HOLYHEAD SCHOOL PRESENTS
PULSE
Teach What Matters
Foreword
Principal’s Foreword
Welcome to our final edition for the 2023-24 academic year! This issue combines highlights from both the Spring and Summer terms, capturing the best events and achievements from World Book Day in March to the Enrichment and Experiences Week in July, as well as the grand Presentation Evening at the Town Hall in June.
Celebrating a Year of Achievements
This year has been a testament to our students' resilience and enthusiasm. They have faced challenges with optimism and have emerged with heightened confidence and pride. Notable among these challenges was performing at the Town Hall during Presentation Evening, which attracted hundreds in-person and thousands online. Every act was a show-stealer, many featuring students who were making their debut on the big stage!
Engaging Learning Experiences
• Year 7: Students honed their teamwork skills and pitched sustainability ideas to Morgan Stanley professionals.
• Year 8: Led a social action project on road safety through the RSA8 program.
• Career Interactions: Opportunities to engage with professionals from diverse fields.
Exciting Trips and Visits
Students enjoyed a variety of educational trips:
• The Black History Club visited the opera.
• Participation in the Young People’s Parliament at Villa Park.
• Science excursions to explore the physics at Alton Towers and the processes at Cadbury’s World.
• Visits to universities across the region.
Sporting Successes
Our competitive spirit shone through, with successes in various sports:
• Victories in inter-CRST Trust competitions and Aston Schools events.
• The U13 Girls Football team reached the EFL Cup Area Finals.
• Details of these achievements are in the PE Sports Report.
Academic Competitions
• The well-established Holyhead Spelling Bee continued.
• The inaugural Maths Mastermind event added a new dimension to our academic calendar.
Cultural Diversity and Activities
Our cultural diversity was celebrated through various activities:
• GCSE Geography students wrote letters to Mumbai and Jamaica.
• The Pride Filmfest in June showcased inclusive cinema.
• Big Friday was celebrated with Romanian students.
• Art projects drew inspiration from African, Asian, and Caribbean diasporas.
Student Interviews
We feature interviews with notable school members:
• An interview with myself by BBC Schools Reporter, Julia.
• Head of Year 11, Mrs. Edwards, was interviewed by Head Boy Neel and Head Girl Saima.
• Find out how I would handle a zombie apocalypse!
A Tribute to Our Staff
A heartfelt thank you to all the staff whose dedication and creativity make these experiences possible. We also bid a fond farewell to:
• Miss Clarke, Mrs. Geddes, Miss Lewis, and our Food Technician, Miss Miller, as they move on to new roles.
• A special thanks to Miss Miller, Miss Hussein, and Mrs. Bulkeley for their impact while covering maternity leaves.
We thank them all for what they have given to the school community over years of dedicated service and wish them all the very best for the future beyond Holyhead!
We hope you enjoy reading about these experiences, mostly shared in the words of our students. Have a safe and enjoyable summer holiday, and we look forward to seeing staff and students back in September for more activities and adventures!
Mr D Knox | Principal
Spelling Bee
Graphic Designer: Miss Dhanjal
Proofreader: Mrs Mistry
DofE Gold
Sustainable Social Challenge
We are excited to announce the return of the Sustainable Social Challenge presented by Morgan Stanley, an American multinational investment bank and financial services company.
This marks the third consecutive year of the program at Holyhead, providing another opportunity for 30 Year 7 students to participate.
The project commenced on Wednesday, March 6th, with the initial meeting between our Year 7 students and the dedicated Morgan Stanley mentors. Stephanie, who has been with us for the third year, led a group of enthusiastic mentors from various parts of Europe, now operating from the London office.
During the session, students were divided into groups and began engaging in discussions with their mentors regarding potential social action and sustainable projects to pursue.
The students thoroughly enjoyed honing their skills in idea generation and presentation, alongside reflecting on their individual achievements so far.
What an incredible kickoff to this wonderful project! A huge thank you to the team from Morgan Stanley for generously dedicating their time and spending the morning with us.
Morgan Stanley Team:
• Stephanie Mitchell (Group Lead)
• Anna Schuemann (Deputy Lead)
• Niall Dunleavy
• Craig Magee
• Enrique Pirez Sanchez
• Alice Schmitt
Project Sessions
1. Launch with Mentors: The initial meeting where students met their mentors and began brainstorming project ideas.
2. Independent Work at School: Students worked independently to develop their projects further.
3. Final Presentation: Each group delivered their pitch to the Dragons, including Orla MacSherry, Mrs. Sehra, Mr. Knox, and King who joined us via Teams from Australia.
This structured approach allowed students to experience real-world project development and presentation, enriching their educational journey with practical skills and mentorship.
Ms S Kaur | Community Connector & Mrs A Mistry | Central Community Strategy Lead
Tcoffee mornings! We invited our families to join us for some tea, coffee and cakes!
Coffee Mornings play an important role in our engagement with our families. It gives us the opportunity to have open and honest conversations about how we can better help you. The focus of our coffee mornings this year were ‘Moments Matter’.
At Holyhead, we believe that Moments Matter and events like this give us the opportunity and time to really sit and learn how we can best support you and your child.
We understand that school is so much more than just a legal requirement and at Holyhead we aim to offer as much as possible so that our students can have the most well rounded experience at school.
Next year we have even more coffee mornings planned starting in September with our Macmillan coffee morning…Keep your eyes peeled in September for more information!
We can’t wait to see you there and a big thank you to all those who came and shared a slice of cake with us!
For more information, see Ms S Kaur.
People are Important!
RSA 8 is a cherished project at Holyhead School, and this year’s team was exceptional. The theme for this year's project is "People are Important." We kicked off the project with an introductory session at Waseley Hills, where we discussed the RSA 8 Project, focusing on themes of promoting change, raising awareness, and invoking action!
This year, the RSA 8 team chose a topic close to home: road safety. They aimed to bring about change following the tragic speeding incident on Soho Road. The second session, held at Arrow Vale, equipped our students with the tips and tricks needed to carry out their projects, as well as the skills necessary for their presentations in the final session.
Throughout the weeks, the team worked tirelessly to raise awareness. They conducted surveys to gather data and feedback, presented during assemblies to involve the whole school community, created badges and posters, and even brought the topic to the attention of our Trustee, Orla MacSherry!
The final session took place at Newman University, where our Speed Saviours got a tour of the campus, giving them a glimpse into university life. Presentations from other groups began, allowing us to learn about the fantastic projects led by other RSA 8 groups in the Trust. Holyhead concluded the day by presenting their project and highlighting all their efforts to raise awareness.
This fantastic project was inspired by a tragic incident that should never have occurred. Our students recognised the need for change and took the initiative to implement it.
Malachi 8G
Neha 8H
Yousaf 8H
Pryag 8A
Tasmin 8D
Lia 8E
Leah 8D
Callie 8D
Muhammed 8D
A huge well done to our fantastic team.
Ms S Kaur | Community Connector & Mrs A Mistry | Central Community Strategy Lead
The Business and Computing faculty run the iDEA club every Tuesday lunch time. The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA, is an international award winning programme that helps you develop and demonstrate your digital, enterprise and employability skills. Many people write about their achievements with iDEA in their personal statement if they are applying to University or when applying for jobs - the Awards are recognised by UCAS in the same way as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
The Most Notorious Criminals
Year 12 Students were presenting on the most dangerous and notorious criminals in law history. Students were asked to show their research and speaking skills during the presentation and showed how much of an impact the criminals have had on society.
“IreallyenjoyedresearchingElMenchoandhowheis a drug lord and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), an organised crime group based in Jalisco. He is the most-wanted person in Mexico and
Congratulations
to Sabrina 9D for achieving Bronze and Silver in the iDEA award. Sabrina has developed her skills in E-safety, Cyber security, AI and Robotics amongst others.
Mrs R Johal | Assistant Director of Learning - Business &
ICT
Family Law - Evaluating the Law on Adult Relationships
Students in year 13 were involved in a debate and research activity in lessons in which they were given a topic relating to family law. In their topic they had to complete a task which involved creating a presentation to discuss how their topic is portrayed in society. They also gave examples as to how the topic is perceived in other countries. They then had to consider if the UK should or should not take on these alternatives and justify why. Family law is an area of law that deals with some of the most important and sensitive aspects of our lives, with the courts mainly getting involved only when there are disputes that need to be resolved. This unit gives students an understanding of the laws governing parenthood and parental responsibility and examines how the courts
“Coming from a South Asian background It really gave an insight on different cultures with their viewpoints on marriage and I was able to see how much life on culture and marriage has changed over the
“Iwasabletoapplymyresearchand knowledge back to my distinction activity and it gave me confidence whilstcompletingmywork“
In the spring term, the maths department hosted the inaugural launch of the Holyhead Maths Mastermind competition.
The Maths Mastermind is an inter-school competition that has been running over a few weeks in a bid to encourage students to use their numerical, problem solving skills in challenging mathematical situations. It consisted of students participating in their tutor groups for the top three masterminds per year group who took part in the finals. The finals consisted of three rounds; countdown, matchstick puzzle and mastermind round. Every student who participated had exceptional talent in maths and had commendable courage to stand up on stage to solve some problems in a very nail biting finals. Congratulations to all the winners who clinched victory in the competition. Their exceptional intelligence and dedication has not only brought them success, but also inspired others to reach for greatness. I hope to see you all again next year!
Maths Department
Well Done
to all of our winners:
Adeeb 7E
Amrit 7F
Domonica 7D
Ezra 8C
Jiya 8A
Krystal 8D
Alberto 9B
Saffiyah 9F
Kioni 9B
Simranjit 10B
Mobasha 10F
Feng 10G
Khondoker 11D
Mustafa 11F
Saima 11E
Kadidja 12B
Ayisha 12C
Sophia 12E
Issa 13A
Rehan 13D
Habeeba 13D
Mathswatch Stars
During the Spring Term, the Maths department has started a new initiative to improve homework performance and student engagement. A student is selected from each maths group by their class teacher to be the ‘Mathswatch Star of the week' based on their effort and performance with Mathswatch homework and extended learning. The selected students are awarded a ‘Mathswatch Star’ MyPoints and will be invited to the end of term Mathswatch celebration.
In Year 11 we are hosting a weekly Pizza party to encourage all of our Year 11 students to improve and increase the level of participation with Mathswatch tasks. Three students are selected by their class teacher as the 'Mathswatch Stars' on a weekly basis. Selected students are treated to pizza every Thursday lunch time.
DChess Club
Chess club takes place every Wednesday Lunchtime and offers a Holistic experience beyond the classroom, which improves social interactions. By embracing the challenge and joys of the games, students can develop critical life skills that will support them well in their academic pursuits and beyond. Games involve Chess, Checkers and Connect 4.
Pulse Maths Feast
uring spring term, we took eight Year 10 students to Aston University Engineering Academy to participate in this year's Maths Feast. Maths Feast is a fun educational challenge for Year 10 students which tests problem-solving and teamwork skills. Teams of four students will test their maths skills with our all-youcan-eat feast of problems!
The students we took this year were:
• Simranjit
• Ameena
• Jashandio
• Syed
• Prabhjot
• Thomas
• Anqeer
• Rohan
The students thoroughly enjoyed the event and meeting students from schools across Birmingham and beyond, competing using non standard maths and logic problems. The students came away with a new appreciation for the complexity and the beauty of Mathematics.
Mrs J Lloyd | Assistant Director of Learning - Mathematics
2024 Language masterclass Epiphany
During Spring term, the MFL Year 10 students celebrated the Epiphany. It is a traditional event which happens on the 6th of January. It is called ‘la journée des rois’ which commemorates the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus.
In French, they enjoyed the ‘galette des rois’ and in Spanish ‘El Roscón de Reyes’.
BlessingandPrabdeepkeentoeatthegalette.
The 'galette des rois' is more than a delicious all butter puff pastry cake filled with luscious frangipane cream. In France, it symbolises family, conviviality and fun. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings in the nativity story. Every galette contains a small ceramic charm. The lucky recipient of the slice containing the charm is proclaimed King or Queen and wears the crown. It is an opportunity to play a light-hearted traditional game to find out who will be the King or the Queen for the day.
On Wednesday 20th of March, five Year 10 and 12 promising linguists attended a Language Masterclass event at Birmingham University. They were introduced to new aspects of languages such as grammar and conducting an interview in a more formal setting. The event was led by university tutors and students got interactive insights into what it is like to study a language at a Russell Group University.
Speaking Shows
Our Year 11 French and Spanish students had fun showcasing their speaking skills during our Speaking Shows in March. They were able to revise key vocabulary and structures for their role-plays and photocard tasks and work in pairs to practise their conversation skills. The winners were: Jannat for French and Alexandra-Maria for Spanish as they demonstrated most participation points at their events.
Bonne chance and Suerte MFL students in your speaking exams.
Amarah- ‘Vive la Reine’!
An interview with Mr Knox
We’re here to find out some information about The Principal (Mr Knox). Here are a few questions about his life and his opinion.
Q. What was your favourite subject at school?
PE and History, I was a History teacher when I started at Holyhead. I am fascinated by the past. History can be anything as we learn a tiny fraction of it in school.
Q. How did going to school shape you as a person?
Going to school helped me become independent as a person, school builds your character. There are a lot of challenges while being in school.
Q. What was the scariest dream you’ve ever had?
There are two common types of dreams, the falling one and the embarrassing one. I would say that the scariest dream is when your family or someone you love is at risk or in danger.
Q. What school did you go to when you were younger?
I went to St Michael's school, and then to a grammar school called King Edward’s in Bartley green.
Q. What’s the story behind how you met your best friend?
I met my best friend at school. When me and my best friends finished university we didn’t want to move back home so we lived in a house together for two years until we bought our own houses.
Q. How would you prepare for a zombie apocalypse?
I haven’t really thought about the zombie apocalypse, but we’re all just gonna go, aren’t we? Just try to manage the situation as it is, or just accept my fate. But I would have a go at fighting back.
Q.How would society change if we discovered that ghosts actually exist?
I think that you’d be trying to find the ghosts of your relatives or friends and spend more time talking to them. So if they really did exist that would actually be a nice thing. But if you're talking about the bad and scary ones then I’d put my airpods and move on because you can’t live your life in fear.
Q. Why are humans so driven to find answers to mysteries?
We are curious and we want to know everything, some people just don’t care about what goes on and just live their lives.
Q. If you had enough money to never work, what would your typical day look like?
Go to the gym, do a bit more reading, volunteering and maybe play golf.
Q. What makes you who you are?
My values, independence, and treating people fairly. Being honest and respectful is key.
Q. What are your top three rules for navigating life?
Trust your instincts but do your research.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. Smile, because life can be hard in many ways.
Reflection: This was an interesting interview! The answers were thoughtful and insightful. My favourite question was “How did going to school shape you as a person?”
What was your favourite question?
By Julia 7H
Cadbury World
46 of our Year 10 students visited Cadbury World as part of their Science and English studies. Students were given the opportunity to explore the science behind chocolate making at Cadbury World, exploring areas such as microbiology and diseases. As this was a joint English visit, students were also given the opportunity to develop their literacy and oracy skills through discussions about the ethics of chocolate making. Students thoroughly enjoyed the visit (especially the free chocolate), and were great ambassadors for Holyhead School. Staff at Cadbury World were very complimentary about our students' inquisitive mindset and thought provoking questions.
Big Science Quiz
This term marked the inaugural Big Science Quiz across the Central Region Schools Trust. This involved schools within the trust competing against one another in a science quiz. Holyhead School was represented by:
• Kioni 9B
• Raymond 9E
• Fazlesubhan 9E
• Mtambale 9B
• Talha 9B
Throughout the intense competition, they kept their composure and worked well as a team. They made Holyhead School proud and were amazing ambassadors. In the end the students placed 2nd with 33 points (with the winners getting 34 points). As soon as the winners were announced the team immediately wanted a rematch, showing their determination and resilience. Who knows, hopefully next year Holyhead School can take home the trophy.
British Science Week
The theme of British Science Week 2024 was time, and throughout the week students took part in various activities associated with time. This included:
• Exploring the development of DNA through time and making DNA sweets
• Looking at the timeline of electricity and designing electric maze games
• Learning how science has developed in a way to enable us to solve crimes through a crime scene analysis, which were not possible in the past.
On top of this students were also able to enter the British Science Week competition in which they had to design a scientific clock face. We had some amazing entries and we thank everyone who got involved. The winner of the competition was announced during an assembly,
Well Done! Julia 7H
Big Bang Fair
Our year 7 students attended the Big Bang fair at the NEC this term. They were able to gain hands-on experience with different experiments and workshops. Including taking on the role of a BBC news presenter, exploring cutting edge medical technology, seeing how HS2 is being built, as well various other STEM fields. The students came away thoroughly inspired by what they partook in. They had a whole new perspective on what science is, and the vast network science covers.
Alton Towers
Our Year 12 physics students were given the opportunity to explore the science of roller coasters at Alton Towers theme park. Students were able to experience massive g-forces whilst swirling on The Smiler, feel the rapid acceleration on Rita and take on gravity whilst falling 180 feet on Oblivion. On top of this students had the opportunity to explore how these feats of engineering were masterminded, and look at potential opportunities for them to be involved in this industry. From these experiences students were not only able to apply what they have been learning in the classroom, but were able to overcome their fears and build their confidence. The trip on the whole was an exciting and rewarding experience for all, and the students were great ambassadors for the school.
DPromoting reading to enrich knowledge and empower.
uring the year I have held a number of events in the library to encourage students to read here are few highlights:
Pop up book fair
In February, we held a pop up book fair, to promote reading for pleasure, students enjoyed buying books on offer.
Halloween/Horror themed event in the library to foster reading in the Halloween spirit. Mr. Mills read extracts from the book "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson, and it was absolutely fantastic!
Author Visit
Alex Lee Davis author of Kingdom of Sangeul Secret Mission and Kingdom of Pershee Double Trouble. Alex gave a talk about her work to selected Year 7 students, followed by a Q & A session then book signings took place. - Students were buzzing for the rest of the day.
Lunar New Year 2024
We also celebrate Lunar New Year 2024. The library was decorated with red Chinese Lanterns and a display was done with books by Chinese authors and Chinese Cookery books together with a wok and chopsticks.
Miss Noble | Librarian
Mr J Mohr | Director of Learning - Science
Yet again, World Book Day was an absolute blast! We work hard to promote reading at Holyhead and part of that comes with the celebration of World Book Day. A day to celebrate our favourite literature characters and talk about books.
This year though, one day was not enough and we had a whole week of events leading up to, and including the big day. Students were challenged with creating a book door for their tutor rooms and the effort and imagination was exceptional. Some worthy winners for sure. Staff also took part in the Masked Reader where they read excerpts from their favourite books and students had to guess the teachers....some were very tricky. In addition, students took part in the trustwide competition to create a blurb or front cover for their favourite book.
On World Book day, characters ranging from the Wicked Witch of the West, Professor Snape, Harry Potter, Maleficent and good old Mrs Trunchbull made an appearance. The day was filled with an excitable buzz and staff and students were involved, asking questions of characters and enjoying guessing who was whom. We also welcomed a visit from a local poet Laureate Lauryn Williams who read a poem written specifically for our Holyhead students in assembly and also facilitated some outstanding literacy sessions with year 7 students. We had balloons, cupcakes and pictures galor to fill the day with lots of book based fun. It really was a great day.
Finally, the Friday of the week corresponded with International Women's Day. Students were tasked to create a spoken word piece relating to the inclusion and equality of women. Tutors were asked to nominate empowered women within their tutor groups who all received a free copy of the beautiful book 'Once upon on time in Birmingham, Women who dared to dream' which is a stunning collection of empowered, inspirational, ambitious women from our own city who are role models to the next generation.
I cannot wait for next year...get planning your outfits already!
Ms L Clarke | Vice Principal
OLauryn-Joy Williams Poet Laureate
n World Book Day, we were lucky enough to be joined by Lauryn-Joy Williams, Poet Laureate at the age of 16 and TV Star now. She has reached platforms like TedX, BBC Radio 1XTRA, Interviewing Malala Yousafzai for her private book launch at the Library of Birmingham and being the host and producer for poetry nights at the Birmingham Rep. She has trained at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts for Acting and The University of the Arts London for Live events and Television specialising in Creative Producing. Through her artistry she has shared her passion for self-expression within her community and amongst young people.
Lauryn-Joy hosted 2 sessions for our Year 7s, where they explored poetry and even had a go at creating their own!
The sessions with some ice-breakers, designed to get our students moving physically and mentally. They began with an energetic game of Wah! This allowed them to work as a group and helped tune in their focusing skills ready for the session ahead. The students then turned their attention to a word game, helping them think about their vocabulary. Lauryn-Joy then shared with the students the poem that first ignited excitement for her. The students then had a go at rewriting the poem in groups before performing it for their peers.
The sessions were a great success and many of the students wanted even more!
A huge thank you to Lauryn-Joy!
Miss Noble | Librarian
Period poverty
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints. Periods are a normal part of life. It is increasingly recognised that good menstrual health is an essential component to wellbeing.
Did you know that 1 in 9 children have missed school because they could not afford to buy sanitary products in the United Kingdom?
We have free period products in school and encourage girls to get their monthly supplies from the First Aid, Head of Years office. Just Ask for the RED BOX.
International connections build Global Citizens
One hundred students have written letters to India and Jamaica. The students, mostly Year 10 Geography students, have written letters to students of the same age in St Catherine, Jamaica and Mumbai, India. We shared about our GCSE subjects, our hobbies and the opportunities and challenges of our cities.
Other students have exchanged letters with Charlemont High School in Jamaica. The school is much more rural than Holyhead, but is very similar in other ways – with the same number of students and also located in the centre of the country near major road links and in a leading industrial region.
I wrote to Swayam, a year 10 student in Mumbai, and I told him about Handsworth and Birmingham. After two months the replies arrived at Holyhead. He told me all sorts of things about Mumbai from street food, to architecture, to pollution and inequality. Swayam attends the Universal School which is near Mumbai central railway station. It’s a highly regarded school. Students study similar subjects to us, but they are also getting ready for the future by studying Robotics.
GCSE Geography students need to know in detail about a city (Mumbai) and a country (Jamaica). Writing these letters gave us the opportunity to ask the opinion of someone our age who actually lives there. I hope this will help us to learn new perspectives and remember more for our exams next year.
Avaani 10G
BIG FRIDAY
We celebrated Big Friday on 3 May - a Romanian name for the Friday before Orthodox Easter. Students and staff gathered in the Humanities Faculty to share the food and language of Romania.
Geography teacher, Ms Sacrieru, created a display of photographs of Romania with phrases that the nonRomanian speakers all had a go at learning.
Holyhead has about twenty students who speak Romanian. We’re proud to make a BIG contribution to our school and we’re looking forward to more BIG Friday celebrations!
Happy Big Friday - O vinere binecuvantata / O vinere buna sa ai. How are you? - Ce faci?
I'm fine - Sunt bine. Thank you - Mulțumesc.
Cristina-Florentina and Karina, 7D
Presentation Evening
Thursday 27th June 2024
“Presentation Evening was such an amazing experience for me, full of smiles, laughter,andjoy.IknowIwillneverforget that evening. That excitement was also balanced with a rush of adrenaline when presentinginfrontofhundredsofpeople. Yes, it was a nerve-wracking moment, but it showed me that I can do anything, and I know that little Year 7 Saima would never think that she’d do anything like this. I just want to givea million thanks to school to give me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be Head Girl and to meet newpeopleandtrynewthings.
Well, hopefully I can do something like thisagaininthefuture.Fingerscrossed!”
Saima | Head Girl
A celebration of excellence and achievement
Who’s your Hero of 2024
Black History Club held an event in May to celebrate our heros of 2024, and importantly, to learn how they got there.
Forty students attended over lunchtime, playing a game to match different life events to giant photographs of people displayed on the walls of Ms Brade’s classroom. Some students prepared short speeches about the hero they had chosen and what they had done to become a success and make an impact on the world in 2024. These included Tyla, a Grammy award winner, Sharon White, a businesswomen who chaired the John Lewis Partnership, and Vaughan Gething, who became the first Black leader of a European country since Septimius Severus controlled Britain in the 2nd Century C.E, when he became First Minister of Wales this year.
Holyhead goes to the Opera
Twenty-six students went to the Birmingham Hippodrome to experience the Pegasus Opera Company’s performance of Windrush – The Journey. This is a new Opera touring the UK, which combines Opera with classical, jazz and blues.
Using music written by Black composers between 1500s to 1900s, the Opera told stories of love and triumph from West Africa, the Caribbean and Britain. Opera singing was new to many of us, and it was very special to hear this brand new opera sung in a mix of Italian, Patois and English. The culture of Opera is very formal, and our students looked super-smart in their Holyhead uniform. The Pegasus staff and audience members commented to Holyhead teachers about how well they had done.
After the performance teachers explained to the students how they had been watching professional singers, musicians, lighting technicians and other paid roles. As educators, it is important to prepare our students for a changing economy due to the development of artificial intelligence. One of the predictions that industry-watchers are making is that there will be a growth in employment opportunities across the entertainment sector, especially in live music.
Ms Brade and Mr Lane | History teachers
Janiah 10E
Sharon White
PE Sports Report
Another successful term of extra curricular activities for Holyhead. Students have been involved in a wide range of activities representing Holyhead School.
U13s Girls EFL Cup Area Finals
In the spring term, the U13 girls football team travelled to Swindon for the area finals of the EFL Girls Cup competition. What an achievement to make it to the finals for the first time! The girls played in a pool against schools from Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Cheltenham.
Though we didn’t make it to the final round, we are incredibly proud of the girls and their achievements in reaching the area finals. They played their hearts out and gained valuable experience competing against schools from both local and neighbouring cities. Well done to our U13 girls for their dedication and hard work.
CRST Inter Trust Handball
CRST Inter Trust Rounders
On May 13th, our Year 8/9 mixed rounders team travelled to Gospel Oak School to participate in the Inter Trust Rounders competition against other schools from the Trust. The team played exceptionally well, winning two matches, losing one, and drawing one, finishing in third place overall. It was a lovely afternoon of rounders, filled with friendly competitive spirit. Our students demonstrated great skill and teamwork. Well done to all involved!
Aston Schools Rounders
The Aston Schools Rounders competitions kicked off on May 23rd with the Year 9 tournament. The girls played some fantastic rounders, beating all five of their opponent schools to win the tournament overall. It was a fantastic performance with a fantastic result. Well done to the Year 9 girls!
The Year 8 rounders team also emerged victorious in their competition, defeating all the schools to win the competition overall. They delivered some great rounders performances. Well done to the Year 8 girls!
The Year 7 competition continues on July 3rd, followed by the Year 10 competition on July 8th. Good luck to the girls involved!
In February, the Year 8 boys and girls took part in the Inter-Trust Handball competition hosted by Ipsley and Churchill, using Arrow Vale’s pitches. The boys played some fantastic handball, winning all their matches and ultimately securing the championship. The girls won most of their matches but finished in second place after a narrow loss in one game. Both teams displayed great teamwork and sportsmanship. Well done to our teams for their outstanding performances!
National School Sports Week Football
As part of National School Sports Week, sponsored by Sports Direct and themed around Euros 2024, the Year 7/8 girls football team participated in a football competition for schools in the Aston Schools Cluster. The team played some fantastic football, beating all of their opponents to win the competition overall. With outstanding performances from Hajara and Kaisha, and a winning goal from Isatou in the final match, the team secured the overall victory. It was a fantastic afternoon of football, crowned with another win for Holyhead! Well done to all the girls involved - a true team effort!
Basketball
Mr. Prentice has been astonished by the efforts given by the Year 7 and Year 8 Jr. NBA teams this term. Year 7 and Year 8 have been involved all term, playing their games and representing the school with fantastic performances. Despite winning their last two games, Year 7 found themselves finishing 3rd in their group, missing out on the playoffs via goal difference. Year 8 faced a similar situation, finishing 3rd and missing the playoffs by just 1 point. Both teams have been a credit to the school, demonstrating commitment to learning, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
The KS4 Holyhead basketball team has had a great season this year, winning all 5 of their regular season games, earning them a spot in the North Birmingham U16 Finals at home against King Edwards VI Aston School (KEA). It was a fantastic display of talent, cheered on by staff and students!
The game ended with Holyhead 58 - 38 KEA, making us the U16 2024 North Birmingham Champions!!
Well done to all the lads who played fantastically all season. We are all super proud of you, and Mr. Prentice could not have asked for more - history makers!
It seems all the 7:30 am starts have paid off, proving that hard work and dedication equal success. This is the first Holyhead team to ever win this competition! Ensure you follow us on X (Twitter) @HolyheadPE to keep up with any sporting news.
Boys Football
Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 have continued to work hard in football training. Mr Prentice, Mr Mills and Mr Goodison have been impressed by the amount of progress made by all year groups this season. Due to poor weather after Christmas and dark nights, games have been scarce this term, but that has not stopped our teams being eager to play and train together after school. Our Year 9 & 10 team find themselves 2nd in their league with 2 games to play so they will be looking to retain their league title from last year.
Also this term, there was a football fundraiser for KS3 who raised £70 in just one evening. This will be redone for KS4 who will look to raise even more money for good causes chosen by students to help the local community.
‘The Biggest Ever Football Session’
On the 8th March, our Year 7/8 girls football team took part in the Aston Schools Biggest Ever Football Session. Competing against seven schools in the first rounds, we triumphed over every opponent.
Some fantastic goals from Hajara, Kaisha and Zemirah. We made it through to the final and played against St. Pauls, where Zemirah secured the overall win with an amazing header from a corner. A fantastic day of football from our girls with a fantastic winning result. Very well done to the girls.
“Upon entering King Edwards, I noticed that approximately twelve schools were preparing to play against us. We heard the DJ playing music and my teammatesstarteddancingandsinging.Myheartwas racingduringourfirstfootballmatch and Istartedto worry about how we would manage to play the other matches since we were so exhausted from our first match.Wewereecstatictowinourfirstgame,butwe soon realised that we needed to play more to win, so we concentrated. The other schools were quite polite and considerate.
The teacher declared the winners after we had completed all of the matches, saying the third place, second place, and first place winners. As soon as we heard HolyheadSchoolhadwonfirstplace,everyone started to cheer. All of us felt proud of ourselves, but nooneelsewasmoreoverjoyedthanMrsGill.”
Krystal 8D
Filmfest
This year sees the first ever Holyhead Pride Filmfest, which I hope will be an annual event from this year on!
We had a really full programme of feature films, short films and documentaries, with a great range of diversity represented.
Everyone was welcome, students and staff, LGBTQ+ and allies to enjoy and learn from LGBTQ+ films and documentaries.
We watched:
• ‘Eyelash’ a short about 2 girls reconnecting
• ‘The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone’ a documentary about a teen trans activist
• ‘Heartstopper’ this is a weekly episode, we’re partway through season 2 now
• ‘Everyone’s Talking About Jamie’ a fun musical about a teen drag artist
• ‘Fifteen’ 2 girls fall in love for the first time
• ‘The One You Never Forget’ a boy’s dad reacts to his prom date being another boy
• ‘Tyler’, a 9 year old boy comes out to his brother
• ‘Dear Claire’ a girl gets a message in a bottle which helps her connect with her crush
• Plus another episode of ‘Heartstopper’ and this week’s film ‘The Half of It’
to our Teach Central trainees –Cohort 2023-24
There was something for everyone, fun and informative! All staff who have dropped by so far have really enjoyed the selection, and we’ve got lots to discuss already.
What a great celebration of diversity!
Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, commitment and resilience. It has been a real privilege to have been part of your teacher training journey. I just wanted to say, a final thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our students, departments and schools.
The challenges you have faced this year and overcome, has shaped the teacher you have become. I see a cohort of strong, confident, resilient teachers, who have absorbed a range of knowledge and skills, you are at the beginning of an amazing journey. You have demonstrated time and time again in your classroom practice, a range of teaching and learning strategies, which has ensured that the outcomes for the young people you have taught, are the best they can be.
I wish you all the best for your future careers, you will be amazing teachers whose knowledge, resilience, positive outlook and creativity, will inspire the students you teach to become the best they can be! You have truly been an amazing cohort.
Teresa Wilson | Trust Lead for ITT & Early Careers
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We had the privilege of welcoming the recently elected West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker to visit us and talk to 200 GCSE/A Level Geography students. He wanted to get the views of young people and our students asked a range of relevant questions and shared ideas on the youth clubs, the economy, housing, transport, air quality and local services that have an impact on their lives and the community of Handsworth. A very positive first encounter with Mayor Parker, a man with control over a £1.2 billion budget and responsibility over 2.8 million people in the region - a chance to put Holyhead and Handsworth on his radar!
As the year comes to an end Year 12 has settled into Sixth Form life, understanding the effort required to succeed. Our tutor time programme has focused on personal development, covering employment, job applications, relationships, and safety. Students have also explored university applications and writing personal statements to prepare for life after sixth form.
Students had their first educational trip, visiting Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham to meet apprenticeship advisors, graduate placement representatives, and university representatives. This annual event helps students set clear goals. We will also attend the UCAS event at the NEC in Birmingham in late June to further inspire higher education aspirations.
With work experience in the summer term, we encourage students to secure placements for the week of July 1st, with parental support. Following that, a week of wellbeing activities will help students transition from Year 12 to Year 13, including a careers fair to connect with potential employers.
Thank you to parents who attended Parents Evening. Your support is crucial, and we welcome any concerns via phone or email.
Over 40 students earned home study rewards for high attendance and punctuality, allowing them to sign out early if their work is up-to-date. This incentive aims to motivate all students to maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.
The CRST Challenge saw six Year 12 students compete against other teams in the trust. Although they didn’t reach the final, Tara, Reece, Rhea, Sukhraj, Prateek, and Khadidja performed admirably, and we are proud of their efforts. Thank you, Ms Aziz for planning & organising the first KS5 challenge.
Year 12 is doing exceptionally well. If they continue their hard work and punctuality, they will be one of our most successful year groups.
Mr Mills | Head of Year 12
On our trip to Worcester University we were given lectures on what it would be like to study Sociology at university. This gave us an insight on how broad sociology is as it has a wide range of modules you can study in many different formats. For example we looked at Visual Sociology, which I took a personal interest in because it was different to what I normally learn, as we got to look at different pictures and interpret them and had to figure out what problems in society it presented. This taught us that sociology is all around us and how it is applicable to many jobs and other subjects, which has encouraged me to carry on studying it after my A-levels.
During our visit, we attended lectures on studying sociology at university, giving us insight into its broad scope and diverse modules. One topic that stood out to me was Visual Sociology, which involved analysing pictures to identify societal issues. This unique approach was different from my usual studies and highlighted how sociology is pervasive and relevant to various jobs and subjects. The experience has encouraged me to continue studying sociology after my A-levels.
Sukraj 12C
At Worcester University we learnt about multiple different types and aspects of sociology which can be applicable to wider society that may not be noticeable as it has been internalised subconsciously. Alongside this, sociological theories can be implemented into everyday life, not only through words and theories but through images, symbols and even through historical data. We also learnt about employability in sociology and how the subject can lead to greater opportunities and a wide range of future careers. This includes; politics, law, economics, research design, journalism and more! Overall, it was really interesting to learn about different sections of sociology that aren't just theories and empirical data.
Reece 12D
Young People’s Parliament at Villa Park
Holyhead’s 6 YPP delegates visited Villa Park for the next meeting of their campaign project. During this session, they had the opportunity to network with students from other participating schools in the programme.
Our delegates were: Saima and Neel - Year 11, Mobashar - Year 10, Tianna - Year 9, Roz - Year 8 & Xavier - Year 7
Deliberated and selected British Sign Language as their campaign topic to promote inclusivity in schools. After choosing their focus, the students conducted thorough research for their project and delivered a flawless presentation to the other school groups, explaining their rationale behind the campaign. Next, our delegates will prepare a presentation for the Dennis Edwards Award in May, where they will compete against other schools for the annual trophy and prize money, presenting their campaign to a panel of judges.
What’s Been Happening? Art & Design
Students who selected Art for their GCSE in Year 10 had the opportunity to work with Inivia, a visual arts organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary artistic practice from African, Asian, and Caribbean diaspora perspectives. Inivia’s CoLab program brings artists, mental health workers, and educators into schools to deliver workshops and create permanent artworks as a legacy.
Project Overview: The project aimed to introduce creative and critical approaches to help students understand their place within the school and the broader world. It also sought to extend these approaches to teachers and senior leadership.
Key Contributors:
• Exodus Crooks: British Jamaican multidisciplinary artist and educator, who led the project.
• Candice Nembhard: Artist-curator, musician, archivist, and writer.
• Karen Dhlamini: Therapist.
• Susan Borner: Assistant Professor of Human Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Workshops: The workshops focused on “Eco-anxiety” and involved various art
Legacy Artwork:
• Promise Me Tomorrow (2024) by Exodus Crooks
• Commissioned by Inivia
• Medium: Lino print and flowers pressed on calico cotton in a buddleia branch frame
This fully biodegradable artwork symbolises a collective request for a sustainable future. It reflects the students' call for autonomy and their commitment to addressing ecological issues. The piece was created during a threeweek project involving lino printing, sculpture, sound, and drawing to respond to climate change.
The workshops left a lasting impact, with equipment and resources provided for future use, ensuring the continued development of the project.
Ms S Stafford | Subject Lead of Art & Design
described creating a clay model of a broken tree named Scarlet, symbolising the impact of climate change. The workshops inspired students, and they have started ceramic pieces for their GCSE, building on skills from
The project concluded with a celebration and private viewing of the artworks at Holyhead School. Artists returned for a final review, and students were reminded of various career paths available after completing their GCSE in Art, Craft, and Design. The work is now displayed in Room 106.
Carding Mill Valley Geography Trip
As part of our Year 10 Physical Fieldwork we visited Carding Mill Valley, which is situated in Shropshire. Throughout the day we gathered useful data practising our fieldwork skills. We were able to understand and analyse the river's characteristics and processes for our physical geography paper. The valley offers beautiful picturesque views, tranquil walks and hikes and a variety of wildlife. Thankfully, we had decent weather on our side and I would say the best part of the trip was making it up to the waterfall and peak which involved quite a long hike over some difficult terrain. Arrissah 10G
Senior students were given the opportunity to learn some excellent first aid skills from the British Red Cross. Kirsty engaged the students in some interesting scenarios to see how they would respond and then students were shown how to check for a person's response and what to do if they were not breathing. They then had a go at performing CPR on the test dummies to apply their knowledge and show that they all had the capability to save a life. All students came away from the session learning these vital first aid skills. We would like to thank Kirsty and the British Red Cross for this CPD opportunity for our students.
It was an amazing experience! Having this trip to Carding Mill Valley, in order to carry out Primary Data Collection as part of our Geography GCSE topic on River Landscapes. While on the trip I learned how to use various pieces of equipment all whilst getting covered in water and mud! Climbing over rocks and up steep hills was the highlight and actually one of the nicest experiences ever. Khaliel 10H
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S GOLD AWARD CELEBRATION
Buckingham Palace, London
What a remarkable day it was for Nina, Riah, Gia, and Jasmeen! On Monday 13th May 2024, these exceptional young women made their way to Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, a prestigious achievement that recognizes their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. This special occasion was graced by the presence of The Duke of Edinburgh himself, adding even more significance to an already momentous event.
The celebration was nothing short of spectacular, with light refreshments and micro stages featuring celebrity guests. Among the notable personalities present were Harry Judd, the drummer of McFly, renowned pastry chef Cherish Finden, and the famous astronaut Tim Peake, who made history by going into space for the UK. These inspiring figures no doubt added to the excitement and prestige of the day. The Duke of Edinburgh's speech was a highlight, as he congratulated the award winners and acknowledged the challenging journey they undertook to achieve this honour. His words encouraged all the recipients to walk a 'little taller,' recognizing the significant accomplishment they had earned.
For Nina, Riah, Gia, and Jasmeen, this day was not just a personal triumph but also a proud moment for their families and their school, Holyhead School. It marked the first time Holyhead School had students receiving this award, setting a high bar for future participants. Their success is a testament to their commitment and dedication, qualities that will undoubtedly serve them well in all their future endeavours.
It was a celebration not just of the girls' achievements, but also the support and encouragement from their families and Holyhead School. It was an honour to be part of such a joyous day that we had all been waiting for for so long. This day will surely be remembered and cherished by everyone involved for years to come.
Mrs Davies | DofE Assistant Manager & Teacher of Food Preparation & Nutrition
Interview with Mrs Edwards - Head of Year 11
By Saima, Head Girl and Neel, Head Boy
Q. How does it feel seeing your students go from Year 7 to Year 11?
I’m thrilled with everything the Year 11 students have achieved. They've grown so much since Year 7. I’m incredibly proud and know I’ll miss them when the academic year ends.
Q. What’s your experience been like at Holyhead?
It’s been amazing. I’ve built many relationships with teachers and students over the years. Spending five years with my lovely year group has been a truly rewarding experience, despite the highs and lows.
Q. What made you want to work with children?
I enjoyed looking after others when I was younger, which inspired me to work with young people. I wanted to make a difference in their lives and help them achieve their goals. It’s a fulfilling and rewarding role.
Q. What’s your favourite thing about being a Head of Year?
My favourite thing is making changes in students' lives. Like Saima’s mother says, at school, I’m their mom. I treat my students with respect and want them to achieve their best. I feel proud when we celebrate their efforts and achievements.
Q. How do you handle challenging students?
Challenging students is part of the job, but it’s rewarding to see their progress. I try my best with every student and expect great things from them. My motto is: be the change you want to see.
Q. What advice would you give to a new Head of Year?
It’s a rewarding role with new challenges each day. My advice is to be fair but firm, treat students as individuals, listen, and avoid being judgmental. Make the journey memorable and purposeful.
Q. Any final messages?
I will help and support the students to the end. They need to keep going and grab the opportunities in front of them. Be patient and keep going, my lovely year 11.
Good luck with Your Summer GCSE Exams. I know you will smash them.
Mrs Edwards
Neel: Reflection
Looking back from Year 7 to now, I’ve changed and improved. I’ve gotten better at my subjects and learned new skills, like speaking in front of a crowd. These five years at Holyhead have improved me as a student and person. I’m thankful for the support from the staff.
Saima: Reflection
Time flies from Year 7 to Year 11. You’ll make memorable moments, find lifelong friends, and learn new things. The school has helped me become more confident and improved, for which I am very thankful.
At Holyhead, we place great importance on both literacy and oracy. The competition starts at the cohort level and progresses to the finals, where students compete to become the overall year group winner.
Despite facing challenging curriculum-based words, our students demonstrated persistence and determination in their efforts to spell them correctly. We are proud to announce that 21 students reached the finals, which is a remarkable achievement! The event was highly successful, with our students fully immersed and motivated. They are already eager to participate again next year.
English Department
"I joined the Spelling Bee for fun and enrichment. Despite the nerves of being in front of a crowd, it was an enjoyable experience. I was shocked and happy to win first place. I highly recommend it and look forward to participating again." Aroosa 12B
“I was quite nervous since I hadn't practised for the Spelling Bee, but I was excited because I was competing just for fun, not to win. When it was announced that I had won the Year 11 Spelling Bee, I was extremely shocked since I had convinced myself that winning was impossible. The event was especially enjoyable, and I would definitely participate again.” Carlista 11F
“A few days before the finals, I practised some spellings with Mr. Lane to enhance my skills and assess my level. On the day of the finals, I felt a bit nervous since it was the last challenge before either claiming victory or admitting defeat. Fortunately, luck was on my side, and I was assigned fairly easy words like "Pythagoras." Thanks to this luck, I secured first place and the title of Spelling Bee Champion, along with a £20 Amazon gift card. However, the person I hoped would either win or at least take second place ended up in third.
Despite this, they still secured a spot in the finals and earned the title of Spelling Bee Finalist. I definitely plan to participate again next year because of the thrill that comes with risking the spelling of challenging words, although I was disappointed that the word "Caesarean" never appeared. To those considering participating, I suggest sounding the words out in your head, using the definition to figure out which letters to use, and visualising the spelling. If it looks right, it might be, though it's not a guarantee. This method helped me pass the semi-finals and ultimately claim victory in the finals.” Raymond 9E
“When the first round began, I was nervous. Fortunately, we automatically qualified since only seven of us showed up. For the second round, I felt ready and was the only one to avoid sudden death by spelling all my words correctly. As the final round approached, my heart was in my throat. I thought I had lost when I faced sudden death against my competitor, but I was ecstatic to emerge victorious. It was the time of my life!” Zion 10C
At the heart of the Creative Arts Faculty is a supportive and inclusive community. Our teachers are dedicated professionals who are passionate about their subjects and committed to nurturing each student's potential. They create an environment where students feel encouraged to take risks, explore new ideas, and express themselves freely.
Enrichment
We can all agree this was evident at this year's Presentation Evening, there was a vibrant mix of singing, acting, dance, poetry and musical acts that were all outstanding . We are truly proud of all students that got involved.
One of the hallmarks of our Creative Arts Faculty is its commitment to inspiring creativity beyond the classroom. This year we have created memories for our students beyond the classroom, from workshop visits from local artists, theatre visits, plus visits to the conservatoire. We have developed several relationships with externals from dance companies, artists and musicians. These interactions expose students to real-world experiences and help them understand the diverse career paths available in the arts.
"On Tuesday 9th July we went to See Hamilton, The play was a very good because is was an interesting story about Alexander Hamilton which was based in America, in the 17th century mixed with modern American culture,everything about the performance was amazing, I really the music and the lighting effects .I'm so glad I got to watch this performance."
Miguel 9B
Work experience
For the first time in many years we saw the return of work experience. Two of our Year 10 students had the opportunity to work with a theatre company ‘Mooville’. The students spent a week working as professional actors. Students worked on their own craft developing skills through imaginative exploration and audition skills.
Marlene Mckenzie the director commented on how much growth was seen throughout the week, our very own Jed and Taranjit inspired the company to start up a Drama school for this summer!! Please see the flyer for details , as we would love as many Holyhead students to attend.
Well done to Jed and Taranjit.
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming production of "Sister Act: The Musical," set to take the stage from February 5th to 7th, 2025. Our talented students from Years 7 to 10 have been working tirelessly, pouring their hearts and souls into every rehearsal, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
From the moment the cast was announced, excitement has been palpable. Students have embraced their roles with enthusiasm, bringing the vibrant characters and lively songs of "Sister Act" to life.
Rehearsals are going exceptionally well, with the cast and crew demonstrating remarkable commitment and camaraderie. Under the guidance of their teacher and director Miss Kerr (Teacher of Creative Arts), the students are honing their skills and growing in confidence. The energy and joy they bring to each rehearsal promise an unforgettable performance that will have audiences clapping and singing along.
Mark your calendars and save the date for what promises to be an extraordinary event. Join us at Holyhead School from February 5th to 7th, 2025, and witness the magic of "Sister Act: The Musical." It’s a show you won’t want to miss, showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of our dedicated students.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this remarkable experience with our school community!
Farewell and all the best!
We say goodbye and all the best to Miss Bulkeley who was here with us covering Mrs Geddes maternity leave. We want to thank Miss Bulkeley for all her support she has shown students across the year. We also say farewell to Mrs Geddes who is moving onto a new school, thanks for all your hard work over the years, your vibrant energy with the students will be missed. We’ve not done there…. We are also saying farewell to Miss Lewis who is not only leaving but relocating to Cornwall! Miss Lewis is the person behind our infamous christmas singles, who goes above and beyond in everything she does. Miss Lewis will be greatly missed amongst staff and students and we wish you all the best.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, the Creative Arts Faculty is excited to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation. We are constantly exploring new ways to enhance our curriculum, integrate technology into our teaching, and provide more opportunities for students to showcase their talents.
We invite all students to explore the rich offerings of the Creative Arts Faculty, whether they are seasoned artists or just beginning their creative journey. Together, we will continue to celebrate the power of the arts to transform lives, inspire minds, and build a brighter future for our school community.
Miss Brandy | Director of learning - Creative Arts
