Year 9 and Year 12 students have been busy completing portraits of children from the Cameroons for the international charity The Memory Project. The Memory Project is non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and kindness between children around the world through school-based art programmes and more particularly painting portraits.

Our students made an exceptional effort in these difficult times to create outstanding portraits, which have been warmly received by the charity. We are really proud of the care that students took in creating them and hope you enjoy looking at the results. 

FOSS will be holding a meeting on Wednesday 28th April from 6.30pm details below. This is open to all and we will be discussing the way forward with FOSS following a year of minimal activity due to the pandemic. We would like your input and help to relaunch FOSS and get back to raising valuable funds as well as having fun and creating a community around the school.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ywv-hvkh-scs

Thank you! 

Aspiring engineers in Year 12 have been meeting each week, giving presentations on emerging technologies and engineering research. The header picture shows Harry R-N presenting on the subject of superconductors.  We are hoping this year’s engineers will make strong UCAS applications, and if any of you have contacts who could provide valuable work experience then please let us know.

In other news, Design Technology students in Year 10 and 12 are making plans to construct a wind turbine. After putting it together there will be the challenge of designing the electrics and deciding on the optimum position for catching the right amount of wind energy.

And in Year 7, students have recently spent some time after school in the wildlife garden. As the pictures below show, they were pond-dipping and making bug hotels! They are looking at developing the wildlife garden in all sorts of ways, including restoring the outdoor classroom, growing crops in the raised beds, increasing the diversity of plant species and creating a peaceful environment to spend time in.

A huge well done to Ridhi in Year 7 who raised an amazing £1000 for Cancer Research through her bake sale during the Easter holidays. She baked an impressive 45 chocolate chip cookies, 30 tahini biscuits, 40 macaroons, 3 Victoria sponge cakes and 2 chocolate cakes for family and friends to enjoy. The fundraiser was in memory of her grandma who passed away with cancer three years ago. We are very proud of Ridhi and know that the money will be greatly appreciated at a time when funding has been so affected by Covid-19. You can read more about Ridhi's efforts and support her here.

If you have any stories of students going above and beyond in the community, please email melissa.holian@sandringham.herts.sch.uk with more details. 

A huge well done to Dhanu G in 9H who gained an impressive 96% in his Grade 5 Music Theory exam, earning him a Distinction. Teacher Mr. Boris Peck was incredibly proud of him and we would like to congratulate him on such an outstanding result. 

If you would like your son/daughter to feature in the Student Spotlight, please contact Melissa.holian@sandringham.herts.sch.uk with any details/photographs that you would like included. 

Families may be aware that the new Children’s Commissioner for England has launched ‘the Big Ask’, a project that aims to find out about children’s concerns and aspirations for the future. We will be encouraging our students and families to complete the brief survey linked to the project; full details can be found here

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigask/

C3 is named after Doreen Massey, a philosopher, empirical researcher, educator and political activist whose geographical publications dramatically changed the way people understood the world and how we live in it. 

Massey was born in Manchester in 1944 and despite her humble beginnings, went on to study at Oxford University and later the University of Pennsylvania receiving a master's in Regional Science. She then began her career at the Centre for Environmental Studies in London, establishing the basis for her theory on Spatial Division of Labour which looked at the organisation of certain production tasks in particular geographical areas and/or the concentration of certain economic sectors in particular regions. It provided a basis for explaining the uneven development of the space economy of capitalism. 

Massey's involvement in support groups during the 1984-85 miners’ strike also shaped her appreciation of the way gender, sexuality and race could reconfigure understandings of class. And her essay "Space, Place and Gender" in 1994 brought a feminist perspective to the rethinking of power relations. Her concept of “geometries of power” drew attention to the ways in which spatiality and mobility are both shaped by and reproduce power differentials in society.

Her many honours included the Prix Vautrin Lud (regarded as geography’s Nobel prize, though she declined the offer of being appointed OBE) and eight years after her death in 1996, she gained the Presidential Achievement Award of the Association of American Geographers. However, it was the political impact of her work that she valued most, for example when Hugo Chavez's government in Venezuela adopted challenging geometries of power as one of the motors of its Bolivarian Revolution.  Massey's legacy is a rich set of theoretical tools and powerful insights into the production of space and place. She remains a role-model for geographers who not only want to study the world, but to actively change it through progressive politics.

"Our overvaluation of speed (time here as only money) has robbed us of many things that are at least equally precious" .

For this week’s whole school theme, we recognise Earth Day in order to reflect on our individual and collective responsibility to protect the Earth for future generations. Since the start of the movement in the 1970s, Earth Day has been used to celebrate many important environmental events. This year, Earth Day’s theme is ‘Restore our Earth’ and the Biden Administration has decided to convene a global climate summit on Earth Day, to reignite the focus of our world leaders on sustainability and biodiversity. The students received an excellent assembly from Head of Geography, Mr Miller, that asked them to consider what steps the school and they as individuals can take to support a greener future. Our students are understandably extremely passionate about this topic and it essential that we support them in working towards creating a more sustainable world.

Our SLT Sustainability group have been working hard on creating posters to encourage fellow students to think about ways in which they can become more sustainable. Sometimes it can feel like an overwhelming task of where to start, but small steps such as taking shorter showers, Meat Free Mondays and walking where possible can make a difference. The poster above is being placed around school and we encourage you all to think about any small changes that you can make to help the planet. 

Free Vocal Lesson Trial Workshop!

We currently have some spaces for any students interested in receiving vocal lessons at school. Vocal lessons are very popular and cover a wide range of styles and genres from classical to musical theatre and pop. Some of our students enjoy working towards accredited graded exams and many enjoy singing for pleasure. Steve Jones our vocal coach at Sandringham is offering a free trial lesson workshop for any students interested in finding out more about what singing lessons are like. This will take place in school during the school day on a date to be confirmed before half term. If you are interested in signing up, please click here to complete the google form. I will be in touch to confirm details.

In line with the government’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions and associated disruption to the school calendar, there will not be a full E-Week this year. However,  the school is planning to resume trips, visits and large group activities in school as soon as we can do so and details of any taking place this academic year will be shared with families in the next few weeks. 

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online

We would like to remind you that the school pays for Encyclopaedia Britannica Online which students can access through MySandSTORM > Library > Britannica Online.

Instead of googling, students can search safely on this without adverts popping up to distract them. All content is aimed at KS3 or KS4 (they can choose the level) and suitable for school students. The articles are regularly updated and other safe sites are recommended within articles. There are articles, images, videos, short clips of music etc. Here is the YouTube tutorial for pupils and parents. Keep reading!

There will be a second hand uniform sale tomorrow, Saturday 24th April from 11.30am-12.30 outside C Block at Sandringham School. Please remember masks, hand gel and maintain social distancing please.

Please could any donations of good quality uniform to be dropped at 15 Skyswood Road beforehand. All proceeds to FOSS.

Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award has always been a huge part of Sandringham School life and it is with great sadness we heard of the passing of the man who through his life (and this Award) encouraged others to be resilient, show initiative and work as part of a team. Mrs Cuneen, the Duke of Edinburgh Co-Ordinator, asked students and staff for their memories of what the Award means to them and has gathered them in the document attached. We hope that you enjoy reading them and that it encourages younger students to continue to participate in an Award which gives them a chance to build new friendships, teaches them important life skills, allows a sense of adventure and helps to enrich the wider community as a whole.

Please can we remind that students should continue testing twice a week (Sundays & Wednesdays), these tests are to be used for people who aren’t displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus. Students should complete the two stages of result confirmation as outlined below:

–         Report results to the NHS via this website HERE

–         Let the school know via this google form: HERE

A reminder that if your child does receive a positive result they, and anyone who lives with them, should self-isolate immediately and they should get a PCR test to confirm the result. They should continue to self-isolate until they get the result of the PCR test and then follow the advice given when they get the result.  Full guidance can be found here.

If a student is unwell and showing COVID symptoms listed HERE  Fever (37.8 or higher), Fatigue, Cough or Loss of Smell then they must have a PCR test booked via the NHS, HERE .

FRENCH: Le mot de la semaine – loquace / bavard
GERMAN: Die Wort der Woche –  gesprächig
SPANISH: La palabra de la semana – locuaz/ hablador/a

Thinking questions:

1. The French and Spanish translations are similar to the English, but have different spellings – why?
2. Languages change over time – what might cause languages to change?

Mr Khan and Ms Lepoint in the MFL Faculty are starting a lunchtime French Club to encourage all budding Francophiles. All Year 8 students are welcome and it will run every Monday from 12.15pm to 12.45pm (in C11). They are very excited to be sharing their passion for France and French culture. The club will involve playing, watching and listening to French videos, talking, reading, and more…They would love the club to be interactive and student led so if this sounds like something your child would be interested in, please register via SOCS and they look forward to seeing you there. A bientôt! 

Every week the Mathematics Faculty publish a puzzle for you to try.  For every entry you will receive 1 housepoint, if you answer correctly you will win 2 housepoints and if you are the fastest person to answer the puzzle correctly then you will win 5 housepoints!  To enter, simply scan the QR code and fill out the google form.  Good luck!

YCH Services for Young People run a project called Creative Spark where SEN students can go and meet different young people, improve their communication skills and have fun. They do all sorts of different activities for young people including cooking, arts and crafts, playing board games and sports. The sessions run from 4:30 until 6:30 every Tuesday at the Harpenden Young People’s centre. You can contact ychsfyp.stalbans@hertfordshire.gov.uk for more details or call 01442 454060.

We are working with FEED again this month to organise a collection of non-perishable food items for those struggling to meet their needs in the St Albans area. This year has certainly been challenging and we would love to get as many donations as possible. From Monday 26th April for two weeks, please can students bring in any non-perishable items as possible to their form room to donate (ie packets, tins, toiletries but nothing perishable.) This is a house competition - so please do the best you can, and lets hope we can beat our School record of 2068 items.  

More important than beating records however, is a chance to make a difference to the lives of people from St Albans by donating and remembering the word RED. Recognise. Empathise. Do. You can find out more information here 

A message from the SLT.

"We are the Equality and Diversity team and we are creating a 'Culture Calendar'. We would like to be able to create an inclusive bespoke calendar for Sandringham that features events valued and celebrated by members of the school community. These can be religious, cultural or of other significance. Additionally we would also like to celebrate under-celebrated influential individuals who have had a positive impact in diversity representation or have been driving forces for equality throughout history/present day. We are keen to learn and be able to share the events valued by members of the Sandringham community, so we may work towards achieving a more inclusive environment. For that reason, we ask that you fill in this google form here to help us better understand the different cultures in our school community. Thank you!"

FOSS will be holding a meeting on Wednesday 28th April from 6.30pm details below. This is open to all and we will be discussing the way forward with FOSS following a year of minimal activity due to the pandemic. We would like your input and help to relaunch FOSS and get back to raising valuable funds as well as having fun and creating a community around the school.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ywv-hvkh-scs

Thank you! 

L is for… loquacious [adjective]

Definition: Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.

Example: He had a reputation for being loquacious.

Synonyms: Chatty, Garrulous, Voluble

Antonyms: Quiet, Silent, Untalkative

Etymology: From the Latin root ‘loqui’ meaning to talk.

This week, Mr Miller provided a brilliantly informative assembly on Earth Day 2021 highlighting some of the key environmental issues that need to be tackled in order to create a greener future. In particular, Mr Miller highlighted the need to restore green spaces and biodiversity and with Sustainability being one of our core focusses at Sandringham, we are looking at ways in which we can now "Unlock World Class Sustainability." 

We have already started to contribute to improving biodiversity as a school through the Heartwood Forest planting project, through planting 420 trees around the perimeter of the school and through our Rewilding efforts. And in a few weeks time, we will be enabling every student in Year 8 to plant a tree as our next 400+ trees arrive! We would now like to encourage students and families to take their own actions in this area and have some specific suggestions: Allowing a patch of lawn to grow wild, creating an eco-friendly bird feeder/bug hotel and/or engaging in a local clean up.

We will be running a competition as a school with prize draws for the winner of each section so please send your Earth Day photographs to worldclass@mysandstorm.org  or share with #SustainableSandringham or #SandringhamEarthDay. They can be in relation to the ideas above or anything else that inspires you from a Sustainability perspective. We will be widening out our ideas and suggestions to include other aspects of sustainability at the end of this half term as part of our activity in the St Albans Sustainability Festival run. There will be some fantastic prizes but, more importantly, your collective smaller efforts will make a big difference to our planet so we look forward to seeing your efforts.

Last week, our World Class Student Panel interviewed Miranda Perry, Director of World Class Schools Quality Mark. WCSQM is a charity concerned with developing the skills, competencies and characteristics young people need to thrive in an ever changing global economy. Miranda sent the feedback below, which we are so proud to share. 

"Thank you for your time today, and that of your colleagues.  I really enjoyed our discussions and interviews. Your ideas about what 'World Class' means were thought provoking and compelling.  I am very glad that you are involved in the World Class network, because you and your peers are the kind of students for whom we set up the charity; students whose sensitivity and sympathy, whose charisma, ambition and integrity mean that if the world is your hands, it is safe. At World Class, we look forward very much to working with you on the Symposium, and to future collaborations. "

It has been another busy week of sports clubs before, during and after school. Don't forget you can sign up using SOCS where the opportunities available to your child will be listed under their name. 

Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers are among his most famous works and are some of the most iconic paintings in the world. In an extraordinary exhibition, the Van Gogh Museum took a new revealing look at the five publicly owned versions of sunflowers in a vase. And once again, the Van Gogh Museum opened its doors exclusively to Exhibition on Screen. Tickets £7/5

Hailed as a masterpiece of 21st century dance, Akram Khan’s Giselle comes to cinemas for the first time, giving ballet fans the opportunity to see this award-winning production on the big screen.  One of the greatest romantic ballets, Giselle has been re-imagined by celebrated choreographer Akram Khan and English National Ballet. Tickets £13.50/£10

We hope everyone is keeping well. Through May, June, and July we have lots of exciting screenings coming to The SandPit. Including, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, Sunflowers, and Akram Khan’s Giselle. We look forward to opening our doors soon and welcoming you all back for some well-deserved theatre.

Following Government guidelines, you must wear a face covering while attending The SandPit Theatre unless you are exempt as stated in these guidelines. If you do not wear a mask you will be refused entry and your ticket will be forfeited. Our café will be during these screenings for drinks and snacks but please note we will only be accepting card payments. Alcohol is available for sale 30 minutes before the shows begin.

The box office is open from 11.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can call us on 01727 799565 or visit www.sandpittheatre.co.uk

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic story of love and conflict is set in the not-too-distant future in the ‘Verona Institute’. Here ‘difficult’ young people are mysteriously confined by a society that seeks to divide and crush their youthful spirit. Our two young lovers must follow their hearts as they risk everything to be together. Tickets £13.50/£10

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake comes to cinemas with a fresh look for the 21st century and is as bold and beautiful as ever. This thrilling, audacious and witty production is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm. Tickets £13.50/£10