Weekly Update
20th February 2024
Message from the Headteacher
I hope you had a relaxing half-term break and have returned to school refreshed. We have lots of sporting success to share with you, well done to everyone who has represented the school this term.
This evening we welcome parents to our Year 13 Parents’ Evening and staff will be at hand to discuss the recent mocks and to answer any questions you may have in the lead up to the summer exams.
In the last month we were fortunate to have welcomed guests from various businesses, and one of our ex-students also returned, all have kindly delivered presentations on different career options available within their field.
We have also secured a new contract for catering and you can find out more information about this below.
Social Media
We are now active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Please follow, like and share to keep up to date.
Positive News
Saturday 3rd February: Lancashire Schools Cross Country at Witton Park
LGGS students ran, representing Lancaster in the Lancashire round of the cross country:
Year 7 (63 runners) 2km and the Lancaster Team came 5th.
Sienna – 12th, Bella – 34th, Yarah – 36th, Charlotte – 40th
Year 8/9 Junior Girls (64 runners) 3.2km and the Lancaster Team came 6th
Eve – 21st, Rahael – 41st
Year 10/11 Inter Girls (39 runners) 3.9Km: Anna came 6th and goes on to represent Lancashire in the next round
Wednesday 7 February: Year 7/8 Under 13 District Football Tournament at Bay Leadership Academy (BLA)
LGGS entered two teams:
The first team drew with MBA 2: 0-0, drew with Carnforth: 1-1 and won against BLA team 2: 3-0
In their 3rd and 4th team play-off final they beat BLA team 1: 2-1 and came 3rd overall
The second team drew with MBA team 1: 0-0, lost to BLA team 1: 4-0 and lost to RST: 1-0
In their 7th and 8th team play-off final they beat BLA team 2: 1-0 and came 7th overall
Thursday 8th February: The Year 7 and Year 8 Indoor Athletics team competed in the Lancaster and Morecambe District Indoor Athletics heats at Lancaster and Morecambe College. Both teams won and progress onto the Lancashire round.
New Catering Provider
Academies are required to undertake contract tendering processes on a regular basis, to ensure that we get the best value for our students’ money, and during January, a panel made up of LGGS students, staff and governors received presentations from three highly-recommended school catering providers.
We are now in a position to announce that the contract has been awarded to Innovate, part of Impact Food Group. Innovate have recently won the Education Caterer of the Year award, and we have received glowing references from a number of other schools who work with Innovate – so we are very excited about bringing their offer to the students and staff.
They take over the catering service from 1st April and will also take over employment of our catering staff.
We will continue to offer a meal deal for £2.50 and they will be introducing the offer of free porridge for students each morning.
We will be in touch with more information later this term.
Lancaster Law Summit
At the start of spring half term, several Year 12 students attended the first ever Lancaster Law Summit, at Lancaster University. This one-day conference was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain an insight into the work of top commercial law firms and the different pathways into the legal sector.
During the day, representatives from leading global law firms, including Magic and Silver Circle firms Allen & Overy and Traver Smith, delivered keynote speaker sessions, presentations and workshops to provide students with an insight into the industry. There were also panel discussions and presentations from BPP University Law School, as well as Lancaster University alumni who are currently training as solicitors with various prestigious law firms, to give an insight into the various pathways to becoming a lawyer. At the end of the day, students had the opportunity to network with our guest-speakers and form valuable connections.
Below: Nicole and Daisy with one of the guest speakers.
Debating Society Returns each Tuesday lunchtime
Our Debating Society returns today and will take place each Tuesday lunchtime.
The debates offer students a fun way to master the art of thinking on the spot as there is no need to prepare in advance. Everyone’s input is valued and encouraged, whether they are an allocated speaker or not. The most recent debate considered ‘whether money can buy happiness’. After an engaging exchange of ideas and perspectives, Year 12 students were left with more questions than answers!
The strength of the society lies not only in their reluctance to settle for an easy conclusion but also to challenge initial assumptions and embrace diverse perspectives.
Chicago Taster
A taster of what is in store – tickets are available online.
Friday and Saturday are sold out however, there are some tickets remaining for Wednesday and Thursday performances.
Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
On Tuesday 6th February CCF held its annual prize giving parade. It was very well attended by cadets from both LGGS and LRGS on what was a bitterly cold afternoon. Both Headteachers attended with Mr Beard presenting awards to the Royal Navy cadets and the three sections were led by CPO Sarah Clarke (RN).
A number of cadets from LGGS were awarded prizes, certificates and promotions during the parade.
Army section: the following cadets in Y11 gained the Advanced Infantry award
L/Cpl Holly Bowskill
L/Cpl Belinda Evans
L/Cpl Katie Hastings
L/Cpl Ella Tsepelin
L/Cpl Holly Bowskill was promoted to Corporal.
Royal Navy section
Able Cadet Iona Munford was presented with the Commanders Cup
One-to-one devices
We are very pleased with how responsible Year 7, 8 and 9 have been with using and caring for the one-to-one devices.
They are fully integrated into their learning in lessons, and students are becoming proficient users. We would, however, appreciate support from families to reinforce the care guidance, as we have recently seen a small increase in damage to some of the one-to-one devices.
Career Talks at LGGS
Year 11 students had an option to attend three different careers related talks which included presentations from the Army, Rolls Royce and Lancaster University Law department. Thank you to everyone who has offered their time to advise our students, these valuable presentations will help when it comes to making the right career decision.
Thank you also to ex-LGGS student Eleanor Ward, who visited school this week to offer science-related career advice to our students. Eleanor, who studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge, is now studying for her Masters’ degree. She delivered a fascinating talk which explained the many varied routes into a career in science and also how a science degree opens up a wide range of career paths.
Oxford University
On Friday 9th February, students in Years 10 to 12 gained an insight into what it is to study at Oxford University during a packed lunchtime talk with Queen’s College, Oxford. We were pleased that so many students in Years 10 and 11 joined what has traditionally been a Year 12 audience for this talk.
The students were given very clear and useful advice by Molly from Queen’s College about the importance of choosing the right course, and they learned about the intensive and personalised methods of teaching that make Oxford and Cambridge different to other universities. Molly went on to explain what they are looking for in an applicant: someone who is a good fit for the tutorial system of teaching, who will think independently and critically, and who has a genuine enjoyment and dedication to learning more about their subject.
Students also learned about the generous financial support that Oxford Colleges are able to give students: approximately one in four students at Oxford receive some level of bursary which do not have to be repaid.
We have a long-established pathway in the Sixth Form at LGGS which supports students who are interested in applying to the competitive courses at Oxford and Cambridge, and we look forward to taking Year 12 students to the Cambridge University North-West Student Conference in March.
NCS Assembly for Year 11 students
Dylan from the NCS came into school during February to deliver an assembly to Year 11 students, promoting the fantastic opportunities they offer during the summer. NCS encourages young people to find their strengths and become world-and work-ready. Many Year 11 students have already registered their interest and further details to parents will follow.
Find out more about how NCS can help young people grow and develop via the following link:
Find a programme | NCS (wearencs.com)