PGS in Bloom

PGS in Bloom PGS departments compete for the coveted botanical accolade!

The heat was on when PGS in Bloom launched in May; three weeks of sizzling hot weather in the quad in June saw the displays thrive. Entries were sought from groups within the school community with the theme of Recovery. At the end of June we invited Councillor Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment, Portsmouth City Council to judge our efforts.

Entries were judged on five criteria: - The quality of the display - The use of plants associated with “recovery” - The sustainability of the display - The use of plants grown from seed - The extent of pupil involvement in the entry

The house category was won by Whitcombe House, with their green-themed display using medicinal plants. Kimberly particularly enjoyed the pupil recycled pot and how the display had stood up to three weeks in full sun in the Sixth Form entrance area. Smith were a close runner-up with their high concept display based on the film WALL-E, featuring a single trainer with a sunflower seed beginning to grow from it.

The club category was won by Wildlife Club who had clearly thought out their entry very clearly, with a high quality of plant care, medicinal plants, upcycled container and pupils' involvement. An excellent entry.

The best support department entry was IT, with the concept of the upcycled PC case, and spotlight on technology waste. Kimberly thought the concept was highly relevant and well executed. School office display was runner-up with their medicinal plants in various containers including sick bowls.

Team with a beautiful display of bee pollination plants in a variety of purple/mauve colours.

The academic department winner was Physical Sciences, a display of a recovered watering can bursting with plant life. Pupils involvement and regular tending produced a beautifully executed display featuring sedums and nasturtiums amongst other wildlife friendly plants. The runner-up was Sports with their display featuring upcycled trophies, balls and a calf-boot and crutch, celebrating the recovery of PGS Sport in many ways this year. Highly commended were English with their depiction of The Waste Land by TSElliot to mark the centenary of the novel. Biology with their Bug Hotel, Physics with their recovering plant basket and Economics and Business with their four-takes on recovery.

Miranda Worley