The Puzzle of the Week is a Mathematics challenge run weekly. This week's puzzle is shown above. For every entry you will receive 1 house point, if you answer correctly you will win 2 house points and if you are the fastest person to answer the puzzle correctly then you will win 5 house points!  To enter, simply scan the QR code and fill out the google form.  Good luck! Why not play at home and see who is the quickest to get the answer?

KWAF are hosting their very first Outdoor Cinema Event, taking place at Katherine Warington School in Harpenden.

Thursday 17th July.
The Greatest Showman - 4:00pm
Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy - 7:30pm

Bring your friends and family for a fantastic evening of film, food, and fun! There will be plenty of delicious refreshments available, and for adults, a licenced bar will also be open throughout the event.

Get your tickets here.

Art & Culture Around the World

As part of E-W eek, a group of fabulous students took part in our Art and Culture Around the World activity, exploring artistic traditions from across the globe.

They experimented with Australian Aboriginal painting, practised the elegance of Chinese calligraphy, and tried their hand at Japanese manga-style drawing. The results were stunning, and we’re incredibly proud of the gorgeous artwork they produced.

A wonderful celebration of creativity, culture, and global inspiration.

A Day in London – Student Reflections

Earlier this week, a group of our students enjoyed an unforgettable day in London, packed with art, culture, and a touch of political history. From admiring portraits at the National Portrait Gallery to standing outside the iconic Number 10 Downing Street, it was a day full of memorable moments. Here's what one of our students had to say about the experience:

Our time in London today was both interesting and inspiring. Firstly, we visited the National Portrait Gallery, where we viewed a wide spread of paintings ranging from Tudor times to the present day featuring Harry Styles! We were incredibly privileged to have permission to gain access to Downing Street, and actually got to stand in front of Number 10, and pretend that we were important! We finished with a walk across Westminster Bridge, and along the Southbank, where we were treated to an ice cream by Mr Nicholls. I'd like to thank the teachers who accompanied us on this great day out!

E. Peters 9J

A Magical Day at the Harry Potter Studio Tour

A group of lucky students had the chance to spend the day at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, immersing themselves in the spellbinding world of Hogwarts and beyond.

From walking through the Great Hall to seeing real sets, props, and costumes from the films, the experience brought the magic of the stories to life in unforgettable detail. 

It was a truly enchanting day filled with wonder, excitement, and a deeper appreciation for the creativity behind one of the most beloved stories of our time.

Celebrating Languages: Share Yours With Us.

Do you speak another language at home or with your family? We want to hear from you!

At Sandringham, we’re proud of the  linguistic diversity within our school community, and we’re launching a new project to celebrate it.

We’re inviting students to record a short video of themselves speaking another language. It’s a fun and simple way to share a part of your identity and help others learn something new.

A few simple lines would be great:

Hello! My name is _________!
I speak English and __________!
My favourite word in __________ is __________!

Once recorded, please send your video to Ms F Baikie via your school Gmail account.

Get involved and help us celebrate the many languages that make up our amazing school community.

Rhineland 2025

The MFL trip to the Rhineland has also been in full swing this week, and it looks like everyone is had a fantastic time.

Highlights so far include visits to the stunning Cologne Cathedral, thrilling days at local theme parks, and lots of laughter shared amongst the group. With an end-of-trip disco, everyones spirits looked like they had the best end to a brilliant trip. 

We can’t wait to hear all about it in next week’s Sandprint, so stay tuned!

It’s been an exciting week for careers education at Sandringham.

First, our Yr 10 students began their work experience placements this week. We are incredibly proud of the maturity and enthusiasm they’ve shown as they step into the world of work. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and shine which we are sure they are making the most of.

Meanwhile, our Yr 7 students were treated to an inspiring workshop from Tesco, who visited earlier this week to share valuable career insights and opportunities within their organisation. The session sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, and we’re grateful to Tesco for helping to broaden our students’ horizons at such an early stage in their journey.

It’s been a brilliant week of opportunity and inspiration.

Reconnecting with Nature at Heartwood Forest

Students took part in a peaceful and inspiring day surrounded by nature at the beautiful Heartwood Forest.

Activities included scavenger hunts, plant, flower, and butterfly identification, den building, forest bathing, and even watercolour painting. All of which were designed to help students slow down, observe, and reconnect with the natural world.

Despite the heat, everyone embraced the relaxed pace of the day, making the most of the fresh air, open space, and stunning surroundings. A truly refreshing experience that left everyone feeling grounded and relaxed.

Geocaching

As part of this week’s exciting E-week activities, students took part in a fantastic Geocaching challenge around St Albans.

Armed with clues and curiosity, they set off to find hidden treasures dotted around the city. It was a brilliant way to discover more about the local area, enjoy some fresh air, and spend time walking with friends through our lovely hometown.

A great mix of adventure, teamwork, and fun right on our doorstep!

We were delighted to host our Visual Arts E Week activities which aimed to give students the opportunity to develop their visual recording skills and also have lots of fun while meeting and handling animals. During the three days of activities, students enjoyed visits from Zoolab, Safari Pete and we also visited Oaklands Zoo. Students particularly enjoyed the animal visits to site and it was quite incredible to see exotic creatures taking over Sandringham and students were especially excited for our visit from Mary the Meercat.

We would like to thank all students for their exceptional conduct and also to Zoolab, Safari Pete and Oaklands Zoo for ensuring our activity was particularly special and memorable for the students.

Mamma Mia and Wicked! 

This week, some of our lucky students had the wonderful opportunity to see the smash-hit musicals Mamma Mia and Wicked and what amazing shows they are!

With its iconic soundtrack packed full of ABBA classics, there was no resisting the music (even for those who might not admit to being their biggest fans). By the end of the performance, the whole theatre was on its feet, dancing and singing along to the unforgettable finale.

Wicked is probably one of the most talked about musicals at the moment given it's recent big screen adaptation. (Confession: it’s actually my favourite musical, so I’m a little jealous to have missed out on this one) I can only imagine there was a lot of “Defying Gravity” being belted out on the journey home...

A huge thank you to the staff who organised and accompanied the trip, experiences like these are such a special privilege, and memories our students will treasure.

The Dance department took our Yr 10 dance students to see the graduate company, Emergence, perform Joss Arnott's works in a triple bill at The Place theatre.

Amazing musicality and creativity in the style of contemporary dance which our students loved and talked about the parts that they liked on the train home!

Students can use this as inspiration as they head in choreography units next year. 

Success at British Masters Swimming Championships

We’re delighted to share that Mr D Smith achieved an impressive result at a major sporting event!

Last Friday, Mr Smith competed in the British Masters Swimming Championships at the London Aquatic Centre, the highest level of domestic Masters swimming in Great Britain. Taking on the gruelling 1500m freestyle, he finished in an incredible 2nd place with a personal best time of 19:49.24.

A fantastic achievement and a great example of dedication, discipline, and pushing personal limits.

Congratulations on such a brilliant performance!

Our Yr 8 students had a fantastic day out at Willen Lakes this week, making the most of the sunshine and the chance to try something new on the water.

Students had the opportunity to have a go at both paddle boarding and canoeing, learning new skills, building confidence, and most importantly, having a lot of fun!

The beautiful weather made the experience even more memorable, with plenty of smiles, splashes, and teamwork throughout the day.

A brilliant outdoor adventure and a great way to enjoy the summer sun.

Exploring the History of St Albans

This week, students have had a fantastic time delving into the rich history of St Albans, uncovering fascinating stories and hidden gems from the city’s past.

Highlights included learning why Bernards Heath played a key role in the Wars of the Roses, discovering why the Duchess of Marlborough funded local almshouses, and hearing the curious tale of a succubus said to guard the pubs of St Christopher’s Place.

The week ended on a high, literally, with students climbing to the top of the historic clock tower for an incredible view of the city. A brilliant blend of local history, mystery, and memorable moments.

As part of this week’s activities, students took on the role of detectives in a gripping crime-solving challenge.

Tasked with uncovering the truth, they worked in teams to investigate a fictional crime, interview two suspects, and then present their findings.

It was a brilliant exercise in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

We were incredibly impressed by the students’ engagement, enthusiasm, and attention to detail, some future forensic experts in the making, perhaps.

Students had a fantastic time at Go Ape this week, taking on high ropes, zip lines, and woodland challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.

In addition to the aerial adventure, they spent time exploring the woods and enjoyed a good game of rounders, the a perfect mix of excitement, teamwork, and outdoor fun.

A big well done to all the students who took part, you were brilliant.

Normandy 2025 - A Wonderful Start.

Our students and staff on the MFL Normandy Trip are having a fantastic time in France. From sunny beach adventures and exploring the historic town of Boulogne-sur-Mer to visiting the incredible Nausicaá Aquarium, it’s been a wonderful start filled with fun, discovery, and unforgettable memories.

We look forward to sharing a full write-up and highlights once the group returns, stay tuned for that soon.

Creative Creations in D&T: Minecraft-Inspired Action Figures

As part of this week’s activities, students in D&T took on a fun and imaginative project; designing and making their very own Minecraft-inspired action figures and accessories, based on their favourite TV and film characters.

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to develop new skills, get creative with materials, and bring their ideas to life. Best of all, they got to take home their unique creations as a special memento of the day.

A brilliant blend of design, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Today, a group of our Yr 7 students enjoyed a fantastic trip to Topgolf, where they had the chance to test their aim, practise their swing, and have plenty of laughs along the way.

Well done to E. Mitchell, A. Motyka, S.Heaney, and M. Bell for representing the year group so brilliantly and getting stuck into the experience with such enthusiasm.

A great day out full of fun, and learning new skills.

French: un déluge de

German: der Hagel 

Spanish: una lluvia de

Thinking Question: This week the translations are nouns rather than verbs. What might this tell you about the different languages?

H is for… hail [verb]

Definition: Fall or be hurled forcefully.

Example: Missiles and bombs hail down from the sky.

Synonyms: Barrage, Storm, Volley

Antonyms: Drip, Slight, Whisper

Etymology: Derived from Old Norse heill, meaning “health” or “good wishes”. 

Another slightly quieter week as things slowly calm down towards the end of the summer term. A little Tennis as Cricket to cover the week.

Tickets to CONNECT are now sold out on The Sandpit website, so thank you to everyone for leaping on those.

CONNECT is on Wednesday 25th June at 7pm.

It's going to be a brilliant celebration of Dance and we can't wait to see you all there.

Tomorrow evening step into a world of elegance, empowerment, and inspiration at the Miss Continental UK Grand Final 2025.

This spectacular evening celebrates the strength, confidence, and individuality of women from across the nation.

Watch as finalists take the stage in a dazzling display of beauty, talent, and purpose—competing not just for the crown, but for the opportunity to be a voice of change and empowerment. More than a pageant, it’s a movement—where every queen shines.

Saturday 21st June - 7:00pm

Grab your tickets here

Spotlight Youth Theatre present Cats!

The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories to Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Sunday 29th June - 2:00pm and 6:00pm

These tickets are selling fast so grab them before they go here.

In its 45th year, Dance Unlimited presents “Lights, Camera, Action!”

We are celebrating movies throughout the ages - a tribute to the unforgettable films, choreographers, dancers and iconic scenes that have inspired generations.

Saturday 12th July 1:30pm or 5:00pm.

Get your tickets here.

Get ready for a show full of fun, friendship, and fantastic dancing! This year’s showcase, “It Takes Two,” is all about famous duos — the perfect pairs who stick together through thick and thin.

From best friends and brave heroes to silly sidekicks and magical matchups, our dancers will bring these special partnerships to life on stage. With lots of music, colourful costumes, and styles like ballet, jazz, and street dance, every performance celebrates the joy of working together.

Come cheer on our amazing dancers as they show how teamwork, kindness, and a little bit of fun can make the perfect pair — because everything is better when you do it together!

Sunday 13th July 12:30pm

Get your tickets here.

The Summer Concert is next week and tickets have now sold out!

This concert involves students in our ensembles and choirs and is on 24th June at 6:30pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Skyswood School proudly present The Wizard of Oz

Based on the classic novel by  L.Frank Baum, Tom Kirkham's brilliant adaption of the Wizard of Oz sees the key characters of the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow join with  Dorothy on her quest along the Yellow Brick Road to find the Great Wizard. Toto has certainly grown in size, and a few surprise characters are introduced alongside the munchkins, winged monkeys and original cast.

Produced by The Schools Musical Company, the play is brought to life with a collection of fantastic songs and colourful characters.

16th and 17th July.

Get your tickets on The Sandpit Website