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NHSG SCHOOL NEWS School community relieved to return on 8th March It was a huge relief for our whole school community when it was confirmed that, after the second lockdown in January 2021, pupils would be able to return to school from Monday 8th March. Even though our excellent Guided Home Learning programme meant that all our pupils were able to continue with live lessons and with learning, we were all very much ready to be back in the physical classrooms. One hurdle to overcome before this could happen however was the mass asymptomatic testing of all staff and all pupils at our Senior School – something that all schools had been tasked with by the Government. Every member of staff and pupil needed to have taken three lateral flow Covid tests, the first of which had to be completed before being allowed back into school. There was no doubt that this was a major logistical exercise and yet another of those situations that we couldn’t have imagined 18 months ago. Our staff and volunteer helpers were outstanding in bringing this about, not just in undertaking roles very different
to usual and in converting one of our sports halls into a giant testing centre, but also in the compassion and support they gave the staff and pupils being tested. Their work made the process as efficient and painless as possible, and also meant that all NHSG pupils could be back in school from Day 1 which we knew was so important for our families. It was an incredible achievement. Class bubbles, social distancing and plenty of hand washing were still very much the order of the day during the Summer term. Despite the challenges, the school staff went above and beyond to support the girls both in their studies and pastorally. Girls in Years 11
and 13 had GCSE and A Level studies to contend with and everyone has had to adapt to the new teacher-assessed approach to grading. The start of the new academic year in September 2021 brought more school-based lateral flow testing, but also saw the removal of bubbles and social distancing in school. This meant the whole school was able to enjoy some level of normality and it has been particularly joyful to see how much more relaxed the girls were with the reduced restrictions. As predicted, there have been, and will be more bumps along the way but as we learn to live with the pandemic, NHSG will continue to deliver the very best education for all of our pupils. The chorus from the NHSG School song seems particularly fitting here:
And we sail forth Through stormy seas and tides And we will strive with grace and pride And forward….prorsum semper honeste And nothing will stand in our way.
