23rd January 2026

Dear Parents

It’s the third week back at school and the children and staff have settled back into the swing of learning after the Christmas break which is lovely to see. The children are all working hard and below are some examples of their writing from Year 5. The task was to write a persuasive letter to me regarding improvements in the playground.

Parents' Evening, 3rd and 5th February 2026

Just a friendly reminder to sign up for Parents’ Evenings on 3rd and 5th February through MCAS. If you are unable to collect your child at 2:30pm on these dates, please remember to book their after-care for the 2:30pm to 3:20pm session. If you require your child to stay at school post 2.30pm then please complete this e-form for each child. You need to sign up by cop today, Friday, 23rd January 2026 and we will be unable to accept any late requests. You do not need to complete this form if your child is being picked up at 2.30pm or if your child is booked into Owls Wrap Around Care.

A reminder there will be no Teacher or Contractor clubs running after school on the Tuesday or the Thursday. 

'Wear What You Love' day, 13th February 2026

On Friday, 13th February, FoHA is hosting a 'Wear What You Love' day! Children are invited to come to school dressed in their favourite clothes instead of their uniform. A £2.00 donation is kindly requested to support this event. Our finance department has set up the payment on MCAS prior to the day, allowing parents to make the donation easily. 

As we are now a cashless school, please ensure your donation is made through MCAS. 

Thank you for your support!

Mr King and Miss Harvey return to visit Harpenden Academy

Mr King (South Korea)

Hello wonderful Harpenden Academy - it's been wonderful being back for the day and hopefully I'll be popping in and out some more over the next week or so.  I'm especially interested in seeing how chess club is developing in my absence - I hear wonderful things!  Life is going well for me and my wife and we're excited to welcome our first baby in June!  I've been teaching at a primary school in Geoje Island in South Korea, but it's their winter holidays now (January 15th - March 1st), as their school year runs from March to January.  Anyway, lovely to see you all and hope to see more of you over the coming weeks before I head back.

Miss Harvey (Australia)

​It was lovely to revisit Harpenden Academy and to see everyone.  Australia was totally beyond my expectations, and having the time and freedom to explore this incredible land was amazing!  During my year I visited 5 states, many beaches and lots of walks in different environments.  Some of the highlights include the Great Ocean Road, Uluru (formerly Ayres Rock) and the Blue Mountains.  I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family that live there, and  even found time to play some soccer! 

Year 4 Art

Year 4 have been getting hands-on in Art this term, as they prepare to make exciting dragon eye sculptures inspired by their own drawn designs. This week, the children have been experimenting with a range of mark-making techniques to create texture and pattern in clay, while also learning how to attach clay pieces securely using scoring and slipping. These combined skills will help them bring their dragon eyes to life, as they move on to the final stages of sculpting and painting.

Time Table Rock Stars (TTRS)Trust Competition

As we informed you in the newsletter last week, next Monday 26^thJanuary all the primary schools in the Trust will be taking part in a TTRS Trust competition. We would really love it if you can continue to encourage your children to carry on with the extra practice over the weekend, so that we could give the other, often larger schools than us, a run for their money!! 

INSET day - Reminder

This term we will be holding an Inset day on Wednesday, 4^th February. School will be closed to children on this date.

Trust Concert - Grove Theatre, Dunstable, Wednesday 11 March, 6.00pm, KS2 Choir Club

Please save the date. Tickets have not yet been released and we will shortly be sending out logistics via MCAS to the children participating in this event. KS2 choir and our orchestra have been asked to complete an eform if they would like to participate.

Choir eform

Orchestra eform

Booking is now open for February Half Term Holiday Workshops!!

Quiz & Chips tickets are now on sale

Please buy your tickets if you know you’re coming along.

Join us at Harpenden Academy on Saturday 7th February 2026 for what promises to be a fantastic evening of quizzery, prizes, raffle, fully stocked bar and a Godfreys meal of your choice (ordering food is optional).

We are delighted to announce that our Quizmaster will once again be the wonderful Neil Fuller, who runs several very popular local quiz nights including the always packed Thursday night quiz at Harpenden Arms. The bar will be operated by Platform Wines.

Sign up as an individual, a pair or a whole team (6-10 people).

Tickets are £12, or £18 with a Godfreys meal. The options are small cod, 7 piece scampi, battered halloumi or 2 sausages - all served with chips.

Quiz and Chips Night February 2026 — Friends of Harpenden Academy

Whether or not you can join us on the evening, our raffle is open to everyone.

£2 a ticket all straight to Friends of Harpenden Academy.

A host of fabulous prizes up for grabs, from meals at local popular restaurants, beauty treatments, and kids’ activities.

A full list of prizes will be confirmed nearer to the event.

Quiz and Chips Night Raffle Ticket — Friends of Harpenden Academy

FoHA meeting

Thanks to all who came along to the FoHA meeting on Wednesday. Lots discussed and lovely to welcome along some new faces.

SAVE THE DATE: Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt 3 April 2026

Tickets will be available soon.

Volunteering

We will be setting up a volunteering WhatsApp group (with more details shared via your Class Reps), and we would love you to consider joining. Whether you can spare the odd hour here and there or get involved more regularly, we’d be delighted to have you on board.

Happy birthday this week to:- Dany R (Yr1),  Alberto M-T (Yr1), Freddie L (Yr2), Edward D (Yr3), Jessica C (Yr4), Zuri-Lee T (Yr5), Austin E-M (Yr5), Olivia H (Yr6).  

Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies

Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies