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8th November 2024

Dear Parents

Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn Term. This is the busy term as we work our way to the Christmas holidays.

Remembrance Service

Today we held our Remembrance Service at 10.30am. We had many important visitors, namely The Mayor - Councillor Pip Liver, Rev Randall, Claire Robins OBE and Year 12 SJL student - Ollie - who did the last post . It is always a lovely service with the children. I am always impressed by their understanding of the event and pride in the 2 minute silence.

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Diwali

Those who have been to school will notice our fabulous Diwali entrance hall, celebrating the Hindu ‘Festival of Light’. On Sunday we will also be hosting a ‘Hindu Families Celebration Event’ from 12.00pm. I have attached the flyer with the QR code to purchase tickets if anyone wishes to come along, you can also pay at the door on the day. Thank you to the Boodhna family for the decorated entrance area, and for organising the Sunday event. This really demonstrates how we live our lives at Harpenden Academy, and the power of our diversity school and parent group. You can get tickets by clicking here

Diwali

Our Entrance Way

We are welcoming all faiths to come to decorate the entrance to celebrate key festivals throughout the year. Please speak to the office to let us know.

Diwali

Facelift

Parents will also be aware that the outside of our school building has had a facelift. We have had window wraps fitted to our external windows. These primarily are due to safeguarding, but also to let people know we are here. There are a few additional changes inside the school building too, but the main differences are from the outside.

Entrance

Office Hours

Last term we took the decision to close the school office Monday to Wednesday afternoons. It has caused some teething issues which we are trying to find solutions for. If, moving forward, parents could alert the class teachers on Class DoJo rather than hoping someone might be in the office that would be helpful. It can be really frustrating for you when the phone just keeps ringing and there is no-one to answer it!

Letter from Kings Pantry

We received a lovely letter from Kings Pantry our chosen Harvest Festival Charity, thanking parents and children alike for the boxes of generous donations on 25^th October. Again an example of how we are training our children to grow in to good thoughtful citizens of the future.

Kings Pantry

Online Safety

Over half term we had an incident of one of our children being involved in unsafe internet practice at home. While this was in the holidays and not in school time the repercussions of the messages sent have found their way into school life. Parents please take 5 minutes to check your child's phone to keep an eye on what messages they are sending or receiving. This is not an invasion of their privacy but more a way of ensuring they are safe from harm.

Mrs Newcombe

We end with good news. Mrs Newcombe our lovely Receptionist gave birth during half term to a baby girl 8lb 6oz, called Mollie Rose. We are thrilled for her new addition to her family – a little surprised as we thought she was having a boy! Thank you again to those parents who have enquired after her.

CiN

Children in Need, Friday 15th November, Non-School Uniform Day

On Friday 15^th November, we will be fundraising for Children in Need. This year's strapline is 'Make Life Brighter for Children'. Children are encouraged to come into school wearing non school uniform, particularly something yellow or something spotty. All children are invited to wear non- school uniform including something spotty for a £1 donation. You can make this donation via Parentpay.

Odd Socks Day

Thousands of kids and adults across the UK are going to be wearing odd socks on Tuesday 12th November and there's a really good reason why!

It's the start of Anti-Bullying Week.

Odd Socks Day is a national event all about celebrating what makes someone unique.

It's organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which is a group of organisations, charities and individuals who work together to try and stop bullying.

Please come to school on Tuesday wearing odd socks! It will be usual uniform with a jazzy addition. These can go over tights as it's cold!

Christmas Tree Fundraiser

Fundraising Christmas trees are now on sale!

Selling super fresh, locally grown trees is one of our biggest fundraisers across the whole school year. Trees are cut to order the day before delivery...they are amazing value for beautiful trees and Friends of HA receive generous commission for each one sold.

Please place your orders online and feel free to share with friends and family...https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/christmastrees

Please spread the word!

Xmas

Online Parenting Courses - Family Lives

Being a parent has never been easy. There are no manuals for it, and previous generations may not be able to provide the insight you're looking for. The family unit is more dispersed than ever, with some families existing hundreds of miles from what may be called a 'core unit'. The rapid pace of societal change in the UK rapidly outstrips the knowledge of the immediate past. The result is that many parents may find themselves lost in a maelstrom of contradictory advice. For adults, time has never been more compacted. Family Lives has produced a series of online parenting courses, to make this challenge a little easier. If interested please follow the link below:

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/online-parenting-courses

Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). They can be contacted on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their website is also a rich source of useful support and advice.

(* Free from landlines and most mobiles)

Luton Literature Book Festival 2024

Luton