HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 8 | Date: 12 June 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
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. 
|
|
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
|
Good afternoon, As we approach mid-June the public exams season is nearing its end; with only a few more GCSE and A-Level examinations to go I continue to be impressed by the focus and the approach shown by our students. I know that managing the exam season is a real joint effort with parents and carers feeling the stresses and strains too - so, well done and thanks to you all too! Our Year 8 Classicists had an amazing time on their three-day Roman sites trip - you can read about this below. I'd like to thank all the staff involved in organising and running the trip - it is experiences like these that really do create lasting memories. Our daily offer of extracurricular activities has been updated and this is linked in below - please do encourage your child to take part in a new activity. Our school week has been punctuated by thunder and rainfall, but fortunately the Year 10 Sports Leaders were still able to deliver an amazing session - well done to all involved. Individual student achievements are detailed below - well done to Zuzu, Sarena and Haysan for their Scouting and athletic achievements. Last week, I drew your attention to our fundraising campaign, HGS Amplify, a bid to raise £70,000 to upgrade the equipment in our Main School Hall. We have had a positive early response and I'd like to thank our community for their generous donations to date. We still have a long way to go, so as well as considering making a donation, I'd like to ask you to share the fundraiser page with your wider networks to help us in reaching this ambitious target. Finally, a huge congratulations to all the staff who work to support every single child in our school - wellbeing is incredibly important to us and our Schools Wellbeing Kitemark Award was recently reassessed; not only were we reaccredited but our provision was elevated to the Advanced award. Have a lovely weekend. James Crowther, Headteacher |
|
|
Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards upgrading our Main Hall facilities over the past week. Your donations have helped us get on our way to reaching the £70,000 we need to raise, and will help us buy some of the equipment we need. We still have a long way to go though, so if you are able to add to the fund, every donation will take us one step closer to our goal.
You can find out more about our project and what your donations will buy at tinyurl.com/HGSAmplify 
|
|
|
We are delighted to share the news that, as a school, we have been elevated to the Advanced Practice Wellbeing Kitemark for our emotional and mental health provision, in recognition of all the hard work that takes place as a whole school every day in supporting our students' wellbeing. 
|
|
|
Our Extracurricular timetable has been updated with the latest details of our clubs and societies, and where and when they run.
See the full timetable
|
|
|
|
|
The Year 9 Chromebooks purchased via the school scheme are coming to the end of their warranty period. After August, current Year 9 students will no longer be able to have their Chromebooks repaired by the school. If your Chromebook is damaged and requires maintenance please hand it in to IT as soon as possible so that any repairs can be carried out while it's still under warranty. |
|
|
It's always great fun when our Sports Leaders welcome local primary pupils for the Sports Festival they put on as part of their course. The sun came out for long enough on Tuesday for our Year 3 and Year 4 visitors from Whitehill to try out all the activities our Sports Leaders had designed and prepared. Congratulations on such a well run and well received festival! 
|
|
|
Our Roman Britain tour for Year 8s went very well despite the unpredictable weather. After exploring beautiful Bath on their first day, they travelled on to Wales and spent time at the National Roman Army Museum - where a few members of our group got signed up to serve the Emperor! Having spent their second night in an medieval castle, it was onwards to Cirencester Museum to see some Roman artefacts before visiting Chedworth Roman Villa. So a packed itinerary over three days, which hopefully helped bring Roman Britain to life for our budding Classicists. 
|
|
|
Some fantastic athletics results to share from Sarena and Haysan at the Herts County Championships. Despite very challenging conditions with heavy rain and strong winds all day, Sarena won the Years 10 & 11 Girls 3000m and took home the Gold medal, while Haysan earned Silver in the Years 8 & 9 Girls 1500m! Many congratulations to them both on their brilliant performances and a great show of perseverance. 
|
|
|
Zuzu in Year 10 is one of just eight young people to have been selected from Hitchin to take part in the World Scout Jamboree 2027 in Poland. This is a fantastic accomplishment and a great opportunity, representing the UK and meeting young people from all over the world. Zuzu is now working hard to fundraise for her place, and as part of this has organised this quiz night - please go along to show your support if you can! There is a tiered approach to fundraising targets, meaning some of the money Zuzu raises will help Scouts from less wealthy countries to attend. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know you can hire our spaces and facilities, including our Halls, Dance Studio, Gymnasium, Drama Room, Netball/Tennis courts, classrooms with screens, and more? If you run a local community group, sports classes or holiday camps and are looking for a top-quality venue in beautiful surroundings - or if you just require an ad-hoc meeting room - we have numerous spaces available with a range of capacities and equipment. Please contact our lettings partner Edu Lettings for ALL hire enquiries: https://www.edu-lettings.org/ 
|
|
|
Hertfordshire County Council are gathering the views of parents and carers in their road safety survey. The survey is linked to a new Road Safety Strategy in Hertfordshire and asks about routes used by children and traffic speeds, including what would make journeys to school feel safer for those who choose to walk or cycle. Please take a few minutes to do the survey and help to shape safer school journeys for local children. Complete the survey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING & SEND |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADD-vance WorkshopsADD-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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEND Local OfferA 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEND Drop‐in for Parents & CarersThere 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. |
|
|
|
|
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 AnxietyFor 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. |
|
|
|
|
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. See all upcoming events |
|
|
|
|
|
|
