Issue 7 17th October 2025
Embedded Files
Weekly update
Value of the month: Respect
Weekly update
Value of the month: Respect
Dear Parents/Carers,
This week, we had our Parent Forum meeting and the minutes can be accessed here .
I am pleased to confirm the Admins/Reps assigned to each group are as follows:
EYFS- Corinne
KS1- Robyn
LKS2- Rebecca
UKS2- Gemma H
Links to the class groups were shared earlier this week so everyone should now be able to access the relevant class Whatsapp Group.
Also this week, we had a very positive FOGGS AGM. Thank you to those of you who attended. I am pleased to share that Laura Jeffery and Jo Buckland are the newly elected Co-Chairs of FOGGS. For more information, a message from the Co-Chairs and events set so far for this year, please see further down in the newsletter.
Next week, we have our Harvest Festival. Please can all donations be bought into school from Monday and no later than Wednesday morning. They will be displayed in the Library until the service and as we have in previous years, each child will be invited to bring forward an item for the offering. If every child brings one item into school, this means we can share 76 things with DENS which will make a significant difference to those in need. Please refer to the high needs list further down in the newsletter if you would like some suggestions for donations.
Thank you to those of you who have already responded to the Parent Survey. This will remain open until Thursday 23rd October @6pm.
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards,
Mr M. Beach
Headteacher
Things coming up next week:
Monday- Parents Evening 3:30pm-5:30pm
Wednesday- Harvest Service 2:15-3:00pm (approx)
Thursday- Parents Evening 3:30pm-5:30pm
Friday- FOGGS Pyjama Day (chuck it in a bucket donations/no set value) and visiting athlete*
*If any sponsor forms left can be returned by Monday please.
Whole school attendance this week: 91.8%
Overall attendance so far this year: 95%
Every day counts! All classes begin learning activities as soon as the children arrive at 8:40am.
All absences must be reported to the school either by leaving an absence message (Option 1) or emailing Mrs Redman (Pastoral Support/Attendance Lead) via absence@greatgaddesden.herts.sch.uk
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.
Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Harvest Offering
Harvest Offering
This year, for Harvest, we are sharing our offering with DENS (local food bank in Hemel Hempstead).
Below is the high needs list from DENS. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
A big thank you to Rumblers Farm Shop in Potten End for kindly donating a mix of pumpkins for the early years to explore. Perfect timing with our Harvest Festival need week!
Forest School
Forest School
This week, Early Years were very excited for their first Forest School for this year!
They started the afternoon by cooking and drinking hot chocolate around the campfire. The rest of the afternoon was spent building dens, digging ponds and baking cakes in the mud kitchen! The Whole Class were awarded Mrs De's forest school award.
E-Safety
E-Safety
Awards
Awards
Star Learners
Star Learners
Early Years- Benedict
Year 1&2 - Roman
Year 3&4 - Whole Class
Year 5&6 - Leo
Value Ambassadors
Value Ambassadors
EYFS- Margot
Year 1&2 - Maeve
Year 3&4 - Pippa
Year 5&6 - Ophelia
Mission Ambassador
Mission Ambassador
This week, Frankie was nominated as our Mission Ambassador for:
Always remembering our Mission Statement and talking about it in collective worship. Well done!
"Treat others exactly as you would like to be treated" Luke 6:31
Be observant and thoughtful
Be kind and empathetic
Be flexible and reflective
Outside achievements
Outside achievements
Well done to William for recieving the 'Best in School' award from the Dacorum Arts Competition.
Fox was awarded a trophy in football for scoring a goal! Well done Fox!
Headteacher Awards
Headteacher Awards
Well done to Sophie and Freddie for completing some excellent Science work where they applied their knowledge of the properties of materials to design a house for a teddy.
House Points
House Points
Sycamore
134
Oak
170
Ash
146
Beech
124
FOGGS
FOGGS
Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM on Tuesday evening. It was a really positive meeting with lots of ideas, support and enthusiasm!
Message from the new Co-Chairs
Hello! We’re excited to introduce ourselves as the Co-Chairs of the PTA. We’re really pleased to be part of such a fantastic school community.
This year, we're looking forward to organising some fun and memorable events for the children, while also raising money to support the school. We’re aiming to create moments the children will love and opportunities for everyone to get involved.
We’d also like to introduce the rest of the PTA team—our Treasurer, Jennifer, and our Secretary, Nicola. Together, we’re here to make things run smoothly.
If you'd like to get involved, we have two PTA WhatsApp groups:
A Supporters Group for those who are happy to help out at events when they can
A Committee Group for those interested in planning and running events
Please feel free to speak to any of us if you’d like to join either group—we’d love to have you on board!
Best wishes,
Jo & Laura
PTA Co-Chairs
Events agreed and in the diary so far this year are as follows:
Pyjama Day 24th October
Christmas Disco 5th December
'Feb Film Night' 13th February
Summer Fete (joint with the Church) 21st June
Summer Party 10th July
Crazy Hair Day (Date TBC)
The Christmas Hampers are being relaunched this year and more information will be shared in due course. FOGGS also plan to sell mulled wine and mince pies at the Carols by Candlelight on 18th December.
Community Information & Reminders
Community Information & Reminders
Secondary Admissions
If your child is in Year 6, please ensure to have completed your secondary school applications by 31st October.
Please click the link below:
Key Dates
Key Dates
October
October
Black History Month
20th Parents Evening 3:30-5:30pm
22nd Harvest Service 2:15-3:15pm
23rd Parents Evening 3:30-5:30pm
24th Visiting Athlete (date change)
24th FOGGS Pyjama day
24th Last day of half term
Half term w.c 27th
November
November
4th Individual photos
7th Grandparents afternoon
7th EYFS Forest School (morning)
10th Year 5/6 Forest School (afternoon)
11th Remembrance Service 10:45-11:15am
28th Y1/2 Forest School (afternoon)
December
December
3rd Year 3/4 Forest School (afternoon)
10th Pantomime @Grove Theatre, Dunstable AM
17th Early Years Nativity 9:00am (school hall)/ KS1 Nativity 2:15pm (Church)
18th Carols by Candlelight @St John's Church 4:30-5:30pm (Whole school to attend)
19th Christingle 1pm & end of term @1:30pm
w.c 22nd & 29th Christmas holidays
January
January
5th INSET day
6th All pupils return (Spring term begins)
15th Interfaith Day
February
February
Half term w.c 16th
March
March
9th Parents Evening 3:30-5:30pm
12th Parents Evening 3:30-5:30pm
25th Easter Service 2:00pm-3:00pm
26th Egg rolling
26th Open Afternoon 2:30pm onwards
27th End of Spring term (1:30pm finish)
w.c 30th Easter Holidays
April
April
w.c 6th Easter Holidays (continued)
13th INSET day
14th Summer Term Begins
May
May
w.c 11th Y6 SATs Week
20th Group Photos
22nd End of Summer 1
w.c 25th Half term
June
June
1st INSET day
2nd Summer 2 begins
w.c 8th Year 4 Multiplication Check & Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
w.c 8th Our Small Church School Week
21st St John the Baptist Patronal Festival & Summer Fete
23rd 3:00-4:00pm Our Small Church School Week Exhibition
w.c 29th Health & Fitness Week
July
July
2nd Sports Day (12pm onwards)
16th End of Year Reports sent home
17th Y6 Leavers Trip to Chessington
22nd Leavers Service 9am
22nd Last Day of Term (1:30pm finish)
23rd Occasional Day
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