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.ukwith the student's name and tutor group, reason for absence and expected return date (if known).
WEEKLY MENU
[Every day - Pasta / Jacket Potatoes & Toppings, Panini of the Day]
** MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE **
** GLUTEN-FREE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST **
With the publication of the school's extracurricular timetable recently, I wanted to remind all parents and carers that it is our aim for all students to engage with extracurricular activities. Please discuss the timetable with your child and identify areas of interest for clubs, societies or sports they could participate in; taking part provides real enrichment and brings students lots of enjoyment too.
On the topic of enrichment, this week has seen a number of presentations and assemblies focused on upcoming trips, including the Art trip to Copenhagen, the Geography trip to Sicily and the Year 8 trip to PGL Caythorpe. I look forward to hearing all about the trips when they take place.
I would like to extend a special thank you to all of the Year 10 parents and carers who braved the monsoon-like weather to attend the Information Evening on Wednesday. It was great to welcome so many of you back into school and I am pleased to hear that the evening was well received. The presentation can be viewed on our website here. Information will be sent out shortly regarding the upcoming Year 8 Information Evening on Monday 2 October.
Next week is a busy week in school with two of our three Open Mornings taking place. As ever, we are fully booked and expect to welcome around 900 visitors to the school. Lessons will continue as normal and our Year 7s and Sixth Formers will be taking on the role of tour guides for the mornings - I thank them all in advance for their efforts in representing the school so fantastically.
Next Friday we will be marking Jeans 4 Genes day with a non-uniform day to raise awareness and funds for this important charity - see below for details.
Have a good weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
Go4Schools App
Did you know you can now use the Go4Schools app to access your child's attendance, rewards and behaviour notifications? From early October you'll also be able to see their progress in each subject.
On Tuesday 3 October we will be having a whole-school photo taken - the first one since 2018! This will start promptly at 9am.
Vote for Eco Club at Tesco
to help us get funding!
Hitchin Girls' School Eco Club will be among the local community organisations that Tesco customers can vote for in stores this autumn, to receive grant money as part of Tesco's Stronger Starts scheme.
Please help us to win up to £1500 by voting when you make a purchase at one of these local Tesco stores:
Broadwater Superstore SG2 8DT
Stevenage Tesco Extra SG1 1ES
Woolmer Green Express SG3 6FP
Old Stevenage HIgh Street Express SG1 3EF
Chells Way Express SG2 0LU
Hitchin Station Express SG4 9SP
You will be given a voting token at the checkout.
Eco Club would use any funding they win for creating a 'living wall' of climbers, extending their vegetable plot, replanting the wildflower meadow for next summer, creating a wetland area and making bat boxes - to name but a few of their plans!
Eco Club were very pleased to welcome Esme from the Wildlife Trust last week, who came to talk to them about the best way to manage their allotment and wilding areas, as well as providing some great ideas for future projects.
Location: Computacenter Hatfield, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield Avenue, AL10 9TW
25 places available for students in Years 10 - 13
What to Expect:
Our Work Experience Programmes are held with multiple students in our Computacenter offices. The week is based on developing soft skills, including presentation, communication, public speaking, teamwork, creative and networking skills, as well as gaining a vast insight into the technology industry and our key customer partners. The students will also have the opportunity to develop their employability skills and practise professionalism in the workplace.
Work Experience Programme Summary:
Introduction to Computacenter
Team-building Exercises
Warehouse and Office Tour
Technical and Business Areas Insight Sessions
Interactive Workshops with Computacenter Teams
Speed Networking Sessions with Apprentices & Graduates
Customer Insight Days (including Insight Sessions, Panel Talks and Enterprise Challenges)
Employability Workshop & Job Opportunities
Business Challenges
Student Presentations
Places are in high demand so those interested should apply promptly.
This immersive experience is suitable for students of all year groups, and is designed to help them make informed decisions about their future healthcare careers.
What to Expect:
- Session Focus: "Communication and Fractures"
- Patient Journey: Students will follow two patients from presentation to recovery.
- Interactions: They will engage with a variety of NHS healthcare professionals, including nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and more.
Places are £10 a session to cover administrative and technological costs.
Migrant Leaders - mentoring and work experience with FTSE100 companies
Migrant Leaders, a charity that supports young migrants to develop skills and capture opportunities, is running a free professional development programme for first- and second-generation migrants (as well as young people from other disadvantaged backgrounds).
Successful candidates will be invited to workshops, work experience, and mentoring from leaders in companies such as Meta, Kantar, and KPMG.
Fully funded airline pilot training
for school leavers
The creation of the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy sees the cost barrier of training to become a pilot removed, making the profession much more accessible. Successful candidates will be offered a place at an approved flight training school and, on passing the course, a position as a British Airways pilot. This will help the airline to ensure it has the right levels of future flying talent for years to come.
With initial training that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession prohibitive for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways – with a multi-million-pound investment from the airline into its next generation of pilots – making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots.
The airline remains committed to further increasing diversity in the aviation industry. It is determined to increase awareness and visibility of this new cadet programme, with the aim of encouraging applications from all backgrounds and not just those who can afford the initial training costs.
Our Open Day Festivals provide the perfect opportunity for prospective students to see the true spirit of Essex and the place they might be calling home.
Visitors will get the chance to attend general talks and subject tasters that will run throughout the day, go on campus/accommodation tours, meet academics from their subject area, chat with student services and get a feel for student life.
Colchester Campus - Saturday 28 October
Southend Campus - Saturday 14 October
To find out more about our Open Day Festival events and book please visit our dedicated Open Day webpage.
We are also offering an Open Day Travel Bursary for our October Open Day to support students and their families. To learn more about the bursary please read visit our website.
In-person Interview Preparation Day
Thursday 26 October, 11:00 - 15:00 at Gonville and Caius College
For Year 13 students attending state schools in Hertfordshire and Norfolk who have applied to Cambridge. Students should sign up in advance, with further details and a sign-up link being sent out to schools in W/C 9 October.
The Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme (CHAS)
CHAS is aimed at highly able Year 12 students attending state schools in our link boroughs and counties considering Cambridge/highly selective universities. At the heart of the scheme is the opportunity to experience Cambridge-style supervisions.
There is an information evening on Tuesday 26 September, 18:00 - 19:00.
The Cambridge Foundation Year are hosting an Open Evening Webinar, delivered virtually by staff and former students. Attendees will learn more about the eligibility criteria, progression after the Foundation Year, and the Foundation Year Colleges. Sign up: https://www.foundationyear.cam.ac.uk/events/foundation-year-open-evening-2023
Autumn Current News Webinars, 25 September – 5 October, Mondays -Thursdays, 18:00 - 19:00
We are holding eight new sessions this term on subjects ranging from Aerospace Engineering and Chemical Engineering to Finance and Modern Languages. Sessions give students an idea of the topical areas and developments taking place within subjects they may be interested in studying, and can help to support personal statement content.
We are holding a Parent and Guardian virtual webinar to give parents and guardians of Year 13 students an opportunity to ask any questions that they may have regarding the HE process and the journey that their children will be undertaking over the next few months.
Students will have the opportunity to find out about courses, speak to staff and current students about their chosen subjects, and tour our facilities.
Next Step York (apply autumn 2023)
This is a two-year programme aimed at Year 12 students who have the potential to progress to university but have experienced barriers that prevent them from accessing higher education. You will have the opportunity to explore university options, receive specialist support with your current studies and experience what life is like at York University.
YorWay to York(apply autumn 2023)
This is a two-year programme that supports post-16 students who are underrepresented in higher education, to reach their university goals. Each of the four modules will include a range of activities and you will be supported by current students studying at York University. Reduced offers may be considered upon completion.
The York Access Scheme(apply by January or March, depending on course)
This scheme gives you the opportunity to inform the York University of any circumstances that might have prevented you from reaching your true academic potential. Prospective undergraduate students could receive a reduced offer.
Levelling Up: Imperial College(apply by January)
This is a year-long academic and pastoral support programme for Year 12 students. For 2024 entry, a Physics and Chemistry strand will run, consisting of fortnightly after-school online tutorials and one in-person event at Imperial’s South Kensington campus. Levelling Up will support you with your A Level studies in preparation for university study.
Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 (apply by December)
This is a free two-year scheme for all Year 12 / Year 1 vocational students from the UK. Guidance will be provided through online sessions, including subject tasters, choosing the right course and personal statement support. You may be offered an enhanced contextual offer and bursary if you complete the programme, meet certain eligibility criteria and apply to Nottingham University.
