HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 8 | Date: 13 June 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 3
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 3.
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon
It has been a great week for trips, with visits to Computacenter, the National Portrait Gallery for GCSE Art and the Tower of London for Year 7 History. It has been a pleasure to see the students returning inspired and full of excitement after these experiences - these extracurricular opportunities really do add something special to the curriculum here at HGS and I'd like to thank all of the staff involved in organising and running them, as each one takes considerable time and effort.
Also this week, staff held information evenings for the upcoming Berlin and Romans in Britain trips, again highlighting the extent of the opportunities we are able to offer. I look forward to hearing more about these trips from the students and staff. If your child has benefitted from a trip recently I really would encourage you to send in a message of thanks for the staff involved, as I know these messages mean a great deal to them.
Closer to home, a local resident has highlighted concerns over the lack of a pedestrian crossing and the need for traffic-calming measures at a key point on Stevenage Road. Following an accident at this spot a number of weeks ago a petition has been established to gather evidence of support to present to the local councillors and MP. The petition can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/sYtpMdsr9mPd2zsy9
Finally, as you will have worked out, I was released from 'jail' last Friday night following an incredibly successful charity jailbreak event run by Home-Start Hertfordshire. I did have to sing to secure my release (oh, the indignity) and given the protestations so vehemently voiced by one of our very own Year 12s (thanks Elodie!!), I was lucky to escape. Thank you to everyone for their support and generous donations - the evening raised nearly £15000 for the charity.
Have a great weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Thanks to all your generous donations Mr Crowther is a free man this week! Despite tough questioning from the judge and a convincing statement from a witness for the prosecution (aka Elodie in Year 12) in the not-so-hushed courtroom of the British Schools Museum, the sum of £847 was enough to get our Headteacher bailed out of jail! The total is now up to £942 so thanks again for your support!
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We had two groups of Year 7s visiting the Tower of London for History this week. Students got to see the Crown Jewels including the Kor-i-Noor, one of the largest diamonds in the world, as well as the Tower's famous resident ravens.
Many students were surprised by Henry VIII's armour as they had expected it to be much larger than it actually is! It was also fascinating to learn about Sir Walter Raleigh and his time at the Tower, as well as the medicinal herbs he brought back from the Voyages of Discovery.
The group also looked at the features of the Tower that made it such a strong defensive castle, such as the portcullis and arrow slits. All in all it was an enriching experience that really helped bring history to life!
Find out more about our History curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
 
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These Sixth Formers have been awarded their certificates for taking part in Phase Hitchin's GROW programme, which was an opportunity to develop leadership, confidence and communication skills by delivering wellbeing workshops to primary school pupils.
Organised and led by Phase – a local youth charity working to build wellbeing and resilience in young people – the programme offers hands-on experience that helps students grow in confidence and character, while making a real difference to younger pupils in their community.
“I never thought helping others would help me grow too — but I’ve become more confident, more organised and better at leading a group. It’s been one of the best parts of sixth form.”
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Some of our Year 9s were at MBDA Stevenage last Friday to attend their International Women in Engineering event.
They heard inspirational talks from female engineers in different fields, went on a tour of parts of the site and took part in a K'nex bridge-building competition.
Both of our teams' bridges were able to withstand the required weight, and the overall prize went to one of them, whose design came out as slightly better. Well done all!
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Year 10 Spanish students showed a lot of creativity in their project of designing boardgames to practise verb conjugations and tenses. They then got to introduce their games to the class and play together as a fun way to consolidate their grammar!
Find out more about our Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
 
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Book vs Movie - the Results!
Voting has now closed for the Book vs Movie poll in the Library and it's clear there are some strong feelings around this question! Of the six titles in the contest, students preferred four of the books to the movies. The winning books were Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Hobbit, The Hunger Games and Little Women. The two movies that won out over the original book versions were Matilda and To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Some of the votes were close-run while others had a very clear winner. Thank you to everyone who cast their votes!
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This week is Carers Week. In Hertfordshire, we are celebrating the work and support that our young carers provide for their families. However, The Carers Trust estimates that 1 in 5 school-aged children could be young carers. Yet in Hertfordshire, the January 2025 School Census:
- Found that 60% of schools reported no known young carers
- Identified only 1,483 young carers out of approx. 200,000 pupils
The 2021 Census recorded just 2,525 young carers aged 5–17. These figures show many young carers remain hidden and unsupported.
Carers in Hertfordshire will offer an assessment and further support. Please get in touch: young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk
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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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