Another bumper year for models with the Humanities corridor rammed full of amazing entries. Staff were asked for their top pick, a runner up and couple of highly commended entries. We have also handed out innovation awards this year for those models that showed us some new and different.
The results are as follows.
Highly Commended:
Lara M
Amana E
Ebony C, Ivy G & Sadie D
Helena G
Julia K & Abbie M
Samara B
Ava M & Jemima T
Innovation Awards
Erin H & Izzy E
Heidi A, Sophie B & Alice T
Delilah M, Evie S & Evelyn B
Staff picks
Mrs Hall – Alisia J & Jayaani S
Mr Bowles – Lesley Y & Olivia B, Emily H & Bella P
Year 10 GCSE Geographers assembled on Fishergate at 9:15am on Monday 22nd June, many with Starbucks in hand, ready to test if Preston follows the Burgess Model of Urban Land Use. This involved moving outwards from the city centre to the edge of Preston to perform various tests to collect data and try to ascertain if the buildings, traffic and environment quality changed as hypothesised. The students were excellent, really throwing themselves into the investigation and hopefully building clear memories of the process. The findings of the day will be tested on the students’ Paper 3 exam next summer and this is always a real strength for Penwortham Girls’; the attitude and commitment shown by these students on the days suggest next year will be no different.
Back in June, members of the Geography Club were invited back to attend the Schools Sustainability Conference at Ewood Park in Blackburn. It was a great experience to meet so many companies and organisations working in the field of sustainability and the students were inspired by the people they met and heard. We entered one team of six into the Fashion Production Line competition during the morning session of the event and two teams into the Year 9 STEM Challenge. Sahlah in Year 9 won a prize in the STEM challenge while the Year 7 and 8 team won the production line challenge outright. What was the biggest bonus of the day? The actual money they won and the numerous freebies the students collected form the exhibitors; the cuddly octopuses were a big hit! Thanks to Glynis Goldsborough and her team for hosting, Lorimer Russell-Hayes (PGHS Chair of Governors) for her support on the day and to Miss Lindsay for accompanying us. We have already signed up for next year!
A slightly different Where’s Earthy this week. Cryptic clues to towns and cities in the UK. Four to get – email me your answers! g.bowles@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk
Members of the Geography Club were invited back to attend the Schools Sustainability Conference at Ewood Park in Blackburn having made our first trip there in 2025. It was a great experience to meet so many companies and organisations working in the field of sustainability and the students were inspired by the people they met and heard. We entered one team of six into the Fashion Production Line competition during the morning session of the event, and two teams into the Year 9 STEM Challenge. Sahlah in Year 9 won a prize in the STEM challenge, while the Year 7 and 8 team won the production line challenge outright. The biggest bonus of the day? The actual money that they won and the numerous freebies the students collected form the exhibitors; the cuddly octopuses were a big hit! Thanks to Glynis Goldsborough and her team for hosting, Lorimer Russell-Hayes (PGHS Co-Chair of Governors) for her support on the day and to Miss Lindsay for accompanying us. We have already signed up for next year!
Another bumper year for models with the Humanities corridor rammed full of amazing entries. Alongside the traditional papier-mâché, builders’ foam, Lego and cardboard models, this year saw some very original designs and mediums. We have volcanoes that rumble, volcanoes that light up, volcanoes that smoke and volcanoes that spin! Both Mr Ward and I have overseen MANY volcano model competitions over the years, but both of agree that the standard of skill and Geographical content has never been higher. Well done to everyone that submitted an entry. Prize winners and highly commended will be revealed in the end of year newsletter.
The Spring term is rapidly coming to an end and there has as ever been some wonderful work created by our Geographers.
Year 7 have produced wonderful Diary of a Migrant projects, based on numerous lessons and tasks and the final diaries are fantastic, with many student “roughing them up” to make them look like they have been on the long and arduous journey with the migrants. Some pictures included – great job Year 7 – well written and empathetic.
Year 8 have completed Mountain Safety Leaflets based on their current unit of study. These graded pieces have been well thought out and expertly put together in some cases. They include excellent advise for staying safe in our upland areas.
Year 9 are embarking on a unit on tectonics, but as they finished the last unit on Marine Environments, they had the chance to play the role of an Environment Agency employee carrying out a Cost-Benefit Analysis on a coastal defence plan in the south east. It highlighted the fact that not all coastal erosion can and should be stopped – sometimes the cost of defence is just too high.
GCSE Geography
Our GCSE Geographers have now had their March Mocks – the results are not in yet; a lot of marking to do! Get cracking with preparations for the summer Year 11. Look out for pictures from our upcoming Year 10 and 11 fieldtrips in future newsletters.
As we draw towards the end of a long but productive term, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the fantastic work completed by our young Geographers this term.
Two particular highlights have been the traditional ‘Bob the Boulder’ assessment – another brilliant round of projects, which manage to have some originality every year! Head’s Commendations have gone out to many.
Likewise, the Year 9 work on the life cycle of a pair of jeans has continued to go from strength to strength, with some excellent work produced this year.
GCSE Geography
A particular well done to our Year 11 GCSE Geographers; it has been a long term with a period of Mock exams at the start of November. The Geography Mock results were pleasing overall and we have done some detailed performance analysis with classes. Year 11 are on their second to last topic from the syllabus content, meaning we will be able to embark on an extended period of revision, exam practise and preparation. Keep your eyes on the prize, Year 11!
Leavers Award Winners
We had a very special evening in school back in November when last year’s Year 11 pupils were in school to collect GCSE certificates and Subject Awards. It was a real pleasure to hand over Geography Prizes to Saskia and Faye, two amazingly dedicated and knowledgeable Geographers. Very well done to both!
Have a great holiday and if you are celebrating Christmas, don’t forget to ask Santa for a new up-to-date atlas of your very own and make sure you recycle all that packaging.
Merry Christmas from Mr Bowles, Mr Ward and Mr Claydon! Ho! Ho! Ho!
