6th March 2025
Dear Parents
Just a quick short newsletter this week to match the shortened week.
We have had a fabulous week this week. Firstly, we had our Festival Foyer decorated for the start of Ramadan. On Friday evening the Bint-Qaisar and Menolee family, along with Miss Alshamari and myself stayed behind to decorate the entrance to mark the Festival of Eid and Ramadan. Thank you to both families and Miss Alshamari for dedicating so much of your time to help the school mark this important event.
This was then followed up by a visit to Year 5 by Mr Badi who was sharing the story behind Ramadan and to discuss his experiences with the children in Dahl class.
Year 3, Forces and Magnets Workshop
On Tuesday 4th March, Year 3 participated in a science workshop on forces and magnets run by One Day Creative. The day began by looking at pushes, pulls and twists, and moved on to exploring different types of resistance. Throughout the day there were lots of activities that involved drama, teamwork and moving around! It really helped us to consolidate our learning on this topic.
Our Ofsted Report
We were thrilled to receive our Ofsted report this week! The school achieved the best possible outcome from an ungraded inspection, which is a fantastic achievement. This means we can expect a graded inspection within the next 12–18 months under a new framework—but we’re ready for the challenge!
A huge thank you to our parents for your kind words and messages of support, whether in person or via email. Your appreciation truly means the world to our staff!
Thursday 6th March World Book Day - Read Your Way
The school was buzzing today for World Book Day as children celebrated books and reading even more than normal! Some of the wonderful activities they took part in were:
- David Almond storytime across the school where teachers read the blurb from a David Almond book and children chose the teacher and book they wanted to hear then spent time in that classroom.
- Children shared their props and clues linked to their favourite book with their teachers - teachers were extremely impressed with the quality of their clues so thank you for all your support preparing at home.
- Children researched the author David Almond and many used ipads (apps like Clips/Poplet/Chatterpix) to record their findings.
- Teachers launched our new whole school Writing Journal project linked to Write Your Way and inspired by David Almond’s writing notebooks. Children will get their journals next week and will use one half of the book for notes/jottings/pictures and the other half for a writing project that will last several weeks or even months. Children will choose what they want to write eg a story/newspaper/graphic novel/non-fiction book/poetry anthology etc so had time to think about what they want their writing project to be. These projects will then be worked on in school and at home and will be shared with teachers for celebration and feedback every so often.
- Our young writers have also written a poem inspired by anything from World Book Day; one will be chosen from each class to be submitted to the Harpenden Writing competition.
- Drop Everything and Read
Please continue to celebrate the wonders of reading at home and to encourage your children to read their way!
INSET day
Please remember that tomorrow, Friday 7th March we will be having an INSET day and the school will be closed to everyone.
Annual Fun Run, Rothamsted Park, Tuesday 25th March 10.00am-11.00am - SAVE THE DATE
We are excited to announce that our annual Fun Run - planned and organised by Year 6 will be back and held on Tuesday 25th March, 10.00am-11.00am.
More details to follow but parents will be more than welcome to come and cheer. Fundraising will be set up on Parentpay shortly!
Parent Feedback: Spring Parents' Evening
Please click here to complete the parent survey to gauge the feedback in regards to the early finish and access to earlier appt times following our recent Spring term parent consultations.
Trust Concert
On Tuesday 11th March we will be taking part in the annual Trust concert. We hope it will be another wonderful experience for the children and watch this space for photos next week.
Easter Holiday Club - Traffic Light Creative and Performing Arts
After a brilliant week at our February half term holiday workshops inspired by “The Lion King”, bookings are now open for a “Wicked” inspired week of Creative & Performing Arts holiday workshops during the Easter break.
Monday 7th-Fri 11th April. We were fully booked on some of the dates during half term, and places are already filling up in what is proving to be a popular week. If you’d like to attend, please book early to avoid disappointment.
Open to all primary school aged children. Email: admin@trafficlightarts for any enquiries. We’d love to see you!
Save the Date
- Friday 18th April 2025 - Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt
Our inaugural Easter Egg Hunt will be taking place as usual on Good Friday (Friday 18th April) on Harpenden Common. If you would like to be part of the team that delivers this fantastic event, by getting involved with the planning team, volunteering on the day, or perhaps you have a business or idea that could support us - please get in touch at friendsofharpendenacademy@gmail.com. Your support is what makes these events possible.
Tickets will be going on sale shortly after the half term break.
Happy birthday this week: Annabel (Yr 4)
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies