Dear Parents and Carers,
This week is Children's Mental Health Week. This year's theme is 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself'. Mental Health can impact on all aspects of a child's life, including their physical wellbeing, relationships and educational attainment. Mental health can also change over time, to varying degrees of seriousness, and for different reasons. As parents and carers, there are ways you can support your children to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. Encouraging and guiding a child to think about their own mental health and wellbeing are vital skills you can teach them from a young age
Thank you so much to the families who have kindly donated towards the Go Fund Me campaign. Your generosity and support is much appreciated.
Design Expertise Needed - Vestibule Library & Outdoor Learning Spaces
We would like to revamp the vestibule library space and continue to develop the pond area.
Are there any designers, architects, or creative minds among you who would be willing to help us visualise what these areas could be? If so, please speak/email Mrs Lilley (jlilley@thorngrove.herts.sch.uk).
If your child is absent from school it is important to let the school office know the reason. Missing a few days of school here and there may not seem a big deal, but research shows that it can have a significant impact on learning. Children who miss a substantial amount of school fall behind their peers, and struggle to catch up. Persistent absence (PA) is defined as an attendance rate of 90% or below.
If parents/carers are looking for workshops to support with your children’s learning, routines or challenging behaviours at home please check the school entrance for leaflets or speak to us about Aspects.
Golden Certificates
Rec Rae
Yr1 Alexander & Sienna
Yr2 Jenson & Pip
Yr3 Darcy & Edward
Yr4 Freddie & Lawson
Yr5 Arjun& Jackson
Yr 6 Isaac & Arthur
Headteacher Wajiha
Future Diary Dates
Spring Term
February 2025
Half Term Mon 17th–Fri 21st Feb
Children’s first day Mon 24th Feb
Wed 5th - Sportshall Athletics
Thur 6th - KS1 Dance Workshop
Festival of Literature 10th–14th
March 2025
Thur 13th- Quicksticks
17th-21st - Poetry Week
Parent Open Sessions
Thur 20th - Bee Netball
Fri 21st - Red Nose Day
Fri 28th - Great Athletes
April 2025
Fri 4th - Celebration assembly 9.30am
Fri 4th - Term ends school closes @ 13.30
Robyn is set to be the Artist in Residence at Bishop’s Stortford Library throughout February and March where she will be hosting a range of workshops and drop-in sessions. She has visited the school and shared her work the children.
Bishop’s Stortford College will be holding their annual Festival of Literature from Monday 10 February to Friday 14 February. The Festival aims to inspire reading for pleasure by providing pupils with inspiring and exciting experiences, celebrating the written word in all its forms with a wonderful array of authors, illustrators and poets. As a local school we are delighted to have been invited to take part in the events. If you would like to be a parent helper for your child’s session please contact your child’s class teacher
Years 1 and 2: Monday 10 February, 2pm - 3pm
Children can be collected from the College after this event. Teachers will send out more information.
World famous explorer, Professor Jigget has just got back from one of his bombastic story-collecting adventures and somehow, he’s managed to squish and squash all his new stories into one big box and is bringing it with him to Bishop’s Stortford College. Expect folklore, and fantasy, magic and more...
Years 3 and 4: Tuesday 11 February, 2pm - 3pm
Children can be collected from the College after this event. Teachers will send out more information.
Sophie Deen will introduce you all to her top-secret Spy world. Participants will embark on a captivating induction into the high-tech, secret world of the Children’s Spy Agency. The journey encompasses science, secrecy, a global perspective, and gadgets. Beyond spy-gear, the focus remains on sharp minds and quick wits, essential qualities for a top CSA agent.
Years 5 and 6: Thursday 13 February, 2pm-3pm
Children can be collected from the College after this event. Teachers will send out more information.
MG Leonard is the bestselling author of children’s books such as Beetle Boy, th Adventures on Trains series and the Twitchers books. Discover how a trip down the Nile inspired her newest fast-paced adventure Hunt for the Golden Scarab. Explore the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of the Pharaohs can be found, unravel the ancient art of mummi cation, learn about heart scarabs, the Book of the Dead and the possible location of the lost tomb of Nefertiti. This event is perfect for adventure enthusiasts, budding Egyptologists and time travellers.
Open Week and Poetry Week
17th-21st March
During the week the whole school will be celebrating poetry. Children will have the chance to write, perform and immerse themselves in the world of poetry. This week will ignite creativity, build confidence and foster an appreciation of language across all year groups. Parents will be invited into school during the week and more information will be sent by class teachers.
If you would like to recite a poem or be actively involved in this celebration please email Mrs Lilley (jlilley@thorngrove.herts.sch.uk)
KS2 Poetry by Heart National Competition: In addition to the celebration, Children from years 3-6 will also have the chance to take part in the Poetry By Heart National Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to memorize and perform a poem of their choice, competing on a national level. Click here for more information on the competition.
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 are focusing on creativity, aiming high and staying positive skills. For more information on on this and how you can access Skills Builder Homezone see our information sheet
Rotary Club of Bishop's Stortford Young Musician Competition 2025 is now open.
Although there are likely to be some very high standards of performance amongst the entries, they wish also to encourage young and less advanced musicians and singers to enter, and so benefit from the experience of performing.
The competition is held on Saturday 26th April at Bishop's Stortford College. Applications close on 14th March. More information and an entry form can be found here.