Issue 3 - 20th September 2024
Dear Parents/Carers,
A big thank you to the parents who attended our open evenings this week. I hope you found them useful. For those who were unable to make it, we have added the PowerPoints at the end of the newsletter for you to take a look at.
We had our first FOAH meeting of the year on Monday where we discussed the events and activities they would like to run for your children throughout the year. We really need your support to keep Friends of Almond Hill going! If you are willing to help organise events for our children to help raise funds for the school, please let the office know. Even if you only have a small amount of time to offer, we would love to hear from you. Over the years, our parents have supported many fun events for the children and FOAH have paid for resources and educational activities which we are not able to provide from our budget. Thank you very much in advance. Any help is always so greatly appreciated.
On Tuesday next week, all parents and carers are welcome to attend our SEND/Pastoral coffee morning with Mrs Birchall (SENCo) and Mrs Burgess (Pastoral Lead). This will take place 8:30-9:15am in Beech Room in Acorn House. Your child does not need a diagnosis for you to attend. If you feel you could do with some support, resources, or just a chat with a knowing ear, please come along.
Emma Fordham,
Headteacher
Key Messages
School open events and key dates for secondary transfer
Moving on 2025 leaflet Information for parents with children in year 6 at primary/junior school. Further information about moving to secondary school in September 2025 will be available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions
The timetable below gives you an idea of what will happen over the next few months.
|
First week of September 2024 |
Admissions information is available online for parents to read or download |
|
Monday 2 September 2024 |
Online application system opens and the “Moving On” leaflet is distributed via children’s current school |
|
July, September and October 2024 |
Schools hold their open events |
|
Thursday 31 October 2024 |
Closing date for applications (online and paper) |
Drop off Zone
Please be aware there was an error on the gate times on the last newsletter. The vehicle gate to the drop off zone opens at 3.10pm not 3.00pm as we do not wish to encourage parents to come early and queue. This is because our neighbours complain about excessive traffic at the end of the school day.
Please think of our environment and switch your engines off whilst waiting outside the school.
Nut Free School
Can we stress to all parents the importance of not allowing children to come to school with any product containing nuts. At present, we have a number of children with severe allergies and therefore strongly require parents to be mindful and check that the snack and lunch items they are providing do not contain nuts.
SEND/Pastoral Parent Meetings
Tuesday 24th Sep 8:30-9:15am
Thursday 21st Nov 2:30-3:15pm
We want any parent who feels these sessions may benefit them to have the chance to attend so welcome feedback about the time/dates that these are planned.
Arbor Calendar/School Calendar
We are really pleased so many of you are getting used to using Arbor. As you know, there is a calendar within the app. This relates to your child’s school day and includes and clubs they have enrolled in and will also include sporting events they may have been invited to. All other events that take place in school (not child specific) will continue to be on the calendar on our school website.
Lost property
All of this uniform was collected at the end of ONE lunch time this week. PLEASE make sure all of your child’s uniform is clearly labelled with their full name so that if it is lost, we can return it to your child. Of course, it would be much better if children collected their belongings and took them back to class with them after break/lunch so please encourage your children to do this.
Diary Dates
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club End Dates and Collection Points
|
Club |
Day |
Time |
Club Leader |
Collection point |
Year |
|
Football 3&4 |
Monday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
WB Coaching |
Year 5 gate |
3&4 |
|
Football 5&6 |
Tuesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
WB Coaching |
Year 5 gate |
5&6 |
|
Netball |
Tuesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Mrs Small/Miss Wase |
Year 5 gate (by the church) |
5&6 Boys and girls |
|
French |
Tuesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Mrs Pridmore |
4W |
3&4 |
|
Cooking – 8 weeks |
Tuesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Mrs Bond, Mrs Hukin, Mrs Lamacraft |
Computer room |
4 |
|
Dance (paid) |
Wednesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Lynsey Pollard |
Hall |
All |
|
Football Year 6 only |
Wednesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Miss Simmons/Miss Harris |
Year 5 gate (by the church) |
6 |
|
Mad Science (paid) |
Wednesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Mad Science |
3W |
3&4 |
|
Stop Frame Animation |
Wednesday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Mrs Lyons |
3L |
4 |
|
Basketball |
Thursday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Premier |
Year 5 gate (by the church) |
5&6 |
|
Gymnastics |
Thursday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Premier |
Hall |
5&6 |
|
Outdoor Activities |
Thursday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Miss Harris |
Year 5 classrooms |
3&4 |
|
Basketball |
Friday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Premier |
Year 5 gate (by the church) |
3&4 |
|
Gymnastics
|
Friday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Premier |
Hall |
3&4 |
|
Outdoor Activities |
Friday |
3:15 – 4:15pm |
Miss Harris |
Year 5 classrooms |
5&6 |
Pre-loved Uniform Sale
The first uniform sale will take place from 3.00-3.30pm in the hall on Wednesday 2nd October.
50P Book Sale
Our first book sale of the year is during the day on Wednesday 25th September. If your child would like to purchase a book, please can they bring their money to school with them (exact money is preferred where possible). Books cost just 50p each!
Attendance Matters
Year 3 99.22%~
Year 4 97.65%
Year 5 96.41%
Year 6 98.05%
Class winners 6S 99.7%
All Students 97.83%
Almond Hill Achievements
Click the button below to see all the wonderful things our children have achieved outside of school.
House Points
We are updating how we calculate house points. Instead of maintaining a running total, we will now have weekly winners and the house that wins the most weeks throughout the year will be crowned the end-of-year champions. We believe this approach will keep students motivated all year long and those who may have fallen behind under the previous system will feel that victory is always within reach.
We wish to celebrate success at Almond Hill so throughout the year children can earn house points for their team colour for their ENGAGEMENT, ENJOYMENT and ACHIEVEMENT. This can be across all areas of school life as well as achievements outside of school!
FOAH News...
FOAH Christmas Cards
As some Christmas items are starting to appear in the shops, Friends of Almond Hill are also getting ready for the big day and will be sending home a template today for your children to create Christmas cards and gifts from their designs - so please look out for these.
Additional templates will be available from the office if there is a change in artistic direction, and we also have a limited number of Christmas themed stencils available from your child's class teacher. Please can we ask that all artwork is clearly labelled and returned to your class teacher by Monday 7th October as we are unfortunately unable to allocate time in class for this activity.
In Other News...
Blue Cross Assemblies
We have a blue cross volunteer coming in on Wednesday 2nd October to visit Year 5 to deliver an assembly about pets and wellbeing. The assembly is free of charge but we would love to make a donation to the Blue Cross as a thank you for their visit. This will be available on School Gateway the week before the assembly.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Visit
A volunteer from The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be visiting Year 5 and 6 in November to tell them all about the wonderful things they do. As with the visit from the Blue Cross, the assembly is free of charge but we would love to make a donation to the RNLI as a thank you for their visit. This will be available on School Gateway the week before the assembly.
Christmas Gift Cards
We can apply for a Christmas Gift Card for families that are struggling financially. IF anyone thinks this could really make a difference to their Christmas, please get in contact with Mrs Burgess (in confidence) at burgess@almondhill.herts.sch.uk
Heating Grants
- Applications are open between 1st October 2024 and 31st March 2025.
- Beneficiaries must be in financial hardship through low-income employment or state benefits. Applicants do not need to be in receipt of state benefits to qualify. Working families on a low income or people in receipt of a pension will be considered for a grant.
- Successful applicants will be awarded a £300 heating grant which will be paid directly to their energy provider. Payment details must be provided.
Please get in contact with Mrs Burgess (in confidence) at burgess@almondhill.herts.sch.uk if you would like support in applying for a grant.
World Sing Up Day
During the summer term, our school choir took part in World Sing Up Day. We spent a few weeks learning this year's song, 'I Belong.' To be part of the world digichoir, we had to send in a recording of us performing the song. The final production of the song was released on YouTube this week. Choirs from all over the world are in the video and the Almond Hill Choir is there too! We are very proud to be included in something so amazing.
Read the blog post and watch the video here:
https://www.singup.org/blog/article/1473-the-sing-up-day-2024-digichoir-is-here/
County Lines Assembly
Last week we were very lucky to have an upper school assembly hosted by Leo Powell. Leo is one of the UKs leading independent 'county lines' educators and speakers and has worked with schools and colleges nationwide. His assemblies help to safeguard and protect young people from the dangers of gang activity and exploitation in a fun and engaging yet thought-provoking manner. Topics covered in the assembly included...
- Supporting children to say 'No' and go when faced with 'strangers' who may approach them in public places or online
- Understanding what is meant by County Lines
- Highlighting the dangers of being 'befriended' both in person and online
- The importance of keeping safe and not putting yourself into dangerous positions.
The feedback from children and staff who attended the assembly was incredibly positive. We hope to invite Leo back next year.
Year 6 Sports Ambassador Training
On Thursday 19th September, nine of our Year 6 pupils took part in some Activity Ambassador training at Barnwell School. They are all now competent in leading a range of games for younger children at Almond Hill and hope to start a Year 3 lunchtime club in the next few weeks. Our pupils were noted for their engagement and knowle…
SEND News
