24th November 2023
Dear Parents
It is hard to believe that this is the last full week of November and next week's newsletter will be 1st December 2023. To those who are new to school you will be unaware of the Christmas madness that descends in school come 1st December 2023.
The Trust this year are launching a "Best Christmas Decorated School" competition, which I really hope we will win! I can't believe that anyone else has a flying Santa! If anyone has any spare Christmas decorations to help us spruce up the school, please send them our way. Fingers crossed we will win the competition!
Since I have mentioned 'Christmas' best I carry on....
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 5th December 2023 | Reception & KS1 Nativity (adults only) | 6.00pm |
| Wednesday, 6th December 2023 | Reception & KS1 Nativity | 9.30am |
| Wednesday, 6th December 2023 | Christmas Carol Rotary Club Concert - Selected children from choir |
7.00pm |
| Friday, 8th December 2023 | Christmas Jumper Day | |
| Saturday 9th December 2023 | St Nicholas Festive Fayre - Choir Singing | 10.00am |
| Tuesday,12th December 2023 | Christingle Rehearsal | 10.00am |
| Wednesday, 13th December 2023 | Christingle Service KS2 Children - St Nicholas Church | 6.30pm |
| Monday, 18th December 2023 | Christmas School Lunch | |
| Tuesday, 19th December 2023 | Whole School Trip to Odyssey Cinema (Children can wear Christmas Jumpers) |
9.15am |
| Wednesday, 20th December 2023 | Break for Christmas holiday | 12 noon |
Reminder of November Occasional Day and INSET day
Monday, 27th November 2023 is a school occasional day, so there will be no school for us all. Tuesday, 28th November is a school inset day which means while staff are in school children will not be. Please make sure you have these dates in your calendars. Thank you.
Parent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Meeting, Wednesday 29th November 2023
Last year we set up a committee of parents to support with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues in school. We are keen to continue you this year and it is not too late to join in. We will be having a meeting on Wednesday 29th November at 2:30pm. At this meeting, Mrs Withers will give an overview of what we have already actioned and what will be taking place this year, including the work we are doing with Herts for Learning around Race Equity in school.
Please confirm with the school office if you will be attending on this day.
School Jumper Day, Friday 8th December 2023
We will be taking part in 'Christmas Jumper Day' again this year. If any parents have spare, outgrown Christmas jumpers which you can donate to the school, we would really appreciate it.
We keep these for the children who might not otherwise be able to join in with the day. If you can help us in this area that would be terrific.
Christmas School Lunch, Monday 18th December 2023 (date changed)
On Monday, 18th December 2023 we will be having our school Christmas lunch. Aspens has now the Christmas dinner option on Aspens Select. This is the only option of food on that day, so we really hope that as many of your children will join us - even as a one off meal on that day. Please place your orders by Monday, 4th December 2023.
If the children don't want to join in with Christmas lunch then please send them in with a packed lunch for the day.
If you need access to your login details for Aspens to book your school lunch then please contact the school office.
Please also ensure your 19th December 2023 school dinner option is selected too.
SAVE THE DATE:
Comedy Night - Saturday 10th February 2024
Parent Coffee Mornings
A reminder below is the timetable for this half term's coffee mornings.
The presentations from the sessions can be downloaded from the parent coffee page of our website
| 1st December 2023 | History and Geography |
| 8th December 2023 |
Music Extra-curricular music opportunities |
| 15th December 2023 | PE |
FOHA NEED YOUR HELP!
It’s that time of year again…Christmas Trees! Annually this is our biggest fundraiser and we need help to continue its success. So, if you can spare an hour (or so) we'd love your support!
KEY TIMES:
As in previous years, we will need all (GLOVED) hands on deck for the unloading of trees Thursday 7th December, currently expected around 10:30am. Dads are generally very good at this but anyone (including agile family members) is welcome to help! Takes an hour max if we have plenty of helpers.
We will also need help with tree collections (9:30am-10:30am) & deliveries (9am-1pm) on both Friday 8th & Saturday 9th December — any time you can spare will be greatly appreciated.
Ready to join the Christmas Tree Team? - click here to sign up>> https://signup.com/go/iDpjNCx
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
Happy birthday this week to: Lara, Flori, Evie, Winter and Thea
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies
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.
Please find below a poster & details of the ‘Messy Church’ event that will be part of the Christmas carnival on Sunday 26th November at URC Harpenden (the church opposite) Vaughan Road AL5 4ED.
