Nash Mills CofE Primary School

School News

Friday 7th February 2025

Feeling Good Week

'Knowing You Growing You', our theme this year, has been a really super week of children reflecting on who and what helps them feel good. Along with our focus on trees, the children have created their own wonderful pictures thinking about who their soil, roots, trunk, fruit leaves and storms are. See below some of examples of the drawings. We will be making all these into a display in the hall for us all to enjoy.

On Monday, children in every year group from across the school had a 30-minute wellbeing session at Forest School. All Classes recapped how to use and access their class Zones Of Regulation posters and considered a range of different feelings. KS1 painted emotion potions as well as using jugs to mix and pour coloured water. KS2 spent their time finding a quiet space to listen to sounds around them, creating their very own sound wheels. Children reflected on this saying how calm and relaxed they felt.

During a forest school after-school club, Jacob and Iris created this fantastic clay face to start off using this wonderful tree as a special space to reflect and learn. Over the next few weeks and months we will develop this further with feeling good activities.

And finally, Kieran and Shania from the Mental Health and Wellbeing team held workshops for children on how to recognise their feelings and what they can then do about helping themselves to feel better.

Ms Bentley and Mrs Jessop

World Book Day 2025

Join us in celebrating World Book Day on Thursday, 6th March by dressing as a character that makes you unique or something inspired by science! World Book Day is a fantastic way to showcase your creativity and love for books. Whether you choose a favourite book hero, a famous scientist, or a creative science-themed outfit, let your imagination shine!

This year, we are combining our Science Week and World Book Day foci in school to offer the children a real mix of interesting and rewarding opportunities around the theme of Space! We have lots planned across the week, culminating in a special exhibition on 12th March. Pupils will study a special English unit where we will learn about diversity, with a particular focus on autism, and will access a range of learning linked to Science Week and its theme of 'Change and Adapt'. More information coming soon!

Learning about teeth!

As part of their current topic, Year 1 spent some time this morning exploring toothcare and how they can ensure that they maintain good dental hygiene. The children used disclosing tablets to see where they may have areas that are missed when brushing! This was very informative!

Did you know...there are various apps that can help with teeth brushing routines. A favourite in the Maher house is the free Aquafresh Brushing app! Take a look!

Sports Update!

Earlier in the week, Year 6 went to Longdean Secondary School for a sports competition. There were lots of events to take part in and lots of schools were there. Aidan

It was really fun to see the competitive side of our school come out and exciting to compete against other schools. It was a enjoyable experience. Beatrice

Lots of events needed teamwork like the relay. The cheering was so loud and was really supportive. Betsan

Staffing Update

As we come to half term, we have one staffing change to let you know about. Sadly, Mrs Paduchak, who has been supporting various pupils from our Reception and Year 1 classes will be leaving us. We would like to thank Mrs Paduchak for all of her hard work and efforts since September and wish her the very best in future challenges, including her college studies!

We have conducted interviews this week for a new member of our SEND Teaching Assistant Team and hope to have more information to share shortly!

Attendance

In this week's attendance league, Year 6 emerged as the leaders with an impressive 97.7%, continuing their strong performance from last week. Year 3 closely followed, showing great consistency with a 97.3% attendance rate. Year 2 kept up their strong form, achieving a solid 97%, while Reception saw a positive increase to 96.8%, overcoming last week's challenges.

Year 4 maintained their efforts with a commendable 96.7%, and Nursery showed improvement, reaching 95%. Year 1 made a remarkable recovery, bouncing back to an impressive 98%, leading the charge with a significant increase from last week's attendance. Year 5 faced some challenges this week, with attendance at 90%, but their dedication remains strong.

With the recent bug impacting some classes, it's great to see the children's return to good health. As always, let's continue to emphasise the importance of good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and using tissues, to keep everyone healthy.

Thank you to the parents and staff for your commitment to maintaining a thriving school environment. Here's to another successful week ahead as we approach half term!

Log Same-Day Absences on Arbor

Thank you to those who managed to log child absences on Arbor this week. It has really helped the office, meaning that we know where all of the children are more quickly in the morning. The information on how to do this is listed below again. From next week, it will be a tab at the bottom of the newsletter in case you need it!

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.

Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!

Our leader board this week for TTRS reflects the improvement in accuracy of answers over the last 7 days and it's a clean sweep for Year 3! Well done to our leaders.

Our Numbots leader board shows the children who have earned the most coins in the last week, our top 3 amassed a whopping 17,711 coins between them, in one week! Well done!

Mr Shane

Leader board this week

1st - Corin (Y1)

2nd - Alex (Y2)

3rd - Teona (Y2)

Leader board this week

1st - Sam (Y3)

2nd - Chinmaye (Y3)

3rd - Harper (Y3)

Star of the Week!

Nursery

Reeva

For always joining in with enthusiasm and showing kindness to others. Well done Reeva for being such a great role model!

Reception

Fraser

For fantastic focus during lessons this week, for being a great friend to your peers and for taking on responsibility for tidying and helping out. Well done Fraser!

Year 1

Hamdan

For coming into the classroom and working hard as well as being able to tell adults what he needs. Well done Hamdan!

Year 2

Harriet

For working hard in school with her reading. Keep it up Harriet!

Year 3

William

For taking pride in his work and determination to do better. Keep it up William!

Year 4

Amber

For her fantastic attitude to learning and for being a wonderful role model for great behaviour in school!

Year 5

Adam

For always contributing in lessons, his excellent attitude and continually striving to be the best he can!

Year 6

Kimberley

For her attention to detail and organised approach to all learning tasks. Keep it up Kimberley!

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Did you know that every now and again, our school is used as a Track Play venue during the weekend. This Sunday, the school hall will be filled with a huge track and plenty of engines and toys linked to Thomas the Tank. Parents can book sessions to visit throughout the day directly with Track Play by visiting their website: https://www.trackplay.co.uk/events/hemel-hempstead-9

It is a wonderful session!

Help to win £1000 for our school!

To celebrate the launch of the Equal Play initiative by Paralympics GB to encourage access for all children to take part in school sports, Riverside Shopping Centre are offering our school an exciting opportunity to take part in a ‘Design a Flag’ competition to WIN £1,000 for your school to spend on PE equipment and disability inclusion training. They are looking for a brilliant flag design that promotes inclusivity for everyone, whatever their challenges.

What you need to do:-

Design a flag on an A4 piece of paper

Use felt tips or paints (the flag will be digitally re produced)
Put child’s name, age, school, and your schools’ contact details on the back
Submit to Centre Management, Riverside Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1BT
Closing date – Friday 4th April 2025

Nursery Admissions Now Open - New 30 Hour offer for September 2025

Please share with family and friends in the local community that from September 2025, we will be offering a 30-hour provision for our school nursery. For working families in receipt of 30-hours government funding, we will be able to offer daily provision from 8.50am-2.50pm, with the option to extend the day to 3.15pm. To see a video about our provision, please click on the picture.

To book a tour and find out more about our fantastic setting please contact the school office (admin@nashmills.herts.sch.uk). Tour dates are available on our website www.nashmills.herts.sch.uk/nursery-admissions/

Free Parenting Courses

Please see here two free parent learning opportunities around supporting children through a separation.

Below are also two further flyers sharing additional courses and opportunities.

If this is of use, please book directly using the links provided.

Upcoming Dates

11th February - Y2 Class Assembly

11th February - Young Voices Trip

11th February - Safer Internet Day

14th February - PTA Disco

17th-21st February - Half Term (school closed)

27th February - Nursery Forest School sessions start weekly

4th March - Reception Coffee Morning

4th March - Y6 Class Assembly

5th March - Nursery Coffee Morning

5th-12th March - Science Week and World Book Day (6th) - space focus

10th March - Y3 Trip to Hudnall Park

11th March - Governor morning in school

11th and 12th March - Parent Consultations

14 March - Red Nose Day

14th March - Nursery and Reception visit to London Zoo

18th March - Y1 Class Assembly

19th March - Y6 visit to Bletchley Park

24th March - Full Governing Body Meeting

25th March - Y5 visit to Kew Gardens

25th March - Reception Class Assembly

26th March - Y2 visit to Roald Dahl Museum

27th March - Last clubs of term

28th March - PTA Thank You sale

31st March - Start of Art Week (Sculpture focus)

31st March and 1st April - Y3&4 Production

2nd April - Y4 River study trip

2nd April - Y3 Easter Egg competition at Longdean

2nd April - Y5&6 KNEX Challenge

4th April - School closes for Easter

Good Shepherd Booking

Good Shepherd Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit

http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/

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

Thank you for your donations towards our clothing bank. If you have any old clothes following Christmas clear-outs, please drop things in. The clothing bank was emptied again this week 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

As you know, this term, our ubuntu value has been 'joy'. Joy can happen in big moments, like getting a new toy or winning a game. But it can be found in the small, everyday moments, too!

Joy is about the simple things that make us feel warm inside. It’s the smile of someone we care about, the sound of laughter, or the comfort of being surrounded by people who love us. And have you ever noticed how joy becomes even bigger when we spread it around? When you help someone else, or when you celebrate with others. In our school community, we have many opportunities to choose joy. We can choose joy by being kind, by celebrating each other’s successes, and by finding joy in learning. Even when things don’t go as planned, joy can be found in how we handle challenges—by being brave, patient, and resilient.

Let’s take a moment today to think about how we can bring more joy into our school and homes. It could be a kind word, a thoughtful action, or simply appreciating the little things that make life special. As we go through this week, let's try to remember that joy is not just something that happens to us—it’s something we can choose to spread and share with those around us.

Thank you for being part of our joy. Let’s keep spreading it!

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