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?

A quick reminder that 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.

Summer Dance Show

Thank you to all who supported the Dance department for this year's summer dance show, Connect. Dancers did amazingly well, and a massive thank you our dance club leaders; without your commitment and passion to the department, the show would not be the same! Next up, planning Velocity 2026! What will the theme be I wonder... 

Hertfordshire County Council’s Services for Young People is offering an exciting Holiday Activity Programme this summer and it’s free for young people aged 12 to 16.

Held at the Links Academy in St Albans, the programme offers a wide range of activities including:

• Fun physical activities like sports, dance, and team games
• Creative sessions such as music production, cooking, and arts & crafts
• Free healthy food provided every day
• Informal workshops on healthy lifestyles and wellbeing
• A chance to socialise and make new friends
• Access to advice and information about other local services

Check out the attached flyer for more information and details on how to sign up - spaces are limited, so don’t miss out.

Languages Café Returns for Open Evening.,

The MFL Department is excited to once again welcome families, students, and visitors to the ever popular Languages Café during our Open Evening this Monday.

Come along to enjoy some light refreshments and put your language skills to the test in a fun, relaxed setting. Whether you're fluent or just starting out, everyone is welcome, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the joy of languages and explore what MFL at Sandringham has to offer.

We’d love to see you there.

National School Theatre Awards 2025

We were incredibly honoured to be nominated in four categories for this year’s prestigious National School Theatre Awards. A small number of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast attended the ceremony on Monday 23rd June at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. I am enormously proud and pleased to announce that Harry Molsom was awarded Best Actor in a Play for his role as Scorpius Malfoy in our production. This is a significant achievement, being judged against hundreds of schools across the UK for various school productions. To top off a very exciting evening, Harry was presented his award by none other than David Bradley who played Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film franchise – a full circle moment! The entire cast and crew should be so proud of such an accomplishment as an award such as this does not come without incredible support from the wider team.

“From the acting and choreography to the props, costumes, and set design, every element of this production drew the audience into the Wizarding World. Audible gasps echoed through the theatre as the magic unfolded—whether through spectacular visual effects, seamless scene transitions, or the artistry of the puppeteers. The skilful execution rivalled that of a professional West End performance. Harry’s immersion in the character was breath-taking, with impeccable comic timing and the courage to embrace silence on stage. His portrayal balanced vulnerability and strength, capturing Scorpius’s journey with remarkable nuance. Every gesture and expression embodied the character, leaving an indelible impression on the audience. Every cast member should take immense pride in their contribution to this production. The ensemble’s efforts created the illusion of a much larger cast, while the collaboration across the school in designing sets, props, and costumes showcased exceptional artistry. It is clear that the arts are thriving at Sandringham School. This performance was a testament to the dedication, creativity, and talent of everyone involved, both on and off stage. Truly, a magical evening!”

ParentPay Reminder: Check Your Account is Up-to-Date

A reminder for everyone - we kindly ask all parents to check their ParentPay accounts to ensure that payments are up-to-date before we break up for the Summer. Please also ensure that canteen accounts are cleared and topped up to avoid any issues. Keeping balances in check helps us continue to provide a smooth service for all students.

Thank you for your support.

Tuxedo's National School Theatre performance

On Monday 23rd June, Tuxedo Dance Company members had a thrilling day full of tech rehearsals, dance classes and representing the school and Dance as an art form at this year's awards ceremony. They did incredibly well and performed their hearts out! It was such an amazing experience; the opportunity to perform in front of over 1,200 people and be 1 of 15 schools selected to perform was an absolute honour. Well done, Tux and Liv Whitehead (company director). 

Sandringham Second-Hand Uniform Sale – Saturday 12th July

We’re pleased to announce our Second-Hand School Uniform Sale, taking place on:

Saturday 12th July
10am - 12 noon
Sandringham School

The sale will include a wide selection of branded school uniform items, including blazers, ties, and PE kit. We also hope to have a range of pre-loved football boots available.

This is a great opportunity to pick up high-quality uniform at a reduced cost  in prep for the new school year ahead. 

Donations Welcome!

To make the sale a success, we are looking for donations of good quality, branded school uniform and sportswear, including football boots.

Please note: due to limited storage, we can only accept school logo/branded items and sportswear.

Donations can be dropped off before 11th July at either:

• School Reception
• 15 Skyswood Road (in the shed on the front drive)

Thank you for supporting our school community and for helping promote sustainability by giving these items a second life.

Charity Run Success!

This morning saw a fantastic turnout for our annual Charity Run - It was great to see so many staff running alongside students (or trying to keep up with them), all in the name of supporting our three school charities.

Despite the high number of runners, our marshals did a brilliant job keeping everything running smoothly. A big thank you to everyone who helped before, during, and after the race, whether guiding runners, handing out raffle tickets, or supporting students on the field.

The energy was high, the fancy dress was fabulous, and the school spirit was truly on show. Don’t forget - you can still donate via ParentPay to support our chosen charities.

Great job everyone!

A Magical Night in Wonderland

Our Alice in Wonderland themed Yr 11 Prom was a huge hit and a truly unforgettable evening! The hall looked absolutely incredible, transformed into a magical wonderland thanks to the creativity and hard work of everyone involved in making it happen, a massive thank you to all who helped pull it together.

The students had a fantastic time celebrating the end of their school journey in style, as you can clearly see from the smiles and dancing on the night. What a brilliant way to wrap up the year for this amazing group, a well deserved celebration and a night to remember.

Artsweek Dance workshops

The Dance department was buzzing with excitement all week with the amazing workshops on offer. Thank you to Motionhouse and Alex Gardland, as well as all our dance alumni who came back - great to see the younger ones inspired. 

Free Course for Parents: Talking Additional Needs

Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 2-19 with suspected or diagnosed additional needs? Join our FREE 6-week in-person course, "Talking Additional Needs," starting this November.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents, carers grandparents and other adults, share experiences, and find support in your local area.

When: Wednesdays, 7pm - 9pm

Dates: November 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th November and 3rd, 10th December

Where: Reddings Family Centre, Harcourt Road, Bushey, WD23 3PE

Also available as an online course via Zoom, 9:45-11:15am on 17th, 24th Sept, 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Oct 2025

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Spaces are limited, so book now using the referral form below.

Please see flyer for further information, or contact Supporting Links with any questions: 07512 709 556, bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk

Turing Triumphs on Sports Day!

A huge congratulations to Turing House, this year’s Sports Day champions! Their determination, team spirit, and effort across all events truly paid off so well done to every student who took part.

A special shout out also goes to the Shakespeare staff team, who stormed to victory in the staff relay for the second year running! Back-to-back champions - lets not let it go to their heads now shall we.

The PE department would like to give a massive thank you to all staff for your tireless work and support throughout the day. From marshalling events to cheering on students, you helped make it what we think was the smoothest Sports Day yet, even with a bit of early morning drizzle. As always, the whole school pulled together, and the atmosphere was incredible.

Another shining example of how special our school community is.

Thank you all.

Join Us as a School Governor – Make a Difference

We are looking for passionate and enthusiastic individuals to become Governors across several of our schools, with a particular focus on the primary sector.

We are a dynamic trust of 10 schools, including 1 infant, 1 junior, 3 primary, and 5 secondary schools.

No prior experience is needed – just your passion and willingness to help shape the future of our schools. We provide full training and ongoing support through our Ambition Academy programme.

Interested in getting involved? Contact our CEO, Alan Gray, at GrayA@aetrust.uk to find out more.

Hertfordshire County Council’s Services for Young People is running the Positive Pathways Summer Project - a fantastic free opportunity for young people aged 13 to 17 to get involved in positive activities during the summer holidays.

The project focusses on helping young people to:

• Build confidence and social skills
• Make informed decisions and set personal goals
• Learn practical life skills
• Develop personalised action plans with support from Youth Workers
• Take part in a range of fun and engaging activities

Check out the attached flyer for more information and how to book your spot.

We’re pleased to share an exclusive discount for Sandringham parents from Barracudas Holiday Clubs, which is perfect for keeping children active and entertained over the summer break.

Barracudas is offering £20 off a full week or £4 off per day - with over 80 exciting activities for children to enjoy.

It has flexible booking options, so it’s a convenient and fun solution for busy families.

Check out the flyer attached for the exclusive discount code.

We’re Hiring!

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

- Technical Theatre Manager

- Assistant Librarian

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.

FO$S would like to thank all the volunteers who helped serve the parents drinks at the Year 11 Prom. It was wonderful to see all the pupils dressed up and to be part of the event.

Over the last year Fo$S have raised £14,000 for the school. All money raised goes back into funding equipment and experiences for the students. Some of the projects we have supported this year are:

- contributed towards the electric minibuses

- VR headsets for design technology

- digital theatre subscription for English

- staging for drama

- reading pens for learning support

Plus a lot more - thank you for all your continued support!

With such a lot of sport going on this week I thought we’d better have the autobiography of one of the UK’s best athletes - Unbelievable by Jessica Ennis.

On 4 August 2012 Jessica Ennis kicked off what some described as the greatest night in British sporting history. For her it was the end of a long, winding, and sometimes harrowing road.

Hers is an inspiring tale of following your dreams no matter what life throws at you.

Unbelievable is a refreshingly candid account of her rise to fame in a highly charged world in which body image issues and drug abuses lurk. From the unique pressures facing her, to behind-the-scenes glimpses into the greatest show on earth, and a revealing account of her love-hate relationship with her long-term coach, Jessica reveals the truth behind the smiles for the first time.

This is the story of how the girl next door became London’s poster girl, and how an ordinary woman used an extraordinary talent to claim the title of the world’s greatest all-round female sports star.

French: jeune

German: jugendlich

Spanish: juvenil

Thinking Question: Which two European languages are most closely related to English?

J is for… juvenile [adjective]

Definition: Childish; immature.

Example: She's bored with my juvenile conversation. 

Synonyms: Childish, Immature, Youthful.

Antonyms: Mature, Experienced.

Etymology: From Latin juvenilis, meaning “youthful” or “young”.

A huge well done to our Yr 9 and 10 Girls Gaelic Football Team, who proudly represented Sandringham at the All Britain Gaelic Championships this week.

The team displayed fantastic skill, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the tournament, narrowly missing out on a place in the final by just one point in the semi-finals. Their impressive performance earned them a well-deserved 3rd place finish.

Congratulations girls, we’re very proud of you.

This week, 16 lucky Yr 7 and 8 students had the incredible opportunity to cycle around the iconic Lee Valley Velodrome, an experience they won’t soon forget.

The students conducted themselves brilliantly throughout the day and should be extremely proud of the progress they made in such a short time. From nervous first laps to confident riding, it was inspiring to see their confidence grow on the track. 

Well done to all involved, a fantastic achievement and a day to remember.

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.

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