Benefits of Fishing with the EP Pupils

 Fishing sessions have been an important part of the Engagement Pathways team’s work, giving pupils the chance to try and build skills in angling. Through regular sessions, pupils are introduced to fishing in a safe and supportive environment, helping them feel comfortable taking part.

As pupils gain experience, many grow from beginners into confident participants who can use equipment, understand techniques, and feel proud of what they achieve. This progress builds confidence and helps keep them engaged.

Fishing also helps pupils develop important skills such as patience, concentration, and resilience. It encourages them to focus and problem-solve, while also supporting teamwork and communication. For pupils who find the classroom challenging, fishing provides a different way to succeed and build self-esteem.

Spending time outdoors also adds to these benefits. The calm, natural environment helps pupils relax, reduce stress, and support their wellbeing.

Police and Crime Commissioners Awards

Last night Mrs Foster and Mr Betlem got dressed up and took two of our KS4 students to attend the Police and Crime Commissioner Awards. We were joined by Professor Donna Peberdy and Fergus Mclean from Solent University and the Screening Sexual Violence project.

                         

We were all invited following our nomination in the Partnership Working category for our film Now Your Turn. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the collaboration behind the project and the important message the film shares. Unfortunately Wayne K, also an integral partner in the project, wasn’t able to join us on the evening, but we continue to keep him updated and involved. It was a proud moment to represent the partnership and the young people who helped bring this project to life.

If you havent seen our film yet check it out through the Screening Sexual Violence resource. Link below. 

https://screeningsexualviolence.com/now-your-turn/

We enjoyed a lovely meal in the Hiltons Beefy’s Lord Botham Restaurant before walking the red carpet, checking our coats and heading into the awards ceremony with our complimentary J2Os!

Although we didn’t come away with the winner’s glass trophy this time, we are incredibly proud of the nomination and look forward to receiving our certificate. The two KS4 students who attended were fantastic ambassadors for the school, and we had a wonderful evening filled with lots of laughs and the great company of Donna and Fergus. The evening was rounded off perfectly with a sneaky McDonald’s ice cream on the way home (thank you Mr Betlem!).

We are so proud of our students!

Yellow Door - Star Project Sessions WK1.

Communication and Healthy Relationships

This week in PSHE we were introduced to Jess from the Star Project. The focus of the lesson was learning how to communicate respectfully and thinking about how our communication affects others.

To start the lesson, we introduced ourselves and then played an icebreaker activity involving Lego. In this activity we had to give and follow instructions to build something out of Lego, which tested how clearly we could communicate and how well we could listen.

During the activity there were moments where people felt frustrated or impatient, especially when the instructions weren’t very clear or when several people were talking at once. It showed how important clear communication is. Sometimes it was difficult to trust the instructions because we couldn’t always see what the other person was trying to describe, so we had to rely on listening carefully.

Some people may have felt rushed during the task because others wanted to finish quickly. When someone made a mistake, they might have felt judged even if no one meant to make them feel that way. It also became clear that when one person had most of the control in the activity, it could feel unfair or frustrating for others who didn’t get as much of a chance to contribute.

Later in the lesson we discussed “red flags” and “green flags” in relationships. A key point was that power in a healthy relationship should be equal. Both people should respect each other and make decisions together.

We also talked about trust. For example, going through your partner’s phone is not healthy because relationships should be based on trust and respect for each other’s privacy. Another topic we discussed was time spent together. Spending time with a partner is important, but it is also healthy to have your own friends, hobbies, and interests.

Finally, we talked about personal choices, such as clothing. It isn’t okay for someone to control what their partner wears. People should be able to make their own choices and express themselves.

Overall, the lesson helped us understand how important respectful communication, trust, and equality are in healthy relationships.

We have three more sessions with Jess where we will explore different topics for both KS3 and KS4 students. If anyone has any questions about our work with Yellow Door or PSHE in school please email or call Mrs Foster.

Annual Polygon Quiz

The Polygon Quiz Team did an amazing job at this years annual quiz to raise money for the Friends of The Polygon! Raising funds for this cause is crucial to the every day running of our school as it provides financial support for improving on site facilities, and activities that enhance our pupils education.

The Engagement Pathways team hosted, and kept the evening filled with fun! A big help from Miss Yates making sure the evening ran smoothly and Andrea & Arkash for preparing all the food.

The Raffle went down well and some prizes included a football used from a Premiership Saints game, vouchers for different venues around Southampton, and even some signed merchandise! Overall we raised over £1000!

Big well done to 'Polygon Old Skool*' for winning this year! What a great evening!

No Limits Visit: Exploring Drugs and Their Effects

This week, KS4 students took part in a No Limits workshop focused on drug awareness, health, and safety. The session encouraged open discussion, questions, and learning in a safe, non-judgemental environment.

Exploring the Drugs Box

Students explored the Drugs Box, which helps explain different classes of drugs and how they affect the body. A key focus was understanding the risks of illegal drugs, particularly how mixing drugs with alcohol can greatly increase the risk of serious harm.

Health, Safety, and the Law

The session also covered important health and legal information, including:

• Why it’s safe to be honest with healthcare workers about drug use
• The legal consequences of carrying, making, or supplying illegal drugs
• Short-term and long-term health effects of substances such as alcohol, nicotine, ketamine, and steroids
• The dangers of sharing needles and the risk of serious infections
• What to do in an emergency, including if someone passes out due to alcohol

• 

Interactive Kahoot Quiz

To check understanding, students took part in an interactive Kahoot quiz. Questions covered topics such as vaping, mixing substances, recognising risk, and knowing when and how to get help. The quiz encouraged engagement while reinforcing key safety messages.

Why Do People Use Substances?

An important part of the discussion explored why people may use drugs or substances. Students shared thoughtful ideas, including:

• Curiosity and peer pressure
• Social reasons or boredom
• Mental health and coping with stress
• Wanting to fit in or look a certain way
• Influence from social media or celebrities
• Performance enhancement
• Addiction or habit

This helped students understand that substance use often has complex reasons, and that support and education are essential.

The Winners! 

Key Takeaway

The No Limits Visit helped students build knowledge, ask questions, and develop skills to make safer, informed choices. The session reinforced the message that help is always available and that understanding the risks can protect both ourselves and others.

We thank the No Limits team for delivering another engaging and informative session.

Thank you Gerson, Sal and Emma!

Careers Spotlight: Learning About Youth Work with No Limits KS4

As part of our PSHE and careers learning, students recently took part in a session led by No Limits, a local organisation that supports young people across our community. The session helped students understand both the role of youth workers and the real-life challenges young people may face, while also highlighting youth work as a possible career pathway.

Real Stories: Becoming a Youth Worker

The session began with Gerson and Emma sharing their personal journeys into youth work. Students heard about:

• What inspired them to work with young people

• The skills and qualities needed for the role

• How youth work can make a positive difference in young people’s lives

This helped students see youth work as a real, achievable career, rooted in empathy, communication, and community support.

What is No Limits?

Students explored who No Limits are and the services they offer to young people. This included viewing an animated video explaining:

• How young people can access support

• The different services available

• How No Limits works alongside schools and communities

Students were also guided through the No Limits website to better understand how young people can seek help when they need it.

Understanding the Role of a Youth Worker

Students learned that youth workers:

• Listen, rather than lecture

• Help young people think through their choices

• Share clear, honest, age-appropriate information

• Support young people to stay safe

• Take action if someone is at risk (safeguarding)

A key message throughout the session was that the focus of youth work is support, not punishment, helping young people feel heard and empowered to make safer choices.

What is Detached Youth Work?

The session introduced students to detached youth work, which involves youth workers meeting young people in their own communities, such as parks or local spaces, rather than expecting them to attend a building-based service.

Students discussed why this approach can be effective and how it helps reach young people who may not otherwise seek support.

Exploring Risks Young People May Face

Through discussion, students identified challenges young people can experience in the community, including:

• Drugs and understanding their consequences

• Personal safety and environmental risks (such as poor street lighting)

• Peer pressure

• Mental health challenges

• Difficulties finding employment

• Money and financial pressures

These conversations helped students reflect on risk, safety, and support, and understand where trusted adults and services can help.

Creative Activity: Designing the Perfect Youth Service

To finish the session, students took part in a creative activity where they designed their ideal youth service. This encouraged them to think about:

• What young people need to feel safe and supported

• What services would be helpful

• How youth workers could best engage with young people

This activity developed teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills while reinforcing learning from the session.

Why This Matters

Sessions like this support students’:

• PSHE learning around health, wellbeing, and safety

• Careers education by showcasing real-world roles

• Understanding of support services available to them

• Confidence to seek help when needed

We are grateful to No Limits for providing such an engaging and informative session and for helping students understand both the support available to them and the people who work to keep young people safe.

 Football Tournament at Samuel Cody School, Farnborough, 26th January 2026

Polygon School took a KS3 and a KS4 Team to the tournament to play a range of teams from schools in and around the Farnborough area.

Both teams did exceptionally well in some very cold and tricky conditions, returning it in time for the end of the day

Well Done To All Boys Involved!

Santa Delivering Presents

Santa made a very special visit to The Polygon School to deliver Christmas gifts to our students! 🎅🎁

The excitement was infectious as students greeted him with smiles and laughter, and it was wonderful to see the joy on their faces as they received their gifts.

A huge thank you to DEOS for making this magical moment possible your generosity and support have made the start of Christmas truly unforgettable for our school community.

We wish all our families a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 🎄✨