11 July 2025
11 July 2025
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The Beautiful Game ⚽
The Beautiful Game ⚽
Miss Abbott reports from her study leave
Greetings from Switzerland, where I am following the Lionesses in their bid to retain the European title which they won at Wembley in 2022. Having lost the first game against France, I am writing this in advance of playing the Netherlands - so hopefully there will have been a positive outcome by the time you read this!
Mrs Fowler once told me, 'travel is the only way to spend money and become richer as a person'. How true this is, as I travel with friends whom I first met at the Women’s World Cup in Australia two years ago, make new acquaintances, and meet up with old ones - all through a mutual love of sport. I am also fortunate to be in such a beautiful country, where temperatures have hit 36°C and where I can visit and ski on a glacier too!
Who knows where your passions will take you and what places you will visit? Never be afraid, the first step is always the hardest - but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
My study leave is also providing me with opportunities to spend time with the inspirational Baroness Campbell, whom I first met at the World Cup. A former PE teacher herself, Sue Campbell has been a forceful advocate for women’s sport for a generation; we owe much of what we take for granted today to her combative nature and her ability to open doors for women in sport. As Chair of UK Sport, she presided over Team GB and Paralympic GB's performances at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and she is listed amongst the 100 most powerful women in the UK. Her attention to detail and refusal to settle for second best is something that we can all use in our own lives.
More recently, Sue has led Women’s Football and the rise of the Lionesses, and spearheaded the emergence of the Women’s Super League. Topping this, she recently became Chair of England Netball - at the age of 77, she shows no signs of slowing down and I feel totally inspired by her drive and her progressive ideas for girls-first sports and physical education.
Later this summer, I will travel to Indonesia for my nephew’s wedding. There, I will visit a primary school set up for free by the bride’s uncle. School have very kindly allowed me to take some surplus resources for them, as they rely entirely on donations. I hope to share the story of my summer travels with you when we all return to school in September.
Wishing you a restful and sporting summer - and congratulations to BOLTON who were the winners of EYFS Sports Day!
EXCELLENCE NEWS
EXCELLENCE NEWS
Miss Baker
Congratulations to the following girls who were recognised in our final assembly of the year for their achievements this term:
Eggington Cup for a motivated mathematician who goes the extra mile
Ruqaya Janjua (Y6)
*
Price Cup for public spirit
Magdalena Resch (Y6)
*
Robinson Cup for intellectual thinking
Daphne Coldrick (Y4)
*
Carlyon Cup for avid reading
Dina El-Sharkawy (Y6)
BOLTON were winners of this term's House Cup, with 3,377 house points - well done!
Congratulations to the girls of LUXTON for winning the 2024-25 House Cup, with a grand total of 9,563 house points!
A personal message from Baroness Campbell, Chair of England Netball and Chair of UK Sport 2003-2013:
"Congratulations, everybody! It's the end of Year 6, and now you have the excitement of the next steps at Senior School. Well done to Amelie Smith, Coco Strauss and Maia Yau for your excellence and progress awards - you can be very proud of these achievements, girls. And to everyone at Nottingham Girls' High School, thank you for all you are doing for school sports and PE."
Year 6, onwards and upwards! 🎓
Year 6, onwards and upwards! 🎓
Mrs Braud and Mr Cox
On Wednesday evening, Year 6 pupils were joined by their families and teachers in The Squire Performing Arts Centre for a formal celebration of the girls’ achievements throughout their time in the Junior School. Through music and film, we celebrated a wonderful cohort of pupils who have achieved so much, and our Head Girl Team for 2025-26 delivered inspiring speeches that gave a taste of things to come in Senior School.
Each girl received a certificate and yearbook, and personal achievements were acknowledged with the presentation of annual awards for progress and excellence in each subject, topped off with a Senior School Academic Scholarship presented by Mrs Fowler to Ruqaya Janjua.
Book now, to avoid disappointment!
Book now, to avoid disappointment!
As part of our programme to celebrate 150 years of Nottingham Girls' High School, we are thrilled to welcome back a group of talented alumnae to perform in our concert, Encore - A Celebration of Musical Excellence, at the Squire Performing Arts Centre.
This special event, fundraising for our Her Future, Your Gift Bursary campaign will showcase the exceptional talent of both current and former students.
We look forward to welcoming back:
Nicola Hands (Class of 2005), oboe
Zoe Brookshaw (née Brown) (Class of 2005), vocals
Jessica Temple (Class of 2010), vocals
Isobel Carlin (Class of 2015), vocals
Sophie Holmes (Class of 2015), vocals
Harpreet Landa (Class of 2021), Indian flute
Emily Trease (Class of 2022), harp
Join us for an inspiring evening of music, a pre-concert reception with canapés and welcome drinks, and a real celebration as we mark 150 years of girls-first education.
Exploding planets 🪐
Exploding planets 🪐
Mrs Crawshaw
This was definitely worth waiting for - what an amazing display of art! Year 5’s 'exploding planets' demonstrate a rich tapestry of texture, colour and intricate detail. Each unique piece has been created using a combination of natural wool, beads and a vast array of embroidery techniques including the French knot, blanket stitch, chain stitch and split stitch. Excellent work, girls!
ENCORE!
ENCORE!
Mr Rolfe
As the Summer Term draws to its close, we are delighted to share more musical highlights for you to enjoy. Our annual Tuning Up video magazine includes performances from the Senior and Junior School summer concerts, Pinocchio, the Year 4 Informal Concert, Open Mic, DaCapo, and much more:
MUSICAL NOTE ♪
MUSICAL NOTE ♪
Mr Rolfe
2024-2025 has been another outstanding year of musical excellence, during which our department was once again shortlisted for a national award. Whilst celebrating our many achievements, we also look forward with excitement to the year ahead - especially our resumption of one-to-one tuition in the Autumn Term.
Research consistently shows that learning to play a musical instrument can enhance a child's well-being, and bolster their social development and academic success. At NGHS Juniors, professional musicians offer expertise in a vast array of orchestral and band instruments - as well as voice, music theory, music technology, and songwriting.
Girls who already receive individual music or vocal lessons do not need to reapply for September; their tuition will continue automatically. For pupils wishing to enrol, parents can apply online:
In the meantime, here are my top three tips for a musical summer holiday:
Play regularly over the break; a holiday can be a great to time to investigate new repertoires and ideas.
Explore as many musical styles as possible.
Listen to live music wherever you are in the world.
I am always happy to discuss music lessons and pathways in greater detail, so feel free to contact me at m.rolfe@not.gdst.net.
Bolton victorious!
Bolton victorious!
Girls from our Nursery and Reception classes enjoyed a wonderful Sports Day this week, demonstrating resilience and determination as they competed in events that included hurdles, sprints, beanbag races and the classic egg and spoon challenge. This year, we introduced a long distance event and we were very impressed with how the girls ran around the entire track - what a great effort made by all!
Well done to everyone involved, especially to the girls from BOLTON who were overall house winners; it was a real joy to see you lifting the House Trophy at the end! 🏆
NGHS 150 Junior Challenge
NGHS 150 Junior Challenge
* A REMINDER *
Mrs Fowler
Good luck with your projects, girls - and don't forget to email photos to l.sail@not.gdst.net if you would like others to see and be inspired by your progress!
Ancient Greece all around us 🏛️
Ancient Greece all around us 🏛️
Mr Cox and Mrs Braud
To conclude their study of ancient Greece, Year 6's final history lessons of the term have included learning about the Greeks' architectural legacy which is evident on so many structures in Nottingham city centre.
Armed with a 'spotters guide' they scoured the facades of houses, businesses, institutions and civic buildings between school and Old Market Square for features such as the three orders of column, pediments, balustrades, dentils and geometric patterns, and then visited The Council House to inspect its Greek Revival interiors. There - hosted by Retired Deputy Lord Lieutenant Tom Huggon - the girls were invited to find evidence of ancient Greek motifs on the furniture and fittings of the ballroom, grand entrance and other civic chambers.
There was also an opportunity to visit Delilah on Victoria Street, a former bank which is laden with ancient Greek influences both inside and out.
The study of history - both ancient and modern - helps children to make sense of the world around them. In this case, explaining how the architects of so many important buildings use Neoclassicism to reflect the values of democracy, the rule of law, trust, the arts and education.
iPads and Chromebooks
iPads and Chromebooks
An update for parents
NGHS Juniors continues to be at the forefront of classroom technology, having been an early adopter of tablets in lessons.
From September, girls up to Year 2 will continue to use iPads, with girls from Year 3 upwards using Google Chromebooks. For parents of girls new to Year 3, this step up will widen your daughters' expertise with different devices and operating systems, and will help to develop their keyboard skills.
In terms of headphones or earphones which you provide for use in school, both devices are Bluetooth compatible - however please be reminded that the jacks for any wired earpieces is different:
Up to Year 2
Up to Year 2
Apple Lightning connection for iPad
Year 3 upwards
Year 3 upwards
3.5mm jack for Chromebook
Swimming lessons for Years 5 and 6 will start on Friday 12 September
Important PE reminder for all year groups
Important PE reminder for all year groups
If you plan to have your daughter's ears pierced during the summer holiday, please do it before the end of July. This is so that there is sufficient time for ears to heal, and for girls to be able to remove earrings before coming to school on PE and swimming days in the Autumn Term.
Inter-house quiz 2025
Inter-house quiz 2025
Mr Elkington
Well done to the members from Quiz Club who organised this year's summer challenge, and to the girls of LUXTON for their narrow victory in a very competitive field. It was lovely to see so many examples of determination, teamwork and good sportsmanship across all of the year groups involved!
I believe the children are our future
I believe the children are our future
Mr Rolfe
On Monday, the Music Department presented what is arguably its most important concert of the year - the annual Reception to Year 2 DaCapo Concert. ‘Da capo’ (a musical term meaning from the beginning) is an in-house programme which places a strong emphasis on the musical development of our youngest pupils, recognising them and future performers.
The girls showcased their talents and enthusiasm beautifully in choir, and with a range of instruments including piano, drum kit, harp, violin, viola, ’cello and cornet. They were then awarded end-of-year certificates and medals by Mrs Fowler, with Year 2 also receiving graduation trophies before they progress to one-to-one tuition in Year 3. Well done to everyone involved!
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