Newsletters

HGSS Newsletter - April 2019

Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to this edition of our newsletter that is arriving with a change of season and a sharpened focus on revision, in particular for our Year 11 and 13 students who have already begun the practical exams in their qualifications and will be entering the exam season shortly after Easter.  We wish them all success for this forthcoming period, but know there is still time for all to make a difference.

It has been fantastic to award so many students in the last fortnight with subject pins for excellence, UK Maths Challenge Certificates, LAMDA Certificates, Sports Person of the Month Awards and Academic progress awards.  They are a wonderful reminder of how hard our students work, how supportive they are of each other and how aspirational they are.

This edition is full of students' achievements and it has been great to see the growing confidence of our Year 7 students, for example supporting Year 3 to 6 students with their creative writing, who spent a day with us from a range of different primary schools.  Our Sixth Formers were treated to a fabulous guest speaker, Moira Sinclair, who as a woman had to battle a lot to get to her position and our ladies, in particular, found her very inspiring.  Congratulations goes to Mia Ryan on a fantastic achievement with her Cheerleading awards for which she has had to work hard.  Lastly a big thank you to our PTA and those who attended the Magic Evening recently which was a very successful event and a pleasant evening.

Enjoy reading the articles and sharing in the vibrancy of Holmer Green Senior School.  I wish you all a happy and safe Easter.

Kindest regards

Ed Hillyard

05 Apr 2019
Breaking news - Holmer Green Senior School scoops runner-up place in National Skills Challenge Finals
Following a highly competitive internal heat held earlier in the year, the winning Year 12 team represented Holmer Green Senior School at the National Skills Challenge UK finals at NatWest’s HQ in London on Thursday 4 April 2019.
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We are sure parents understand how busy schools are at all times and that staff are constantly involved in ensuring all students receive everything they need to succeed.

Please may we respectfully remind parents that staff can be seen by appointment but cannot be available for unplanned visits from parents or other visitors.  If you need to contact a member of staff, please email or call to make the necessary arrangements.

Please may we also respectfully remind parents that staff cannot pass messages on to students unless there is an extreme emergency.   Please ensure that your sons and daughters are aware of any arrangements before they come into school each day.

Thank you for your patience and support with the new security gate system.  This is working well and has the desired effect of keeping students safe.  If you need to come into school please wait patiently to be given access by Reception.

Many thanks

29 Mar 2019
Romeo and Juliet
On Tuesday 26 March, the English Department took 50 Year 10 students to watch 'Romeo and Juliet' at the Elgiva Theatre in Chesham.  It was a small production and gave students the chance to watch a live performance of the play that we are studying for GCSE English Literature.
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29 Mar 2019
Seven HGSS Students at the centre of the Holmer Green Youth Club Young Leaders Team Award
    On Thursday 14 March a team of 8 young leaders, representing Holmer Green Youth Club, received the runners-up award at the annual Chiltern District Council Youth Awards.    
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Goodbyes and Hello

This term we have said Goodbye to Mr North, English, who is starting out on another career away from teaching, and to Mrs Knight, who, after over 20 years at HGSS teaching Food Technology and Child Development, is taking her well earned retirement.  We wish both members of staff a happy future.

We say hello and Welcome to the following new members of staff:

Ms S Goodgame, Inclusion Manager and Pastoral Assistant

Miss K Jessop, Finance Manager

Mrs R Whitby, Learning Support Assistant

Mrs M Haslett, English

Mrs H Smith, Food Techology

Mrs H Bunn, PSHCE Co-ordinator/Teacher

Mr J Callender, English

08 Mar 2019
Buckinghamshire Schools Cross Country Championships 2019
On Wednesday 6 February 2019 a group of students from all years travelled to Stowe School to take part in cross country races.  There was a 1 hour mini bus trip but in the end the grounds of the school were amazing and in great condition to run on.  
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08 Mar 2019
New Photography Studio
We are excited to announce the opening of a new Photography studio at Holmer Green Senior School. Photography is offered as a stand alone GCSE and A level subject.   
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29 Mar 2019
Magic Show - Friday 22 March 19
  Many thanks to the Parents' Association for arranging such an enjoyable evening.  In the words of one of the audience "I wasn't sure what to expect but... wow! What a fantastic end to the week. Thank you to all involved - I still ache from laughing".  
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FREE Easter Dance Workshop

Thames Valley Police are offering Free places at their Easter Dance Workshop.

Please see link below:

TVP Free Easter Dance Workshop

 

04 Apr 2019
Year 9 PSHCE Day
All Year 9 students participated in PSHCE Day
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PLEASE MAY WE REMIND ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE CARE WITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE BELONGING TO OTHER STUDENTS.  INSTRUMENTS ARE FRAGILE AND VERY VALUABLE TO THEIR OWNERS AND DESERVE RESPECT FROM EVERYONE.

THANK YOU

05 Apr 2019
Breaking news - Holmer Green Senior School scoops runner-up place in National Skills Challenge Finals
Following a highly competitive internal heat held earlier in the year, the winning Year 12 team represented Holmer Green Senior School at the National Skills Challenge UK finals at NatWest’s HQ in London on Thursday 4 April 2019.
Read more

Guest speaker: Moira Sinclair, Wednesday 27 March 2019

As part of our ongoing guest speaker programme, the Sixth Form enjoyed an engaging and uplifting talk by Moira Sinclair, Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation – an independent charitable foundation issuing some £30 million per year in grants in areas related to opening up the Arts, cultural access and striving for social justice. Following a successful early career in the Theatre and then district council, Moira was previously Executive Director of Arts Council, London and South East, and was instrumental in cultural delivery for Olympics 2012.

With a background in the Arts, Moira pointed out that 1 in 12 of all jobs in the UK are in the Creative Sector, where we are a proven world leader. She talked enthusiastically about following your dreams, finding a career in something you are passionate about, and taking up every opportunity to bank employability skills as you progress along your career.

She also shared more general attributes she believed were essential for a successful career: perseverance, resilience (“bouncebackability” and the ability to cope and overcome); teamwork (think of an orchestra with many parts); self-confidence (…but not arrogance) and authenticity: staying true to who you are.

Moira passed on some great advice about how to overcome a lack of confidence, including posture, breathing techniques to calm you down, good preparation, as well as accepting praise when it is offered to nurture self-belief. We all left feeling inspired and motivated, wrapped in our ‘cloaks of confidence’ to go forth and chase our dreams.

We are very grateful to Moira for taking time out of her busy day to come and talk to us. 

04 Apr 2019
HGSS Student wins The Education Art Prize 2019
We are VERY proud to announce that Zainab Iqbal who left last year, has been named as the prestigious winner of "THE EDUCATION ART PRIZE 2019" funded by the national publication "Specialist Crafts" which all schools and colleges have access to.  Zainab was one of 13 Art stud...
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SPORTS PERSON OF THE MONTH:

The Sports Person of the Month for January has been decided.  The recipient is a student who

goes above and beyond in all of his lessons, whether it be Core or GCSE PE, theory or practical.  He is a strong performer in his main sport of Football and controls his position well.  In PE lessons he is a positive role model to all in terms of his behaviour and attitude and is working above his potential currently.  Congratulations to the January Sports Person of the Month: Harry Keys.

The Sports Person of the Month for February is a person who has shown excellent commitment to Sport and PE at HGSS as well as continuing to participate in sport outside of school.  This person has clearly demonstrated   excellent communication and leadership skills in her role as Captain for the school Netball team and has shown herself to be both fair and selfless as well. In addition, she is a strong performer in both school and extra-curricular sport. Congratulations to the February Sports Person of the Month, from Year 8, Lauren Gallagher.

CATERING ASSISTANT - VACANCY

iNNOVATE our catering company, have a vacancy for a Catering Assistant at Holmer Green Senior School.  Anyone interested, please follow the link below:

Catering Assistant Vacancy