Y7 - 11 Weekly Newsletter | Autumn Term, Week 6 | Date: 13 Oct 2023 |
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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). [Every day - Pasta / Jacket Potatoes & Toppings, Panini of the Day] ** MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE ** ** GLUTEN-FREE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ** Monday: CHEESE PASTA PARCELS (v), VEGETABLE KATSU CURRY (v), CHEESE QUICHE (v), JAM SPONGE Tuesday: BEEF LASAGNE, THREE BEAN CHILLI (v)(gf), CHEESE & ONION PASTIES (v), DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP SPONGE Wednesday: CHICKEN & HAM PIE, BROCCOLI & CHEESE PASTA (v), VEGGIE BURGERS IN A BUN (v), CARROT CAKE Thursday: BACON, LEEK & POTATO BAKE, SPAGHETTI SAVOURY (v), PESTO, TOMATO & CHEESE PASTRY CROWNS (v), RHUBARB & APPLE CRUMBLE (free from eggs, milk) Friday: SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN (gf), MACARONI CHEESE (v), BATTERED FISH, CHOCOLATE KRISPIE (free from eggs) (V) = Vegetarian (GF) = Gluten Free |
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Good afternoon, Well, it certainly feels like autumn is here this week but that doesn't appear to have stopped the Year 8s in Caythorpe from enjoying the full range of activities on offer, despite the very wet conditions. We look forward to welcoming them back this evening. As we know, October is Black History Month and I would like to thank Mr Hanse for organising the related activities that tutor groups have been engaged with recently - please do ask your child about them. It has been a busy week for the Sixth Form, with Year 12 Business Studies students going on a trip to The Museum of Brands on Wednesday whilst the Year 13s took part in Talk The Talk workshops. The feedback from the workshop leaders was amazing - our students really did themselves proud and, as a result, there have been quite a number nominated for Headteacher's Awards, which I look forward to issuing very soon. Whilst on lunch duty today, I had a lovely conversation with a group of our Sixth Form students, and once we'd got past the important issue of 'what we choose from the menu at Nando's', I heard about the success of Rose in Year 12 in a recent County gymnastics competition. Rose was incredibly successful in a range of disciplines at the event, winning 1st place, and is now County Champion on the Floor. Well done Rose! Next week is the last week of this half-term, and on Tuesday I look forward to welcoming Year 9s and their families into school for the GCSE Options and Information Evening. On Wednesday there is a trip to see Wicked the musical for Music students, and the end of the week sees Years 12 and 13 Art students going on their trip to Copenhagen. Have a great weekend, James Crowther, Headteacher |
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Election of Parent Trustee to the Board of TrusteesThe school has received six nominations for the vacancy for a Parent Trustee and it will therefore be necessary to hold a ballot. To reduce the environmental impact of printing over 2,000 ballot slips, we are using an electronic voting system for this ballot. Parents/carers will receive an email containing information about the candidates, details of how to vote and a randomly generated voter number for use on the voting form. If you cannot vote electronically or do not wish to vote electronically, you can print a paper version of the voting form and submit this. If you are unable to print the form and require a copy, please contact admin@hgs.herts.sch.uk The ballot will close at 11.30am on Friday 3 November 2023. No votes will be accepted after this date and time. The result will be announced as soon as possible after this. |
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Free School Meals - vouchers for half-termHertfordshire County Council will be providing a supermarket voucher for each child entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals to cover the October half-term holiday period.
Eligible families will be emailed a digital supermarket voucher to the value of £15 for each child on 16 October, which you must redeem within 3 months (the expiry date will be included in the email that you receive from noreply@edenred.co.uk).
You can choose to receive a digital voucher to spend at one of the following supermarkets: • ALDI • Asda • Marks and Spencer • McColl’s • Morrisons • Sainsbury’s • Tesco • Waitrose
Please note that the voucher works like a gift card and so doesn't have to be spent in one go.
Contact HertsHelp for general advice and practical support – call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net. |
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Celebrating diversityWe have put together a Diversity Calendar and a display board to reflect dates and occasions that hold meaning for different members of our school community, and help raise awareness of these for everyone. For October, the History department have prepared lots of activities for Black History Month, and Mrs Batchelor and Mrs Foster have launched a creative competition to tie in with the National Poetry Day theme of 'Refuge'. Students will be helping to update the board each month with their own creations too, so watch this space! |
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Year 11 Geography field tripOur Year 11 Geographers were in Sheringham on the North Norfolk Coast last week for the annual GCSE Geography residential field trip. The attractive seaside town of Sheringham is of interest to Geographers because of its well-implemented coastal protection measures, and one of the main aims of our group was to study the impact of the six wooden groynes along the sandy beach and the extensive seawall promenade. Our students carried out some intensive data collection and analysis, drawing informed conclusions to answer some critical questions about coastal defences. Their fieldwork also involved an examination of local transport, and environmental quality and retail classification surveys in the town. So it was a busy but very productive three days! Huge thanks to all the staff who accompanied the students for their leadership and support. And very well done to our Year 11s, for their dedication and hard work throughout the trip! |
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Food Preparation and NutritionYear 9 worked really hard to produce a consistent batch of savoury tartlets. Rubbing in, rolling out and filling pastry cases were just some of the skills honed. And for dessert... a lot of effort went into these lemon meringue pies from our Year 11s as they worked to improve their high-level practical skills. Superb whisking to top some excellent lemon curd with this outstanding meringue! Wonderful work by all! |
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Library newsIt's Bookbuzz time! Every year our Library works with The Book Trust to offer free books to Year 7 students, to encourage reading for pleasure. Students can choose their book from a thoughtfully compiled list of 16 titles, and they did this recently in their Library lessons. They can look forward to getting stuck into their copies this week, as they have now been delivered and are being handed out to tutor groups. |
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Herts Parent Carer Involvement exists to represent the views of the parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Hertfordshire. They are an independent parent-led organisation who work alongside Hertfordshire health, education and social care services, to help improve services and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Their 2023 annual survey is now live, to find out more about what families in Hertfordshire are experiencing. They want to know what works and what doesn’t, so that they can concentrate on the areas that matter most to local families. The survey is open until 15 October 2023. Last year’s survey helped secure an additional £5m investment into the statutory SEND service and was also used during the Ofsted / CQC Area SEND inspection. The more families who fill out the survey from different stages of the system the more powerful their voice - you don't need to have an EHCP or a formal diagnosis yet to take part. |
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NOTICEBOARD - LOCAL EVENTS |
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NOTICEBOARD - CAREERS / HIGHER EDUCATION |
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Monthly virtual work experience days for students interested in careers within the NHSSuitable for Years 10 - 13 Next session: Sunday 5 November This is a rolling programme with applications open throughout this academic year. Careers covered include: Nursing Midwifery Paramedicine Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy Dietetics Radiography Prosthetics and Orthotics Speech and Language Therapy Pharmacy During the work experience day, students will follow two patients from their initial presentation to recovery. They will observe healthcare professionals as they interact with the patients and each other, and will have an opportunity to ask questions.
This will help students make an informed career decision as well as learn about how healthcare professionals work together as part of a multidisciplinary team. Each session is completely different, and students will be able to build on their knowledge of NHS careers as they see different patient cases and professionals work in a variety of settings, from the hospital to the community.
Students will also receive certificates as evidence of participation in the programme. The fee is £10 per session to cover administrative costs. Find out more and register |
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At the Fashion Retail Academy, we have a wide range of fashion-focused courses, including Fashion Buying, Data Analytics, Fashion Business and Digital Marketing. We work with more than 140 brands to ensure that our graduates have the skills needed by the industry. Our brand partners also provide work placements, projects, talks, and workshops. Find out more about upcoming open days |
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Opportunities Of The WeekHere are some exciting apprenticeship opportunities: Digital Marketing Assistant Apprentice at Autokitchen UK Limited in Rickmansworth: As a Digital Marketing Assistant Apprentice, you'll provide customer support for Autokitchen's software users whilst supporting the sales team in generating leads via telephone and engaging email content. You will also maintain company websites and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to track and monitor campaign performance. Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship: As a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice, you’ll step into a realm where creativity and strategy collide, working alongside the Office and Marketing Manager.
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HM Government Communications Centre - national security engineeringApprenticeship opportunities in Milton Keynes:
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Features include 'The Fire Service'; 'What would you tell your 15-year-old self?'; 'Eight unusual courses to study'; and 'Engineering - a great career'. There is also an article on Studying Esports, where there are now a lot of opportunities for young people. |
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING / SEND / SUPPORT |
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Mental health support for Hertfordshire's young people
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