Message from the Head
Dear Parents,
Busy week again! Thank you to Mr Dean for an assembly on Monday that reminded our lovely Hollygirt students about who to go to in school with their worries or concerns and also the organisations that can be accessed outside of school that specialise with teenage mental health issues.
Thank you to Dr McKitterick for his bible story assembly on Wednesday that reminded us about the importance of faith.
On Monday, Friends of Hollygirt met and carved out some plans for the rest of the year that we hope will be fun for students and parents. Please see below for an update from Pooja, our chair. We are actively recruiting volunteers if you fancy being a part of this dynamic group. You don’t have to attend all the meetings, which are a hybrid of face to face and online, but everything we do places the Hollygirt community at its heart.
It’s been really lovely to see two trips go out this week – both run by the English Department – thank you to the team and our lovely First Aiders who always accompany. Year 7 went off to a performance of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, one of my favourite series of books as a youngster and Year 11 enjoyed a brilliant day at GCSE Poetry Live. These days are incredibly helpful for bringing the studied poetry to life as the poets themselves read their poems. Over the course of my career, I have been lucky enough to attend these events with Year 11 students and the advice from the AQA exam board is invaluable too.
We wished members of our school community ‘Kung Hei Fat Choi!’ this week and a Happy Chines New Year of the Tiger; truly magnificent animals.
Year 10 achieved remarkable feats with puff pastry this week as you can see in this week’s featured image – such a difficult skill and we have some real stars (more photos here).
We have a late entry to the Year 9 options process, but one that is a real opportunity to prepare for life in the outside world: Business Studies. So that means that this year we have been able to add GCSE PE, Computer Science and Business Studies to the mix.
Next Friday 11th February is my first informal coffee morning from 8.15 to 8.45am so grab a cup, croissant and a chat with me (in my office) if you can- on the way to work. Looking to make this a regular event if it’s something you’d welcome.
My thanks to all the team here this week who have kept going, gone above and beyond to cover staff shortages due to Covid. You all deserve a well-earned rest this weekend!
Helen Barsham
Head
Message from the Head of Juniors
Good afternoon,
I continue to be so impressed whenever I have visit classrooms. It is amazing to see how much progress the children have made this year. Reception have been clearly demonstrating this with their independent writing about The Gingerbread Man.
This week, Junior School children have particularly enjoyed the activities relating to Chinese New Year. It is also great to see so many children involved in Extra Curricular clubs, both during lunchtimes and after school. This afternoon, Year 4 are looking forward to making sushi with Miss Purchase.
It is Safer Internet Day next week and although this is something we are always reminding children of, Mrs Wand will be delivering a special assembly on this very important topic. There will also be follow up activities in the classroom.
On Wednesday afternoon, Years 5 and 6 will be visiting the Council House as part of their ongoing Architectural Project with Dr Alvarez. I was lucky enough to be able to join them for their session this week and the children were working hard developing their drawing skills – they are doing exceptionally well at this.
The children are enjoying the DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) project. Next week, this is on Friday so please remind children to have a book of choice in school.
This week’s Stars of the Week can be viewed here.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Wright
Head of Junior School
Message from the Friends of Hollygirt
I hope you are all enjoying the spring term.
We have been busy this week at Friends of Hollygirt with our first face to face meeting since the start of Covid.
As you all know, Friends of Hollygirt is a parent and teacher association with a twist. Our main aim is for parents and students to feel part of the Hollygirt family.
We want to build a social community for the juniors, seniors and parents.
By having monthly meetings we discuss the needs of the children, educational and social, and decide what events we can plan for them, and what extra resources they may need in school.
A few ideas for this year are a Junior School neon disco party, a pizza, popcorn and PJ party and a summer family BBQ.
If you would like to be part of our friendly committee or would like to come along and meet us with your amazing ideas, then please let us know! Email clairejones@hollygirt.notts.sch.uk if you’d like to be added to the mailing list and receive invites to future meetings.
It is a great opportunity to meet other parents and help build our Hollygirt community. So if you have a spare hour come along to our next meeting, we look forward to meeting you!
Our next meeting will on Monday 28th February 2022 at 4pm in Dr Barsham’s office.
Future meeting dates will be published in the weekly newsletter.
Best wishes,
Pooja Gadhia
Chairperson and Year 2 parent
Key Dates for the Week Ahead
Tuesday 8th February |
Year 7 Parents’ Evening |
Wednesday 9th February |
Year 5 & 6 Architectural Sketching Project
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Thursday 10th February |
Year 5 and 6 DART (previously known as DARE) |
Friday 11th February |
Head’s Coffee Morning, 8.15 – 8.45am DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) – Senior School |