High News Summer 2022

HighNews

Senior & Sixth

Coming soon...

Portsmouth High School is delighted that work is now in progress on a new SuperSport asphalt multi-use games area with surrounding landscaping at the senior school. The development will create a vibrant competitive space with full size netball and tennis courts giving added opportunities to develop and enhance the school’s sport curriculum and fixtures programme.

Director of Sport, Mrs Divilly, said ‘This will enhance further our professional sport facilities within the school. It will be both

a competitive and training space for netball, tennis, soft ball rounders and cricket. We will also use it for athletics throw and sprint practice and look forward to hosting visitors in the new space as part of our fixtures programme.’

Nell, a sixth form sport scholar at the senior school said ‘It will be so exciting to have a new training and match area on-site so we can train and play matches whatever the weather. My netball skills have grown so much through clubs and training and I’m really looking forward to enjoying them on the new sports surface.’

The new multi-sport surface will complement the existing impressive sports hall at the senior school with a climbing wall, netball court, four badminton courts and additional markings for a wide range of sports including football and volleyball. The sports hall also houses two competition level trampolines and has equipment for boxing, athletics and table tennis.

Senior school pupils also have use of an all-weather sports pitch at the prep school and shared use of some of the best sports facilities in the local area including co-ownership of the University of Portsmouth’s multi-use games area and athletics track.

Welcome from the Headmistress

The last two terms have been busy and it has been so enjoyable to host events in school once more. The new sports surface at the senior school will be operational by September and our success in a variety of sport is endless. Midsummer Night’s Dream, our senior school play was a highlight for many and widely praised; it has given inspiration to our budding thespians to audition for a whole school musical to be performed next spring. Applause abounded at our many musical showcases from the Gala Concert

to Lunchtime Live at Portsmouth Cathedral.

Charity is always at our heart, whether that is helping others or raising muchneeded funds, for those less fortunate. Year 7 rose to the challenge of being as creative as possible in raising money for Canine Partners – their huge success is to be commended. Year 7 have also been out and about on the mathematics trail around Southsea and studying the geography of the local area. Older pupils enjoyed Bushcraft and expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Our well-being Centre –Daffodil House – will open in September as a focus for our pastoral care. Our specialist staff will be much more easily accessed and the newly refurbished space provides a place of calm within the core of the school.

There are so many opportunities to become involved in clubs, trips, visits and co-curricular activities –when pupils join the school an exciting adventure truly awaits.

Inclusive sports programme reaps rewards

Portsmouth High netballers celebrate a season of success

It has been a truly incredible season for PHS netball. With so many successes including qualifying for the National Schools Regional round for the U14 squad, coming in the top 8 in the country for the U13 squad, tournament wins for the U14 and 15’s against a variety of Hampshire schools as well as winning 67 matches overall.

Individually we have had 9 girls representing County netball, with one playing for GDST Select VII and players involved in U15 franchise trials. Can we top it next year? Yes we can and we can’t wait for the 22/23 season.

Emily represented the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) Select Netball squad in matches against Loughborough Lightning U17 and U18.

They were two really tough matches and Emily played fantastically at both Wing Defence and Centre. It was a great opportunity for her to play alongside the best players in the GDST, against some of the elite young players in the country.

Emily in Year 12 in GDST Select Netball Squad

The PHS U14 squad qualified for the National Schools Regional netball

Trampolinists reach new heights

Well done for the pupils who took part in the British Schools finals of trampolining in Macclesfield.

Coach, Michael Whittlock, said: ‘with over 1000 people at the venue it was a very exciting but pressurised day. The standard was so high and the girls did very well to qualify for the finals.’

Starting out with golf...

Abbie is ranked sixth in England

Golf club is offered to students from Year 5 through to Year 13 of all abilities from complete beginners to more experienced players.

The sessions are run by an experienced PGA coach and include all aspects of the game including putting, chipping and long game. Towards the end of the spring and summer terms, students get to take their new skills out on to the golf course. Many parents play golf and these lessons have allowed pupils to enjoy family time playing golf. Most local golf clubs have fantastic junior sections for those students who wish to take their golf to the next level.

Hockey season ends on a fabulous note

The hockey season has been very busy and successful and ended on the fabulous note of two superb wins in the last matches of the season against Meoncross and Boundary Oak.

In total 83 pupils have represented the school this season scoring 81 goals. Special congratulations to Anna and Aishi in Year 7 who represented Havant U12 A team in the regional finals of U12 in2hockey championships. They played six 20 minute games of 7-aside and managed to win the competition becoming regional champions winning a place in the finals in Nottingham.

Many congratulations to Abbie in Year 10 who is now ranked 6th in England for her success in badminton.

Abbie said ‘I started playing badminton 3 years ago and have been playing competitively over the last year. I have slowly made my way up the ranks and had my first big win a year ago in a gold tournament which is the hardest tournament. My partner and I got through to the semi-finals but unfortunately lost to the best pair in England.’

‘My rank then moved up to 13th in England and after I played a few more tournaments it advanced

to 8th. Recently I played an U19 silver tournament which is three age groups above me. I managed to get to the finals and am now 6th in England.’

‘I first started playing badminton through joining the badminton club in Year 6 at prep school. I now train at Westgate school in Winchester most days and other local places around Portsmouth. I have recently been moved up to the third county senior team and still currently play for U17, U18 and U19 Hampshire teams.

Abbie is featuring in one of the GDST spotlight videos focussing on exceptional successes of girls across the GDST.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Portsmouth High School’s delightful production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed to a packed audience of staff, families, pupils and friends over two nights.

The comedy of four lovers escaping the confines of ancient Athens, who flee into an enchanted forest, was portrayed beautifully by pupils across the senior school.

‘It is an absolute pleasure to bring a whole school production back to Portsmouth High School after the disruption of COVID-19,’ said Mrs Emer Cullen-Taylor, Head of English and Drama. ‘The students have been a real delight to spend time with; their camaraderie and enthusiasm have been motivating for all of us, they have managed to create some thoroughly moving and humorous performances. The tech team and

crew have been similarly visionary in their approach to the staging of the play.’

‘I have really enjoyed my role in the technical side of the play,’ said Sydney, Year 11. ‘I love performing centre stage, however learning how to program the lights and sound, has really given me an overview of the performance as a whole. From sourcing props and costumes to discussing which lights are needed to enhance the mood of a scene, the technical side of the play is a completely different experience – one I would recommend to anyone interested in drama.’

Portsmouth High School celebrates

British Science Week

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics which takes place during the spring each year. This year the theme was ‘Growth’ which links with multiple areas across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and the school embraced the theme throughout the week.

Growing spaghetti towers

The tallest sunflower...

With an increase in the construction of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings in most cities this activity introduced the basic design and engineering principles mainly used in constructing buildings. With only spaghetti and marshmallows, teams of Year 7 and Year 8 girls tried to ‘Grow’ their own structure. There was excellent evidence of collaboration, creativity, and tenacity.

To enjoy the excitement of spring and soon to be summer, during British Science Week the science department encouraged ‘spreading the seeds of happiness’ amongst pupils and staff with a competition to grow the tallest sunflower. Everyone planted a seed and has taken them home to nurture. The winner of the competition will be announced in July.

Medics Club make marvellous medicines during British Science Week

Morgan’s Medics, an extension co-curricular club run by science teacher Mrs Morgan, looked at techniques to develop medicines of the future.

Compounds with antimicrobial effects are always in demand in the fight against the microorganisms which cause disease and the club looked at ways of testing potential new substances which can kill bacteria. Girls were encouraged to bring in their own substances for testing such as plant and herb extracts and quickly mastered the aseptic techniques needed to test their materials against the growth of bacteria.

Medics Club leader Mrs Morgan said ‘There was a lot of excitement in the club after the incubation period finished and we got to see our results. The plant extracts were particularly interesting as some plants have been found to have antimicrobial properties and are always worth testing as, who knows, we

may discover a new plant which can successfully stop bacterial growth.’

Keira in Year 11 said ‘I really enjoy Medics Club and I got up at 5.30am this morning to go out in the garden to choose some plants to test today. I am hoping to be able to become a vet and the techniques we learn in Medics Club are helping me progress towards my goal.’

Year 7 go above and beyond...

In Year 7 girls never take long to settle in to senior school life and start embracing the many opportunities on offer. Trips out of school take learning outside the classroom fostering enthusiasm and enabling the girls to put their learning into context in the outside world. Fundraising for charity is also encouraged and the girls always rise to the challenge.

Year 7 raise money for Canine Partners

Year 7 have shown boundless enthusiasm for raising money for the Canine Partners charity.

They met Sheena and Sarah with Canine Partner, Penny, a golden retriever support dog. Pupils learned all about the training required to ensure the dogs are able to support their partners by closing doors, turning on lights, loading washing machines and many other household tasks.

Year 7 applied their mathematical knowledge to solve questions about the local area and improve their historical knowledge when they went on a trail around Southsea and Old Portsmouth.

Elsie in Year 7 said ‘Initially I was apprehensive about the trip but in the end I really enjoyed it. I learnt lots of things I didn’t know about the local area and now I can see how you can use mathematics to solve problems whereas before I thought it was just something you learnt in class.’

Year

Head of Mathematics

Mr Goldbrum said ‘The Mathematics Trail was an ideal opportunity to use some of the mathematical skills the girls have learnt in class in a practical situation.

Other questions were on history and general knowledge and without a doubt pupils had a deeper understanding of the unique history of our local area by the end of the day.’

The girls then set to work independently to raise funds for the charity with a huge range of sponsored activities. Others donated their time to paid activities giving all the proceeds to Canine Partners through babysitting, dog walking or car washing. Cake sales added to the fundraising efforts.

Head of Year 7, Mrs Sammy Davies, said: ‘I am so proud of the whole year group who have embraced the challenge of fundraising for this hugely worthwhile cause. Some individuals went above and beyond and raised significant amounts of money and we hope we are not too far away from naming a puppy in 2023.’

Year 7 geographers test the hypothesis: Is Palmerston Road a great place for visitors?

Year 7 geographers conducted a fieldwork investigation in Southsea and gathered primary data to test the hypothesis ‘Palmerston Road is a great place for visitors’.

Pupils practised accessing survey links to traffic, pedestrians, street furniture, land use, environmental quality and sustainable transport information. They also had the opportunity to gain the views of the general public through a questionnaire. Results from their research showed that, for the majority, people enjoy coming to Palmerston Road and, yes, it is a great place for visitors to come to.

7 explore mathematics and history outside the classroom

Year 7 raised £3056.51

Daffodil House opening soon...

New well-being Centre at Portsmouth High School

Student well-being is at the heart of Portsmouth High School’s ethos and the school is delighted to announce the opening of a new well-being centre, known as Daffodil House, in September.

The centre will offer meeting spaces for student support sessions and be home to the school’s well-being team. Downstairs the house will be a student common room, the welcoming and relaxed nature of this space will perfectly support group workshop sessions and the lunchtime dropin sessions run by the sixth form well-being ambassadors. Daffodil House will also have its own courtyard garden offering a relaxing and calming outdoor social space for students.

Over the next two years the school will be further investing in outdoor social spaces; this follows on from the hugely successful introduction of Rosemary’s Reading Rooms which have provided both outdoor teaching spaces and areas for relaxation. These initiatives link to the school’s strong

reputation as a local leader in well-being provision and its encouragement of students to proactively use available tools and experiences to navigate and explore the challenges of adolescence.

Mr Rob Smith, Assistant Head Pastoral said, ‘This ambitious and forward-looking development brings together ‘under one roof’ our bespoke and dynamic welfare provision. It will further support our pastoral triage system and commitment to early pastoral intervention.’

Headmistress, Mrs Jane Prescott, said ‘This exciting project falls within our 140th anniversary year and celebrates and connects to our founding values of girls first in everything we do.’

Activities outside the classroom help to promote students’ well-being...

Year 9 leave civilisation behind

Year 9 pupils boarded a coach and found thmselves in the heart of Blenheim Woods in Oxfordshire. They spent two days learning a range of bushcraft skills including: knife skills, trap making, shelter building, fire starting and the art of camouflage. There was also plenty of time for stealth games in the woods and group time around the campfire enjoying telling stories, singing songs, and eating lots of good food. The girls fully embraced the experience and had a lot of fun together.

Pupils from Year 10 have recently completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Assessed Expedition. They were blessed with great weather and they all successfully walked from Harting Down to Havant Thicket, via an overnight stop at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Congratulations to them all. Many will now move on to the challenges that the Silver Award offers.

Great weather for the Bronze Expedition

Meet the Head Girl Team

It is with great excitement that the new Head Girl and Senior Prefect team have been announced for the next academic year. Girls are elected through hustings and it was uplifting to hear the contenders’ visions for the future and the paths they had taken to finding themselves making speeches in front of the whole school.

Phoebe, Head Girl

I am an Academic, Drama and Sports Scholar taking A Levels in English Literature, Geography and Psychology.

I joined Portsmouth High School in Year 7 and have always been very involved in all aspects of school life such as drama productions and helping run clubs for younger years. At this point in time I have not finally decided what I will study at university but am researching courses in English, Philosophy and Liberal Arts.

Co-curricular activities have always played a major part in my time at the school. Sport is a passion of mine, especially netball, and I play both for the school and at club level. PHS has provided me with opportunities to represent the

school not just for netball but hockey, tennis and rounders too. I believe sport is vital enabling development as a team player and as a supportive and co-operative individual.

I am currently completing my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, have recently represented the school in the Youth Speaks Rotary competition and have participated in music groups such as the flute choir.

I feel honoured to have been appointed as Head Girl and am excited to embark on our fundraising campaign with the rest of the sixth form team. Charity Week is always a highlight of the year and I am eager to start planning ahead.

The support the teachers have provided and the nurturing environment at PHS have helped shape who I am today. This school is somewhere where you are allowed to be yourself, offers you numerous opportunities and enables you to develop at your own pace, with encouragement, not pressure. The bonds I have forged with others will last a lifetime and I am proud of my achievements so far.

Nell, Head Girl (Student Well-Being)

I joined Portsmouth High School in pre-prep and truly feel that the school has played an integral part not only in my education but also in my development as a young adult.

I honestly feel at home here; the support and wisdom I have received has allowed me to believe that I can achieve well – as long as I work hard!

I am taking A Levels in English literature, Spanish and geography. I personally feel that literature and languages are at the heart of globalisation in our society and to be able to access a whole different culture and way of life through a different language is incredible. I am planning to enhance my passion for my subjects at university by studying English and Spanish as a joint honours.

In my spare time I love to read, be with my friends, and play sports. I have represented the school in netball, tennis, hockey and football. I love team sports and PHS has enabled me to pursue my passions with regular sport fixtures and trips. I enjoy netball in particular and I play

for the school as well as for a local club. Netball has provided me with a way to relax after a busy school day and also to fuel my inner competitiveness.

Contributing to my community is extremely important to me. I have volunteered at a charity shop for two years and coached netball for toddlers, which I really enjoyed. Within school, I have assisted at PSA events and aided others through DofE volunteering, as well as acting as a tour guide at open days.

I feel so fortunate to be on the head girl team and I am really looking forward to fundraising. I am thrilled to have been given the role of the wellbeing representative within the team as I will able to take advantage of our brand new well-being facility, Daffodil House, where I hope to foster the same nurturing environment that I feel I have experienced at PHS.

Ashlyn, Deputy Head Girl (Charities)

Portsmouth High School is a second family to me and I can proudly say the school has raised me into the hard-working, energetic individual I am today.

I hold a Headmistress’ Scholarship, a Drama and Academic Scholarship and am studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. In addition, I am working on my EPQ which is on the health benefits of intermittent fasting on cardiometabolic health/ the heart. After my A Levels I aspire to study medicine at university.

Outside of school I like to keep myself busy with activities. I’m a ‘social butterfly’ and enjoy meeting everyone and love spending time with my family and friends. I play cricket and have also made it my new year’s resolution to

learn boxing and basketball. In my spare time I love to read. I am currently reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari – the history of humankind.

During my time at PHS I have participated in countless school events, from drama productions, sport matches and even the 100th year commemoration of WW1. I have always tried to represent the school in everything I do and now, being Deputy Head girl of Charities, I get to represent all the pupils.

The Head Girl Team has big plans underway for the annual charity week held by sixth form. I’m ecstatic to start preparing the incredible dances for the Fashion Show. My role as Head of Charities means I will be able to launch smaller fundraisers for other causes. I want to help the community as much as I can, so I will work my hardest to support and fundraise where possible.

I can’t think of a more rewarding way to spend my last year at Portsmouth High School. Being In the head girl team is an honour and a privilege. It will be a memory of my time at PHS that I will hold on to dearly.

Beatrice, Deputy Head Girl (Co-curricular)

was competing in the National Netball Cup. Many of the girls in sixth form are also part of a club which has given us the opportunity to play netball across the country and in Paris. I have also been a part of Southsea rowing club for 2 years and I hope to row at university.

One experience that I cannot forget is the Duke of Edinburgh award. I have now completed my Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These have given me many transferable skills that I use in my everyday life. I should also be attending St James’ Palace to collect my gold award in the upcoming weeks.

I hope to go to university after PHS and carry on my studies. At university I want to continue with my passion for sport alongside my studies as I believe you need to balance your work with co-curricular activities.

I have represented the school in many aspects of the community. One of my most memorable moments so far

Juliette, Head Girl (Pupil Voice)

Portsmouth High School has offered me an abundance of opportunities that have helped shape my interests and hobbies today.

Having had a passion for languages since a young age, I am studying French, Spanish and English Literature for A Level. Although challenging, the support offered at PHS is fantastic and I find the subjects interesting and rewarding. Alongside this, I am currently working on an EPQ on the impact of fast fashion which allows me to explore my curiosity outside of my course content.

PHS offers a healthy balance between academic and co-curricular activities. I have represented the school primarily in netball but have also enjoyed participating

I have loved my 8 years at Portsmouth High School, and I will be incredibly sad to leave. I am honoured to receive my position on the head girl team and I can’t wait to represent the school in my final year at the school.

in sailing, gymnastics, hockey and trampolining events too. Aside from sport opportunities, I have also been able to participate in a huge variety of activities from a Latin cookery workshop to debating competitions.

My highlights so far at PHS are the Fashion Show, the sports tour to Barbados, House Plays and the Duke of Edinburgh award. I am really looking forward to my role as Deputy Head Girl for Pupil Voice and working with the rest of the team to raise money for a worthwhile cause.

Fundraising target smashed!

Huge congratulations to the outgoing Head Girl team for smashing their fundraising target by achieving a total of £10,168.48. The team have shown great dedication in their fundraising efforts running many events outside of the main charity week in aid of their chosen charity, Friends Without Borders.

Head Girl Team raised £10,168.48

We wish the girls every success in their A Level examinations and for their paths beyond the gates of Portsmouth High School.

I joined Portsmouth High School in Year 5 and I am currently taking English, Psychology and Geography A Levels.

The outgoing and incoming Head Girl Teams pose for a photograph with Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Katie Wood (third from left)

Making exciting music together...

Portsmouth High School celebrated its 140th birthday in February with a Gala Concert at the Cathedral of St Thomas, Old Portsmouth.

Always the highlight of the school’s musical calendar, this year’s concert featured a range of music, from classical to jazz to modern pop, performed by pupils from Years 7 to 13. In addition to soloists Jules, Naomi, and Annalee, several ensembles contributed to the evening’s success.

‘One of the best things for me,’ said Director of Music, Mr George Tinsley, ‘was seeing girls who are quite new to their

Scholars and Leavers Concert

instruments sitting alongside seasoned sixth form scholars, all making exciting music together.’ The jazz band and orchestra played cinematic theme tunes with Hollywood panache, and three of the school’s vocal ensembles performed the complex harmonies of Stephen Sondheim in a tribute to the composer, following his death in November, 2021.

The groups joined together in a delightfully sassy rendition of Little Shop of Horrors. The concert concluded with the Music Theatre Club’s enthusiastic and athletic Revolting Children from Matilda, sailing paper aeroplanes into the audience on the final chord.

Portsmouth High School’s music scholars, from Years 10 to 13, and sixth form leavers delighted an audience with a concert held at The Square Tower, Portsmouth.

The girls performed in candlelight within this unique setting, playing and singing pieces from John Rutter, Bach and Beethoven to musical songs from Waitress and Anastasia.

‘Last night was a lovely evening for my final scholars and leavers concert,’ said sixth form leaver Thalia. ’As my last concert it was sad but was a good chance to reflect over all the opportunities I have had as a music scholar at Portsmouth High School; from several international music trips to New York and Budapest to singing in London at Coutts music marathon in the Strand. It was a lovely evening to celebrate talent in the school and I really enjoyed singing with cantabile one last time.’

‘…Spreading our wings, we’ll fly again…’ Lin Marsh’s, poignant words from the pandemic were sung by the school’s prestigious singing group, Harmony, in a Lunchtime Live concert at Portsmouth Cathedral.

The audience enjoyed a range of choral numbers and solos. Anna sang Mendelssohn’s O for the wings of a dove with clear, angelic voice and Jasmine shone with her nostalgic When you wish upon a star. Daisy and Lois sang passionate songs from Les Misérables and Alina virtually brought down the house with her showstopping number, They just keep moving the line. Ting and Isabella brought instrumental flair to the concert by playing flute and piano, respectively. The concert was rounded off by the whole group singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Getting on the careers ladder right from the start

Careers education, information, advice and guidance is very much a part of PHS life.

Mrs Davies is our full-time Head of Careers and is also a Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser and a member of the Career Development Institute, making her well-placed to keep up to date with changes to the labour market and economy that will impact on the careers of the future.

Careers advice starts in the prep school when Year 5 girls are supported with their applications for the roles of Head Girl and other positions of responsibility. Careers education continues in Year 6 when pupils widen their understanding of the different job roles by looking at what is involved in getting Lego from concept to becoming a birthday present.

When girls start senior school the careers programme continues in earnest as pupils progress through the school and is summarised opposite.

Talk to the experts...

Over forty-five experts, representing dozens of professions, were in attendance at this year’s Careers Evening in February. The atmosphere was buzzing and hundreds of worthwhile conversations were had helping our pupils navigate the path ahead to a successful and satisfying career.

Girls Like You...

National Careers Week saw the return of the popular Girls Like You, a series of talks from alumnae in a variety of professions. This year girls heard from an alumna en route to becoming a barrister, a Sky News journalist, a sustainable fashion communications officer, a lecturer in sports coaching, a Royal Shakespeare actress, a project manager and a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, British Army.

Students attend Careers and Employability Skills sessions which support their post 18 applications to university, gap year programmes, apprenticeships or employment. Mrs Davies oversees the UCAS process and offers one to one support in individual applications as needed.

Sixth Form Year 11

In Year 11 students plan and apply for work experience placements using their Morrisby Profiles to guide and inform them in their careers planning. At the end of the year they do work experience and accompany Year 12 on a University Open Day.

Year 10

In Year 10 Mrs Davies delivers the Morrisby psychometric profiling and interviews all of the Year 10 students in a one to one careers and future planning interview.

Year 9

In Year 9 students are encouraged to accompany their parents to work for one day in the autumn term as part of Take our Daughters to Work Day and have GCSE options preparation as well being able to attend the annual Careers Evening at PHS in person for the first time.

Year 8

In Year 8 students participate in a speed networking event, Women Mean Business sees the pupils interacting with experts in a fast-paced environment as they learn about their careers.

Year 7

From Year 7 to Year 13 students attend a series of assemblies in National Careers Week, Girls like you, where they learn about careers that alumnae undertake.

Girls like you allows students to hear about jobs that they may not know exist potentially generating interest.