The current situation has proved that with good will, new approaches and creative thinking we can pull together and adapt to deal with exceptional challenges.  The students have shown great resilience and energy in confronting the challenges head-on and, despite the ups and downs of recent months, offers of assistance for WGGS students have come from all areas of the school community.  Read more from Assistant Head, Stephen Cowling, on the effect your support has had so far:
 

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The last few months have highlighted how important access to technology is for students at the school.  Although school has now resumed, each week a number of girls have to self-isolate, and we know this is likely to be a pattern which will continue.  We want to ensure that each girl has a device so that she can continue to learn remotely if she needs to be at home.  Possessing a device also supports each girl with accessing the wide range of learning electronic resources which now exist.

Many families are in a position to purchase devices for students, but we have been working hard to provide support to students who are in need and have no access to IT.  We have been very grateful for kind support from parents, staff, McGinley Support Services and the organisation Encouraging Equality.  Their donations - in kind and financially - have allowed us to support 45 students so far.  Students who have received devices have spoken of their relief that they are now in a position to learn, whatever happens over the autumn and winter. 

We continue to have a need amongst students.  If you think you or your employer might be in a position to help, please do contact me at the school.

Stephen Cowling
Assistant Head
s.cowling@watfordgirls.herts.sch.uk 
 

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Janet Hector, CSR Manager of McGinleys explains why they chose to support WGGS:

"As a construction recruitment business, we are always looking to address the gender balance to encourage more women to join our industry, so we were particularly keen to interact with bright young women and girls in this positive way.  Watford Girls Grammar School was a perfect fit.  After much discussion regarding what was needed, we donated several brand new Chromebooks for the school to allocate and support those with virtual connectivity issues at home."
 

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A thank you from the Headmistress, Miss Tai:

"We are very grateful to McGinley for their generous support in providing these laptops.  They will allow us to support students who have very limited access to IT at home, and so ensure that all the girls in the school can continue to learn effectively at this challenging time"