HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 1 | Date: 17 April 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,
Welcome to the first newsletter of the Summer term. I hope everybody had a restful Easter and had the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. I know from my conversations with Year 11 and Year 13 students this week that there was, of course, a fair amount of revision taking place; importantly, time was also taken to rest and recharge before the final push towards the summer exams. The Year 11 GCSE Drama students had their final practical exam this week - I know they have all been working hard so I am sure this will have gone well.
Over the break the school led two incredibly successful trips; the Classics department's trip to Italy and the PE department's sports tour to Holland. Having spoken to staff and many students who were on the trips, I know they were both great experiences and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff and volunteers who gave their time to provide such fantastic opportunities. Thank you!
Year 10 have returned to their mock exams and they have made an impressive start to these. The formality of the exams, and the opportunity to practice routines and build exam stamina are vital parts of preparing students for success in their final GCSEs next year. I wish them all well for the exams that remain.
With Year 12 Geographers in Norwich this week and Year 13 Drama students going to the theatre, school life continues to be full of unmissable experiences.
This week I have had the pleasure of conducting 9A's Options interviews. Over the course of the many years I have been at HGS I have carried out hundreds of these meetings, but I must say the students of 9A really impressed me with their approach to their Options. Every single student I spoke with was a fantastic ambassador for the school; they were polite, confident, engaging and were able to articulate their thoughts with clarity. It was clear that they have taken choosing their GCSEs very seriously indeed. I am sure this is true of all Year 9s and I wish them every success with their new courses when they begin next year.
The newsletter celebrates some fantastic student achievements - I'll leave you to read all about them, but huge congratulations from me go to the winners of the Science Fair, and to Vaanya and Ellie-Rose for their achievements in swimming and gymnastic respectively.
Next week will be an exciting one in and out of school, with a trip to Parliament, Take Your Child to Work Day for Year 8s, and Culture Day on Friday. It's going to be a great week!
Have a lovely weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Our annual Science Fair for Year 7s and 8s took place at the very end of last term. The event was the culmination of our students' scientific investigation projects, which they presented to an audience of staff, family members, and former science teachers, who were the judges for the entries. More than 100 students took part in small teams, as well as teams from William Ransom and Mary Exton primary schools.
They were tasked with researching and creating a presentation on a scientific topic of their choice, linking to this year's overall theme of Exploration.
So the winners were....
- 1st: Space Radio by Delilah E. and Genevieve O.
An amazing project about the Voyager missions and space exploration.
- 2nd: Got Any Grapes by Imogen W., Annabel P., Lenore S., Evie N.
A very impressive investigation into how different shapes move through fluids, to recreate how a rocket would move through space.
- 3rd: The Intrusive Thoughts by Ada A., Elora G., Emma H., Rebecca W.
This group explored how the mind works and what affects it, and created some fantastic displays and spoke very eloquently.
Awards were also given for Best Presentation, Best Explanation and Most Enthusiastic... our recipients should all be really proud of themselves! The whole event was a wonderful display of effort by everyone who had a go and entered the competition.
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We have more individual sporting achievements to share and celebrate this week. Vaanya in Year 7 recently took part in a swimming marathon organised by Swimathon at Stevenage Swimming Centre, where she successfully swam 500 metres in 10 minutes, and was awarded a medal for her effort. Very well done Vaanya on your perseverance in accomplishing this!
Meanwhile Ellie-Rose in Year 8 won Gold at the English Prelims in tumbling and has therefore qualified for the English Nationals in Telford at the end of May! This was on the back of becoming Herts County Champion in both acro (Aspire women's group) and tumbling (Club 5), so lots of congratulations are due for some incredible results!
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Nominations are still open for the Ellie Swanton 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 before half-term. The overall winner will be presented with the Ellie Swanton shield.
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING & SEND
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National SEND Reforms & Consultations
A series of documents summarising the Schools White Paper and SEND Consultation are available for parents and professionals on the Government website:
Every child achieving and thriving and SEND consultation supporting information
Have Your Say
The consultation document explains the changes that are planned to be made and asks for comments from everyone with an interest. The changes aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND across the 0 to 25 years system.
The national consultation SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First is now open for responses:
SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space
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ADD-vance Workshops
ADD-vance is a dedicated group of professionals, who also happen to be parents of autistic and/or ADHD children. Their mission is to support the families of neurodivergent children and the professionals involved in their care.
ADD-vance offers online workshops for parents and professionals, including:
• Understanding Anxiety
• Applying for an EHCP
• Supporting the transition to secondary school
Please follow the link to view available upcoming workshops:
ADD-vance Events - 15 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
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SEND Local Offer
A central hub for SEND services, support, events, things to do and guidance in
Hertfordshire which can be filtered by location, date and age range:
SEND Local Offer | Hertfordshire County Council
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SEND Drop‐in for Parents & Carers
There is a SEND coffee morning being held on 17th March (Moss Bury School) and 16th June (Pear Tree School) both 10am – 12pm - this is a drop-in session with no booking required:
SEND Drop-in coffee morning, Stevenage | Hertfordshire County Council
There will be various support services in attendance such as ADDvance, Family Centre, Messy Minds and Step2Skills.
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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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