Newsletters

HGSS Newsletter - December 2024

Dear Parent or Carer,

 Welcome to our end of half-term two and Christmas newsletter.    

There are a great range of articles in this newsletter and we would continue to encourage your son & or daughter to take up as many of the opportunities on offer to develop their social capital and CV, for example: school librarian, student council member, SuSu (stand up speak up member), Diversity Equality Inclusion mentor, Prefect, AM fitness club, Homework club and our hugely successful Duke of Edinburgh programme to name a few. 

We would like to bring to your attention the introduction of a new school badge which students and parents can apply for.  The badge is for ‘Exceptional Performance’.  It is for individuals who are competing, performing, or volunteering at a high level.  If your child is then please have a look at the school website here. 

Although we have a policy for mobile phones, wireless phones and smartwatches being turned off (power shut down, not airplane mode/silent) and placing in bags before entering the school gates and then not turned back on until off school-site, we are still spending a lot of time dealing with social media issues and are noticing that they are having a real impact on student concentration and ultimately achievement.  We are therefore looking into a pouch system to further support students in not thinking about their phone and any messages/notifications they may be missing until the end of the day. 

Year 11 and 13 received their mock results on the last day of term.  We hope they have gone well and that students are able to have some break over Christmas, but also to do some revision, as past students will always advise that consistently revising over a longer period of time achieves better results with less panic and stress, than doing lots in a short period of time.  We are very proud of our Year 13s, the majority of whom have already submitted their UCAS applications well in advance of the deadline and three having already been interviewed for Oxbridge places.  They are an exceptional group of students. 

Monday 6 January is a staff training day and all students begin timetabled lessons on Tuesday 7 January. 

I end with the following thoughts: 

We often convince ourselves that happiness lies in having more—more money, more things, more recognition. The list of “must-haves” feels endless. 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe offered a recipe for contentment: 

 “One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song,

read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were

possible, to speak a few reasonable words.” 

By doing such small things each day, we find that happiness does not demand much.  

It is not in the more.  
It is in the enough. 

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas,

Ed Hillyard

 

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Students from HGSS delivered a captivating performance at this year's Christmas by the Common event, earning well-deserved praise from the community.

The annual celebration, held at Holmer Green Common, was illuminated by the students’ beautiful harmonies and vibrant spirit - along with candy cane choreography! Not only did their singing embody the festive cheer, the students also exemplified the values of our school through their excellent conduct. 

Congratulations to everyone involved in this performance!

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Sixth Form Headlines - Autumn 2

Written by: Student Associate Governors – Mia Barnes and Harvey Atkins

At the end of the last half-term the Sixth Form was introduced to Unifrog.

Unifrog is a platform where students can explore different career paths, access help with UCAS applications, apply for apprenticeships and complete personality quizzes which will identify the careers which will best suit the individual. This is an extremely useful tool as it enables students who may be unsure about what they will be doing after Sixth Form. This resource was then utilised in the enrichment session of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Students are encouraged to explore MOOCs and study to expand their existing knowledge of the pathways and subjects they wish to pursue further; they find courses that are more suitable for their future careers, and they allow them to strengthen skill sets for their chosen sector. These courses can also be used for UCAS and job applications as a CV builder to further highlight a student’s interest in the career they choose to pursue. 

We have had many updates on the prom situation of Year 13. We have reserved the venue and paid the deposit, we have also booked a DJ, and are organising a photo booth and balloon arch to make our peers experience better using the money we have left over, we will also look and see how much spare money we have to see if we could incorporate other small attractions or entertainment. We have also got a plan in place for those students that have not turned 18 at the time of the prom to avoid underage drinking, they will be given a wristband to distinguish them. 

The Sixth Form Student Working Party had their first meeting towards the end of last half-term. It is an opportunity for students to feedback and give opinions to Mrs Golding and Mr McMaster; the Sixth Form Student Voice. There are two representatives from each form, one in Year 12 and the other in Year 13 so every cohort can have their say. These students collect feedback from their forms about topics which are on the agenda, for example, independent study periods and rewards. Students are also encouraged to share any other concerns they may have. These topics are then discussed and in the next meeting Mrs Golding shares how these issues may be resolved. Resolutions may include talking to the wider school community or talking to the Student Leadership Team who may help to organise events which students may feel strongly about. Students a part of the Working Party have described feeling heard and empowered by seeing change. 

Enrichment this term consists of many sporting options such as football, yoga, just dance, and multi gym. There are also non-sporting options such as chess and board games, healthy cooking, dragons den (this is when the students make and present projects improving skills such as marketing) and first aid so there is a large range of options this term. 

The Student Leadership Team held interviews for the role of Year 12 Representatives. This role allows students an opportunity to raise any concern they may have about the Sixth Form to Mrs Golding and Mr McMaster, help make decisions about events Sixth Form will be hosting and take part in supporting charities and any activities organised by the Student Leadership team. This is a crucial position to support the Sixth Form, share views and bridge any gap there may be between Year 12 and Year 13 students. Therefore, this position gives the chosen students an opportunity to improve their leadership, communication and teamwork skills. While it has not been announced yet, the students chosen are as followed: Amelie Reid, Megan Vittle, Sanjeevan Manivannan and Max Dennis. 

In terms of UCAS applications, Mrs Smith is aiming for over 50% of application to be sent off before Christmas. We have a total of 71 UCAS applications in total in progress, including 17 people who have already submitted their applications with 13 people having received 1 or more offers. We also have a student who has an impending interview with Imperial College London. 

This term we say goodbye to:

Mrs Stone, Assistant Headteacher

Mr McGilvray, Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Proudfoot, English Teacher

Ms Labonte, Head of History

Mr De, Art Teacher

Mrs Hickman, Cover Supervisor

And a hearty welcome to:

Mr Bulteel, Head of KS3 English

Remembrance Day 

The school was pleased to be represented by three students - Harry Cooper,
Ben Lewington and
George Towers - who laid wreaths as a sign of respect and reflection during the commemorative service in Holmer Green. 

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Student News!

Having faced her own battle with cancer, and now in remission, student Freya Whitby has been dedicating her time and talent to help raise money for cancer charities - many of which who helped her.

At this year's Christmas by the Common event, she showcased her incredible crotchet skills, selling a range of handmade crotchet creations and donating 50% of her profits to two charities close to her heart: Team Mikayla and the Florence Nightingale Charity.

Freya's stall was a hit with visitors, from leggy frogs to baubles for the tree, her work reflects not only her talent but her compassion and determination to make a difference.

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HGSS Trips – Autumn 2

The Autumn term is always a busy one with planning this Academic Year’s trips, plus getting everything ready for the several overseas residentials coming up.

This term we mainly have our Christmas trips and events, such as a local theatre trip to see Aladdin, Christmas on the Common and a coach trip to the Barbican Theatre in London, to see Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Mrs Nicholls has also taken her FTC club (First Tech Challenge) to Oxford to see the competition set up first hand and test and develop the robot they have been building during the after-school sessions.  Early on in the term, several of our SEN students went out on three separate visits to different local shops and cafes, to build on their practical skills.

The Modern Foreign Languages Department took a group of GCSE French students to Strasbourg during the half term break, which was a very successful trip!

In the New Year, there will be plenty of trips going on, both day trips and residentials, with the Music, MFL, PE, Geography, Careers and D&T Departments.  Both the Year 11 and 13 Proms have been advertised already too.  Please see our HGSS website for all approved trip and event dates.

May I wish you all a happy and peaceful time this Christmas.

Emma Carter

Trips Coordinator

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Traffic and Parking

Can we start by saying thank you to the huge majority of parents who do not drive down Parish Piece.  This has been very helpful in allowing students to exit more safely and to clear more quickly.  We would still encourage more students to walk, cycle, or catch the bus to build their independence? If you really do need to travel by car, please drop your child(ren)?away from the school vicinity and allow them to walk? Please park safely, legally and respectfully at all times, particularly further than 10m away from any junction and not blocking the entry or exit to any bus stops? We are very keen to keep our students and other road users safe at all times.

SCHOOL UNIFORM CODE

click here

 

Please can we remind you of our School Uniform requirements. 

All information (including a link for name labels) can be found by following this link below:

School Uniform and Equipment

Attendance:?

Full attendance at school is really important to all students' progress.? However, there are obviously times when a student may be unwell (for example).? If your?child is unable to attend school?please email attendance@holmer.org.uk?or call the Attendance line (01494 719901) and leave a message. 

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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

Our Parents' Association work hard to raise funds for your children in school and to promote the school in the local community.

Please support them were possible and if you wish to become involved with the Team, please contact office@holmer.org.uk

More information is available on the website:

Parents' Association

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ILL OR HAS MEDICAL NEEDS

The school has Medical and Attendance Officers.  They are available during school hours to discuss matters relating to the health of your child.   It is essential that you notify them of any health problems that your child may have (e.g. medical details, particular problems or needs).  We can store spare asthma inhalers and epipens and diabetes monitors.

If your child is taken ill or is involved in an accident during the day, he or she will be looked after in the Medical Room until we can contact a parent or carer.  Students should tell their teacher or report to the Medical Room if they feel unwell and not make direct contact with you by mobile phone.

If your child needs to take medication during the day, it should be clearly labelled with the child’s name and passed to the Medical Officer with a letter from the parent or carer. Students who have a medical or a dental appointment should take the appointment card to the Medical Room first thing in the morning.  These appointments should be arranged outside school hours where possible.  We do not expect a student to take a whole day off for a medical appointment.

LATE ARRIVAL AND ABSENCE

The school gates lock at 8.45am, so students must be on site by this time.  Students should be at line up by 8.50am.   If your child arrives after 8.45am they will be marked as late. They are required to sign in at the Attendance/Medical Room.

In the first instance the student will be warned to be punctual in the future.  If a student is consistently late there will be sanctions.  Persistent poor punctuality or attendance will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer.

Email the Attendance Officer if your child is absent or late

attendance@holmer.org.uk

When you know in advance that your son or daughter will have to miss school for any reason, we ask that you inform us in writing beforehand.

However, we reiterate that it is important for your child to attend all lessons, every day.  If your needs to attend an appointment, please try to arrange these in the school holidays or after school.

When absence is due to illness, we ask that you telephone the Medical Room as soon as possible on 01494 719901 or email attendance@holmer.org.uk. PLEASE NOTE THAT ABSENCE DUE TO ILLNESS OR MEDICAL REASONS WILL BE RECORDED AS ABSENCE ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE AUTHORISED.

Further information on attendance and Medical concerns can be found here: Medical

AUTHORISED AND UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE

Failure to notify the school will result in your child’s absence being classed as unauthorised which may result in school referring to the Education Welfare Service.  Only absences perceived by the school to be genuine will be classed as authorised.  Holidays during term time will not be authorised.  We will authorise one day for Eid celebrations.

At Holmer Green Senior School we expect an attendance of 96% or more for all students—Every Day Matters.

 

 

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FREE PORRIDGE AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS

IN THE DINING HALL EVERY MORNING FROM 8.15AM TO 8.45AM

Parents' Association

Please visit our Parents' Association page on the link below for information on how you can support the school.  Thank you

Parents' Association