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12th January 2024

What a SUPER first week back Ladybirds have had! We have become superheroes and been saving the veggies from the Evil Peas! We have been making wanted posters, building lairs and role playing in our rescue centre.

Dear Parents

Welcome back and happy new year to you all. I hope you all had restful and enjoyable Christmas breaks. I would like to start by saying a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my staff for the lovely Christmas gifts we all received. I always say that the gifts are never expected but are always most welcome. Thank you.

Staff Changes

As previously mentioned in December's newsletter, we have a new teacher in Year 2 who is Ms Conroy. She has been settling in this week into Moomin class and has had a great first week.

Mrs Moss has moved to her new role of SENCo/INCo and will also be on hand to support Ms Conroy should she need it. Mrs Moss' working days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Parents' Evening

Parents' evening for this term will be on Tuesday, 30th January and Thursday, 1st February 2024. The information letter detailing the information has been sent out and the window for booking appointments is open on Monday, 15th January at 5.00pm. You can access a copy of this letter from the letters page of our school website.

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Over the holiday Mrs Jackson and myself completed an audit on the level of food allergies/intolerances we have in school. This appears to be a growing number, which when coupled with the staff, is quite a list.

This added to the information received from Herts County Council in December, regarding the management of food items coming into school, has resulted in a decision to look again at our practice of allowing food into school.

The areas of foods in school is becoming increasingly challenging, therefore we are going to implement the following until guidance from Herts County Council and the Trust becomes clearer.

No celebration sweets, chocolates or treats are to be brought into school at all, under any circumstances. This does include cultural and religous celebration sweets, cakes and food stuffs.
If any birthday sweets etc are brought into school they will not be handed out and will be sent back with the child at the end of the day.
If there is an activity during school that requires children eating any food items then the parents will be sent the full list of ingredients and parents will need to give permission for their child to take part in the activity and eat the food items.

This is an uncomfortable situation for the school to be in but sadly sometimes difficult and potentially unpopular decisions need to be taken and I will not shy away from making them.

I do hope parents understand the reasons behind these changes and I am available to explain the decision individually if required.

Cold Weather

The weather is very cold at the moment which means the children are coming in with extra items such as gloves, hats and scarves. Please can parents remember to label these with the children's names. Thank you.

School Dinners

Please can parents sign into Aspens Select and choose their lunch choice for Thursday, 18th January 2024 - the options for this day are Spaghetti Bolognese, Veggie Spaghetti Bolognese or the usual sandwich option, jacket potato or pasta. This was a blank option last term however Aspens have now uploaded the menu for parents to select the option for this day.

Pupil Premium/Free School Meal Funding

Figures now show that 19.4% of pupils now qualify for Free School Meals, this represents over 2 million pupils. The percentage has risen once again this year, from 18.2% in 2022 and 16.0% in 2018.

Year on year numbers are increasing and given the current cost of living crisis, unfortunately this number will continue to rise.

Reception to Year 1 receive meals free of charge in school however to access additional funding called pupil premium funding you need to apply to Herts County Council. This can give you access to funding support with school uniform, co-curricular clubs and school trips.

I think I’m eligible - what do I need to do?

If you think your circumstances have changed or you have not checked to see if you are eligible - here’s what to do:

1. First, check if you qualify – it is not just if you are unemployed, so please look at the eligibility list below.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided they were not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and had an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits)

2. Registering is really quick and easy, you can apply online at:

national link Free school meals | Hertfordshire County Council

3. If you are unable to complete the form online, please come into the school and someone in the office team can support you, we will treat your application in the strictest confidence. No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

How it works in school

Those children that are eligible for free school meals have their accounts credited daily so students can have meals alongside friends. Those entitled to them are treated with the strictest confidence.

If you have any questions regarding the catering please contact: info@aspens-services.com

Details of eligibility for this funding can also be found on the Hertfordshire County Council website at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk.

Copy of SET Notice

We know Christmas is over but we wanted to ensure that we shared a very special 'Thank You' to everyone who supported our Christmas tree fundraiser either through buying a tree or helping out. We sold 217 trees, raised just under £3000 for Harpenden Academy and £2170 for other local schools & nurseries. A massive thank you to our van volunteers; Nick Acton, Duncan Rhodes, Josh Carrier, Pete Ratliff and Nick Hughes who collectively delivered over 100 trees! Special thanks also to the tree collection crew, tree unloaders, delivery drivers and heavy lifters...it's truly a real team effort to make this a success. Thanks so much for your continued support!

LOVE 2 LAUGH STAND UP COMEDY NIGHT & DISCO

Back once again this year, is our Stand-up Comedy Night & Disco. By far the BEST social night at Harpenden Academy for staff, parents, carers, family & friends!

Expect to laugh, enjoy some light nibbles, grab a drink (or more) from our bar & dance the night away! This year we welcome comedic headliners: Ian Stone & Ninia Benjamin, DJ services provided by Craig of Perfect Personalised Parties, a bar operated by our very own Platform Wines & raffle featuring prizes donated from HA business owners & within the local community (class reps will share more about the raffle). So...grab your partner and/or a group of friends & get ready for this epic night at HA! Tickets: https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/comedy

Comoedy 2