17th November 2023
Dear Parents
Trust Anti-Bullying Conference
The highlight of this week was taking 12 of our Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 pupils to the Trust's first ever primary Anti-Bullying conference. They were joined with a range of children from all our sister schools in the Trust with primary aged children.
The children were being trained in being Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and looked at the definition of bullying. They discussed the difference between bullying and 'banter' plus how their role of Ant-Bullying Ambassador will develop. They spent time in the afternoon thinking about how we can create a culture of safety in school. These children will now be our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and support their peers within school to help ensure all members of our school feel safe and happy.
The children and staff who attended had a great day and I am really very excited to see how the role develops over the year.
Remembrance Day Assembly
Thank you to those parents who attended this event last week and who took the time to email in your thoughts and praise for the children on the day.
We are quite rightly proud of our tradition surrounding this special day and we are so very pleased that parents recognise the commitment of our children and staff to mark this day.
Today we marked Children in Need and everyone looked 'spotacular' in their outfits! We held our book swap and it was so lovely to see children so enthusiastic about their new books! During break and lunch times the children had the opportunity to go on a Pudsey hunt and then some children also designed a new and fabulous outfit for Pudsey in our costume competition.
Local Amble Walk
As part of our anti-bullying week this year, we took the children on an autumn amble. This fits nicely with our Hearts and Minds project and our commitment to the five ways to wellbeing. During this Colours of Nature Connection Walk, the children connected with each other, got active and took notice of nature. A few classes headed out en masse and ventured over to Rothamsted Estate to enjoy walking and talking. The theme for anti-bullying week this year is Make A Noise About Bullying. The focus is on being an upstander rather than a bystander and choosing respect and unity. As we walked, we highlighted the benefits of having positive and respectful interactions with others.
Reminder of November Occasional Day and INSET day
We have an occasional day on Monday, 27th November plus and INSET day on Tuesday, 28th November 2023. The school will be closed to children on these days.
SAVE THE DATE:
Comedy Night - Saturday 10th February 2024
Updating Your Address with the School
To ensure that our school database is up-to-date, please inform us of any changes to your address. You can easily do this by visiting the 'Update Information' tab of Edulink. Thank you!
Website Photos
We have our website photographs updated and many of them are now on the website so please take a look.
We will be approaching some parents shortly to see if we can use your child's photo for our new window wraps later this term. This will make our building really look like a school from the road side. Would you believe we still have people coming into check if we are the old library! Hopefully the window wraps very much confirm what we are and add curb appeal.
Odyssey Cinema Trip
We will be taking the whole school to the Odyssey cinema for their Christmas film on Tuesday, 19th December 2023. I am aware that lots of information has been sent out regarding this whole school trip already. The deadline to sign up is just one week's time which is Friday, 24th November. So please can parents take time to sign up to this event via Operoo so we can confirm coaches. Thank you.
SJL Lower School Music Concert
I attended the SJL Lower School Music Concert as a parent on Wednesday night. I was again so impressed by how many ex Harpenden Academy children were taking part and showcasing their musical ability.
We sent up less than 30 children last year and yet our ex-children now in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 were very much in attendance at the event, showing their skills, resilience and strength of character. Amazing and well done to all of those children and their families - I'm so proud of you all. You truly gained your wings at our school and have proved you are secondary ready and flying.
Parent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Meeting, 29th November 2023
Last year we set up a committee of parents to support with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues in school. We are keen to continue you this year and it is not too late to join in. We will be having a meeting on Wednesday 29th November at 2:30pm. At this meeting, Mrs Withers will give an overview of what we have already actioned and what will be taking place this year, including the work we are doing with Herts for Learning around Race Equity in school.
Please confirm with the school office if you will be attending on this day.
Parent Coffee Mornings
A reminder below is the timetable for this half term's coffee mornings.
The presentations from the sessions can be downloaded from the parent coffee page of our website
| 24th November 2023 | Computing and New Technology |
| 1st December 2023 | History and Geography |
| 8th December 2023 |
Music Extra-curricular music opportunities |
| 15th December 2023 | PE |
Comedy Night - Saturday 10th February 2024
Easter Egg Hunt - Good Friday, 29th March 2024
Please be on the lookout for ways that you can support and volunteer for these events (& more)!
Beauty & the Beast Panto
Friends of Harpenden Academy have a group reservation for the Beauty & the Beast panto at the Eric Morecambe Centre on Thursday 14th December, 4.30pm, £15/ticket. Friends and family welcome! Please order and pay for your tickets by 11pm on Sunday 26th November.
Click here to buy your tickets
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALES
The holiday season is upon us - get in the spirit & support the school at the same time... buy your Christmas Tree from FoHA. PREMIUM NORDMANN FIR CHRISTMAS TREES ON SALE starting at £48 (5ft tree); can be delivered or collected from the school - Click here to buy a tree
Did you know that you can raise money for our school when you shop online via the below sites:
Easyfundraising (commission varies by retailer):
Choose Harpenden Academy as your charity and we will be rewarded!
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/harpendenacademy/
Use the below codes when purchasing your labeling option of choice:
Stikins (10% commission)
Code: 35586
Stamptastic (30% commission)
Code: AL54EN
Festival on the Field
We are very excited to support the 6th biennial Festival on the Field which will take place next summer 6th July 2024 at Sir John Lawes School.
The festival has gained a reputation as a high-quality family event where children and families can be entertained in a relaxing, fun, and safe environment. The event attracts up to 3,200 locals.
Use this link to buy tickets and HA will receive 40% of ticket sales: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/festivalonthefield1?ref=harpendenacademy
Happy birthday this week to: Eleanor, Rhoshen, Lucas, Henry, Mylo and Toby
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival Procession
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival Procession is a wonderful tradition for our Town and we are looking for new groups to join us this year. Schools, musicians, dancers, gymnasts, clubs, and other organisations are all welcome! It’s a great opportunity to have fun and promote your group.
If you are interested in taking part in the Carnival which takes place on 26th November 2023, please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
Please find below a poster & details of the ‘Messy Church’ event that will be part of the Christmas carnival on Sunday 26th November at URC Harpenden (the church opposite) Vaughan Road AL5 4ED.
