HGS Weekly Newsletter | Summer Term, Week 8 | Date: 14 June 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
With just one week of external exams left to go, I am sure our Year 11 and Year 13 students can see the light at the end of the tunnel - I know for some the exams are already over. One final push and a well-earned rest can be taken, for students and their families alike!
With the Year 12 mock exams starting and KS3 assessments just around the corner it certainly isn't the end of the 'exams season' just yet. Fortunately, the Summer Term brings much more than exams and preparations for Founders' Day, Enterprise activities, Sports week, Gym and Dance, Year 6 transition and Year 12 work experience are well underway. Additionally, it is pleasing to hear students speaking enthusiastically about their end-of-year trips and I know they are working hard to maintain their places.
Many of our Biologists in Y9, Y10 and Sixth Form gained recognition for their excellent knowledge and hard work this week as they won a whole host of awards in major national and international Biology competitions. You can read all about their impressive achievements below. Very well done to them all.
There have also been a number of exciting opportunities for students this week: our Year 9 Art students went on The Making of Harry Potter Tour at Warner Bros Studios; a group of Year 10s attended North Herts College's Discovery Day; and as part of Healthy Eating Week, Mrs Terry led a whole-school assembly and ran a 'hydration station' over lunch on Wednesday.
Next week, Year 8 students have their HPV vaccinations, a group of Year 7s will be working with pupils from St Andrew's primary school in Geography, and our Eco Club will be taking part in a Biodiversity Citizen Science project. Finally, I'd like to wish good luck to our Year 8s taking part in the Team Maths Challenge Final next week.
Have a good weekend,
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Support with school uniform
Please can we ask that you remind your child about the regulations regarding school skirts in that they must be worn broadly in line with the knee or longer. They must be worn as the manufacturer intended and must not be rolled or gathered.
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Biology competition awards
Students in Years 9 and 10 entered the Royal Society of Biology's Biology Challenge recently. This involved answering some very challenging questions on the natural world and drew on wider knowledge of Biology than purely the curriculum. More than 45,500 students took part globally and we are very happy to say that our students achieved 8 Gold, 26 Silver, 46 Bronze, 49 Highly Commended and 56 Commended awards, along with many awards for participation! Congratulations to all who took the challenge - what an amazing set of achievements.
In Sixth Form we have entered Cambridge University’s Homerton College Biology Competition where students work in a team to submit their response to a Biological question. The most recent one was “What creature in your area has the most incredible biology?” More than 500 teams nationally entered this round. Our submissions were rated highly by the judges and our teams were awarded 2 Distinctions and a Highly Commended. We look forward to seeing the submissions for the next round. Fantastic work by all involved!
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Year 9 Art - The Making of Harry Potter Tour
The Art department's annual trip to Warner Bros' Leavesden Studios gave our Year 9 students the chance to get up-close to the incredible props, sets and special effects that went into the Harry Potter films. The students also took part in a graphic design workshop where they learnt all about the original products designed by professionals for the movies.
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North Herts College Discovery Day
Some of our Year 10 students attended a Discovery Day at North Herts College’s Hitchin Campus, where they were able to choose two vocational areas to explore, out of Hair & Beauty, Travel & Business, Hospitality & Catering and Sports Science. The college ran a range of workshops with interesting interactive activities - students had the chance to pitch an idea, Dragon’s Den-style, in Business; made pizzas and mocktails in Catering; tried hand-massage in Beauty; and tested out some of the equipment the sports department have recently installed in their refurbished facilities. Our thanks go to the college for a really informative and enjoyable time.
 
 
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To your hydration station!
Despite the distinctly un-summery weather, this year's Hydration Station was just as popular as last year's, with students queuing up at lunchtime on Wednesday to replenish their water and flavour it with a choice of fresh pieces of strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon, lime, cucumber and mint! This was part of Healthy Eating Week, where we have been looking at different aspects of a healthy diet.
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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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NOTICEBOARD - HOLIDAY PROVISION
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HAPpy Camp holiday provision
Children and teens living in Hertfordshire who get benefits-related Free School Meals can attend HAPpy Camps for free. They offer physical activity, fun and a free hot meal all in safe surroundings, with SEND provision also available. They’re a great way to keep kids active and curious during the holidays, so they’re ready to learn again in the new school year. They will run from 29 July to 30 August.
If you want to know more about what to expect at HAPpy Camps then you can watch the short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnj64auf3AU
To book a place:
- Save your booking code, which is 5FB?GR. This will only work for those in receipt of Free School Meals.
- Booking will be at https://bit.ly/SE1S24HAPpyCamps from midday on 27 June - bookmark this link!
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Volunteering opportunities at Herts Libraries
This summer the Hertfordshire Library Service is looking for volunteers aged 14-24 to help with the Summer Reading Challenge. The scheme, which has the theme Marvellous Makers, encourages children to keep reading throughout the summer holidays.
Volunteers will help by asking the children about the books they've read and handing out rewards for each stage of the challenge. You need to be friendly, enthusiastic and reliable, and will gain valuable experience working with children and families.
You can find out more about this and other volunteering opportunities, and register online at: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Libraries-and-archives/Support-your-library/Jobs-and-volunteering-at-your-library.aspx
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NOTICEBOARD - WELLBEING / SEND
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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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