Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a delightful start to a new school year. We are looking forward to nurturing the hearts and minds of your children. I want to give an extra special welcome to all of the new parents who have joined our school family this term. Communication in any school is vital, so we aim to be forthcoming and transparent with everything we are doing- we want you to feel informed and involved in the exciting journey our wonderful school is on. This is your weekly Headteacher Blog- we aim for it to be a one-stop-shop for everything you’ll need to know about our school and what’s going on during the week/ or coming up. You will also receive a monthly newsletter.
The children returned to school last week full of excitement and energy for the coming year. They are thrilled to be back on site at the Primary School! I want to thank the Governors and Staff for their hard work over the summer months to ensure that school would be ready in time. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing pictures of the changes to the school and our new wellbeing room once it has been unveiled to the children.
Saffy, our school dog, was super excited to see the children again and she has enjoyed visiting the classes each morning. The children have settled well into their classes and the routines of school life. It was nice to see the children dining and playing together once again. This week we will reintroduce our top table for the Stars of the Week and Afternoon Tea with the Headteacher for children who exemplify our school values.
SCHOOL VALUE OF THE WEEK : Excellence
Values Roll of Honour (W/C 6th September 2021)
| Excellence | Aurelia, Lerato, Isaiah, Zara, Sophia Hana, Micah, Thandiwe. Kemuel, Jason, Diya, Christiana, Unami, Sophia, Shemilore, Nomsa, Gabriella and Caden |
| Resilience | All of Early Years, James, Ed-Mitchel, Martin, Ved, Thandiwe, George, Kemuel, Thiago, Amelia, Lucas and Eden |
| Independence | Elicia, Zara, Isaiah, Michaela, Sophia, Year 2,Year 3, Sophia Chris O, Tayla-Ann and Arjun |
| Co-operation | Nursey, Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 |
| Self-Control | Piers, Zara, Hana, Evelyn, Ved, Aaron, Micah, Year 3, Shemilore and Christopher D |
| Curiosity | Abel, Stefan, Phineas, Michael, James, Hana, Martin, Evelyn, Ved, Aaron, Micah, Aniya, Diya, Thandiwe, George, Rutendo, Emmanuel, Amanda and Jana |
| Acceptance | Reception Class, Isaiah, Chloe, Ved, Aaron, Martin, Diya, Thandiwe, Zachary, Noah and Reeya |
| Respect | All of early Years, Sophia, Michael, Michaela, Idelle, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 & 5, Isaac, Simona and Aaron |
| **Growth Mind-set ** | Year 1, Micah, Thandiwe, Unami, Rutendo, Marqueza, Oluwaloni |
Stars of the Week (Headteacher Awards) W/C 6th September 2021:
| Nursery | Aurelia |
| Reception | Philip |
| Year 1 | Zara |
| Year 2 | Micah |
| Year 3 | Thandiwe |
| Year 4 | Unami |
| Year 5 | Shemilore |
| Year 6 | Reuben |
Keep letting your light shine! I am so proud of you all.
| COVID-19 |
| As expected with the country moving to Step 4 of the roadmap, the school has had a few reported positive cases of COVID since opening last week. You will be aware that NHS test and trace now get in touch with close contacts, who are then advised to take a PCR test. Pupils under 18 identified as close contacts do not need to self-isolate if they do not have symptoms. Each school is required to have a contingency plan in the event of an outbreak. General COVID information Symptoms: • a high temperature • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours • a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal If you are not sure whether you or your child’s symptoms suggest that they have coronavirus or an everyday cough or cold, you can consult this online NHS symptom checker: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If you are concerned about your child’s health or the health of anyone else in your household please seek advice from your GP, use NHS 111 online https://111.nhs.uk/ or call NHS 111. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19: • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available • wash your hands as soon as you get to your destination • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards |
SHOULD YOUR CHILD DEVELOP ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS ABOVE, PLEASE INFORM THE SCHOOL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (VIA EMAIL) TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL CAN TAKE THE NECCESARY PRECAUTIONS IN-LINE WITH OUR RISK ASSESSMENT AND GUIDANCE FROM OUR LOCAL HEALTH PROTECTION TEAM. PLEASE SEND THE EMAIL TO EITHER head@stanboroughprimary.org.uk or info@stanboroughprimary.org.uk
Attendance W/C 6th September 2021 2021
Each school in the local authority has an attendance target which is set for them. This year our published school attendance target is 97.5%. Well done to Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 with a 100% attendance. We’re almost at the end of the academic year, just the last final push – let’s aim for 100% across all year groups this week.
| Year Group | Attendance % |
| Nursery | 98.41 |
| Reception | 94.74 |
| Year 1 | 96.0 |
| Year 2 | 100% |
| Year 3 | 100% |
| Year 4 | 100% |
| Year 5 | 100% |
| Year 6 | 97.47 |
Please contact the office if your child is unable to attend school by 10:00am every day in line with our school policy. We understand that the building is cold, but we have to keep the windows open for ventilation due to Government regulations, so please ensure that your children arrive at school with lots of layers to keep warm.
Admissions:
We still have vacancies for pupils who will be entering Nursery and Reception from September 2021. Please recommend us to other parents that you know who have school aged children. Please click on admission to register your interest.
Year 6 Transition to Secondary School
Thank you to all year 5 and 6 parents who attended our Secondary School Transition Meeting last Friday. Please be reminded that the portal is now open should you wish to apply for a Secondary School place. Please apply online at: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions
The application process closes on 31st October 2021.
Year 4 and 5 – Mock Transfer Tests
Mock Transfer tests are holding an open event at Queens’ school on Tuesday 14th September at 7 pm should you wish to know more about the secondary transfer 11+ tests.
Introductory Parents Meeting
This will take place on Wednesday 15th September 2021 at 7pm via Zoom (link will be shared nearer the time). Both the staff and I are looking forward to sharing our routine and plans for the coming year with you.
Wellness Wednesday
This week children in years 1-6 will spend the whole day completing military-style fun activities that will enhance their listening skills, boost their confidence, improve communication and teamwork skills. They will need to show resilience and determination with some of the planned activities.
Key Dates:
| Event | Date |
| Year 4 and 5 – Mock Transfer Tests | 14th September at 7 pm at Queens School |
| M.A.D Education Activity Day | Wednesday 15th September 2021 |
| Introductory Parents Meeting | Wednesday 15th September 2021 |
| National Fitness Day | Wednesday 22nd September 2021 |
| The Story of Aesop’s Fables Production | Wednesday 29th September 2021 |
See link for our school calendar – https://www.stanboroughprimary.org.uk/calendar-2/
Finally, let us be reminded to ‘Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness’. Colossians 2:7
Love and blessings,
Mrs T Madden
Headteacher
