Issue 3 - 20th September 2023
Dear Parents/Carers,
A big thank you to the Year 5 and 6 parents who have joined us for the parent information meetings this week. I hope you have found them useful. We are looking forward to seeing Year 3 parents tonight and Year 4 parents tomorrow. Please can I remind parents that the meetings will take place in the hall 3.30-4.30pm. Parents can access the hall doors in the quadrant.
Last week, we had our first achievement assembly. We celebrated children’s achievements both inside and outside of school, shared certificates from the Summer Reading Challenge and invited children to play their musical instruments to their peers when entering and leaving the hall. The atmosphere was lovely and I hope children enjoyed it. We are looking forward to the next one on Friday. If parents have any specific questions regarding this, please direct them to Mrs. Small (Assistant Headteacher) by emailing admin@almondhill.herts.sch.uk
The FOAH have lots of wonderful events planned for this term. Please see information below for what’s coming.
Have a good week.
Emma Fordham,
Headteacher
Key Messages
Parent Survey - SEND Graphs
Attendance
I recently wrote to parents about the importance of attendance and have also been speaking to the children about this. In order to keep this high profile and in discussion with the children, I have decided to provide some incentives. The class with the highest weekly attendance (which has always been celebrated on the newsletter) will also receive the attendance trophy and teddy (yet to be purchased!) and an extra fifteen minutes playtime on a Friday afternoon. The logic being that their attendance is so good they can 'afford' some extra minutes of playtime as they have been in school all week. I have explained to the children and please can parents be reassured that the attendance figures of children with significant medical reasons for not being in school, will not negatively affect the class total as this cannot be avoided and the figures can be adapted to remove this impact.
Clubs – Waiting List
We know that there were some people who wanted to book onto a club this term who were unable to due to that club being full. We are going to keep a log of those people so we can offer clubs to children on a ‘waiting list’ basis or we could offer those children first refusal on clubs later in the year. The clubs that were full were; multi-sports (Year 3), stop-frame animation (Year 4) and football (Year 6). Please note, we cannot guarantee which clubs will be run each term but we hope by doing this, clubs can be allocated as fairly as possible. If would like to add your child to the waiting list, please complete the form below.
https://forms.office.com/e/GkWjseJcY1
Whilst on the topic of clubs, please can I remind parents that at Almond Hill, we do our upmost to ensure a fair allocation for all clubs and remove barriers such as cost by making clubs freely available to all. This is facilitated by the school funding Premier clubs and for staff kindly volunteering their time free of charge. Therefore, although we would love to offer even more clubs, we are limited by cost and time. Parents may know that last year, our highly successful football club (who won both the league and the cup) was run by parent volunteers. If there are any parents with specific skills who wish to offer their time to run a club, we would be delighted! Please email admin@almondhill.herts.sch.uk FAO Mrs Fordham.
Abilities in Me – Fundraiser – 25th September
We are excited to tell you that we will be having a fundraising day on Monday 25th September to raise money for a fantastic charity. As most of you will know, The Abilities in Me Foundation writes children’s stories based on real children with a range of conditions. Money raised goes into: creating more books to help raise awareness, supporting school SEND projects and running family support events which they are looking to expand across the UK. If you would like to find out more, please go to: www.theabiltiesinme.com. All teachers will read at least one book from the range to children during the day. For a suggested donation of 50p, children are invited to wear an item of brightly coloured clothing to school on Monday 25th September. Parents of children in Years 4, 5 and 6 will remember that the author of this book series visited the school (free of charge) last year and donated her entire series to our school library. Children were truly inspired by her visit and her books so this is a lovely way to support the charity. Payments can be made on School Gateway.
Opportunities to Join our Parent Forum
The benefits of the strong partnership we hold with you cannot be underestimated and it is with this in mind that I would like to extend an invitation for parents to join an Almond Hill ‘Parent Forum’ which was set up by Miss Simmons last year. The aim of the group is to share and discuss important educational issues affecting the school and to get parents even more involved in decision making that directly affects your children. It is an opportunity to provide feedback, discuss future initiatives and national news related to education.
Each and every one of you is an expert in what it is like to be a parent at our school and would be welcome.
Miss Simmons plans half termly meetings to discuss an agenda jointly formed between the school leadership team and parent volunteers. The most important thing is that parents get involved. We would love approximately three parents per year group and with so many new families joining, we wanted to remind you of this opportunity.
Please email admin@almondhill.herts.sch.uk FAO Miss Simmons if you would like to get involved, or even just find out more. This is a really exciting opportunity to further develop the home school partnership.
Headlice
We have had some reports of children with headlice. Please check your child’s hair and treat accordingly. Please see the website for advice on treatment: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/
School Dinners
Please log onto http://app.schoolgrid.co.uk to order
Next week we will be on week 1.
Please don’t forget to preorder. It can be done from home for the day, week, month or even the term!
Attendance
Year 3 – 93%
Year 4 – 94%
Year 5 – 95%
Year 6 – 95%
All students – 94%
Class winners – 3W - 99%
The government expectation for attendance is 96
Diary dates
Click the months below to open our calendar.
Did you know, you can subscribe to our calendar to keep up to date with the events going on within the school?
Follow the link below, select 'subscribe' and follow the instructions for your device.
September
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20/09/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmYear 3 Parent meeting in the hall
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21/09/2023 - 9:00am – 2:00pmNSPCC Workshops Year 6
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21/09/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmYear 4 parent meeting in the hall
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25/09/2023 - All DayAbilities in Me Fundraiser - non uniform
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26/09/2023 - 1:00pm – 3:00pmSwimming lessons start (Year 5)
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26/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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26/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Netball Club
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27/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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28/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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29/09/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
October
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02/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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02/10/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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03/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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03/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Netball Club
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04/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3C Parent Lunch
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04/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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05/10/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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05/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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06/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
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09/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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10/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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10/10/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:00pmParents' Evening (except for 3C)
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11/10/2023 – 12/10/2023 - All DayYear 6 Lancaster Model Health Questionnaire
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11/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3A Parent Lunch
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11/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Stop Frame Animation
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12/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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12/10/2023 - 4:00pm – 7:00pmParents' Evening (except for 3C)
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13/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 6 Football Club
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16/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 3 Multi Sports Club
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17/10/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:45pmY5 Visit to Barclay (non swimmers)
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17/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 4 Hockey Club
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18/10/2023 - 12:15pm – 1:00pm3W Parent Lunch
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18/10/2023 - 1:15pm – 2:30pmBook Sale
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18/10/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:45pmFOAH Halloween Disco
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19/10/2023 - 3:15pm – 4:15pmYear 5 Bench Ball
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20/10/2023 – 22/10/2023 - All DayYear 6 Residential Trip to Grafham
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23/10/2023 – 27/10/2023 - All DayHalf Term
November
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01/11/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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01/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:00pmNetball match -v- Ashtree (home)
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01/11/2023 - 4:00pm – 7:00pm3C Parents' Evening
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03/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 6:00pm3C Parents' Evening
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06/11/2023 - 2:45pm – 5:30pmYr 5 Benchball at Barnwell (invite only)
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06/11/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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07/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYear 6 Height and Weight Checks
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09/11/2023 - 5:30pm – 7:00pmOpen Evening for Prospective Parents
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10/11/2023 - 12:30pm – 3:00pmECO Trip to Fairlands
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10/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:35pmNetball match -v- Shephalbury (away)
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13/11/2023 – 17/11/2023 - All DayFeeling Good Week
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14/11/2023 - 3:30pm – 4:30pmNetball match -v- St. Nicholas (away)
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15/11/2023 - 8:15am – 4:30pmYear 5 trip - National Space Centre
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15/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYr 3 and 4 cinema trip
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22/11/2023 - 11:00am – 3:00pmY5/6 Futsal at Barnwell (invite only)
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23/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYR 5 cinema trip
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24/11/2023 - 9:00am – 12:00pmYr 6 cinema trip
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28/11/2023 - All DayFlu Vaccinations
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29/11/2023 - 1:15pm – 2:30pmBook Sale
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30/11/2023 - 8:45am – 9:30amSEND & Pastoral Coffee Morning
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30/11/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:45pmY4/5 DT Afternoon with Parents
December
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05/12/2023 - 9:00am – 3:15pmYear 4 Faith Tour
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05/12/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmFOAH Meeting
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06/12/2023 - 12:30pm – 2:30pmYear 6 Visit to Thomas Alleyne
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06/12/2023 - 3:00pm – 3:30pmUniform Sale
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07/12/2023 - 1:45pm – 2:45pmY3 Christmas Musical Performance 1 of 2
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07/12/2023 - 6:00pm – 7:00pmY3 Christmas Musical Performance 2 of 2
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08/12/2023 - All DayFOAH Present Room
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08/12/2023 - All DayNon-Uniform Day
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11/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 3 Christmas Dinner Day
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12/12/2023 - 10:00am – 12:00pmRocksteady Concert
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12/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 4 Christmas Dinner Day
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13/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 5 Christmas Dinner Day
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14/12/2023 - 2:00pm – 3:00pmChoir performing at Hampson Park Community Centre
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15/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmYear 6 Christmas Dinner Day
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19/12/2023 - All DayTalent Shows
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19/12/2023 - 1:30pm – 2:30pmY6 and Choir at the Church
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20/12/2023 - until 1:00pmLast day of term - finish at 1.00pm
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20/12/2023 - 12:00pm – 1:00pmCold lunch option only
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21/12/2023 – 03/01/2024 - All DayChristmas Holidays
Almond Hill Achievements
Click the button below to see all the wonderful things our children have achieved outside of school.
Upcoming Friends of Almond Hill Events
We have lots of new members to our very successful FOAH (PTA) and they are already busy organising events for the autumn term. The children love the events and we really appreciate your support. We view all parents and carers as members and welcome support in any way, big or small. FOAH are keen to organise events that reflect the interests of pupils as well as parents and carers!
FOAH meet each half term. Meetings are open to all parents/carers. FOAH keep you well informed of planned activities through their newsletters and welcome your ideas.
Design your own Christmas card - children brought home their templates for the Christmas card designs this week. The deadline to bring these back to school is Thursday 28th September so they are ready to be sent back. Parents will then receive a personalised order form with a unique code to review and approve their child's artwork before they order. All orders must be submitted online by parents on the Class Fundraising website.
There are lots of different items to purchase with your child's design on such as mugs, tea towels, puzzles and bags so some lovely gift ideas for Christmas.
Halloween Disco – details to follow – Wednesday 18th October
Christmas Present Room - Friday 8th December
Christmas sweet jars – details to follow
In Other News...
Year 6 Writing Day
Last week, Tim and Jon from Time Capsule Education spent an exciting day with our year 6 pupils training them to be spies! They cracked a secret code, carried out some undercover surveillance, investigated a miniature stately home and even cracked open a safe! The children enjoyed all of the activities and can't wait to start writing their own spy stories! Have a look at the photos on our website to see what they got up to.
Pre-loved Uniform and Book Sales
We hold monthly preloved uniform and book sales. Please see below for the dates for this half term. A big thank you to Mrs Hukin who runs the sales for us.
Uniform – these sales are held in the hall 3.00-3.30pm and we ask for a suggested donation of 50p per item.
Wednesday 4th October
Wednesday 1st November
Wednesday 6th December
Books – these sales are held during the school day. Books cost 50p each and money raised goes towards new books for our class libraries. We welcome book donations for the school.
Wednesday 18th October
Wednesday 29th November
Wednesday 13th December