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School News
Friday 31st January 2025
Feeling Good Week
Feeling Good Week
3rd to 7th February - Know Yourself Grow Yourself
3rd to 7th February - Know Yourself Grow Yourself
Nash Mills will be celebrating Feeling Good Week with a number of fun, supportive activities. We start the week on Monday with a collective worship thinking about what we can do to make us feel good. Ms Bentley will be taking each class during the day to create a sound wheel, a fabulous mindfulness activity to help children listen more closely outdoors.
During the week, the children will also be completing a tree of life activity which helps prompt thinking about who, and what, is already in their lives to help them as well as what to do when times are difficult. We will show some examples at the end of the week.
We are going to focus more on trees with another activity, a decorated wooden slice, on which each child will record what makes them happy. We will add these to the beautiful oak tree behind the Reception class. This will become our 'Feeling Good Tree'. Children will have opportunities to visit and enjoy this fantastic canopy.
And finally, on Friday, Kieran Tidball, our Education Mental Health Practitioner & Senior Wellbeing Practitioner, will be teaching the whole school about how to identify their feelings.
We look forward to telling you more about it next week.
Ms Bentley and Mrs Jessop
Welcome to Nash Mills News!
Welcome to Nash Mills News!
We would like to introduce you to our in-school news team. These crack reporters have been working since September to bring all the latest news from around our school community. The news is shared via the news website and weekly newspapers, which are printed in school.
We aim to explore:
The history of our school; finding out all of the exciting and interesting stories about days gone by...
The latest trips and visits!
Different languages from around the world, thinking about those spoken by people in school!
Our team consists of a number of Year 6 pupils; James, Kamran, Ifan, George, Melisa and Siddhant.
Do you have a story to tell? Do you know any secrets of the Nash Mills past? Could you be our next big scoop? If you do, please get in touch with one of the team!
Electric Umbrella Performance
Electric Umbrella Performance
A little sunshine was bought to our school this week by the amazing team from Electric Umbrella, who involved the whole school in a performance, including some of their favourite songs. The charity, who operate from Hemel Hempstead aim to bring joy through music to everyone, including those who have special needs and disability. The themes of many of their songs are around wellbeing, feeling good and accepting everyone for being special, which ties into many of the themes we look at in school. The children had a fantastic time and left with plenty of smiles on their faces.
It was really fun and entertaining. It made everyone laugh! - Sophia
It doesn't matter if we are different - everyone is able to perform. And they were brilliant! - Oliver
It made me feel really happy because they showed so much courage and resilience! - Sophie
The songs made people feel like everything is going to be ok even when things are tough! - Ali
This is the first in a number of opportunities that we have arranged for this year working with Electric Umbrella. They will be back in the summer term to work more closely with classes, and our Year 4 class will be attending a special day of music at St. Albans Cathedral in June.
If you would like to know more about the work of this fantastic charity, their website can be found at https://electricumbrella.org.uk/. Some songs are linked below too.
Sports Update!
This week, some children from Years 3 and 4 walked to Abbots Hill School to participate in a Rapid Fire cricket competition. They competed in a round-robin tournament, facing eight other school teams from across Dacorum.
Both teams participated enthusiastically, playing a new and exciting sport they had never experienced before. The children demonstrated outstanding teamwork and displayed great sportsmanship throughout the event.
When the results were announced, Team B secured an impressive 3rd place finish, while Team A emerged as the Rapid Fire champions, winning every game they played!
Thanks to their remarkable performance, our children from Nash Mills have earned the privilege of representing Dacorum in the County School Games, which will take place in March. Every child who participated should be extremely proud of themselves and their achievements.
It's not just the children who are learning...
As a school, we spend lots of time ensuring that our staff are well trained and supported to develop their knowledge and understanding. Each year, our staff take part in training courses, visit other schools and share best practice with local colleagues. We also regularly have schools coming to Nash Mills to see the excellent things happening in classrooms.
Our teachers are also encouraged to access training and development. A key pathway for this is through the National Professional Qualifications, which are high-level awards made following significant study. We are really pleased to share that, this week, both Mrs Barrett and Miss Jones have had achieved National Professional Qualification status following extensive studies. A huge well done to both!
Attendance
Attendance
Welcome to this week’s thrilling attendance match report, where the stakes are high, and every class is battling it out to top the league. It’s truly been a game of two halves, with some surprising moves and standout performances!
Leading the charge, Year 3 has taken the field by storm with an incredible attendance of 99.3%, claiming the top spot with a near-perfect score. Their teamwork is truly commendable. Close behind, Year 4 is demonstrating consistency with 96.3%, while Nursery, despite a slight dip, maintains a robust position at 96.2%, showcasing resilience among the youngest in our ranks. In the midfield, Year 2 holds steady with a solid 95.7%, keeping their eyes on the top positions, while Year 6 is making a steady climb, recording a respectable 94%.
On the other hand, Year 1 has shown improvement with 91%, displaying promising gains from last week. However, Reception and Year 5, both at 89%, have faced challenges. With some strategic plays and a boost in morale, they can certainly bounce back stronger next week.
Let’s continue to support each other and strive for consistency across all year groups. A big congratulations to all our teams for their hard work and dedication this week. Let’s keep the momentum going, Nash Mills, and aim for another successful week ahead. Remember, every day counts! Thank you for your support!
New Arbor Feature!
New Arbor Feature!
Log Same-Day Absences on the App
Log Same-Day Absences on the App
We are pleased to advise that it is now possible to record a same-day absence for your child on the Arbor app. If your child is absent, you can still call and leave a message on our answerphone, however using the app will help us to collate the information more quickly. The steps below (for a fictitious pupil) show how to do this.
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.
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots!
Our TTRS leader board this week reflects the change in studio speed over the last week. Our 3 leaders have made the biggest improvement to their speed in answering questions, well done!
Our Numbots leader board is for how many correct answers were achieved in story mode and it's a clean sweep for Year 2 who, between them, achieved 1906 correct answers! Well done all!
Mr Shane
Leader board this week
1st - Teona (Y2)
2nd - Israel (Y2)
3rd - Alex (Y2)
Leader board this week
1st - Ifan (Y6)
2nd - Zachary (Y3)
3rd - Harry (Y6)
Star of the Week!
Star of the Week!
Nursery
Charlotte
For super concentration during activities and continuing to develop confidence with interactions, expanding vocabulary and sentence structure. Well done Charlotte!
Reception
Lillian
For excellent focus in phonics and some fabulous writing this week. It is lovely to see your increased confidence. Well done Lillian!
Year 1
Paisley
For showing great effort and determination to focus and learn. Your hard work is noticed and we are so proud of you!
Year 2
Natalia
For applying herself to her school work, trying hard and beginning to see the results of her work. Well done Natalia, keep it up!
Year 3
Daniel
For always trying his best in everything, with a huge smile!
Keep being amazing!
Year 4
Oliver
For his outstanding effort and progress in all his learning!
Fantastic work Oliver.
Year 5
Ava
For her perseverance with maths and having a positive attitude to all her learning. Keep it up Ava!
Year 6
George
For his exciting contribution to building tension and suspense in our writing unit. Well done George!
Nursery Admissions Now Open - New 30 Hour offer for September 2025
Please share with family and friends in the local community that from September 2025, we will be offering a 30-hour provision for our school nursery. For working families in receipt of 30-hours government funding, we will be able to offer daily provision from 8.50am-2.50pm, with the option to extend the day to 3.15pm. To see a video about our provision, please click on the picture.
To book a tour and find out more about our fantastic setting please contact the school office (admin@nashmills.herts.sch.uk). Tour dates are available on our website www.nashmills.herts.sch.uk/nursery-admissions/
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
3rd February - Feeling Good Week focus in school
4th February - Y5 Class Assembly
11th February - Y2 Class Assembly
11th February - Young Voices Trip
11th February - Safer Internet Day
14th February - PTA Disco
17th-21st February - Half Term (school closed)
27th February - Nursery Forest School sessions start weekly
4th March - Reception Coffee Morning
4th March - Y6 Class Assembly
5th March - Nursery Coffee Morning
5th-12th March - Science Week and World Book Day (6th) - space focus
10th March - Y3 Trip to Hudnall Park
11th March - Governor morning in school
11th and 12th March - Parent Consultations
14 March - Red Nose Day
14th March - Nursery and Reception visit to London Zoo
18th March - Y1 Class Assembly
19th March - Y6 visit to Bletchley Park
24th March - Full Governing Body Meeting
25th March - Y5 visit to Kew Gardens
25th March - Reception Class Assembly
26th March - Y2 visit to Roald Dahl Museum
27th March - Last clubs of term
28th March - PTA Thank You sale
31st March - Start of Art Week (Sculpture focus)
31st March and 1st April - Y3&4 Production
2nd April - Y4 River study trip
2nd April - Y3 Easter Egg competition at Longdean
2nd April - Y5&6 KNEX Challenge
4th April - School closes for Easter
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Booking
Good Shepherd Club—to book spaces at Breakfast or After School Club, please visit
http://www.goodshepherdclubs.co.uk/
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 Christmas clear-outs, please drop things in. The clothing bank was emptied again this week 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
Final Thought
This week, some of our children have been learning about the Lunar New Year and how it is celebrated in different places. In China, it is the beginning of the year of the snake. The story of how this came to be can be seen in the video below.
The year of the snake is seen in China as one of change, where things can be shed and left behind. As you know, we are currently considering 'joy' in school and thinking about all the things that we have that bring us joy. But to be joyful, it is also sometimes worth considering the things that dont bring us joy and can make us feel less positive. As we start the year of the snake, are there any things that you could 'shed' or stop doing to help bring you joy?
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