School News
Friday 10th January 2025
Happy New Year and Welcome back!
It has been fantastic to see the children back in school learning so purposefully this week. Each term starts with an exciting DT project in each class and, this week, the children came back to various food technology projects to complete. There have been some wonderful smells coming from different areas of the school! We are also kicking off the term's curriculum, with various topics beginning for pupils to immerse themselves in. You should have received this term's Knowledge Organisers, which share a little more about what the children will be learning. This information is also available on our school website.
Just a reminder that attendance remains a key priority in school. Please ensure that your children attend wherever possible; there are lots of runny noses out there at the moment so please send tissues where needed! With the cold weather, please also continue to send the children in wearing lots of layers and with coats and gloves. They will be outside for playtime wherever possible.
We can't wait to be getting going for the spring term. There are lots of exciting things coming up, which we look forward to sharing with you!
DT Week - READY, STEADY, COOK!
This week children in Nash Mills have been little chefs in their various classes. They have learned where the 'Hero' food, which is the main ingredient for their recipe, is grown, which season is appropriate for planting and how long it takes to grow before it gets to the supermarket. They have had the opportunity to plan a menu, prepare and taste their scrumptious masterpieces.
Some of the highlights included:
Making Fruit Smoothies: The children learned about healthy eating and explored the process of creating their own fruit smoothies. They worked together to design, cut, and blend their ingredients.
Making Healthy Wraps: They explored different types of wraps, learning how to assemble a healthy and balanced meal by adding fillings such as chicken, vegetables, and cheese.
Baking Biscuits: The children had fun making delicious biscuits using flour, butter and eggs. They selected their own ingredients for decorating.
We have loved hearing today of some of our pupils who were inspired by their learning and so went home to cook dinner for their families! Well done to all!
In this week's attendance league, Nursery took the spotlight with an almost flawless 99% attendance, demonstrating an incredible start following the holidays and setting a high standard for the rest of the school. Year 3 continued their strong form, securing an impressive 98.5% and maintaining their position near the top of the leaderboard. Year 4 also put on a solid performance with 97.8%, showcasing their commitment and teamwork. Year 2 held their ground with a respectable 96.2%.
Slipping a little this week were Year 6, who delivered 94.8%. Year 5 and Year 1 were neck and neck on 93.7%. Reception faced a challenging week, coming in at 87.81%, but with the support of the school community, they are sure to bounce back. We hope to see an improvement in all of these classes over the coming weeks.
Overall, the school has shown great determination and resilience, with Nursery leading the charge this week. Thank you to all the parents and students for your continued efforts in maintaining high attendance. Let's keep up the momentum and aim for even greater achievements in the weeks to come!
Term Dates 2025-2026 - Please click here to view the term dates for the 2025-26 academic year on our website. Please take an early look at these dates so that holidays for next year can be booked outside of term time to avoid disruption to your child(ren)'s learning. Thank you.
Our TTRS leader board this week is based on studio speed. Our top 3 are all answering questions in less than a second! That is phenomenal, well done!!
Our Numbots leader board is based on the number of correct answers over the last 7 days. Well done to Alex in particular who has achieved 1231 correct answers in 7 days!!!
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Alex (Y2)
2nd - George (Y1)
3rd - Joseph (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Ivy (Y5)
2nd - Noah (Y6)
3rd - Edward (Y4)
A reminder that clubs begin next week and run until 4.15pm each day. We are pleased to be able offer once again a range of clubs for the children after school and would like to thank the staff who are giving up their time to do so. In doing this, it means that we are able to continue to offer most clubs free of charge, meaning that everyone can take part.
Please see below for where the children will go for their clubs. Collection is from the car park gates at 4.15pm. A reminder, please, not to park in the car park for this as it can get very busy.
Computing - Year 6 classroom
Taskmaster - Year 5 classroom
Lucky Dip - Reception classroom
Lucky Dip - Year 2 classroom
Forest School - Registration in Hall
Drawing - Library
Dance - Hall
Boys Football - change in KS2 corridor classrooms/toilets
Engineering - Year 3 classroom
Multi-Sports KS2 - Hall
Mini Multi-sports - Playground
Lunch time Art & Crafts - Nursery classroom (12.20pm)
Lunch time Art - Year 2 classroom (12.30pm)
Girls Football - change in KS2 corridor classrooms/toilets and registration under shelter
Karate - Hall
Drama - Year 3 classroom
Nursery
Syed
For settling into our Nursery class so well and following our rules and routines. Well done Syed your confidence is growing week by week!
Reception
Bella
For being really brave at school, taking on challenges and for being a fabulous role model for the rest of the class.
Year 1
Hope
For starting the week with a positive attitude and embracing her return to school with enthusiasm and determination. Keep it up Hope!
Year 2
Leighton
For having a fantastic start to the term, showing a can-do attitude and really trying his best. Well done Leighton!
Year 3
Kaiden
For coming back and putting 100% into all his work. Keep shining Kaiden!
Year 4
Emel
For her enthusiasm and excellent contributions in all lessons - her hand is always up! Keep it up Emel!
Year 5
Sophie
For her amazing maths and guided reading work this week and enthusiasm to learn - keep it up Sophie, I am very proud of you!
Year 6
Alfie
For working exceptionally hard across all areas of the curriculum. Well done Alfie!
Free Workshops
Supporting Links are delighted to let you know about 10 FREE online workshops that have been commissioned for all parents and carers in Herts. These short, single topic, interactive sessions are universal workshops so suitable for anyone with parental responsibility and will all take place during the Spring Term. We will provide insights and practical solutions for typical parenting issues.
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/
Be Bright, Be Seen!
As the winter draws in, a reminder to talk to your child(ren) regularly about road safety and awareness at all times, both on the busy roads around school and elsewhere.
With the cold spell continuing into next week, a reminder to send your child(ren) in with named, warm coats, hats and gloves.
13th January - Y2 Parent Coffee Morning (9am)
13th January - Electric Umbrella Workshops - all classes
13th January - Clubs start this week
14th January - Nursery Parent Coffee Morning (9am)
15th January - Y6 Parent Coffee Morning (9am)
16th January - Reception Parent Coffee Morning (9am)
17th January - Y5 Parent Coffee Morning (9am)
21st January - Governor meeting - admissions committee
29th January - Governor meeting - school improvement committee
30th January - Electric Umbrella performance - whole school
3rd February - Feeling Good Week focus in school
4th February - Y5 Class Assembly
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 Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit
http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/
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.
Thank you for your donations towards our clothing bank. If you have any old clothes following Christmas clear-outs, please drop things in.
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!
This week, we began our half termly values focus. For the next six weeks, we shall be thinking about 'Joy'. Christmas has been a time of joy for many people; giving and receiving gifts, seeing loved ones and catching up with life! For Christians, the birth of Jesus is a source of joy - the angel said “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people”.
We asked the children to share some of things that they could do to bring joy to others.
This is what they said:
Play with other people when they need someone
Be as kind as you can be
Cheer people on and tell them that they are doing well
Say 'thank you'
Sing
This weekend, have a think about what you have that brings you joy.
How do you share this joy with others?