10th May 2024
Amazing energy at Tuesday's cross country club
Dear Parents
Last Friday's wind and rain are behind us, and now we're in for a weekend of glorious weather. I hope everyone can get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Just remember to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide for sun safety!
SLIP on some protective clothing, SLOP on SPF 30 sun cream, SLAP on a hat, SEEK shade, SLIDE sunglasses on to protect eyes
Unfortunately, our playground doesn't offer much shade during lunchtime. To help protect your child from the sun, you're welcome to send them with a baseball hat — just be sure to label it with their name.
SATS WEEK
Next week is a big week in the life of our Year 6 children – they sit their KS2 SATs tests. We know how hard team Shakespeare has worked this year and we also know how terrific our children and staff in Shakespeare class are. We hope that next week is a good one for them - please don’t let them fret the night before each test. Of course we hope that when the results come back in July we will all be cheering, but it isn’t worth them being upset and anxious. We wish them all the very best for next week, and I know that they will totally enjoy the special breakfasts, the trips to the park, the extra playtimes and everything else which goes in to SATs week to make it as easy & stress free as possible for them.
Walk to School Week - 20th – 24th May 2024
We are excited to be taking part in Walk to School Week this May.
We all know the health benefits of walking so please help us this week to reduce congestion by supporting children in being more active and help reduce lower carbon emissions during this Walk to School Week.
We would like to encourage all our pupils to try and walk, cycle or scoot to school during this week. If it’s not possible to walk all the way, then it would be great if you could park 10 minutes away from school and walk or scoot the last part of your journey. Remember that we have the park and stride option and the permit is available from the school office.
Each class will have a poster of featuring a map of Hertfordshire and aim to take a ‘virtual’ walk by helping Buster The Dinosaur (the Active and Safer Travel Team mascot) walk around Hertfordshire. Every time a pupil travels sustainably, a dot can be coloured in.
Following on from Walk to School Week, we will be supporting Clean Air Day on Thursday 20th June 2024, more information closer to the date.
Sports Week
Miss Harvey would like to know if there are any parents who can help run a session with the children on either Monday or Tuesday of sports week which is sports related. Sports week is w/c 17th June 2024. Please get in touch with the school office if you can help.
Healthy Snacks
We would like to remind everyone that KS2 children may bring in a snack for mid-morning as long as it is a healthy one. This can be a piece of fresh fruit, a packet of dried fruit or a cereal bar. Chocolate, sweets, biscuits and crisps are not permitted. Remember we are a nut and sesame free school so please check cereal bars before sending your child in with one. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
New Uniform Supplier
Harpenden Academy is delighted to share that we've partnered with 'Beat School Uniforms' in Harpenden, providing you with another option for purchasing school uniforms alongside Stevensons. We've also refreshed our school uniform booklet, adding new images that showcase both the winter and summer uniforms. To help us return lost items to their owners, please make sure that all pieces of uniform are clearly labelled with your child's name.
Looking for a bargain? Visit our pre-loved uniform page. Uniform items will be available to pick up from the school office at pick up on the Friday of the week order has been received. Returns or exchanges are accepted for unworn items. Please email friendsofharpendenacademy@gmail.com with enquiries and we will be happy to help. FoHA offer 50% off uniform to pupil premium families.
Please look at the uniform page of our school website for further details.
Year 5 Play
As part of our Hearts & Mind project Year 5 perform a play for the school and parents. This year the play is based upon World War II evacuees and relates to much of the history work undertaken this year.
The performance is just over an hour long, and Year 5 parents can reserve their free tickets via Ticket Tailor.
Rev Dennis Final Service
If you were at the Easter service at school you will be aware that we informed children and parents of Rev Dennis’ retirement.
This last service will be on Sunday 9th June at 10.00am at St Nicholas' Church. I will be going in order to represent the school but if any other parents and children would like to attend you will be more than welcome. That afternoon there will be a joint All-Parish Farewell Afternoon Tea Party 3-5pm on the lawn outside Cornelia’s.
SEND
It has nearly been a year since Hertfordshire County Council SEND Ofsted report came out, and while there are a few green shoots appearing with necessary changes the SEND situation in Hertfordshire is still in difficulties.
Having spoken to the Trust Director of SEND and Mrs Moss I am proposing we have a SEND parents' coffee morning – date to be decided – so parents can be made fully aware of the SEND provision in Hertfordshire and why the services are taking so long. Once I have a date available I will let all parents know so you are able to have an up to date information session regarding SEND.
Reminder
Reminder: Family Fun Science Evening, Thursday 16th May 2024, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Mark the Science Man
Marks parents event is next Thursday 16th May and it is not too late to sign up your family via the Edulink form. I have been asked by parents if they can attend just in 2’s and 3’s, and of course the answer is yes. We will put friends together and families together on tables to work on his science activity. No-one will be left out so please come along and make a ‘hybrid’ family. You will not regret it as its such a great evening.
This is a free event and no tickets are required. Please RSVP via the Edulink form by Monday, 13th May 2024 as the numbers will give Mark an indication of how much equipment he needs to bring.
Happy Birthday this week to: Verity W
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Batford Neighbourhood Survey
Harpenden Town Council would like to make improvements across the whole community and is looking at what it can do to improve Batford as a local neighbourhood. Rather than develop community initiatives that we think are needed, we want to hear from local people about their views on the area.
This is a short survey and responses will make a real difference to our approach. If you would like printed copies of the survey or a different format please let me know. Further information can be accessed here: https://www.harpenden.gov.uk/community/batford
