22nd March 2024

Dear Parents

Today we had the return of lovely Mark the science guy!  The children love Mark and his science activities.  It really switches on their brains and ignites their “interest”.

This morning EYFS and KS1 learnt all about Adaptation and Camouflage.  Year 3 had a workshop on Biodiversity, Year 4 and Year 5 covered Electricity & Circuits and Year 6 participated in heart dissections. 

We all really enjoy Mark being here and the children ask so many wonderful questions and see that science is ‘real’ not just in lessons.

Bikeability

Year 6 have now completed their 'Bikeability' course ready for Year 7.  This is always an exciting week with a few fears faced and overcome.  The resilience and grit of the children comes through over the 5 days of 'Bikeability' – both characteristics the children will need as they progress towards Year 7.  Year 6 is such a year of growth as the children finish off Year 6 and start to become secondary ready.

FoHA Needs You!

Friends of Harpenden Academy (FoHA) has always been an intrinsic part of being at Harpenden Academy. We rely heavily upon the financial support FoHA provides and the opportunities they are able to create for our children which sit outside of our normal budget. More than that however, FoHA is the link between school and parents. The stronger the link between FoHA and school the more we - children, parents and staff - feel the benefit and feel supported.

Therefore we are in a  bit of a dicey situation as we find ourselves without a Chair of FoHA. Without a Chair to direct, guide, support and organise the support of our parents we are a little like a ship without a rudder. We have a great group of parents who will rally and support everything the school requires, but at the end of the day someone must take the lead and responsibility.

Please, is there anyone in the parent body who is willing to step up and take on the role of FoHA Chair? You will not be abandoned to cope by yourself as we have a hugely supportive and experienced former Chair to hold your hand and guide you.

if anyone is interested either see me or Shavalyea for a friendly non commital chat about the role. Thank you. 

Year 2 Teachers

Mrs Stanger will be returning from maternity leave after Easter and will now be working part-time. She and Mrs Cooper will be job sharing the Year 2 class. We are thrilled to have her back after her maternity leave, and I am sure parents and children alike will give her a warm welcome return to school.

Voices in a Million

On Wednesday, choir went to Wembley to take part in Voices in a Million, where we sang in a mass choir of over 6,000 children. Voices in a Million were celebrating 15 years of the event which has been raising awareness for Adoption UK. We enjoyed singing all the songs, dancing and watching the amazing performances that took place during the concert. Thank you to Mrs Moss, Mrs Caulfield and the lovely parent volunteers for coming with us to the concert, it was really appreciated. 

Smart Watches/Mobile Phones

Smart watches/devices that record video, take photos or can receive or send messages/calls are not allowed in school. This is because they are a safeguarding risk as well as a distraction that interrupts learning. We ask that parents do not allow children to bring smart watches / mobile phones to school because they are a safeguarding risk. If a child needs to contact a parent or carer, they can do so swiftly from the school office.

Similarly, if a message needs to be conveyed from a parent to a child, the school office will take these calls and pass the necessary information on promptly. Children who use public transport or are lone walkers may bring mobile phones to school to enable them to contact parents/carers regarding travel arrangements. Use of mobile phones is not permitted during the day. All phones must be named and should be handed in to Reception first thing in the morning where they are kept securely in a locked cabinet. At the end of the day, they are returned to the children. 

Easter Service, Thursday 28th March

On Thursday 28^th March at 10.30-11.30am we will all be going to St Nicholas Church for our Easter Service. 

Like last year, if parents can send the children in with a few flowers each such as daffodils, tulips, roses etc.  Any flower with a long stem, that would be brilliant.  We use them during the service and won’t be returned to you.

We will provide buckets at each entrance for children to put their flowers in.

A reminder we finish at 12 noon on Thursday, however if parents attend the Easter Service they will be able to take their children when it finishes at 11.30am.   Please fill in the Edulink form so we are all aware  of which children are staying or going home. Thank you.

Too good to go – Food waste app that is helping struggling families

Too Good To Go is an app that aims to help tackle the ongoing problem of food waste. It is a free app that allows you to buy unsold food from supermarkets and local cafes at the end of their service to prevent the food from being thrown away. This can give people access to perfectly good food at a much cheaper price whilst saving the environment at the same time! 

This app is a great way to get access to food at a cheaper price and has been helping those that need it most right now. The new app lets you pick up a large box of food before it goes off for just a few pounds to save the supermarkets from throwing it all away.  

  

Teacher and Contractor Clubs

There are still spaces on all our teacher clubs.  Please book your child's place on the Edulink app. 

The full timetable of clubs can be found on our school website. 

All clubs will start on the second week we return to school after Easter, on w/c Monday 22nd April 2024 and finish on 8th July 2024.  

Easter Holiday Cheer Camp at Harpenden Academy

Sophie has been into school to run some very successful cheer lessons and she is starting up her own Monday morning Cheer class in the school term from 7.45am-8.25am.  Please see the above link to access the link to sign up to these classes.

In addition, Sophie will be running an Easter holiday 'Cheer camp.'  If you would like to register for this day camp on 10th April then please sign up using this registration e-form. 

FoHA Chair Position

We are looking for a parent or two parents to chair or co-chair Friends of Harpenden Academy. We are in great need urgently to fill this position. We know that there are many parents who would want to participate and we would love to welcome you into our friendly committee to plan fundraising events for our wonderful school.

Please consider emailing FoHA at friendsofharpendenacademy@gmail.com to talk through the possibility even if you're hesitant! 

2024 Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt

Join us on Good Friday for the renowned Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt - hosted by the Friends of Harpenden Academy. The hunt is suitable for children of all ages with tickets at £5 per child including an Easter egg prize, free kids activities provided by Fizzbug & Little City St Albans and of course, an appearance from the Easter Bunny! Also on the day: face painting, glitter tattoos, food, bar operated by Platform Wines and much more!

Buy tickets here: https://www.foha.co.uk/fohashop/p/easter-egg-hunt

Do you have a company that sells baked goods or do you know someone that does? Would you/they be available to be a stallholder at the Easter Egg Hunt? We are looking for one or more businesses to come and sell some delicious treats between 11am-4pm (for a small stall fee of £25). If you are interested, or would like to find out more, please pass on your details to us via the class reps or email us on friendsofharpendenacademy@gmail.com

Please click here to view our Harpenden Academy vacancies

Summer Term Girls’ Football - For girls in Reception and year 1 and school years 4 - 6 - Saturday mornings at Roundwood Park School

We are running a girls' only Football Group for girls in Reception and Year 1 and school years 4 - 6 over the Summer term. This is part of our usual Saturday coaching programme for boys and girls at Roundwood Park School. The Groups are open to girls of all ability levels.

Reception and Year 1 -  9 -10am.  

School years 4 - 6 -  10 - 11am.  

We play on the grass behind the tennis courts and have a team of Coaches, all of whom are PE teachers at local schools.

For further information, please email – info@kingssoccerschool.com