Life Skills News
Life Skills News
Black History Month
October was Black History Month and this was celebrated with assemblies to all Year groups at the start of the month and we ran a competition recognising this year’s theme of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.
It was wonderful to receive so many entries for the competition, all of which showcase the endless talent of our pupils at PGHS.
The standard of entries was significantly high and it was difficult to narrow down 3 winners, but please congratulate the following students:
Yasmin S (9P), Isabelle P (9P), Elizabeth B (7H)
Black History Month
Last week, all year groups heard about Black History Month during assembly. The theme to Black History Month 2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ and we are holding a competition throughout October for students to find out about narratives and stories about black history, culture and people so we can find out the truth behind these people and events. This can be completed in any format. The attached slides offer some links for inspiration and ideas but please find others if you wish. We do look forward to receiving narratives from the students, enlightening us of stories related to Black History Month. There will also be prizes! The deadline in 31st October and entries should be handed in to Miss Lindsay.
Miss Lindsay
Life Skills Co-ordinator
Life Skills News
I hope this newsletter finds you well. My name is Miss Lindsay and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Life Skills Coordinator at Penwortham Girls’ High School. I am excited to join this vibrant school community and to work collaboratively with students, staff and parents to enhance our Life Skills curriculum.
A little about me: I have spent over 13 years in education, with a focus on nurturing the personal and social development of young people. Originally an A-Level Psychology / Sociology teacher at Hutton Grammar School, I moved into the RHSE arena having developed a passion for the importance of this type of education for young people. Over the last 6 years, I developed a rigorous and ambitious RHSE program at Hutton and I bring that knowledge and expertise with me to PGHS. Having spent 10 years in H.R in London prior to teaching, I am well versed on careers and implemented an effective Careers program at the school and I will bring this knowledge and expertise to PGHS too.
It goes without saying that it is quite a transition from teaching all boys to teaching all girls but I will endeavour to continue to create engaging, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences that empower students to thrive both in school and in their futures.
I believe that Life Skills at PGHS plays a crucial role in equipping students with the skills that they need to navigate the complexities of modern life.
Collaboration with parents and carers is vital to the success of our RHSE initiatives. I encourage open communication and welcome your insights and feedback as we work together to support student development. After half term, I will send out weekly newsletters informing you of the topics that will be taught. Where possible, I’ll signpost you to information so you can understand what is being taught to your daughters. Continuing the conversation at home is so valuable to embed sound and accurate knowledge and develop necessary skills needed to thrive, as our students move through school and into the wider world.
Outside of my professional life, I run, paddle board and enjoy travelling. I also meditate to maintain ‘The Calm’ as I call it. I believe that a well-rounded life contributes to a richer educational experience and I am always eager to share my passions with students. Thank you for welcoming me into your school community. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your daughters better and to making a positive impact together. If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please feel free to contact me at n.lindsay@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk
Miss Lindsay
Life Skills Department
Life Skills Summer Term 2023
As students complete their Life Skills course for the year, they are invited to take part in a student voice survey. This enables us to move forward with the subject and make sure that we are meeting the needs of students and responding to feedback.
The results, like last year, will be shared with students in the first Life Skills lesson in September, together with a response and feedback.
Once again, Life Skills has also hosted another competition. This time, for Year 8, who have been looking at LGBTQIA+ rights, gender identity, homophobia, trans and biphobia.
The competition took place to help celebrate Pride month in June and to also raise awareness that we do not tolerate any kind of discrimination or abuse towards students of different genders or sexualities.
Students had to design a T-shirt and the entries were superb.
1st place – Sarah M
2nd place – Uswa H
3rd place – Grace A
The winning entries will receive Love2shop vouchers and a certificate in the rewards assembly at the end of the academic year.
Mrs Cahill
Life Skills Co-ordinator
Show Racism the Red Card School Competition
In March, students took part in the school competition ‘Show Racism the Red Card.’ We ran this as a PGHS competition and received many entries that were creative and original. The best 7 were put to an anonymous staff vote and the school winners were:
1st place Year 9 – Emma C
2nd place Year 10 – Libby W and Maisie W
3rd place – Naomi S
Each school were allowed one entry per category to be put forward to the national entries. Emma C’s work was entered in to the Year 7-9 Artwork category and Maisie W and Libby W’s work were placed in the Year 10+ Creative Writing and Artwork category.
Maisie W and Libby W came second in their category overall. This was out of 25,000 entries across the country. They were invited to the awards ceremony at Anfield last week, where CBeebies presenters, Ben Cajee and Alex Winters presented the awards. Other special guests included Liverpool legends, John Barnes and Alan Kennedy.
The prizes donated by the sponsors of the charity were outstanding. Both students received an England football shirt, a football shirt from the team that they support, a football, a FIFA 2023, 2 books, ASDA vouchers and other prizes.
The whole awards ceremony was very humbling and inspiring. We listened to some of the entries from other students who had come from as far as Surrey to collect their awards. We will certainly be running this competition again in the next academic year. On October 20th 2023, we will be wearing red in support of the charity.
All entries to the school competition and the national entries will proudly be shown on display in school over the coming months.
Mrs Cahill
Life Skills Co-ordinator
Life Skills News
Life Skills has got off to a flying start this academic year, which started with sharing the results of the student voice survey with each year group.
This included many questions including whether students enjoy Life Skills, if students feel confident giving views and opinions and if they feel listened to during lessons. The results were very positive. Students also had the opportunity to suggest improvements.
With the new style exercise books (the logo was designed by Abi L in Year 11 last year), every student completed their first lesson about the various topics covered within Life Skills and how they feel about some of the content. This was also an opportunity to try out the new style baseline assessment.
The survey also asked for student volunteers for a focus group and the response was overwhelming to say the least. This group will be present at parents’ evenings to give out information and advice about their particular year group and inform parents about the opportunity to complete a parental questionnaire.
I am also still hoping to start a parent focus group. If you are interested, please contact me directly.
r.cahill@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs Cahill
Life Skills Coordinator
Life Skills – Summer Term 2022
Year 7 and 8 have spent several lessons looking at gender identity, sexuality and homophobia. They recognise the importance of equality and diversity and how to show respect towards the values, beliefs and opinions of others.
To tie in with Pride month, students had a look at the history of Pride and the different flags to represent inclusivity. They then produced a display and included sources of support.
Year 9 have been busy looking at the topic of ‘Health’. They learned more about the vaccinations that they may have had as teenagers and the reasons why, as well as looking at herd immunity. They also got the chance to use the mini Annie resuscitation dolls to learn CPR, provided by the Heart Foundation. They have then produced some information leaflets on what to do.
Year 9 have also been looking at health apps. Digitally Healthy Schools is a program designed to give young people access to trusted digital health apps to support a wide range of health areas. Students will be able to access the library within Digital Healthy Schools in the next academic year.
They have also had a look at some other apps and trialled an app for a week. They then wrote about their experiences and the benefits of using health apps. The best write-ups have been entered in to the Digitally Healthy Schools competition for the chance to win a fitness tracker or a £30 amazon gift voucher. Maisie W, Charlotte R, Prisha P, Libby W and Molly T, plus many more submitted some great entries. We are currently awaiting the results.
Finally, every student had the opportunity to complete a survey on Life Skills this academic year. The responses were largely positive and this will be shared in the next newsletter. It was encouraging to see the students caring and actively involved in Life Skills. They took full opportunity at having a student voice on the matter. I also have an army of volunteers ready for next year, who will be helping to raise awareness at parent meetings and parent voice, as well as other exciting opportunities. Watch this space!
Mrs R Cahill
Life Skills Co-ordinator
PREVENT and CHANNEL Question of the Week – Whole School
Last week, students took part in the ‘Question of the Week’ on the Prevent duty and Channel. This is to reinforce the messages already covered in Life Skills and other areas of personal development at PGHS. A short forms quiz was successfully completed to demonstrate understanding and how to report or access support.
These are both important topics that are revisited regularly. It is reassuring to know from the forms quizzes completed, that students here do know to tell a trusted adult in these situations.
Mrs Cahill
Life Skills Co-ordinator
