Please see the attached information regarding “Track tie-in activities for Metro line to Dudley to be undertaken this Easter” from the Midland Metro Alliance.
Metro Tie-In School letter (February 2024)
Metro Tie-In FAQs (February 2024)
Our recent ski trip to La Thuile in the Aosta Valley was nothing short of a breathtaking experience, with beautiful scenery, slopes of varying difficulty and unforgettable moments. As well as the skiing, our group engaged in a variety of après ski activities, contributing to the trip’s overall success.
Travelling to Italy on the coach (and ferry) was an experience itself, spanning an approximate 20-hours. Nevertheless, the hours passed quickly on the journey, filled with chatter, snacks, rest, more snacks and a shared joy of finally reaching the hotel.
After arriving on our first day (and having our boots and skis fitted) we had time to recover and settle into our new surroundings. The inviting Hotel Valdigne in the village of Morgex provided cozy rooms with incredible scenery of the snowy peaks to admire. We also visited the local supermarket to stock up on snacks, and then a nearby bar to watch football. The calm atmosphere allowed us to settle there as we rested ready to take on the adventures of the next day.
Skiing: Three out of the four ski groups began on the beginner slopes which offered an exciting introduction to the world of skiing. With great enthusiasm, we took on the task of learning the fundamentals of skiing under the direction of our skiing instructors. The gentle slopes provided the ideal place for this and although we took a few falls, we got back up ready for a harder challenge. After that, we moved onto the more challenging slopes further up the mountain. With many good laughs, delightful hot chocolate and occasional falls, we were left with lasting memories. We glided down the varieties of slopes surrounded by the winter landscape and skiers of all levels, navigating challenging runs.
Pizza night: A highlight of our trip was visiting nearby Courmayeur to explore the up-market shops and enjoy our pizza night. Before eating, we strolled through the cobblestone streets with twinkling lights and stylish window displays and wandered into unique shops as locals passed by. Finally, we all gathered in one of the most famous pizzerias in the town to enjoy mouthwatering, stone baked pizza. The pizza kept coming until we were full; the warmth of the pizzeria and the laughter of friends resulted in a very enjoyable experience for all.
Sports Hall: For the sports enthusiasts, we had a football night with 4 teams. We engaged in friendly matches with intense play and goals, and were joined by several Interski staff. Mr. Bird said he was the player of the evening although none of his goal attempts were successful! The matches showcased a diverse range of skills and competitiveness and left us with more everlasting memories.
Bowling night: On one afternoon after skiing, we headed to the town of Aosta and the glossy lanes of the local bowling alley, turning the evening into a spirited and fun-filled bowling display. The alleys echoed with laughter and the clatter of pins, as different groups engaged in friendly competition. As the bowling rounds ended, we explored the small arcade there and witnessed a ‘friendly’ match of pool between Mr. Jones and Mr. Bird. Filled with even more funny moments, the day came to an end.
Presentation and quiz night: Our group participated in a quiz night as the last evening activity of the trip. Preceding this, we were given certificates and badges by our instructors and treated to a short song played by one instructor.
The last day was filled with another exhilarating session of skiing, after which we headed back to the hotel to change and eat, ready to leave the Aosta Valley with lasting memories and embark upon our long journey home, sad to be leaving.
Hrithik, Year 9
Our latest LAMDA results are below, these are excellent performances from the LAMDA Exams taken at the Birmingham Public Centre in December 2023. Congratulations to all involved and to Mrs Reynolds our LAMDA teacher.
Former HGS student Corey Blackett-Taylor has joined Derby County from fellow League One side Charlton Athletic.
Corey, who is now 26 years of age, was a pupil here at HGS before leaving and joining his first professional club, Aston Villa. He then moved onto Tranmere Rovers FC, before moving to London with Charlton Athletic.
We have both his Aston Villa shirt and his England U’18s shirt framed and hanging in the pavilion at the games field.
Imperial College London is running a study at Nishkam Health Centre around “Transforming tomorrow’s health for millions of South Asian people worldwide”. If you would like to participate, more information can be found here: South Asia Bio Bank | (sabiobank.org)
Kaiden Hitchins (year 9), continues to progress in the swimming world, after his impressive two gold medals in the County Championships recently.
Kaiden won gold medals in the endurance events of the 800m and 1500m freestyle events, which is testimony to his continued dedication, as he swims thousands of meters each week in training. These events are the longest and toughest of the indoor swims, but it is great to see Kaiden doing so well.
Many congratulations!
The Trussell Trust collected our Foodbank donations this morning. Many thanks to Ms Saleem and her Form for coordinating our 2023 Foodbank Campaign. Thank you to everyone who donated – your contributions will have a positive impact on many families in Birmingham this Christmas.
75 of our young musicians took part in the Winter Concert 2023 at St Mary’s Church on November 30, 2023, as part of a traditional programme. The location was ideal for the showcase of musical ability that kept the audience fascinated all the way through.
The school orchestra began the concert, setting the tone for an incredible evening. There was a wide variety of year groups that performed, including the Staff Choir. Mr Conway introduced each of the instrumental solos, duets, quartets, and ensembles that filled the evening before they took the stage. During the interval, a variety of refreshments were available for both the musicians who had already performed and for the eagerly awaiting audience. The audience went back to their seats and awaited the start of the second half with great anticipation.
The school choir sang a Christmas special, Jingle Bells, to bring a festive touch to the concert’s finale, causing a roar of commotion. As the last notes faded away, the audience departed with memories of an amazing musical evening.
Hrithik Bansal 9H
