Dear Parents and Carers,
It was lovely to welcome everyone back for the Summer term last week. The children have returned relaxed, refreshed and ready to learn. All the staff have been impressed with the children’s attitudes to learning on the first days back.
Last week the football teams attended local football tournaments. We had a year 4 team, a year 5/6 boys and a girls’ team. We also had a year 4 tag rugby team play in a tournament at Bishops Stortford Rugby Club. The children were excellent representatives of the school and did incredibly well. The girls’ football team unfortunately lost in the semi-final on penalties. Winnie Wood, year 5, scored 11 goals in the tournament. Well done! The year 5/6 boys team went one better and made it to the final but lost to Northgate but proudly wore their runners up medals. Connor, year 6, also won a sportsmanship award which was a credit to his supportive and empathetic nature.
Thank you to Dan Titus, a parent of Lonny in Year 2, for coming in to share his passion for music. Year 2 and 3 enjoyed the opportunity to see someone perform and join in some songs.
Home broadband is increasingly essential for supporting learning. Households receiving benefits such as Universal Credit could be eligible for discounted social tariffs, helping them stay connected at lower costs. For more information, please visit Ofcom’s website.
Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom
Golden Certificates
Rec Deniz
Yr1 Annie & Darcie-Mae
Yr2 Gargi & Dzhansu
Yr3 Hugh & Otto
Yr4 Constance & Theo
Yr5 Winnie
Yr 6 Etna, Alyssa, Holly, Grace, Eleni
Headteacher Martina
Future Diary Dates
Summer Term
May 2025
Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025
Tues 6th-Gymnastics Day Nursery
Wed 7th-Yr1 Trip
Mon 12th - 15th - SATs Yr6
Tues 13th -Gymnastics Day Reception
Sat 17th-Summer Fayre
Tues 20th -Gymnastics Day Yr1
Fri 23rd-Crucial Crew-Yr6
Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 2025
Half Term Tuesday 27th May – Friday 30th May 2025
June 2025
Mon 2nd-Inset Day (No pupils in School)
Children’s first day back Tues 3rd
Fri 6th-Chris Lubbe Talk-Yr6
Wed 11th -Pret-a-Portrait Photography (Classes/Sports Teams, etc)
Wed 18th-EY Sports Day 9.30am
Wed 18th-KS2 Sports Day 10.30am
Wed 18th-KS1 Sports Day 13.30hrs
Mon 30th-Shaking-up-ShakespeareYr5/6
As you may be aware, the traffic congestion on Thorn Grove during school drop-off and pick-up times has been an ongoing challenge. In an effort to improve safety and reduce congestion, we are looking to trial a vehicle-free zone on Thorn Grove during peak school hours, starting in June when we return after half term. This initiative aims to create a safer environment for our pupils while also alleviating the parking and traffic issues in the area.
We understand that this change may impact some of you whilst you drop your child(ren) off, and we welcome any feedback or concerns you may have. If you have any objections or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. We will share more information about this over the coming weeks. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work towards a safer and more accessible community for everyone.
Thorn Grove works with The Skills Builder Partnership to ensure every learner has opportunities to build eight essential skills to support them now and in the future. This term we will be focusing on leadership and teamwork.
For more information on on this and how you can access Skills Builder Homezone see our information sheet
Teach the Teacher is an international, youth-led campaign where pupils talk to their teachers about climate change. The children were trained with the skills and knowledge to give their teachers a lesson on climate change, teaching them about what it's like being a young person in the climate crisis and the need for climate education for all. The teachers were very impressed with the session and have signed up to support integrating climate more into their teaching.
On Tuesday Years 4,5 and 6 have a visit from the UK Parliament’s Outreach Service offering an Introduction to Parliament session covering Democracy and the work of Parliament, the role of MPs and the House of Lords, how laws are made, the difference between Parliament and Government and how young people can get involved and have their voices heard.
Discover the UK Parliament! pdf book is available here
Our school trip to the Houses of Parliament is suitable for years 5-7. The pdf book is available here
We will participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. Programme this week. Speak out. Stay safe. is a programme for children aged 5-11 which aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a safe adult or Childline. This child friendly programme is aligned with the curriculum and consists of age appropriate virtual assemblies and supporting classroom based activities. The content is delivered in an engaging and interactive way with the help of the NSPCC mascot Buddy. If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme visit www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout.
Activities to extend learning at home
Take part in games and activities at home to help children learn about speaking out and staying safe.
Parent/Carer support
Take a look at information, support, advice and activities from NSPCC for parent and carers.
Online Safety Hub
For information on a range of different online safety topics including gaming, social media, sharing images, parental controls and more.
Childline – under 12’s
Childline have an accessible website with advice, support, games and activities. Children can change the language, enlarge text and also listen to the content.
www.childline.org.uk/buddy (5-7)
www.childline.org.uk/kids (7-11)
Skills Builder Display
Thank you for sending photos. If you would like to show how you or the children are using these skills outside of school, please bring in a photo or email jlilley@thorngrove.herts.sch.uk to add to our display board. For more information on these skills and how you can access Skills Builder Homezone see our information sheet