HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 9 | Date: 20 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
I start today by congratulating our Year 11 and Year 13 students for successfully navigating the exam season - well done all!!! Before they disappear off to enjoy a well-deserved extended summer break, we have a number of school events to look forward to, including Sports Day and Founders' Day next week. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the exams team and all the staff who have supported the students throughout the exams! Now onto Year 12 mocks!
On Monday, a team of Mathematicians had great success representing the school in a national Maths competition. Not only did the students excel with their academic prowess, but it was their character that stood out too, leading one attendee to write in, describing our team as "a great bunch of students - enthusiastic, well spoken and polite - they did your school proud". A big thank you to Miss Pedge for supporting the students with their journey to the final. You can read more about the event below.
The school also enjoyed sporting success this week, with our Year 7 and Year 8 rounders teams achieving Silver and Gold respectively in the District finals. A great result - well done!
Next week is an important one for the school as we celebrate some of our longest-standing traditions: Sports Day, Enterprise Stalls and Founders' Day. With sporting events across the week culminating in Sports Day on Friday - which runs alongside Founders' Day and Enterprise Day - it really is an amazing end to the week. Look out for our students processing down the hill to St Mary's church for the 11am service, where we will be joined by the Boys' School for this shared tradition.
Have a great weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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The TMC National Final, held at the prestigious RHS Halls in Westminster, was a vibrant celebration of mathematical talent and creativity. Following an impressive series of regional competitions involving 677 teams, just 72 teams earned their place in the national final.
Students travelled from far and wide - including the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands - to take part in this exciting event. The day was filled with energy and inspiration, as teams showcased their understanding of mathematics by creating imaginative and informative posters on the theme of geometry in plants. It was a fantastic day that highlighted the enthusiasm and ingenuity of young mathematicians.
We couldn't be prouder of the four students that represented HGS at the event: Lauren (Y8), Aashi (Y8), Elsie (Y9) and Anna (Y9). The students performed incredibly and placed joint 18th out of the 64 attending schools from across the UK! A big well done!
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Year 10 Art students visited the National Portrait Gallery in London, where they explored the gallery’s impressive collection of portraits across a wide range of media, and learnt about the significance of portraiture and its link to British history.
In the afternoon they took part in an engaging workshop run by the gallery, which focused on identity and portraiture, and encouraged them to reflect on how people are represented and how identity is expressed through art. This was a lovely chance to discuss the work on show and do some sketching in the gallery spaces.
Overall a very inspiring day out for the students, which will hopefully help develop their own independent projects back in school.
Find out more about our Art curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
 
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Some recent homework done by Year 8 History students, who have been learning about women gaining the right to vote. They had to design some merchandise to sell in the Suffragette shop and came up with these lovely products and creations.
Find out more about our History curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
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Huge well done and congratulations to the Years 7 and 8 rounders teams. They both made it to the District finals, with Year 7 winning Silver and Year 8 winning Gold! It has been a very quick season, so thank you and well done from the PE department, to all those who took part in any rounders fixtures this term.
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Summer has arrived and the sun is shining, which makes it the perfect time for students to refresh their 'To Read' pile. There are lots of great new reads in the Library, from mysteries to manga, and everyone is welcome to browse the shelves. Not sure what to read? There are new and popular books on display - or come and ask Mrs Goose or Mrs Woods at the Library desk. We're always happy to help.
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(Please note these events are for students only
and not open to parent spectators)
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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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