Darren Byfield (Aston Villa, Jamaica and Player/Coach at Tamworth) and Ruben Hazell (Aston Villa) visited Handsworth Grammar School recently and gave a presentation to Year 10 Assembly. They also visited the Computing and Multi Media department as they will be helping with the IT World Cup Competition. The visit was organised by Mr King to help inspire and motivate our Students and was a great success. In their presentation Darren and Ruben focussed upon the key Learning Habits of resilience, perseverance and developing transferrable skills. They were able to draw upon their own life experiences to illustrate their points. We are very grateful for their time and support.

Friday 22nd November saw 55 HGS students – a mixed group comprising Year 8 with Year 12 acting as stewards – attend a special screening of the new Hunger Games film at Birmingham’s Electric Cinema. As Year 8 study Dystopia at some point during the year, this seemed a good opportunity to consolidate their understanding – and enjoy a day out at the cinema.

HGS has a history of organised screenings at the Electric Cinema: manager Sam Bishop says that we are always welcome as the students are so well behaved and courteous to staff and to each other, so it was easy to quickly arrange a private screening for a large group. Competition for places was fierce and some students were, justifiably, disappointed that they did not qualify for a place. Those who did get a place had a really enjoyable time, especially Year 12 who took advantage of the leather sofas and seats and the pretzels and sweeties at the bar. The accompanying staff certainly seized the opportunity for coffee and cake.

Here’s to the final instalment of the trilogy next year….and may the odds be ever in our favour.