Michelle Murray, Author at Penwortham Girls' High School

‘If you were an Engineer, what would you do?’ Leaders Award Competition

Posted on March 29, 2024March 25, 2024 by Michelle Murray

Year 9 are taking part in the ‘If you were an Engineer, what would you do?’ Leaders Award competition.

The competition challenges students from primary and secondary schools to identify a problem, design a creative solution to their problem and write a letter explaining why an engineer should choose to build their solution.

During the STEM Festival, Year 9 had a number of lessons to prepare them for the competition. In the first lesson, the students watched videos showing the different engineering jobs that are available, which also showed no matter who you are or what your background, you can do engineering.

The students also had to interview an engineer, a key requirement of the competition. Year 9 interviewed Vish Kalsapura from Network Rail. Mr Kalsapura gave an overview about engineering within the rail industry and gave a little insight into his role within cyber security.

In the final couple of lessons, the students had to identify a problem and then design their solution, taking inspiration from previous winners in the competition. All the teachers were impressed with the engagement of the students and the fantastic ideas being created.

All the students that enter the competition will have their design graded by an engineer and will receive a certificate. Shortlisted entries will then be put forward to a panel where the best ideas will be celebrated at an awards event and exhibited in a public exhibition in the summer term.

One extraordinary part of the competition is that every year, university teams choose an idea from the shortlisted entries to build!

Fingers crossed and good luck, Year 9!

Mrs Goodwill

Science Department

Year 7 students enjoy star-gazing as they visit a mobile planetarium during the STEM Festival

Posted on March 29, 2024March 25, 2024 by Michelle Murray

During the 2^nd week of the STEM Festival, Year 7 students were able to experience the wonders of the universe in a full immersive experience. The girls learned about the composition of stars and how all of the elements that make up everything, including themselves, had originally formed in the centre of stars scattered across the universe. They were also treated to a detailed insight into the Artemis programme that will soon be taking astronauts back to the moon. Throughout the experience, students became involved asking probing questions to the knowledgeable presenter, Dave.

Mr Knee

Science Department

Chemical Cookery

Posted on March 29, 2024March 25, 2024 by Michelle Murray

Throughout the STEM Festival, each Year 9 class had the opportunity to have a cooking lesson with Mr Dean. Mr Dean talked about his time as a chef and how he used molecular gastronomy to make his dishes more interesting. We had to recreate spaghetti and meatballs using white chocolate for the spaghetti and raspberry domes for the meatballs! We were teamed in groups of four or five and after a demonstration, we got straight to it. Overall, we all found the lesson really fun (even if some of the dishes didn’t work too well) and it was a great break from our usual lessons! The spaghetti and meatballs tasted great, although the texture was slightly weird! We had to use different chemicals like sodium alginate, calcium lactate and agar agar. The sodium alginate and calcium lactate react together and form a gel. This allows a membrane to form around the raspberry juice and give a pop when bitten into! The agar agar is a setting agent and when heated enough, allows for heat stable jellies to made. This allows the spaghetti to be made using tubes and syringes!

Mr Dean, Science Department

Governors News – Spring Term 2024

Posted on March 29, 2024March 25, 2024 by Michelle Murray

This term has been extremely short due to how the Easter dates have fallen this year but somehow, we seemed to have got a lot done!

The governors have been extremely pleased and reassured by the smooth transition to Mrs Hall as Headteacher. We knew from the start that we had appointed the right person for the task; Mrs Hall has the ethos of Penwortham Girls’ High School running through her veins and wants nothing more than to build on Mrs Pomeroy’s successes. There have been some additional appointments made to serve the school well into this next chapter. A key decision has been to appoint Mrs Woodhouse to join Mr Ward and Mr Ramsdale in the team of Senior Assistant Headteachers. Governors welcome the development and expansion of Mrs Woodhouse’s role and wish her much success. Appointments have also been made to the Safeguarding team and to the Life Skills team. These have been key to the fulfilment of our school values and integral to the rounded development of our students.

Our vision is quite clearly identified in what students and staff have delivered this term so far. There have been a number of events that include the Soroptimist society raising £300 for St Catherine’s Hospice, a focus on kindness for International Women’s day, all students taking part in Safer Internet Day and a focus on World Religion Day where the Year 9 assembly included student-created presentations on aspects of Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Added to these, is the STEM Festival which is the focus of this end of term newsletter.

The governing board wishes to thank students, staff and parents for their continuing support and efforts this term. We send warm wishes to those of you who celebrate Easter and those of you celebrating Eid Al-Fitr during the break also. We hope all our community enjoys two weeks break and we hope the students return ready for more hard work!

Lorimer Russell-Hayes

Chair of Governors

Visitors from Hutton Grammar

Posted on March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 by Michelle Murray

On Friday 23^rd February, we had visitors from the Hutton Grammar Sixth Form Centre. Miss Monaghan and three Geographers came to share their experience of studying the subject at A-level.

They gave a presentation on what sounded like exciting fieldwork opportunities, (at A-level, students decide their focus of study), lesson structure, topics covered and how they manage their time as A-level students. It was lovely to see Rebecca S, one of our Super Star Geographers from last year, (target – 6, achieved a grade 9), come back as part of the visit, and show current pupils, at PGHS the pathway ahead for their Geography studies.

If you want any further detail on studying A-level Geography, please drop in to see Mr Bowles who can show you a typical lesson, a textbook, some exam papers and the programme of study. Miss Monaghan at Hutton will also be happy to field any questions you might have; contact her at m.monaghan@huttongrammar.org

Mr Bowles
Curriculum Leader for Geography

GCSE Geographers

Posted on March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 by Michelle Murray

A particular well done to our Year 11 GCSE Geographers. The Geography March Mock results were very pleasing, giving us and the students confidence for the summer. Year 11 have nearly finished the syllabus now – time grows short!

We recently had our GCSE fieldtrips to investigate the River Wyre in preparation for the Paper 3 exam in June. The staff were in agreement that the students were a credit to themselves; diligent in their data collection techniques and resilient in the face of some pretty cold conditions. Well done to all participants and thanks to the attending staff.

Mr Bowles

Curriculum Leader for Geography

Enhancing Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills: Implementing RULER Tasks

Posted on March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 by Michelle Murray

As a Mathematics department, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the essential problem-solving and reasoning skills necessary for success in Mathematics, both in their academic journey and beyond. In line with the requirements of GCSE examinations and the broader objectives of fostering critical thinking, we have implemented several strategies aimed at nurturing these vital skills in our Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) students.

When students reach Year 11 and sit their GCSE examinations, they are expected to not only demonstrate proficiency in mathematical facts, concepts and techniques but also to apply their knowledge to solve both familiar and unfamiliar problems across a range of contexts. To ensure our students are well-prepared for this challenge, we have integrated problem-solving and reasoning tasks into every unit of work throughout the curriculum.

One of the approaches we are actively embedding is the use of ‘RULER’ tasks. RULER is an acronym that stands for Read, Underline, Layout, Evaluate and Review. These tasks are specifically designed to guide students through a systematic process of problem-solving, encouraging them to approach mathematical problems in a structured and methodical manner.

Each week, all students are engaged in a RULER task focusing on ‘Money Problems’. We have chosen this particular area of mathematics as it not only reinforces essential mathematical skills but also provides practical relevance to real-life situations. Through these tasks, students are challenged to apply their mathematical knowledge and reasoning abilities to solve problems related to budgeting, financial planning, and everyday transactions.

Here is an example of a RULER task:

RULER Task: Money Problems

Read: Read the given scenario carefully

Underline: Identify key information and underline relevant details

Layout: Organise the information and plan your approach.

Evaluate: Apply mathematical concepts and reasoning to solve the problem.

Review: Double-check your calculations and assess whether your solution is logical and practical. Reflect on the problem-solving process and identify any areas for improvement.

By engaging in RULER tasks, our students not only enhance their mathematical problem-solving skills but also develop valuable habits of mind, such as perseverance, attention to detail, and critical thinking. These skills are not only essential for academic success but also for navigating the complexities of the world beyond the classroom.

We are confident that by fostering a culture of mathematical curiosity and resilience, our students will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges they encounter in their academic studies and future endeavours.

Mrs Bennett
Mathematics Department

Mr McVey’s Mysterious Maths – Easter 2024 Edition

Posted on March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 by Michelle Murray

Happy Easter!

To keep you occupied during the holiday, why not try the following puzzles? A full set of correct solutions either emailed to me (r.mcvey@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk) or handed to me in person, will earn a Head’s Breakfast along with a little Easter treat!

Enjoy and good luck!

Problem 1

In one year, 78 862 314 Easter eggs were sold in the UK.

Round this number to the nearest one million.
Round this number to the nearest ten thousand.
If an extra 2 million eggs had been sold, what would this number be if it was rounded to the nearest one million.

Problem 2

A survey asked 56 253 people which type of chocolate egg they preferred. 32 132 people preferred milk chocolate and 16 482 people preferred dark chocolate. The rest preferred white chocolate. How many preferred white chocolate?

Problem 3

Mrs Sweeney is making Easter biscuits. Here is her recipe:

80g flour

40g butter

15g lemon zest

25 ml water

She has 120g of butter. How much of the other ingredients will she need for her recipe?

STEM Careers Carousel Inspires PGHS Students to Explore Boundless Opportunities

Posted on March 28, 2024March 25, 2024 by Michelle Murray

On the 29th of February 2024, Penwortham Girls’ High School annual Careers Carousel unfolded as a pivotal event during our STEM Festival, illuminating pathways to future success for our Year 10 and Year 11 students. Over 20 dedicated professionals from diverse STEM fields graciously volunteered their time to share insights and expertise, igniting a spark of curiosity and ambition in our students.

The carousel offered a dynamic rotation through various STEM sectors, allowing students to gain first-hand knowledge from industry experts. From engineering marvels to the intricate world of organometallic chemistry, from the innovative realm of radiotherapy to the strategic domain of logistics, our students were exposed to a broad spectrum of STEM-related careers. Moreover, they delved into the profound impact of mathematics within the insurance industry, as well as the boundless opportunities within the higher education sector.

The feedback from our students was resoundingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the eye-opening experience. The insights gained during the carousel have prompted profound reflections on their future career paths. Indeed, many students are now re-evaluating their options, buoyed by a new found awareness of the diverse opportunities awaiting them in the world of STEM.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our STEM Ambassadors, who generously shared their time, expertise and passion for their respective fields. Their commitment to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders has left an indelible mark on our students, empowering them to envision a future brimming with possibilities.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our STEM Ambassadors for their invaluable contributions to the success of the Careers Carousel. Your selflessness and dedication have not only enlightened our students but have also inspired them to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. We are deeply grateful for your efforts and the impact that you have made on our school community.

As we look to the future, we are filled with optimism and excitement, knowing that our students are equipped with the knowledge, inspiration and resilience to chart their own paths towards success in the vibrant world of STEM.

Mr D Knee

Teacher of Science

Many thanks to our STEM Ambassadors who supported the event:

Demi Jordan – Mace Group. International Consultancy and Construction Firm.

David Nuttall – Engineering Manager at Leyland Trucks.

Peter Fisher – Retired BOE Engineer and Retired naval Engineer

Jenna Hartnett – Pricing Analyst for Covea/Vitality Insurance.

Simon Bourne – Key Account Manager at TGW Logistics

Sarah Seaton – Project Director at School Rebuilding, Department of Education

Justin Rawcliffe – Project Director at School Rebuilding, Department of Education

Sergey Zlatogorsky – Chemistry Lecturer at University of Central Lancashire

Laura Littlefair – Northumbria University

Dr Peter Tipping – Engineer, LC Auxetec

Chandni Asher-Vardey – Network Rail

Iain Scott Ferguson – Network Rail

Simon Close – ForexClear

Shelley Shuttleworth – Radiotherapy Practice Educator at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

Steven Rawlinson – SISK Building Contractors

Sharon Leary – Serconnect Ltd

Amanda Winter – Microbiologist and Technical Team Manager for BSI

Susan Jones – Social Value Manager at Mac Roofing

Nicola Parkinson – Head of People at Eric Wright Group

Michelle Faulkner – Facilities Manager at Eric Wright FM

Katheryn Wood – BAE Systems Head Office

Self Portraits

Posted on March 26, 2024March 26, 2024 by Michelle Murray

Year 8 have been working ever so hard on their self-portraits. They have taken inspiration from Bruno Del Zou, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Gustav Klimt, George Braque, Brianna McCarthy, Aubrey Beardsley and many more. Some students found their own artist to inspire their final outcomes. I am blown away with their hard work and resilience towards this project.

Mrs Mitchell

Lead Teacher for Art, Design and Photography