School News
Friday 25th September 2026
Embedded Files
Nash Mills CofE Primary School
Year 1 visit to Mead Open Farm
Year 1 had a fantastic day at the farm yesterday!
As part of our From Field to Fork topic, we have been learning all about farms, where our food comes from and the animals that help provide it. Our visit gave the children a wonderful opportunity to bring their learning to life through real-life experiences.
We saw chickens, which provide us with eggs, and cows, which provide us with milk. The children loved meeting and interacting with the animals and had the chance to stroke some very friendly rabbits, brush a beautiful pony called Bluebell, and feed some VERY hungry goats!
We also enjoyed an exciting tractor ride, where we spotted Highland cows grazing in the fields and some huge (and very smelly!) pigs! The children had a wonderful time meeting all the animals, but they also thoroughly enjoyed letting off some steam and having fun in the soft play.
Throughout the day, the children truly demonstrated what fantastic little Samaritans they are. They showed our school values by being kind, helpful and respectful to the animals, adults and one another.
It was a wonderful day filled with lots of smiles, excitement and memorable experiences, and we are so pleased to have been able to make our learning come to life!
A huge thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers for supporting us and helping the trip run so smoothly. We really do appreciate your time, help and continued support.
MacMillan Coffee Afternoon
It was lovely to see so many of you today at our MacMillan Coffee Afternoon. The sun was shining and Year 6 were certainly kept busy serving tea and cakes to our wonderful school community! Thank you to everyone for donating and participating - we'll update you with the total raised for this charity in due course.
Ubuntu at Nash Mills
At Nash Mills, we believe that learning is not just about knowledge—it's about growing into kind, thoughtful, and connected individuals. That’s why we embrace the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are.” Ubuntu teaches us that our humanity is shaped by our relationships with others, and that we thrive when we care for and support one another. It is a notion that, arguably, the world could do with a bit more of at the moment!
Ubuntu is deeply woven into our school life and links beautifully with our work on the Good Samaritan. We help children recognise each person as a unique individual, understand how to ask for help, and learn when and how to offer it to others. This empathy provision runs through our curriculum and daily routines. Each term, we have a different Ubunu focus in school; this term is all about tolerance and how we need to show tolerance at times and hope to receive it from others too. Previous values have included friendship, hopefullness, bravery, honesty and fairness.
Examples of Ubuntu in daily school life:
Buddy Reading: Older pupils read with younger ones, building confidence and friendships across year groups.
Playground Support: Children are encouraged to look out for one another, helping friends resolve conflicts and feel included.
Curriculum Connections:
In English, we have selected books to study that explore kindness, empathy, and relationships.
In History and RE, we learn about communities working together and supporting each other through challenges.
Worship and Values: Each half term, we reflect on a value that helps us understand community. This term, we’re focusing on Friendship—why it matters and how we can all be a good friend. We will look at stories of where people have been good friends and where people perhaps haven't been as good as they might. We will reflect on how we can be the best we can be.
Classroom Culture: Children are taught to make decisions together, share responsibilities, and celebrate each other’s successes.
Acts of Kindness: Pupils are encouraged to do kind things each day—whether it’s helping a peer, sharing resources, or offering a smile.
Ubuntu teaches a love for one another; we need others to be ourselves. It’s a philosophy that builds stronger, more compassionate communities—and we see its impact every day in our school.
Want to Learn More About Ubuntu? We encourage parents to explore this beautiful philosophy further. A great starting point is this article: What is Ubuntu? Teaching Compassion and Community Through African Values
Star of the Week!
Star of the Week!
Following a minor communication issue last week, we have two sets of Stars this week!
Nursery
Adam
For excellent listening, following instructions and helping to tidy the whole class this week. Well done!
Nursery
Eli
For a great week; you have been settled, you are independently playing, eating and you joined the class for PE. Well done Eli. Fantastic progress!
Reception
Beau
For communicating clearly to his friends during active learning. Well done Beau!
Reception
Don
For becoming really settled within our Reception classroom. Communicating clearly with both his friends and adults. Great job Don!
Year 1
Mary
For being such a wonderfully kind, caring and helpful member of the class and putting in 100% effort in all you do.
Year 1
Elina
For showing more independence, even when things have been tricky, and for always having a go and persevering. It’s lovely to see you growing in confidence and believing in yourself!
Year 2
Rosy
For her brilliant focus on learning in every lesson - we are so impressed!
Year 2
Bella
For her excellent behaviour in class - she is quick to follow instructions and shows fabulous listening skills - well done!
Year 3
Romeesa
For consistently listening, suggesting ideas and pushing herself in all her work!
Year 3
Patrick
For listening, engaging and trying his hardest with his work! Keep it up!
Year 4
Ibrahim
For his focus during lessons and his knowledge in science.
Year 4
Ottilie
For her enthusiasm and desire to do her best in all lessons.
Year 5
Amaya
For always exhibiting a consistently responsible approach to all areas of her learning with enthusiasm and pride.
Year 5
James
For maintaining a positive attitude towards his learning, working confidently and independently, and showing resilience and determination. Keep up the good work!
Year 6
Anayah
For being an inquisitive learner and always wanting to know more.
Year 6
Oliver
For always putting 100% effort into all areas of the curriculum. This week he has shown great determination and resilience when editing to improve his writing.
Staffing Update
We have a couple of updates to share with you about staffing in our Year 4 class. Sadly, Mrs Petrina has made the decision to leave us at the end of next week. She will be moving to another local school. We wish her all the very best in her new role.
We are pleased to share that Year 4 has been joined this week by Mr Waggeh, who will be with us working alongside Mrs Lewis as he completes his university studies to become a teacher. Mr Waggeh is here for a short time this half term and will then be back for a longer placement from February. We look forward to welcoming him into our school.
Miss Finnis is also due back as the Year 4 Teaching Assistant shortly following her maternity leave; more information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
This weeks TTRS leader board is for improvement in studio speed over the last 7 days. Our top 3 have all reduced the time it takes to answer questions.
Our Numbots leader board is for accuracy of answer - how many attempts it takes children to get the correct answer. I am thrilled to see that we have a member of our Reception class on the leader board already! Well done Beau! Congratiulations to all of our leaders this week!
Leader board this week
1st - Beau (R)
2nd - Penny (Y2)
3rd - Ellie (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Logan (Y6)
2nd - Poppy (Y4)
3rd - Israel (Y4)
Best Bedtime Reads
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!
Mrs Nicholls recommends...Treason by Berlie Doherty
This is a brilliant choice for children who enjoy adventure, mystery and a little bit of danger. Set in Tudor England during the reign of Henry VIII, the story follows Will Montague, whose father is arrested and taken to the Tower of London. Will becomes determined to find out what has happened and, as the story unfolds, he is drawn into a world of secrets, loyalty and difficult choices.
I really like this book because it makes history feel exciting and real rather than something that only belongs in a textbook. It would be a lovely one to share at home, as there are lots of moments where you can stop and talk about what you think might happen next, the choices the characters make and what life might have been like in Tudor times.
Can You Help Our Children Become Confident Readers?
We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to come into our school and spend some time reading with our children.
Reading with a child is a wonderful way to help them develop their confidence, improve their reading skills and, most importantly, discover the joy of books. You do not need to be a teacher or have any special qualifications – all you need is a little time, patience and a love of reading!
Volunteers would be asked to regularly listen to children read (perhaps once or twice a week for as long as you can give!), talk about stories and encourage them as they develop their skills.
If you are able to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the school office for more information or to register your interest.
Curriculum Spotlights - History and Geography
Curriculum Spotlights - History and Geography
At the start of the new school year, it is a good opportunity to share with you information about the curriculum we deliver at Nash Mills. This week, we will look at History and Geography.
Although these subjects are both distinctive and have very different aims, we plan them together. This is because we recognise that our school has a rather unique position in that it has been central to Nash Mills for 179 years and, as pupils move through the school, they learn how Nash Mills has come to be from a geographical and historical perspective.
Throughout each year, we have a historical focus during the autumn, a geographical one in the spring and, where appropriate, one that uses both sets of skills in the summer. This term, pupils in Years 2-6 will have a weekly lesson based on a period of ancient or distant history. As historians, they will explore different sources of evidence and think about how we know about things that happened long before cameras and iPhones! In Early Years and Year 1, the children will develop the skills needed to be historians, by practicing putting things in order or thinking about things in their lives, for example.
In the spring term, pupils spend time as geographers. They will consider a specific topic, for example 'Rivers' or 'Mountains' and will also spend time learning mapping skills. They will then look at our local area and think about how we use it; some classes will look at traffic whilst others may think about how people use the canal. Again, in Early Years and Year 1, the focus is on looking at the world around us and thinking about how we look after it as pupils work through their topics.
In the summer term, we spend time revisiting all of these skills as historians and geographers by looking at a local theme. For example, one of our classes learn about the Victorians and their impact on the Nash Mills area, including why our school was built. Pupils will look at the mapping of the area and consider why it was the perfect place for the Victorian paper mills to be built. This helps the children to really see purpose in the learning they do throughout the year.
To help ensure that the aims of our curriculum are really clear and concise, for each topic in Years 2-6, the children use workbooks which we have developed in school. This means that we know exactly what the children will learn and how they will progress through their topics.
As with our entire curriculum, more information about what we teach at Nash Mills can be found on the curriculum pages of our website. Please do have a look if you would like to learn a little more!
Attendance
Attendance
A huge well done to Nursery, who led the way with an outstanding 98% attendance this week, a fantastic effort! Year 4 also exceeded our school target with 97%, while Year 1 and Year 3 achieved 96.5% and 96.1% respectively. Year 2 (95.8%) and Year 6 (95.7%) were very close to our target of 96%, while Year 5 recorded 94.3%. Reception had a more challenging week, with attendance at 90.1%.
As a reminder, parents can keep an eye on their child's attendance through Arbor, where attendance information is updated regularly. We would hope for most pupils to maintain attendance of 96% or above. At this early stage of the school year, any attendance figure approaching a 10% absence rate would become a cause for concern and will have an impact on learning and progress. Please note that, although attendance records are updated frequently, absences with a specific reason may temporarily appear as unauthorised until the appropriate evidence has been reviewed and the absence has been authorised by the school.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing attendance improve for all classes again next week and working together to ensure every child is in school, every day, ready to learn.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PTA
MESSAGE FROM OUR PTA
Introducing Our PTA Business Partnership Initiative!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new PTA Business Partnership Programme — a fantastic opportunity for local businesses and our school community to work hand-in-hand for a brighter future.
By joining us as a partner, you’ll not only help enrich our children’s learning experiences, but also enjoy valuable visibility and connections within our vibrant school network. Whether you can offer sponsorship, services, or resources, your support will make a real difference. Please email the PTA if you have any further questions or wish to sign up.
Try a School Lunch! Thursday 1st October 2026
Each term, we allocate a day where we encourage all of our Reception, Year 1 and 2 children to try a hot dinner in school.
For the Autumn Term, the date is this Thursday 1st October 2026. The children will choose their meal on Thursday morning as usual (during registration with their teachers) - we hope they will give the hot meals a try, however it will be fine for children to bring in a packed lunch as well if they wish.
Below are the menu options for Thursday 1st October (note this is a day swap with Friday 2nd October):
Red - Battered Fish
Green - Cheese and Tomato Pizza
Blue - Jacket Potato with Beans or Cheese
Yellow - Tuna Mayo roll
The options for Friday 2nd October 2026 are:
Red - Chicken Pie
Green - Mild Bean Chilli
Blue - Jacket Potato with Beans or Cheese
Yellow - Ham Roll
Please also note that there will be an Information Fayre, for parents and carers of children who have SEND, held at the Grove Hill Adventure Playground. These sessions have been very well received previously. If you would like to go, you can walk in, or book a place using this link.
Breakfast Club
We have been delighted to welcome so many of our pupils to our new Breakfast Club! It is lovely to see the children playing so happily before school. It is possible to book on Arbor up to three days before the required date - if you need to book within a shorter timeframe, please email admin@nashmills.herts.sch.uk and the office will book your child on where possible. If you are asking the office to book the paid part of the club (7.30-8.10am - Breakfast Club Session 1 - £4 per child per session), please ensure that your child's breakfast club account has been topped up before you email us.
Finally, a gentle reminder that even though Breakfast Club Session 2 (8.10-8.40am) is free of charge, please ensure that your child is booked on so that we can plan accordingly.
Please bear with us as we trial this new system. We are noting parent feedback and where possible will do our best to address any issues when we set the bookings up for the second half of the Autumn term.
Request for Donations of Toys and Games!
If you have any toys or games in good condition that you would be happy to donate to the Breakfast Club, we would be most grateful if you could email admin@nashmills.herts.sch.uk to let us know what you might be able to offer. Thank you for your support.
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
1st Oct - Start of Black History Month
2nd Oct - Y6 Crucial Crew Trip
5th Oct - Individual Pupil School Photos
6th Oct - Y4 Mountfitchet Castle Trip
9th Oct - PTA Non-uniform
14th Oct - Y6 visit Diocese Harvest Celebration
15th Oct - Y2 Tring Natural History Museum Trip
16th Oct - Reception visit the Library
19th Oct - Whole School Church visit for Harvest
26th-30th Oct - Half Term - school closed
Accessing Google/Numbots/TTRS
Accessing Google/Numbots/TTRS
if your child is in Years 1-4, they will have a QR codes stuck into their Reading Records, which can be used to easily log into Google Classroom, Numbots and Times Tables Rockstars at home.
To use My Login:
Visit our school website (www.nashmills.herts.sch.uk)
At the top of the page, click on the 'Useful Links' dropdown
Select 'My Login'
Select 'Scan a Magic Badge'
Scan the QR code, which should then log you in!
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.
Members of the local community are more than welcome to use it too so please spread the word!
Final Thought
Final Thought
This weekend St. Mary's, our local church, is holding a scarecrow festival. I am sure that there will be many different scarecrows on display; big and small, professional and the more amateur. You may even see Nash Mills entries, which have been made during Forest School lessons!
At this time of year, we might see different 'nods' to food and farming as we approach the autumn. Traditionally this was the time of year when people would celebrate bringing in the harvest, taking stock and being thankful for all the food that had been grown over the summer months before winter begins to set in.
When you are out and about, you may see other signs of the changing seasons; nuts, conkers and seeds falling from trees and, before long, the leaves too. We have started to see the change in weather with crisper mornings and darker evenings.
With the busyness of life around us, it is sometimes important to make an effort to slow down and to notice all of the things we have in our surroundings. Take some time to look at the signs of autumn and to think about all of the amazing things that we have to be thankful for.
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