Nash Mills CofE Primary School

School News

Friday 19th September 2025

House Captain Elections

Each September, our Year 6 pupils have the exciting opportunity to step into leadership by applying to become House Captains. These roles are vital to school life, with Captains helping to guide their House Groups through competitions, meetings, and special events. They also support visitors and lend a hand to Mr Maher when important decisions arise.

This afternoon, our Year 6 candidates delivered passionate speeches to their House Groups, sharing why they believed they’d make strong, inspiring leaders. After a series of closely contested elections, we’re thrilled to announce the newly appointed House Captains:

Alban

House Captain: Eli Vice House Captain: Ollie

Canterbury

House Captain: Alicia Vice House Captain: Omiebi

Durham

House Captain: Adam Vice House Captain: Anderson

York

House Captain: Rosie Vice House Captain: Charlie

A huge congratulations to all of the Year 6 class, who put themselves forward—you showed great courage and confidence. We’re proud of every one of you!

Macmillan Coffee Afternoon

Everyone is invited to our Macmillan Coffee Afternoon at school from 2.30pm on Friday 26th September. The event is being organised by our Year 6 pupils who would be very grateful for donations of cake (home made or shop bought) if you are able. Please bring any cake donations to the back of the school hall on Friday at drop-off. Any remaining cakes will continue to be on sale for pupils from 3.15pm.

Please note that the event will be cash-only, and entrance will be via the West Gate at the front of school. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for your support.

Virtual Reality in the Curriculum

This term, we are excited to be introducing Virtual Reality headsets within our curriculum to help further enhance the learning experience. These will be used at certain points within the topics that the pupils study, with each class having some access during the term.

Last term, we spent time looking at how they could best be used and in which areas of the curriculum. As a result, we hope that the opportunities will really help the children to grasp certain concepts and to experience things that would not normally be available to them.

The experiences offered through the headsets include:

Pupils being able to explore panoramic photographs, such as those taken in major cities around the world, during key festivals or at historic sites.
Being able to explore interactive scenes; Year 5 had a great time this week exploring a space lab before heading out on a space walk to look at the orbits of the different planets in our solar system. Other scenes include exploring the streets of London during the Great Fire (Y2) and World War 1 trenches (Y6).
Seeing 3D immersive videos, such as those looking at different animals, habitats or environments from around the world, which will supplement our science curriculum. During their mountains topic in the spring term, Year 3 will visit the top of Everest too!
3D models - during learning, pupils will be able to examine models of things such as organs of the body in science or different historical artefacts.

Attendance

This term when sharing the attendance information, I will also be setting a little challenge. Can your child guess which famous person has written this week's attendance update? The first correct answers shared with Mr Shane or Mr Maher on Monday morning will receive a housepoint!

An Extract from My Most Excellent Diary – September 2025

This week I did take great pleasure in visiting the school and observing the children in their studies. It reminded me of the bustling streets of London in my youth—though, thankfully, with far less smoke and fire.

I must record, with great admiration, that Reception won, achieving a most splendid 99.3% attendance. Year 5 followed closely with 99%, and Year 2 with a fine 98.3%. These numbers do warm the heart, much like a good fire—though not, I hasten to add, like the one that consumed half of London in 1666. I still recall the dreadful night of the Great Fire, when I was forced to bury my cheese in the garden to save it from the flames. A most curious solution, but effective!

Year 4 came in at 97.3%, and Year 3 at 96.7%—both showing good effort. Year 6 and Year 1 were a little lower at 93.5% and 93%, and Nursery, the youngest and most sprightly, had 92%. I do hope they shall rise in numbers next week, for every day in school is a day well spent.

I shall continue to write of these matters in my diary, as I have done for many years. And now, I must away to check on my cheese, which I have kept safe ever since that fiery night.

Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!

Our TTRS leader board is for studio speed, this week our 3 leaders are answering questions in under 1.5 seconds! That is phenomenal - our 1st and 2nd place pupils are both answering questions in under a second!

Our Numbots leader board is for the most correct answers in a week, our top 2 had over a thousand each, in 7 days! Well done to all our leaders!

Mr Shane

Leader board this week

1st - Corin (Y2)

2nd - Hallie (Y1)

3rd - Eren (Y1)

Leader board this week

1st - Ivy (Y6)

2nd - Edward (Y5)

3rd - Freddie (Y4)

Star of the Week!

Nursery

Regan

For being such a great role model. You have made a fantastic start to Nursery and been super helpful, kind and keen to learn. Well done Regan!

Reception

Owen

For starting school with such a wonderfully positive attitude! Your sunny disposition, bright smile and enthusiasm for learning are a joy to witness. Well done Owen!

Year 1

Ellie

For her outstanding behaviour, kind and lovely manners, and for being a hardworking role model who inspires others.

Keep it up Ellie!

Year 2

Francis

For showing fantastic behaviour in the classroom and a brilliant attitude towards learning. You have set a wonderful example to others as you start Year 2, and we are so proud of your hard work!

Year 3

Hamza

For settling very well into Year 3, and pushing himself to do his best in everything! Keep up the hard work Hamza!

Year 4

Austin

For putting maximum effort into every area of his learning. Austin has started the year keen to please and try his best and we love his attitude to his learning. Keep it up Austin!

Year 5

Parker

For his enthusiasm and willingness to share his answers, especially in maths. Keep it up Parker!

Year 6

Iris

For using imagination and creativity to beautifully create tension and suspense in her writing this week. Well done Iris!

Bringing Items from home

Now that the children have settled, we kindly ask that parents do not send children into school with sensory equipment (such as ear defenders, chew buddies or fidget toys) or toys, unless this has first been discussed and agreed with your child’s class teacher. Unfortunately, we have noticed an increase in children bringing in items that are not safe in school.

When a child presents with a sensory need, we do our best to provide the right support and resources in school. We also ensure that any equipment is introduced carefully so that children are taught how to use it appropriately and can benefit fully from it.

Items brought into school are at risk of being lost, broken, or swapped, which can cause unnecessary upset.

Thank you for your support in helping us keep school safe, fair and enjoyable for all children.

Mrs Nicholls

Spare Clothing

A request from our Early Years and Year 1 classes...

If you have any pants, socks or tracksuit bottoms that your child has outgrown and are still ok to use, any donations would be gratefully received to be used as spares if there are any accidents during school time. Thank you!

Upcoming Dates

22nd September - Y5 Cycle Training

22nd September - Flu immunisations in school

26th September - MacMillan Coffee Afternoon

6th October - Individual School Photos

7th October - Y2 trip to Tring Museum

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 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!

Final Thought

Next week marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year—a special time of reflection, renewal, and hope. And as Jewish people across the world begin to prepare for a season of change, so can we.

New beginnings are everywhere. Just look up and you will see evidence that the new Autumn season seems to be very much upon us. And in stories, new beginnings are frequent; from Noah stepping out of the ark into a new world or new life in books such as The Hungry Caterpillar.

Rosh Hashanah reminds Jewish people of the power of reflection: looking back with honesty, and forward with faith. It’s a time to ask 'What do I need to let go of?' and 'Where will I go next?'.

As we begin a new school year, it is a great time to consider the questions above and recommit to kindness. May this season be one of transformation, where we renew and support one another in becoming the best that we can all be.

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