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School News
Friday 11th July 2025
Year 5 Residential Trip to Phasels Wood
What an amazing 3 days away! The first ever year 5 residential is in the books and we could not be any prouder of the children. For a lot of the children it was their first time staying away from family and they have been brilliant every step of the way.
They have completed various activities including archery, vertical wall, hungry hippos, crate stacking, spider mountain, pedal carts and crest run. In the evening the children played a range of games where they got to explore the woods! They have been non stop, as have the smiles.
I really liked the Cresta Run because I got to race my friends - Ava
I have loved the whole thing because I got be somewhere with my friends. My favourite activity was the crest run! James
Transition Day
This week saw our annual transition day, in which pupils spent time in their new classes preparing for September. It was brilliant to see the children settling in so quickly and, hopefully the day went some way in allaying and anxieties or worries about the new school year. We also met our new Nursery and Reception classes for September - it was a pleasure to see the children beginning their school journeys!
Next week, we shall share our transition booklets with you, which you will be able to look at over the summer with your child to help them prepare for their new class. Please also take a look at the 'Learning' pages of our school website, which provide a range of information about what the children will be learning from September. During the holidays, we will also send a little update from your child's new teacher.
Next week - As we continue towards the end of term, please could we ask that your child brings a carrier bag into school with them next week, by Wednesday so that we can begin sending home some of their books, equipment and clothing before the summer holidays. Thank you!
The Brilliant Club!
On Monday, a group of seven Year 6 pupils spent the day exploring SOAS University in London. The day was the end of a project run by The Brilliant Club in which we studied a university level course titled ‘Power to the People?’ about democracy.
During the course, we looked at topics including suffragettes and suffragists as well as how democracy works in the UK and what it means. We had to write a 1000 word essay which, after a lot of time and energy, was sent away to be marked at a university.
At SOAS, we spent time exploring the university, including the library which holds over 1.5 million books. We also found out a little about what life at university is like. At the end of the day, we graduated from the course during a special ceremony.
KNEX Challenge Success!
You may recall that, back in April, our Year 5 and 6 classes took part in the 2025 Go KNEX Challenge, run by Stempoint. Over 315 schools took part in this challenge, which included 8769 children from across Hertfordshire, Luton, Suffolk, Peterborough and Essex.
At the end of each challenge, the winner was chosen and a picture of their creation was sent off to be judged against the other schools'. This week, we were informed that our Year 6 entry had not only won in Hertfordshire, but across the entire region!
A huge well done to Kamran and Ifan in Year 6 for having the best design! What a fantastic achievement!
Attendance
Attendance
As we approach the end of term, it’s fantastic to see attendance on the rise across most classes—what a brilliant effort from everyone!
Year 3 takes the crown this week with a perfect 100%—a huge well done! Close behind, Year 6 achieved an impressive 99.3%, and Reception followed with a strong 99%. Year 1 also had a great week at 97.2%, and Nursery maintained a solid 96.8%. Year 5 came in at 96.4%, showing a nice improvement.
Year 4 and Year 2 saw slightly lower figures at 94% and 93.9%, but we know they’ll be aiming high for the final week.
Let’s make this last week of the school year a truly memorable one—full of learning, laughter, and celebration with friends. We’re nearly there—let’s finish strong!
Planning for next term
Next week, your child's new class teacher will share details of the timetable from September. However please also see below for the day when your child will need different clothing or equipment. These lessons will begin from Monday 8th September.
Monday
Year 4 & Year 6 - PE
Tuesday
Year 1 & Year 3 - PE and Forest School
Wednesday
Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 - PE
Year 3 & 4 - Music lesson
Thursday
Nursery, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 &Year 6 - PE
Friday
Year 2 & Year 5 - PE
Walking to and from school from September
As the children move into older year groups, for some it will be appropriate to begin traveling to and from school with more independence. When the children are travelling to and from school, they are in your care as parents, and therefore you should be completely satisfied that they are safe if walking without an adult.
Year 4 and below
We expect that all of our children in Year 4 and below are brought to and from school by an adult and are collected by an adult from any of the after-school clubs. Should anyone be collecting your child who is not on our records then please contact the school office.
Year 5&6
Our Year 5&6 children can walk to and from school on their own if you feel that it is safe for them to do so. We ask that parents give consent by completing the form in the attached link: https://forms.gle/V9ULjipWuvLWNL536. Please provide this permission by Wednesday 3rd September. We ask that you continue to monitor this, especially as the evenings begin getting darker again as we head towards the winter.
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Our TTRS leader board this week reflects the improvement in studio speed - so how fast children are answering questions. This week it's a clean sweep for Year 5, well done!
Our Numbots leader board is how many games have been played over the last 7 days, which demonstrates how much effort children are putting into their Numbots, this week it's a clean sweep for Year 2, well done!
Well done to all of our leaders!
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Joseph (Y2)
2nd - Bella (Y2)
3rd - Poppy (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Anderson (Y5)
2nd - Ava (Y5)
3rd - James (Y5)
This summer, once again, Hertfordshire Libraries are running a summer reading challenge, called "The Story Garden". It is so important that the children continue to read over the summer and have time to curl up and enjoy a book! We always love hearing about what they have read!
All children who complete the reading challenge and bring in their certificates to show us will receive 10 house points in the new school year.
We can’t wait to see all of the medals and hear about the fantastic books you read over the summer!
Star of the Week!
Star of the Week!
Nursery
Pipin
For being so helpful with tidying up the classroom and for her fantastic focus during phonics. Well done Pipin!
Reception
Nusayba
For making great progress in writing and reading and showing some excellent focus on the carpet this term. Your hard work and attention have paid off. Well done Nusayba - we are super proud of you!
Year 1
Beau H
For being such a happy and cheerful member of the class. You always try your best and I’m so pleased with how far you have progressed this year. Well done Beau!
Year 2
Queenster
For showing amazing growth in working on your own, making great choices, and being a superstar learner! Well done Queenster.
Year 3
Eshaal
For the phenomenal progress you have made throughout the year and the increased confidence you now have. Well done Eshaal!
Year 4
Finn
For having such a great week! You have demonstrated such kindness and consideration for your classmates, often putting others before yourself. Keep it up Finn!
Year 5
Everyone!
For showing incredible courage in trying new activities and embracing new experiences on their Residential trip this week.
Year 6
Henry
For his outstanding effort in bringing the Artful Dodger to life in Oliver Twist. We are all looking forward to the performances next week!
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
14th-18th July - Art Week
14th July - Music Performances
15th&16th July - Y5/6 production 'Oliver with a Twist' - 2.15pm
17th July - Church Service
17th July - Y6 Leavers Party
18th July - Leavers Assembly
18th July - Last day of term - school closes at 1.30pm.
21st-23rd July - school closed for INSET and Occasional Days.
School reopens for the new school year for Years R to 6 on Thursday 4th September. The Nursery class reopens on Monday 8th September.
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit
http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/
Logging Absences
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.
Pupil Premium
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
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
Final Thought
As we build up to the summer holidays, some of us may be preparing for a journey or two; going on holiday or to visit family and friends, I'm sure there will be a few hot days spent in cars (with some frustrating Sat Nav directions thrown into the mix!).
However, this point of the year is a good time not only to plan for the journeys that are to come, but to reflect on the miles already travelled.
One of the best bits of being a teacher is seeing the children make so much progress each year and reflecting on how far they have come. It is hard to believe that we are at the end of another school year; we have seen so many brilliant moments, laughs and smiles over the past 12 months and huge amounts of learning to boot.
Each step along our journey is not always easy and we need our friends and families around us to help when times get tough. But by recognising this, using our Ubuntu values such as friendship, fairness and tolerance, we are able to overcome most of the potholes we come across.
And so as we come towards the end of another school year, take a moment this weekend to think about how far your child has come and all the brilliant moments that they have had over the last year - a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff that help them each day!
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