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 2
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 2.
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Good afternoon,
Today's newsletter contains lots to celebrate and be proud of. We have great success from our trampolinists, who once again excelled in the national schools championships recently, with many of them going through to the finals that will take place in March. Well done to all involved, and thanks to the coaches and staff who have supported them. I wish you every success for the national finals. Congratulations also go to one of our Year 7s, Annushka, who has achieved recognition and awards for her skills and hard work in karate.
Our mathematicians in Years 9 - 11 have been competing in the UKMT Maths Challenge - I look forward to seeing their results. And our Year 10 linguists continue to provide an excellent language experience for local primary students through their hard work and commitment to Project Polyglot. Well done everyone!!
This week our Heads of House have led House assemblies, through which they rally their students to climb up the House Cup leaderboard and, importantly, promote our charity endeavours in support of Garden House Hospice. The next fundraiser takes place during Performing Arts Week and is called 'HGS's Got Talent'. I attended the Jewel House assembly yesterday and we were treated to the first screening of the promotional video for the event. I have no doubt it will be a sellout and I am very much looking forward to it.
On Tuesday next week we will welcome Debra Barnes, who will give a talk to our Year 9s to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Debra is author of The Young Survivors, which is based on the true story of how her mother and her siblings survived as Jewish children during the Second World War. The session will certainly be thought-provoking and impactful - definitely something you will want to discuss with your child at home.
And on Thursday next week, Year 9s have their ELSA Careers day which is always well received by students, and is another example of why life at HGS is truly unmissable.
Have a great weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
Good luck to all these students from Y9, 10 and 11 who put their logical problem-solving skills to the test in the UK Maths Trust Intermediate Maths Challenge!
A special mention and very well done to Annushka in Year 7 who, having won two Bronze medals (team) and a Gold medal (individual) at the national karate championships back in November, has been awarded Student of the Year by her club. Congratulations Annushka!
Following their successes at the national schools trampolining competition's Regional round, these HGS trampolinists progressed to the Zonal round in Cardiff last weekend, where all teams finished in the top 3 in their respective categories. Freya was crowned Zonal Individual Champion and 7 others finished in the top 5. Sixteen of our students will now be travelling to Derby for the national finals in March!
Thirty of our GCSE linguists have volunteered for this year's Project Polyglot programme, where our students prepare and then deliver French and Spanish lessons for primary school pupils. They have been devising their lessons after school since October and have now started visiting local primaries to run the sessions.
The Year 10s have worked incredibly hard and learnt so much about how to plan and deliver engaging language lessons, improving their understanding of French and Spanish in the process.
Our MFL teachers have been impressed with their dedication, enthusiasm and collaboration skills, and the Years 3, 4 and 5 children they have visited so far have thoroughly enjoyed their lessons!
Looking forward to hearing more after the second round of classes later in the term!
Following their stunning performances of Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet last year, we welcomed back the Box Clever Theatre Company to present A Christmas Carol, one of the GCSE English set texts, to all of our Year 11s.
We were treated to an amazing, up-close and interactive three-person performance with ingenious staging in our main hall. Thank you to Box Clever for bringing Dickens to life for our students so powerfully and with a witty modern twist!
The Music department is hosting a Senior Music Recital, featuring our GCSE Music students in Years 10 and 11 performing their solo and ensemble pieces. This is part of Performing Arts Week, and is a valuable opportunity for students to experience playing in front of a supportive audience. Parents/carers are welcome to attend, but will need to prebook their free ticket via Eventbrite here
The event will take place in Highbury House, Room 81 and will start at 16:30 with an anticipated run time of an hour.
Herts Hub is a new website that's intended to be a one-stop portal for Children and Young People's Mental Health Services, accessible to both parents and young people. Take a look at https://www.hertshub.co.uk/
Living with Anxiety
For 14 - 18-year-olds
This is an 8-week online group designed to help those who may be experiencing anxiety or finding it difficult to manage their emotions day to day. It's a friendly and supportive space where young people can:
Better understand their anxiety and what triggers it
Learn practical tools and coping strategies
Build confidence through shared experiences and guided activities
Each week, they will focus on a different theme, such as challenging anxious thoughts, managing social anxiety, and developing healthy coping habits. Participants also receive a workbook to help them reflect and practise between sessions.
Group Details:
Tuesdays at 7-8pm
Online via Zoom
Families can access the group by referral (parents, teachers or professionals can refer).
Or call:0208 189 8400 to speak to one of their support workers directly if you have any questions. Alternatively, chat with them on their instant messaging between 2pm and 10pm every day by clicking the blue 'chat with us' button.
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.
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.
