Headlines

As we come to the end of a busy and vibrant half term, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from this past week.

We began the week with a two-day photo shoot, as a professional photographer joined us to capture fresh images of life at our school. These will be used to showcase our community on our soon-to-be refreshed website, on social media, in the SandPrint, and throughout the school itself. The photographer was full of praise for our students - their enthusiasm, energy, and kindness really shone through. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Dowling and Mr Cracknell for organising such a smooth and successful shoot. We can't wait to share the results.

For the past five years, Ms Unsain has led our successful Sixth Formers into Teaching programme, inspiring students to explore the world of education. On Tuesday, we proudly celebrated the achievements of 23 sixth formers who completed the programme, marking the occasion with a special lunchtime graduation ceremony. It was heartening to hear the students reflect on their experiences, with many expressing how much they gained from the opportunity, and some even sharing their decision to pursue teaching as a career. Congratulations to all involved, and best of luck as you take the next steps on your journey.

On Wednesday, we welcomed our School Governors for a tour of lessons and conversations with staff and students. They thoroughly enjoyed their visit and left with a deeper insight into daily life at our school. The afternoon concluded with their fifth meeting of the year, where they received updates from the senior team. We're very grateful to our Governors for their time, commitment and continued support.

Thursday marked our final Parent Teacher Consultation of the year, this time for Year 10. It was a pleasure to welcome so many families into school and to have the opportunity to reflect on the impressive progress students have made since beginning their GCSE and BTEC journeys. Thank you for your engagement, and well done to all our Year 10s for your hard work so far.

Some of our local primary schools are convening a meeting with secondary heads about the banning of smartphones in schools, certainly to the age of 14, but they suggest up to the age of 16. The reasoning is to support parents with the pressure to purchase their child a smartphone at a young age, and in particular, on transition to secondary school. We would be really interested to hear your views on this, so if you get the chance please do drop myself or one of the teacher team an email to express your thoughts.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who completed the Parent Survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and after half term, we will carefully review your responses as we shape our School Improvement Plan for 2025–2026. Every comment and statistic will be read and considered, your views really help us move forward.

Wishing you all an enjoyable half-term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2nd June.

Mr A Gray
Executive Headteacher

Upcoming Dates

26th May - HALF TERM
02nd Jun - WSS AUDITIONS
02nd Jun - 5:30 PM YR 8 NORMANDY INFORMATION EVENING
04th Jun - 3:15 PM WSS CALLBACKS
04th Jun - 5:30 PM YR 8 GERMAN TRIP INFORMATION EVENING
05th Jun - 5:30 PM AI PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING
05th Jun - DofE BRONZE QUALIFYING EXPEDITION

Absence Line

Phone: 01727 799564

Absence Email: (Available 24 hours) absence@sandringham.aetrust.uk

Please report ALL absences before 9:15am on the first day of absence and every morning thereafter.

Mr S Kemp
Assistant Headteacher

Headteacher Commendations

Aspiration

Alessia S9J
Alfie W9A
Annie M9J
Brayden L9S
Chloe H9J
Dana Z10N
Dylan S9H
Fox M7H
George D9H
Holly P9T
Isla C9N
Julia E9F
Kelly K9F
Oliver M9E
Oscar R7T
Ryan D7H
SamM 7T
Sophie R9E
Toby R9A
Tonia L7H
Will C7E
Yana M9J
Yasmin E8S
Zachariah I9J

Confidence

Initiative

Adam C8F

Integrity

School News

VISUAL ARTS NEWS

On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon this week, Yr 10 students took a coach to Milton Keynes Theatre to watch a performance of ‘An Inspector Calls’ - a play we are studying for GCSE English Literature. The set was incredible - the play opened with rain, mist and a dark London street, with the first dining room scene out of sight inside a closed-off town house. The set, effects and music all helped to bring the text to life, with the house used as a metaphor for the Birling’s shattered family life and bubble of ignorance, eventually breaking down (which made some of us jump out of our seats) as the events unravelled. 

The play visually demonstrated the key themes we have been revising and helped us to imagine what a 1945 audience would have felt watching something like this - probably with fewer special effects! We thought the portrayal of the characters wasn’t always quite as we imagined from the text but that’s what made it interesting; especially Sheila and the Inspector, who were some of the highlights of the play. We are all very grateful for the opportunity to see this. Thank you to all the teachers who were involved in making this happen, we had a wonderful time!! 

 Ani K and Alexa H 

Ani K and Alexa H

HOUSE NEWS

 HOUSE POINTS

The top 3 spots remain unchanged going into the half term. Lets hope everyone gets a rest, and comes back recharged and ready to make a final push for the top spots.

  1. Hepworth 22,322
  2. Austen 21,097
  3. Johnson 20,200

Special mentions this week:  

  • J Koter (12N), M Dasu (7J), K Wroblewski (7J) & M Duncan (7J) – 12 – Most points this week
  • Newton for winning this weeks house points – 469
  • Johnson for leading this months house points – 1460
  • 7A for the highest average points in their tutor group (178.4)
  • 9T the highest quiz score total – 165/220
Mr D Keenleyside

SCHOOL NEWS

AI INFORMATION EVENING  

We are hosting an online information evening for families about AI use.  We hope to share our experiences of supporting students to use it responsibly and be informed of the potential risks of AI use for their academic success.  We think this will be particularly helpful for families with children in Years 10 and 12 as they move into their exam years at Sandringham, but all families are welcome to join.

This event will be hosted via Google Meet on Thursday 5th June from 5.30pm and we anticipate that it will close at approx. 6pm. 

A link to access the event is here.

Ms C Creaby

CLUB NEWS

Save on summer childcare with Barracudas Camps
Barracudas activity camps are back this summer with 80+ exciting activities for children aged 4½–14! 
Book before 5th June to save up to £74! Plus, families at our school can enjoy an additional £20 off with our partner code SCHOOL20.  
Barracudas offers flexible, fun and Ofsted-registered childcare from 8.30am - 5.30pm (with Early & Late Clubs available from 8am to 6pm) - perfect for working parents. 
Book now to secure your space and enjoy a summer full of fun and peace of mind! 

Mrs T Dowling

PUZZLE OF THE WEEK

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?

Mr J Hill

VISUAL ARTS NEWS

Yr 9 End of Year Art Exam.

As part of the KS3 end-of-year art exam, all students were tasked with producing tonal drawings, whihc is sometimes a true test of patience, observation, and technical skill.

Yr 9 students took on the challenge by drawing their own shoes, linking this to their ongoing self-identity project. While some found it difficult to dedicate two full lessons to a single drawing, others embraced the opportunity, producing highly detailed work that could have easily taken twice as long.

The results were impressive across the board. Well done to all of Yr 9 for your focus, creativity, and fantastic efforts.

Mrs T Dowling

COMMUNITY NEWS

Step Forward - Emotionally Based School Avoidance Drop-In Sessions

Free support is available for any families experiencing challenges with school attendance or emotionally based school avoidance. Drop-in sessions run every Wednesday from 1–3pm at The Pioneer Club, Heathlands Drive, St Albans, AL3 5AY.

There’s no need to book, just come along for a friendly chat and some helpful advice.

Ms M Morris

CAREERS NEWS

We’re Hiring!

Come and be part of our fantastic team here at Sandringham. We’re currently looking for:

- Teaching Assistant.

If you, or anyone you know would like to be part of our passionate and dedicated team, please visit here for more information and to apply.

Mrs T Dowling

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Sienna's Sensory Approach to Art

Sienna in Yr 7 is a shining example of how creativity knows no limits. As a visually impaired student, she approaches her art lessons with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a love for experimentation.

Recently, Sienna explored marbling techniques using shaving foam and paint, creating beautiful pieces full of texture and pattern. Her work reminds us that while art is often seen as a visual subject, it can also engage all the senses. Through touch, texture, space, sound, and emotion, artists can connect with and interpret the world in powerful and unique ways.

Well done Sienna, your creativity is inspiring.

Mr T Dowling

STEM NEWS

Physics Challenge Results

Back in March, students from Yr 12 took part in the Senior Physics Challenge Competition. This is run by the British Physics Olympiad group at Oxford University, and they involve solving fun and challenging problems that are designed to stretch students beyond their A-level course. The results are as follows:

Gold awards: top 400 students in the country - H. Parkin, O. Fok

Silver awards: top 1100 students in the country - J. Bude, E. Vasylevskyi, A. Yim, MJ. Mutinda, S. Khan, A. Roy, B. Lockhart, M. Agboola, A. Bhat, J. Farrugia

Bronze awards: L. Belton, C. Dunlop, F. McKillop, A. Muratova, A. Kellett, S. Lakshmanan, S. Chekairi, R. Asad, S. Jimenez, C. Chinwike, E. Jones

Congratulations to all who took part!

Mr J Powell

THEME WEEK

The whole school theme this week recognises Pride Month.

This is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. LGBT Pride Month, often shortened to Pride Month, is a month, typically June, dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride. Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1968. The students received an excellent assembly from Drama teacher, Miss Arif, about the importance of showing respect and support to everyone in our school community.

Mr O Lacey

COMMUNITY NEWS

Half Term St Albans Foodies Festival

As always, there is so much going on in and around our lovely community over half term, so why not join the St Albans Foodies Festival 2025 from Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June for a weekend of food, music, and fun.

- Enjoy live music from Symphonic Ibiza, Example, and Blue – with Pit upgrades to get closer to the stage.
- Watch top chefs and MasterChef champions in action, or take part in a hands-on Cook School (£25).
- Learn BBQ tips from Dragons’ Den stars Lumberjaxe and join in the fun with food challenges and chilli-eating contests!
- Bake with GBBO stars, explore the Great Taste Market, dance at the Silent Disco (£8), and sample global street food and drinks.
- Kids can get involved at the Prept Kids Cook School.

Weekend tickets from £14 a day. Come and go all weekend - fun for the whole family.

Tickets can be found here.

Mrs T Dowling

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

A huge congratulations to Liv, Mimi, and Marelie, who have made history with their Oaklands Wolves U18s football team. The talented trio helped secure their third trophy of the season, completing a remarkable treble win for the second year in a row!

This incredible achievement highlights their dedication, teamwork, and sporting excellence. We are proud to celebrate their success and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next, both on and off the field.

Congratulations girls, what a brilliant achievement.

Mrs T Dowling

DANCE NEWS

Over the last few weeks, our Yr 9 Dance Leaders have led dance sessions for Wheatfields Yr 5 classes.

On Tuesdays, the lovely Yr 5s arrive at the dance studio doors ready for an hour of dancing exploring the theme of superheroes. All of our fabulous Yr 9s have planned and led with confidence and patience, showing the qualities needed to teach all year groups successfully. Super proud of you all and looking forward to working with you in your last assessment leading dance fitness sessions in Fit for Life week!

Ms F Willmott

FOSS News

FO$S NEWS

Join the Fo$S Team

Friends of Sandringham School (Fo$S) plays a vital role in supporting our school community through fundraising, events, and parent engagement. We're currently looking for enthusiastic individuals to join the team, particularly anyone interested in taking on the roles of Chair or Secretary.

These are fantastic opportunities to make a real impact, work closely with the school, and help shape the future of Fo$S. No previous experience is necessary, just a passion for supporting the school and a willingness to get involved.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please email: friendsofsandringhamschool@gmail.com or visit: sandringham.herts.sch.uk/foss

We’d love to hear from you.

Mrs T Dowling

Literacy News

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian.

Britain, 1940. With World War Two raging all around, young children are being sent from their homes in the city to the countryside for safety. When eight-year-old Willie Beech first arrives on Tom Oakley's doorstep, neither are quite sure what to make of each another.

Maya M, Yr 8, who has recently read Goodnight Mr Tom says, ‘William has had a really difficult life. He is evacuated during WW2 and has to go and live with Mr Tom. Then he is summoned back by his difficult mother and has to try and survive his mother’s neglect. William goes through a lot and the book is sad in parts but it’s also very good.’

Ms E Critchley

WORD OF THE WEEK TRANSLATED

French: détourner

German: unterschlagen

Spanish: malversar

Thinking Question: How do languages change over time?

Ms F Baikie

WORD OF THE WEEK

E is for… embezzle [verb]

Definition: Steal or misappropriate (money placed in one's trust or belonging to the organisation for which one works).

Example: She had embezzled thousands in company funds.

Synonyms: Misappropriate, Purloin, Misuse

Antonyms: Give, Receive

Etymology: The word derives from the old French verb embesiller -  the prefix en- (meaning "in, into") and besillier (meaning "to destroy or ruin").

PE News

ATHLETICS NEWS

Track & Field Triumph - All Teams Through to Regional Finals!

Last weekend, four of our athletics teams took part in Round 1 of the National Cup, competing against some of the top schools in Hertfordshire, and what a day it was!

Each athlete took on two events, earning points for their distances, heights, and times. Our students delivered incredible performances, with many achieving personal bests, which is a true reflection of their dedication and training.

All four teams finished 1st 🥇 an exceptional achievement both individually and as teams. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.

Bring on the Regional Finals!

Mr D Keenleyside

ATHLETICS NEWS

Regional Combined Events

Fantastic News - 5 of our athletes have been selected to represent Hertfordshire at the regional combined events in Sutton.

A great achievement to secure a place in a strong county set up, so huge congratulations to:

  • T Russ
  • E Russell
  • J Rance
  • L Carlin
  • H Walker 
Mr D Keenleyside

UPCOMING FIXTURES

A little Basketball to finish off this half of term, and then it's a well deserved break for the next week.

We'll be back at the start of June with more Athletics and Tennis. Rest up in the sunshine if its stays!

Mrs T Dowling

ATHLETICS NEWS

County league 4

As our students put on their spikes for the final time before half term, they came up against some competitive opposition. With a few teams at the meet pushing for the top 8 in the league, every point secured was crucial. Well done to everyone who took part, some outstanding performances were given.

Athletes of the meet:
U14G - S Sacoto 🥇
U14B - S Knowles 🥇
U16G - E Walton 🥇🥇
U16B - R Durkin 🥈🥈🥇

Mr D Keenleyside

CRICKET NEWS

Yr 9: This team have made it through to the county plate semi final this week beating Simon Balle School in a very close match. The target of 133 was set by the home. It took 18 and a half overs to chase down and take the win.

Special mentions to Roe with 3 wickets, a bau dart catch from Holian and then 44 & 38 runs scored by Rowland & Russ.

Well done team!

Mr D Keenleyside

GOLF NEWS

Week 4 Sandringham Golf Society

20 students take to the fairways for a relaxed round of 9 holes at Wheathampstead Golf Village. The sun was shining, spirits were high, and it was a fantastic evening of sport, fresh air, and friendly competition.

A big well done to all who took part, it's great to see so many students getting involved and enjoying the game. We look forward to seeing even more progress and fun in the coming weeks!

Mr D Smith

Sandpit Theatre

SUMMER CONCERT

Summer Concert

Preparations for our Summer Concert are well underway and tickets are now on sale!

This concert involves students in our ensembles and choirs and is on 24th June at 6:30pm. Tickets can be bought directly from the Sandpit Theatre here.

Ms A Stothard

CONNECT

The Dance department are busy preparing for our summer showcase and look forward to welcoming everyone back to our final dance performance this year.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday 4th June on The Sandpit Theatre website.

CONNECT is on Wednesday 25th June at 7pm. We are expecting this to sell out quickly so please buy tickets early to prevent disappointed. 

Ms A Davies