The inter house competition is getting very exciting as we come towards the end of the Autumn term. A number of exciting sporting and cultural activities have already taken place over the term with many pupils and staff getting involved in healthy rivalry and competition.

Following the year 11 inter house five a side football competition on Monday November 24^th, the scores are as follows:

Nelson 3343

William 3061

Galahad 2543

Henry 2425

Alfred 2322

Mr Mohsin’s Nelson house have taken an early lead because their pupils did so well in attaining achievement points over the first half term. The sporting event winners have generally been spread among all of the houses and Mr McCarron’s William house received a boost when one of their students, Syed Hasan won 200 points for his winning entry in the “My Birmingham” photographic competition.

However, all that could change before the end of the term with more five a side football competitions, inter house table tennis, cross country, spelling and chess competitions all to be decided, as well as this term’s achievement points to be added to the scores.

Remember, every achievement point is added to your house total, but every behaviour point is deducted from that total.

It is certainly all to play for as we move into the final few weeks of this term.

An important part of taking Religious Studies at ‘A’ Level is the ability to write a well-reasoned argument. R.S. comprises of the study of Philosophy and Ethics. This includes questions to do with the nature and existence of God that have been puzzling some of the most famous and accomplished scholars for centuries, as well as the morality of more modern issues such as war. Philosophy and Ethics concerns itself with some very difficult subject matter, and students at HGS don’t shy away from discussing, debating and giving their opinions on this.

In order to argue competently and effectively, pupils are taught about, read and study many different scholars’ views, so when the University of Birmingham offered a Philosophy Master Class it gave our students an ideal opportunity to find out more about how to take their arguments further.

At the University, the pupils listened to lectures from some longstanding professors. It gave them the chance to listen to people who spend their lives revising and reworking theories on such issues as the morality of warfare and the impact that suffering has upon theistic belief, as well as the chance to ask current students about the many other aspects of university life.

The Year 12s left the Master Class full of new ideas, fresh examples, and an enriched view of the problems and theories they will now go on to write about in their essays, and, of course, with some very strong arguments to debate with us in class.

If you too would like to learn to debate modern life issues, come along to Debating Society with Miss Harrison on Wednesdays during KS4/5 lunchtime.

Please follow the link to the latest advice on Cyberbullying from the Department for Education. I strongly suggest that all Parents and Carers take some time to read this useful document. Modern technology has many and varied positive aspects but sadly it also has some negative impacts too.

Advice for Parents on Cyberbullying 2014