This Week in the Academy - 17th April 2026 | King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy

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:

Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Upcoming School Production:Disney’s Moana Jr.
HPL Top Tips – Precision
Year 8 Parents’ Evening Reminder
What Parents and Educators Need to Know about the App and Play Stores
Building Futures: A Parent’s Guide to Apprenticeships in STEM, Service & Careers
An exclusive Inside KPMG Birmingham Careers & Community Evening
Year 7 Residential

We hope you enjoy reading this weeks news!

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

We began the week on a positive note after the easter break with the uplifting sounds of Dhol drumming at lunchtime. This special moment gave us the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate Eid, which took place before the holidays, as well as Vaisakhi, which was observed on Tuesday.

Our school community came together to enjoy the drumming at lunchtime – celebrating cultural diversity and enriching students’ learning beyond the classroom.

It was a joyful and meaningful way to recognise important cultural celebrations and bring our community together.

Upcoming School Production: Disney’s Moana Jr.

We are delighted to announce our upcoming school production of Disney’s Moana Jr., which will take place on Thursday 30 April 2026 at 7.00pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. This vibrant and uplifting production will showcase the talent, dedication and hard work of our students, who have been rehearsing enthusiastically in preparation for the performance.

Tickets are priced at £2 per ticket, and we warmly invite members of our school community to join us for what promises to be an enjoyable and memorable evening. We look forward to celebrating our students’ creativity and commitment on stage.

HPL Top Tips - Precision

✓ Read over your child’s home study to check that their spelling and grammar is accurate.

✓ When cooking with your child, check that they are following the correct methods to achieve the best outcome.

✓ Complete regular spelling test to see how many they can get right. Repeat this, can they achieve more correct answers than before?

✓ Practice a skill in sport such as a shooting practice in netball. Are they using the correct techniques to be successful with getting the ball in the net consistently?

✓ Support with developing neater handwriting by checking they hold their pen correctly.

✓ Check that they are using the correct mathematical formulars to work out the correct answer to a maths question or equation.

Year 8 Parents' Evening Reminder

We would like to remind parents and carers that Year 8 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday 29 April 2026, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, at King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy, Church Lane, Handsworth, B20 2HL.

Appointments will be held in person and should be booked in advance via Arbor. This event provides a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and development with their teachers.

We look forward to welcoming parents and carers on the evening.

What Parents and Educators Need to Know about the App and Play Stores

With millions of apps available and children accessing them from an increasingly young age, app stores can present a range of risks. From malware and copycat apps to inappropriate content and persuasive in-app purchases, this guide highlights how easily young users can encounter issues – even when using official platforms.

It also offers clear, practical advice to help parents and educators manage these risks. From setting up parental controls and checking app credibility to having open conversations about safe usage, the guide supports adults in building children’s awareness, encouraging safer choices and promoting more balanced, responsible app use.

Building Futures: A Parent’s Guide to Apprenticeships in STEM, Service & Careers

This is a free online event designed for parents to understand how apprenticeships work, explore career pathways, and hear directly from employers including the British Army and AWE. The session also includes expert insights and a live Q&A to help parents confidently support their child’s future decisions.

An exclusive Inside KPMG Birmingham Careers & Community Evening

This event is designed to bring together students, parents, and the wider community to explore the range of career opportunities available locally. Hosted at KPMG one of the globally recognised “Big 4” professional services firms it offers a unique chance to gain insight into a leading employer right on your doorstep.

Year 7 Residential

This week our Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting and memorable residential trip to Whitemoor Lakes. Pupils took part in a wide range of outdoor activities, including team-building challenges and adventure sports, which helped them develop confidence, resilience, and new friendships.

The trip was a fantastic opportunity for students to bond with classmates and staff while representing KEVIHWGA with enthusiasm and excellent behaviour.

It was a truly rewarding experience and a highlight of the school year for many.