School News
Friday 10th July 2026
School News
Friday 10th July 2026
Please note that a newsletter will not be sent out next Friday due to the proximity to the end of term.
A final Summer newsletter will instead be sent to you on Tuesday 21st July.
Sports Week!
This year for sports week we had workshops set up for the children to try out different activities. This year we had Quidditch and Blazepods and the children really engaged in both activities. As many had done quidditch last year they remembered how to play and it was great to see everyone so excited about it. The only downside was not having broomsticks to fly on! Blazepods are about speed and agility - who can turn off the most lights in a set time. The children love this and it was so lovely to see the sportsmanship - everyone helping each other get to the next light quickly!!!
Sports Day - On Wednesday, we held our annual sports day, in unusually hot conditions. It didn't deter the children participating in a carousel of activities throughout the morning though! We had boccia to basketball, cricket, football and javelin and so much more. The children had a fantastic time and the Year 6 and Year 5 leaders did a great job showing younger children how to do the activities. In the afternoon it was race time. Everyone got involved and again it was lovely to hear children cheering each other on for every race.
In the end there can only be one winner, and this year it was York - well done York!
A huge 'thank you' to Mrs Lewis for organising the events. A great job well done!
It was fantastic to see the children so excited about visiting their new classes yesterday and finding out a little bit more about what their learning journey will look like in September. All of the staff had a great day too and were excited about their new classes at the end of the day.
It was also an opportunity for us to meet the new children starting in our Nursery and Reception classes in September. They all settled very quickly and took part in the different activities offered to them. All of our new Reception children received a special pack filled with lots of exciting goodies. Each bag included a new reading book, name-tracing activities, a countdown-to-school calendar, a small teddy bear to join them on their summer holiday adventures, and much more! The children were delighted to receive their packs, and we hope they will help them feel excited, confident, and ready as they begin their new school journey! Thank you to our PTA, too, for funding these.
On Tuesday afternoon, Year 4 had the wonderful opportunity to join hundreds of pupils from local schools at Electric Umbrella's Shine a Light concert in St Albans Abbey.
The Electric Umbrella team led the singing with great joy and energy. The atmosphere was wonderfully lively (and at times quite loud!), and the children enthusiastically joined in - especially enjoying the bubbles and colourful props that were shared throughout the performance.
A particular highlight was the 'I Am…' song, during which the children were invited to write on a card something that is important to them before proudly holding it up. Seeing these personal messages become part of the song made for a fun and memorable moment.
Every song carried a powerful message about celebrating individuality, embracing differences, and ensuring everyone feels accepted and included - values which the children have really embraced.
Nursery
Harrison
For his fantastic participation in sports day! Well done Harrison!
Reception
Edie
For your incredible writing this week! You have made fantastic progress with reading and writing. We are so proud of all your hard work. Well done!
Year 1
Rosy
For always being a wonderfully positive person and being so good at overcoming set backs quickly. Well done!
Year 2
Millie
For always trying hard and being an excellent role model.
Year 3
Ottlilie
For consistently helping everyone, being true to herself and always shining! Thank you!
Year 4
Noah
For his endless enthusiasm for all-things-school, especially his efforts and engagement at Electric Umbrella this week!
Year 5
Myles
For engaging himself so amazingly and really applying himself to his learning.
Year 6
Fatima
For her willingness to give every task her best effort and for pushing herself out of her comfort zone with a positive attitude.
The summer holiday is a wonderful opportunity for children to relax, explore new interests and, most importantly, keep reading! Just a few minutes of reading each day can make a huge difference, helping children to maintain and develop their skills ready for September. Reading regularly over the summer also builds confidence, sparks imagination and helps children discover new authors and genres they might not otherwise try.
One fantastic way to stay motivated is to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge at Hemel Library. This year’s theme is “Read to the Beat”, combining the joy of reading with the creativity of music. Children aged 4–11 are challenged to read six library books over the summer holidays and can earn rewards along the way.
We would love to see lots of Nash Mills children taking part. Don't forget to bring your certificate into school in September – every child who brings in a Summer Reading Challenge certificate will earn 10 house points! Happy reading.
This week's TTRS leader board is for most coins earned over the last 7 days. Our top 3 amassed a total of 3190 coins in a week!
Our Numbots leader board is for most correct answers, Our top 3 had a total of 961 correct answers, amazing!
Well done to all of our leaders.
Leader board this week
1st - Leo (Y1)
2nd - Mia K (Y2)
3rd - Roman (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Erin (Y2)
2nd - Katy (Y4)
3rd - Lily (Y2)
We’ve had another positive week of attendance across the school, with several classes achieving excellent figures. Year 5 led the way with an outstanding 98.6%, continuing their strong run of attendance. Reception also had a fantastic week with 96.8%, closely followed by Year 3 at 96.6%. Both Year 4 and Year 6 achieved 96.3%, meeting the national benchmark for good attendance. Year 1 recorded a strong 97.4%, while Year 2 finished the week on 92.4% and Nursery on 91.6%.
Thank you to all families for your continued support in ensuring children attend school regularly. It is great to see so many classes achieving attendance close to or above 96%, and we look forward to building on these positive figures as we come into the final few weeks of term.
Each year, if parents feel that it is safe for their child to do so, those in Years 5 & 6 can walk home from school independently if permission has been given.
In preparation for the new school year, if you would like to give your child permission, please follow this link. Please note that your child will be your responsibility from the point that they leave school, so please be sure that it is safe for them.
Each year, some parents provide pupils walking home independently with a phone to keep in contact if needed. We now have a lockbox which is used each day to collect any phones coming into school to ensure that they are safe during the day.
Please be advised, as per our Learning Policy, that only children in Year 6 can bring phones to school - these are then stored securely in a locked cabinet throughout the school day. If children in younger year groups have mobile phones at home, please ensure that they do not bring them to school. Thank you for your support.
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!
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
This week as part of transition day, I shared one of my favourite books with the children; 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!'. This fantastic tale, written in Dr. Seuss' iconic rhyming verse, tells a story of someone coming to a new beginning in their life and having some tricky feelings about it. On the way, they have to make some tough decisions and aren't sure if the change will be a good one or not. The story really reinforces that so much of what happens to us is based on the decisions we make and the effort we put in.
And as we prepare for the end of the school year and a number of new beginnings, the following lines ring particularly true...
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
13th July - Art week
13th July - EYFS Showcase 9am
13th July - Music Concert 1.45pm
13th July - Full Governing Body Meeting
14th July - Y1 RAF Trip
15th July - Y5 & 6 Production 2.15pm
16th July - Y5 & 6 Production 2.15pm
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 Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit
http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/
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.
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 clear-outs, please drop things in. The clothing bank is emptied regularly so should be ready for more donations.
Members of the local community are more than welcome to use it too so please spread the word!
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 approximately £12.50 per week.
Please do encourage family and friends with Nursery-aged pupils to come and see us.
Yesterday the children spent time in their new classes to find out a little more about what September will look like for them. I hope that they had a great day and are looking forward to the next chapter in their school journeys.
And as they prepare to close the current chapter, it is a great time to consider how far we have all come. The school reports sent home this week were a good reminder of this.
What are you most proud to have achieved this year? Where will it take you next?