HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 5 | Date: 23 May 2025
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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).
WEEKLY LUNCH MENU - Week 1
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 1.
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon
Today is not only the end of a short but successful half term, it also marks the end of formal lessons for our Year 11s. Their day started with an English exam, which was then followed by the traditional shirt-signing, squash, cookies and goodbyes. The students were amazing as they celebrated this rite of passage in the best of spirits. Mr Jackson and the team of Year 11 tutors deserve significant praise for ensuring this was a lovely farewell for all. I wish each and every student, and their families, every success over the remaining weeks of exams and for whatever their future holds beyond that. Our next formal gathering with be on Founders' Day and I look forward to welcoming the students back into school for that important celebration and official end to their time here at HGS.
One Year 11 student has literally 'gone quackers', leaving 14 small objects around the school ground by way of goodbye - The objects include seven ducks and a variety of sea creatures... not all have been found yet!
 
Our Sports Leaders did a tremendous job again on Wednesday as they led the 2nd primary Sports Festival. With over 200 students from the local primaries in attendance it really was a great demonstration of the leadership skills they have developed across the course. Well done on a very successful event!
Over lunch today we held the staff charity football match; it was a highly competitive affair which ended in a draw - although I hear the score is up for some debate. Coupled with a bake sale, the event raised a good amount of money for charity - well done to all involved!
Finally, a reminder that I would like your help in securing my release from 'prison' as part of Home-Start Hertfordshire's' charity jailbreak fundraiser. Thank you for all of the donations so far - details of the event can be found below.
I wish you all a restful half term break and look forward to seeing students back on Monday 2 June.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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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
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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.
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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.
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Another festival accomplished for our Sports Leaders! For this week's event we welcomed 230 local primary pupils for a series of inventive games on our top pitch, planned and developed by our Year 12 Leaders and run by the Year 10 Leaders. A real collaborative effort on a bigger scale for the Year 12s' final assessment for Level 3 Sports Leadership - congratulations on its success!
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The latest in our Science careers talks was by Dr Emma Shelmerdine, Senior Medical Writer for Lymphoma Action. She talked about the varied field of medical communications, how it marries scientific interest with creativity and the skills needed to succeed, as well as the particular challenges and rewarding aspects of her role at the cancer charity. Students had the chance to ask her questions as well - thank you for taking the time to come in and provide valuable insights into this career path.
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Congratulations go to Tilley in Year 7, who received this Young Bowler award from Hertfordshire Bowls! Well done!
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Summer must be on its way, as Year 10 Food & Nutrition students have been making Eton Mess! They did a fabulous job today of making meringues, blitzing a fruit coulis, whipping cream and putting it all together, all in under an hour!
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NOTICEBOARD - SEND / WELLBEING
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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.
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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
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