Co-curricular Opportunities
Portsmouth High School has a reputation for our commitment to academic excellence and encouraging girls to be independent, creative and ambitious. This ethos is supported through our co-curricular programme. Our girls are given the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities which are held during lunch break, before and after school. This booklet outlines the extensive range of enrichment and co-curricular activities on offer this term.
Broadening Horizons
Participation in co-curricular activities plays an important part of school life and we strongly encourage all our girls to participate in one or more of the activities on offer.
Encouraging Team Spirit and Social Skills
Learning to be a team player is an essential life skill and many cocurricular activities, from singing in a choir to playing hockey, require working together as a team and relating to peers in a social way.
Teaching Time Management
Portsmouth High School’s co-curricular activities require pupils to organise
their time so that they can participate in activities and succeed in school, whilst still finding time to eat and rest.
Building Confidence
When given opportunities to learn and excel in an activity, pupils build selfconfidence, which in turn benefits them in all aspects of their life, including both academic and social settings.
Teaching Commitment and Decision-Making
Co-curricular activities are a perfect opportunity to teach pupils about making decisions and maintaining commitment. Pupils are given the power to decide which programmes to sign up for. At the end of the term they will be encouraged to re-evaluate whether or not to continue the activity.
Y7 and Y8 are encouraged to enrol in 3 clubs
Y9 are encouraged to enrol in 2 or more clubs
Y10 and Y11 optional but strongly encouraged Club commitment is very important
All clubs are included in the school fees, unless otherwise specified.
Please log on to myEVOLVE for further information and to book your chosen activities that incur a fee. Please tick your chosen activities in this booklet and retain for your reference. Booking for paid activities opens Thursday 5 September at 6.00pm.
Sport
All girls are encouraged to be involved in sports and physical activity throughout their time at the school. Sport at PHS has so much to offer, emphasising co-operation, leadership, teamwork, competition and respect.
Badminton
Coaching continues to take place. All abilities are welcome.
When: Tuesday (all) and Friday (advanced only) lunchtimes in the sports hall 12.45-1.20pm. Friday after school in the sports hall from 4.00-5.00pm.
Coach: Kevin Williams and Ben Muir
Cost: Lunchtime-nil. After school - £60.50 for the term. Book via myEvolve.
Boxing (non-contact)
This amazing sport that is rapidly growing in the UK will work towards the preliminary award and will progress towards standard and bronze level. At this stage it is all non-contact. All abilities welcome.
When: Wednesday at 12.45-1.20pm.
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Quinton (‘Q’) Shillingford MBE
Climbing Club
Using our climbing wall, climb to new heights and develop new skills. The health benefits are numerous and most importantly it is great fun. Max of 8 per session.
When: Wednesday lunchtime, 12.50-1.20pm. All welcome.
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mr Oliver
Cricket
Invite only (Ad Hoc).
When: Tuesday after school in the Bannell 4.00-5.30pm.
Coach: Mrs Vaughan-Woods
Dance Live (New)
Create a full scale dance performance lasting 7 minutes. This is a friendly competition amongst other schools performed at Portsmouth Guildhall in January to audiences of friends and families. Incorporating state-of-the-art LED Screen technology. No dance experience necessary.
When: Wednesday after school.
Coach: Integra8
Cost: £120 Book via myEvolve.
Football Coaching
After school football coaching from Dave Leworthy who is a former professional footballer who has played for Portsmouth, Tottenham and Oxford United. He is now a football coach and working at our school.
When: Tuesday after school 4.00-5.00pm.
Where: Prep school sports surface
Coach: Dave Leworthy
Cost: £24 (£2 per session)
Football Lunchtime (New)
With the women’s World Cup still in our minds and with the ladies finishing 2nd, why not come and practice your skills at our fun lunchtime club.
When: Thursday Bannell sports hall at 12.40-1.15pm
Coach: Mr Simpson
Hockey Keeper Training (New)
When: Monday Lunchtime
Coach: Mrs Vaughan-Woods
Hockey (Juniors) after school (New)
We train from 4.00-5.30pm on HMS Temeraire’s astroturf. You can be collected from security at 5.30pm or walk back to school with staff at 5.45pm. Early departure is permitted.
When: Thursday (Y7 and Y8)
Coach: Mrs Divilly
Hockey (Seniors) after school (New)
We train from 4.00 - 5.30pm on HMS Temeraire’s astroturf. You can be collected from security at 5.30pm or walk back to school with staff at 5.45pm.
When: Thursday (Y9+)
Coach: Mrs Vaughan-Woods
Body Combat - Les Mills Workout Studio
Les Mills is a whole-body workout that burns calories while toning and shapes and helps to build stamina. The banging tunes and the sports-inspired moves will improve your coordination and agility. Each week there will be a new workout routine from the Les Mills workout programmes.
When: Thursday 7.40-8.20am
Where: Sports hall
Coach: Mr Oliver
Netball After School Club
This training will challenge both your fitness and your skills. It is open to all age groups and all abilities and runs from 4.00-5.00pm. Be prepared to be pushed.
When: Monday and Tuesday.
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mrs Parkinson
Netball Before School Club (New) - invite only
This training will challenge both your fitness and your skills. It is open to all age groups and all abilities and runs from 8:20-9.45am. Be prepared to be pushed.
When: Wednesday.
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mrs Parkinson
Netball lunchtime (New)
Every lunchtime there is a club for your year group and for all standards. Please come and join the sports department for team training on the sports surface.
When: Lunchtimes: 12.45 - 1.30pm - Monday (U12),Tuesday (U15),Wednesday (U13). Thursdays (U14) and Fridays (U16 & U19)
Coach: Mrs Divilly, Mrs Vaughan-Woods and Mrs Parkinson
Reiki and Yoga (New)
Mindfulness, meditation and breath work.
When: Friday lunchtime.
Where: Hall / PA1
Coach: Ms Moloney
Running and X-Country Club
Running has been proven to be one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s keeping fit or preparing for the ‘Great South Run’ or ‘The Race for Life’, it is important to stay healthy. We run on Southsea Common. Please meet at 12.45pm at the pupil entrance, bring a bottle of water and something to eat after you have run.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Trainer: Mrs Griffiths
Paddle Sports Club (New)
Paddle sports session will include kayaking, Sup’s Megs Sups and canoe rafting at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre. There are a maximum number of 10 places for this club, so sign up early to avoid disappointment. See published letter for full details. Book via myEvolve.
When: Wednesday 3.40 - 6.30pm (The centre will collect pupils from outside Reception at the end of school day. Parents to collect from the centre).
Cost: £132 (6 sessions with transport from the school included)
Trampoline (New)
For all abilities and all pupils from Y7 to the Sixth Form are welcome to take part.
When: Tuesday morning 07:30 - 8:20 (all abilities)
Coach: Michael Whitelock
Cost: Morning clubs are £72. Book via myEvolve. 10 max
Taekwondo
This after school club will teach the Olympic Korean martial art of Taekwondo, including unarmed self-defence and knife defence. All abilities and ages are welcome.
When: Monday and Thursday 4.00-5.00pm.
Where: Studio
Coach: Steve Graham (double world champion)
Cost: £72 per term per session. Book via myEvolve.
Yoga
An instructor at LANO Yoga, Ms Waters was fortunate to be an apprentice of Jana’s, studying and practising the shadow yoga method. Her classes follow this system with an emphasis on the breath work, asana, bandha, pranayama and meditation, carefully and specifically crafting each sequence for a meaningful journey and outcome.
When: Thursday 4.00-5.00pm.
Where: PA1 or outside
Instructor: Ms Kat Waters
Cost: £72 Book via myEvolve.
Art GCSE open house
Creative Clubs
When: Monday and Thursday after school.
Tutor: Mrs Noble
Arts Scholars Club
Our art club is a great way to develop your creative abilities to work with a variety of materials.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Tutor: Mrs Noble
Codebreakers
We emphasize on the development of serious skills in software development. This club aims to incite passion for coding and maths.
When: Tuesday lunchtime. ICT 9.
Tutor: Miss Beales
Creative Club
Our art and DT club is a great way to develop your creative abilities to work with a variety of materials.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Tutor: Mrs Arthers
Creative Writing
This club is for the those who would like to develop their writing skills. It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, and biography.
When: Thursday lunchtime RM11.
Tutor: Mrs Paget-Tomlinson
Crochet and Chat Club (New)
If you thought knitting was a dying art, well think again. It’s alive and kicking at PHS. Come and join our knitters in this relaxing creative club.
When: Friday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 5
Knitting Masters: Mrs Rodgers and Dr Higson
Cupcake Decoration Club
Are you into baking? Are you into art? If the answer is yes, then this is the club for you. This club is a unique infusion of cake making and artistic decoration.
When: This club is for Y7 and takes place on Wednesday lunchtimes. Where: Food technology room.
Chef: Mrs Hitchman 12 max and will be allocated on first 12 bookings using the emailed booking form.
Drama
We pride ourselves in helping people to generate, reveal, develop and share their latent talents. At PHS we have a variety of plays happening throughout the academic year.
Y7 & Y8 Drama Club - Thursday lunchtime.
Y10 - Y13 Drama Rehearsals.
Drama Scholars Club Friday lunchtime.
Musical rehersal Tuesday & Thursday 3.50pm - 5pm in the Hall
Tutor: Mrs Dall’Omo
DT Club lunchtime (New)
Our DT clubs are just the place to continue to develop an appreciation for the complex relationships between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. These skills are much sought after in many university degree programmes.
When: Wednesday (Y7-Y10)
Tutor: Mrs Rawlinson
DT GCSE open House
When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtime,Year 10+.
Tutor: Mrs Rawlinson
Macrame Club/Playground games (New)
Do you have the curiosity and courage to learn a new skill? The desire to nurture a creative habit? Ever wanted to make a basket with a fringe or a greta plant hanger, then this is the club for you.
When: Friday lunchtime.
Where: Daffodil House
Macrame Master - Dr Stockton-Chalk
Science Photography Club (New)
Making the most of your phone/camera to notice the science around us.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: Science
Tutor: Dr Filer
Strictly Dance Club
If you love to dance then this is the activity for you. There is going to be Jazz , Chinese Dance and even some Square Dancing.
When: Wednesday lunchtime.
Where: Hall
Tutor: Mrs Hutchings
Thrilling Thursdays with Mrs Peters
Try different activities every week. Who knows what you will be doing? You will have to go and find out.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 13
Tutors: Mrs Peters
Music
Music is an important part of life at PHS and all the students are encouraged to take part. The school offers a comprehensive range of music groups so that every student has the opportunity to participate.
Cantabile (Y11 - Y13)
A group for advanced singers. If you would like to join, please see Mr Tinsley for an audition time. This group will perform at the school’s main occasions throughout the year, as well as special events outside of school.
When: Wednesday lunchtime.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Flute Choir
Open to intermediate and advanced flute players. This group performs for many school events such as the Carol service and Birthday service.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mrs Wall
Harmony (Y8 - Y10)
A group for advanced singers. If you would like to join, please see Mr Tinsley for an audition time. Harmony singers usually move up to Cantabile in Year 11.
When: Wednesday morning 8.30-9.00am.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Melody Orchestra
This club is for instrumentalists of all ages and abilities, even absolute beginners. This highprofile group performs for many school events and learns music in a range of styles from classical to show tunes, to pop and rock.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: PA1
Tutor: Mrs Morris
Symphonic Orchestra
Open to instrumentalists of all ages who play to Grade 3 standard or above. This group performs for many school events and learns music in a range of styles from classical to movie theme tunes, to pop and rock.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: PA1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Ukuladies
A laid back group of ukulele players of all abilities who play and sing mainly pop and rock tunes. Open to all.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Worley
Year 10 Rock Band - by invitation only
An opportunity to play your favourite music with your friends.
When: Friday after school.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tarley-Scarth
Year 7 Phoenix Singers
A group for advanced singers. If you would like to join, please see Anna Irvine-Capel for an audition time. Phoenix singers usually move up to Harmony in Year 8.
When: Friday.
Where: M1
Tutor: Anna Irvine-Capel
Clubs and Societies
Advanced Math’s Club Year 10 and 11
Preparing teams of current for the advanced math’s competitions and having lots of fun with numbers.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 8
Tutor: Mrs Rouse-Cullen
Biology Olympiad Year 12 and 13
When: Monday Lunchtime.
Where: Lab 2
Tutor: Mrs Akass
Book Club
Enjoy reading? Then this is a perfect club for you to relax, discuss and unwind with your favourite book.
When: Monday Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9.
Where: Library
Tutor: Mrs Bartlett
Book Chat Club (Sixth Form)
Sixth form (every other week lunchtime - library)
When: Thursday.
Where: Library
Tutor: run by Mrs Cullen-Taylor and sixth form
Open-house Chess Club
Open to all. Each session is a mixture of teaching and playing each other. There are recognised education benefits of playing and studying chess in terms of developing thinking skills and resilience.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 12
Tutor: Mrs Griffiths
Classics Club
Students will enter for a classics tales competition in one of four categories - Performance, Artefact, Creative Writing or Animation.
When: Wednesday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 17
Tutor: Miss Myers
ECO Team
Run by our sixth formers, this club looks at green and climate issues within the school and raises awareness in the school community through fun activities. Open to all.
When: Monday.
Where: B2
Run by sixth formers and Mrs Taylor
Friday Film Club
At the end of a busy week this club will offer a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy a film with friends. As well as watching the films we will be discussing and reviewing them. We will offer an eclectic and varied range of films.
When: Friday.
Where: Rm 17
Director: Mrs Smith
Games Club
Playing new and old games, a great way to relax and spend your lunchtime away from your devices.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 4
With: Dr Higson
Mindful Meanders
An opportunity to improve your wellbeing and increase your daily steps by gentle mindful walking.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: meet outside the main reception area.
Mindfulness coaches: Mrs Parker and Mrs Webb
Mindful Mondays lunchtime
All are welcome to attend ‘Mindful Mondays’, which will include ‘Colouring for Calm’ and ‘Mindful Meanders’.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: Daffodil house
Mindfulness coach: Mrs S Davies and sixth form
Model United Nations
Model UN is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more.
When: For Year 10+ on Friday lunchtime.
Where: B2
Tutor: Miss Scovell
Physics Olympia Year 10 to Y12 (New)
When: Tuesday Lunchtime.
Where: Lab 7
Tutor: Mr Bannister
Robotics Club
Create simple systems that respond to and control the physical world using the Raspberry Pi and Python with the aim to compete in the annual GDST Robotics competition.
When: Wednesday lunchtime.
Where: ICT9
Tutor: Dr Stockton-Chalk
Sign Language Club for Beginners
Sign language is a way of communicating using hand gestures and movements, body language and facial expressions, instead of spoken words. Join over 150 000 users of BSL in the UK.
When: Monday lunchtime and Thursday lunchtime assisting at the prep school.
Speaker: Mrs Barrows
All the clubs listed in this booklet can be viewed online. Please log onto myEVOLVE online and book your daughter’s activities that incur a cost. We will be operating waiting lists for some activities, and if spaces are not available this term, students will be placed into the next available space or carried over to the summer term.
Booking opens at 6.00pm on Thursday 5 September.
Individual Music and Singing
Lessons take place during the school day and are on a rotational basis over twelve weeks. There are also a number of instruments available for hire to girls who have lessons at school. For further details please contact the school office.
Speech and Drama
Individual lessons take place during the school day and are on a rotational basis over four/five weeks. For further details, please contact the school office.
Key Dates for this term...
Tuesday 3 September - Term starts - Crèche and Homework Club are available.
Thursday 5 September - Booking opens on myEVOLVE at 6pm.
Monday 9 September - Co-curricular activities commence.
Wednesday 11 -12 September - Sports hall out of action from 9am due to KS4 awards evening.
Monday 21 October - Friday 1 November - Half term.
October 19 - 20 - Great South Run
Friday 6 December - No badminton club due to the Bannell sports hall being out of action.
Week commencing 11 December - Spring term co-curricular club booklet issued. Booking on myEVOLVE opens Tuesday 12 December at 6.00pm.
Friday 13 December - Last day of term - finish at 3:40pm - no after school activities.
Booking opens on myEVOLVE at 6.00pm on Thursday 5 September
Careers Drop in (SD) Careers library
Netball (LD) U12/Y7 Sports Surface Badminton (KW) All Welcome. Sports Hall
Hockey Keeper Training (RVW) Sports hall
Running and X-country club (GG) meet at the pupil entrance
Symphonic Orchestra (GT) PA1 (Grade 3+) Flute Choir (CW) M1
Science Photograhy (All welcome)
Science Building (SF)
Codebreakers ICT9 (MB)
Autumn 2024
Netball (Invite Only) Sports Hall 08:20 - 0945
Harmony (GT) Y8-Y10 Invitation only M1 8.30-9.00am
Les Mills Body Combat Main Hall (GO)
(LD) U13/Y8 Sports Surface
(Q)
(RVW) U14/Y9 Sports Surface Netball (JP) U16-U19 Y10Y13 Sports Surface
Badminton (BM) Advanced. Sports Hall
Climbing Club (GO) All welcome Ukuladies (NW) Hall
Cantabile (GT) Invitation only Y11-13 M1
Arts Scholars Club A3 (EN) Creative Club A4 All welcome (AM and JA) Strictly Dance (EH) Hall
Mindful Mondays (SD) Daffodil house
Sign Language for Beginners RM10 (SB)
Biology Olympiad Y12 (EA) Lab 2
Reiki and Yoga Hall (KO) all welcome
Melody Orchestra (FM) PA1 (All welcome) Y7 Phoenix Singers M1
Thrilling Thursdays with Peters and Price (KP and KAP) Rm13 All welcome
Crochet and Chat Club (CR and JH) RM 5
Physics Olympiad Y10-Y12 (MB) Lab 7 DT Lunch Club Y7 (WR) A5 Drama Club Y7-8 (L6) Studio Macrame and Playground Games Club (ASC) DH
Open House Chess (GG) RM12 Y7 Cupcake Decoration (DH) Food Tech Creative Writing Club (SPT) Rm 11 DT Open House(WR) Y10+
GDST LEAD (Invite Only) AH Robot Club (SC) ICT 9
Sixth Form Bookchat Library (ECT) Drama Scholars Club (YD) Studio Book Club KS3 (MB) Library
Book Club Y9 (Y13) Library
ECO Club B2 (Year 13 and KT)
Advanced Netball Coaching (JP) Sports Hall
Netball Coaching (JP) Outside Surface Cricket (Ad Hoc) Invite only
Club (JH) RM4
Mindful Meanders (RS/PJP) Y7Y13
(SG) All welcome Studio 4pm - 5pm
- 3:50 - 5pm (YD,FM,GT) Hall (Performance April 2-3)
Live
ACtiv8 Taekwondo (SG) All welcome Studio 4pm5pm
- 3:50 - 5pm (YD,FM,GT) Hall (Performance April 2-3)
United Nations Y10+ Above (LS) B2