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.ukwith 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.
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Good afternoon,
The temperature outside may have taken a plunge but school has been no less a hive of activity this week, with Dr Guy Sutton returning for another engaging A Level Psychology workshop; Year 7 and Year 10 parents/carers meeting the form tutors; the Futures Fair seeing around 60 visitors in school; and local primary pupils joining us for the Hitchin Schools' Transition Conference today. You can read more about these events below, along with some wonderful pieces of work produced by our students from diverse areas of the curriculum. A big thank you to everyone involved!
Next week, on Tuesday evening, we welcome prospective Sixth Form students into school for our Sixth Form Open Evening - this is an important stage in the educational journey and I look forward to seeing many parents/carers and students there.
You will also see that tickets for our Christmas Carol Service are now available. We would encourage you to book in good time if you would like to attend, as this cherished tradition is always extremely popular, and for good reason - it promises to be another memorable festive concert this year.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we have a short week next week, with school closed on Thursday and Friday for INSET/Occasional days.
Have a great weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
Turning our school greener, one classroom at a time: Eco Club split and propagated these plants, including sage from Emily's Garden and air-purifying Snake Plant, which have now been rehomed in classrooms.
Following local resident complaints, we would like to remind parents/carers that there is no stopping or parking at the top of Hollow Lane before the left turn onto Highbury Road, due to the hazard posed to traffic in the left lane and to pedestrians attempting to cross with reduced visibility. If dropping off or collecting your child by car, please check parking restrictions in the vicinity of the school, and park with consideration for residents, other road users and especially pedestrians at this busy time of the day.
A reminder of our long INSET weekend next week, with school closed on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November. We'll see everyone back on Monday 1 December for the final stretch of the term!
A visit from Dr Guy Sutton is always a memorable highlight of our A Level Psychology course, and this week was no exception as he delivered a fascinating and thought-provoking Forensic Neuroscience session for our Year 13s. Focusing on criminal psychology, the workshop covered topics including post-traumatic stress, childhood testimony and terrorism. Hearing about the latest research from a world-renowned expert in the field is a real privilege, and the closest thing to degree-level study that our students can experience.
Our main hall was packed with stalls representing a variety of professions, businesses and employers at our Futures Fair yesterday, for our students in Years 9 - 13 to visit and discover throughout the day. We also had a classroom full of reps from Further and Higher Education institutions next door and speakers from universities giving lunchtime talks, adding to the broad view of options available after leaving school.
This is always an excellent opportunity for students to research career paths in person and ask any questions directly to employers and professionals. Thank you, as ever, to the parents, alumnae and members of the wider community who gave their time to make this event possible.
Dedications to individuals who died in World War I by our Year 9 History students. They each made a poppy and chose whom to dedicate it to, be it someone in their family who lost their life in the conflict, or a person they found out about through researching the Commonwealth War Graves.
They learnt the significance of the different colours: black commemorates black, African and Caribbean communities' sacrifices; purple recognises the contribution of war animals; and white emphasises the civilian dead and calls for non-violent solutions to conflict. The poppies will be added to the wall in one of our History classrooms.
Our Year 7 prefects ready to take questions from Year 6 pupils in the Q&A session at the Hitchin Schools' Transition Conference this morning.
This was a chance for student reps from local primaries to hear from Year 7s at HGS, HBS and The Priory about their experiences of Transition, as well as useful insights into secondary school life, including learning and homework, clubs, and getting to and from school.
The three Hitchin secondaries run this event together every year to help the Year 6s who will be joining us, and we were delighted to be the host venue this year.
These impressively intricate models of the human heart were made by our Year 10 Triple Science students, who were creative with their chosen materials to achieve some accurate and realistic results!
In this free workshop, you'll get stuck into the world of DIY publishing by making your own zine. Guided by zine-maker Cia Mangat, you'll create collages and learn how to assemble them into mini-mags. No experience needed!
This week JustTalk Herts are focusing on 'The Power of Music on Mental Health', highlighting the positive impact that music has on the mental wellbeing for children and young people. Music can help them to lower stress, improve mood and create moments for calm and processing.
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.
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.
