HGS Weekly Newsletter | Autumn Term, Week 3 | Date: 18 September 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. Plus we have a special Italian menu to mark Census Day on 1 October.
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon,
By the end of the day students will have completed the full cycle of their two-week timetable for the first time this academic year, and it really does feel like we are back into the rhythm of school life.
We have had two Information Evenings this week, and it's been lovely to welcome Year 12 and Year 11 students and families into school to hear about the year ahead, the support available and the opportunities on offer. With Year 11 there was an understandable focus on prepping for the final GCSE exams, and this preparation has had a boost today thanks to our visiting speaker Steve Beckles-Ebusua aka 'The Speaker with the Orange Tie'. This is not the first time Steve has supported our students and it was great to see him again today and share with him the successes of last year's Year 11. Here's to a repeat for the current cohort!
We hold our first two Open Mornings next week on Tuesday and Thursday, and I am very much looking forward to welcoming prospective HGS families into the school where they will see us in action as we go about our daily routines. With a third Open Morning the following week, we will be welcoming approximately 1000 visitors into school in total. Thanks in advance to all of the students who will be conducting the tours - they will be very busy indeed.
On Wednesday next week we welcome Year 10 families into school for their Information Evening.
Next week will close with our Jeans for Genes Day non-uniform day, our first charity fundraiser of the year. On the topic of fundraising, our HGS Amplify campaign to refurbish the Main School Hall is progressing well - we have raised approximately £10,000 so far but we are still some way off the £70,000 target needed to transform the space into a facility becoming of our school. Details of the campaign are given below - if you are yet to donate please do give some thought to whether it's possible for you to do so, and if you know people or businesses who may be willing to donate or match-fund, please do share the details more widely. Thank you.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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We would like to remind all parents and carers of the importance of adhering to the parking restrictions around our school when dropping off or collecting students.
Please do not stop on the zigzag markings or the yellow lines, including the Highbury Road/Hollow Lane/Whitehill Road triangle. The reduced visibility that this causes has been endangering other road users including our students.
Please also be reminded that school car parks (including the Music School) are not available for parents to use for student drop-off or collection.
We kindly ask that parents arrange a suitable drop-off/pick-up point away from the immediate school area and allow students to walk the short remaining distance. This will help to reduce congestion and, most importantly, ensure the safety of students, staff and members of the local community.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us keep the area around our school safe.
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Our extracurricular clubs are now up and running for this term. You can see the full timetable of activities here. We encourage everyone to take a look and sign up for something that interests them or give something new a try.
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We desperately need to upgrade our historic Main Hall and its audiovisual equipment to support our students’ learning better and honour our school traditions better.
Currently, our ageing audiovisual equipment limits the quality of our performances, and doesn't adequately prepare students with the digital and communication skills needed for the modern professional world.
To provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop their public-speaking and technical skills as well as their creative expression, we must raise £70,000 to make these upgrades.
We need your support to help us achieve this goal.
Any donation you can make will get us one step closer to our target and will directly contribute to equipment that students can start using straight away. Thank you for your support! DONATE NOW
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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/
info@edu-lettings.org
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING & SEND
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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 carers, including:
• Understanding Anxiety
• Applying for an EHCP
• Supporting the transition to secondary school
You can see upcoming workshops at:
ADD-vance Events - Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
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This is a central hub for SEND services, support, events, things to do and guidance, which can be filtered by location, date and age range:
SEND Local Offer | Hertfordshire County Council
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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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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 a rolling 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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- Free confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222
- Email us for support at askus@familylives.org.uk
- Talk to us online via our Live Chat service
- Online advice, peer support and information on all aspects of family life at www.familylives.org.uk
- Face-to-face support groups and workshops
- Find us on social media @FamilyLives @BullyingUK
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