HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 7 | Date: 6 June 2025

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B week
All Day
from 09 Jun and on Monday every 2 weeks until 25 Jul
09
June
Junior Kangaroo (Maths)(time tbc)
9:00am – 3:30pm
10
June
Junior Maths Olympiad (time tbc)
9:00am – 3:30pm
10
June
Greece Trip Parent Information Evening (in LSH)
6:00pm – 7:00pm
11
June
Berlin Trip Parent Information Evening
5:00pm – 6:30pm
12
June

 

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

Photo of Headteacher Mr Crowther

Good afternoon

The week started with a celebration of the staff at school - each year the Head Girl and the Deputy Head Girls co-ordinate the nominations and awards for 'Non-Teaching Staff Member of the Year' and 'Teaching Staff Member of of the Year'. 

There were a number of staff who received special commendations and the overall winners in each category were: Miss Wells - Non-Teaching Member of Staff and Mr Hanse - Teaching Member of Staff.  The citations provided by the students who nominated them talked about the levels of support, care and guidance provided by both Miss Wells and Mr Hanse. They are thoroughly deserving of the praise they received, and it was evident that the award meant a great deal to them. 

Bibi, Leyla and Kelcie took time out of their study leave to come into school and present the awards in front of the staff during our Monday morning briefing, and this was a fantastic way to start the week. Thanks to all the students who took part in the awards process and congratulations to each and every member of staff for all that they do on a day-to-day basis!  

It has been an exciting week, full of opportunities and events, including: a Year 12 Computing trip to Bletchley Park; a Year 12 English trip to see The Great Gatsby at the theatre; a Year 12 visit to Hertfordshire University; an MBDA International Women in Engineering visit; a Year 9 Art and Design trip to the Harry Potter studios; a D of E planning meeting; and a parent information evening for the Geography trip to Iceland!

Next week is full of events too, with trips to the Tower of London, Computacenter and the National Portrait Gallery as just some of the highlights. Meanwhile, Years 11 and 13 continue to approach their public exams with an amazing attitude - I have been so impressed with them all!

The Home-Start Hertfordshire Jailbreak Fundraiser takes place tonight. Hopefully, I will be 'released from jail' as there is much to look forward to in school next week! I'd like to thank everyone for their generous donations so far in support of this important local charity.  

Have a good weekend,

James Crowther, Headteacher

It's almost time for Mr Crowther to appear before the judge for allegedly singing out of tune at HGS events! Can you help make sure he is set free and not left singing the jailbird blues?

As well as securing his release, all your donations will go towards local charity Home-Start Hertfordshire. Thank you to all those who have been able to support this effort to raise £1,000 for them - if you haven't done so yet, there's still time before the gavel strikes! 

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 provide practical and emotional support to families so they can face their struggles and offer their children the best start in life.

Please donate at https://homestarthertfordshire.enthuse.com/pf/james-crowther

Thank you!

The votes are in for our Staff of the Year Awards! Introduced by the Head Girl Team last year, these awards aim to celebrate all that our staff do for our students and school life.

There were almost 500 nominations from students, describing how staff have had a positive impact on them and the school. With so many wonderful testimonies it was incredibly difficult to choose two winners.

For Teaching Staff of the Year the winner was Head of History & Politics Mr Hanse, and the Non-Teaching Staff of the Year award went to Learning Support Assistant Miss Wells. Big congratulations to them!

Year 12 Maths and Computing students had a fascinating visit to Bletchley Park, where they learned about how the World War 2 code-breakers worked and their vital contributions to the Allied war effort through decoding the enemy's secret communications.

Find out more about our A Level Maths and Computing courses at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum

Read with Pride

The HGS Library is celebrating Pride Month with a display of some of the LGBTQIA+ books available for students to borrow. There are lots to choose from, including non-fiction, humour, romance and even zombies - as well as the popular Heartstopper series. Students can see the display throughout June and we hope they will all find something to read with Pride!

Our catering team continue to mix it up in the Dining Room with a Mexican special last month, and fully loaded chips today - with toppings including cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, chives, mint yoghurt and katsu curry! Happy Friday!

NOTICEBOARD - LOCAL 

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.

Find out more

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

  •  Free confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222
  •  Email us for support at askus@familylives.org.uk
  •  Talk to us online via our Live Chat service
  •  Online advice, peer support and information on all aspects of family life at www.familylives.org.uk
  •  Face to face support groups and workshops
  •  Find us on social media @FamilyLives @BullyingUK
  •  www.facebook.com/FamilyLivesHertsandBeds