HGS Weekly Newsletter | Spring Term, Week 9 | Date: 7 March 2025 |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
SCHOOL NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
|
Good afternoon, It has been an exciting week at HGS with a wide range of activities for students and opportunities for them to showcase their talents too. Firstly, I'd like to thank all the volunteers who gave freely of their time to support the Year 12 employability workshops on Monday, which kicked off National Careers week here in school - the event was a great success and the students I have spoken to found the experience extremely valuable. On Monday evening, we welcomed families into school as the Year 12 EPQ students showcased their projects; as ever the quality was high and the scope of subject matter was vast. Well done to all involved. Yesterday was World Book Day, and you can read below how I was put under significant pressure when judging the 'Lit Spud Competition' in the Library due to the high quality of the entries - fortunately Mr Gregory was on hand to help out. We also welcomed the Box Clever Theatre Company into school yesterday, to support our Year 11s with their understanding and analysis of Romeo & Juliet - every student I asked thoroughly enjoyed the session and next week we welcome the company back for a performance of Macbeth. 
Anwen and Elodie from Year 12 helped lead a special assembly by Mrs Foster marking International Women's Day, which is Saturday 8 March. This year's theme is 'Accelerate Action', meaning that there is a focus not only on promoting women's rights but also on speeding up the fight for equity. It was a really informative assembly - do ask your child about it as I am sure they will have been surprised by how recently some of the changes towards equality came into effect. Last night was the opening night of the Classics play, Cleopatra, and it was a resounding success. The play was written and produced by two students, Ribhya and Leyla, with a cast and crew of classicists from across the Sixth Form Consortium. Huge congratulations and well done to all involved. The final night of the performance is tonight, so if you don't have plans I strongly suggest you attend - the performance begins at 7pm and finishes at 9pm. 
Next week we have Year 7 parents' evening, workshops for Year 12, the County Dance Festival, the Greece trip information evening and Pi Day - so another busy week here at HGS. James Crowther, Headteacher |
|
|
This year's theme for International Women's Day (8 March) is Accelerate Action. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to 'accelerate action' emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. We at HGS are doing the pose in support of #AccelerateAction! 
|
|
|
HGS x NYC - our A Level Business and Economics students had an exceptional experience on their six-day trip to New York, packed with some fascinating first-hand opportunities to broaden their understanding of their subjects and the world we live in. Highlights included a seminar and pitching challenge with a digital marketing/PR expert; an economics workshop at the Federal Reserve; a walking tour of the financial district with a Wall Street professional; an insight into the city's trading history at Chelsea Market; and a visit to Madison Square Garden to explore the big business of sport. On top of such an enriching and educational trip, it was even more rewarding that our students left an impression of their own on the other side of the pond, with their curiosity, conduct and embodiment of our values. From complete strangers to the professionals we spent time with, several people had compliments for our students! 
|
|
|
As part of their assessed GCSE coursework, Health and Social Care students learn about the physical, intellectual, social and emotional benefits of creative activities for different age groups. Each student planned an activity for adolescents, considering methodology, safety, timings and the resources needed, and then delivered it to the rest of their class. Each activity had to last half an hour, with students collecting feedback though review sheets they designed themselves. They then wrote up an evaluation based on this feedback as well as self-reflection on their own performance, focusing on their planning, communication and how well they encouraged participation. The students devised and delivered the most amazing activities for their classmates and it was an absolute pleasure to watch them leading their sessions. |
|
|
The latest event in our Careers programme this week, tying in with National Careers Week, was mock interviews for our Year 12s, with reps from a variety of local employers. This was great practice for our students, prompting them to think about the kind of questions they could be asked and what experiences and skills they could talk about in their responses. Our thanks go to all the employers who came in and gave their time, including GSK, Computacenter, Roche, Crane, Visiting Angels North Hertfordshire, Garden House Hospice Care, DLRC, MBDA and PoetsIn. We are also grateful to recruitment consultancy Malikshaw, who delivered a very useful workshop all about LinkedIn and the best ways to use it. 
|
|
|
March is Women's History Month and we are of course celebrating International Women's Day! We will also be marking Neurodiversity Celebration Week from 17 to 23 March. There are also various religious festivals this month, including the Sikh and Hindu New Year - Happy New Year to those celebrating! Last but by no means least, Ramadan Mubarak to all of our Muslim students who are observing Ramadan this month, Thank you Anwen and Elodie from Year 12 who put together this month's display! 
|
|
|
Name the pota-gonist - as part of this week's World Book Day celebrations in the Library, we had a competition of book characters made out of potatoes, with an impressive amount of crafting effort going into them! Judged by Mr Crowther - no easy task with many amazing creations - the winner was Harry Potter, and we had joint runners-up of Paddington Bear (complete with a marmalade sandwich under his hat) and Winnie the Pooh (complete with pot of hunny). Well done everyone for your efforts and for getting involved with guessing the characters! On World Book Day itself we welcomed David's Bookshop as usual, with a wide variety of books on sale to our students, including special £1 WBD books. And no WBD would be complete without a cake sale! We had an excellent turnout for this and all proceeds will be going towards the very worthwhile World Book Day charity. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Design Hitchin Town FC’s 2025/26 Warm-Up Shirt!Hitchin Town Football Club is inviting local children to design the club’s pre-match warm-up shirt for the 2025/26 season. Open to under-16s in Hitchin and the surrounding areas, this is your chance to get creative. Designs must use their template, available to download here: https://hitchintownfc.club/designtheshirt/ and feature the club’s home (yellow/green) and away (purple/pink) colours. Submit your design by Sunday 9 March 2025 by email to media@hitchintownfc.club or hand it in at the club shop during home matches on 22 February or 8 March. Four designs will then be shortlisted, with supporters voting for the winner. All those shortlisted will win 4x tickets to the final home match of the season. The lucky winner will then be presented with their newly designed shirt once produced ahead of next season. All entrants automatically join the Junior Canaries supporters club, packed with competitions and prizes so get designing and be part of the club’s history! 
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Autism / ADHD workshopsNessie 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. See all upcoming events |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
