HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 3 | Date: 1 May 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 3
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 3.
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon,
Welcome to this week's newsletter, which highlights some of the brilliant opportunities and experiences over the past week, including the Junior Maths Challenge, and an inspirational STEM visit from former student Mili Ostojic. Additionally this week some of our Business Studies students went on a trip to Cadbury World and our Library Reading Group took part in the North Herts Schools Book Awards.
There are some individual student achievements to be celebrated too, for Jilystia, Annabel, Daisy and Grace - well done to them.
Next week our Year 13s have their 'final day' in school. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them all for being such fantastic members of our community and to wish each of them every success in all their exams this summer.
Have a great long weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Now in its fourth year, Culture Day is our vibrant celebration of the diverse cultural backgrounds within our school community, through food, music, dance and a catwalk show!
Thank you Mio, one of our A Level Media students, for the gorgeous photo contributions! View the album
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Around 70 of our Years 7 and 8 top-set students took part in the Junior Maths Challenge this week. This national competition encourages students to apply their mathematical skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities to a range of exciting and challenging questions.
We are incredibly proud of all the students who represented the school with enthusiasm and determination. Taking part in such a prestigious challenge is a fantastic achievement in itself, and it was wonderful to see so many students eager to test their skills.
We would like to congratulate everyone who participated, and thank them for their hard work and commitment! We are now eagerly awaiting the results and wish all of our students the very best of luck. Whatever the outcome, they have already done themselves and the school proud.
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We were excited to welcome back former student Mili Ostojic to talk to our Biologists about her PhD project - developing specialised drones and using them for ecological research and wildlife sampling.
Having obtained a Masters in Engineering at Cambridge, Mili has gone on to do her doctorate in Life Sciences at Imperial College. She talked us through the drone she built using a 3D printer and how she has used it to carry out environmental surveys, such as capturing birdsongs of different species.
It was especially nice that members of our Eco Club were there, as Mili was an original founding member of the club back when she was at HGS!
Her advice to our budding scientists: "Follow your curiosity, try new things, and don’t be afraid to explore different areas of science. Your skills can take you to exciting and unexpected places!"
Thank you Mili for giving your time for this inspiring lunchtime talk!
 
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Can you help Eva (Year 10) raise money for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk? Eva will be doing the Moonwalk London 2026 night walk on 16th May. Any donations will be very much appreciated!
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Another milestone in Taekwondo for Jilystia in Year 8! She won Gold in her first team event with three athletes she had never practised with before. Many congratulations!
And huge well done to hockey players Annabel, Daisy and Grace in Year 9, who represented Hertfordshire in the U14s at the Eastern region county finals, playing against teams from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
...And with the warm weather comes the start of the tennis season. Well done to these Year 9s who played very well in our first match last night!
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For their War of the Roses topic in History, 7P students were divided into the House of York and the House of Lancaster and acted out their battles and machinations! A great way to help learn the sequence of events that led to Henry Tudor taking the English throne.
Find out more about our History curriculum at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
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The Young People and Young Adult Race Inclusion Forums are pleased to accept registrations from individuals wishing to take part in this innovative project!
Hertfordshire Constabulary are seeking applications from black young people, aged 14 to 22, to volunteer to be part of these Forums. Participation will involve attending a meeting (wherever possible), hosted at an educational premises in Hertfordshire.
We expect to run two meetings during each school term. The meetings will last no longer than two hours, with the option to attend online if attending in person is not possible. Each meeting will explore different areas of policing to seek insights and feedback from Forum members. Topics we expect to cover include stop and search, along with recruitment challenges, and broader areas of policing management. By taking part, the young people’s feedback will make a tangible impact on the Constabulary for the future.
This is a great opportunity for you, or your child, to have their voice heard and be involved in how Hertfordshire is policed, particularly from the perspective of the black community. Certificates of participation will be provided to all who take part, along with the opportunity for references to be provided to support future opportunities.
Spaces are limited, register your interest, or your child's, by clicking 'next'!
Eligibility to take part:
- Aged between 14 and 22
- Define your ethnicity as non-white British (this project is part of the Police Race Action Plan)
- Able to attend Forum sessions either online or in person over a 12-month programme
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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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