Nash Mills CofE Primary School

School News

Friday 7th November 2025

Year 5 and 6 Art Inclusivity Project

This term, following a whole-school survey, Years 5 and 6 took part in a creative project celebrating culture and identity. Each pupil designed a “Culture Jar” using colours, symbols, and stories to represent the diverse heritage across our school.

The jars reflect a wide range of ethnicities and traditions—from fabrics and foods to music and family customs. The project encouraged pupils to share and learn from one another, promoting respect and unity through art.

We look forward to seeing the finished work displayed in our entrance area.

Parent Survey 2025

Thank you to everyone who managed to attend Parent's Evening sessions this week. We hope that it was informative and provided a brief snapshot into how your child has settled this year. Thank you too to those who completed our annual Parent Survey.

We’re thrilled to hear that nearly all of you strongly feel that yout child is happy and safe at school, and that behaviour is well managed. Many of you also shared how approachable staff are when concerns arise, and how well your child is doing academically. You praised the variety of opportunities offered through our curriculum, and appreciated the support provided through home reading and platforms like Times Table Rockstars.

Your partnership means a great deal to us, and we’re grateful for your ongoing support in helping every child to thrive.

Considering the suggestions and feedback provided, we will look at the following areas in the coming weeks:

Homework and Home Learning - how we can provide support for your children to learn at home in a meaningful and supportive way that does not add too many additional pressures to home life.
We will look at how classes are dismissed, particularly in Early Years and Key Stage 1, to make sure that the end of the day is as smooth as it can be.
Although this is largely constrained by the number of adults available, we will consider if there are further ways in which we can extend our club offer.

Curriculum information

At Nash Mills, we are proud to offer a broad curriculum to our pupils, with plenty of opportunities for them to develop specific skills whilst learning all about the world around them. Each subject area has a clear pathway, in which we know what each child should learn as they move through the school. More information can be found within the curriculum pages of our website, however we have spotlighted a few of our subjects below.

Both art and DT (design technology) require the children to develop physical skill and precision, as well as the ability to work imaginatively over time. For this reason, at Nash Mills we take a slightly different approach to most other schools in that we teach the majority of our art and DT curriculums during whole-week blocks at the start and end of each term.

Art

During the term in art, pupils take part in weekly fluency sessions to develop specific skills needed for the end of term project. For example, if pupils will be painting a landscape at the end of the term, each week in the build up they will learn skills such as line drawing, blending paint colours or using different brush strokes.

All of these skills build towards an end of term project in which the whole school has the same focus, albeit with the stimulus of a different artist. For example, at the end of the spring term, all pupils have a sculpture project. Year 1 will use clay to look at the work of Anthony Gormley, whereas Year 6 will use modelling wire and modroc to recreate the work of Alberto Giacometti. The work is then displayed around the school so we can see how the pupils' skills develop as they move through the school.

Design Technology

At the start of each term, there is a very similar strategy used for DT, where each class has a project based on a certain area. For example, at the start of the spring term all classes carry out a food technology-based project.

During their project, pupils will look at existing products and think about what they like and what they don't. They will then design, test and make their own product in a similar style.

Autumn Project - Construction and Building

Spring Project - Food and Nutrition

Summer Project - Textiles

Attendance

This week’s attendance figures show an exceptional start, with Year 5 and Reception both achieving a perfect 100%—a phenomenal accomplishment that sets a high standard for the term ahead!

Year 4 followed closely with an impressive 99.4%, while Year 1 and Year 2 matched each other at a strong 98.3%. Year 6 continued their consistent performance with 98.3%, and Nursery posted a solid 96%. Year 3 rounded out the week at 95%.

A huge thank you to all pupils and families for your continued commitment to excellent attendance. Every day in school means more learning, more friendships, and more fun—and it’s clear that everyone is off to a fantastic start!

Term Dates

The term dates for 2026-2027 have now been approved by our Governors and are available to view on the school website, by clicking here. Please have a look at these before booking any holidays. As a reminder, we are unable to authorise term-time family holidays, which means that you may be at risk of being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the Local Authority.

Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!

This week's TTRS leader board reflects accuracy of answers over the last 7 days, our top 3 amassed 3,470 correct answers between them over the last week!

Our Numbots leader board is for correct answers in story mode, our top 3 had a total of 210 correct answers in a week!

Well done to all our leaders!

Mr Shane

Leader board this week

1st - Edith (Y2)

2nd - Eren (Y1)

3rd - Hallie (Y1)

Leader board this week

1st - Emel (Y5)

2nd - Fred (Y5)

3rd - Jacob (Y5)

Star of the Week!

Nursery

Beau

For being a kind and thoughtful friend when someone needed help!

Reception

Kitty

For showing wonderful focus in your activities this week and for being calmer and more settled on the carpet.

Fantastic effort - keep it up Kitty!

Year 1

Eren

For being a calm, joyful helper and for growing so much in his sharing skills. We love seeing his kindness sparkle!

Year 2

Patrick

For trying your best in phonics and beginning to learn new phonemes. Brilliant effort Patrick!

Year 3

Lexi

For continuously shining in class and having more faith in herself! Keep up the hard work Lexi!

Year 4

Emine

For being an absolute superstar - you're kind, hardworking and a great role model in our school! Well done Emine.

Year 5

Fred

For working really hard on all that he does, with such a great work ethic. Well done Fred!

Year 6

Ryan

For showing excellent problem-solving skills and great effort when solving math calculations. Keep it up Ryan!

PTA News

The PTA are busy organising the Christmas Fayre for the children as well as another event for parents. Please see following details.

Friday 14th November - Donations please.....

A reminder that the PTA are having a collection of good quality teddies, books (for both children and adults) and toys that can be sold at the Christmas Fayre. Please bring these to the school hall at drop off or pick up on Friday 14th November. To start with, please donate no more than 2 items per child (i.e. no more than 2 books, 2 teddies and 2 toys per child)

Thank you for your support!

Children in Need Non-Uniform Day, Friday 14th November

On Friday, your child can come to school in non-school uniform/something spotty in exchange for a £1 per child donation on Arbor. Arbor will open for donations on Monday morning at 10.30am. Thank you for supporting this valuable cause!

Parish Council Children's Christmas Competition

As part of the run up to our Christmas Lights Switch-on event, we’d love local children to help us decorate The Denes with Christmas/wintery scenes.

Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 categories

Artwork on A4 size (portrait or landscape) please

Competition closes at 9am on Tuesday 18th November.

Entries can be placed into the box in our foyer, next to the school office.

Winners announced during our Christmas Lights Switch-on event on Saturday 22nd November.

We look forward to seeing some lovely Christmas pictures.

Please register using the QR code or link below and we’ll send you an entry number and full details.

https://forms.office.com/e/bYKewDJZrr

Hertfordshire Happy Camps

Pupils who are entitled to benefits-related free school meals are able to sign up to a range of activities over the Christmas holiday as part of Hertfordshire's Happy Camps programme. If you are eligible, please keep an eye out for an email which will be sent to you next week.

Upcoming Dates

11th November - Remembrance - Y4-6 to the War Memorial

11th November - Reception Coffee Morning

12th November - Y3&6 trip to Chesham Mosque

14th November - Children in Need non-uniform and PTA Fayre Donations (at drop off)

17th November - Nursery Coffee Morning

20th November - Y6 Class Worship

25th November - Y3 Class Worship

27th November - Y5 trip to The British Museum

28th November - INSET Day - no school

1st December - Christmas Jumpers allowed in school!

2nd December - Y4 Class Worship

3rd December - Reception Coffee Morning

5th December - Nursery Coffee Morning

9th December - Y5 Class Worship

11th December - Last clubs this term

12th December - Y6 Carol singing

12th December - PTA Christmas Bazaar

15th December - start of Art week

15th December - Christmas Grandparents' Afternoon

16th&17th December - EYFS Nativity

16th&17th December - KS1 Nativity

18th December - Christmas Dinner

18th December - Christmas Jumper Day

18th December - Christmas Church Service

19th December - Whole School Carol Service (9am)

19th December - End of term at 1.30pm for Christmas Holidays

Good Shepherd Booking

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

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

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.

Date update - Please note that the Year 6 Class Worship has moved to Thursday 20th November at 9am. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

Next Tuesday, 11th November, our Year 4, 5 and 6 classes will be walking to the War Memorial for Remembrance. Please ensure that they have coats in school.

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 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

This week in school, we have started our focus on the value of faithfulness. In worship, we have talked to the children about ubuntu and how faithfulness is a pillar of having a strong community. Although it can sometimes be a tricky one to understand, faithfulness could mean:

Keeping promises, even small ones, like “I’ll be there for dinner” or “We’ll bake that cake on Saturday.”
Being consistent—with boundaries, routines, and values, even when children push back.
Praying or hoping—for your child’s wellbeing, growth, and joy, even when the path is uncertain.
Holding space—for your child’s feelings, questions, and mistakes, without judgment.
Being present—to school events where you can, to bedtime stories, to the everyday moments...not perfectly, but faithfully, again and again.

Faithfulness is quiet but powerful. It builds trust, nurtures resilience, and helps us all to feel safe and loved. As we explore this value in school, we invite you to reflect on the ways faithfulness already lives in your home—and the small ways it might grow.

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