HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 4 | Date: 16 May 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
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).
WEEKLY LUNCH MENU - Week 2
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 2.
|
|
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
Good afternoon
Yet again this week, our Year 11s and Year 13s have been tremendous in their approach to the public examinations. Working together as a whole community to support them through this time is really important and is clearly paying dividends. As outlined in my letter to Year 11 families earlier this week, the arrangements in place for revision in school for next week provide the most appropriate assistance for students at this time, and your ongoing support is much appreciated.
Away from exams, students in Year 10 enjoyed the 'Generation Stevenage' event in Knebworth, hearing companies and experts across a range of sectors giving important information about careers and opportunities for their future. I look forward to hearing the students share their experiences with me.
Yesterday, our fantastic Sports Leaders led an amazing primary festival, some further details are below - well done to all involved! Also featured in the newsletter today are points of celebration for football, music, Chemistry - and I want to give a special mention to the students who achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. One of them, Emelia (Y13), attended the award ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday. It's an award that is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication - a true display of each of our core values of Aspiration, Perseverance, Kindness, Respect and Positivity.
Today Year 10 students received their mock exam results, and over lunch many were sitting on the field discussing their grades. Lots of hard work had clearly gone into their exam preparation, and with a full year to go until the real GCSEs, there is plenty of time to build upon their achievements today. It is really important to remember that this early mock process is not just about grades; it is about preparing for the real thing, honing revision techniques and getting used to the experience of an exams season.
Finally, I need your help; you may have seen from our Facebook and Instagram feeds that I have been 'arrested' for the supposed crime of singing out of tune at school events. A trial will take place on June 6th at the British Schools Museum and I will of course be protesting my innocence. I cannot afford a lawyer of the required skill and guile to protect me from such slander - however, with your support (ie donations) I hope to secure an early release. Details of how you can support my bid for freedom and also raise money for Home-Start Hertfordshire at the same time are given below.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
|
|
|
We need your help to break Mr Crowther out of jail! Our Headteacher will be 'imprisoned' and 'standing trial' at the British Schools Museum on 6th June for the minor infraction (we're sure you'll agree) of singing out of tune at HGS events - all in aid of local charity Home-Start Hertfordshire!
We need to raise £1000 to secure Mr Crowther's release - which will go to Home-Start, who offer life-changing support to local families in need.
It costs Home-Start Hertfordshire approximately £2,600 to support a vulnerable family on a 1:1 basis in their own home, for 2-3 hours each week, for up to 9 months. Their trained, skilled volunteer family mentors offer practical and emotional support to families so they can face their struggles and offer their children the best start in life.
Please donate what you can to support this very worthwhile cause and Mr Crowther's bid for freedom!
https://homestarthertfordshire.enthuse.com/pf/james-crowther
|
|
|
Roadworks notice - Highbury Road
Cadent Gas have notified us of some mains replacement works on Highbury Road that are due to start on 19 May and last for approximately 30 weeks.
Cadent have informed us that the majority of these works will be completed under traffic lights, but there will be a period when a road closure will be necessary. This closure will be from the junction of Benslow Lane to Wymondley Road. We do not yet have a date for this closure, but advance warning signs will be placed two weeks prior.
If you have any questions or concerns, the Cadent customer contact number is 0800 151 2404.
Please also be reminded about parking with consideration to residents and businesses in the vicinity of the school, especially if waiting to pick up your child at the end of the school day. We have received a complaint from the Highbury Road Post Office this week about cars remaining in the parking bays intended for Post Office customers for excessively long periods around pickup time.
|
|
|
Hertfordshire County Council are providing supermarket vouchers for every child entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals to cover the May half-term holiday period. Eligible families receive a digital supermarket voucher to the value of £15 per child. These were emailed by Edenred on Thursday 15 May, so please check your junk folder if you have not yet seen yours.
|
|
|
We have made the decision to close our X account (formerly Twitter), as we have seen a decline in engagement on the platform over many months, and it is also our view that it is no longer compatible with our values or goals as a school community. We will continue to use Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to share school news, announcements, updates and job vacancies, so please do follow us on any of these platforms.
|
|
|
May is National Walking Month and this is Mental Health Awareness Week as well, so we are challenging ourselves to walk 10,000 steps a day to promote both our physical and mental wellbeing. Students and their families are all encouraged to get walking to help reduce stress, boost endorphins, and enjoy the glorious weather and nature thriving around us at this time of year. Hear more from Mrs Cole about walking for wellbeing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1yRgN0jk_0
|
|
|
Year 12 Chemistry students are taking part in a schools' Analytical Chemistry competition, in which they are evaluating soil samples from a disused industrial estate to consider whether it's suitable for building houses on, and if not what could be done to make the land safer. Part 1 of the challenge drew on their titration knowledge and skills - part 2 will follow next week! Find out more about our Chemistry curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
|
|
|
A lively afternoon on our lower pitch yesterday as our Year 10 Sports Leaders played host to about 120 pupils from Whitehill Junior School for the annual primary sports festival! Our Sports Leaders devised and ran several excellent games for an active afternoon of fun competition for our Years 3 & 4 visitors - it looks like it went down a treat!
|
|
|
Congratulations to Hitchin Belles FC U12s Blues, winner of the Year 7 Herts League Cup Final! Imogen, Orlagh, Evie, Elsie, Suraya, Neve, Ava-Lily and Sadie from HGS are part of this team, which progressed through several rounds since September to reach Saturday's final, where they beat Harvesters 1-0.
The team also came runners-up in their league's division with an impressive 70+ goals and only 13 conceded. Very well done to you all!
And some more fantastic football news! Alethea in Year 9 was part of the U14s Hertfordshire schools team who won the national final at the weekend. It’s the first time in 30 years that Herts have won a national title and the first time ever for a girls' team!
|
|
|
Emelia (Y13) attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award! Huge congratulations to her and the other students who succeeded in achieving Gold recently.
 
|
|
|
Congratulations also to Elly (7R), who took part in the Mill Hill Festival of Music, Speech and Drama on 11th May and won 1st place in the ages 11-14 Strings category!
|
|
|
Educake for parents/carers
Your child has access to a platform called Educake for Science. It lets them log in from any device to complete their homework or revise independently for exams. Here's a 3-minute overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5GEZV6-23k
And here's a more detailed look at how students can use Educake to support their GCSE revision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1HKG-BV9zc
If your child has forgotten their login details they just need to ask one of their Science teachers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smartphone Free Childhood survey
Have your say in the Hitchin kids' annual phone use survey
Are you a parent/guardian of a child aged 4-16 living in Hitchin? If so, please consider taking part in a new, annual Hitchin-wide survey to measure phone ownership among our children and the drivers and concerns local parents have. It’s being led by Smartphone Free Childhood Hitchin and takes just 5 minutes. Please take part if you can before the closing date of 23rd May and encourage other Hitchin parents to as well - thank you in advance!
Complete the survey
|
|
|
|
NOTICEBOARD - SEND / WELLBEING
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is offered by
Services for Young People?
Hertfordshire Services for Young People deliver a range of youth work projects for young people aged 11-17 (up to 25 for care leavers and those with SEND), in young people’s centres and other community venues in all districts of Herts.
They are committed to giving young people high-quality opportunities to learn life skills and excel in their personal and social development. They also aim to address issues at the earliest opportunity to give young people the best chance to thrive, have a voice in their community, reach their potential and make a successful transition to adulthood.
|
|
|
|
|
A partnership of local agencies, DSPL publishes a weekly round-up of courses, workshops and events related to young people's wellbeing and additional needs in the North Herts area.
Their forthcoming events include:
- School Avoidance Workshop
- Sleep Workshop
- Developing Child's Literacy
- PDA Online Support Group
- Identifying ADHD/Autism
See all upcoming events
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
