Welcome to the academies weekly newsletter, rounding up the events of the past week and keeping you informed of coming events and information to support you and your daughter in school and beyond.

This week we have:

• a message from our new Chair of Governors, Fazle Kinkhabwala
• 📅 Monday 20th October and our celebration,
• welcome back to our Chai and Chat sessions, and
• an update on Mental Health support and workshops in the area.

We hope you enjoy reading this weeks news.

On this special day, we’re asking all staff and students to dress up in bright, colourful clothing or outfits that symbolise light 🌈💡. Together, we’ll be celebrating Diwali – the Festival of Light – and Bandi Chor Divas, which marks the day Guru Hargobind Ji was released from prison, symbolising freedom, hope, and justice.

This celebration isn’t just about light on the outside – it’s about the light we create together as a community. At a time when the media often shows division and unrest, our girls at HWGA will continue to shine as the light our community needs – bringing positivity, unity, and strength. 💕

We’re also asking for a £1 donation, handed in to your Period 1 teacher, to support the Red Cross Appeal for those affected by the devastating floods in India and Pakistan. 🌍💧

So save the date, get your outfits ready, and let’s Be the Light at HWGA on Monday 20th October! ✨

On Monday 15 September, I had the privilege of making my inaugural visit to Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy in my new role as Chair. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was struck by the warmth, energy, and sense of purpose that permeates the school.

I was greeted by Kiran, whose broad smile immediately set the tone for what was to be a thoroughly uplifting visit. Kiran whisked me off on a whistle-stop tour of the academy, offering me a first-hand look into the life of this vibrant learning community.

Our first stop was an English as an Additional Language session, where I witnessed students engaged and supported in developing their skills with dedication and focus. From there, I was introduced to Rubina Begum, proudly recognised as “Colleague of the Week,” a wonderful initiative that celebrates staff and their contributions.

As we moved through the school, Kiran highlighted the core purpose displayed on the walls—clear, rationalised, and serving as a constant reminder of the Academy’s commitment to its students. I was then introduced to Laura Bindley, Assistant Head, SENCO and Inclusion lead, who shared the school’s inclusive approach, ensuring every learner is valued and supported.

I was intrigued by the Safe Boxes, which Kiran assured me are checked three times daily—an excellent safeguarding measure that reflects the school’s care and vigilance.

One of the highlights of my tour was meeting Harpal Singh, Director of Maths, who held his class spellbound as he worked through numbers with a captivating style. The passion and energy in that room were contagious.

Equally uplifting were the lighter and brighter corridors, painted in colours chosen by the girls themselves. This simple but powerful choice clearly gives the students a sense of ownership and pride in their school environment.

The staff room also made an impression—clean, airy, and strikingly tidy. For someone who remembers the smoke-filled staff rooms of the 70s, it was refreshing to see such a professional and welcoming space for colleagues.

We paused at a textiles class, where students worked quietly and attentively, before walking past the music room, alive with rhythm and energy as students tapped out beats on tables—a sign of how popular and thriving the subject has become.

I was pleased to meet Mr. Pearce, Assistant Headteacher Teaching and Learning, who, alongside other members of the leadership team, shared insight into the school’s culture of high expectations. I also learned about the counselling provision, a vital support for students, particularly at a time when local authority funding for such services is diminishing. It is clear that Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy is determined to place wellbeing alongside academic success.

Kiran also mentioned the exciting plans for the new specialist provision school at the front of the site. Thoughtful discussions are already underway to ensure smooth coordination, particularly around access and traffic, and it was inspiring to hear how both schools will benefit from the expertise in teaching and learning available to SEN students.

My visit ended on a wonderfully personal note—a cup of excellent masala chai in the Head’s room, where the calm and convivial atmosphere summed up everything I had seen during my tour.

As I left the Academy, I reflected on how positive and purposeful the environment felt. The staff are dedicated, the students engaged, and the leadership team clearly committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring place for young women to learn and thrive.

It was a truly uplifting first visit, and I look forward to many more opportunities to support and celebrate the remarkable work being done at Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy.

Last year saw the start of our half termly Chai and Chat events which opens up the opportunity for families to come in and have a casual chat and a treat with members of staff. This year, the dates and times for these events are as follows:

• Autumn Term 1: Tuesday 21st October – 3.30 – 4.30
• Autumn Term 2: Tuesday 16th December – 9am-10am
• Spring Term 1: Monday 9th February – 3.30 – 4.30
• Spring Term 2: Tuesday 24th March 9am-10am
• Summer Term 1: Tuesday 19th May – 3.30-4.30
• Summer Term 2: Tuesday 14th July 9am-10am.

Closer to the time, you will get an email to confirm your attendance. We hope to see you there!

Absence disrupts the education of the individual pupil and the whole class. Are you aware those children who do not attend regularly:

• do not achieve well in exams
• find it difficult to maintain friendships
• are more likely to become involved in crime
• miss out on opportunities in further education and the world of work?

Please be advised that term-time holidays are very unlikely to be approved. If families ignore this the absence will be unauthorised and you will be at risk of receiving a £160 Fixed Penalty Notice per parent on your return.

Last term, 36 parents have received Penalty Notices for taking students on unauthorised leave in term time.

Please note that, Birmingham City Council strongly discourages pupil leave of absence during term time. The expectation is that such leave would only be authorised in the most exceptional circumstance.

Please ensure that leave is taken in the school holidays only.

Frequent absence can add up to a considerable amount of lost learning and can seriously disadvantage your child in adult life.

• 5 minutes late every day means around 3 ½ days of education are missed
• a score of 90% in a test would be a good result but 90% attendance means that a child
• will have missed around 100 lessons over a school year.

The majority of our students are on time to school every day. Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that your daughter attends school on time every day. Lesson 1 begins promptly at 8:45am, which means that your daughter needs to be in her seat waiting for the register to be taken by 08:40am.

Students who are late, without a valid reason, will sit in a 30 minute after school detention on the same day.

The only method for reporting your child’s absence is now through the Arbor Parent Portal App.

Using the Arbor Parent Portal App is quick and easy, and it is now our preferred way for parents to communicate absence reasons to the school.

For step-by-step instructions on how to report an absence, please visit our online guide.

Benefits of the Arbor Parent Portal App:

• Update student/parent details
• Top up dinner money
• Sign up for trips and clubs
• Check your child’s attendance
• Access school reports
• and now reporting absences

Additionally, our new school app, KEVI Handsworth Wood Girls (via Reach More
Parents), will be our primary platform for sharing school-related updates and information.

Please note that the absence reporting feature will no longer be available on other
platforms, and we will no longer monitor absences reported via Studybugs, even if you still have access to it.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Welcome to all of our new and existing students. Thank you to all who continue to support your daughter attending school every day and arriving on time. We have seen a dramatic improvement in morning punctuality, and attendance overall is way above the National average for Secondary schools. In fact, at the end of the Spring Term 2024 we were recognised as being in the top 25% of all FFT secondary schools for secondary attendance.

Please take some time to view the letters pertaining to Attendance and Punctuality at King Edward’s VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy that were sent to you by email in September 2024. If you didn’t get the email, then we have attached the letters here too.

• 26th September (11:00 – 12:00)- McMillan Coffee Morning Fundraising for Cancer Research for parents
• 1st October (16:30 – 18:30) – Settling in Evening – Years 7 & 12
• 17th October – Inset Day
• 20th October – Be the Light at HWGA to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Light – and Bandi Chor Divas
• 21st October – Chai and Chat from 15:30 – 16:30
• Half-term: Monday 27 October 2025 to Friday 31 October 2025
• Term ends: Friday 19 December 2025

• 26th McMillan Coffee Morning Fundraising for Cancer Research for parents 11:00 – 12:00
• 8th October – GCSE Geography Trip to Cardingmill Valley
• 16th October – KS4 Careers Fair
• 20th October – Be the Light at HWGA to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Light – and Bandi Chor Divas
• 21st October – Chai and Chat from 15:30 – 16:30

We are thrilled to announce that HWGA has achieved the prestigious Wellbeing Award! This incredible achievement highlights our commitment to ensuring that the wellbeing of both staff and students remains at the heart of everything we do.

We want to remind families that we offer a range of in-house support for students, so if you feel your child needs someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are here to help.

Additionally, families should know that period products are provided free of charge at the academy. We are dedicated to ensuring our girls feel seen, valued, and confident, with no shame in asking for what they need.

We are proud of the way our students support one another, and we celebrate the
uniqueness and superpowers each girl brings to our school community.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Please see information about how young people and families can access support for mental health through Pause. There is also information about events and workshops that are available.

Here are some practical tips to help stay grounded and healthy for teens:

1. Prioritise Sleep   8–10 hours of sleep each night. A consistent bedtime and reduced screen time before bed can dramatically improve mood, focus, and energy.
2. Move Your Body   Regular physical activity—whether it’s dancing, walking, or team sports-releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress.
3. Eat Smart   A balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, and Omega-3s supports brain function and emotional wellbeing. Skip the ultra-processed snacks when possible.
4. Talk It Out   Open communication with trusted adults or friends helps feel heard and supported. Listening without judgment is key.
5. Practice Mindfulness  Simple techniques like deep breathing, journaling, or yoga can help manage anxiety and build emotional resilience.
6. Build Positive Connections   Strong friendships and supportive relationships are vital. Join clubs or groups that align with your interests.
7. Manage Screen Time -Set boundaries that work for you-
   1. Create a daily screen schedule that includes breaks
   2. Use timers or app limits to avoid endless scrolling
   3. Keep screens out of bedrooms to protect sleep
8. Know When to Ask for Help   Mental health matters. If a you feel overwhelmed, support is available—whether through school counsellors, helplines, or trusted adult

Sleep Matters – Tips

• A consistent bedtime—even on weekends
• A wind-down routine (no phones 30 minutes before bed)
• A cool, quiet sleep environment

• Keep windows closed during high pollen days
• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors
• Use antihistamines as advised by a GP or pharmacist

• Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily
• Eat fibre-rich foods (whole grains, fruits, veg)
• Stay active to support gut health

• Practice breathing exercises or mindfulness
• Break tasks into manageable chunks
• Reach out to a trusted adult or school nurse

• Gentle cleansing twice daily
• Avoiding harsh scrubs or picking at skin
• Seeking medical advice for persistent or painful acne

• School nurses can advise on immunisation schedules
• Any health concerns can be raised with the school nurse/First Aid team.

Advice to Parents – School Age Immunisation Service has been published by the NHS to help you to understand the immunisations your daughter will be offered at school.

We know how challenging it can be to balance all the demands parents and carers have to cope with. That’s why NSPCC have put together some tips to help. All children need boundaries and discipline, and this guide helps you develop what works for you and your child.

If your family is in need of any support for any of the following issues –

• money advice,
• special educational needs,
• disability,
• food,
• housing,
• parenting groups,
• relationships,
• sexual health & family planning,
• under 5’s support,
• bereavement,
• mental health,
• leisure activities,
• physical health
• & much more.

Please see download the family action leaflet here.

Our Healthy Lifestyle Checklist:

• Exercise – 60 minutes a day
• Hydration – Drink 2 litres of water a day
• Nutrition – Eat a balanced Diet
• Sleep – 8-10 hours a night

Please find a range of helpful medical factsheets put together by the School’s First Aid Medical Lead.

If you would like to see these factsheets in an alternative language, please get in touch.

We use the High Performance Learning philosophy and framework in our school. This means that we believe that all the students can be high performers, and we teach with these expectations in mind.

Using the research-based High Performance Learning approach helps us to systematically build the cognitive competencies that lead a young person to thrive in school and in later life.

We embed the HPL philosophy throughout our school. We never tell our students they cannot achieve; it is just they are not doing it yet but with practice and persevere it will happen.

You can support your child with developing the High Performance Learning skills at home.

There are 30 skills which are broken down into the two categories of Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics (ACPs) and Values, Attitudes and Attributes (VAAs). These help students how to think, and how to behave.

HWGA will be sharing a some HPL key competencies (VAAS & ACPs) strategies with you weekly.

Using the HPL framework at home will help you to enhance your child’s academic
achievement and personal development.

Home Challenge:

• Quiz your child on the ACPs and VAAs. How may of each can they remember?
• Ask them to quiz you? Can you beat your child?
• Select 3 VAAs and ACPs at random. Can your child tell you what they mean?

Not there yet? Repeat the challenge – can you both beat your previous attempt?

✓ Model being enquiring yourself, ask a lot of questions.

✓ Encourage your child to ask questions.

✓ Encourage your child’s curiosity. Consider asking your child to become an ‘expert’ in a specific thing and tell you all about it. It may be something they are already interested in or something new. This encourages them to be independent in their research – perhaps they could present it to you.

✓ Encourage interests that model total concentration e.g., making friendship bracelets, doing a quiz, or playing chess. How about choosing a new interest to you and your child/ren. Something that you are both interested in but don’t know a great deal about. Complete a joint project and finish it with a related event e.g., finding out more about film making and having a movie night.

QUESTIONS:

• Do you have a concern that a student is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected?
• Has a child/young person made a disclosure to you?
• Are you concerned that a student could be living in a private fostering arrangement?

REMEMBER:

• Please do not ask the student leading questions
• You must report concerns relating to FGM,CSE, FM, HBV and Prevent
• Do not ask children to remove items of clothing and do not ask them to write anything down or sign anything you have written
• Allegations against staff MUST be referred directly to the Headteacher (or to the Chair of Governors if about the Head)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Safeguarding Team will gather all of the information, link with multiple agencies and the decision will be made whether a referral to Children’s Services or an Early Help Assessment (or other action) needs to be made. Any information the Safeguarding Team are able to share with you will be shared. If you have any questions or a ‘gut feeling’, then please do not hesitate to seek advice and support from the Safeguarding Team.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about: Snapchat

With Snapchat’s ever-evolving features, it’s essential for parents and educators to stay informed about new and emerging safeguarding risks 👻 From AI chatbots to paid content options, this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide takes a closer look at the platform’s most pressing dangers – plus the latest updates to be aware of 📲✨

Whether it’s sextortion ⚠️, overspending on Snapchat+ 💸 or the effects of screen addiction 🔥, our guide provides up-to-date advice to help keep young users safe. It’s essential reading for any parent or educator who wants to understand Snapchat’s key risks – and support a safer, more positive experience for the children in their care 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🔐

• All students must wear jumpers.
• Skirts if worn should be black and pleated.
• Hoodies are not permitted in school.
• The school uniform consists of a jumper, a white revere blouse, and a black skirt or trousers.

Students are not permitted to wear trainers unless medically required to do so School shoes should be below the ankle.

Boots should only be worn in severe weather (snow).

Jackets/coats should be plain and Hoodies should not be worn in school.

• No nail polish/ false nails
• Make-up if worn should be natural looking
• False eyelashes are not permitted in schoo
• Pins are not allowed to be used for headscarves. Please use a safer style fastening to secure headscarves.

Jewellery:

• One stud in each ear
• One small nose stud – not a ring
• No rings,
• No bracelets – unless for religious purposes
• No necklaces.

We collect preloved but good quality uniform throughout the year. If you would like to donate preloved items, please bring them to the School reception.

if you would like to receive preloved items for your child, please contact the pastoral team at pastoralteam@hwga.org.uk

We are now using the Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service in School. If you think that your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, please complete a ‘New Application’ on the following link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/birmingham

Just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the School gets extra funding – register now to make sure we don’t miss out!

Get notifications on your phone by using the King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls App available in your phones app store to download today.

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Visiting our website, you will find the news feed on the homepage with quick links to our most up to date news and information.