Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been a busy start to the last half term of the year!

At the start of this week, I introduced the value of the month ‘trust’. Through the Bible story 'Daniel and the Lion’s Den' (Daniel 6), we explored how his faith gave him trust in God to keep him safe in the lion's den. 

As you will note further down in the newsletter, Year 5&6 are in full flow with the Young Leaders Award. Developing leadership skills, critical thinking and becoming agents of change is a big part of our vision for the education of the children at Great Gaddesden and it is lovely to see the children getting so much from this award already.

Today, I enjoyed meeting with the other small school Headteachers that are part of the Intervillage Sports Network. We are planning more cross school events and sharing good practice over the next academic year. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to support the sports event at Aldbury later this month. 

In other news, as you may be aware, over the half term we had some premises work completed including some work in the school house garden. We have also had a lighting upgrade in the Library and Wrap Around area.

Have a good weekend.

Kind regards,

Mr M. Beach

Headteacher

📩Communication sent out this week

• Dates for the half term ahead

• SENDCo Tea and Talk (21st July) & Bounce Forward Transition Support

🗓️Things happening next week:

• w.c 8th June Year 1 Phonics Screening Check & Year 4 Multiplication Check

• Friday - Parent Cafe

Whole school attendance this week: 92%

Overall attendance so far this year: 95%

All absences must be reported to the school either by leaving an absence message (Option 1) or emailing Mrs Redman (Office and Pastoral Manager) via absence@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk

For appointments, we ask where possible that these are not during the school day. If this is not avoidable, please kindly share the relevant information for this appointment in order for us to be able to authorise this.

Please note: in line with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education which is reflected in our attendance policy, we are unable to authorise term time holiday. For safeguarding reasons, we must be notified in advance in writing if you plan to take your child out during term time.

Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance 

• Dinners, Club/Trip Balances & Tax Free Child Care Payments - Ms Baltera (Finance Assistant) who will be working in the school office on a Wednesday only. 

📧finance@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk

• SEND- Mrs Aikman & Mrs Curtis will be sharing the role of SENDCo. There will be a SENCo on site one day per week and this will usually be on a Tuesday.

📧senco@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk

• Pastoral Support, Attendance, Club Bookings, Medical Needs & General Enquiries: Mrs Redman (Office & Pastoral Manager) who works in the school office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

📧For general enquiries: admin@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk

📧For absences: absence@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk

Church Service & Fete

On 21st June it is the St John the Baptist Patronal Festival. Following the success from last year, we are inviting the community to attend and enjoy this together. The plan is for the children to sing and we plan to have some stalls for the school. Children attending must be supervised by a parent/carer at all times. 

To confirm your attendance, please click here to complete the form.

If you are able to help run the BBQ, please let the school office know ASAP- thank you!

Intervillage Sports

Further to my letter sent out to KS2 families this week, we are planning to take part in the Intervillage Sports event, which this Summer is at Aldbury CE Primary School on Friday 19th June from 4pm-7pm. This event is something that historically Great Gaddesden has taken part in alongside other small village schools in the Dacorum area and we are excited to participate in this again. If your child is in Y3-6 and they would like to compete, please click here to complete the form.

Although the sporting events are for the Juniors, all of our families are warmly welcome to come and support the event and enjoy the stalls, food and atmosphere!

17th June it is National Thank a Teacher Day.  In preperation for this, we would like to invite all parents/carers to complete the following form here. 

Thank you to everyone who has already responded! 

This term, we are excited to announce that Year 5 & 6 will be participating in the Archbishop’s Young Leaders Award (AYLAS). 

So far, the children have explored ideas of what makes a good leader and participated in active challenges to stretch their leadership skills.

As they progress through the award, the children will focus on the following key areas;  Inspirational leaders and role models, Local, National and Global community and culminate in a Community Action Project. This will involve the planning and implementation of a project to improve the local community. 

Year 1 & 2 went up to the woods today for Forest School.  We got absolutely covered in sticky buds which were growing everywhere!  The children enjoyed having a go at Hapa Zome (pronounced hah-pah zoh-may). It is an ancient Japanese leaf-pounding technique. Literally translating to "leaf-dye", it involves directly transferring the natural pigments, shapes, and textures of fresh flowers and leaves onto fabric or paper by smashing them with a hammer, mallet, or smooth stone.

The first week back, we will be on Week 2 of the Summer Menu.

Awards we are working towards

House Points