HGS Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 5 | Date: 7 February 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 3.
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SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good afternoon,
Yesterday, Year 9s took part in the ELSA Careers day - the students I have spoken to really enjoyed the day and I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to the ELSA team and all the volunteers who made the event possible.
The half-term break will soon be upon us - but before that, next week brings lots of opportunities and events, both within and outside school, to look forward to.
In school, Year 10s have the 'World of Work Property Day' with Tesco, and Year 11s have their Learning Performance workshops as part of our Steps to Success programme, both of which take place on Tuesday. After school on Tuesday, the Steps to Success programme extends to Y11 parents/carers - more information is given below. Year 8 parents also have the opportunity to come into school next week for the Take Your Child to Work Day presentation.
And on Thursday next week, Year 9s will attend a special talk to support their learning about the Holocaust. Once again we welcome back the visiting speaker Maralyn Turgel, who will share a moving first-hand account of her father's time in a concentration camp during WWII. This will certainly be a talking point for families when your child returns home on Thursday evening.
Finally, we wish a number of students and staff safe travels as the Y12/13 Business trip to New York departs on Thursday morning and the ski trip leaves on Saturday.
Have a good weekend.
James Crowther, Headteacher
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Hertfordshire County Council will be providing supermarket vouchers for each child entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals to cover February half-term. Eligible families will receive a digital supermarket voucher to the value of £15 per child, which will be emailed by Edenred on Thursday 6 February. Please check for this in your junk folder if you don't see it.
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Reminder - is all your uniform / PE kit / equipment named? You are far more likely to be reunited with lost items if so!
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Year 11 parents/carers - do you want to know how to best support your child through their mocks and summer GCSE exams? Please join us for our Learning Performance workshop on Tuesday 11 February, 3.45 - 4.45 in the Lower School Hall (refreshments will be available from 3.30pm).
This event will share top tips and advice for supporting your child, as well as providing the opportunity to chat with other parents/carers and share ideas and survival tips!
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We welcomed ELSA back in school this week, this time to spend the day with our Year 9s for 'Engage Advance Achieve' sessions. The students took part in a range of careers-related workshops, and had the opportunity to interview our visitors, to find out about their career journeys and the jobs they are doing. We were joined by representatives from a wide range of sectors, from book publishing to forensic investigation, AI engineering and bioscience, to mention just a few. The students were a credit to themselves and the school!
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HGS students from Years 7 to 11 competed in the Hertfordshire Schools' Cross Country Championships, which took place in an especially muddy Verulamium Park, St Albans last Saturday.
They all ran exceptionally well in very challenging and slippery conditions. Special mention to Juliet who finished 9th, Sarena who finished 7th and Haysan who finished 9th, and who are in with a chance of being selected for the National Championships.
 
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Well done to the Years 7 & 8s who participated in an indoor athletics competition on Thursday night. Year 8s were 3rd and Year 7s came 1st, which means they are off to the county finals!
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To celebrate World Book Day the Library is holding a book fair and cake sale on Thursday 6 March. The sale will run all day in the Library, where students will be given a £1 World Book Day token. Years 7-10 classes will visit during lessons and everyone is welcome to come along at break and lunchtime.
David's Bookshop in Letchworth is bringing a wide range of titles to choose from, as well as the special £1 World Book Day books. Students can pay by cash or card on the day, or reserve a book to collect and pay for the next day (cash only).
The cake sale will be held in the Library at break and lunchtime, with all proceeds going to World Book Day. Payment by cash only please.
We'd be very grateful if any students or parents/carers would like to make some cakes for the sale. Please make sure they don't contain nuts and bring them to the Library in a named container with an ingredients list before registration on Thursday morning.
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NOTICEBOARD - SEND / WELLBEING
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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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