HGS Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 3 | Date: 24 January 2025
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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).
You can see our three-weekly menu here - we are on Week 1. Look out for our Korea day coming up!
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon
It's been an exciting week in school with lots going on, including the Year 11 ELSA careers day and Project Polyglot. Thank you to everyone involved in these events for giving their time to support our students and the wider community; you can read more about them below.
This week students in Years 7-10 were treated to an inspirational assembly led by Mrs Lingham - our Deputy Head of Maths, and former England international and Arsenal player who achieved great success at the highest level of women's football. The assembly focused on the development of the sport, the pathway to success, local opportunities and encouraging students to work hard and follow their dreams. Mrs Lingham spoke about her journey in football over the years and how it has now led to her helming the development of the England Schools' Under-15 team. Recently she was awarded her legacy cap which she showed to the students along with some of the medals she has won in her career.
 
I would like to thank the large number of parents and carers who completed last term's parent survey - the results are incredibly positive, with outstanding levels of satisfaction across the criteria surveyed. I took the opportunity this week to share many of the specific comments with staff, and your supportive and appreciative words really did have a positive impact - thank you. The survey showed that parents/carers feel there has been significant improvement in a number of areas including, but not limited to:
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Explaining to parents how to help their child
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Quality of school management
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Tailoring work to child’s needs
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Encouraging and listening to students’ views
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Treating all students fairly/equally
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Encouraging and listening to parents’ views
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Encouraging students to do their best
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Looking after students well
The survey also gave a valuable insight into where parents think improvements can be made and these will feature in our school improvement planning in the future.
Recently I have become aware that an increasing number of staff members are being emailed directly by parents and often these emails are being sent at times well outside the usual working hours. I would like to politely remind all parents and carers to use the admin@ email for all initial enquiries, as outlined in our Communications Policy. Thank you in advance for your co-operation with this.
Looking towards the end of term, I did want to mention that our annual Years 7 & 8 Science Fair will take place on 3 April. All students in these years have received the information about this, and groups have been formed and entries submitted - please take the opportunity to discuss this with your child and their involvement. This year's theme is 'Change and Adapt', in line with the British Science Week which takes place on 7 - 16 March.
Have a good weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Our Extracurricular Clubs timetable for the Spring Term is now published. Do take a look and consider trying something new. We encourage everyone to sign up for at least one activity of their choice.
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The first of our ELSA careers events took place this week, in which our Year 11 students met with a range of representatives from the world of work, including Sky, the Royal Navy, construction companies and care providers. Students had the chance to take part in mock interviews, gaining an understanding of the kind of questions that are asked and good interview techniques. They also undertook practical tasks in teams, which gave them an insight into the skills and qualities that are sought by employers. Thank you to all the volunteers who spent the day with our students and to ELSA for organising the event.
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A big well done to our 34 Year 10 French and Spanish students participating in this year's Project Polyglot. This week saw them go out to local primary schools and teach the French and Spanish lessons they have worked very hard to prepare over the last few weeks. It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement from the pupils enjoying the lessons, and also from our students delighting in this opportunity.
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Year 11 Business students are learning about Human Resources, and had a team competition to see who could create an accurate organisational chart in the fastest time! Well done to Team 1 - Olivia, Maia, Evie and Lydia. Find out about our Business Studies course at tinyurl.com/HGSCurriculum
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Hertfordshire FA is running a junior coaching course during half-term:
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HertsLynx is an on-demand bus service that operates in our area, where users can book a journey, either in real time or up to 30 days in advance, via the HertsLynx app or website.
Further information on how to book, including the list of stops, can be found at https://www.intalink.org.uk/hertslynx
Although the service cannot provide transport to and from school, it can offer young people a sense of freedom outside of school, particularly during the holidays. Parents are also able to track journeys through the app.
All single journeys are £3 and those with a SaverCard can travel for £1.50.
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NOTICEBOARD - SEND / WELLBEING
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We are sharing a Recipe of the Month, designed to feed a family of four for under £5, from our caterers Aspens. Click below to find the recipe on our Dining page.
 Recipe
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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.
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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.
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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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