SCHOOL NEWS... BE OUR GUEST 2017/18 We have had a number of guest speakers to the sixth form this year who have taken the time to speak to our students about their careers and university choices. They have provided much fascinating and interesting information for our students to help them to think about their future careers. Jay Singh Sohal is an ex pupil and now is a TV broadcaster, writer and independent film-maker, and he visited the school to tell pupils about his career since leaving the school. In a fascinating career, Jay has also been heavily involved in the commemoration of the “Battle of Saragarhi” which took place in 1897 on the North West frontier. Indeed he actually invited the school to bring some pupils to the first ever commemoration of these events at the National Arboretum in September 2017, which we duly attended. We have had a number of friends of the school who have spoken to our students and these included Dr Isobel Brookes who is a consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Dr Brookes spoke to Year 12 and 13 students about her career and the challenges she faces in her work. She also spoke about the great enjoyment of being a doctor and gave much encouragement to our students. Ed Lyons is a good friend of the school and in November he spoke to the sixth form students about his fascinating work as an optometrist. Ed is doing a lot of work now with sports people and has been involved in helping some of the players at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. They have just had their most successful season for many years, but Ed was very modest about his small contribution to their success. Another former pupil, Carl Garvie who is a barrister and partner at legal firm Higgs and Sons in Brierley Hill, spoke to the students about his legal career. Carl’s name is actually on the school honours board from 1980 as he was one of the top achieving students that year and gained a place at the University of Cambridge to begin his legal career. Jamil Choudhury, also a former pupil, now works as Head of Strategy, Oversight and Reporting at HSBC in Birmingham. He spoke to the students about his career in financial services which has seen him travel and work all over the world since he left HGS. He actually read history at university and was keen to encourage the students to choose to study a subject at degree level which they both enjoy and are good at. Mark Tangri was another visitor to our school this year and he is also a former pupil of HGS. Mark has a dental practice in the city and he spoke about the skills and qualities needed to be a successful dentist. Finally we had a visit from Ellie Robinson from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society who is a practising pharmacist for Boots in Solihull. Ellie spoke about her career path and the daily work of a Boots pharmacist and store manager. Many thanks to all of our guests who have taken the time to visit the school over the last year to speak to our students about their careers and to inspire our students to greater heights. PETER HAYES HANDSWORTH PARK 10K RUN Following last year’s inaugural participation by HGS Staff in this annual event, Ms Bilkhu, Mrs Donnelly, Miss Hartill, Mr Jones, Mr Mohsin, Mrs Minhas and Mr Sangar joined scores of other runners on 17th September in fine conditions to pound the tarmac and raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. This run was established in memory of Peter Hayes, an old boy who died as a result of a pre-existing heart condition at the age of 25 in 2012. The run is expected to take place on the equivalent Sunday next year so put the date in your diaries – it would be fantastic to see more staff, current and former pupils, parents, governors and friends of the school swelling the numbers further in the future. FEBRUARY ENRICHMENT DAY All pupils were off timetable on the 7th February taking part in a wide range of activities which pupils, students and staff all greatly enjoyed. Year 7 pupils took part in the Next Generation award and also joined in activities created by the Puzzle Company. Year 8 took part in House sports including Basketball and Handball, as well as looking at careers in the NHS. Year 9 looked at different social issues in PSHE sessions, and Year 10 were also involved in House activities such as Debating. Year 12 had a visit to the University of Aston in order to prepare them for the UCAS process, and Year 13 took part in a range of life-skill activities including public speaking, cooking on a budget, DIY, car maintenance and jewellery making. They also had an insight into university life from a group of current students at the University of Birmingham, led by former HGS Deputy Head Boy Jagveer Mahal. Thanks to all staff and students who helped to make the day such a success. 40