your daughter would like to volunteer to recite a chapter and has not done so already, she can do so by speaking to Mr Bowles.

A lasting memorial to Zaynab

Staff and students will work together on a permanent memorial to Zaynab here in school. Planting a cherry blossom tree has been put forward already; she used cherry blossom as her social media profile picture and its blossoms each year will remind us of Zaynab.

We are also planning to fundraise in her name and donate the money to a charity that builds wells in less developed parts of the world. The well that is built would be dedicated in Zaynab’s name.

Music Tuition

Music tuition continues to take place in school. If you would like your daughter to have Music Tuition, please complete the online form using the link below and we will organise these lessons for you. Girls can have lessons on Brass, Woodwind or String instruments, Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, Drum kit or singing. Lessons are currently provided on an individual basis for 15 minutes and cost £72 per term. Students eligible for Free School Meals or those students who have been eligible for them in the last six years are able to have tuition in one instrument/voice for free. If students need to loan an instrument, we can usually organise this for you – please just ask.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GkARh27PckqAhRMK-PwjQtBx0o60iiFDpPGdAdZ-cHtUQU9VUksxRUtXNFJBTFhaTERGU0lJTzdBMy4u

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

BBC Young Composer Competition 2021

The nationwide BBC Young Composer competition 2021 is now open!

You may not think of yourself as a composer, but if you love to create your own original music, and are bursting with creativity, originality, and potential, then we’re here to tell you that you are!

The BBC are looking for musically-minded people aged 12-18 of all technical ability, backgrounds, and musical influences.

Find out more about this opportunity by visiting: bbc.co.uk/youngcomposer

Mrs Cattanach
Curriculum Leader for Music

PGHS Road to Tokyo

On Wellbeing day, the Performance, Sport and Health faculty launched the ‘PGHS road to Tokyo’. Our current total after only two months, the PGHS community has walked, run or cycled 2476.73 miles! This is a fantastic achievement so far. With 3 months to go, we have 3382.26 miles left to cover. It is super important to continue this momentum with only 3 months left to go. Don’t forget, if you are out for your daily exercise with family or friends, track the distance you’ve travelled using the forms link on your class charts.

Mrs Naylor
Curriculum Leader for Performance, Sport and Health

  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award
  • Artsmark Platinum Award - Awards by Arts Council England
  • Lancashire Socio-economic Equality Badge
  • SMART
  • UNICEF
  • School Mental Health Award
  • Ofsted - Outstanding Provider
  • International School Award