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15/02/25

After using Twitter/X for many years, we have decided move away. Come join us on instagram to continue to keep up to date with all things HA! See you there!

13/02/25

Successful end of term art project for year six: children planned, designed and built these amazing Memories Boxes linked to our Oval history topic and our belonging driver. pic.twitter.com/n9kmoqMctV

12/02/25

Year six loved their visit from Steel today and asked some brilliant questions!#pshe pic.twitter.com/SVSTN0xR3p

12/02/25

We loved our visit from Steel today, learning all about resilience and the importance of sleep, healthy diet, being active, hydration and showing gratitude (noticing glimmers). Can anyone beat Steel’s record of 757 burpees nonstop in under an hour?#pshe pic.twitter.com/FLHRxZ2Lkq

12/02/25

As part of Safer Internet Day, year 2 explored a variety of dangers online and discussed how to respond to them. They had some excellent ideas and good knowledge of the safety features of various apps. They created posters to teach younger children about what they had learnt. pic.twitter.com/dWyOSidsdH

12/02/25

Amazing messages being given to the children this morning by the amazing gladiator Steel! What a fantastic morning we have ahead pic.twitter.com/Y0WFDxF1nL

11/02/25

Year six scientists dissecting hearts to understand how the circulatory system works. pic.twitter.com/ewcfvsfMRX

11/02/25

Year six scientists dissecting hearts to understand how the circulatory system works. pic.twitter.com/Dz7qWkgTL8

11/02/25

Year six home learning designing posters for around school about how to keep safe online. pic.twitter.com/eya9mmpF4M

11/02/25

Year six historians exploring the Oval as part of their local history project, with an added extra of a tag rugby PE lesson! pic.twitter.com/iabdKAYvHI

11/02/25

Year six historians exploring the Oval as part of their local history project, with an added extra of a tag rugby PE lesson! pic.twitter.com/gRFv2OAoT6

11/02/25

Team Dahl had a great science lesson on space and the stars with Mark the scientist yesterday (2).#science pic.twitter.com/FrJSAI3V1t

11/02/25

Team Dahl had a great science lesson on space and the stars with Mark the scientist yesterday (1).#science pic.twitter.com/K62hUgwN7y

11/02/25

Marking Safer Internet Day with a visit from the charity Computer Friendly pic.twitter.com/NuuQv4ROU2

10/02/25

Year 3 had a visit from Hands on Science and took part in a workshop on biological diversity. pic.twitter.com/RoqPJoSdUj

07/02/25

This week in assembly we celebrated Martin Luther King day, reading about this inspiring activist who devoted his life to fighting for civil rights. We linked to other activists such as Nelson Mandela, Greta Thunberg, Malala and Rosa Parks; and to our value of respect. pic.twitter.com/TKQlLAdduw

07/02/25

A huge thank you to all the adults who came to visit us today to explain how their job uses maths. pic.twitter.com/nNu8EdPIvU

07/02/25

Ladybirds have had a fantastic ! We have loved hearing about jobs that use numbers and dressing up! We are so inspired. We also made foot rulers to measure things in the classroom. pic.twitter.com/sfwifgPkd4

07/02/25

Our fourth visitor of the day was Tendaii, a train and air engineer. Our Y6’s were fascinated by his models and recognised how scale factors work in producing drafts of projects. pic.twitter.com/QmOElYN5WQ

07/02/25

Our third visitor of the day was Matt who works in the sports field. He explained to our Y6’s how fractions, decimals and percentages play a part in making predictions about different sporting events. pic.twitter.com/Js9gcUBH3m

07/02/25

Our second visitor of the day was Business Analyst Andreii who spoke to our Y6’s about how algebra and coding is used in his IT role. pic.twitter.com/g7qgZWX25k

07/02/25

Our first visitor of the day was Nurse Helen who works at treating cancer patients. Our Y6’s enjoyed learning about why measuring is particularly crucial in this field. pic.twitter.com/IG2nvg7xEC

07/02/25

Happy Number Day from Year 3! pic.twitter.com/bS3fxp7e8P

06/02/25

Aren’t we lucky to have such lovely, kind parents in our Year 1 class? We are so appreciative of these yummy sweet treats! pic.twitter.com/IEp8f6rkyO

04/02/25

Lunar new year celebrations last week pic.twitter.com/GAQmtKUjeU

13th December 2024

Dear Parents

The final newsletter of 2024!

It has been a busy penultimate week at Harpenden Academy with two Nativity performances and one Christingle service. 

The Nativity play was divine. I continuously marvel at the children's ability to learn so many words and songs - especially when English isn't always their first language. Thank you to parents for supporting them at home to make sure they know their words. 

The staff start practising from November onwards - Christmas starts early in primary schools - and it is a labour of love for them. Thank you so much Mrs Haines, Mrs Withers, Mrs Welch, Miss Boothe, Miss Patterson, Mrs Dobbins, Mrs Stanger, Mrs Moss, Mrs Wong and Mrs Bowyer. A job well done. 

1

Christingle 2024

3

The Christingle service is always a lovely evening event and thank you to the parents and children who attended. We met our new but temporary Rev Kath who spoke so beautifully to our children. 

Canva Christingle

Cinema Trip

We have our whole school trip to the Odyssey on Wednesday next week. Children can wear their Christmas jumpers if they wish. Parents who are accompanying us please be ready for 9.00am to join us on the coach for departure at 9.15am. Parents who have selected to bring their own snacks please do not forget. The children will be given their popcorn snack as selected on the Operoo form. 

Christmas School Lunch, Thursday 19th December 2024 

Christmas lunch is on Thursday next week - again children can wear their Christmas jumper again. Aspens has agreed to keep the booking system open for Christmas lunch so if your child changes their mind at the last minute we can facilitate that. 

The cost of the Christmas lunch is £2.60 and if you wish your child to take part please use Aspens Select to order your meal. 

  • On Wednesday, 18th December, the usual 'Roast Dinner Wednesday' has been adjusted because the Christmas dinner the following day will also be a roast. Instead, Aspens has updated the menu to Fish & Chips or Veggie Fingers & Chips. Parents are kindly asked to log in to Aspens and update their meal selection for that day. Thank you!

If the children don't want to join in with Christmas lunch then please send them in with a packed lunch for the day.

Thursday, 16th January 2025 - Change to Menu - Burger & Wedges

Our Spring term census is on Thursday, 16th January and the school receives funding from the DfE based on our school dinner uptake. Aspens has changed the menu to 'Burgers & Wedges' on this date. Please can parents select their child's menu option for this day. The normal options of a roll, jacket potato & pasta will still be available.   

If your child normally has a packed lunch and would like the option of the burger then parents will be able to log on and access their child's account to order. If you need help with logging into Aspens then please contact the school office. 

Early Closing, 12 noon Friday 20th December

Remember that we will be closing at 12 noon on Friday next week. Please set your reminders to collect early. We always 'dismantle Christmas' on the last day and I really wouldn't want the children to witness Santa being packed away!

Governors

The Governors will be sending a newsletter to parents next week so please watch out for that on your Edulink account. 

Smartphone Free Childhood

Earlier in the year St.Albans head teachers joined forces to oppose smart phones in school and smart phones being given to children under the age of 14- 16.

This idea has gathered momentum and on 15th January at Crabtree School there is a meeting for parents to attend to discuss this matter further. The organisation Smartphone Free Childhood is hosting the meeting for schools and parents alike. Please see the attached flyer giving details of this meeting if you are interested in attending.

Smart Phone Parents

Behaviour Procedure

At the recent Parent Governor event parents again brought up the issue of the school's ‘behaviour procedure’.

We have now held 2 events (one last term and one this term), on the behaviour procedure in school.  I am happy to organise another in the evening, but I cannot keep taking Mrs Curnow out of class to do events which have been attended by only 3 parents -  the ‘Behaviour Policy’ is also on the website.

Please can parents complete the Edulink form to let us know the best date option to hold an information meeting. This is a parent meeting only and we will go with the majority preferred date. We will not be discussing individual cases. 

Date options:

  • Monday, 13th January at 6.00pm
  • Tuesday, 14th January at 3.45pm

IRock Assembly

Just to highlight, the I-Rock children will have their concert on Tuesday, 17th December at 2.30pm. 

Clubs

Reminder Contractor Club Timetable

The Contractor club timetable is below and parents can contact the providers directly to book the clubs with immediate effect. 

All clubs will start on the second week we return to school after Christmas, on w/c Monday 13th January 2025 and finish on w/e 31st March 2025 (unless otherwise stated in the club flyer). 

Contractor Club Spring Timetable 2025 1

New Clubs

Magical Maths, Boxing and Traffic Lights Creative and Performing Arts

Boxing

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Traiic Lights

Teacher Clubs

Parents are now able to book on to teacher clubs. All clubs will start on the second week we return to school after Christmas, on w/c Monday 13th January 2025 and finish on w/e 31st March 2025. 

If you would like your child to attend one of these clubs, YOU MUST ENROL DIRECTLY THROUGH EDULINK. The clubs will be available to book under the Club section on Edulink. Please note spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis and bookings will not be allowed once the maximum number of spaces has been allocated.

Please do not rely on these school clubs as childcare, it is dependent on teacher commitments and we may need to cancel them at short notice. 

Ukulele: Miss Fairweather will continue with her current group of children as they are building their skills. If your child is on the waiting list then please contact the school office. 

Choir: The current choir will continue and children do not need to re-register. Please contact the school office if your child would like to join choir. 

Spike Ball: This will no longer continue for this term as Mrs Davies has organised for a contractor to teach boxing in the hall on a Friday afternoon. 

There are less teacher clubs on offer in the Spring Term due to our Year 6 teaching team being used for SATs booster classes. Year 6 children will be enrolled on these booster sessions shortly. 

Please contact the school office if you have any queries.

Spring Term 2025

Christmas Holiday Clubs

Sadie blue

Orange poster

STEM buddy Christmas camps

Christmas is coming!!!

Date Event Time
Tuesday, 17th December 2024 Mayor's Carol Concert - Choir 6.00pm
Wednesday, 18th December 2024 Whole School Trip to Odyssey Cinema (Children can wear Christmas Jumpers)

9.15am
Thursday, 19th December 2024 Christmas Lunch  
Friday, 20th December 2024 Break for Christmas 12 noon

All there is to say now is enjoy the Christmas break. We hope that you have a wonderful time without being tied to an alarm clock and enjoy time watching Christmas movies snuggling on the sofa. 

Copy of SET Notice

MASSIVE THANKS
Thank You to everyone who supported our Christmas Tree Sale fundraiser either through buying a tree or helping out. We sold over 200 trees, raised just over £3000 for Harpenden Academy and £1660 for other local schools & nurseries. 

A massive thank you to our van volunteers; Shavlyea Gilbert, Nick Acton, Tim Archbold-Shore, Josh Carrier, Pete Ratliff, & 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!

Save the Dates

  • Saturday 8th February 2025 - Pub Quiz Night (replacing Comedy Night)
  • Friday 18th April 2025 - Easter Egg Hunt 

Happy birthday banner landscape

Happy birthday this week to: Freddie (R), Matilda (Year 5), Ajay (Year 4), Olivia (Year 4), Reggie (Year 4), Lea (Year 4), Aria (Year 4), Scarlett (Year 2), Matilda (Year 4), Joseph (Year 6), Jonah (Year 1), Molly (Year 1), Wilbur (Year 4), Joey (Year 3), Samuel (Year 5)

We are hiring

Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies

Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies

Blue green illustrated community helpers book creator cover 1

Christmas Trail Flyer Final

WHITTINGTON PR (short) (002)

DW (combined)

Christmas at the Culture Trust

Carols on the Common Flyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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