On Tuesday 11th July, we ran the last Values Party of the year. A lot of the invited students came to participate and enjoyed a lunchtime spent eating and chatting in the Humanities Garden area.
We asked the students to try and identify something they had done related to each value through the school year on a postcard that we will be able to display.
There were some lovely conversations, with staff and students, and support of each other. Despite it being a bit breezy, a lovely time was had by everyone!
Towards the end of the summer term, the Learning Support Department were joined by a number of Year 6 pupils who will be starting with us in the autumn term. They came to take part in our annual Moving On To High School sessions.
The M.O.T.H.S sessions are designed specifically for pupils with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities; they can also be helpful for pupils who struggle socially, or who find the prospect of High School a scary thought.
They have had three sessions which involved getting to know each other; practising social skills and most importantly, getting to know their way around school! The girls were supported by Mrs McGibbon the school’s SENDCO, Mrs Cattanach the Transition Manager and Mrs Aldred who’ll be supporting some of our Year 7 students when they arrive.
All the girls have found the sessions useful, and have made a super start to their Penwortham Girls’ High School journey. We look forward to seeing our new Year 7 students in September.
For the third year in a row, students supported by the Learning Support Department were treated to a picnic in the park on Thursday afternoon. This is a wonderful reward to celebrate the children’s hard work and resilience over the last academic year.
We didn’t let the threat of rain dampen our spirits and students and staff alike packed exciting treats, picnic blankets and donned trainers to walk to Hurst Grange Park for an afternoon of fresh air and play.
We were even joined by ex-pupils who fondly remember previous trips and couldn’t resist the call of the park and the chance to catch up with staff and friends.
Everybody loves to join in with the fun spirit of the afternoon; Mrs Embley could be seen whizzing down the tunnel slide and numerous members of staff were left out of breath after pushing the year 9s on the bucket swing!
Lots of fun was had by all; many thanks to the department for organising another wonderful event and well done to the students for yet another successful year!
On July 12th, the Learning Support Department hosted their annual ‘Vintage Tea Party’. Once again it was a department wide effort with everybody chipping in to make the afternoon a roaring success. Decorations were kindly donated and lovingly created by staff and friends, and there was a scrumptious array of cakes, crisps and biscuits on offer.
Guests included past and present pupils who have been supported by our department together with their parents. Ex staff members were also in attendance together with current staff members who couldn’t resist the call of tea and cake!
The atmosphere was provided by authentic 1920s music which was soon drowned out by the buzz of chatter as everybody got to sharing anecdotes in between slices of cake and sips of tea.
The hour and a half passed very quickly and the guests were very complimentary about the afternoon as well as the year round support that our department provides.
Once again, a huge thank you to all involved and a special thank you to Mrs Lucas who has done an excellent job of organising the event; we hope to see you all again next year!
Wednesday 29th March saw the return of the Values Party. This term we reflected on the core values of ‘Ambition’ and ‘Resilience’. The students who attended, spent time recalling what they understand the values to mean and how they have shown or challenged themselves to demonstrate them both in school and in their lives outside of school.
The STEM festival had provided many examples of how having ambition and resilience can lead to great things so it was great to see and hear the links being made by the students. Students also identified the activities they had carried out that focussed on ambition and resilience. These ranged from working hard on topics that they find hard to understand and not just giving up, to learning a new instrument!
The final values party will be at the end of the summer term and will focus on ‘Compassion’ and ‘Social Responsibility’.
On Wednesday 14th December, we hosted a ‘Values Party’ for students who work with the Teaching Assistant Team. The party was an opportunity to reflect on how we had all demonstrated or embodied the school values that were focussed on in the Literature & Language Festival – curiosity and dignity. Students had the opportunity to write down examples of how the values can be seen and how they have shown them personally; there were some wonderful ideas!
We also spent time listening to music, chatting about how the term had gone and looking forward to what will be coming up next term. There will be two more parties at the end of the spring and summer terms.
As a nation, we were all saddened to hear of the Queen’s passing on the 8th September. One of our year 10 students, Jess S, took time to write a letter to the new King Charles:
“When I heard about the Queen’s death, I decided that I wanted to write a letter to the King. I wrote a letter to send my condolences to the Royal Family about their loss of their mum, grandma and great-grandma. I waited for a reply from him and one afternoon, when I arrived home from school, there was a reply! I was very happy to see that he liked my letter very much.”
Jess received a note from King Charles thanking her for her message.
This year, some Year 9 and 10 students have embarked upon a new course provided by ASDAN, entitled Personal and Social Development.
It is a two-year accredited course and requires the students to complete seven units in total, covering a broad array of topics.
This term, the students have been studying for the Environmental Awareness unit. This involves them learning and understanding about how both individual and group human activity can have a negative impact on our environment.
We’ve also been looking into how we can individually and collectively positively introduce change. This has required the students to pledge to make a change in their own lifestyle for at least a month which will have a positive impact on the environment. Students have made pledges such as being in charge of their family’s recycling and ensuring no rooms are left with lights or appliances unnecessarily switched on.
Another part of their assessment is to take part in a community environment project. As a group we have agreed to take part in litter picking sessions both in school and in the local community; something which is much appreciated by all!
Well done, girls for making such a positive start to your studies, for being socially responsible and promoting positive change.
On Thursday 3rd November, a group of Year 6 students came into school to enjoy a morning of crafting fun and getting to know each other with our Year 8 students, Mrs McGibbon and Mrs Embley.
The girls chose bright materials to create their crafts. We showed them how to make origami monster bookmarks using card, feathers and googly eyes. They had fun designing swivel eyed characters, including a scary halloween bat.
We hope the girls enjoyed themselves as much as we did and look forward to seeing them again in September.
It is with great sadness that this week, we say goodbye for the final time to the wonderful Mrs Yates, who sadly lost her long battle with cancer earlier this month.
Bev has been a much-loved member of the PGHS team since February 2019 and since joining us, has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the school community. She has been an integral part of the SEND department. She has provided support and advice to students and staff alike and her warm smile, ready laugh and cheery outlook will be sorely missed.
A fully committed member of the PGHS family, Bev was determined to work through her illness, proving her love and dedication to her job and the children she supported.
Both staff and students have many fond memories of working with Bev which will be cherished for many years to come.
We’ll miss you, Mrs Yates.
Mrs McGibbon,
SENCo
Staff Memories of Our Bev:
“Every time I eat a red Lindor chocolate, I’ll think of you and smile! I know somewhere you’ll be reading this dedication and giving me the biggest eye roll. I’d tell you to rest easy, my love but I don’t think you’ve ever rested for a single minute! Instead, shine bright.
All my love, Katie.”
“I wasn’t lucky enough to know you very long, Bev but I will remember your infectious smile and the laughs you brought to us all. Love, Sarah C.”
“Bev, from discovering you sneaking into work on a day off, to having you come along and offering support at weekend competitions, your physical presence is, and always will be missed. It was difficult for any of us to not be infected with your positivity and zest for life and I know I will try to do everything ‘with a little bit of Bev’ (especially eating a packet of maltesers!!) Sarah P”
“Bev, you literally were one of the nicest, most welcoming and supportive people I have ever met. Your laugh was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile when I was in your company. Thank you for being you. I’ll miss you so much. Love Rachael xx”
“Every day I will look at the red plant you gifted me and remember all the lovely memories and mischief we got up to. I will forever miss working alongside you, along with our funny ‘corner’ chats, especially when things got ‘so full on’. Bev, you were the cheekiest, funniest and kindest person I got to meet. Love Saleha xx”
Dedications from some of the students that Mrs Yates supported:
“Thank you for helping me with extra science. I will miss you.” Jenna
“Thank you for helping our little group and showing me how to respect people more.” Olivia
“Thank you for helping me with my work.” Claudia
“Thank you. I will miss you.” Amie
“I will miss you.” Caleb
“Thank you for helping me. I will miss you.” Dayana
