Grand finale for Portsmouth High’s Fun on Saturday programme

Portsmouth High School’s eight week Fun on Saturday programme closed this weekend with a grand finale of presentations delivered by the children to an audience of parents, staff and families. The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, alongside Sixth Former, Karaboo Magooa, judged the presentations and awarded prizes to the winning team. 

‘The key objective of the eight week programme was to support Year 5 able, gifted and talented learners in local schools in a manner that extends the curriculum opportunities available,’ said Mr Graeme Field, Assistant Head at Portsmouth High School and programme coordinator.

‘The finale of the Fun on Saturday programme saw the judges watching excellent presentations from the children who have been engaged throughout the programme. Comments from teachers and parents have emphasised how the young people have developed confidence and self-assurance as well as their knowledge in a range of subjects including mathematics, science, English and design technology.’

The Fun on Saturday programme, which has been running since early January, hosted twenty children from local primary schools undertaking an array of tasks each weekend.

Pupils from St John’s Catholic Primary, St Swithun’s Primary, Highbury Primary, Wimborne Junior School, Milton Park Primary, Cottage Grove Primary, Court Lane Primary, St Jude’s Primary and Northern Parade Primary schools took part.

‘It was a fantastic morning,’ said the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller. ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed judging these excellent presentations. The children spoke and delivered their speeches really well.’

The winning team was Mays Rashid, 10, from Milton Park Primary and Isobel Whyte, 9, from St Swithun’s Primary.

‘It was very exciting,’ said Mays. ‘I am really happy to win but the best part was the presentation and getting to perform in front of an audience. I have loved every week, especially art, mathematics and design technology.’

‘Geography was my favourite,’ added Isobel.  ‘Our ‘country’ that we designed was called Fractionland and it is nature friendly and has an extreme climate.’

Isobel’s mother, Mrs Whyte, added:

‘Isobel has really enjoyed her time at Portsmouth High with a great range of activities over the last eight weeks. A big thank you to all the staff for giving of their time; she has really loved it all.’