HGS Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 8 | Date: 6 March 2026
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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,
I want to start today's newsletter by thanking all the volunteers who came into school on Thursday to support the Year 12 Employability Day. From speaking with students and volunteers, I know it was an incredibly successful day and you can read more about it below.
Well done to our Year 11 Food Preparation and Nutrition students who have been working hard on their NEA practical assessment this week. Each time I passed the Food classrooms it was clear that they were making use of every second in order to turn out high quality products - once again, well done! They are another step closer to finishing their GCSE.
To celebrate International Women's Day on Sunday, students are encouraged to come to school on Monday wearing an accessory that's purple, white or green - the colours of the Suffragettes.
IWD is an important day for us, of course, and this will be marked with activities throughout the week. I would certainly encourage a conversation at home about the women who have inspired you the most. Our Deputy Head Girl, Farah, asked me which women have inspired me. I named three, one of whom was my Maths teacher when I was at secondary school - it was because of Ms Sharpe that I became a teacher. The other two - well, students will find out next week.
On Monday, our Year 11 dancers have their practical assessment and they will be showcasing their work at our 'Evening of Dance'. I wish them all the very best of luck with the performance and the assessment.
Thursday and Friday will see our annual Senior Classics Play being peformed. This student-led production is always of the highest quality and I am really looking forward to seeing it - to all those involved, 'break a leg'.
Additionally, next week we will also have Year 11 and Year 13 photos, Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl hustings, and the Year 7 parents' evening. So, lots to look forward to.
Finally, you may be wondering how last week's chess match concluded... well the suspense continues as Lydia and I weren't able to resume our game this week, but it's scheduled for Monday - I'll let you know how we get on.
Have a great weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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On Monday come wearing an accessory item that's purple, white or green to mark International Women's Day (e.g. hair accessory, socks).
All school uniform must be worn as usual!
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Year 12 had their Employability Day this week, which included workshops run by My Great First Job founder Dale Willis, on CVs and personal branding, degree apprenticeships and finding the right work experience.
Students also benefited from mock interviews with real employers - we had 24 interviewers who kindly gave their time or were on company volunteering hours, giving feedback on the students' CVs and asking questions on competencies and strengths.
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Attention all swimmers! The District Swim Gala is coming around again, on Friday 17 April in Watford - so we are looking for times to be submitted via this form by anyone who would like to be entered.
Any female competitive swimmer in North Hertfordshire can enter, and the deadline for submissions is Friday 20 March.
We know we have many fantastic swimmers at HGS so we would love to see numerous entries from our school. In the North Herts Gala that took place in January, our Junior team came 4th, our Intermediate team came 1st and our Senior team also came 1st - placing HGS in Gold position overall!
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World Book Day on Thursday also happened to be our weekly Reading Buddy day up in the Library. Students in Years 9 and 10 buddy up with Year 7s to listen to them read, in our scheme designed to encourage and support a love of reading.
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Tickets for our Senior Classics Play are available via ParentPay or on the door.
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Seeking Sports Guest Speaker: We're holding our annual Sports Awards on 9 July and are hoping to have a guest speaker who may be an inspiring role model for our young sportspeople.
The speaker would ideally be a current or ex-athlete/coach/official. Last year we were thrilled to be joined by Ellie Rattu, England netball player and London Mavericks captain (pictured here with our PE team!). If you may be able to help or could suggest a possible speaker (maybe even an HGS alumna?) please email admin@hgs.herts.sch.uk
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It's time for the annual Ellie Swaton Pride of HGS Award - a means of recognising the amazing work that our Sixth Form students do, whether inside or outside school. The three categories for nominations are:
Charity: Someone who has been working to support a charity, through fundraising, volunteering or any other relevant activity.
Community: Someone who has given their time to support the local community or a local group.
Selflessness: Someone who has given their time or efforts to help others; someone who can always be relied upon to give their time and energy in any situation.
Anyone can nominate a student - family, friends, teachers, co-workers - whether they know the student from school or outside school.
Nominations will close in the first half of the Summer term. The overall winner will be presented with the Ellie Swanton shield.
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Do you work within the legal profession? We have several students in Year 12 who are looking for work experience placements that would give them insights into the field of Law. If you work in a law practice or a legal department that may be able to offer some work experience in the week commencing 13 July 2026, we would love to hear from you. Please email clare.townsend@hgs.herts.sch.uk
We'd be grateful for any help anyone may be able to offer - thank you!
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We've just had a defibrillator installed outside our main school gates, one of very few in our area that are accessible to the public 24/7.
This was made possible by the wonderful charity Hearts for Herts, who are rolling out defibrillators in 70 school sites throughout our community. It costs £1300 to install one of these, so if you would like to show your appreciation for the charity's work, donations would be gratefully received at https://www.heartsforherts.co.uk/
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Our Spring pre-loved uniform sale is coming up! Both cash and cards will be accepted, and all proceeds will go towards school funds.
We're still welcoming donations for this event - please bring any uniform or PE kit that you no longer need to Reception. Thank you!
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING & SEND
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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/
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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).
To Register:
Fill out their online referral form: Living With Anxiety - WithYouth
Or download the form and email it to: withyouth@hertfordshiremind.org
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.
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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.
See all upcoming events
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