The RS department would like to thank Singer’s Hill Synagogue for a fabulous visit on Monday 21st January 2014. 7 Nelson and 7 Henry thoroughly enjoyed their tour. They were given the opportunity to see Jewish artefacts and ask a lot of interesting questions. We look forward to taking the other year 7 forms and those boys who will be studying Judaism as part of their GCSE, over the next few days. A full report will feature in the next newsletter.
Mrs Donoghue
This year’s ski trip was the quietest for many years. Just 9 students and 2 teachers headed off for the Italian Alps on the 28th December, of which only three had skied on snow before. This was not only an incredible opportunity to experience skiing in a beautiful resort but also a rare opportunity to meet fellow students we had never come across before.
This year we went with Interski again to Pila in the Aosta Valley. Having been on the ski trip twice before, visiting this resort on my first time, I had a fair understanding of what this trip would entail. First of all, the journey, only enjoyable for those who managed to get some sleep during the 20 hours spent on a coach (with a large group from an air cadet regiment) but worth it. By about 10am the following morning we arrived in the Alps and caught a first sight of what we would gradually get used to over the week, snow!!! After a couple more hours and a transit through a very long tunnel we arrived in the Aosta valley, home to the tallest mountain in the Alps (well only half of it.) We had our skis, boots and helmets allocated to us before we headed off for lunch in the hotel where we would be staying. Afterwards we had time to unpack, relax with a game of table tennis and prepare for the first day on the snow.
Each day we skied for 4 hours, with an hour for lunch, and more time for anybody who wished to ski extra with Mr Bird. During this time I managed to cover most of the runs whilst the others completed all the blues and a red. Our techniques improved drastically over the course of the week and everyone made considerable progress. Whilst skiing we were able to experience the stunning views and even look down on the snow clouds below when we headed to high altitude.
For breakfast, it took several days and several eggs before we finally got a fully cooked boiled egg and actual toast, not just warmed bread! For lunch we ate in several of the mountain restaurants with a choice of pizza, pasta, hot dogs, chips and a few more options which I won’t go on to name. For drinks there was water, Coca- Cola, Sprite and hot chocolate, which had a high viscosity and was more like melted chocolate. Our evening meal varied every night but always started with a bowl of pasta. For the main course, most of us had the vegetarian dish as only one student could eat meat but nevertheless the hotel provided delicious meals.
It was a fantastic trip this year and I think I speak for everyone who came. I would urge anyone who is thinking about going next year to go. Skiing is an amazing opportunity and although it is expensive it is definitely worth every last penny. I would like to say a massive thanks to Mr Bird and Mr Jones for organising this trip, especially as they had to switch to another provider after the required number of students was not met. For pictures, look at the Ski Trip 2014 Album on the school website.
Josef Feiven 10G
On Saturday 18th January 2014, a group of pupils went to Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) for a Science trip, which had a bit of history thrown in. We arrived at school at 9am and waited for Mr Keane. When he arrived, we set off on the hour and a half long journey. On the way we picked up Mr Jones at a bus stop. The journey was quite fun as we kept each other entertained (and pinched Danyal’s snacks). The journey did not feel too long as the time flew by. When we arrived at the museum we had a briefing from Mr Keane and then went by ourselves looking around the various different exhibitions.
The first thing we visited was the Pictures section where we took pictures of ourselves which were then displayed on the many screens hanging from the ceiling. We then went to the train engine exhibition where we saw many old trains including one of the first ever trains and its carriages. In the Science section we measured our reaction time and our body temperature. There was also an area where you could make huge bubbles and mix lights together to make different colours.
At around midday we had lunch at the cafe. We then went on to see the Technology section where there were telephones, televisions and computers from many years ago including the first home desktop computer. Afterwards we went to the Transport exhibition which had WW1, WW2 and the first ever planes, and also old and famous cars. Even the first motorbikes and milk floats were on show. I was more interested in the cars but was amazed how big the planes and helicopters were.
At 2:00pm we gathered together at the museum entrance and left; we broke the journey back at a service station.
The trip was awesome and I would definitely go again as there are many things to learn and a lot of exciting and interesting things to see. I would definitely recommend MOSI to anyone. You will see things you have not seen before and I am certain that the others would agree with me.
I would like to thank Mr Jones and Mr Keane for taking time out to organise this amazing trip.
Reedwan Ali
The HGS annual Ski Course has been a regular feature of the school calendar over the years. Traditionally, we have visited the Austrian Alps each year for six days’ skiing. 2010 marked a change as we went to the Italian Alps in the first week of the Christmas Holidays, returning on Christmas Eve. In December 2011, we travelled to the Risoul in the southern French Alps. Last year we returned to Austria and saw in the New Year in the beautiful resort of Zell am See. Last December we visited Pila in the Italian Aosta Valley.
We are currently organising a trip for Easter 2015, more details can be found here.
Click here and here to see photo galleries from past Ski Trips.
Our warm congratulations go to Gulfraz Ahmed who has been offered a place at Churchill College, Cambridge University to read for an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, commencing in October 2014. Well done – this is a great achievement.
The Staff and Student Librarians have produced a display based on the theme Celebration. Information was collated on different cultures and religions identifying the different ways festivals are celebrated according to their religious calendar and what it involves.
Many similarities were found, such as family gathering, exchanging presents, food, charity and last but not least, remembering god.
A letter regarding Attendance, Punctuality and Leave of Absence has been posted home this week. Please see the Letters to Parents section of the website for more details.
Birmingham City Council have asked us to remind Parents that every Parent who has a child that was born between 1st September 2009 and 31st August 2010 that they need to make an application for their child to start Reception class in September 2014. The closing date for applications is 15th January 2014 and the quickest way for Parents to apply is online by visiting www.birmingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Parents can also ring The Children’s Information and Advice Service on 0121 303 1888 for assistance.
Last night saw over 90 Musicians from Handsworth Grammar School perform to a packed and delighted audience at Ladywood ARC. The Church was left with literally standing room only at the back as our Musicians performed a full and varied programme of music. We enjoyed the talents of the Choir, Saxophone Quintet and Guest Clarinet, Keyboard Ensembles, Saxophone and Clarinet Jazz Group, Tabla Group, Dhol Group, Woodwind Ensemble, Guitar Ensembles, Full Orchestra as well as various solo pieces. The evening was completed by a rousing finale which paid tribute in part to some of Birmingham’s other talented Musicians from years gone by! It was fantastic to see Students from Year 7 to Year 13 taking part and being so well supported by Parents, Friends, Family, Staff and Governors. Mr Conway was a splendid compere for the evening and special thanks should go to Mr Ward and his team who worked so hard with and for our Students – Ms Vaughan, Mr Czepiel, Mr Knight, Ms Strudwick, Mrs Whitling and Mr Matharu. Well done!
