Nash Mills CofE Primary School

School News

Friday 14th November 2025

Year 3 and 6 visit to Chesham Mosque

Our Year 3 and Year 6 pupils visited the Chesham mosque as part of their Islam topic in Religious Education.

Pupils explored the prayer hall, learned about key features like the mihrab which shows the direction of Mecca, and the minbar, where the imam delivers sermons. The children were fascinated to see how the mosque is used for daily prayers and community gatherings. They asked thoughtful questions about the Five Pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan and charity work.

It was a memorable day that encouraged curiosity and understanding of different cultures and religions.

Reflections Council

Each year, we have a team of Reflections Councillors, who help to make decisions around how our Christian vision is shared in school. The Reflections Councillors also help to plan worship and meet with our vicar to talk about ways we could further develop the work we do.

Our Reflections Councillors all come from Key Stage 2, meaning that we have spaces for some new members! Following an application process, in which staff and our current Reflections Councillors voted, we are pleased to share that we have 4 new members of our team:

Natalia, who shared that she would like to help people to be happy in school and to grow to be like the Good Samaritan.
Arthur, who shared how much he loves Nash Mills and would like to help everyone else to, too!
Teona, who said that she is looking forward to sharing lots of new ideas!
Bella, who shared that she enjoys worship and wants to help to make it even better!

Thank you to all of our Year 3s who put themselves forward. There were so many great ideas and it was a tough decision to make. We hope that they will put themselves forward for other responsibilities as they come up.

Remembrance

As part of our school’s Remembrance commemorations, pupils from Nursery to Year 3 gathered in school for a moment of silence and quiet reflection, honouring those who have served and sacrificed.

Meanwhile, children in Years 4 to 6 represented the school at the Nash Mills community reflection held at the local war memorial. Our House Captains took on a special role, laying a wreath and sharing a thoughtful reading as part of the service. All of the children were exemplary in their conduct, showing deep respect and maturity throughout. They were truly outstanding ambassadors for our school.

Can-do Sports Event

On Wednesday, some children took part in an DSSN activity day full of sports. The day was organised in two smaller groups so the children could get involved with things they might not usually get to try.

'We had a great time, it was very active. The leaders were friendly and helpful. I loved the flashing lights' - Sophie Y5

'It was really fun because we got to do different activities, I really enjoyed the boxing' - Enoch Y5

'I liked the archery and boxing' - Rosy - Y1

'I liked running and jumping' - Hallie Y1

Climate Action Work in school

On Wednesday, a group of Year 6 pupils, accompanied by Miss Bentley, worked with Cindy from Learning through Landscapes to carry out an audit of our school grounds. The aim was to explore how we can further develop our outdoor spaces to encourage biodiversity and address climate change. The children identified several areas for improvement, including the Anniversary Garden near the Year 4, 5, and 6 classrooms. We are delighted that Learning through Landscapes will be providing a package of support to Nash Mills this year, having selected us from hundreds of schools in recognition of the fantastic work we have already done to promote outdoor learning and deepen pupils’ understanding of climate-related issues.

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.

Music

At Nash Mills, we use a teaching tool called 'Charanga', which gives each class a number of songs, videos and tasks to complete each lesson. It also helps pupils to develop an understanding of some of the key musical vocabulary, including tempo and pulse. Throughout the school, pupils access learning through Charanga which also helps to ensure that, by the time the children are in Year 6, they have had a progressive curriculum, which builds on what they have learnt before.

We also see performing as a key skill that pupils should develop through music lessons. The school funds a music teacher for the year, which provides the opportunity for our Year 3 class all learn the recorder and Year 4 the ukulele. This allows them lots of opportunities to perform to others and to really develop the skill of playing alongside others. We hope that lots of pupils will take these skills onto further musical learning in the future! The confidence gained from performing is also important, giving our children the skills to stand up in front of audiences. We have half-termly music showcases, where the classes will come together to share what they have been learning in music and to perform in front of the rest of the school.

We also have a range of peripatetic music opportunities, where individual pupils or small groups can learn instruments. This can be from any age and a number of instruments are offered, including piano, clarinet and ukulele. For most, there is a charge for this however for some, including those pupils eligible for Pupil Premium, there is grant funding which can support costs. More information about this can be found on the Herts Music Service website.

Computing

At our school, we follow the 'Teach Computing' syllabus, which we feel gives the children a really clear pathway through from Early Years all the way up to Year 6. The syllabus works to help the children to become independent users of different computing technologies, gaining confidence and enjoyment from their activities whilst knowing the risks and dangers of using technology and developing a sound knowledge of how they can work to keep themselves safe when online. Part of the curriculum also looks at various aspects of computer science, where the children develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving along with critical thinking skills.

Each class will study a topic every half term, with some focusing on specific programmes, such as using spreadsheets or web creation tools, whereas others look at how the school's network and the internet allow computers to talk to each other. In school, we have a range of technology to use, including iPads, Chromebooks and laptops. We intentionally have a real mix so that pupils learn to use a range of equipment as they will in the wider world. We also have a range of programming devices in school which include Sphero balls, Crumble devices and Raspberry Pi's which the children use as they move through Key Stage 2.

We know the immense potential of technology in our lives but also the risks and concerns that it can involve. Through our teaching of computing, we want our children to be able to appreciate this and develop an understanding of the ways that we can interact safely with technology in our lives.

Staffing Update

We are pleased to share that, next week we have two additions to our team in school.

Mrs Stephens will be joining us, working with specific pupils from across the school. Mrs Stephens has worked in a number of local schools and brings a wealth of experience.

Ms Crawley will be joining Year 1 until February as part of her initial teacher training.

We look forward to welcoming both to the Nash Mills team!

Attendance

In another fantastic week of attendance, our pupils have truly excelled! Reception take the crown with a perfect 100%—an incredible achievement!

Year 4 follow closely with an impressive 98.8%, while Year 5 maintain strong performance at 97.7%. Year 6 also shine with 96.9%, showing great consistency. Year 2 record a solid 95.7%, and both Year 1 and Year 3 post commendable scores of 95%. Nursery, although slightly lower this week at 92.3%, continues to show effort and commitment.

Thank you for your continued support.

Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!

This week's TTRS leader board is the change in studio speed over the last 7 days. Studio is the setting that gives children their rock status, the faster they are, the more fluent they are becoming and the closer they are to becoming a Rock Hero! Well done to our 3 leaders.

Our Numbots leader board reflects the most coins earned in challenge mode over the last 7 days. Children earn 5 correct coins per answer our top 3 amassed 10,115 coins between them!

Well done to all of our leaders this week.

Mr Shane

Leader board this week

1st - Fraser (Y1)

2nd - Corin (Y2)

3rd - Hallie (Y1)

Leader board this week

1st - Zach (Y4)

2nd - Finn (Y5)

3rd - Katie (Y4)

Star of the Week!

Nursery

Theo

For being really brave coming into school this week even when he has been finding things a little bit tricky. Well done Theo!

Reception

Harry

For showing better focus and hard work in Phonics. Your enthusiasm for learning will make you a phonics superstar! Keep up the great work Harry.

Year 1

Fraser

For taking more pride in his work and putting lots of effort into his reading — it’s wonderful to see his confidence growing!

Year 2

Corin

For trying really hard with your learning, and showing great effort and determination. Keep up the fantastic work Corin!

Year 3

Alex

For being resilient and determined in his work and for always being curious and wanting to delve deeper into knowledge. Keep it up Alex!

Year 4

Eshaal

For her improved effort and focus in class, always trying independently and striving to do her best. Well done Eshaal!

Year 5

Thea

For showing a great work ethic in everything she does in school. Her enthusiasm is so lovely to see. Keep it up Thea!

Year 6

Leo

For his positive attitude in every aspect of his learning, allowing his confidence to grow each day. Well done Leo!

Out of School Successes!

It is always fantastic to see pupils excelling outside of school and, this week, Harriet bought in an impressive haul of medals from her recent gymnastics competitions to share with us! She told us that these were gained in a range of disciplines from the last few months. What a fantastic achievement! Well done Harriet - we hope that you will be chasing for Max Whitlock's crown one day!

PTA News

Santa's Grotto Visit (Fri 12th Dec)

Tickets will be on sale on Friday 21st November - please see poster. There will be a quieter session at 3.30pm on the day (Fri 12th Dec) for those children that may benefit from a calmer experience in a smaller group.

Parent and Child Earring Workshop (Sat 22nd Nov)

There are still places available for this creative, hands-on workshop. Payments can be made via Arbor.

Thank you for your support!

Children in Need Non-Uniform Day

Thank you all for your support today for Children in Need. The money donated will be sent on to help children both in the UK and overseas. Thank you!

Donations please!

If you are able to donate girls' knickers for our Nursery and Reception children (size aged 3-5 years) these would be very gratefully received. If you can help, please give these either to the school office or the class teachers.

If your child is sent home from school in a pair of school underwear or school clothes, please wash and return these to school so that we have plenty of spares in stock.

For younger year groups, it is also a good idea to also pop a spare pair of underwear in your child's book bag just in case of an accident.

Thank you for your support.

Upcoming Dates

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 Fayre

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.

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!