News from NHSG

With a cast of 60, a full professional orchestra and a newly lifted restriction for single sex schools to be able to perform Les Misérables, staff and pupils at NHSG are about to embark on their most ambitious stage production yet. The performances will take place between 2^nd – 4^th February at our Senior School from 7pm, where other pupils, family members and the general public will see the extravagant production brought to life by an all-girl cast. Anna Dobson, Head of Drama and Director of the show, said: “We’ve wanted to stage Les Misérables for years but it’s only been very recently that single sex schools have been able to obtain the license to perform it. So as soon as that restriction was lifted we were straight on the case! “We’ve got 60 pupils taking part of all ages, from Years 7 through to Year 13, and the orchestra has invited two of our very own pupils to play with them, which is clearly a really exciting opportunity for them. Everyone knows Les Mis has a challenging music score but the girls are determined to wow their audience.  They have been working incredibly hard in rehearsals and I know they are going to blow everyone one away when they come to perform live. We’ll be performing in our school’s performing arts venue and the professional staging, sound and lighting will add to the occasion. “At NHSG we’re proud to give our pupils the opportunity to build on their practical experience and future CV in addition to providing a first-class academic curriculum. Bringing a taste of the professional world into the school environment is a really effective way of preparing pupils for life after study.” Two pupils taking part in the orchestra are Maia in Year 13, who plays trombone and Elizabeth in Year 9 who is playing violin. Maia said: “Being part of the orchestra for the school musical is a highlight of the year, and I am thoroughly enjoying Les Misérables this year. Having played in the orchestra and band for the musicals since Year 7, I always enjoy the opportunity of working alongside the professional musicians. Not only is it great fun, but it has also improved my playing significantly, and I have learnt a lot about different techniques and mutes! I am sad that this is my last year, but I look forward to participating in orchestras and jazz bands at University and maybe even playing in local productions whilst I’m there!’’ Set against the backdrop of 19^th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling and emotional story of justice, injustice, love, redemption and revolution, accompanied by some of the most memorable soundtracks in theatre history, including ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ and ‘On My Own’. Anna added: “Most of the musicals we have previously performed have included some dialogue, whereas this is all sung, so it’s a real challenge for everyone taking part. We can’t wait to share the finished product with the world.” Charlotte, an NHSG Drama Scholar, is taking on the role of Gavroche. It will mark her first performance in Senior School although she’s no stranger to theatre, being a member of Acting Up in Gateshead and playing Dorothy in our Junior School production of The Wizard of Oz. Charlotte said: “I am really looking forward for my first Senior School production. It has been an amazing experience and I have really enjoyed the rehearsals. I can't wait for the show days.’’ NHSG is staging the school edition special adaptation of Les Misérables licensed by Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh (Overseas) Limited. The original music was written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the book by Victor Hugo. Tickets range from £13 - £15 with a 10% discount when purchasing four or more. To book visit www.trybooking.co.uk/CBFG  

The Lionesses brought women’s football to the masses in 2022, winning their first major title by beating Germany in the European Championship in front of a crowd of almost 90,000 fans. But a Newcastle United Women’s Player/Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) teacher, along with an 11 year old pupil, plan to inspire even more girls into football with the launch of a new film which focuses on the ‘beautiful game’. The footballing duo, who feature alongside other football-loving NHSG pupils in the film, are teacher Georgia Gibson (who also happens to be the Lady Magpies celebrated No 10 midfielder), and 11 year old Jess who is a member of the Sunderland Regional Talent Centre and Sports Scholar at the all girls’ school based in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Together they are using their ambassadorial roles to raise awareness and excitement around the sport with the aim of making football as popular among girls as it is with boys. Jess said: “Football is my biggest passion and I’ve been playing since I was about five years old. My dream is to one day play for England. Beth Mead has been one of my biggest role models and also my school football coach, Miss Gibson - she’s amazing. I saw her score in the first women’s team match at St James’ Park and it was just brilliant. Everyone at school wanted to play football after that and around a 100 girls have joined our football club this year meaning they have a great opportunity to play and represent the school. This is really great and shows football is getting more popular.” NHSG football coach and NUFC Women player, Georgia Gibson, who also teaches Maths and wider PE lessons at the school, grew up in Dubai, where she first began playing football. She moved back to England in 2015 and joined Sunderland Ladies’ development team. She progressed to the first team three years later, before joining Newcastle United Women in the summer of 2020. Georgia said: “Playing and representing NUFC is a real honour for me. I’ve grown up supporting Newcastle United and wanted to kick a ball around from the minute I could walk so to step out onto St James’ Park in May was a real privilege and a moment I will never forget. To proudly say I have scored in the Gallowgate, played in front of over 22,000 fans and for many of our girls from NHSG to be there is fantastic. I never imagined having the impact I have had on the girls in our school community, and that is the reason I love doing what I do. Hopefully I can continue to inspire them to achieve even greater things in the future.” Women have long played football, with the first recorded match dating all the way back to 1881 in Edinburgh. But back then female players regularly endured ridicule, and the misogyny surrounding women’s football delayed its success and dampened its popularity. However, with the Lionesses proving that women’s football should be taken as seriously as men’s, and NHSG pupils being free to learn without limits in a supportive all-girl environment, it’s perhaps unsurprising that so many are keen to tackle the sport at the school. Not everyone will want to be a Lioness but, as Jess explains, football is much more than just a career path as it also helps her to develop much broader skills. She said: “Football has definitely taught me to be more resilient and to work hard for what you want to succeed at, which is a great skill to have.” The newly released film is part of a series created by the Girls’ Day School Trust, a family of 25 girls’ schools across England and Wales, which includes NHSG. Their aim is to showcase their pupils’ achievements and sources of inspiration. Jess added: “A GDST girl is someone who is creative, confident and open-minded. There’s no limit to what you can do.” Click here to watch the film and to see Jess in action!

Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) has been given a resounding seal of approval from the Good Schools Guide following a rigorous review conducted in November by the independent guide which supports parents in choosing the best education for their children. The all-girls school that prides itself on unleashing the potential of girls to learn without limits received high praise all round, with its Senior School summarised by the Good Schools Guide (GSG) as offering ‘High quality teaching and learning, a broad modern curriculum and every kind of opportunity and challenge. Superb facilities, strong pastoral care and a very obvious commitment to inclusivity tailored to girls’ needs and interests. It’s a pretty compelling package’. The review also highlighted NHSG’s ‘unique ethos of ambition and attainment in both academics and co-curricular in order to empower girls to be trailblazers and world-shapers’. NHSG Head, Michael Tippett, said: “It’s extremely pleasing to receive this external validation for NHSG. It encapsulates our school’s aims as well as the real-life experience for all our pupils, whether they are in Nursery or Sixth Form. At NHSG we not only educate our pupils, we empower them. We support, nurture and challenge every girl to be herself, to achieve her potential and to approach life with real enjoyment and enthusiasm.” NHSG’s Junior School, which accepts pupils from age 3 – 11, also enjoyed an excellent GSG review summarising it as having ‘Great facilities in a lovely leafy environment, impressive co-curricular options that keep everyone busy and challenged, all wrapped up in a rock solid ethos about enabling girls to become confident young women in a modern world. Strong curriculum and highly qualified specialist staff ensure exceptional preparation for senior school’. Known for being fearsomely frank, the GSG reviews of NHSG were written following a rigorous process and visit made by one of the GSG’s expert consultants which included an extensive tour of the school during the working day. In addition, Michael Tippett and Amanda Hardie (Head of NHSG Junior School) were interviewed as well as other staff, pupils and parents, in order for the GSG to create a well-informed, impartial and candid evaluation of the School. The resulting reviews of NHSG are testament to the leadership of Michael Tippett, who was appointed as Head in 2018, and Amanda Hardie who took up the role of Head of Junior School in 2020. Since then, NHSG has seen a significant uplift in its examination results, winning it the coveted Sunday Times NE Independent Secondary School 2020 award. Alongside excellent teaching and learning, NHSG takes pastoral care, personal development and its co-curricular programme equally seriously. It benefits too from being one of the 25 schools of the Girls’ Day School Trust with its exceptional ‘Girls First’ ethos. The importance of equipping girls with the broader life skills and values that combine to make happy, healthy and fulfilling lives is a binding principle that runs throughout the School and the GDST and impacts long into later life. NHSG alumna, television GP Dr Ellie Cannon, who has been named GDST Alumna of the Year said of her time at NHSG: “At school it was never just about the grades. It was a profound learning experience and one that I cherish to this day.” Access NHSG’s full Good Schools Guide reviews: Click here for NHSG Senior School review Click here for NHSG Junior School review

Former Newcastle pupil and on-screen GP for ITV This Morning, Dr Ellie Cannon, has been named Alumna of the Year by the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST). The GDST – a family of 25 independent girls’ schools across the UK, of which Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) is the only North East member – recognises the impact and achievements of its alumnae with the annual award – in which it also gifts the winner £500 to donate to a charity of their choice. Dr Cannon is being recognised for her continued and significant contribution to public health, including her advocacy work during the pandemic – a collaboration with the Cabinet Office, Department of Health and NHS England. She also writes a weekly medical column in the Mail on Sunday and is a regular voice on BBC Breakfast, Sky News and BBC radio. Dr Cannon has been praised for speaking openly about her own health struggles in a bid to de-stigmatise mental illness, and has shared a stage with Prince William discussing trauma. She is also an acclaimed published author and, in 2019, was voted by UK GPs as the 15^th most influential GP in the UK. She also volunteers her time and expertise to several lesser known charities, supporting causes including pancreatic cancer awareness, BAME girls’ menstrual dignity and the UK Women in Gambling prevention campaign. This month she has been made a Fellow of the Royal College of GPs Dr Cannon said: “It’s such an honour to be recognised by the GDST and to be able to celebrate the all-girls education I enjoyed in the North East. I think one of the reasons I was keen to work so holistically in medicine – stepping beyond the realms of GP practice and into advocacy and public health – was due to my education as well as the influence of my family and peers growing up. “At school it was never just about the grades – it was always about working together as a team to compete in national contests, or taking on voluntary medical work or getting involved in debating societies – which I think broadened my horizons in terms of what a role in medicine might entail. It was a profound learning experience and one that I cherish to this day.” Michael Tippett, NHSG Head Teacher said: “We are so proud of all our alumnae and to see one of our own recognised nationally by the GDST is testament not only to the rich history of outstanding teaching and learning that we have at NHSG, but also the continued culture of peer support and encouragement that all our all-girl community  embodies. “An all-girls education breaks down gender stereotypes and improves aspiration around subjects that were formerly very male dominated. It is fair to say that medicine and the sciences were traditionally in this category, and to see Ellie achieving so much not just in terms of her career success, but also in terms of public health, reinforces her role as a truly inspirational female lead.” NHSG has seen many pupils go on to achieve success in the field of medicine. Other high profile alumnae include Miriam Stoppard OBE -  a doctor, businesswoman, journalist and broadcaster, as well as Professor Ruth Plummer, who was recently awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee honours for her outstanding service and contribution to raising the profile for cancer research and her instrumental role in establishing the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

An all-girl education at NHSG means that every girl can follow her dream and be who she wants to be without the limitations of gender. That’s why we engender a deep love of learning and for all things STEM from the moment a girl joins NHSG. And it’s been a busy start to the academic year for girls in Junior School........ Our expert EYFS team have been implementing their playful maths curriculum in Nursery and Reception this term and they talk about the mathematical milkshake in this excellent podcast. https://earlyexcellence.com/eex-podcasts/ One example of this in action this term is in Reception where the girls have been exploring the composition of the number 5 inspired by ‘five friends counting’.  Girls counted their own stories about five friends to explore the different numbers and then made a digital class book. In other STEM lessons designed to inspire, Reception received a letter from the gingerbread man asking for their help to cross the river. They set to work to help, and decided a boat would be the best solution.  They designed and created their own boats and then baked their gingerbread men to test the boats! Year 1 are already honing their engineering skills in a number of ways and most recently they’ve been responding to a design brief. Working in teams, they have been designing wheels and axels with great success. It’s so important that girls learn to take risks in their learning, understanding that they don’t have to get the answer right first time, and that the journey of trial and error supports their understanding.  The chalk pens we have in school allow the girls to write their answers in a way that can easily be changed and therefore encouraging them to take a risk. Year 2 have had a great time investigating numbers in Mathematics. The chalk pens have been a huge hit and are a super way of facilitating collaboration, risk-taking and enjoyment in Maths! Year 3 have embarked on our Design and Technology journey by exploring the features of castles.  The girls have looked at different castles and analysed what is similar and different about them as well as whether they are stable structures. They’ll be applying their knowledge to build their own castle structure and we can’t wait to see the results. As well as focusing on the investigation of the properties of solids and liquids in Science, Year 4 have also been busy with their own Design and Technology project on pavilions. They’ve made a range of structures to inform their decision making for their pavilion project providing an excellent foundation for the next stage of the project – the build! No Bridge too far for Year 5 means they’ve also been developing their engineering skills in our Thursday after-school co-curricular club, Bright Sparks. As part of the club’s Science focus they have designed a bridge strong enough to hold bright gems. Turning to Science lessons, Year 5 have also been learning about the circulatory system.  They’ve been calculating how long it takes for blood to travel from the heart to the site of the injury in an artery and how long it takes or the blood to return to the vein. Year 6 have had an excellent Autumn term exploring STEM opportunities in lessons and beyond.  They’ve even been looking at future career opportunities at October’s Bring it On event and were very inspired after learning first-hand about Engineering opportunities available here in the North East. Innovative teaching and learning continues to excite them and they have recently explored shapes, space and symmetry and how important accuracy is in maths. Working in teams they put their learning into practice by creating wonderful small and large snowflakes. This is just a snapshot of some of the STEM learning experiences and opportunities here at NHSG.

NHSG Blog: Michael Tippett, Head. At NHSG we empower girls to be leaders, trailblazers and world shapers – so it’s only right that we listen to their views on what true leadership really means. Long gone are the days when leadership was measured simply by salary and organisational hierarchy. In fact, a major new survey from the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), of which NHSG is a member, demonstrates that girls see leadership as being able to make a difference to the world and being happy – with one Sixth Form respondent saying ‘there’s no point in calling yourself successful if you can reach the top level in your job, but you just aren’t happy.’ In fact, almost a decade ago in 2014, a Forbes article ran with the headline ‘millennials work for purpose, not pay check’ – and that seems to be a trend that Generation Z are continuing to embody. Two thirds of respondents to GDST’s survey said they wanted a career that would enable them to make a difference to society. Of course salary is important – particularly in today’s cost of living crisis - and 75% of respondents acknowledged that they wanted a job that ‘pays well’ too. But passion alone is not enough for success, and girls need to feel confident enough to pursue the careers that will give them the best opportunity to effect change and therefore garner the professional satisfaction they crave. In fact, GDST survey respondents were more likely to feel confident in maintaining and defending their own beliefs during challenging discussions – so there’s no wonder we saw so much positivity in our Sixth Form cohort this summer as they headed off to study at their chosen universities, with students such as Emma acknowledging her school debating experience and passion for feminism in her decision to study politics at Edinburgh. Surveying girls who attend a range of schools nationally, as well as pupils in GDST schools, the research found that those who attend a GDST member school are more likely to want to work in a leadership position (53% compared to 42% nationally), more likely to want to be their own boss (37% compared to 33% nationally) and more likely to feel comfortable and interested in taking risks (66% compared to 52% nationally). This is testament to the impact of an all-girl education, specifically its empowerment of girls to learn without limits and be whoever they want to be – something we have long championed at NHSG. “Attending an all girl school encourages girls to be confident and take up leadership roles without questioning themselves.” Sanya, Year 9, NHSG True leadership is not about fitting into the constructs that society has created – but about challenging those constructs. Debating the norm, breaking down barriers and re-shaping our response to the world. That’s where we believe NHSG girls are going to make a real difference – because they’ve never had to deal with gender stereotyping within the school environment, and as such have had the freedom to always be themselves - so they leave us with palpable self-belief. They are not merely aspiring to do well in a male dominated world, they aspire to approach society’s problems in their own way and with their own brand of leadership. “I wouldn’t have taken STEM subjects for A Level in a mixed school as I would have been in the minority.” Elizabeth, Year 13, NHSG We are still fighting for gender equality in the wider world, and our emerging female leaders will not only tip the scales in its favour, they will also be the shining light for those whose confidence has been stifled due to stereotypes and inequality. As the only GDST member school in the North East, we’re proud of these new survey results that demonstrate the impressive confidence and self-belief our pupils clearly have.  

Year 12 pupils at NHSG have decided to make their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award a little more adventurous this year, and so have set a challenge to raise money for Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF), our school charity this year. The NHSG Gold expeditions are always based in the mountainous areas of the Lake District and the High Pennines with girls historically summiting Helvellyn and Skiddaw for the qualifying expedition. Taking it that next step further this year, the Gold practice and qualifying expeditions will form part of the ‘Three Peaks challenge’ i.e. climbing Scafell Pike, Snowdon, and Ben Nevis (the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland) over the whole year. The first of the three peaks is already in the bag after the team successfully climbed Scafell Pike (978m, a 7 mile walk), on Saturday 12th November. The girls intend to travel to Wales and incorporate the Snowdon peak for the Gold Practice in April 2023 and to Scotland and summit Ben Nevis as part of Gold Qualifying in June 2023. We are any grateful for any donations supporting these girls on their expeditions and supporting this wonderful charity. If you would like to, please donate here: https://bit.ly/3NXEidv

Kate Gingles is an expert in the education of young children. She has worked in Early Years education for over 19 years, and after working as an Early Years Advisor in County Durham, joined the NHSG Junior School leadership team in September 2021 as EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Phase Leader. She has shared her top ‘getting ready for Reception’ tips with us. It’s an exciting time knowing that your child is soon to start school. However, as an early years teacher for 19 years and as a parent of two young children myself, I know that excitement can also be coupled with a touch of worry… are they ready? Can they do enough? Have I done enough? Am I ready?! The reality is, your children are going to surprise and delight you over the next year. All the wonderful things that they have already done in their Nursery setting and all the experiences that you have given them at home in their first four or five years have will pave the way for a great start to Reception, and a lifetime of educational success. These pre-school months couldn’t be more important and I hope you enjoy reading my top tips for a great start to Reception class.

1. Prepare

Talk to your child about starting school. Once you have made your school choice, show them where the school is. Not once but lots of times! Try to walk past at different times of the day so you can see other children arriving at school or out on the yard. Practise the journey, choose, label and try on the uniform together. Read picture books and watch CBeebies shows about starting school so they can imagine what it might be like. At Newcastle School for Girls we invite new girls for a taster session before they start Reception. If your chosen school offers this opportunity, make sure you take advantage of it. Remember, you know what school is all about, but they don’t yet, and they might have all kinds of weird and wonderful misconceptions. The more familiar your child is with their new school, the more relaxed they will be.

2. Be excited

Even if you have mixed feelings about this new stage, make it exciting and positive for your child. Your child will mirror your emotions on that first day of school and you want them to feel good. Of course, it’s natural for you to miss them and for them to miss you, so talk about this. Reassure them that you will be back to collect them at the end of the day and remind them how much fun they are going to have. Even if your child has been at Nursery or pre-school for a long time, school can feel very different, so don’t be alarmed if they find the initial transition difficult. They are leaving not only you, but also the setting where they have been so comfortable all this time, so it is a big change. I promise you, even if that first moment of separation at the classroom door is difficult, the vast majority of children are absolutely fine within minutes of being in the classroom. Reception staff know exactly what to do to help children feel relaxed and settled, so trust them and your child will do the same.”

3. Stand back

Being a parent is hard work. There is never enough time in the day and you will probably find yourself doing things for your child just to speed things along a bit. However, if you can stand back and let your child put on their own coat or shoes, wash their hands, open their snack or tidy their own toys away (with some guidance and instruction of course!) it will really help them to develop their confidence and independence. Your child’s teacher will be seeking to grow and develop these skills in the Reception year, so give them a head start and let them feel like a confident and competent learner from the outset. In addition, encourage them to ask for help if they need it. Let your child know that they should tell the teacher if they are not sure about something, if they need to go to the toilet or if they don’t feel well. Try to find opportunities for them to speak clearly to other adults so that they get used to doing this.

4. Play

The Reception year is the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which, if your child has been in any kind of pre-school setting they are already part of. A key feature of this is learning through play, and the teachers and teaching assistants in the Reception class will be highly skilled in providing play-based learning opportunities for your child. Don’t feel that you need to sit your child down and work through written workbooks, or practise letter formation before they join Reception. These skills will come in time. Instead, focus on skills such as taking turns, explaining ideas and making decisions as these will all be essential in the classroom environment. As Albert Einstein said, “Play is the highest form of research”.  Play develops social skills, problem   solving and thinking skills and important characteristics such as resilience and flexibility. Allow your child the opportunity to play, explore and develop their own ideas and interests so that they are confident to express themselves freely in the classroom and get the most from the activities on offer.”

5. Read

I don’t mean teach them to read, that’s the Reception teacher’s job and believe me, she or he will do it with great skill and enthusiasm from day one of the Reception year! Read them stories, every day and every night. Just one bedtime story a day equates to nearly 1500 stories by the time your child is four years old! As well as all those opportunities to develop listening and concentration, just think of all the words, sentence structures and ideas that they will have come across. It really is the greatest gift you can give them. At Newcastle School for Girls we don’t expect our new starters to know all (or any) of their letter sounds before they join us as we will be teaching these through our own systematic phonics scheme from the first week of Reception in September. However, many girls do have some prior knowledge of these, particularly the letters in their name. Knowing just the shape of the first letter of their name can be very useful when they need to find their peg, bag or book in the classroom! Alongside reading, playing games such as I spy or singing songs and rhymes together are highly beneficial as these activities develop vital phonological awareness skills that underpin learning to read.

6. Subitise

In our Reception classes at Newcastle High School for Girls we find that pupils join us with some excellent maths skills, particularly in relation to numeral recognition and reciting the counting sequence to ten, twenty and often beyond! This is wonderful and gives the girls confidence in maths lessons. However early maths is about so much more than this! Subitising is the skill whereby children recognise small quantities of objects without counting them (in the way we recognise dot patterns on a dice instantly) and it is strongly linked with success in maths. Practise this skill with your child by playing dice games and dominoes and most importantly encourage them to notice groups of objects when you are out and about. For example, you might spot a group of two conkers within a larger collection, three parts to a clover leaf or one person walking two dogs. Extend this learning by grouping and sharing real life objects. Children will demonstrate a lot of natural ability in maths when they arrange buttons on a playdough cake or share out four biscuits between themselves or a friend for example.

7. Communicate

Take every opportunity to tell your child’s teacher about your child. If there are things you are worried or concerned about speak up and if you’re not sure about something, ask! Your child’s teacher will want to get to know them, and you, as well as possible so help them to do that. At Newcastle School for Girls we use an online learning journal called Tapestry and it’s wonderful when parents post photographs and comments about things that the girls have been doing at home, as this helps us to understand the world from their point of view. If your chosen school has one of these systems, make full use of it!  A key principle of the EYFS is that every child is unique, help your child’s school to understand what makes them special. A key principle of the EYFS is that every child is unique, help your child’s school to understand what makes them special. Download our brochure here.