HGS Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 9 | Date: 8 March 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: MACARONI CHEESE (v), BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO (v), CHEESE & ONION PASTIES (v), CHOCOLATE SCRUMMY
Tuesday: BEEF CHILLI (gf), PASTA BAKE (v), CHEESE QUICHE (v), COFFEE SPONGE
Wednesday: CHICKEN BLACK BEAN NOODLES, CHEESY LEEK PASTA (v), CHEESEBURGERS (v), APPLE FLAPJACK (free from wheat, eggs, milk)
Thursday: BACON & MUSHROOM CARBONARA, SWEET POTATO & BROCCOLI BAKE (v), CHICKEN FAJITAS, APPLE CRUMBLE (free from eggs, milk)
Friday: SAUSAGES, CAULIFLOWER CHEESE (v) BATTERED FISH, FISHCAKES, ICED SPONGE
(V) = Vegetarian (GF) = Gluten Free
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Happy International Women's Day!!
To celebrate this very special day in the school calendar, students have had a dedicated assembly led by Mrs Foster, Ms Pedge and Mrs Cole. The assembly highlighted key points in the timeline of International Women's Day going back to the first one in 1911. This is a global celebration, not unique to the UK, and it is our opportunity to recognise female achievement and a call to action for everyone to stand up for gender equality. Students have been invited to add the names of women who have inspired them to a collection of suggestions in the main school reception area over lunchtime. Additionally, the assembly launched an exciting project where students can submit entries for a 'ROAR' display in school.
On the topic of inspirational women, there have been many examples of this in school this week. I'd like to highlight the efforts of the GCSE Dance students who performed their practical assessment pieces after school on Monday; our Year 12 EPQ students presenting their projects to Year 11 and Year 12 families; and our visiting speaker Maralyn Turgel sharing the story of her father's experience of the Holocaust We don't have to look far for role models and inspiration, and I can honestly say that I am inspired by the students and my colleagues here on a daily basis!
On Thursday we celebrated World Book Day with a six-episode murder mystery audiobook that was played in classes throughout the day, and an opportunity for students to give their theory as to whodunnit in the Library at lunchtime. Thank you to the English department, the Library team and Mrs Cole for organising this.
This week has also been National Careers Week, with Ms Stojko and Mrs Townsend organising a series of careers webinars for students to engage with. Next week Year 7 and Year 10 will be taking part in Tesco workshop days as part of our ongoing programme of careers education.
This coming week also sees the start of Ramadan and students had another special assembly led by Mrs Foster and two students, Farah and Sherish. They did an outstanding job explaining what Ramadan is, what fasting is, what iftar is, what happens after Ramadan, and how we can support friends and colleagues who are celebrating Ramadan. Thank you and well done Farah and Sherish! Ramadan Mubarak to all families marking Ramadan.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Additional supplier of HGS uniform
We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Smarty Schoolwear as a supplier of our school uniform alongside Beats. We aim to ensure best value and good availability by having two retailers of our uniform.
From 11 March orders can be placed in Smarty stores in Stevenage, Hatfield and Potters Bar, or online at https://www.smartyschoolwear.co.uk/find-your-club-school-c1/hitchin-girls-school-c726.
Please also note that the school has a good stock of second-hand uniform, which is available to purchase at one of our regular sales (the next one will be on 16 March).
In addition the Hitchin Education Foundation provides grants to families who need financial assistance with buying uniform. Full details
See our school uniform policy and uniform list
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Next Friday we're running our Easter Food Drive for the Letchworth Foodbank, who are helping local families in crisis. Any donations that can be made in these difficult times will be greatly appreciated. Students are asked to bring the food items (non-perishable) to the crates in the foyers of the Main School, Lower Block or Woodside.
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International Women's Day, 8 March
Our Head Girl Team getting behind this year's IWD theme of Inspire Inclusion - emphasising the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.
Inspire Inclusion is about breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating environments where all women are valued and respected. Everyone is encouraged to recognise the perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life. Find out more at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
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Holocaust survivor talk
We felt privileged to welcome back Maralyn Turgel this week to recount her Polish-born father's direct experience of the Holocaust to our Year 12s and Year 9s.
The Year 9s had some very positive feedback on Maralyn's telling of her father's story incorporating photos and film clips. They found the topic was brought home to them in a very real and relatable way, and they were struck by the extraordinary courage needed for small acts of resistance by individuals. Thank you as always to Maralyn for sharing this personal story with our students.
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March Diversity Display
Our March display went up last week! This edition includes Ramadan, the Sikh New Year, the Hindu celebration of spring Holi, and Easter. International Women's Day and Neurodiversity Week are also big features in March. We'll be marking some of these important occasions in school assemblies. Thank you to Georgina in Year 12 and Avani in Year 13 who helped put the display together.
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Can you sponsor Phoebe's
abseil down the Lister?
Phoebe Canell in Year 13 is raising funds for East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals Charity by taking part in Lister Abseil 2024 - abseiling 11 storeys down the hospital's tower block! If you can support her nerve-testing effort, please visit her JustGiving page.
Donate now
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14th March is Pi Day and in honour of this infinite mathematical constant - and the wonder of mathematics in general - the Dining Room will be serving up a selection of delicious pies to choose from.
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The Association of British Science Writers is accepting submissions for this year's Young Science Writer Award, one of the most prestigious events in their calendar.
The aim of the competition is to encourage talented 14 - 16-year-old students with a passion for STEM and writing to submit an 800-word essay on the topic of their choice.
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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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Hertfordshire County Council is proposing new bus improvements in Hitchin. The improvements include:
- a new southbound bus lane along the A600 Bedford Road to improve bus journey times into Hitchin town centre
- a new northbound bus lane on Queen Street and upgrades to bus stops and new pedestrian crossings.
For further details and to have your say visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/busimprovements
Information sessions are also being held. We invite you to come along to meet the project team and ask your questions.
- 11 March, 3.30–7pm at British Schools Museum, 41-42 Queen St, Hitchin, SG4 9TS
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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 - WELLBEING / SEND
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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:
Please note this webinar is open to the public and those attending will be anonymous.
More info and register
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Reducing Conflict online workshops
Thursday 14 March, 9.30 – 11.30am AND
Wednesday 20 March, 7 – 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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