This week at PGS: 21 March 2025

It's been another busy week at PGS...

I just don't know how the level keeps getting higher every year! - a quote from one of the audience members after the Spring Concert this week. This was a truly special evening and highlighted the PGS core values being embodied by the pupils involved. We had original songs and covers from two pupil-led bands, three brass quartets, a pupil-led funk group, Jazz ensembles featuring pupils from Years 7-13, and the Big Band who closed the evening with a spectacular performance of three Pat Metheny charts. Thank you to all for such dedicated playing!

We are also incredibly proud of our Wind Quintet, coached by Dr Thackrey, who took part in the finals of the Pro Corda National Chamber Music Competition on Sunday at Woldingham School. The pupils played with great confidence, beautiful phrasing, and crips rhythmic cohesion. It was wonderful to hear and perform alongside the very best chamber groups from schools around the country, and our congratulations go to the winning ensembles.

On Tuesday we welcomed 44 pupils from Sainte-Anne College l, to work alongside our historians and French linguists. Year did French speaker welcomed the visitors with speed getting to know you and it was wonderful to see so many chatty and smiling faces, this gave our pupils real world opportunities to converse and develop their speaking skills.  Year 12 historians then took our guests on a tour of Old Portsmouth, expanding their local knowledge and showing off the statue of Lord Nelson! 

On Wednesday the PGS archivist gave a lecture to the guest all about our OPs and their roles in both the First and Second World War, with a representative from Sainte-Anne College laying a wreath in remembrance in the Memorial Library. Our Year 12 and 13 French speakers then took the visitors to Portsmouth Museum where they discussed all things local and had several rounds of table football.  

It has been an excellent opportunity for all the pupils to gain valuable time exploring history and speaking French. 

On Thursday evening, the Senior Debating Team took part in the Regional Finals of the Schools’ Mace debating competition, at King's College, Taunton. This is the English Speaking Union's flagship event: founded in 1957, it is the oldest and largest debating competition for schools in England and Wales, involving around 300 schools each year. 

The team – made up of Shraddha S, Marinela P, Toby L – qualified following an outstanding performance in the second round, which took place on 23 January at Canford School.  

The motion for our regional final (for which we were, this time, the Opposition) was: ‘This House Would ban the use of animal testing in scientific research.’ The team prepared fantastically well for the event, even welcoming a visiting speaker to deepen their grasp of the topic: Dr Philip Sampson, of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, kindly spent time speaking to the team on Monday, outlining key issues in the field. We are also indebted to our reserve speakers – James M and Samuel VDB – who provided fierce competition in a practice debate the previous week. After all this, the team lined up for the regional final as prepared as it could be, and can be highly commended for their impressive commitment to debating. 

The team did not qualify for the national final, however reaching this stage of the competition is a tremendous achievement, and the Senior Debating Team truly is a great credit to the School. They can be congratulated on their brilliant rhetorical skills and the splendid way in which they have embraced the challenge. 

Our school proudly celebrated Neurodiversity Week, reinforcing the importance of understanding, acceptance, and kindness within our community. Throughout the week, all pupils engaged in a special tutor-time activity, exploring what neurodiversity means and recognising the strengths and unique talents that neurodiverse individuals bring to our world.

The key message of the week was simple yet powerful - be supportive and be kind. Pupils reflected on how small acts of kindness and understanding can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

Our school library played a vital role in the celebration by showcasing a selection of books that highlight neurodiverse experiences, helping pupils deepen their understanding and appreciation of different perspectives. Additionally, pupils were given the opportunity to join online webinars, where they could explore neurodiversity in greater depth and hear directly from experts and individuals with lived experiences.

Neurodiversity Week served as a meaningful reminder that our differences make us stronger, and by celebrating these differences, we create a school community where everyone feels valued and supported.

On Thursday, we welcomed Dr. Annalies Cazemier from the University of Southampton to deliver our annual Ides of March Lecture. This year is particularly special for the department, as 16 pupils will be embarking on a trip to Greece during the Easter holidays. They will visit iconic sites such as Athens, Delphi, Mycenae, and Tiryns.

It is fitting, therefore, that Dr. Cazemier will deliver a fascinating lecture on the tour of Aemilius Paullus. Paullus was a Roman general who, after defeating the Macedonian King Perseus at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC, brought Greece under Roman dominion. Following his great victory, Paullus embarked on a tour of Greece that began in Delphi and concluded in Olympia. During his travels, he built a victory monument at Delphi, made sacrifices to Athena and Zeus, and visited the great cities of Athens, Sparta, and Corinth.

Dr. Cazemier explored whether Aemilius Paullus could be considered a pilgrim, a conqueror, a tourist, or a philhellene. Captivated by such a fascinating talk, we hope to visit Greece as philhellenes ourselves, rather than just tourists.