9 May 2025
9 May 2025
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Reception to Year 6 - don't forget to sign up for the NGHS150 Junior Challenge!
Year 4 on the Norfolk Broads
Year 4 on the Norfolk Broads
Miss Baker
Year 4 have just returned from the most amazing three-day residential study visit and field trip to Norfolk, taking in breathtaking riverside and marshland settings along the River Ant, on Barton Broad and at the How Hill National Nature Reserve. The girls now have a very good idea of the wetland habitats, birds and mammals that depend on careful environmental stewardship and which can be endangered by development or pollution.
With the help of an inspirational all-female team at the How Hill Trust, 4B and 4M learnt how wildlife such as muntjac deer, hedgehogs and otters can be tracked with night vision cameras, and how to listen out for the different calls and characteristics of birds such as bitterns and marsh harriers.
There were also opportunities to see how local people lived in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and how they still derive a living and resources from areas such as the Norfolk Broads. Peat extraction may have been consigned to history, however reed and sedge cutting are still important for maintaining traditional thatched roofs .
These hands-on experiences have provided lots of inspiration for speaking, listening and writing in English and science lessons, and we look forward to further developing our observational skills when we visit Attenborough Nature Reserve after Half Term.
Click on the gallery below to see highlights:
Meet the Vikings!
Meet the Vikings!
Mrs Bailey
Journeying to a 'longhouse' deep in the woods, Year 3 have begun to explore where the Vikings came from and what happened to those who settled in the British Isles between 789 and 1066. Guided by the resident Viking at the Perlethorpe Environmental Education Centre near Newark, the girls travelled back in time to hear Norse tales and learn about everyday life in a carefully curated setting. This study visit also included trying out chores and examining artefacts that provide primary sources of historical evidence.
Well done, girls - you are embracing our new topic, and you asked some really good questions!
It's all Greek to me ...
It's all Greek to me ...
Mr Cox and Mrs Braud
The curriculum at NGHS Juniors evolves constantly, with innovation at the heart of stretching and engaging English and history lessons which deepen pupils' understanding of past events and the human condition.
We are delighted to say that 6B and 6C are really enjoying the Gillian Cross narrative adaptation of Homer's Iliad. This is a brand new addition to our book spine, supporting the girls' Summer Term Ancient Greece history topic. The Iliad tells the story of the legendary siege of Troy, which ended famously with the Greek 'offering' of a large wooden horse. Although this is a tale usually labelled with themes of friendship, love, heroism and honour, we will also examine the male chauvinism that was the norm in a civilisation where women had few rights and were treated as possessions.
After Half Term, Year 6 will move on to the Odyssey which recounts the adventures of the Greek king, Odysseus, on his way home after the Trojan War. Prepare for lots of mythical creatures, human frailty, and even more meddling from Mount Olympus!
A message from Ms Haywood, teacher of Classics in the Senior School:
'I am thrilled that our Year 6 pupils are being introduced to the works of Homer. The Iliad and the Odyssey have always been my favourite texts to shared with students because they remind us that the ancient world really was not so different from our own. Classics is an amazing subject and one which has something for everyone, especially if encountering Homer now will spark an interest that will lead to even more girls taking GCSE and A-Level Classical subjects. Χαιρετε τας παιδαςe - enjoy, girls!'
Looking ahead
Looking ahead
Miss Abbott
In Years 3 to 6, we're currently working on pentathlon sprints and distance runs, and next week we will tackle jumping challenges, aiming to score as many points as possible for our Houses.
This is also a 'me v me challenge', with all girls aiming to build on their September scores, including the current podium champions from each year group. Will everyone manage to demonstrate progress? Watch this space to see how our key compenents of fitness - cardiovascular, power, speed and agility - have improved! Remember, girls: it is how you do AGAINST YOU, no one else.
After half term, we have our annual sports day to look forward to on Friday 27 June at Harvey Hadden stadium. Parents are warmly invited to watch our afternoon finals and relays, so please do keep this date free. Further information to follow.
Coming soon to Year 3 ...
Coming soon to Year 3 ...
Mrs Bailey
Final preparations and checks are now in hand for Year 3's mid-June residential study visits to Yorkshire!
At the Jorvik Viking Centre, the girls will learn more about the Vikings' way of life and their settlement of York from 866 CE when Ivar the Boneless and King Halfden gave the city its Old Norse name of Jórvík .
There will also a mock archaeological dig, a walk along the River Ouse, and a visit to locations such as The Shambles and Whipmawhopmagate.
On Day Two, our curriculum focus will shift to Art & Design and PSHE as we visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, exploring the meanings behind many of the installations.
NGHS Juniors study visits and field trips are an integral part of our girls-first offering, providing pupils with opportunities to develop their questioning skills and stretch their learning beyond what is taught in the classroom, to widen their friendship groups, and to develop their sense of personal responsibility, self-reliance and organisation.
A note from Mrs Whitty
A note from Mrs Whitty
This year's Scholastic Book Fair will be open in the Rainbow Room during break times and lunchtimes as follows, with an NGHS librarian on hand to offer guidance and answer questions:
Fri 16 May – Nursery, Reception, Years 1-2
Mon 19 May – Years 5-6
Tue 20 May – Years 3-4
Wed 21 May – girls who missed their slot
due to clubs, fixtures or absence
There will be a 3 for 2 promotions on all titles, and girls will need to bring money to school in a named purse for their purchases. We are unable to reserve books, however we can order additional copies of books if we sell out of popular titles.
Flying high after NGHS 👩🎓
Flying high after NGHS 👩🎓
Mr Aspley, Senior School Physics Department
It was lovely to see some of our Junior School pupils joining us on the school field last week, to meet NGHS alumna Zara MacGregor who - after A levels - took up an apprenticeship in geospatial surveying.
Zara and her colleague from Sensat explained their jobs and demonstrated two drones which they pilot as a part of their work. The larger drone - that unfolds from a large suitcase-like contraption - uses a mesh of lasers and high resolution photography to produce sub-millimetre precision images and plans that are used across a range of industries.
The girls were most excited when Zara flew the drone (described by one observer as 'a flying, magical spider') above the field and around the group, taking some lovely snapshots as it zoomed overhead. This was a great way for us to see the practical application of STEM skills and qualifications in the exciting world of work.
MORE SCIENCE NEWS ... 🧪🧬🧲
On Saturday 2 August, Fun Kids Science Weekly Live comes to our very own Squire Performing Arts Centre! Dan Simpson brings all the cool and weird stuff in science to the stage – with hilarious experiments, exciting guests and even a real life meteorite! Click below for further information and bookings:
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