School News
Friday 16th January 2026
Spring into action: Clubs are back!
This week our large selection of Spring Clubs started up again! This term, we have a grand total of no fewer than 18 clubs ranging from Boxing to Taskmaster. Each of our clubs covers one of our three areas of Mind, Body and Soul. We love how many of our children attend one or more clubs and are delighted that this term we have been able to offer some new clubs after listening to the children and parents, which in turn has allowed us to provide a greater variety to choose from.
We are extremely proud of this provision which is greater than that of most schools. It is a fantastic reflection of our brilliant staff who give up their time to put on the clubs to help further enrich the children at Nash Mills and give them different opportunities they may not have the chance to experience elsewhere.
Nursery
Maddie
For coming into school independently in the mornings. Well done Maddie, we are proud of you!
Reception
Alexia
For your positive attitude towards learning and your fantastic progress in phonics and reading. We are all super impressed—keep up the amazing work Alexia!
Year 1
Elian
For enthusiastically sharing his knowledge of places around the world, trying his best in his learning, and being wonderfully creative. Well done Elian!
Year 2
Beau C
For trying hard with his letter formation and making great progress this week. Keep it up Beau!
Year 3
King
For trying hard in all his subjects; trying to be a good friend and beginning to show maturity. Well done King!
Year 4
Khloe
For her kind and gentle approach to others and for her brilliant attitude to learning everyday! Keep it up Khloe.
Year 5
Amira
For her quiet determination to succeed. She is a joy to teach.
Keep it up Amira!
Year 6
Sophie
For having such a positive attitude to her learning this week, particularly in maths where she has worked more independently. Keep it up Sophie!
This week's TTRS leader board reflects the improvement in accuracy of answers, so children getting more answers correct first time. Well done to our leaders.
Our Numbots leader board is for number of games completed, research shows the more children practice and rehearse something the more fluent they become, our leaders this week have been putting in the time to improve.
Well done to all of our leaders.
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Theo (Y1)
2nd - Lily (Y1)
3rd - Visakan (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Finley (Y5)
2nd - Lilia (Y4)
3rd - Khloe (Y4)
Well done to everyone for their efforts this week! Year 5 topped the table with an impressive 98.67%, showing fantastic commitment.
Close behind, Year 4 achieved a strong 97%, and Reception followed with a very positive 96.8%. Year 3 reached 95.3%, with Year 6 just behind at 95%. Further down the list, Year 1 recorded 93%, Year 2 achieved 92.7%, and Nursery finished the week at 92%.
Thank you to all families for supporting good attendance—every day in school really does make a difference!
Adult Learning
It has been fantastic to see so many parents attending our termly coffee mornings over the past couple of weeks; we hope that they were useful. We have seen updates, curriculum guidance shared and some sessions in which our teachers taught parents how they could offer phonics, reading or maths support from home. These sessions will continue - please do let your child's teacher know if there is anything specific that you would like to better understand about how we offer the curriculum.
And it is not just parents who have been learning... a huge well done to Miss Bentley, who, this week, passed the theory test element of her work towards being able to drive minibuses for our school! Mr Maher also completed a National Professional Qualification last term, meaning that we have now had 5 teachers in recent years complete various higher-level professional qualifications.
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!
This is one of my favourite books. It is full of adventure, mystery and danger. It leaves you on the edge of your seat and takes you to faraway lands. The places they go sound amazing and I'd love to travel to them and of course all the animals. The main character is a brave and daring girl, Stella, who is not afraid of anything and when she is told girls can't join the club she is even more determined to do so - I love this!
Before Christmas, we shared that the team at St. Mary's Church were runnign a survey to get the views of the local community, which they hope will help to shape their future work. If you haven't already done so, they would appreciate it if you could provide some feedback. The survey closes this weekend.
The survey link is: https://forms.gle/eUBeqD1kuTv9kJsF8
Whether you are currently linked to the church or not, we hope that you can manage to spend a few minutes providing some feedback.
22nd January - Nursery Coffee Morning
23rd January - Reception School Nurse visit
29th January - Electric Umbrella Visit
30th January - PTA Quiz Night TBC
2nd February - Feeling Good Week
3rd February - Y2 Class Worship
3rd February - Young Voices trip to Wembley
6th February - PTA Disco
9th February - Reception Coffee Morning
10th February - Y1 Class Worship
10th February - Safer Internet Day
16th-20th Feb - Half Term
27th March - End of the Spring Term 1.30pm
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 week in worship, we have been looking at examples of kindness and what it might mean to different people. What does this quote mean to you?