School News
Friday 10th October 2025
Year 2 go Wild at the Museum
On Tuesday, Year 2 ventured to the Natural History Museum in Tring for a roaring time exploring all of the animals on display. They got to see bears, tigers, snakes, penguins and even the skeletons of some of the animals. After they had finished exploring, they took part in a workshop that allowed their fantastic scientific skills to shine as they classified different types of animals.
I liked that some animals had funny names, like the Dodo, that doesn't exist any more - Paisley
I loved seeing the giant Japanese crab and the polar bear - Francis
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Update
Hello everyone, I’m Mrs Nicholls, the new Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). I’m excited to work with you to make sure every child can thrive.
My role is to help make classrooms inclusive so that support is in place before small worries become big ones. I coordinate the Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle, keep Individual Learning Plans on track, and make sure our “ordinarily available” offer—clear routines, visuals, scaffolds, movement/quiet breaks and flexible seating—is working well in every class. I also liaise with external professionals when needed and manage referrals so advice is acted on quickly and joined up with classroom practice.
Day to day you’ll see me in lessons and around school, modelling strategies, coaching staff and checking that adjustments are helping children learn and feel settled. I liaise with classes to help set up calm corners and short sensory/movement breaks, help teachers break tasks into small steps with word banks and writing frames, and support friendship skills and problem-solving through social stories and check-ins. I review what’s working using pupil voice, work samples and brief observations, and then tweak plans with teachers and parents.
I work closely with Mrs Jessop, who continues to oversee the provision of children who have EHCPs and leads our mental health and pastoral provision. Together we plan transitions, share strategies and ensure support at home and school is consistent.
If you need to get in touch, please email the school office and your message will be passed on to me. You can also catch me on the gate on Wednesday and Thursday mornings—I’m very happy to arrange a time to talk.
PTA Christmas Cards!
Don't miss the chance to have your child's artwork turned into beautiful Christmas cards, posters, tote bags and many more gift ideas!
Your child will bring their artwork home today along with a flyer on how to order.
If you would like to place an order, please complete the reverse of your child's form and return to the classroom by Thursday 16th October (latest).
This week’s attendance figures show another fantastic effort across the school, with Year 5 once again claiming the top spot with an outstanding 99.3%—their second week in a row at number one! A huge well done to them for their consistency and commitment.
The chasing pack also had a fantastic week; 5 classes all within 1% of eachother shows great effort! Year 3 followed with a strong 97%, while both Year 2 and Year 4 achieved an impressive 96.7%. Reception, who held the top spot for two consecutive weeks earlier this term, came in very close with 96.5%—a brilliant result and a sign of their continued dedication. Year 1 recorded 96.3%.
Slightly lower, Year 6 came in at 94.8% and Nursery saw a slight dip to 91%, and we’re hopeful to see their numbers rise again next week.
With just a few weeks left until half term, the race is on—who will beat Year 5 and take the crown next week?
Our TTRS leader board is based on accuracy of answer over the last seven days and Year 6 are putting in the work! A clean sweep on the leader board, did they win the TTRS trophy this week too? Well done to our 3 leaders.
Our Numbots leader board reflects the time played over the last seven days. We know that the more children access Numbots, the better their fluency in numbers gets, which in turn makes accessing the maths curriculum easier. Well done to our 3 leaders this week.
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Roman (Y2)
2nd - Lilly (Y1)
3rd - Hallie (Y1)
Leader board this week
1st - Harley (Y6)
2nd - Alicia (Y6)
3rd -Jeremiah (Y6)
Safeguarding Update - You may have seen in the news this week concern about a web link provided in the 'Spy Pup', 'Spy dog' and 'Spy Cat' series by Andrew Cope. Originally, the books provided a link for children to carry out extra activities having read the stories, however the web address has since been taken over by another party who were sharing highly inappropriate content.
We understand that this website has now been taken offline, however you may want to be aware of this if you have any of these books at home.
We have checked the bookstock in school and do not believe there are any copies in circulation.
Nursery
Lara
For fantastic sharing and being kind to your friends.
Well done Lara!
Reception
Myla
For being such a wonderful role model in our class! You always show kindness to others, listen carefully, stay focused and you make sure everyone feels included. We are so proud of you!
Year 1
Hasan
For joining in with a big smile, showing a super can-do attitude, and growing in confidence every day. Well done!
Year 2
Millie
For always presenting your work to such a high standard.
Well done Millie!
Year 3
Ivy-Jane
For her determination to improve in all lessons, as well as her patience and kindness towards everyone.
Year 4
Katy
For being so brilliantly kind and hardworking and for excellent
listening to her teachers.
Year 5
Emel
For her positive attitude to everything she does in school. She never gives up, well done!
Year 6
Fatima
For captivating her readers by building tension and atmosphere in her narrative writing. Keep up the fantastic storytelling!
15th October - Y3 Lee Valley Trip
16th October - Reception Coffee Morning
17th October - PTA Dare to be Different Day
21st October - Y4 trip - Mountfitchet Castle
22nd October - Y1 trip - Mead Open Farm
22nd October - Nursery Coffee Morning
23rd October - Harvest Festival
24th October - Y6 trip - Sky Studios
24th October - Start of half term - No school for one week.
3rd November - All pupils back to school
4th&5th November - Parents' Evenings
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.
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 weekend, Watford town centre will be illuminated by a Diwali-inspired Festival of Light—a celebration that reminds us of the power of light in the darker seasons. As autumn deepens and the days grow shorter, it’s easy to feel distant from the warmth and brightness of summer. Yet, even in these cooler, darker days, we are surrounded by moments of light: a kind word, a shared smile, or a small act of generosity. These little sparks can brighten our days more than we realise.
As we head into the weekend, we invite you to reflect—what brings you light? What small joys or acts of kindness have lifted your spirits this week?