HGS Weekly Newsletter | Autumn Term, Week 2| Date: 13 September 2024

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A week
All Day
From 02 Sep and on Monday every 2 weeks until 25 Oct
16
September
Y7-10: NGRT Assessment
8:40am – 9:30am
16
September
Y10 Information Evening
4:45pm – 6:15pm
18
September
Flower Festival
10:00am – 5:00pm
20
September

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 MENU - Week 3

 

You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 3.

SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Good afternoon and welcome to the first newsletter of the year.
 
Hopefully, you have had the chance to read last week’s letter from me where I detailed some of the changes that have taken place over the summer, celebrated our exam success and highlighted some key points, including the impact of good attendance on outcomes and guidelines for communicating with the school.
 
It has been a pleasure to see the school full of students again and particularly to welcome our new Year 7s and the students new to our Sixth Form.
 
We have also welcomed parents and carers from Years 7, 11 and 12 into school for their information evenings, and similar events for other year groups are on the horizon. The Year 7 celebration evening provided an opportunity for our new students to share the House poems they created and display their House mascots; they did tremendously well and demonstrated the values we hold so dear - a great achievement for the end of their first week!
 
This week we held our freshers' event to introduce our extracurricular clubs and the new timetable has now been published. I strongly encourage you all to discuss the opportunities on offer with your children, with the aim of them participating in at least one activity a week. Engaging with extracurricular activities really does add breadth and further enjoyment to the school experience, enabling students to learn new skills, gain new knowledge and widen their friendship groups.
 
This year sees the introduction of Thinking Matters to our personal development programme in tutor time. In Thinking Matters we will be supporting students to hone their cognitive abilities and intelligent learning behaviours, through the use of a range of metacognitive tools and strategies. The Thinking Matters approach offers a clarity of vision and purpose with the aim of developing independent thinkers and learners. Please do talk to your children about what they are learning in these sessions. The image below illustrates these ideas:
 

You may find it useful to read a little more about this approach here.
 
I look forward to welcoming you all into school in the near future and continuing our journey together in supporting your child.
 
Have a good weekend,

James Crowther, Headteacher

Freshers' Fair 

We held our annual Freshers' Fair this week to introduce our extracurricular clubs to new students. We have lots of lunchtime and after-school clubs based around different school subjects, interests and sports - we hope Year 7s will have seen something they would like to try out. 

See the full timetable

 

It’s been lovely to see so many Year 7s in the Library. If you’re not sure what to read next, take a look at our new display. Here you'll find lots of books to read in Year 7, as recommended by last year's Year 7s. Can't find what you're looking for? Just ask Mrs Goose or Mrs Woods, we're always happy to help.

Year 9 Music

Half of Year 9 had their first ukulele lesson this week! They picked up the technique fantastically. Here is one class playing the 'Awesome 4 Chords' after just 40 minutes of practice. Well done Year 9!

Find out more about our Music curriculum

This weekend Miss Pedge will be trekking 13.5 miles through the Peak District with the charity CoppaFeel! to raise funds for their life-saving mission, which is to end the late diagnosis of breast cancer by encouraging regular checks. 

If you are able to make a donation to this very worthwhile cause please visit Miss Pedge's JustGiving page. Good luck to Miss Pedge from all of us!

Donate

Careers information event - can you help?

On Wednesday 27 November we are running our annual HGS Futures Fair, when students get the chance to meet and talk with employers and professionals from a range of sectors to find out about different careers.

We are looking for employers/professionals who would be happy to have a stand at the fair and talk to students about their work, especially from (but not limited to) the creative industries - Art, Design, Film, Performing Arts, Media, etc. Please spread the word - anyone who may be able to help is asked to email clare.townsend@hgs.herts.sch.uk Thank you!

NOTICEBOARD - SEND / WELLBEING

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.

Find out more

Autism / ADHD workshops

Nessie in Education will be running My World and Me workshops after school. This is open to students from all local secondary schools in Years 10 and 11 who have an Autism and/or ADHD diagnosis, or are on the pathway to referral. 

Find out more and book

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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