HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 4 | Date: 10 May 2024
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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: SPINACH & RICOTTA CANNELLONI (v), CHEESE & POTATO PIE (v), MUSHROOM & LENTIL BAKE (v)(gf), ICED SPONGE
Tuesday: LAMB HOTPOT (gf), BROCCOLI & CHEESE PASTA (v), CHEESE QUICHE (v), DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP SPONGE
Wednesday: CHICKEN & HAM PIE, BBQ NOODLES (v), CURRIED POTATO & SPINACH BAKE (v)(gf), APPLE CRUMBLE (free from eggs, milk)
Thursday: SAUSAGES, VEGGIE MINCE BOLOGNAISE (v), CARAMELISED ONION QUICHE (v), SUMMER FRUIT-TOPPED MERINGUES WITH RASPBERRY COULIS (free from wheat, milk)
Friday: CHILLI 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,
As you will read below, today is the last day in school for our Year 13 students, as they now enter the full exam period. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish them all the very best for the exams, and for the exciting futures that they will make for themselves over the years to come. I look forward to celebrating their time at HGS with them at Leavers' Supper and Founders' Day.
Our Year 11 students are now in the midst of their exams. Over the past two days I have been incredibly impressed with their focus and attitudes as they have undertaken their first written papers. With two full weeks left in school before their 'last day', they are still able to access lots of support from their teachers, giving them the best chance of success. I wish each of them the very best of luck. As with the Year 13s, I look forward to celebrating their five years at HGS on Founders' Day.
As a parent myself, I know that the exams season does not just affect the child, it becomes a real family endeavour, and I thank you all for your support of the school and your children during this incredibly important stage of their education.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Parent Trustee vacancy
We have a vacancy on the Board of Trustees for a Parent Trustee (Governor), and welcome and encourage applications from parents of all backgrounds who would be keen to serve in this role.
Serving as a Trustee is both a challenge and a pleasure, and Hitchin Girls’ is fortunate to have Trustees who play a full part in the life of the school. Parent Trustees have an important part to play as they can bring a contemporary view through the school life of their child(ren) as well as a wide variety of skills and experience to the table.
Nominations must be submitted by 11.30am on Friday 17 May 2024.
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Farewell to our Year 13s
Today was the last day of HGS for our Year 13s - there were so many fantastic costumes for this year's theme of childhood favourite characters, and some wonderful speeches, as poignant as they were funny. After breakfast and a final assembly, it was time for photos and goodbyes before everyone heads off on study leave. Good luck all in the final exams, and in the next stage of your journeys!
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Modern Foreign Languages
Year 9 French students have produced some great pamphlets on ecosystems calling for the preservation of endangered species and featuring some celebrity quotes. These have now gone up on our display celebrating outstanding work.
 
...And in Year 11 Spanish, students have been practising for their final speaking exams by playing Jenga while answering questions and discussing different topics. Buena suerte!
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Lifting the cup with the Belles
Congratulations go to Year 7 footballer Izzy who won the Middlesex Cup with Hitchin Belles on Saturday!
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Second-hand Book Sale
If you love a bargain, don't miss the second-hand book sale outside reception at lunchtime on Wednesday 15 May (weather permitting). All books are ex-stock from the HGS Library and will be available at bargain prices. Proceeds from the sale will go to Book Aid International, a charity that sends new books to schools, libraries and hospitals around the world. So not only will you be gaining some great new reads, you'll also be helping a fantastic charity. This sale is CASH ONLY, so remember to bring some with you!
Library Goblins Party
There was a special party in the Library this week as we wished good luck to the Year 11 members of the Goblins reading group before they embark on their GCSEs. We celebrated with cake and snacks before Mrs Goose presented them with a book-themed mug each as a thank you for all their help in the Library.
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Stress-busting tips for exams
Our friends at Phase Hitchin have put together this very useful set of tips for revising and managing exam stress. Do take a look for some great practical advice.
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Calling gap year ex-students
Do you know a former HGS student who has taken a gap year, and who may be happy to talk to our Year 13s about their experience in September? We would love for someone to come and share some top tips in the Year 13 assembly on 9 September, 9am - 9.30am.
Anyone interested please email tina.stojko@hgs.herts.sch.uk
Please spread the word!
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Pride of HGS - voting is still open!
Our Ellie Swanton Pride of HGS Award, named after our former Head Girl (2017) who it set up, is a means of recognising the amazing work that our Sixth Form students do both in and out of school.
Anyone can nominate a Sixth Form student, and there are three categories:
CHARITY: Someone who has been working to support a charity, such as fundraising or volunteering, either inside or outside school.
COMMUNITY: Someone who has given their time to support the local community or a local community group.
SELFLESSNESS: Someone who has given their time or efforts selflessly to help others. It could be supporting a particular individual, or generally being willing to give time and energy in any situation, either in or out of school.
All nominations via this form please: https://forms.gle/2eNdh9uyhP8ukFeC7
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Episode 2 of our podcast is here! Continuing with the theme of Aspiration, it features Year 12 students talking about their hopes and dreams for the future.
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING / SEND
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Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is offering a free online ‘Managing Study Stress’ webinar for students who are aged 16+, which covers some of the key content delivered in our in-person workshop.
The webinar offers insights into the common triggers and symptoms of stress and provides guidance on cognitive and behavioural techniques which students can learn and use themselves to tackle these symptoms. These skills can be particularly helpful for students as they are preparing for their exams and/or completing coursework. The webinar will next run on the following dates:
Please note this webinar is open to the public and those attending will be anonymous.
More info and register
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DSPL is a Hertfordshire-wide partnership approach in which parents/carers, school staff, local authority officers and other agency staff work together as part of an Area Group, to ensure that there is a range of provision and support services available in their local community that:
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Meets the needs of children and young people (aged 0-25) with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as close to home as possible.
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Improves outcomes for wellbeing and attainment
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Widens choice for children and parents/carers
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Removes barriers to learning
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Uses resources more effectively
More info including parent workshops
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