Y7 - 11 Weekly Newsletter | Autumn Term, Week 12| Date: 24 Nov 2023
|
|
|
|
|
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCE
We have an online absence reporting form for all absences (whole day or part of the day). If you are unable to use the form you will need to email absence@hgs.herts.sch.uk with the student's name and tutor group, reason for absence and expected return date (if known).
[Every day - Pasta / Jacket Potatoes & Toppings, Panini of the Day]
** MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE **
** GLUTEN-FREE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST **
Monday: BUTTERNUT SQUASH & MUSHROOM LASAGNE (v), VEGETABLE HOISIN NOODLES (v), CHEESE & ONION PASTIES (v), COFFEE SPONGE
Tuesday: TUNA PASTA BAKE, VEGETABLE TIKKA MASALA (gf), HOTDOGS, APPLE & BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE (free from eggs, milk)
Wednesday: PAPRIKA CHICKEN & CHORIZO (gf), PASTA BAKE, CHEESE QUICHE (v), WHITE CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY SPONGE
Thursday: MINCED BEEF & ONION PIE, PESTO CHEESY PASTA (v), CHEESEBURGERS, CHOCOLATE SCRUMMY
Friday: CHILLI CHICKEN (gf), MACARONI CHEESE (v), FISHCAKES, CHOCOLATE CRUNCH (free from eggs, milk)
(V) = Vegetarian (GF) = Gluten Free
|
|
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
Good afternoon,
There are lots of sporting achievements to celebrate this week and you can read all about them below, but I will take this opportunity to congratulate all students involved in the many recent successes. Our extracurricular programme includes a wide variety of team sports plus gym and dance activities, which provide a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop skills and work alongside their peers. If your child is yet to participate in an extracurricular PE club I would strongly advise that you encourage them to do so.
The Rainbow Laces mixed-team football matches took place this week as well, promoting equality and diversity within sport – there will be more on this next week, but thank you to all those involved at both HGS and HBS.
Last night we welcomed parents of Year 10 and Year 7 students into school for our 'meet the tutor' evening. It was lovely to talk to some new and familiar parents, and hear about their child's experience of the school so far this year.
It has been a pleasure today to host visitors from Challney High School for Girls, who have met with members of our leadership team, the History department and the Philosophy and Ethics department. Sharing experiences and best practices between schools is of great value, and I always welcome the opportunity to showcase our school and all that we do here.
Earlier in the week I met with some Year 7s and Year 13s to celebrate their birthdays over cookies and squash, and once again I was so pleased to hear how well the Year 7s have settled and how much they are enjoying their time with us. It was particularly nice to hear that it had surpassed their expectations and they wouldn't change a thing. The Year 13s, as ever, proved themselves to be wonderful role models with their positivity, giving advice and guidance whilst also sharing their experiences and talking about their aspirations for the future.
On Monday our Year 12s had their first session of First Aid training. I would like to thank Jacqui Mallett-Smith for delivering an excellent course, and equipping our students with knowledge that could make a difference and potentially save a life.
Have a good weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
|
|
Hockey - District & County successes
Plenty to celebrate from hockey competitions last week! Our Year 10 team won Gold and the Year 9s won Silver in the District tournament, while our Senior indoor hockey team demonstrated great skill and teamwork as they played against tough opposition in the County tournament. Well done all.
|
|
|
Netball - Year 7s win Silver in debut tournament
Congratulations to the Year 7 netball team who, in their first time representing HGS, won the Silver medal at the District tournament. They won all five games in their pool and, in a closely fought final, lost 2-1 to Barnwell. They showed a fantastic team spirit - what a brilliant start!
|
|
|
Bouncing to the next round
Well done to all students who represented the school at the East region schools’ trampolining competition held at HBS at the weekend.
Our Novice gymnasts performed admirably against tough opposition, Lilly finishing a very creditable 8th overall.
Our Inter level teams continued to maintain the high standards achieved in previous years. All three teams finished on the podium to qualify for the Zonal round in January. In each age group HGS students took four of the top five individual spots. Izzy W. and Issy H. were crowned Regional Champion in their respective age groups!
|
|
|
Autumn term sports report
Have you had success in a sport outside of school at County level or above?
If so the PE department would love to hear about your achievements and include them in the Sports Report to share with the HGS community.
|
|
|
|
|
Library news
A challenge for you all - which well-known book covers are hidden in the snowflakes? (Answers available at the Librarian's desk, so you can see how many you got right!)
|
|
|
Have a listen to our inaugural HGS Podcast produced by our team of digital enthusiasts! Ep 1: Aspirations
|
|
|
Parent volunteers needed -
Year 9 and Year 11 careers days
We are looking for parent volunteers to help out at our careers days in the new year, either by talking about their work role and career path (Year 9 day) or by conducting mock interviews (Year 11 day).
Year 11 – Get Work Ready, Thursday 25 January 2024
Year 9 – Discover, Believe, Become, Thursday 8 February 2024
ELSA Next Generation, which will be running both days, is a Community Interest Company run by Jane Shipley. We have worked with Jane for many years to support students as they think about their next steps and future careers.
If you may be able to help on one or both of these days, please fill in this volunteer form and Jane will contact you directly to discuss arrangements and what your input will be on that day.
|
|
|
Please note change of venue!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This week has been Just Talk Week, run by Hertfordshire every year to raise awareness of young people's mental health, the importance of talking and the local sources of support. Take a look at their website, where you'll find lots of helpful information and resources to promote wellbeing in children.
|
|
|
|
|
NOTICEBOARD - CAREERS / HIGHER EDUCATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next dates:
Sunday 26 November
Sunday 3 December (1.30 - 7.00pm)
Suitable for Years 10 - 12
Free registration (Zoom)
These conferences offer tailored advice for medicine, covering:
- Tactically choosing universities
- Personal statements
- UCAT
- Medical interview skills
- Medical leadership programmes
- Awards programmes
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience
- Building a CV
- Applying for scholarships
Both students and parents are encouraged to attend.
Here’s how the day will run:
9.30-10.00 Registration
10.00-11:00 Quick introduction to Medic Mentor, overview of the day, competition ratios, application timeline, awards and scholarships
11:00-11:15 Break
11.15-11.45 Introduction to the UCAS application form and entry requirements
11.45-12.15 Interactive CV building exercise and exclusive access to leadership, research, presentation, publication, prizes and scholarship opportunities
12.15-12.30 Top tips from a successful applicant (medical student)
12:30-12:45 Break
12.45-13.30 How to write the perfect personal statement
13.30-13.45 Break
13.45-14.10 Entrance exams - how to ace the UCAT
14.10-14.30 How to prepare for medical school interviews
14.30-15.00 Top tips from a successful applicant (medical student) and next steps
Spaces are limited so please only book for one of the dates.
Register
|
|
|
|
|
Insight into TFL (Transport for London) Virtual Event
·Tuesday 28 November 5.00 - 6.30pm
·Open to all students in Y11, Y12 & Y13
·Suitable for students interested in Engineering, Business and Technology
·Application link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/InsightIntoTFL
AICPA CIMA Virtual Insight Event
·Wednesday 29 November, 5.00 - 6.30pm
·Open to all students in Y11, Y12 & Y13
·Suitable for students interested in Accounting, Finance & Investment Management, and Business
·Application link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AICPACIMAVirtualEvent
Insight to Lloyds Banking Group
·Tuesday 5 December, 5.00 - 6.00pm
·Open to all students in Y11, Y12 & Y13
·Suitable for students interested in Business, Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, Technology, Risk, and HR
·Application link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LloydsBankingGroupCareersLive
RAF Engineering Insight Event
·Tuesday 5 December, 5.00 - 6.30pm
·Open to all students in Y11, Y12 & Y13
·Suitable for students interested in Engineering and STEM
·Application link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RAFVirtualEngineering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NHS Careers Untapped webinars
The NHS Careers Untapped team are pleased to announce upcoming virtual webinars showcasing some of the great jobs available in the NHS. The webinars will cover careers in Nursing & Midwifery, Primary Care, Allied Health Professions, Healthcare Science, Mental Health with many more. The webinars are free to attend and run from 4.30pm to 6pm.
For more information and to register click here
Work experience
Work experience is a fantastic way of gaining insight into a career, especially what a typical day is like in that job. It can be a valuable way for students to develop confidence and experience caring for people. We have a range of work experience placements across health and care for students aged 14+ , including in pathology, healthcare science, admin, midwifery, physiotherapy, pharmacy, finance, theatres, estates and facilities, digital, HR and many more.
For more information and to apply click here
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly virtual work experience days
for students interested in careers within the NHS
Suitable for Years 10 - 13
Next session: Sunday 3 December
This is a rolling programme with applications open throughout this academic year.
Careers covered include:
Nursing
Midwifery
Paramedicine
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Dietetics
Radiography
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Speech and Language Therapy
Pharmacy
During the work experience day, students will follow two patients from their initial presentation to recovery. They will observe healthcare professionals as they interact with the patients and each other, and will have an opportunity to ask questions.
This will help students make an informed career decision as well as learn about how healthcare professionals work together as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Each session is completely different, and students will be able to build on their knowledge of NHS careers as they see different patient cases and professionals work in a variety of settings, from the hospital to the community.
Students will also receive certificates as evidence of participation in the programme. The fee is £10 per session to cover administrative costs.
Find out more and register
|
|
|
NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING / SEND / SUPPORT
|
|
|
Bereavement peer support group
Stand by Me, a local charity for children's bereavement support, will be holding weekly Peer Support Group meetings during Thursday lunchtimes (12.45 - 1.30pm) in the Conference Room starting on 23 November.
The aim is to provide a safe, supportive space for students to share their experiences and emotions with other young people who understand how it feels when someone close to them passes away, and to enable them to see that they are not alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
