Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of our School Community,
We have had another fantastic week of learning at our primary school! Our pupils have continued demonstrating their commitment to learning and engaged with their education positively and enthusiastically.
Our value last week was kindness. The children were encouraged to show random acts of kindness across the school, as these gestures can make a huge difference in someone’s day and life. Here are some examples of acts of kindness shown:
- Complimenting someone on their work
- Holding the door open for someone
- Playing with someone new on the playground
- Smiling and saying hello to someone you pass by
- Making thank you cards
- Offering to help someone with a task
The staff and I thank the children for spreading kindness throughout the school community. I would also like to say a big thank you to the children in the Nursery for the picture they left on my desk – it brightened my day!
I also had the pleasure of spending time with the Year 6 class. In English, they have been exploring descriptive writing and have produced some incredible pieces of work. Their use of language and attention to detail has been impressive, and we are so proud of their progress in this area.
We look forward to Science week as this is an excellent opportunity to inspire and encourage our pupils to explore and engage with the world of Science. The theme for 2023 is ‘Connections’. By making science fun and accessible, we can help our pupils develop a love for Science and inspire them to pursue careers in it. Please keep an eye on Class Dojo and Twitter to see what we get up to. Why not have a go at some of the activities suggested as a family and share these with us? Or encourage your child to enter our poster competition with the chance to win an exciting prize. Please see the details attached.
SCHOOL VALUE OF THE WEEK (W/C 13th March 2023): Curiosity
Values Roll of Honour: (W/C 6th March 2023):
| Resilience | Ezekiel, Naomi, Lucca, Hayli, Matthias, Michaela, Aaron R, Martin, Ved, Israel, Thandiwe, Orla, Elisha, Nathan A-C, Thiago & Rutendo. |
| Acceptance | Eva, Gabbie, Aurelia, Stephanie, Chloe, Aaron R, Martin, Thandiwe, Aniyah, Jadon, George, Unami, Shemilore & Amy. |
| Independence | Thomas, Lerato, Philip, Sophia M, Nathan R, Ved, Micah W, Thandiwe, Aniyah, Elisha, Marqueza & Austin. |
| Curiosity | Richard, Aaron W, Matthias, Joycellin, Fatima, Israel, Martin, Ved, Evelyn, Hana, Thandiwe, Aniyah, George, Jadon, Christiana, Timothy & Finley. |
| Excellence | Phineas, Lerato, Joycellin, Idelle, Ved, Martin, Micah W, Thandiwe, Orla, Nathan A-C, Rhea, Austin & Amy. |
| Self-Control | Abel, Aurelia, Mahlon, Philip, Michaela, Aaron R, Martin, Micah w, Ved, Martin, Thandiwe, Aniyah, Jadon, Elisha, George, Sophia G & Rutendo. |
| Respect | Mehdi, Stefan, Parshva, Michael, Ved, Evelyn, Martin, Thandiwe, Orla, Nathan A-C, Jadon, Aniyah, Barbora & Finley. |
| Cooperation | All of Nursery, Lucca, Mahlon, Zara, Hana, Ved, Martin, Evelyn, Thandiwe, Orla, Aniyah, Elisha, George, Zachary & Shemilore. |
| **Growth Mind-set ** | David, Aurelia, Hayli, Idelle, Hana, Ved, Martin, Thandiwe, Orla, Aniyah, Jadon, Elisha, Micah A-C & Amy. |
Stars of the Week (Headteacher Awards) W/C 6th March 2023:
| Nursery | Thomas |
| Reception | Stefan |
| Year 1 | Parshva |
| Year 2 | Truthi |
| Year 3 | Hana |
| Year 4 | Thandiwe |
| Year 5 | Rhea |
| Year 6 | Nomsa |
Keep letting your light shine! I am so proud of you all.
Attendance W/C 6th March 2023:
Each school in the local authority has an attendance target that is set for them. This year our school attendance target is 96%. Of course, we do not expect children who are unwell to come to school. They need to stay at home and rest to get well. They also need to stay at home, so they do not pass on illness to others.
Any child who arrives after the register has closed is classed as an unauthorised absence, unless a suitable reason is given, and this is authorised by the Headteacher. All children who arrive late (after 08.50) MUST report to the school office and be signed in by an accompanying adult. A frequent pattern of ‘lateness’ would need to be addressed with the parent by the Headteacher and, in some cases, our attached Attendance Improvement Officer from Hertfordshire County Council. As little as 5 minutes late a day will result in your child missing the equivalent of three days of school across the year.
| Year Group | Attendance % |
| Nursery | 95.45% |
| Reception | 88% |
| Year 1 | 100% |
| Year 2 | 76% |
| Year 3 | 92.5% |
| Year 4 | 88.46% |
| Year 5 | 100% |
| Year 6 | 100% |
Congratulations to Years 1, 5 & 6 for 100% attendance this week. All classes with 100% will receive an additional 15 minutes of playtime this week.
Lateness:
We have observed that sometimes children can become anxious or embarrassed when they arrive late to school and have to enter the classroom when learning has begun. We understand, of course, that there can be exceptional reasons for lateness. It is, however, a parent’s legal responsibility to have his/her child in school for registration. Children can be in school from 8:30 am each day ready for a prompt 8:45 am start. A frequent pattern of ‘lateness’ would need to be addressed via a meeting with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Headteacher.
Medical/Dental Appointments:
Please hand in a written note to the teacher/school office or telephone the school office. This ensures your child’s attendance is recorded correctly. Please contact the office if your child is unable to attend school by 10:00 am every day in line with our school policy.
Red Nose Day – Friday, 17th March 2023:
This Friday, 17th March 2023 is Red Nose Day. The children are asked to bring in a £1.00 donation in order to wear red and a Red Nose on the day (no red hair dye please). This year, Amazon has been announced as the partner for Comic Relief and will be selling its brand-new red nose. The new nose for 2023 has been designed by Sir Jony Ive, who was previously the chief design officer at Apple and is made almost entirely from plant-based materials.
The money raised from Red Nose Day 2023 goes towards tackling the root causes of poverty and social injustice. This year, the focus on fundraising will be on supporting those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
HSA Family Quiz Night:
We’re excited to invite you to a fun-filled evening of trivia, food, and community building! As part of the Stanborough Primary School family, we want to extend an invitation to our quiz night happening at Stanborough Primary School on Saturday, 18th March 2023 at 6pm!
Our school is hosting a quiz night to raise funds for the school. By participating, you’ll not only have a blast, but you’ll be making a real difference in our children’s lives. But that’s not all – this quiz night will also be a great opportunity for you to meet and network with other parents, your child(ren)’s teachers and community members in a relaxed, informal setting. We want to create a warm and welcoming environment where we can all come together to enjoy ourselves and make lasting memories.
Here’s what you can expect from the evening:
-A fun and engaging quiz that will challenge you and your friends!
-Delicious food and snacks on sale!
-A chance to meet and network with fellow parents, teachers and community members!
-The opportunity to raise funds for a good cause and for the benefit of all our children!
We would love to see you there! Everyone’s invited, not just Stanborough Primary School children and families. Please register your group’s attendance via this link:
Please help us by registering for the event by Monday 13 March 2023, however, we will still welcome anyone that wasn’t able to. Let’s come together to create a night of fun and community building. We can’t wait to see you there!
Packed Lunches:
Please be reminded that we no longer serve school dinners and that you must provide your child with a packed lunch daily until further notice. We have received a number of queries with regard to bringing hot food from home as a packed lunch. We are happy for you to do so, but please use a suitable container – NO GLASS. Unfortunately, staff are unable to reheat the food.
Swimming Lessons – Spring Term Second Half Reminder:
Please be reminded that swimming lessons have now been changed to a Friday morning at Everyone Active, Watford Central. Children are required to wear their full PE kit (instead of the full school uniform) with the school logo visible as they are representing the school and we wish to maintain our high uniform standards at all times. Children are required to bring trunks/a swimsuit (one-piece swimming costume only), a towel and goggles in a separate swimming bag. Please note when the children enter the changing area, they are required to remove their shoes and socks. Plastic overshoes are not provided so children may bring a lightweight pair of clean flip-flops to wear.
After the Easter break, swimming lessons will be on Monday afternoons (1.30 pm – 2 pm) for the whole of the Summer Term.
HSA Chair/ School Governor Vacancy:
We currently have one vacancy for the role of Chair of the Home School Association. If you would be interested in joining the Home School Association, please email the school office at info@stanboroughprimary.org.uk for further information.
Key Dates:
| Date | Event |
| 13th – 17th March 2023 | Science Week |
| 17th March 2023 | Red Nose Day |
| 20th March 2023 | Primary School Board Meeting |
| 20th – 24th March 2023 | Class Assessments |
| 22nd March 2023 | Cross Country (Years 3 – 6) |
| 23rd March 2023 | Years 3- 6 Band Practice 3:35 – 5.30pm |
| 29th March 2023 | Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal |
| 30th March 2023 | Spring Term Ends (School closes at 2pm) Spring Concert (Evening) 7pm |
See the link for our school calendar – https://www.stanboroughprimary.org.uk/calendar/
Finally, let us remember, “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17, NIV
Love and Blessings,
Tiann Madden
Headteacher
