28th November 2025

Dear Parents 

We hope you all enjoyed a pleasant and restful day off on Monday. As I was boarding the train to London that morning, I noticed several familiar faces travelling alongside me!

We returned on Tuesday to a busy week, starting with Belonging Day — more details on that later — and our first-ever badminton competition with other primary schools in the area, which took place at KWS school on Thursday with our Year 3 and Year 4 team. We will share more about these events later in the newsletter.

Term Dates 2026-2027

We have published our new term dates for 2026-2027 on our school website.  

More Baby News

The week started with some wonderful news—another HA baby! Over the weekend, we received the joyful update that Mrs Curnow has had a baby girl named Rosie. Both Mrs Curnow and her newly expanded family are doing well and are settling into their new routines. Many congratulations on Rosie's safe arrival—we look forward to seeing Baby Rosie and her mum soon.

Belonging Day Celebrations

Belonging Day was a tremendous success, filling the school with a wonderful buzz as children joyfully shared their lives, cultures, and stories with one another. Each class enjoyed rich and meaningful experiences, from creative activities to cultural celebrations that helped deepen our sense of community. We are especially grateful for the incredible parent support that made the day so special—the effort, time, and enthusiasm families put in were truly felt in every classroom. It was a day that beautifully showcased the diversity, warmth, and togetherness that make our school such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

A huge thank you from Mrs Withers to everyone who gave up their time to support this special day!

Take a look below to see what each class got up to:

The Ladybirds had a fantastic time celebrating Belonging Day! We went on a cultural journey around the world, learning about the unique heritage and traditions of our classmates from Hong Kong, South Africa, Turkey, and Bangladesh. We picked up some basic Turkish phrases, listened to a Cantonese story, and sampled tasty treats from different countries. We feel so lucky to have such a diverse class and can't wait to celebrate with more families next week!

Belonging Day in Elmer Class was a wonderful celebration of culture and community. We explored Zimbabwe with a special visitor and even tasted some delicious native treats. We also explored Barbados by sharing stories and looking at some wonderful pictures. We learned about festivals celebrated in Hong Kong and created our own colourful lanterns. To finish the day, we tried out some energetic Bollywood dance moves. What a great day of learning, sharing and celebrating together.

Moomin Class had a lively and joyful Belonging Day, celebrating cultures from all around the world. The children explored India by learning Hindi words, creating beautiful Warli-style paintings, tasting delicious fruit chaat, and trying on bright, colourful sarees. They also enjoyed an energetic African tribal dance workshop and learned about the tradition of Christmas pudding during Advent, discovering how recipes are passed down through families. The children expressed their thoughts by writing poems about what belonging means to them. We finished the day by celebrating Canada, where they learned the story of maple taffy and made their own sweet treats to enjoy.

Potter Class had a fantastic day exploring what it means to belong in our classroom community. We were delighted to welcome parents and grandparents, who came in to share their cultural heritage and read us wonderful stories. The children loved learning about different backgrounds that make our class so special. They also enjoyed a lively dance workshop, which brought lots of energy and fun. Using their ideas and experiences, the children created thoughtful free verse poems that celebrated who we are as a class. It was a wonderful day of learning, sharing, and celebrating our community.

Milne Class also had a fantastic Belonging Day filled with creativity, culture and new experiences! We designed our own beautiful Warli drawings, made Canadian maple taffy (which was spectacular!), and even tried on traditional Scottish kilts while enjoying a Scottish version of The Gruffalo being read to us. We also learned about the Isle of Man, sampled some delicious Manx chocolates, and explored South Africa by handling real artefacts. It was a wonderful day celebrating diversity, curiosity and belonging.

Dahl Class also took part in our Belonging Day celebrations. They enjoyed a variety of activities, including exploring Punjabi music and dance, listening to a well-known story in Spanish, practicing writing in Tamil, and taking part in a lively carnival dance workshop.  

It was a day full of excitement, creativity, and learning as we celebrated the diverse backgrounds that make our school community so special.

Shakespeare Class had a wonderful day celebrating belonging: sharing books about belonging; hearing about each other's heritage from parents, children and staff; creating Kahoot quizzes about the different countries we're all from; creating belonging drama sketches; dancing together and celebrating the beautiful uniqueness of each and every one of us, children and staff. 

Badminton

A group of year 3 and 4 students enjoyed learning some badminton skills. Taking part in a carousel of activities to build skills and then taking part in a small game. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and came away with a passion for a new sport. 

Important Reminder: We are a 'No Nut and Sesame-Free School'

To ensure the safety of all our staff and childrens, we would like to remind everyone that our school is a **nut-free and sesame-free environment**. Please be vigilant when packing lunchboxes and snacks, as some products may contain nuts or sesame ingredients.

We have children and staff with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to nuts and sesame, and even trace amounts can be dangerous. Please avoid sending items such as:

- Chocolate bars that may contain traces of nuts or sesame
- Hummus and other sesame-based spreads
- Sushi or dishes prepared with sesame oil

Your cooperation in monitoring packaging labels and choosing safe options is greatly appreciated. 

Clubs

A reminder that the booking window for teacher clubs opened yesterday. You will be able to login to your child's MCAS profile and select the club option from the menu.  If the club is full the system will add your child to the waiting list and the office will inform you if there are any cancellations. We will always do our best to try and accommodate your child’s choices.

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.

Parents can book on Contractor clubs directly with our Club Providers. Contact details can be found on the club page of our school website. Please note that Game On will not start until Tuesday, 3rd February due to their staffing availability. 

Christmas Tree Sales: Final Weekend!

Order Your Premium Nordmann Fir & Support Harpenden Academy

Christmas Trees — Friends of Harpenden Academy

Time is running out! Order by Monday 1st December at 12 noon to secure your fresh, long-lasting Nordmann Fir and boost our school’s fundraising total.

All trees are locally grown, top quality, and long-lasting. Plus, for every tree sold, £20 will go directly to FOHA.

Sizes & Prices
• 5ft+ – £48
• 6ft+ – £55
• 7ft+ – £66

Free Collection
Harpenden Academy, Vaughan Road
Fri 5th or Sat 6th December (9:30–10:30am)

Home Delivery
• Within AL5 – £5
• Up to 7 miles outside AL5 – £8 (Friday delivery only)

To order and find out more please visit Christmas Trees — Friends of Harpenden Academy

KEY NOTES:

Date	Event	Time
Wednesday, 3rd December 2025	Christmas Carol Rotary Club Concert Year 5 & Year 6 Choir	1.15pm & 7.00pm
Thursday, 4th December 2025	Christingle Service KS2 Children - High St Methodist (KS1 welcome)	6.30pm
Wednesday, 10th December 2025	Reception & KS1 Nativity (adults only)	6.00pm
Thursday, 11th December 2025	Reception & KS1 Nativity	9.30am
Friday, 12th December 2025	Christmas Jumper Day
Wednesday, 17th December 2025	Whole School Trip to Odyssey Cinema (Children can wear Christmas Jumpers)	9.15am
Thursday, 18th December 2025	Christmas Lunch
Friday, 19th December 2025	Break for Christmas	12 noon

Rotary Christmas Carol Event, Wednesday 3rd December 2025

This is only for the children in Year 5 and Year 6 who are in the choir. All the primary schools in Harpenden are in attendance, so tickets and numbers are limited. Mrs Moss will have been in contact with parents of children attending to confirm time and ticket details. 

Key Stage 2 Christingle Service (Reception & KS1 siblings welcome)

Please RSVP by Friday, 28th November for your KS2 child/ren only via this google form so we know if your child is attending and expected numbers in the church. We would appreciate if parents could complete the form even if you are unable to attend just so the office are aware of who to chase. Any Reception and KS1 siblings are welcome however they are the responsibility of their parents during this event. 

We will be using the High Street Methodist Church on Thursday 4^th December 2025 at 6.30pm.

 

EYFS and KS1 Christmas Performance

The performance this year is called 'Magical Christmas Journey' and the children will be performing it on the evening of Wednesday 10^th December at 6.00pm and Thursday 11^th December at 9.30am.

An email has gone to all parents requesting that they book tickets to attend the performances so we know how many to expect.

FoHA will be providing mulled wine and festive treats from 5.30pm at the evening performance.

School Jumper Day, Friday 12^th December 2025

Christmas Jumper Day is on Friday 12^th December and can cause some confusion. The children need to come to school wearing their Christmas jumper instead of their normal school jumper or cardigan. The children will need to be in their normal school uniform other than the Christmas jumper.

We do have some spare Christmas jumpers in school and if you have any jumpers in your children’s wardrobes that they have outgrown please wash and donate them to us so we can provide a jumper to a child without one.

The children can also wear their jumpers to the cinema trip and on Christmas lunch day. This way they can get as much wear as possible out of them before the big day.

Important Reminder: Trip and Popcorn Payment & Consent - Odyssey Cinema Trip, Wednesday 17th December 2025

All parents are required to have provided consent and completed payment via MCAS by close of play today, Friday, 28th November 2025. 

If payment or popcorn order selection has not been received by Monday, your child will not be on the list to attend the trip or receive a popcorn snack. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, so please confirm your child's attendance promptly.

Your confirmation will also allow us to finalise the cinema and coach/train arrangements. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Christmas lunch day for the children is Thursday 18^th December.

Please place your orders by Friday, 5th December 2025. 

On this day we like to encourage as many children as possible to take part in our Christmas lunch even if they typically have packed lunch. This is the only option of food on that day. SwiftKitchen has now added the Christmas dinner option on SwiftKitchen. 

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

If you need access to your login details for Swiftkitchen to book your school lunch then please contact the school office. 

 

Christmas Tree Fundraiser Volunteers Needed

We are still looking for more parent volunteers and would really appreciate it if any other parents could step forward to offer their time to help raise some serious money for our school!

All details are on the sign up sheet - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044DA4A72CA2FACE9-60274748-harpenden

If you have any questions please contact the Trees Team at hachristmastrees@gmail.com

Traffic Lights Workshop

Christmas Holiday Entertainment!

Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd December Christmas Crafty Party Workshop Days. 

Two days of festive Arts & Crafts projects plus Christmas Party Games & Activities. A fun-filled start to the Christmas holidays! Age: 4-11 years.  Harpenden Academy, 8.45am-5pm. £37 per day. Booking open! 

Wreath Making at Harpenden Academy 

We are excited to share the details of two separate wreath making workshops — a family-friendly Sunday afternoon on 30th November (including a drop the kids off option!) and a festive Friday evening just for adults on 5th December.

Family Wreath Making – Sunday 30th November, 3–5pm - with Traffic Light Arts

We have over 20 families coming to our Family Wreath Making - if you're able to attend, please book your tickets by the end of today (Friday 28th November).

Adults can make a beautiful foliage wreath while Traffic Light Arts take the children off to make a crafty Christmas wreath in a supervised session. Come along as a family or drop the kids off and enjoy a couple of hours to yourself. 

Adults £30 | Children £12.50

Adults-Only Wreath Making – Friday 5th December, 7.00pm–9.30pm

We've done really well with ticket sales - only a few left!

Enjoy a relaxed evening of creativity, complete with a glass of fizz and festive nibbles, while making your own bespoke Christmas wreath.

£35 per ticket

Both workshops take place at Harpenden Academy. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. 

For more information and tickets, please visit: www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/events

 

A "K-Pop Demon Hunters” themed Workshop Special!

Saturday 3rd January - 'It’s Gonna Be Golden!’  We’re teaming up with Tiger Cheer to present a one-day Workshop Special inspired by the movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters!”  Get ready to ‘Takedown’ the morning learning a Dance & Pom routine to music from the movie soundtrack and create some of your own Choreography too!  The ‘Huntr/x’ fun will continue into the afternoon with K-Pop themed T-shirt Design & Printing and creating matching accessories. At the end of the day, you’ll get to take home your Golden Glitter Poms along with the T-shirt & Accessories you’ve made, so you can continue being a K-Pop Star! Age: 5-11 years. Harpenden Academy, 9.30am-3.30pm. £30 for the day. Booking open!

For all enquires and bookings please email admin@trafficlightarts.co.uk 

Santa Comes to Studham

Get ready for a magical festive experience in the heart of the woods! Join us for a cosy Christmas adventure the whole family will love.

Early bird offer: £10 off all tickets booked before 30 November 2025.

Event Highlights:

• Gather round the firepit with a warming hot chocolate
• Enjoy a marshmallow toasting experience under twinkling lights
• Follow the fairy-lit trail to discover Father Christmas in his woodland grotto
• Every child receives a special gift of their choice

Event Slots:
Choose your preferred time:
3–4pm | 4–5pm | 5–6pm | 6–7pm | 7–8pm
(Limited availability – early booking recommended!)

For more information & to book tickets, please visit https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/santa-comes-to-studham

Can you help with the FoHA website...

We’re looking for someone with a bit of website know-how to help us develop and improve the Friends of Harpenden Academy (FoHA) webpage. If you have experience with websites (even just a little!) and could spare some time to support us, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Gwendoline on 07929240131.

KS2 Xmas Movie Night

https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/xmas-movie-night-ks2

Grab Your Popcorn - It’s KS2 Xmas Movie Night!

Join us for a fun-filled evening with a family-friendly movie, snacks, and great company.

Monday 8th December (Key Stage 2)

Time: 3.20-5.15pm

Venue: School hall, Harpenden Academy

£3.50 per child including a drink and snack

Don’t miss this chance to relax, have fun, and enjoy a night at the movies - FoHA-style!

FoHA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please see the calendar below for a reminder of upcoming events this term.

• Quiz & Chips 7 Feb 2026
• Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt 3 April 2026

Happy Birthday to:Hamza Y (R), Musa C (Yr1), Harry T (Yr1), Rupert M-T (Yr1), Priya G (Yr3), Winter H (Yr4), Thea L (Yr4),

Bobby G (Yr4).

Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies

Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies

Join the Wheathampstead Wanderers Year 5 Girls Football Team!

Love football or just want to give it a go? Come and be part of a fun, friendly, and supportive team where every girl gets to play, learn, and shine! Whether you’re a future Lioness or just starting out, we’d love to have you.

Train, make friends, and build confidence while having loads of fun on the pitch!

Open to all Year 5 girls — no experience needed!

We train at KWS on Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 

email Karen at kstanden.wwfc@outlook.com