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22nd May 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week’s special moment was the Year 5 play performed so beautifully by Dahl class. Hats off to the children and the staff who have rehearsed and rehearsed the play so that it was a treat for all the children and parents who came to see it. I know what a huge amount of hard work and energy goes into these events and they managed it so calmly yet passionately. Everyone connected to Year 5 should all feel so proud of themselves.

Photo collage

An evening of wine, antipasti & good company…

Last Friday, FoHA hosted a relaxed and sociable evening of wine tasting and Mediterranean-inspired antipasti.

It was lovely to see so many familiar and new faces join us for an informal evening of great wine, delicious food, and even better company.

A big thank you to Sarah Bristow for organising this event and to Felicity Gregg for helping out on the evening.

Wine

Table manners

I have noticed that the table manners of the children are really slipping. The children are not sitting down to eat but curling up on their legs and crouching on the benches, some are trying to stand up to eat, or walk around eating, not using a knife and fork or indeed a fork. When I question them about how they eat at home they tell me that this is how they eat….I struggle very hard to believe that. Our children at Harpenden Academy are quite familiar with eating out at restaurants/ cafes/ pub gardens etc and I am confident that these behaviours are not tolerated when eating out.

I will be investing in better tables and seating for the dining room as I accept that the current tables are not the best however, I am asking parents to please speak with your children regarding their table manners, remind them of your expectations too about how they are eating at school.

Thank you.

Class Photos, 1st June 2026 - note this is the first day back!

We will have our class photos taken on Monday, 1st June, the first day back after the May half-term. Please ensure the children come to school looking smart, wearing either their jumper or cardigan for the class photo.

We will send out the access codes for the photos once we receive them from the photographers.

Scholars Cup Year 6

This week we returned to Samuel Ryder Academy for another across primary competition this time for the Year 6 children. Sadly, again we didn’t win but it was so very close as we came second in the netball and third overall. The children were so competitive in the netball competition, but the footballers were up against some strong sides.

Walk to School Week – Monday 18^thto Friday 22^nd May

This week, we participated in Walk to School Week. Throughout the week, we encouraged the children to walk, scoot, cycle or 'park and stride' on their journey to school each day. The children also explored the many benefits of travelling actively, with a different focus each day from mental health to road safety. Our school councillors led daily class discussions linked to these themes, encouraging everyone to think about how walking, scooting or cycling to school can have a positive impact on our wellbeing, our community and the environment.

Year 1 and Whipsnade Zoo

Year 1 had a fantastic day visiting Whipsnade Zoo as part of their learning about animals. During their “Fur, Scales and Feathers” workshop, the children consolidated their knowledge by grouping animals according to their features and discussing the characteristics of different animal groups. They then explored the zoo to spot some of these animals in real life, taking a closer look at their fur, scales and feathers! The children were enthusiastic, curious and full of excitement throughout the day, and everyone had a wonderful time learning outside the classroom.

Collage zoo

Welcome back to Mrs Stanger

This week we saw the first of our maternity leave teachers return to school. Mrs Stanger came into school on Tuesday to meet the children and organise herself for the next term. She will be in school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and will be replacing Mrs Elderton for the remainder of the summer term.

Mrs Elderton

Mrs Elderton will still be in school for the rest of the year but on a more supply teacher basis. Thank you Mrs Elderton for covering one of our maternity leave teachers so calmly and conscientiously. I know that we will still be seeing you over the next half term, so it really isn’t goodbye. Thank you so much for your flexibility and “can do” attitude which is exactly what we needed.

Year 4 National Multiplication test

When we return the Year 4 children will be taking their national multiplication tests with every other Year 4 class in England. I know that the children along with Mrs Pratchett have been working away over the year to make sure that the children are fluent with their times tables. Over the half term holiday if the children have chance, a daily 15-20 mins on Times Tables Rock Stars, would be really helpful so that their knowledge remains fresh in their memories.

Legoland offer - Tuesday 23rd June 2026

FoHA is once again offering highly discounted tickets for Legoland on the Tuesday 23rd June inset day! A great opportunity to visit the park on a much quieter day than school holidays and for a great price. Anyone is welcome to purchase tickets through this link so please feel free to share with friends with pre-schoolers or anyone who may be interested.

Ticket price: £20 per person

Please purchase your tickets by Friday 12th June. Tickets will be sent out during the week commencing 15th June.

https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/legoland

Fun Run, Wednesday, 17th June - Whole School

Year 6 will once again be organising a whole school fun run for sports week on Wednesday, 17^th June 2026.

They will organise the marshalling and races as well as provide homemade snacks for our return to school. Please can parents make a £2.00 voluntary donation via MCAS to participate which includes your child's snack! All snacks will be nut and sesame free and will be shop bought or home made by our Year 6 children. If your child has an allergy and you would like to supply your own snack then please just drop this off at the office in a labelled bag on the morning of the race. If you would prefer your child not to have a snack then please send an email to the school office before the day of the fun run. The £2.00 payment item can be found in the store section of the MCAS Mobile App.

HAGT, Harpenden Academy’s Got Talent! Friday 3rd July (am)

As part of our Hearts and Minds project, we will be hosting a school talent show. Rather than a competition, it will be a celebration of the many talents our children possess. The final production will be in the morning on Friday 3rd July - SAVE THE DATE! All welcome to come along and watch. If your child would like to perform in our show, either on their own or as part of a group, please message the class teacher by Wednesday 3rd June with details.

Additional information:

all entrants will get to perform in front of their class (teachers will let you know the date for this via ClassDoJo)
staff will pick a variety of these acts to perform again in the whole school show on Friday 3rd July (up to 20 acts – otherwise, the show is too long!)
Fri 19 June and Fri 26 June - rehearsals for the whole school show

Acts might include singing, dancing, magic, comedy, juggling, sketches, recitals, gymnastics, reading poetry. Can your child do something amazing and unique that would come across well on stage?! We would love to see their talents. Plenty of practise at home helps the children to feel confident when it comes to performing so please support them to prepare over the next couple of weeks.

PS. Mrs Moss is already working with the choir on their performance. If your child is in the choir, there is no need to message the class teacher with details – the choir have already got a place in the final show!

Save the Date - Sports Day at Sir John Lawes (SJL) sports fields, Tuesday 14th July 2026

I can confirm that Sports day will be at SJL on Tuesday 14th July. The event will be starting at 1.30pm and we expect it will be completed by 3.00pm. FoHA will be organising an ice cream van like last year and also be providing the children with a drink and a biscuit to keep their energy levels up. Fingers crossed for the good weather!

Traffic Lights Half Term

Booking is now open for the second half term of Friday After School Creative Arts Club! There are also a few spaces left for the “Beauty & The Beast” themed Holiday Workshops during May half term. If you would like to book a place for either of these activities, please email Mrs Marchment directly: admin@trafficlightarts.co.uk

Sadie

Traffic lights half term

New Football Club

We have a new football club for Reception & Year 1 from 3.20pm-4.20pm which will be on Mondays starting on 1st June 2026 when we return after the May half term. This is a mixed football club for the little ones and parents can sign up using this booking link.

Football