HGS Weekly Newsletter | Autumn Term, Week 2 | Date: 12 September 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, and welcome to the first newsletter of the year. Hopefully, you have had a chance to read my letter where I welcomed the students back; detailed some of the changes that have taken place over the summer; celebrated our exam success; and highlighted some key points, including the impact of good attendance on outcomes and guidelines for communicating with the school. One of the changes to our school site has been the addition of a canopy in the courtyard of the Woodside block, a project that was funded entirely by donations to the school. With school budgets under pressure, the donations we receive make all the difference and we are grateful for all contributions. There will be further plans to make additions to the school site later in the year. 
It has been a pleasure to see the school full of students again and particularly to welcome our new Year 7s and Sixth Formers. Tonight we welcome Year 7 parents and carers into school for their information evening, and similar events for other year groups are on the horizon. The Year 7 evening will also be an opportunity for our new students to share the House poems they have written and introduce their House mascots - I am really looking forward to seeing what this year's cohort have created. We held our freshers' fair for extracurricular clubs today, and the new clubs timetable will soon be published. I strongly encourage parents/carers to discuss the opportunities on offer with your children, with the aim of them participating in at least one activity a week. Engaging with extracurricular activities really does add breadth and further enjoyment to the school experience, enabling students to learn new skills, gain new knowledge and widen their friendship groups. Over the summer, one of our Sixth Formers enjoyed some great success in the field of cricket, and three of our students completed their Gold D of E expedition - you can read about their achievements below. Congratulations all, and very well done! I look forward to welcoming you all into school in the near future and continuing our journey together in supporting your children. Have a great weekend. James Crowther, Headteacher |
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Chromebook ordering available until 19 September
We are pleased to let you know that our school Chromebook purchase scheme is currently open to all year groups, for any students who need a new Chromebook. If you would like to order a Chromebook for your child, please note that the ordering portal will close on Friday 19 September. All devices ordered before this date will be delivered before the October half-term. For further information and details on how to order, please email
admin@hgs.herts.sch.uk. |
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Calling all parents/carers... if you may be able to help with our Careers events this year, please complete the below form to register your availability and field of work. Our first event will be the Futures Fair on 20 November, when students can find out about various occupations and career paths, as well as further & higher education institutions. We are especially in need of support from those working in creative roles, such as graphic design, media content creation, marketing, performing arts and music. Any help you may be able to provide for our students will be greatly appreciated. |
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Wanted! Board games and card games for students to play at lunchtime. If you have any unwanted games you are happy to donate to the school, please bring them to main reception. Thank you! |
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Year 7 have had a busy induction week, finding their way around and getting to know each other, their form tutors, and how the school works. Together with our partners at Phase Hitchin, they looked at resilience and practised some of the skills that they (and all of us!) need in order to be more resilient and cope with challenges and changes. They built towers, completed riddles, worked together, encouraged each other and reflected on resilience while getting to spend time with everyone in their forms.    On Thursday our Year 7s took it in turns to get up on stage and present on their respective Houses, revealing the mascots they had created and the poems they had written about their House icons. 
The week was rounded off with our Freshers' Fair today, bringing together many of our extracurricular clubs in the main school hall with stalls advertising their activities. We hope Year 7s felt inspired to join one or two and have signed up! 
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They're gonna be golden... Chloe, Hannah, Charlotte and Ellie in Year 13 completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's expedition during the summer holidays - six nights spent under canvas, and many miles covered over challenging terrain in very hot conditions! Three of them have also completed their residentials, experiencing all things medical, playing top-level cricket and looking after racehorses. This time next year they should be done and ready to receive their awards at Buckingham Palace! Very well done to you all! |
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  We're bowled over by Chloe's (Year 13) recent accomplishments in cricket - she was picked for the State School Select XI from across the country, to play against the MCC as part of the club's Women’s Day celebrations on 8th August at Lord's. The State School Select XI claimed a narrow victory in the final over! Chloe was then invited back to Lord's this month to receive a Young Coach of the Year award for her involvement in coaching U13 and U15 girls' county performance squads, as well as disability cricket groups in Hertfordshire. Well done and many congratulations Chloe! |
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And finally... these are just some of the books that have been returned to the Library after the summer! Hopefully a lot of enjoyable holiday reading took place. Mrs Downden and Mrs Woods are looking forward to welcoming new Year 7s up in the Library soon. Remember, all students and staff are members of the school Library. You can visit at break and lunchtime and borrow up to four books. Happy reading! 
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING & SEND |
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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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