Nash Mills CofE Primary School

School News

Friday 24th April 2026

Reception to Berkhamsted Castle

Reception were so lucky with their trip to Berkhamsted this week. We had lovely sunshine, the trains were on time and the children behaved impeccably. We were shown around the castle grounds by members of the Berkhamsted Castle Trust who told us all about life at the castle, showing pictures of the people who once lived there and also telling stories about the toilets! They also gifted us a wonderful wooden castle for the children to play with at school, for which we are very grateful. The children also enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch, a run around and an explore of the 'secret passage' before we took the train back to Apsley. A fabulous day out with lots of new experiences for many of the children.

If you would like to visit, Berkhamsted Castle is free to visit (and has a very good playpark not far from it!).

Mrs Wilson

Year 4 Maths Challenge

On Thursday, a team of Year 4 pupils took part in the Herts for Learning Year 4 maths challenge, Nash Mills competed against lots of other schools in our heat even one from Gibraltar! The children had to answer a range of mathematical questions including estimation and testing their problem solving skills. They did a brilliant job throughout and now we wait to see if we have made the final!

"I enjoyed the team work." - Sufiya

"I liked that we persevered as a team." - Emine

Clubs

It has been fantastic to see our clubs up and running for the summer term. This term, we have 18 different clubs available, currently offering 288 opportunities for pupils to 'have-a-go' at something new each week. Each term, we try to offer clubs that cover a range of different themes and this term is no different! From our Forest School and Planting and Growing Clubs, to our range of sports clubs, we try to cater for all.

For the first time at Nash Mills, we have introduced a Fencing Club this term, being run by Miss Bentley, Miss Hollis and Mr Shane. We look forward to seeing how the children's skills develop as we move through the term!

At Nash Mills, our club provision is offered free-of-charge, with staff giving up their time to provide the different opportunities as we feel that it should be something open to all. I'd like to say a huge 'thank you' to the staff who give their time each week for this.

Star of the Week!

Nursery

Emilia

For following all instructions and taking part in this weeks Nursery activities. Well Done Emilia!

Reception

Rosa

For demonstrating a positive attitude towards your learning, particularly during phonics, and for being a well-balanced, kind and thoughtful member of our class. Well done Rosa!

Year 1

Penny

For showing great resilience and determination. You went back to improve your work and kept trying, showing a brilliant attitude to learning. Keep it up!

Year 2

Azalea

For being kind, thoughtfully sharing her ideas with friends, and listening carefully to feedback.

Year 3

Leighton

For his determination, selflessness and positive attitude. He has grown in confidence and made huge progress! Keep up the hard work!

Year 4

William

For his consistently excellent effort, enthusiasm and engagement in lessons - a real star!

Year 5

Jacob

For working so hard, always striving to improve, and also for his class contributions and selfless nature towards people around him.

Year 6

Alicia

For her excellent attitude to her learning, showing an increased contribution to class discussions with well thought out ideas.

Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!

This week's TTRS table is the most correct answers over the last week. Our top 3 had a total of 2,215 correct answers, well done!

Our Numbots leader board is also for most correct answers this week. Our top 3 had a total 1,299 correct answers - well done!

Mr Shane

Leader board this week

1st - Lana (Y2)

2nd - Ivie (Y1)

3rd - Eren (Y1)

Leader board this week

1st - Áine (Y2)

2nd - Bella (Y3)

3rd - Emine (Y4)

Attendance

This week has seen strong attendance across the school, with several classes posting excellent figures. Year 4 led the way with an impressive 98.3%, closely followed by Year 2 on 98.2%—well done to both classes for their commitment. Year 6 achieved 96.7%, with Year 1 close behind at 96.3%. Nursery also had a very positive week, recording 95.9%, alongside Year 3 at 95.5% and Year 5 at 95.3%. Reception finished the week on 94.9%.

Thank you to all families for supporting good attendance—every day in school really does make a difference.

Nursery Admissions - September 2026

Please share with friends and family that applications to come and join our wonderful Nursery for the next academic year are about to close! Our Nursery pupils love coming into school each day to enjoy all of our fantastic facilities and benefit from the care of our dedicated Nursery staff who create a friendly, safe and stimulating learning environment.

In September 2026, we shall be admitting children born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023 and are pleased to share that we offer either:

15-hour morning provision from 8.50am-11.50am

For working families in receipt of 30-hours government funding, daily provision from 8.50am-2.50pm, with the option to extend the day to 3.15pm for an additional cost of £12.50 per week.

Please do encourage family and friends with Nursery-aged pupils to come and see us.

Best Bedtime Reads!

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!

Mr Maher is currently reading... Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Whether or not it has become a right of passage in your household, the Harry Potter series is still hugely popular. I have just started reading the first book with my 6-year-old and she is really enjoying the magic, humour and adventure that the story provides. I have also found that, as the plot develops, there are clear links between the characters that we can talk about.

Despite some of the chapters being quite long and the vocabulary being challenging, the story is able to hold her attention well. It's great seeing her being stretched whilst still having lots of fun enjoying a story!

Please click here to read the latest parent newsletter from the Developing Specialist Provision Locally Team in Dacorum.

Date for your diary - 6th May

We probably all recognise that the use of online tools is both fantastic and a minefield in terms of how we protect those around us. For our children, who will be using various devices, it is important that we all have a good understanding of how we can keep safe when online.

On 6th May, we have booked a talk from the Herts Police Cyber Security team. They will be coming into school to speak to our Year 5 and 6 pupils about staying safe online. They have also offered a parent session, from 2pm-3pm on the same topic. If you would like to attend, please come to the school office for 2pm.

Upcoming Dates

27th April - Community Policing Team to visit

29th April - Governor meeting - School Improvement Committee

30th April - Nursery Parent Coffee Morning

4th May - Bank Holiday - school closed

6th May - Cyber Security Sessions - Y5&6 and a parent session 2pm-3pm

6th May - Y3&4 Tag Rugby Festival

11th May - Y6 SATS Week

11th May - Governor meeting - Resources Committee and Full Governing Body

18th May - Reception Coffee Morning

19th May - World Diversity Day - special lunch menu

19th May - Y6 Trip to Snow Centre

19th May - Y6 Residential Parent Meeting 2.45pm

20th May - Y4 trip to Hampton Court Palace

25th-29th May - Half term

1st-19th June - Whole School Swimming

4th June - Y2 trip to London

8th June - Y4 Multiplication Check week

9th June - Y1 Class Worship

10th June - Y3 trip to Verulamium

10th June - Y5 Residential Parent Meeting 2.45pm

15th June - Y1 Phonics Check week

16th June - Nursery Coffee Morning

18th June - Reception to Ruislip Lido

19th June - PTA Thank you Sale

22nd - 26th June - Y6 Residential Trip

23rd & 30th June - Opera Project in school

23rd June - Y2 Class Worship

25th June - Reception Coffee Morning

30th June - Y3 Class Worship

1st-3rd July - Y5 Residential Trip

1st July - Governors Resource Meeting

6th-8th July - Sports Week

7th July - Reports sent home

7th July - Y4 Class Worship

7th July - Y4 trip to Electric Umbrella at the Cathedral

8th July - Sports Day - 11am EYFS, 12pm rest of school

9th July - New class transition day

10th July - PTA summer disco

13th July - Art week

13th July - Music Concert 2pm

13th July - Full Governing Body Meeting

14th July - Y1 RAF Trip

15th&16th July - Y5&6 Production

17th July - Y6 Leavers Party

20th July - Whole School Church Service

21st July - Leavers' Assembly and last day of term. School closes for the summer at 1.30pm

22nd &23rd July - INSET Days

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

In worship this half term, we are looking at the idea of selflessness and how important it is for our community that people commit selfless acts. Not because they necessarily need to or want to, but because it is the right thing to do.

And, with marathon season in full swing, in worship this afternoon we looked at a story from last weekend about two runners who stopped to help someone during the Boston Marathon. The story can be found here.

We talked about how the runners gave up the chance to break their own personal best in the race and put themselves at greater risk. All because it was the right thing to do.

I wonder what selfless act you might be able to do for someone else this weekend?

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