Co-curricular Opportunities
Portsmouth High School has a reputation for our commitment to academic excellence and encouraging girls to be independent, creative and ambitious. This ethos is supported through our co-curricular programme. Our girls are given the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities which are held during lunch break, before and after school. This booklet outlines the extensive range of enrichment and co-curricular activities on offer this term.
Broadening Horizons
Participation in co-curricular activities plays an important part of school life and we strongly encourage all our girls to participate in one or more of the activities on offer.
Encouraging Team Spirit and Social Skills
Learning to be a team player is an essential life skill and many cocurricular activities, from singing in a choir to playing hockey, require working together as a team and relating to peers in a social way.
Teaching Time Management
Portsmouth High School’s co-curricular activities require pupils to organise
their time so that they can participate in activities and succeed in school, whilst still finding time to eat and rest.
Building Confidence
When given opportunities to learn and excel in an activity, pupils build selfconfidence, which in turn benefits them in all aspects of their life, including both academic and social settings.
Teaching Commitment and Decision-Making
Co-curricular activities are a perfect opportunity to teach pupils about making decisions and maintaining commitment. Pupils are given the power to decide which programmes to sign up for. At the end of the term they will be encouraged to re-evaluate whether or not to continue the activity.
Y7 and Y8 are encouraged to enrol in 3 clubs
Y9 are encouraged to enrol in 2 or more clubs
Y10 and Y11 optional but strongly encouraged Club commitment is very important
All clubs are included in the school fees, unless otherwise specified.
Please log on to myEVOLVE for further information and to book your chosen activities that incur a fee. Please tick your chosen activities in this booklet and retain for your reference.
Booking for paid activities opens Tuesday 24 March at 6.00pm.
Sport
All girls are encouraged to be involved in sports and physical activity throughout their time at the school. Sport at PHS has so much to offer, emphasising co-operation, leadership, teamwork, competition and respect.
Badminton
Coaching continues to take place. All abilities are welcome.
When: Tuesday (all) and Friday (advanced only) lunchtimes in the sports hall 12.45-1.20pm. Friday after school in the sports hall from 4.00-5.30pm.
Coach: Kevin Williams and Ben Muir
Cost: After school - £77 for the term. Book via myEvolve.
Climbing Club
Using our climbing wall, climb to new heights and develop new skills. The health benefits are numerous and most importantly it is great fun.
When: Monday lunchtime, 12.50-1.20pm. All welcome.
Friday before school Y7-Y8
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mr Oliver
Cost: Friday before school £33
Cricket
Monday: lunchtime: indoor cricket training (Game Play) Y9+
Tuesday: breaktime: bowling practice. After-school: Indoor Cricket (all welcome)
Wenesday: lunchtime: indoor cricket training (Game Play) Y7&8
Thursday breaktime: batting practice. After school cricket club at PCC 4.00-5.30pm
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mrs Vaughan-Woods and Mrs Divilly
Dance Fitness/Zumba
Get moving with high-energy dance routines set to upbeat music! A fun way to boost fitness, coordination, and confidence while enjoying every beat.
When: Tuesday Lunchtime
Where: Main hall/Studio
Instructor: Miss Beales
Football Coaching
After school football coaching from Dave Leworthy who is a former professional footballer who has played for Portsmouth, Tottenham and Oxford United.
When: Tuesday after school 4.00-5.00pm.
Where: Prep school sports surface
Coach: Dave Leworthy
Cost: £48 (£4 per session)
Netball After School Club
This training will challenge both your fitness and your skills. It is open to all age groups and all abilities and runs from 4.00-5.00pm. Be prepared to be pushed.
When: Monday
Where: Bannell sports hall
Coach: Mrs Parkinson
Pickleball
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a lower net, the game can be enjoyed in singles or doubles formats, making it accessible and fun for all ages and skill levels. Its popularity is due to its easy-to-learn rules and the social, engaging nature of the game. Come and give it a try.
When: Thursday lunchtime
Where: Bannell Sports Hall
Coach: Mr Oliver
Rounders (Y7 – Y12) (New)
We hope to have many matches to look forward to this term so came and train with your year group.
When: Monday (Y7-8) and Friday (Y9+) lunchtimes
Where: Sports surface
Coach: Mrs Parkinson and Mrs Divilly
Running and X-Country Club
Running has been proven to be one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s keeping fit or preparing for the ‘Great South Run’ or ‘The Race for Life’, it is important to stay healthy. We run on Southsea Common. Please meet at 12.30pm at the pupil entrance, bring a bottle of water and something to eat after you have run.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Trainer: Mrs Griffiths
Sailing After School Club (New)
Following the success of the Summer Sailing Club in previous years, we would like to continue to offer sailing as an ‘after school activity’ at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre during this summer term. There are a maximum number of 16 places for this club, so sign up early to avoid disappointment. See published letter for full details. Book via myEvolve. When: Wednesday 4.30 - 6.15pm (The centre will collect pupils from outside the sports hall at the end of school day. Parents to collect from the centre)
Cost: £320 (10 sessions with transport from the school included) No Sailing 10 June.
Taekwondo
This after school club will teach the Olympic Korean martial art of Taekwondo, including unarmed self-defence and knife defence. All abilities and ages are welcome. When: Monday and Thursday 4.00-5.00pm.
Where: Studio
Coach: Steve Graham (double world champion)
Cost: £66 per term per session. Book via myEvolve.
Tennis at lunchtime (New)
Coaching will be for all abilities.
When: Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtime. Where: On the sports surface.
Free play
Trampoline
For all abilities and all pupils from Y7 to the Sixth Form are welcome to take part. When: Tuesday and Wednesday morning 07:30 - 8:20 (all abilities, 10 max)
Friday After school 3:45pm – 5pm (12 Max)
Coach: Michael Whitelock
Cost: Tuesday and Wednesday morning is £84 and Friday Before school and Friday After school is £77 (£7 per session). Book via myEvolve.
Volley Ball Club
This is a self led activity in the sports hall. All welcome. When: Wednesday Lunchtime. Where: Bannell sports hall
Supervisor: Mr Oliver
Yoga
An instructor at LANO Yoga, Ms Waters was fortunate to be an apprentice of Jana’s, studying and practising the shadow yoga method. Her classes follow this system with an emphasis on the breath work, asana, bandha, pranayama and meditation, carefully and specifically crafting each sequence for a meaningful journey and outcome.
When: Tuesday 3:45pm – 4:40pm.
Where: Prep School
Instructor: Ms Kat Waters
Cost: £90 (£7.50 per session) Book via myEvolve.
Creative Clubs
Ceramics Club Y9 (NEW)
Why not try your skills in ceramics and get creative with clay? The class will be set a theme and will be allowed to interpret this as they wish with a view to completing a piece of work.
When: Monday lunchtimes
Tutor: Mrs Brown
Creative Club
Our art and DT club is a great way to develop your creative abilities to work with a variety of materials.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Tutors: Mrs Arthers and Mrs Dall’Omo
Creative Writing
This club is for the those who would like to develop their writing skills. It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, and biography.
When: Thursday lunchtime RM11.
Tutor: Mrs Paget-Tomlinson
Cupcake Decoration Club
Are you into baking? Are you into art? If the answer is yes, then this is the club for you. This club is a unique infusion of cake making and artistic decoration.
When: This club is for Y7 and takes place on Wednesday.
Where: Food technology room.
Chef: Mrs Hitchman
Club attendance confirmation will be sent be email.
Drama
We pride ourselves in helping people to generate, reveal, develop and share their latent talents. At PHS we have a variety of plays happening throughout the academic year.
Y7 & Y8 Drama Club - Thursday lunchtime.
Drama Scholars Club - Friday lunchtime.
Tutor: Mrs Dall’Omo
DT Club lunchtime
Our DT clubs are just the place to continue to develop an appreciation for the complex relationships between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. These skills are much sought after in many university degree programmes.
When: Wednesday (Y7-Y10)
Tutor: Mrs Rawlinson
DT GCSE open House
When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtime,Year 10+.
Tutor: Mrs Rawlinson
Puzzled Peters and Price
Sharpen your mind with logic puzzles, riddles, and brain-teasers! Work together to crack challenges and boost critical thinking skills.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: RM 13
Tutors - Mrs Peters, Rev’d Price and assisted by Miss Myers
Science Photography Club
Making the most of your phone/camera to notice the science around us.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: Science
Tutor: Dr Filer
Music
Music is an important part of life at PHS and all the students are encouraged to take part. The school offers a comprehensive range of music groups so that every student has the opportunity to participate.
Brass Ensemble (NEW)
Open to all brass players, including trumpets, horns, and trombone. This exciting new group is led by our brass teacher, Mr Denman, and will perform for school events including the summer concert and carol service.
When: Wednesday lunchtime 12:20 -12:50
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Denman
Cantabile (Y11 - Y13)
A group for advanced singers by invitation or audition only. If you would like to join, please see Mr Tinsley for an audition time. This group will perform at the school’s main occasions throughout the year, as well as special events outside of school.
When: Wednesday lunchtime. 12:50-13:20
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Harmony (Y8 - Y10)
A group for advanced singers by invitation or audition only. If you would like to join, please see Mr Tinsley for an audition. Harmony singers usually move up to Cantabile in Year 11.
When: Wednesday morning 8.30-9.00am.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Keyboard Klub
For advanced piano/keyboard players. Playing repertoire specifically written for keyboard ensembles it is an excellent way to improve your sight reading and musicality while working in a group.
When: Monday
Where: M1
Tutor: Run by music scholar
Melody Orchestra
This club is for instrumentalists of all ages and abilities, even absolute beginners. This highprofile group performs for many school events and learns music in a range of styles from classical to show tunes, to pop and rock.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: PA1
Tutor: Mrs Morris
Musical Theatre Club
Pupils will learn to sing different songs from their favourite musicals.These will be set to dance routines.
When: Thursday after school
Where: School hall
Tutor: Mrs Morris
Symphonic Orchestra
Open to instrumentalists of all ages who play to Grade 3 standard or above. This group performs for many school events and learns music in a range of styles.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: PA1
Tutor: Mr Tinsley
Ukuladies
A laid-back group of ukulele players of all abilities who play and sing mainly pop and rock tunes. Open to all.
When: Thursday lunchtime.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Worley
Year 10 Rock Band - by invitation only
An opportunity to play your favourite music with your friends.
When: Wednesday.
Where: PA1
Tutor: Self-Led
Year 11 Rock Band - by invitation only
An opportunity to play your favourite music with your friends.
When: Friday after school.
Where: M1
Tutor: Mr Tarley-Scarth
Clubs and Societies
Aspiring Medics Club - Year 11 & 12
An exciting science club that is devoted to medical science for those who need to prepare for the UCAT or wish to study medicine. We will be exploring the current structure of progression in the NHS and ethical dilemma which many medics face.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Where: Lab 4
With: Mrs Thompson and Dr Stockton-Chalk
Book Club
Enjoy reading? Then this is a perfect club for you to relax, discuss and unwind with your favourite book.
When: Monday Year 7 - Year 9.
Where: Library
Tutor: Mrs Bartlett
British Sign Language Club
Sign language is a way of communicating using hand gestures and movements, body language and facial expressions, instead of spoken words. Join over 150 000 users of BSL in the UK.
When: Monday lunchtime
Where: Room 10
Speaker: Mrs Barrows
Cambridge Biology Challenge Year 10 and 13
If you are interested in extending your biology knowledge, hard working and willing to represent the school in a biology team then please attend this exciting opportunity.
When: Monday Lunchtime.
Where: Lab 2
Tutor: Mrs Akass
Chess Club Open-house
Open to all. Each session is a mixture of teaching and playing each other. There are recognised education benefits of playing and studying chess in terms of developing thinking skills and resilience.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 12
Tutor: Mrs Griffiths
Debating Society
Do you have strong opinions? Do you love getting your voice heard? Do you want the opportunity to discuss and debate important current topics that affect us all? If so then the Debating Society is for you. Develop your skills in analysis and communication while exploring the art of a good argument.
When: Wednesday lunchtime
Where: Rm 1 (15 max)
Run by sixth formers and Mrs Fairey
ECO Team
Run by our sixth formers, this club looks at green and climate issues within the school and raises awareness in the school community through fun activities. Open to all.
When: Monday.
Where: B2
Run by sixth formers and Mrs Taylor
Flying Club
Weekly lesson run by a BYP instructor. Half theory based and half practical flying skills on a flight sim.
When: Tuesday and Thursday 4-5pm
Sim training - Monday, Thursday and Friday lunchtime
Run by: BYP
Cost: £33 per session. Book directly with BYP
Friday Film Club
At the end of a busy week this club will offer a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy a film with friends. As well as watching the films we will be discussing and reviewing them. We will offer an eclectic and varied range of films.
When: Friday.
Where: Rm B3
Director: Mrs Smith
Games Club
Playing new and old games, a great way to relax and spend your lunchtime away from your devices.
When: Tuesday lunchtime.
Where: Rm 4
With: Mrs Rodgers
Geography Club
Come and delve into this amazing world we live in! Quizzes, creative challenges, maptasticfun, Model United Nation style debates and more!
When: Open to all on Thursday lunchtime.
Where: B2
With: Miss Massey
Mathematics UKMT Club
Join us to tackle fun and challenging maths problems, develop problem-solving skills, and prepare for UKMT competitions. ‘Think Big. Solve Smart. Love Maths!’
When: Thursday Lunchtime
Where: Rm 6
Run by: Mrs Nash
Mindful Mondays lunchtime
All are welcome to attend ‘Mindful Mondays’, which will include ‘Colouring for Calm’ and ‘Mindful Meanders’.
When: Monday lunchtime.
Where: Daffodil house
Mindfulness coach: Mrs S Davies and sixth form
Physics Olympia Year 10
When: Tuesday Lunchtime.
Where: Lab 7
Tutor: Mr Bannister
Playground games (New)
Join Playground Games Club, where the fun never stops, and when it rains, we weave our way into macramé magic in the science lab!
When: Wednesday lunchtime.
Where: Science Garden
Master of Play - Dr Stockton-Chalk
Reading Ambassadors (Sixth Form)
Sixth form (every other week lunchtime - library)
When: Friday.
Where: Library
Tutor: run by Mrs Cullen-Taylor and sixth form
All the clubs listed in this booklet can be viewed online. Please log onto myEVOLVE online and book your daughter’s activities that incur a cost. We will be operating waiting lists for some activities, and if spaces are not available this term, students will be placed into the next available space or carried over to the summer term.
Booking opens at 6.00pm on Tuesday 24 March.
Individual Music and Singing
Lessons take place during the school day and are on a rotational basis over twelve weeks. There are also a number of instruments available for hire to girls who have lessons at school. For further details please contact the school office.
Speech and Drama
Individual lessons take place during the school day and are on a rotational basis over four/five weeks. For further details, please contact the school office.
Key Dates for this term...
Tuesday 24 March - Booking opens on myEVOLVE at 6pm for activities that incur a fee.
Tuesday 14 April - Term starts - Co-curricular activities commence.
Monday 4 May - Bank holiday.
Thursday 21 May - Friday 22 May - Y6 residential to Little Canada.
Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May - Half term.
Monday 8 – Friday 12 June Internal exams week June No Sailing or Flying club.
Week commencing 6 July - Autumn term co-curricular club booklet issued.
Monday 6 July - Summer concert.
Tuesday 7 July - Y7 - 9 Awards Evening 6.00 – 7.30pm.
Thursday 9 July - Last day of term - finish at 12.15pm - no lunchtime and after school clubs or activities.
Thursday 3 September - at 6.00pm Booking on myEvolve opens
Booking opens on myEVOLVE at 6.00pm on Tuesday 24 March.
Trampoline Sports Hall (MW)
Netball (Invite Only)
Hall 08:20 - 0945
Senior Trampoline Sports Hall (MW) Harmony (GT) Y8-Y10 Invitation only M1 8.30-9.00am
(GO)
Symphonic Orchestra (GT) PA1 (Grade 3+)
Keyboard Klub (GT) M1 (all welcome) Creative Club A4 All welcome (YD, AM and JA) Cantabile (GT) Invitation only Y11-13 M1
Science Photography (All welcome) Science Building (SF) Physics Olympiad Y10 (MB) Lab 7 Y10 Rock Band (Self lead) PA1
British Sign Language Club RM10 (SB)
Writing Club (SPT) RM 11
Scholars Club (YD) Studio
Drama Club Y7-8 (L6) Studio Reading Ambassadors Library (ECT)
Aspiring Medics Club Y11-12 (TT) Lab 4 Y7 Cupcake Decoration (DH) Food Tech Geography Club All welcome (LS) B2
Mindful Mondays (SD) Daffodil house Games Club (CR) RM 5 Senior Debating Society (SF) RM 1 15 Max
Cambridge Biology Challenge Y12 (EA) Lab 2
Open House Chess (GG) RM12
Book Club Y9 (Y13) Library Big Sister Project (RS) Prep School
Book Club KS3 (MB) Library
ECO Club B2 (Year 13 and KT)
BYP SIM
(RM9) (CT)
Film Club (JS) RM B3
UKMT Club All welcome (BN) R6
Playground Games (All welcome) (ASC) Science Garden BYP SIM Training (RM9) (LS) GDST LEAD (Invite Only) (AH)
-
Y4-Y13 Taekwondo (SG) All welcome Studio 4pm - 5pm
welcome)
- 4:50pm Y3-6 4:30-5:30 Y7+ GCSE Open Art (EN) 4pm-5pm Art room All welcome