SHSG

WEEKLY GAZETTE

website: www.shsg.org

email: office@shsg.org Edition No: 26 11th April 2016

This is a short but busy week with the soloists’ concert on Monday and the drama GCSE examination on Tuesday and Wednesday. The students are so talented and manage the pressures of performing with all their other commitments at school and at home. They are to be congratulated on their resilience and determination. I had another lovely email on Tuesday regarding an anonymous student which I share with you. “This probably seems like a very random message but I think that little acts of kindness shouldn't go unnoticed. I used to go to Southend Girls myself, get on at Benfleet station and head in for school each morning on the train. I now get on the opposite platform and head up to London, so it seems really strange seeing all the girls in uniform over the other side who were probably in reception class by the time I'd finished sixth form. Today I saw a girl in a Southend uniform leading a blind lady up the platform, she stood with her, chatting, and then got on the train with her. I don't know the girl, I wish I could name her, but it just seemed like she was a really sweet person. It made my morning to know that there are still lovely people out there, and that they go to my old school.” Not a day goes by without there being something to make us proud of our students at SHSG. The whole of Monday’s assembly was, once again, given over to awards. All of which were very well deserved and I have seen some amazing work this term as teachers send students to go into the Headteacher’s Book. Wishing you all a Happy Easter – please note that the first day back, April 11th, is an INSET day, therefore students start back on Tuesday 12th. Ms Brierley

Pi Day Winners Well done for all your entries to all the Pi Day competitions. Rachel Riley has finished judging all the categories and found it a very diffiult task as there were so many excellent ideas. Abinija and Arathy in year 7 have already received their Pie baking trophy for KS3 and now we can present the KS3 winner - Emily Uden Pi Art KS3 winner - Mia Stanbrook's bird picture - year 8 KS4 winner - with her " PorcuPIne" ! - Ellen Deavers 9J Maths Posters KS3 winner - Sophie Brown 7C KS4 winner - with her poster on Hilbert's Inifinite Hotel - Freya Miller 9F Finally - the poetry was of a very high standard despite the restraints of the length of the lines from the digits of Pi. The KS3 winning entry entitiled - Sunset Arise - was from Niamh Dudley and Grace Emerson 7C The KS4 winner with her Piem- in the morning - Louisa Willmore The Pi day numbers quiz winner was won by Megan Matthews in 7A There will be a display in the maths block of the winners and the many highly commended placings. If you see your entry as a Highly Commended winner as we have a certificate for you to collect from the Maths Office.

Parental Surveys We have been reading the comments on the newly introduced parental survey forms that are handed out at Parents’ Evenings. Some parents have suggested that it would be beneficial to gauge their daughter’s/son’s achievement against other students’ in the year group. The suggestion was for the school to publish a median grade gained by students in each subject (which we do for the mock examinations). We have discussed this idea and decided that the median is not a useful measure and can be detrimental to some students. Most students achieve very similar grades and therefore the data is not meaningful; also it can be very de-motivational for some students to know that they are constantly below class average and therefore lose confidence in themselves. At SHSG we pride ourselves on ensuring that our students feel supported and face their examinations with confidence. Mrs Butt Deputy Headteacher Assessment and Data

Nature Club On Saturday 19th March members of Nature Club met at Writtle College to attend the Essex Birdwatching Society’s conference on bird migration. The girls had been asked to prepare a display on the various aspects of migration including why birds migrate, how they navigate, the perils of migration, and birds that get lost. Year 7 girls created colourful collages, the year 10 girls did a more in depth study producing a lot of interesting data and information. The Chairman of the Society wrote “We thank the students from Southend High School for Girls that form the Nature Club for their valued display about migration. They are to be commended for their enthusiasm and interest in wildlife generally and specifically birds, which the Society wishes to encourage in as many ways as possible”. Mrs S Brierley

Used Postage Stamps We are still collecting used postage stamps for the RNIB. Please bring them to reception. Thank you Year 10 Trip to Berlin – 11th-13th June 2016 Many thanks to all those who have already paid in full for the above trip. The final payment is due by Monday 11th April by ParentPay please. If you have any difficulty meeting this deadline, please contact Mrs Lacey in the Finance Office to discuss alternative arrangements. Mrs Rimmington

Active Kids Vouchers In Sainsbury’s Locals you will receive one voucher for every £5 spent (same as previous years - voucher has a photograph). In Sainsbury’s Supermarkets you will receive one voucher for each £10 spent, all your vouchers will be printed on one piece of paper (These vouchers are white with no photograph). Vouchers can be given into reception. Thank you.

Year 8 German trip to the Black Forest, 17th – 21st June 2016 Please remember your third payment of £100 is due by Monday 11th April by ParentPay , immediately after the Easter holidays. Reminder letters have been sent home last week and spare copies can be downloaded from the school website. Thank you to everyone who has already paid. Please contact Mrs Page in confidence if you will have any problem making the payment by the due date.

Year 8 Curriculum Day to Colchester Zoo - Wednesday 20th April Thank you to everyone who has paid for this trip. A reminder that payment is due by Monday 11th April by ParentPay please.

Maths Angels and Maths online tuition sessions Maths Angels and Maths teacher led tuition sessions run online each Tuesday and Thursday evening. Both schemes are accessed through the link on the Maths Online Tuition Room on Fronter. The sessions are: Tuesday 6:50 Angel sessions 7:20 Year 11 algebraic proofs Thursday 6:50 Angel Sessions 7:20 Year 8 simultaneous equations

Problem solving club is on Tuesday lunchtime in M3 with Mr Hulson

Year 11 Double

AQA C2 Chemistry Revision

Thursdays 3.30 – 4.30 GS2 with Miss Jones

Date Session on Topic Other Info

14.4.16 Rates of reaction C2.4

21.4.16 Energy Changes / equilibrium C2.4

28.4.16 Naming Salts (30 min session) C2.5 Year 8 Parents eve

5.5.16 Acid and alkalis C2.5

12.5.16 Electrolysis C2.5

Year 11 Triple

Chemistry Revision Thursdays 3.30 – 4.30

GS3 with Mrs Aylen

Date Session on Unit

14.04.16 Covalent bonding + Metal extraction C5

21.04.16 Rates of reaction + Acids and alkalis C6

28.04.16 Energy changes + Chemical analysis C6 / C7

05.05.16 Organic C7

12.05.16 Reversible reactions + Ammonia C7

Easter Chemistry Revision Sessions Mrs Aylen is running revision during the Easter break as follows: Monday 4th April 9 till 12 AS chemistry Tuesday 5th April 9 till 12 GCSE triple chemistry Wednesday 6th April 9 till 12 A2 chemistry. Please see Mrs Aylen if you have any questions.

PE News Tuesday 22nd March saw the culmination of the Essex Netball Cup and Plate finals. Our year 7 team played six league games wining them all convincingly. They then played Woodlands School and won 12 – 5. They played Fitzwimarc School in the semi-final winning 21 goals to 11. Once again we met our old rivals Brentwood Public School in the final. The girls started very tentatively and went down by two goals very early on, but after their nerves settled they found their confidence. The defence made some incredible interceptions and the shooters converted these into goals. At half time the girls had opened up a five goal lead. In the final analysis SHSG were the eventual winners by 18 goals to 10 and retained the Essex Year 7 title. The girls should be very proud of their achievement and of how far they have come as netball players. A fitting end to a fantastic season. Huge congratulations to all the whole squad. The squad was: Charlotte Dance, Kemi Fanibi, Niamh Blake, Sara Anwar, Eleanor Webb, Alex Seymour, Maisie Robins, Ellie Staples and Megan Ibeh. The under 14 squad played in the final of the Essex Plate against New Hall School. Again nerves and tensions were running high at the start of the match but after settling into the match some excellent netball was played by both teams. It was a nail biting game right up until the final whistle. The score was even and as the umpire blew for full time we were awarded a penalty shot. There was a hushed silence on the court and it fell to Grace Hinman to score the goal, which she did with ease, (from a spectators’ point of view) and we won 21 goals to 20. The squad was: Jessica Harris, Abena Oteng, Beth Ashley, Eleanor Butt, Holly Lawrence, Danielle Zamora, Lauren Paddick, Grace Hinman, Ella Lewis, Hannah Phipps and Melody Rankin. Another fantastic achievement and congratulations to all the girls who represented the squad, not just in the final game but throughout the season.

Fixtures - Week commencing 11th April: Friday 15th/Saturday 16th April A team of Sports Leaders going to officiate at the National Clubs Sports Hall finals

in the Sports City Stadium in Manchester.

Known Athletics Fixtures: Tuesday 26th April Borough Field Event Trials Eastwood School

Thursday 28th April Borough Track Event Trials Eastwood

Thursday 5th May Achilles Relays Oxford University

Saturday 14th May Day 1 of Essex Athletics Championships

Melbourne Park Chelmsford

Sunday 15th May Day 2 of Essex Athletics Championships

Melbourne Park Chelmsford

Tuesday 17th May 1st Round of the National Schools’ Athletics Championships

Melbourne Park Chelmsford

Wednesday 8th June Yr7, 8 and 9 Lee Valley Outdoor Cup

Lee Valley Picketts Lock

Thursday 9th June 7,8,9 and 10 Athletic fixture VS Brentwood School

Brentwood

Monday 13th June Borough Athletics Championships (Heats)

Garons

Saturday 11th June Essex County Schools Championships

Melbourne Park Chelmsford

Friday 17th June Borough Athletics Finals Gloucester Park Basildon

Monday 20th June Regional Final of the National Schools’ Athletics Cup

Venue – TBC

Saturday 2nd July Nationals Schools’ Athletics Cup Final

Bedford International Stadium

Parents’ Association

Parents' Association Quiz Night Saturday 7th May at 7:30pm

Main Hall, SHSG

Calling all Pointless and The Chase fans! Here's your chance to test your knowledge at the Parents' Association Quiz Night, which will raise funds for the school. The event is open to children as well as adults and tickets cost £5. Please feel free to bring your own drinks and nibbles. The quiz starts at 7:30pm so please make sure you arrive by 7:15pm to get to your table on time. Teams are made up of a maximum of 8 people. You can purchase tickets from the School Bank from Wednesday 13th April. Thanks for your support and look forward to seeing you on the night. Liz Aarons, PA Chair lizcolin@blueyonder.co.uk Tel. 07858493722

Helpers needed for summer term events As always, the summer term will be a busy time for the Parents' Association and I am looking for volunteers to help at many events including the new Year 7 Parents' Evening, BBQ and the Summer Concert. Details of the events will follow early next term. If you are able to help, please let me know. Your support will be much appreciated. Liz Aarons, PA Chair lizcolin@blueyonder.co.uk Tel. 07858493722

SHSG Masked Ball – Saturday 25th June The second SHSG Ball is only round the corner! As you may be aware already, it is a Masked Ball and tables can be booked via the school website (see the latest rolling news). After the great success of the Centenary Ball in 2014, we are hoping to see even more people dancing the night away to the tunes of “Glitterball” and raising money for the School! We would therefore be grateful if you could donate potential raffle prize items by either leaving them at reception marked for the attention of Lindsey Oakley or by emailing her at clm3@talktalk.net. Many thanks for your support! Susanne Barton, on behalf of the Ball Committee

Adventure Island See Mrs Lacey in the School Bank for tickets. Prices as follows: Adventure Island £15 each Sealife Centre £4 each Adventure Island Golf Course £4 Family Pass £75.00 includes 4 x Adventure Island

4 Sealife Centre 4 x Golf Course 4 x Meal Vouchers

Cheques to be made payable to SHSG – PA

THE WEEK AT A GLANCE

WEEK A Monday 11th April

STAFF TRAINING DAY NO STUDENTS TODAY

Tuesday 12th April

Sixth Form Maths Clinic Mrs Imbush/Mrs Hill UKMT Senior Team Challenge Practice Netball Club Years 8 & 9 Hockey Club Year 7 Chemistry Open House Art Club Years 7 & 8 Textiles Club Year 7 German & Austrian Club Year 7 KS4 Book Club Year 11 Sci Fi Film Club Wind Band Guitar Ensemble Novem Consort Psychology Society Years 8-13 Problem Solving Club

Hairspray Japanese with Mrs Baxter

12.30pm in M4 12.30pm in M2 12.20pm 12.20pm 12.30pm in Chemistry 2 12.30pm in Studio 2 12.30pm in Textiles 2 12.45-1.15pm in room 2 12.30pm in room 12 12.30pm in the media studio 12.25-12.55 in MU2 12.55-1.15 in MU1 12.55-1.15 in Music Tech/Practice Rooms 12.40pm in MH4 12.30pm in M3 with Mr Hulson

3.30-4.45 in MU1 3.45-5.15pm in room 3

Wednesday 13th April

Years 7 to 11 Running Club “Hairspray” Dance Club PE GCSE Practical Club Nature Club Years 7-9 Year 11 Sci Fi Club SHSG Choir Pianists Junior Quartet Hairspray Music Theory Trad Jazz

12.20pm 12.20pm 12.20pm 12.20pm in GS2 12.30pm in the media studio 12.25-12.55pm in MU2 12.25-12.55pm in MU1 12.25pm in Music Tech/Practice Rooms 3.40-5.00pm in the drama studios 3.30-4.30pm in MU1 3.30-4.30pm in MU1

Thursday 14th April

Years 7 to 11 Boot Camp Year 7 Netball Club Christian Union Geography Open House History Club Drama Club Drama: Macbeth Open House Chess Club

12.20pm 12.20pm 12.40-1.10pm in room 19 12.20pm in GG1 12.30pm in room 18 12.25pm in the Clewlow studios 12.30pm in the drama studios 12.30pm in MH4

Friday 15th April

Junior Film Club (Years 7 & 8) Physics Open House Chamber Choir Clarinet Ensemble Beginners Brass Percussion Group Big Band

12.30pm in the media studio 12.30pm in Room 20 12.25-12.55pm in MU2 12.25-12.55pm in MU1 12.55-1.15pm in MU1 12.55pm in Music Tech/Practice Rooms 3.30-4.30pm in MU1

Thought for the Week ……