The whole school theme for this week is ‘The Environment’. As a school we are committed to this cause and regularly make changes to our working practices in an effort to reduce our environmental impact such as installing solar panels to a number of buildings. This week students received an excellent assembly from Associate Headteacher Mr Neville who highlighted a number of inspirational examples of how people have come together to make a positive impact on our world. Alongside this during one form time students watched a short documentary highlighting the efforts some take around the world to help endangered animals who face extinction. We hope that students use these examples to feel empowered to make changes in their own lives and local communities.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Year 9 Launch

Following an assembly to Yr 9 on Tuesday, there is an Information evening about the Bronze Award for Yr 9 and their families on Wednesday 21st May at 5.30 in the school hall.

Year 10 Bronze Practice Expedition

On Sunday morning our large cohort of Yr 10s arrived at school for an early start on their Bronze Practice expedition. As always we divide the students into two halves, with Green half travelling to start their adventure near Whipsnade and Blue half travelling to Great Missenden and Hyde Heath to start their journey across the Chilterns.

Sunday saw sunshine and blue skies which made for warm walking conditions. There was a steady breeze which kept the temperature manageable. This Bronze practice expedition is, in many ways, the toughest for our participants as many are stepping into unknown territory in terms of navigating footpaths, carrying a large backpack and working independent of adult supervision. As always our students rose to the challenge and after a long day, all groups were safely in camp by 7pm. The next challenge was to pitch their home for the night and cook their dinner.  As part of the training programme the students had already pitched the tents on the school field and had practised using the stoves as well as learnt about suitable foods to cook.

Monday morning brought an early wake up with the birds starting to sing at about 4.30am. Blue half who were camping at Braid Wood had had some rain overnight but Green half  at Hudnall Park had a dry night.  The morning was bright which allowed tents to dry as students learnt the hard way about how to clean the Trangia (cooking stove) pans- there was a lot of scrubbing taking place.

Day two brought some challenging weather for Blue half with heavy rain and the distant rumble of thunder whereas Green half had no rain at all even though they were only a few miles apart which goes to show how localised British weather can be. IT was a tough day but all groups were successful and have learnt a great deal about what equipment to bring, how to use their navigation skills effectively , how to  work as a team and how to prepare thoroughly for their Qualifying expedition which will take place  on 6th-7th June.

A massive thank you to the large team staff who supported the students on this venture, offering guidance and advice. A massive well done to our students- reflect on your experiences and look forward to the next one.

Gold Award Presentations: Buckingham Palace

As our Bronze students were starting their expedition experience, some of our present and past students were celebrating their achievements at the end of their Award experience by attending the Gold Award Presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace. When a participant completes their Gold Award, they are invited to a Presentation event at a Royal Palace. On Monday 12th May, a group of past and present students went to Buckingham Palace gardens to receive their certificates and celebrate their accomplishments. It is a prestigious event which recognises the dedication and resilience of Gold Award holders. Well done to our Gold Award holders- you deserve your moment in the sun

Please remember to follow @Sand.trips for all your trips news as they happen.

This week, we’re shining the Student Spotlight on Yr 9 students Johnny and Sami, who recently celebrated a fantastic achievement on the football pitch.

Both boys play for Hemel Hempstead Town Youth Yellows, who were crowned champions of the West Herts Youth U14 Senior League Cup after a brilliant 4–2 win against Bushey and Oxhey Pumas in the final last Sunday.

A huge congratulations to Johnny, Sami, and their teammates on this well deserved victory. Another brilliant example of teamwork, dedication, and sporting success.

Year 8 Board Game Design in Graphics

Our Year 8 students have been busy in their Graphics lessons, taking on the exciting challenge of designing their very own board games. As part of the D&T curriculum, this project encouraged students to combine creativity with practical design skills.

Throughout the module, students explored existing board games, developed their own themes and concepts, and created eye-catching packaging and game elements. From bold graphics to thoughtful layouts, each design showcases the students’ imagination and attention to detail.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and creativity that’s gone into each project, and we’re looking forward to showcasing a selection of these fantastic board games at our upcoming Open Evening

On Wednesday of this week, a group of Yr 12 Historians participated In a recent inter-school debate organised by Parallel Histories.

Students prepared and argued for and against the motion: "Was Margaret Thatcher a great leader?" Parallel Histories foster critical thinking and historical empathy by exploring competing narratives on controversial topics. The debate provided students with an opportunity to engage with complex historical narratives and develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and historical analysis. By examining Thatcher's legacy through multiple lenses, participants gained a deeper understanding of how history is interpreted and the importance of considering diverse perspectives.

Well done to E. Gilardo, R. Yee, E. Sarrington, A. Foley and N. Vilojen, and the Chair of Parallel Histories, Bill Rammell.

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.

This week our Yr 8 students had the opportunity to attend an inspiring assembly led by Jess from Amber Mountain Marketing. As part of our ongoing series of careers talks, Jess shared valuable insights into the world of marketing and the various pathways into the industry, including the increasingly popular route of degree apprenticeships.
Speaking from her own experience as a marketing apprentice, Jess provided a real-world perspective that helped students understand both the challenges and rewards of this career path. A huge thank you to Jess for taking the time to visit our school and speak to our students.

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! 

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, 9E has been taking time each morning during tutor time to focus on activities that promote positive mental well-being. We've explored how small changes to our daily habits can have a big impact on our mental health. This week’s activities have included mindful colouring, yoga, and a community-spirited litter-picking walk, supporting both our well-being and the environment. Taking time to prioritise mental health is incredibly important, and these small moments can make a lasting difference.

Under 18s Open Mic Night - A Local Stage for Young Musicians.

Are you a budding musician aged 14 -18, looking for a chance to perform in a relaxed and supportive setting?

A new Under 18s Open Mic Night is being held at The Pioneer Club, offering solo artists and duos the chance to share their music in front of a friendly, welcoming crowd. Whether you're just starting out or have a few gigs under your belt, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent without the pressure of the usual open mic scene.

The event takes place on Wednesday 25th June, with doors opening at 6:30pm and performances running from 7:00–10:00pm.

Entry is free (donations welcome), and all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

To reserve a 15-minute slot, simply DM or email: events@pioneerclub.co.uk.

Whatever your musical style, this is your chance to take the stage and be heard. No pressure, no judgment, just great music and real people. Let’s hear what you’ve got!

HOUSE POINTS

The top 3 spots remain the same this week. Only one week to go before half term to make an impact.

1. Hepworth 21,784
2. Austen 20,658
3. Johnson 19,735

Special mentions this week:  

• T Somers (8S) (13) – Most points this week
• Johnson for winning this weeks house points – 353
• Johnson for leading this months house points – 994
• 7A for the highest average points in their tutor group (169.2)
• 9T the highest quiz score total – 157/210

We’re delighted to share some fantastic news about Abdoulie S. who is a former student from Farafenni – the school supported by Sandringham.

Abdoulie visited Sandringham in 2018, and many of you will remember the warm welcome we were able to give him. He has gone on to become the first member of his community to attend university, and we’re thrilled to share that he has recently graduated from the University of The Gambia with a degree in Economics and Maths. This is an extraordinary achievement, and one that brings immense pride both to his community and to all of us here at Sandringham.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years to support Abdoulie’s journey, this milestone is a powerful reminder of the impact your generosity can have.

Below is a very proud photo of Abdoulie at his graduation ceremony, marking this truly special moment.

We’re delighted to share a fantastic follow-up to our recent feature on Year 9 students Nell M and Erin C, with both girls have ended their football season with championship titles to their names!

Last weekend, Nell’s Hertfordshire Schools County U14 Squad made history by winning the National Cup Final, the first time a Hertfordshire county girls’ team has ever achieved this. The team played brilliantly at Stoke City FC’s stadium, securing a well deserved victory and capping off an unforgettable season.

On top of that, both Nell and Erin have helped lead the Watford FC Girls U14s to an undefeated league title, finishing the season with a flawless 18 out of 18 wins in the JPL League, an extraordinary achievement that reflects their talent and dedication.

A massive congratulations to Nell and Erin, well deserved!

Sandringham Golf Society enters first Team County Tournament

On Thursday 8th May, 3 of our Sixth Form golfers played in the Hertfordshire Schools Team Championship 2024/25. The event took place at Mill Green Golf Club, which had been set up to provide a real challenge with tricky pin positions and super-fast greens. The competition was a Stapleford format, with the two best of the three scores counting.

The team was made up of Harry B, Jack S and Harrison H. After an early set back, with Harry having to retire injured after 9 holes after an incident with a tree root. The other two battled on to finish a creditable 12th out of 21 teams. Special mention to Jack who shot an impressive 80 scoring 35 points and finishing with the 3rd best individual score of the day.

Well done gentlemen, the first of many golf successes for our new society.

Once again, congratulations to Chelsea. L, one of our talented dancers at Sandringham, for her outstanding performance at the Watford Festival of Dance.

Chelsea won 3rd place, earning 84 points in total which is an impressive achievement, so a real testament to Chelsea’s dedication, talent, and countless hours of practice.

Well done Chelsea, another fantastic dance accolade.

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?

French: respectueux

German: respektvoll

Spanish: deferente

Thinking Question: Which language is the official language of the most European countries?

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

This two book series has been really popular in the LRC this year and is a great starting place for those students who perhaps need something light hearted and easy to read after a busy day at school. They are a really good hook into reading for younger students as they are gentle, funny and contain themes that can be further explored in our longer length novels. ‘Sisters’ is the companion book to ‘Smile’ – both linked to above!

Deni M in Yr 7 has read the book and comments: “This is a really funny and interesting book. I loved the illustrations. Would highly recommend”

D is for… deferential [adjective]

Definition: Respectful.

Example: People were always deferential to him.

Synonyms: Courteous, Obedient, Reverential

Antonyms: Impolite, Rude, Unrefined

Etymology: Deferential" is derived from "deference", which comes from the Latin roots dē- (prefix meaning "down" or "away") ferre (meaning "to carry" or "to bear") and entered English in the 17th century, meaning "respectful submission or yielding to the judgment of another."

County league 2 

A good performance from all four teams as we battled against some tough opposition. As top three places were constantly shared across the afternoon it was good to see our students continue to push themselves and secure some PB’s and valuable points.

Athlete of the meet:
U14B - H Yang 🥇🥇🥈
U14G - E Power 🥈🥈
U16B - D Diaz 🥇🥇
U16G - E Russell 🥇🥇🥇

Yr 8: Fantastic work from our U13 tennis players this afternoon with all 4 winning their matches. Well done girls!

County league 3

An impressive display from our girls this evening earns them good points at the half way point. Our boys’ top four aspirations took a slight hit as a rotated squad came up against some good competition. A massive well done to those that stepped in 👏

Athletes of the meet:
U14G - L Dennis 🥇🥈🥇
U14B - E Morrison 🥇🥈🥉
U16G - B Silveira 🥇
U16B - L Daniel 🥇🥈

Tennis, Athletics and a spot of Cricket on next weeks schedule. A reminder to follow @Sand_pe for live updates. Good luck to everyone. 

U18 Girls - A great afternoon last week playing against Queenswood in the Youth Schools National Championships.

• Marelie 6-4 6-1
• Kaela 0-6 0-6
• Amelia 1-6 1-6
• Chloe 1-6 2-6
• M & K 1-6 1-6
• A & C 0-6 1-6

A huge thank you, and a sad farewell to Marelie and Kaela as they played in their last game for Sandringham before they leave for their A Level exams. It has been wonderful to see you play and develop over your time with us. We wish you all the best in your next adventures!

Yr 7 Boys: The first game for the Yr 7’s was in the County Plate vs Monks Walk. Monks Walk batted first, scoring a respectable 78 runs, which then Sandringham outscored securing their place in the County Plate Semi-Final. Congratulations boys, great start to your cricket career here.

Yr 8 Boys: A very tight game of cricket v Hemel in the County Plate, which was unfortunately cut short by the weather. Thankfully the boys had done enough to secure the win and progress to the next round. Well done boys, great effort.

Yr 9 Boys: This team have progressed through round 1 of the District Cup this week. A close game vs Beaumont who set a target of 100. After a few early batters fell, Rowland, Allen & Howard put some partnerships together to get us over the line with 10 balls remaining. Well done all.

Yr 10 Boys: A very even game against Roundwood in the County Plate unfortunately ends in defeat. Sandringham batted first and set a respectable 127 off their 20 overs. In return, Roundwood batted well, securing the win with 4 overs left and 3 wickets down. Special mention to T. Pritchard for his knock of 52.

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. 

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.