Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have been busy braving the cold over the past couple of weeks and hope you have all manged to stay warm during the cold blast. 

Unusually, we have not had any trips or performances to share in the last two weeks. However, we have been delighted to welcome the Serge Hill Project team into school to work with our Year 5 children on the garden beds at the front of the school. The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, is a not-for-profit initiative based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. 

Our Year 5 pupils have been preparing the beds and learning about soil, plants, and sustainable growing practices. The team from the Serge Hill Project will return when the weather warms up to begin planting and we are very much looking forward to seeing the beds come to life over the coming months.  

Punctuality Matters

While we celebrate the successes of improving attendance, it's equally important to address areas that need improvement. Punctuality is crucial for smooth and effective learning.  You will have noticed a new banner outside the school explaining how just a few minutes a day can add up to a lot of lost learning time.  We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring your child arrives on time each day and enters the school via their allotted gate rather than the main office.

Reminder:

Please ensure all children have coats, hats and scarves as we are expecting another cold snap. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Kind regards

Mrs S. Wright

Headteacher

PE Update

It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm children have brought to their PE lessons this half term through our Get Set 4 PE curriculum. Across the school, pupils have been developing a wide range of physical skills while building confidence, teamwork and enjoyment in being active.

In Reception, children have been focusing on Ball Skills Unit 1, learning how to roll, throw and catch with increasing control. These early fundamentals are an important foundation for future games and sports.

In Year 1, pupils have been combining Ball Skills with Gymnastics, improving coordination, balance and body control. They have worked hard to link movements smoothly and apply these skills in simple games and sequences.

Year 2 have enjoyed the creativity of Dance alongside the tactical thinking needed in Invasion Games. Children have explored rhythm and expression in dance, while also learning how to move into space, pass safely and work as part of a team.

In Year 3, pupils have taken part in Yoga and Football. Yoga sessions have supported strength, flexibility and focus, while football lessons have developed dribbling, passing and positional awareness.

Year 4 have continued to build on these skills through Yoga and Fitness, developing stamina and core strength. It has been great to see children setting personal challenges and recognising the importance of perseverance and healthy habits.

In Year 5, pupils have had a varied programme including Swimming, Yoga and Tennis. Swimming lessons have focused on confidence, technique and water safety, while tennis has developed hand–eye coordination and controlled striking.

Year 6 have been working on Cricket alongside Yoga. Cricket lessons have encouraged teamwork, tactical thinking and skill refinement, while yoga has supported flexibility, balance and calm concentration.

Across the school, it has been especially encouraging to see so many children confidently using our new yoga mats, taking pride in their equipment and engaging fully in the sessions.

Celebrating Sporting Success at Home and Beyond

We love celebrating children’s sporting achievements both in and out of school. If your child takes part in a sports club, competition or event outside of school, we would be delighted to share their success with our school community.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to send a photo and a short blurb explaining what your child has achieved to
admin@central.herts.sch.uk
FAO Mr Freeman

These achievements may then be shared in our school newsletter, helping to celebrate effort, perseverance and a love of sport in all its forms.

From the Classroom to the Screen: Sporting Events to Inspire Our Pupils

There are also some excellent sporting events coming up on television that may inspire children to stay active and curious about sport at home. The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 6 – 22 February 2026 with coverage on BBC and BBC iPlayer, featuring lots of thrilling winter sports to watch. The 2026 Six Nations Championship runs from 5 February – 14 March 2026, with games broadcast on BBC, ITV, BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Cricket fans can enjoy the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, running from 7 February – 8 March 2026, showing fast-paced Twenty20 matches on Sky Sports in the UK.