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31st January 2025

HA Lunar New Year

A Message from some of our Reception Class...

Dear Parents

I hope that you have managed to find your way into school this week to see the fabulous Lunar New Year decorations in the entrance of the school. This year it is the year of the snake. All the children have been wide eyed as they walked through the school and it has prompted lots of language about which zodiac animal they are. I have included below the zodiac signs and a brief description of each animals’ characteristics so you can find out a little bit more at home…maybe the 'Year of the Snake' is your year!

Lunar

HA Lunar New Year (1)

Harpenden Academy on the Road

This has been a busy week for first hand experiences. Year 4 took the train to St Albans for their trip to the Synagogue, while Year 6 travelled to Regents Park Mosque. Ladybirds, while they travelled a little closer to home, walked to the post office to post their letters to their special someone at home and they visited the Fire Station. These trips, as you know, are a key part of our school and indeed are one of the schools 4 drivers. It is really important to us that we make as many first-hand experiences as possible for our children so that we keep the learning live and real for them. Thank you to the parent volunteers who come along on these trips and make them possible as you are invaluable to us.

Reception

This term Ladybirds have been learning about people who help us. The children have been fascinated by the idea of being a postal worker and sending post. During our literacy groups, we wrote letters to someone special at home and we each put them in an envelope and have now started to put them in the post box. We are so excited to see them arrive at home! It was a fantastic real life experience for the children and is a fantastic link to our curriculum driver of experiences.

Postbox4

Reception Fire Station Visit

On Thursday Ladybirds visited the Fire Station. This is always a fantastic experience and the children came back with such joyous smiles. We learnt about all the services that you can call via 999 and all the different emergencies a Firefighter can help with, not just fires. They also talked to us about the smoke detectors in our homes. Did you know the fire service can help fix them if we need to and help to fit them?

Unfortunately, the fire engine had been called out to support the St Albans' Firefighters and we weren't able to see it on this occasion. We have arranged for it to visit school after half term which we will very much look forward to!

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Year 4 St Albans United Synagogue

Year 4 had such a lovely trip to the St Albans United Synagogue on Monday. We learnt about the history of Judaism, drew some pictures of our favourite part of the story and took part in a treasure hunt around the Synagogue. One of our favourite parts was finding the Kippahs on the treasure hunt and learning more about when and why Jewish people wear them. We also enjoyed being shown the Torah and learning more about the language it is written in (Hebrew) and when it is read.

HA Photo Synagogue

Year 6 Regents Park Mosque

Yesterday, Team Shakespeare enjoyed a wonderful day at the London Central Mosque in Regents Park. It began with an informative presentation, followed by a thorough tour of the grounds. The children got to visit the library that was filled with Islamic books, sit in the prayer room and see how Muslims pray and explore the exhibition that was full of Islamic history. We were very lucky to be able to have the weather on our side which made the trip even more enjoyable. A nice pit stop at Regents Park for a spot of lunch and games topped off our day!

HA Photo Regents(2)

Lockdown Practice

On Wednesday we held our annual 'Lockdown' practice. The children and the adults all responded sensibly and calmly to the drill and we are really happy with how the exercise went. Thank you to those parents who took time to discuss this with the children as they were really respectful and confident about the whole process.

Upcoming events

We have some exciting events happening in school this side of the half term holidays.

Friday 7^th February 2025- Number Day- More details below from Mrs Stanger

Saturday 8^th February 2025- FoHA Quiz Night.

Monday 10^th February 2025- The return of lovely 'Mark the Science Man' who is always a source of knowledge and fun for the children.

Wednesday 12^th February 2025…A HUGE SURPRISE for the children…just watch this space for details.

Numbers day

Number Day, Friday 7th February 2025

On Friday 7^th February, Harpenden Academy will be taking part in ‘Number Day’ to raise money for the NSPCC - we have set up a voluntary donation on Parentpay which is live. To celebrate the day, we would like children to dress up as a ‘career’ which involves maths e.g. doctor, scientist, engineer, forensic investigator, pilot etc in return for a donation via Parent Pay to the NSPCC. The children will also enjoy a variety of engaging maths activities throughout the day and teachers will be inviting parents to come in and talk about how maths is involved in their jobs.

Number Day - Calling all Parents

As part of Number Day on Friday, 7^th February, we are asking all parents to come in and share how you use maths in your every day job. It's really important that the children see how important maths is, and that it goes far beyond lessons in school and pages in their maths books. I’m really keen to show the children that all jobs use maths, so a wide range of jobs from builders, carpenters, bakers, nurses, cashiers as well as the jobs that traditionally people think about as using maths such as accountants, would be great for the children to hear about. I do know that the prospect of talking to a group of children can be intimidating to some people but we promise that they won’t bite and you will be more than welcome.

Please speak to your class teacher if you can help in any way on the 7^th February 2025.

We really hope you will be able to join us!

Parents' Evening, 11th February and 13th February 2025

If you require the 'crèche' facility for your children between 2:30pm and 3:20pm, please sign up via your Edulink form by Friday, 7th February. Parents can still make teacher appts via their Edulink wheel. If you have any issues accessing the parents' evening booking system please contact the school office.

Trust Concert - Grove Theatre, Dunstable, Tuesday 11 March, 6.00pm, Choir and Orchestra

Please save the date. Tickets have not yet been released and we will shortly be sending out logistics via Operoo to the children participating in this event.

Safer Internet Day, 11th February 2025

This year, Safer Internet Day is on the 11^th February and the theme is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online'. Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year it covers an online issue or theme that speaks about the things young people are seeing and experiencing online. Created in consultation with young people across the UK, this year Safer Internet Day will be focusing on the issue of scams online and for young people, how to protect themselves and others, as well as what support is available to them. We will be recognising this in school with an assembly and activities in class. Below is a link to social media checklists which parents may find helpful.

Social Media Checklists | SWGfL

Filming and Possible Parking Issues, Wednesday 5th Feb 2025

Babies