Headteacher’s Letter 10th July 2026

End of Term Arrangements

• Students finish for the summer holidays at 12.25pm on Friday 17 July.
• Morning break food service will be available, but there will be no lunch service.
• Free School Meals students can request a packed lunch.
• Ami Coaches and Maymist buses will depart at 12.30pm.
• Stephenson’s bus users can remain in school until buses leave at 3.30pm if needed.

Sporting Success – National Champions

• SHSG’s Junior Girls’ Athletics Team were crowned English Schools’ National Cup Champions.
• Every team member achieved at least one personal best during the competition.
• The achievement was described as one of the school’s greatest sporting successes.

Awards Evening 2026

• The annual Awards Evening took place at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff.
• Students were recognised for academic achievement, leadership, creativity and commitment.
• Guest speaker Charlotte Meller (University of Oxford and Diamond Light Source) shared her scientific career journey.
• Poppy (Year 13) received the Headteacher’s Award.

End-of-Term Treat

• An ice cream van will be on site throughout the final week during break and lunchtime.

Year 11 Prom

• Year 11 celebrated the end of GCSEs at Hylands House, Chelmsford.
• The event was organised by the student Prom Committee and praised as a memorable and successful evening.

Big Band Summer Fayre

• The first combined Big Band and Summer Fayre was a major success.
• Attractions included stalls, entertainment, food, shire horses, inflatables and musical performances.
• SHSG and Southend High School for Boys students performed together in a joint Big Band finale.

Mathematics Achievement

• Five students completed the Parallel by Simon Singh maths challenge every week since September:
  • Sivatarunia
  • Shivani
  • Saranya
  • Kayla
  • Elettra
• Students are encouraged to join the free national maths programme next year.

Lockdown Drill

• Students completed their first lockdown drill following assemblies explaining procedures.
• Staff reported students responded calmly, maturely and responsibly.
• Future lockdown drills will take place termly.

Arts and Culture

• SHSG students once again impressed at the Leigh Art Trail.
• Award winners:
  • Isabelle R (Year 7 winner)
  • Priyanshi B (Year 8 runner-up)
  • Beatrice C (Year 10 runner-up)

Economics and Careers

• Year 12 Economics students attended a talk from Sienna Holcombe of the Bank of England.
• Students learned about monetary policy, careers at the Bank, apprenticeships and economics in practice.

Science Outreach and Competitions

• Junior Science Captains led microscopy sessions for Year 5 pupils at Greenways Primary School.
• Year 12 students participated in Imperial College London’s Science in Medicine School Teams Prize, producing research posters on cancer and tuberculosis-related topics.

Online Safety Webinar

• Parents are reminded of the Online Safety Webinar with The 2 Johns on Thursday 16 July at 8.00pm via Zoom.

PE Fixtures

• Sports Day heats, field events and borough rounders tournaments take place during the week beginning 13 July.
• Spectators are not permitted at fixtures for safeguarding reasons.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Students are reminded of available wellbeing resources, Padlets and support links on the SHSG website.

Closing Message

• The Headteacher thanks students, staff, governors and families for another successful year and wishes everyone a restful weekend and summer break.