3rd November 2023
Dear Parents
Welcome back to the 2nd half of the Autumn Term, as I am writing the rain from Storm Ciarán is pounding the windows and it is very much feeling like Autumn is upon us and winter isn't far behind.
We had a lovely start back to school with a visit from 'M&M Theatre in Education' performing 'Robin Hood.' The children in Year 1-Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed the event and we have booked them again for next year.
New Office Administrator
Mrs Keeley has started in the school office on Reception and will be working on Thursday and Friday and job sharing with Mrs Newcombe. She is a wonderful addition to the team and we wish her a very warm welcome.
New Reception Parent Tour
Our new Reception parent tours started this week. If you have a child starting with us in September 2024 please remember to sign up to attend via eventbrite
Reception Playground
Over the half term the Reception playground was reinvented and the children have spent the week outside having the best time. We are still awaiting the delivery of some items however that hasn't slowed down the children's enjoyment of their new space. Many thanks again to Harpenden Trust and FoHA for their generous donations which made this venture possible.
Parent Coffee Mornings
This half term we are restarting our coffee mornings which will be held at 9.00am on Friday mornings (except for those clearly noted on the schedule). We have listened to parental feedback and we are going to dedicate a coffee morning to each subject of the National Curriculum as well as the School and Trust drivers.
In September we launched our 'Curriculum 2.0' which takes into account a focus on all children knowing more and remembering more and addresses gaps from previous years due to Covid. We would love to share with you what we are doing across our foundation subjects so please come along to whichever sessions you can make and are relevant or of interest to you. There will be additional sessions for parents with children in Ladybird class and this will be communicated separately.
The first coffee morning will be on 10th November 2023 focusing on online safety.
Below is the timetable for this half term's coffee mornings.
| 10th November 2023 | Online Safety |
| 17th November 2023 | Sustainability |
| 24th November 2023 | Computing and New Technology |
| 1st December 2023 | History and Geography |
| 8th December 2023 |
Music Extra-curricular music opportunities |
| 15th December 2023 | PE |
Opportunity to meet the Vice President of America
Justin in Milne class had the opportunity to attend a talk by the Vice President of America, Kamala Harris, on Artificial Intelligence. Justin was happy to be there and felt it was great to experience a presidential event. The secret service even allowed him to take the below picture.
Children in Need is on Friday 17th November and this year's theme is 'Be Spotacular'. The School Leader's group has taken feedback from their peers and decided on the following fundraising and activities to mark the day. All children are invited to wear non- school uniform including something spotty for a £1 donation. In addition, all children will have the opportunity to bring in a book from home that they no longer need/want and we will hold a book swap for a £1 donation. Please check the books that your children wish to bring in to ensure they are of a suitable quality and age-appropriate. During the day, the children will have the opportunity to compete in a 'design-a-Pudsey-costume' competition, spotty sports and a Pudsey hunt around the school. The school leader's group will be helping to organise the day over the next couple of weeks.
Children from our School Leaders group will be selling poppies during the week beginning 6th November. They will be selling to children during lunchtimes on Monday-Wednesday and selling to adults from 3:20pm on Thursday and Friday.
Remembrance Day Assembly, 10th November 2023, 10.15am-11.05am
Following on from Mrs Curnow and School Council news, we will hold our special Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, 10th November at 10.15am-11.05am and parents are most welcome.
Spare Chess Boards
Mr King, our chess club leader, would greatly appreciate it if parents could contribute any spare chessboards to the school. This would enable him to expand the chess club and provide more opportunities for more children to participate in his club.
Flu Vaccinations
Before half term, we sent out via Edulink the parent letter from the Immunisation Team requesting parents to sign up for the flu vaccinations.
Please be advised that the Hertfordshire Immunisation Team will be visiting the school on the morning of Friday 17th November 2023 to offer the flu vaccine to all children, from Reception to Year 6.
You can access a copy of the parent letter by clicking here - the Immunisation Team gives further details on the flu vaccine process and what parents need to do prior to their school visit. Please click on the link in the attached letter to give consent for your child to have the flu vaccine. If you do not wish for your child to have the vaccine, please complete the online form so that the team can record your wishes.
If you have any issues accessing the link, please contact the school office.
Dates for Diaries
Just to highlight that at the end of November we will be having an Occasional Day on Monday, 27th November 2023 plus an INSET Day on Tuesday, 28th November 2023. Both of these dates mean school will be closed to children.
We have moved our Christmas dinner day to Monday, 18th December 2023 as we are organising our annual whole school trip to the Odyssey cinema in St Albans on Tuesday, 19th December 2023. More details will follow shortly.
Note of Thanks from Kings Pantry
"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you to you all, for the School's amazing generosity at your Harvest festival.
It was a joy to be there, I always feel it is a great celebration.
Thank you also to your PTA for helping to pack and load my car.
Thanks again
Tony & Kenneth"
SAVE THE DATE:
Comedy Night - Saturday 10th February 2024
Easter Egg Hunt - Good Friday, 29th March 2024
Please be on the lookout for ways that you can support and volunteer for these events (& more)!
Beauty & the Beast Panto
Friends of Harpenden Academy have a group reservation for the Beauty & the Beast panto at the Eric Morecambe Centre on Thursday 14th December, 4.30pm, £15/ticket. Friends and family welcome! Please order and pay for your tickets by 11pm on Sunday 26th November.
Click here to buy your tickets
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALES
The holiday season is upon us - get in the spirit & support the school at the same time... buy your Christmas Tree from FoHA. PREMIUM NORDMANN FIR CHRISTMAS TREES ON SALE starting at £48 (5ft tree); can be delivered or collected from the school - Click here to buy a tree
Did you know that you can raise money for our school when you shop online via the below sites:
Easyfundraising (commission varies by retailer):
Choose Harpenden Academy as your charity and we will be rewarded!
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/harpendenacademy/
Use the below codes when purchasing your labeling option of choice:
Stikins (10% commission)
Code: 35586
Stamptastic (30% commission)
Code: AL54EN
Festival on the Field
We are very excited to support the 6th biennial Festival on the Field which will take place next summer 6th July 2024 at Sir John Lawes School.
The festival has gained a reputation as a high-quality family event where children and families can be entertained in a relaxing, fun, and safe environment. The event attracts up to 3,200 locals.
Use this link to buy tickets and HA will receive 40% of ticket sales: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/festivalonthefield1?ref=harpendenacademy
HRFC Fireworks Tickets
We're proud to once again support the Harpenden Rugby Club's Fireworks Spectacular on Sunday 5th November! This is always a great event for the entire family - with fireworks, funfair, great food & bar! Historically, this event has sold out so buy your tickets in advance!
Harpenden Academy will receive 50% of each ticket bought using this link>> Click Here to Buy Your Tickets
Happy birthday this week to: Maggie and Cora
Wrap Around Care Club Assistant Manager, 22 hours & 45 minutes Term Time only
Core hours - Monday to Friday 7.15am to 8.45am, Monday to Thursday 3.00 to 6.30, Friday 3.00 -5.15
Closing Date: 9.00am Monday 13th November 2023
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies
Mayor's Christmas Card Competition
It's always exciting to see young talents being recognised and appreciated. Last year, Adam Cheng from Year 5 won the Mayor's Christmas Card Competition, and this year the anticipation is building up for another potential winner. As per the guidance on the poster, all participants are wished good luck, and it's hoped that everyone will take this opportunity to showcase their creativity and imagination.
The competition is open to all, and the deadline for submitting entries is Friday, 3rd November 2023. It's an excellent chance for the children to display their artistic skills and create something unique and beautiful.
So, if you're interested, take a look at the poster for further instructions and start working on the Christmas card design. Who knows, maybe we will have another Harpenden Academy winner of the Mayor's Christmas Card Competition!
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival Procession
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival Procession is a wonderful tradition for our Town and we are looking for new groups to join us this year. Schools, musicians, dancers, gymnasts, clubs, and other organisations are all welcome! It’s a great opportunity to have fun and promote your group.
If you are interested in taking part in the Carnival which takes place on 26th November 2023, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
