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School News
Friday 1st May 2026
A reminder that Monday is the May Day bank holiday. School is closed and will reopen for all pupils on Tuesday 5th.
Police Visit
Those of you who walked to school on Monday may have seen that we were visited by two members of the local community policing team. PC Ford and PCSO Humphreys spent some time outside school in the morning speaking to the children and parents.
They then came in and spoke to our Year 5 pupils about the work that they do in the local area to help keep the community safe.
They also spent some time monitoring Belswains Lane to help ensure that it is safe for our families on their way to school. As many of you will know, this has been a key concern for us over recent years and we are pleased that the community policing team have offered their support.
The team have offered to come back into school soon to continue this work.
Garden work
Garden work
You might have seen that we now have wood chippings surrounding all the class beds in the anniversary garden. These were donated to us by a local tree surgeon. The children from Y5 and Y6 worked very hard to move the chippings from the car park into the area and it looks fantastic!
Mini Marathon
Inspired by one of our Governors, James Ineson, who ran the London marathon last weekend; we decided to take part in the 2026 'TCS mini marathons in schools' event where we run 2 miles. We ran 10 laps on Thursday and 10 laps on Friday and had great fun! So many children got involved and it was so great to see how many wanted to take part. Lots of children ran more that they needed to which shows how excited they were for running and taking part in sport.
Star of the Week!
Star of the Week!
Nursery
Beau
For taking part in all our Nursery activities and playing so nicely with friends. Well Done!
Reception
Samuel
For being consistently polite, demonstrating a strong work ethic during lessons, and showing kindness and friendship towards others.
Well Done Samuel!
Year 1
Jaid
For getting on with your work independently and trying your hardest to achieve. Well Done Jaid!
Year 2
Raheem
For showing brilliant resilience in class. You are staying calmer when things go wrong, trying again, and showing that you can cope with tricky moments.
Year 3
Joshua
For his consistent determination, entusiasm and confidence. He has made phenomenal progress as well as being an amazing supportive friend! We are so proud! Keep it up!
Year 4
Jace
For having an excellent work ethic in all areas of your learning. No matter the subject, you give your all. Keep it up!
Year 5
Anayah
For responding positively to feedback and showing a willingness to listen, reflect and improve. Your positive attitude and effort to grow sets a fantastic example for others.
Year 6
Ava
For showing an increased positive attitude to her learning, working with resilience and determination.
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
This week's TTRS leader board shows the most correct answers, our top 3 have amassed 1,354 correct answers over the last week. Special mention to Áine in Year 2 for being one of the first KS1 pupils to make the TTRS leader board this year!
Our Numbots leader board is a reflection of how much effort children are putting in. Our leaders this week have made huge improvements into how much time and effort they're putting into Numbots.
Well done all
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Clementine (Y1)
2nd - Penny (Y1)
3rd - Ellie (Y1)
Leader board this week
1st - Freddie (Y4)
2nd - Fred (Y5)
3rd - Áine (2)
Attendance
Attendance
We’ve had a very strong week for attendance across the school—well done everyone! A huge congratulations to Year 2, who achieved an excellent 100% attendance, a fantastic accomplishment. Reception also had a brilliant week with 98%, followed closely by Year 4 at 97.3%. Year 6 maintained a strong 96.7%, while Nursery and Year 5 were close behind with 95.7% and 95.6% respectively. Year 1 recorded 92.6%, and Year 3 finished the week at 92.2%.
Thank you to all families for your continued efforts—regular attendance really does make a big difference to learning and progress.
SEN Coffee Morning – Focus: Emotional Regulation and Big Feelings
We would like to invite parents and carers to our upcoming SEN Coffee Morning on Thursday 22nd May.
The focus of this session will be “Emotional Regulation and Big Feelings”. Over tea and coffee, parents will be able to work with Mrs Nicholls to explore why some children can find it difficult to manage worries, frustration, change or overwhelming feelings, and share practical strategies that may help at home and in school.
There will also be time for questions and a chance to suggest topics for future parent sessions.
Nursery Admissions - September 2026
Please share with friends and family that applications to come and join our wonderful Nursery for the next academic year are about to close! Our Nursery pupils love coming into school each day to enjoy all of our fantastic facilities and benefit from the care of our dedicated Nursery staff who create a friendly, safe and stimulating learning environment.
In September 2026, we shall be admitting children born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023 and are pleased to share that we offer either:
15-hour morning provision from 8.50am-11.50am
or
For working families in receipt of 30-hours government funding, daily provision from 8.50am-2.50pm, with the option to extend the day to 3.15pm for an additional cost of £12.50 per week.
Please do encourage family and friends with Nursery-aged pupils to come and see us.
Best Bedtime Reads!
Best Bedtime Reads!
As you know, reading regularly at home with your children is incredibly important. A good bedtime story is not only helpful in maintaining a strong routine in the evening, it also helps children to develop their imagination and vocabulary.
Each week, we will ask our staff what their current recommendations are for the best bedtime reads. We hope that it provides you with some ideas!
Miss Lyden is currently reading...
Miss Lyden is currently reading...
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I've just started to reread this book from when I was a child, and if you are someone who likes mystery, adventure and longing to discover a secret place, then this book is definitely for you.
The Secret Garden follows a young orphan named Mary, who moves from India to Yorkshire to live with her uncle. She is immature, spoilt and demanding at the beginning but soon softens as she explores the large Misselthwaite Manor. With the help of a friendly robin, Mary, Colin (her sickly cousin) and Dickon she falls upon a secret door, hiding a great beauty inside.
Donations!
We are seeking some items to help with our work in school. If you have either any large (dozen-size) egg boxes that our nursery could use, please send them in next week.
Our growing club is also looking for some long bamboo canes to help with our peas! If you have any old canes in your sheds that you no longer need, we would appreciate some.
Thank you for you help!
Date for your diary - 6th May
We probably all recognise that the use of online tools is both fantastic and a minefield in terms of how we protect those around us. For our children, who will be using various devices, it is important that we all have a good understanding of how we can keep safe when online.
On 6th May, we have booked a talk from the Herts Police Cyber Security team. They will be coming into school to speak to our Year 5 and 6 pupils about staying safe online. They have also offered a parent session, from 2pm-3pm on the same topic. If you would like to attend, please come to the school office for 2pm.
St Mary's Church
We would love to invite you and your family to Saint Mary's family service, ALL IN. It's a time to come together and be part of the service. We sing some hymns, say some prayers, listen to an interactive talk from the Bible, do crafts, and share communion. We finish our time together with café time. You are so welcome!
Date: 3rd May 2026
Place: St Mary's Church, HP3 9ST
Time: 9.30am
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
4th May - Bank Holiday - school closed
6th May - Cyber Security Sessions - Y5&6 and a parent session 2pm-3pm
6th May - Y3&4 Tag Rugby Festival
11th May - Y6 SATS Week
11th May - Governor meeting - Resources Committee and Full Governing Body
18th May - Reception Coffee Morning
19th May - World Diversity Day - special lunch menu
19th May - Y6 Trip to Snow Centre
19th May - Y6 Residential Parent Meeting 2.45pm
20th May - Y4 trip to Hampton Court Palace
25th-29th May - Half term
1st-19th June - Whole School Swimming
4th June - Y2 trip to London
8th June - Y4 Multiplication Check week
9th June - Y1 Class Worship
10th June - Y3 trip to Verulamium
10th June - Y5 Residential Parent Meeting 2.45pm
15th June - Y1 Phonics Check week
16th June - Nursery Coffee Morning
18th June - Reception to Ruislip Lido
19th June - PTA Thank you Sale
22nd - 26th June - Y6 Residential Trip
23rd & 30th June - Opera Project in school
23rd June - Y2 Class Worship
25th June - Reception Coffee Morning
30th June - Y3 Class Worship
1st-3rd July - Y5 Residential Trip
1st July - Governors Resource Meeting
6th-8th July - Sports Week
7th July - Reports sent home
7th July - Y4 Class Worship
7th July - Y4 trip to Electric Umbrella at the Cathedral
8th July - Sports Day - 11am EYFS, 12pm rest of school
9th July - New class transition day
10th July - PTA summer disco
13th July - Art week
13th July - Music Concert 2pm
13th July - Full Governing Body Meeting
14th July - Y1 RAF Trip
15th&16th July - Y5&6 Production
17th July - Y6 Leavers Party
20th July - Whole School Church Service
21st July - Leavers' Assembly and last day of term. School closes for the summer at 1.30pm
22nd &23rd July - INSET Days
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit
http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/
Logging Absences
Logging Absences
Thank you to those who have now managed to log child absences on Arbor. It has really helped the office, meaning that we know where all of the children are more quickly in the morning. If The instructions on how to do this are set out below.
If your child is unwell, Hertfordshire Attendance team require that the nature of the illness is recorded, so please include this in your message (cough, cold, temperature, vomiting etc.). Please note that any absence requests for future dates will still need to made through the school office. In line with our attendance and safeguarding policies, a reminder to report your child's absence every morning, by 8.30am, until your child is well enough to return to school.
Step 1 -Click on Quick Actions button and then click Attendance followed by the green Log Absence button (top right).
Step 2 - Enter the absence details. If your child will be absent all day, there is no need to edit the start and end times that will automatically appear. If your child is ill, please ensure that you enter the nature of the illness and then press the green Log Absence button.
Step 3 - Once you have logged the absence, the school office will 'accept' it. Approved absences then appear in the Attendance tab of the Arbor App. It is not possible to edit an absence once it has been approved, so if you have any queries, please email the school office who will be able to help.
Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium
Did you know that your child may be able to receive additional support in school in addition to free school meals, if you qualify for certain benefits?
If you receive any of the following, your child may well be eligible for the Pupil Premium. This provides them with free school meals throughout their time at school, but also a range of additional things in school to help with their learning and engagement. If your child might be eligible, please visit the following site (https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ufs/HCWH.eb?ebd=0&ebz=1_1717745705707) or speak to the school office who will be happy to help.
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (as long as you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don't get more than £16,190 a year)
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits you get).
The application process only takes a few minutes and we are more than happy to provide support if it is needed.
Clothing Bank
Clothing Bank
Thank you for your donations towards our clothing bank. If you have any old clothes following clear-outs, please drop things in. The clothing bank is emptied regularly so should be ready for more donations.
The school carpark is open between 7am and 6pm on weekdays. Members of the local community are more than welcome to use it too so please spread the word!
Final Thought
Final Thought
This week, as we have focused on our Ubuntu value of selflessness, we have looked back on our school story of The Good Samaritan. In the story, compassion is shown not through words, but through action – by noticing someone in need and choosing to help, even when it is inconvenient or costly.
Selflessness invites us to look beyond ourselves and to ask, “Who needs my help today?” It might be a kind word, giving time to listen, offering practical support, or standing up for someone who feels alone. Small acts, done with love, can make a big difference.
This weekend, we invite you to reflect on how you might show selflessness within our community – to neighbours, friends, or those who may be struggling. In doing so, we continue to live out the message of the Good Samaritan, helping those around us in many different ways.
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