1st December 2023
Dear Parents
Welcome to the festive edition of the newsletter.
For those of you who have been to school today you will have seen Christmas has arrived. Thank you to FoHA who came to decorate the hall on Thursday night - it's beautiful. The staff and I are responsible for the entrance with Laura Jones taking the credit for Stay & Play's entrance to the school.
The biggest thank you of all though goes to Dermot, our amazing caretaker, who made the sleigh. There are no ends to his talent and he has made our entrance truly magical.
Christmas Activities
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 5th December 2023 | Reception & KS1 Nativity (adults only) | 6.00pm |
| Wednesday, 6th December 2023 | Reception & KS1 Nativity | 9.30am |
| Wednesday, 6th December 2023 | Christmas Carol Rotary Club Concert - Selected children from choir |
7.00pm |
| Friday, 8th December 2023 | Christmas Jumper Day | |
| Saturday 9th December 2023 | St Nicholas Festive Fayre - Choir Singing | 10.00am |
| Tuesday,12th December 2023 | Christingle Rehearsal | 10.00am |
| Tuesday, 12th December 2023 | Mayor's Carol Concert - Choir | 6.00pm (5.30pm meeting Mrs Moss) |
| Wednesday, 13th December 2023 | Christingle Service KS2 Children - St Nicholas Church | 6.30pm |
| Monday, 18th December 2023 | Christmas School Lunch | |
| Tuesday, 19th December 2023 | Whole School Trip to Odyssey Cinema (Children can wear Christmas Jumpers) |
9.15am |
| Wednesday, 20th December 2023 | Break for Christmas holiday | 12 noon |
Unpleasant Incidents
Last week I was made aware of a rather unpleasant incident that happened in the Bower's Way car park on Friday after school. While I have no jurisdiction out of the school building and school hours I really don't like the thought of our children witnessing adults swearing and shouting at each other. It's deeply unpleasant for everyone involved but especially children who genuinely find this behaviour scary. The emails I have received have all been forwarded to the Police Community Support Office (PCSO) linked to our school so he is aware and he is able to pick up this incident.
Photo Permissions
Please can parents double check we have the correct photo permissions on Edulink. You can do this by clicking on the 'Update Information' tab of your Edulink wheel and then clicking on your child's profile. There is a drop down list to select your consents.
We had an incident this week where a parent unwittingly gave permission for photo usage and didn't realise until we used the photo. A great deal of upset can be avoided if parents can check and get back to us if this is not what you want.
The First Blast of Winter
We have had the first indications that winter is around the corner and with that comes the snow.
Historically, we have always tried to keep the school open on snow days. This is mainly due to my staff living within walking distance of the school. I thought it might be wise to share our procedure of snow alerts with parents now so we are prepared.
A decision will be made in the morning by 7.00am on:
- Whether to open
- Time to open
- Arrangements for drop off/pick up
This decision will be made by Headteacher, Mrs Davies. This decision will be posted on the website by 7.15am. All parents will also receive an Edulink email notification.
School Jumper Day, Friday 8th December 2023
We will be taking part in 'Christmas Jumper Day' again this year. If any parents have spare, outgrown Christmas jumpers which you can donate to the school, we would really appreciate it.
We keep these for the children who might not otherwise be able to join in with the day. If you can help us in this area that would be terrific.
Aspens Select New Month of December 2023
Please can parents ensure they have booked their children's school dinners for the month of December. We have had a lot of children without school dinners this week. Please can you double check your Aspens Select.
Christmas School Lunch, Monday 18th December 2023 (date changed)
On Monday, 18th December 2023 we will be having our school Christmas lunch. Aspens has now the Christmas dinner option on Aspens Select. This is the only option of food on that day, so we really hope that as many of your children will join us - even as a one off meal on that day. Please place your orders by Monday, 4th December 2023.
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 Aspens to book your school lunch then please contact the school office.
Please also ensure your 19th December 2023 school dinner option is selected too.
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
| 8th December 2023 |
Music Extra-curricular music opportunities |
| 15th December 2023 | Humanities - Geography and History |
SAVE THE DATE:
Comedy Night - Saturday 10th February 2024
FOHA NEED YOUR HELP!
It’s that time of year again…Christmas Trees! Annually this is our biggest fundraiser and we need help to continue its success. So, if you can spare an hour (or so) we'd love your support!
KEY TIMES:
As in previous years, we will need all (GLOVED) hands on deck for the unloading of trees Thursday 7th December, currently expected around 10:30am. Dads are generally very good at this but anyone (including agile family members) is welcome to help! Takes an hour max if we have plenty of helpers.
We will also need help with tree collections (9:30am-10:30am) & deliveries (9am-1pm) on both Friday 8th & Saturday 9th December — any time you can spare will be greatly appreciated.
Ready to join the Christmas Tree Team? - click here to sign up>> https://signup.com/go/iDpjNCx
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)!
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: Bobby, Owen, Cleo and Elodie
Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies
Please click here to view our Scholars' Education Trust vacancies
