Y7 - 11 Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 7 | Date: 16 Feb 2024
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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 26th: SPAGHETTI SAVOURY (v), VEGETABLE HOTPOT (v)(gf), CAULIFLOWER CHEESE (v), APPLE FLAPJACK (free from wheat, eggs, milk)
Tuesday 27th: CHICKEN & CHORIZO PASTA (v), TOMATO & MASCARPONE RISOTTO (v)(gf), CHEESE QUICHE (v), ICED SPONGE
Wednesday 28th: CHICKEN KORMA (gf), BROCCOLI & CHEESE PASTA (v), PESTO, TOMATO & CHEESE TOPPED BAGEL (v), APPLE & BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE (free from eggs, milk)
Thursday 29th: LAMB HOTPOT (gf), VEGGIE MINCE BOLOGNAISE (v), CHEESE QUICHE (v), CHOCOLATE SCRUMMY
Friday 1st March: CHICKEN IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE, MACARONI CHEESE (v), BATTERED FISH, CHOCOLATE KRISPIE (free from eggs)
(V) = Vegetarian (GF) = Gluten Free
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon,
Today we welcomed Makeda into school to deliver some amazing sessions with our Year 11s, focusing on developing techniques for effective revision; parents are also attending a session tonight which I am sure they will enjoy.
This week has also seen the Year 9s take part in Talk the Talk communication workshops, Year 7s and 8s go on a sponsored walk to fundraise for hearing dogs, and Mrs Coe lead a residential trip for Year 8 Classics students. So another busy week in what has been a very busy half term crammed with opportunities for all our students.
With an equally busy half term to come, I hope all students enjoy the break next week and recharge their batteries ready to enjoy the rest of the Spring term. I wish Year 11s all the best with their preparations for the second round of mocks.
Wishing all students and their families a restful break - enjoy the week.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Half-term next week
We wish all our students a safe and happy break. See you all on Monday 26 February.
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Warning - 'Die With Me' app
We have been made aware of an app(s) that is only available to users when their phone battery reaches somewhere between 5 and 10%. At this point, the app links the user to other users around the world with similar phone battery levels in an online chatroom. Users are able to chat anonymously until their phone battery dies. Whilst the app advertises the chat as an opportunity for users to lament their dying phone batteries together, there are significant concerns about inappropriate content on the chat as well as this providing initial contact that could lead to grooming via other platforms.
Over half-term, please take the opportunity for a family conversation about online safety in regards to social media apps. Our advice would be that if young people have an app like this (or any other where users can chat anonymously), they would delete it.
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Fantastic Futsal
Massive congratulations to our Year 9 Futsal team whose skilful play won them the District tournament. Good luck in the County finals on 15th March!
The Year 10 team also won their District tournament, beating their opponents 7-1, and are through to the finals!
And congratulations also to our Year 8 team, who showed fantastic teamwork and determination and came a brilliant 2nd in their District tournament whilst also competing against Year 9s.
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Oracy workshops with Talk the Talk
We always love having Talk the Talk in school for their engaging communications workshops. Their mission is to help young people build skills and confidence in spoken communication, for positive interactions and better outcomes in all kinds of life situations, and this week they were here to support our Year 9s with this.
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Valentine's week in the Library
Love was in the air in the Library this week with two new displays celebrating our love of books, reading and the HGS Library.
The Blind Date with a Book display gave students the chance to pick their next read from our mystery selection, based only on a one-word clue. All the books were wrapped up so the students couldn’t see the cover or the blurb, or peek inside. Lots of books were borrowed and we look forward to finding out how our readers got on with their ‘dates’!
Over in the Reading Group corner, members of the Library Goblins wrote why they love the HGS Library on paper hearts and used them to create a beautiful collage. The heart-warming comments included: "Books allow me to escape to a magical world";"The library is a nice, comfy place to be with friends and read books" and "It’s my favourite place".
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Learning for Life
This term Year 8 have been learning about the health risks associated with consuming energy drinks in Learning for Life. Miss De Wild's class produced some excellent posters to illustrate the effects that caffeine can have on the body.
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As part of the Hertfordshire Careers Hub we are once again participating in their annual Apprenticeship Survey which has been running since 2019. We would really appreciate your help in completing this short survey to share your thoughts generally about post-16 options for your child.
The survey responses are really useful to us as a school to identify how we can improve careers education and knowledge of the different pathways available for all students. Survey responses also help build up an accurate picture across Hertfordshire – you can read the outcomes of the 2023 survey here.
The survey will be open until 31 March 2024.
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Triangle Community Garden
We have lots going on to cheer up the winter months for adults and young people alike, including a winter photography workshop, a Big Garden Birdwatch event and our Triangle Tribe evenings.
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NOTICEBOARD - CAREERS / HIGHER EDUCATION
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Wednesday 13 March, 4.30 – 7pm
Years 10 to 12
What's on the agenda
There will be live discussions on topics such as: student finance, creating the perfect arts portfolio, personal statement tips, contextual offers, and a deeper dive into studying specific subjects.
Ask questions directly to our diverse line-up of 40 universities located all over the UK, including University of Exeter, Cardiff University, Lancaster University, Queen's University Belfast, University of Aberdeen, and Royal Holloway University of London.
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Applications now open for apprenticeships programmes at Standard Chartered Bank, London.
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Medic Mentor's virtual work experiences provide students with valuable insights and opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to access. Developed in collaboration with Birmingham University Hospitals Trust, this virtual work experience has proven to be transformative for thousands of secondary school students over the past year. It goes beyond being just an alternative to in-person shadowing; it is a crucial step in preparing students for their upcoming physical placements.
Medic Mentor have designed a 6-month medical e-learning work experience programme, focusing on one specialism each month, allowing students to set their own pace of learning. From structured teaching to direct interaction with doctors and healthcare professionals, the programme ensures students not only observe procedures but also gain a broader understanding of roles within the medical field.
Covering everything from ethics to procedures and broader team roles, this virtual work experience provides an overview of students' desired career paths and the skills that medical professionals are looking for, thereby enhancing their UCAS applications.
Find out more and sign up
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING / SEND / SUPPORT
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Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is offering a free online ‘Managing Study Stress’ webinar for students who are aged 16+, which covers some of the key content delivered in our in-person workshop.
The webinar offers insights into the common triggers and symptoms of stress and provides guidance on cognitive and behavioural techniques which students can learn and use themselves to tackle these symptoms. These skills can be particularly helpful for students as they are preparing for their exams and/or completing coursework. The webinar will next run on the following dates:
- Wednesday 6 March, 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Tuesday 28 May, 3 - 4 pm
Please note this webinar is open to the public and those attending will be anonymous.
More info and register
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Anxiety Around ADHD online workshop
Wednesday 28 February 7pm – 9pm via MS Teams
This 2- hour workshop is for parents and carers who suspect or have received a recent diagnosis that their child has ADHD. The workshop helps parents/carers understand what ADHD is, why it makes sense for a child to be anxious if they have ADHD, strategies to help support you and your child, plus signposting to other support that is available.
Reducing Conflict online workshops
Thursday 14 March 9.30am – 11.30am AND
Wednesday 20 March 7pm – 9pm via MS Teams
Conflicts are a regular occurrence within families. It’s often a normal part of everyday life. However, conflict that is frequent, intense and poorly resolved has a significant negative impact on children’s mental health and long-term life chances. This 2-hour workshop explores different types of conflict between couples and families. It will provide support in understanding the causes and impact of parental and family conflict on children and gives practical steps and strategies that parents can take to help improve their family relationships.
Book
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DSPL is a Hertfordshire-wide partnership approach in which parents/carers, school staff, local authority officers and other agency staff work together as part of an Area Group, to ensure that there is a range of provision and support services available in their local community that:
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Meets the needs of children and young people (aged 0-25) with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as close to home as possible.
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Improves outcomes for wellbeing and attainment
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Widens choice for children and parents/carers
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Removes barriers to learning
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Uses resources more effectively
More info including parent workshops
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