b'End of an EraWith the country in lockdown, our Year 13only two days before our last day of school, experience has been unusual to say thehaving anticipated another two months of least. Having to cancel our Year 13 Promschool before exam-leave. Though a life-was the first time we began to see the realchanging experience, our time at HGS has effects of Covid-19 on school life. Thoughbeen cut short; however, we hope to make heartbreaking, a mutual decision was madeup for this with a post-lockdown Sixth Form for the safety of the students, which wascelebration. We now look to the future, shortly followed by the announcement ofnotably beginning our university lives. It school closures and exam cancellations.is unsettling to imagine starting university Naturally, these announcements werewithout a Freshers Week and having our met with mixed emotions, primarily relief,first lectures online.sadness, fear and of course, confusion.Nevertheless, we will take with us memories The recent necessary changes haveof our time at HGS and the friends we undoubtedly left us all uncertain as tohave made. We owe our gratitude toall staff and how grades will be fairly assessed andour teachers, support staff and the SLT,students is our main priority and so the how university admissions will take place;who have not only provided us with thenecessary actions had to be taken, for however, we trust that the hard work andknowledge to succeed in our exams, butwhich we apologise and hope to give all dedication shown by all students across thealso tools to become model members ofstudents the proper send-off we deserve school will be fairly portrayed in this yearssociety. Their commitment to our educationafter lockdown measures have been lifted.grades. has never gone unnoticed and we thankAs we hang up our HGS uniforms and pass Having been at the school since Year 7,them for all that they have done for us. on the Sixth Form duties to the next Year we have spent seven years building lifelongIt has been a great honour to be this years13 cohort, I would like to wish all students friendships and getting to know some of theHead Boy and I thank all of the staff andgood luck in their future endeavours and I best teachers in the profession. It was trulystudents for making the past seven yearshope you are all safe.saddening to learn about school closuresas enjoyable as possible. The safety ofHasnain SumarSCHOOL COUNCILServing the School Council as Chair hasto have a Caribbean-themed food day in been an honour and Im proud to have seenApril. However, this proposal could not be its development this year. Meetings havefollowed through due to the school closure. taken place with all year groups to allowI have no doubt that this will take place them the opportunity to contribute ideas theynext year. Other suggestions forwarded to believe can help improve the school. Thesethe Senior Leadership Team included a PA suggestions have then been taken to Schoolannouncement system for the school and Council meetings each term to be pitched. Black Friday in the canteen.Some of the motions that the SchoolBeing Chair this academic year has been Council have come up with have been putan absolute thrill for me. The students of into action, such as the Alton Towers tripHGS are full of creative, innovative and that took place at the start of the academicambitious ideas that help to make learning year. There was also a request for morean enjoyable and memorable experience variety of foods and different cuisines in thebut also create a legacy for future students.canteen. Due to this idea, there was a planHasnain Sumar15'