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 - Week 3
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 3.
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Good afternoon,
A shorter week for students this week, which saw us host the last of our open days, concluding a successful series of three mornings where we welcomed nearly 1000 visitors in total. As ever, the students did a great job conducting the tours and being fantastic ambassadors for the school. Special thanks go to our Head Girl, Bibi, and our two Deputy Head Girls, Leyla and Kelcie, who ensured that every visitor was welcomed personally. I very much look forward to welcoming this cohort into our community on Secondary Transfer Day in July.
This week has also seen tutor time sessions on the Equality Act and Black History Month. Additionally, on Wednesday some of our mathematicians took part in the Senior Maths Challenge - I wish them all luck as they wait for their results and thank Ms Chowdhury for organising the competition.
Next week is packed with exciting opportunities, with a special event for Year 13 students who are choosing not to go on to university, as well as Talk the Talk communication workshops on Wednesday and Thursday for Year 7s and Year 13s respectively. These sessions are always a great success, and the advancement in skills and confidence in just one day is inspiring to see.
Today, all families will receive an email containing a link to a survey to gather views on your experience of HGS. This is a really important part of our self-evaluation process and is an opportunity to hear from parents about the areas of school life that you would like to celebrate and also those which you feel could be developed. We provide an exceptional experience for our students and an important part of ensuring we continue to do so is listening to you. I also hope that this will offer an opportunity for families to celebrate successes. In our busy lives it is all too easy to not stop and recognise what has gone well but when we do, it really makes a difference; just this week I received some lovely emails from families, and sharing their thanks and comments with staff has made the world of difference.
Have a good weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
Those students who travel to and from school by bus are reminded about obtaining discounts via Hertfordshire County Council's Saver Card plus the Intalink Connect ticket scheme and app.
Please see below the HfL online safety newsletter for parents and carers which references the current debate about smartphones vs feature phones. Hopefully, you will have seen the recent BBC article highlighting the smartphone-free childhood campaign being spearheaded locally by William Ransom Primary School, which offers food for thought for all parents and carers of children under the age of 14. As you will be aware from our correspondence relating to the school's Behaviour for Learning policy earlier this week, mobile phone use is not permitted at Hitchin Girls' School for students in Years 7-11 as we too recognise the importance of phone-free time for our students.
Lost property is starting to build up! As well as these water bottles, lunch containers and coats, we have jumpers, PE kit and shoes - all unnamed - in the main reception office waiting to be reunited with their owners.
In Year 7 History there was heated debate at the 'hustings' for the English throne in 1066, as groups took it in turns to argue the case for their contender to be King.
The Year 8 netball team played phenomenally well against Fernhill. Well done to every member of the team!
Eco Club have been working with local community group Hitchin Nature Network and North Herts Council to sow some Yellow Rattle seeds on the verge outside the school grounds on Windmill Hill. Yellow Rattle suppresses the growth of grasses and allows other wildflowers to thrive, so hopefully we can look forward to more colour and biodiversity along our perimeter fence.
Yellow Rattle
Auditions are underway for our school production of the Addams Family and we've had a great turnout, numbering about 200! We've held the first round of auditions for all singing and dancing principal roles and ensembles. Acting auditions will take place next week, after which we'll have callbacks if needed. Good luck all!
This month Julia (Y13) put up the Diversity Display single-handedly - a massive thank you Julia!
In October we are celebrating Black History Month with an assembly led by the History department and Sixth Form students; Miss Pedge will be talking about Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and we have marked the anniversary of the Equality Act, a key law that aims to prevent discrimination and promote social justice. Thank you to Elodie for her help with this! We will also be celebrating World Mental Health Day on 10 October, and later in the month we will be celebrating Diwali and the Sikh festival Bandi Chhor Divas.
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.ukThank you!
NOTICEBOARD - LOCAL
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.
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.
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.
