Calling all alumni musicians! Join Ms Taylor-Paul for a two hour rehearsal on June 26th from 3pm – 5pm in the Music Faculty bringing together musicians from previous Sandringham years.  There will be a performance in the Sandpit Theatre on Tuesday June 28th and an opportunity to catch up after the concert.  Please confirm your attendance with either Ms Taylor-Paul or Mrs Beaton. Hope you can join us and please let friends know!

It has been a busy, few weeks for DofE at Sandringham.  Last weekend 135 year 10 students set out for their Bronze practice expedition in the Chilterns. They were divided into two cohorts- Blue group camped at Felden Lodge near Hemel Hempstead and Green group camped at Braid Wood near Chesham. Despite early forecasts of fine conditions, the weather decided to not co-operate and following a dry start to the day ,the rain began to fall and continued to do so for most of the rest of day 1. There was a brief respite in the early evening but then it rained continuously overnight. These were really challenging conditions for our participants (and the staff). Day 2 proved to be more settled although there were still some heavy showers to keep them on their toes and in their waterproofs. The Bronze practice expedition is one of the most challenging and the students did brilliantly. There were lots of aching feet, aching shoulders and aching legs but there were lots of lessons learned ready for the Qualifying which will take place on 10th/11th June. Groups have been busy this week planning their final routes, reflecting on their experiences and discussing their final plans for kit and food. The students were supported by a huge number of staff- we are grateful for their time, patience and expertise in supporting our young people.

Last Friday we said goodbye to our fabulous Year 11s. They have shown real maturity coming in to school this week for the start of their GCSE's and we wish them all the best in the upcoming exams. 

This week’s House Cup table looks very tight in 2nd-5th place with little between the 5 houses as Hepworth continue their dominance out in front. Shakespeare have had a fantastic week with almost 400 House points.

Please note this will affect Sixth Form students only. 

We would like to give you notice that from 1st June there will be a tariff increase taking effect on Starbucks drinks in the Sixth Form café. Whilst we have held off any tariff increases for as long as possible we are seeing market increases to products and deliveries combined with high inflation, particularly on dairy products. In order to try to minimise the impact of these increases, Chartwells have kept the base ranges of coffee and tea the same price.

New pricing will be listed in the Café from 1st June, but can you please ensure that Sixth Form students are aware of the pricing increases in advance of 1st June.

We said goodbye to our fantastic Year 13 yesterday with our usual Last Day celebrations. The theme chosen was ‘childhood nostalgia’ and we had a brilliant range of outfits. The senior team put a huge effort into organising everything and did a great job, with the inclusion of an ice-cream van which proved very popular! They prepared a presentation with lots of photos, including some sent in by parents from early school days, and we gave out student awards voted for by students. The day represented a great celebration for a wonderful year group, with students facing up to challenges never experienced before as they have gone through their sixth form journey. We wish them every success in their forthcoming exams and look forward to celebrating further at the Prom in June.

This week we bring you news of Pi Club, where students can take their Maths a bit further.  The students pictured with colouring pencils are looking at properties of ‘impossible’ geometric shapes, and the two students at the smartboard are (hopefully) learning through playing games.

As always, students are welcome at any of the STEM clubs. Parents and students can find out what’s on through the SOCS app on the MySandstorm area.

We are also looking for Year 12 Computer Science students who are willing to help run Year 8 Future Tech Club. Any volunteers should contact Mr Tattersall.

This week’s whole school theme recognises the school’s month long focus on Mental Health & Wellbeing. Mental health is a positive concept related to the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals and communities. Having good mental health, or being mentally healthy, is more than just the absence of illness, rather it's a state of overall well being. The students received an excellent assembly from Assistant Headteacher Stuart Kemp about the importance of actively maintaining our mental health and supporting one another in the school community. The stigma around mental health is shifting, however, we must still do all we can to make sure we are safe, happy and fulfilled. We hope you take time to maintain your mental health this week.

Hertfordshire County Council will be providing a one-off digital supermarket voucher to each child entitled to benefit related free school meals.  This is a contribution to support families with the cost of food during May half-term 2022.

The digital vouchers will be to the value of £15. Families with children in receipt of free school meals will receive a digital supermarket voucher on or before Wednesday 25th May. You can use the voucher in a variety of supermarkets and it works like a gift card and so doesn’t have to be spent all in one go. The electronic vouchers for food and groceries will be sent to families directly by email via a system called Edenred before the start of the half term break. 

If you do not meet the criteria for free school meals but need some support to buy food or pay household bills, help is available. Contact HertsHelp for advice and practical support – call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net.

Congratulations to Year 13 musician Julia B who recently achieved a distinction in her Grade 8 singing. We are all very proud of her achievement!

If you are looking to buy some new plants/books or cakes (whilst also supporting the local community) why not pop along to Slimmons drive this weekend where Sam C (8T) and Ysabelle C (11F) are holding a fund raising event. Both have been selected, along with 13 other children, to represent St Albans in the World Scout Jamboree which is taking place in South Korea in August 2023. All the young people have to raise a lot of funds to pay for their trip and to help raise funds for their unit. They will have about 300 plants (indoor and outdoor including vegetables), books (for children as well as novels), and cakes and refreshments will also be available too! If this sounds of interest, please do pop along and support these students and the Scout community.

This week Year 9 heard all about the Duke of Edinburgh Award in their assembly. A letter has been sent home via ParentMail, inviting year 9 students along with a parent/carer to attend an information presentation on Thursday 26th May at 6.30pm in the school hall. Please let us know if you will be attending.

Following their training in the Peaks earlier this month, our Gold participants left on Tuesday for their practice expedition to the Brecon Beacons.  A more detailed report will feature in next week’s Sandprint but, at the time of writing, everything is going smoothly with groups making good progress. Many thanks to Miss Borman for planning the trip and preparing the students for this challenging expedition.

Calling parents/carers of Year 7 students joining this September…A reminder that the deadline for ordering the school’s customer specification Chromebook is today (Friday 20th May).

More information about the BYOD programme, requirements and procurement options can be found on the Year 6 into 7 transition page of the school website - https://sandringham.herts.sch.uk/transition-into-y7-2/

Please email any enquiries to admin@sandringham.herts.sch.uk

Well doen to Conrad in 7A who completed his first 5k charity run on Sunday to raise money for St Francis Hospice in Berkhamsted. The 2 lap course took place in Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead and included several  coloured bubbles. Conrad completed the run in 40 minutes, which was a commendable first effort for a non-runner! The main purpose for signing up (promoting exercise) has clearly worked as the event has inspired Conrad to take part in more running events in the future. An excellent effort Conrad for a great cause. 

This week we said goodbye to our lovely Year 13 Dance students who we will miss very much from our Dance studios! We wish you the best of luck in your exams and the future, keep dancing and keep in touch!

The culmination of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award is being invited to receive your certificate at a royal palace.  These presentations have not taken place during the pandemic so it is great to hear that a large number of our Gold participants were invited to garden parties at Buckingham Palace this week to celebrate and receive their Gold certificates. So this week in our Student Spotlight we say a huge congratulations to Isabella D, Amelia B, Dmitry S, Joel  S, Annabel H, Chiara G, Adam N, Sarach C, Scout N-B, Jessica F, Matthew H, Jake F, Callum H, Katya R, Eleanor B, Morgan D, David B-R and Joseph H. We hoped you enjoyed your day and we are sure you will inspire others to take part in the amazing Duke of Edinburgh Award.

On Tuesday, our Year 10 GCSE and Year 12 A Level musicians visited the Jersey Farm Day Care centre to perform a short programme of solo and ensemble pieces to a very appreciative audience. This was the first time for three years that we have been able to visit so it was brilliant to be back. Our students also spent time chatting to the clients and volunteers at the end which is an important and lovely aspect of our links in the local community. We received some lovely feedback from Andy Boxer, the Activities & Entertainment Organiser at Jersey Farm Day Centre regarding our students. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to say how much our clients and volunteer staff enjoyed the performance given yesterday by some of your Y10 and Y12 students, led by Ms Beaton and Ms White. The students - in addition to demonstrating their prodigious musical talent - were excellent ambassadors for the school, and our clients particularly enjoyed having time to chat with them following the concert.We value our link with the school, and look forward to future performances!"

Fo$S would gratefully receive any donations of good quality uniform to sell at their Second Hand Uniform Sales. All profits from these go towards funding activities for our students. Please could any donations be dropped at the bike shed on 15 Skyswood Road. 

We have some exciting new vacancies for support staff and teaching staff roles here.

Skyswood School are also looking for a new caretaker to be part of the friendly and wonderful team. Please e-mail their school office at admin@skyswood.herts.sch.uk or phone the school on 01727 854164 if interested.

We have been made aware of a fantastic lifeguarding course which may be of interest to some of our students. An NPLQ Course is being run on Monday 11th- Friday 15th July, with the assessment on Saturday 16th July.

This is a lifeguarding course for anyone aged 16+ who would like to work in the leisure industry and  haisppy to start as a Lifeguard. It is also a great part time job that can be used at any swimming pool. The course will also include an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) qualification on top of the NPLQ.

The course will be free of charge as long as they commit to a two year placement here at Westminster Lodge, otherwise the course must be paid for. Please see the picture above for more details.

IMMERSE Summer Dance Showcase: Monday 27th June 2022

The Dance Faculty's summer dance show is booked in and preparations are happening in clubs and lessons. Dance show letters are available outside the dance office in the blue holder; everyone who is taking part in the show must complete the consent form and return to the dance office as soon as possible.

Tickets go on sale on the Sandpit Theatre website on Monday 23rd May. We suggest buying tickets early to avoid disappointment.

We are delighted to have appointed over 80 students in Year 10 as Prefects and they have started in their role this week. Prefects play a significant part in the smooth running of the school and the students appointed are very important role model to younger students. The applications made by students were a pleasure to read and exemplified the character traits that we work to promote here at school every day. Congratulations to them and a huge thank you to all of our out-going Year 11 Prefects.

Katie A, Fabio A, Freya B, Jacob, B-C, Michael B, Georgina B, Will B-S, Jasmin B-C, Olivia C, Elizabeth C, Sofia C, Tomer C, Beckie C, Nico C, Tallulah D, Hannah D, Isaac D, Lily D, Helena D, Lauren D, Ryan D, Martha D, Clarissa E, Lexi F-W, Talya F, Joe G, Matthew G, Melissa G, Alys G, Olivia H, Alex H, Zoe H, Adam H-K, Sarah H, Mikayla H, Elena H, Tristan H-R, Laura H, Olivia H, Oscar I, Bryn J, Jessenia K, Hafsa K, Bea K, Ethan K, Jessica L, Mia L, Isabella L, Josie L, Rhianna M, McCarthy M,  Emma, McC, Roslin McG, Daniel McK, Daniel M, Ellie N, Ifeoma N, Penny O, Sonny P, Jonathan P, Nandhana P, Henry P-B, Ollie P, Jessica P, Lauren P,  Marelie R, Amy R, Niopha R, Felix R, Adam S, Lily-Anna S, Nathan S, Alex S, Ethan S, Theodore T,  Amelie T, Amelie T, Harry T, Abigal V, Olly W, Evan W and Nok Y

FRENCH: Le mot de la semaine-  fabriquer

GERMAN: Das Wort der Woche- erfinden

SPANISH- La palabra de la semana- fabricar

Thinking Questions

• There are roughly 6,500 languages spoken in the world – why do we have so many? How have they developed over time?

The Reading Agency and BBC Arts have announced seventy titles for The Big Jubilee Read, a campaign celebrating great fiction from authors across the Commonwealth. These books represent the shared stories that define our cultural heritage and the campaign hopes to enable readers in the discovery and celebration of brilliant books along with highlighting lesser-known authors who deserve recognition. 

In the LRC, we have a selection of The Big Jubilee Reads available for students to borrow. Books can be reserved on MySandstorm - Accessit Learning Resource Centre. We look forward to hearing student's thoughts on the chosen books!  

F is for… fabricate [verb]

Definition: Invent (something) in order to deceive..

Example: The evidence was fabricated.

Synonyms: Assemble, Construct, Formulate

Antonyms: Demolish, Destroy, Ruin

Etymology: From the Latin verb ‘fabricar’. 

FABER IS LATIN FOR A CRAFTSMAN 

FABRICARE meaning something skilfully produced.

Students are invited to participate in the debating competition, the ‘Talk-Off’, which is in its second year, and is open to all students. To participate in the competition, students should write and record a 3 minute speech based on the question: ‘How can World Class students use social media as a force for good?’. For further information and to submit an entry, please see Mrs Beaton or Mr Whorrod.

Mr Whorrod and Ms Beaton spent time with several students last week discussing project ideas and ideas on how to become assessors for the World Class Schools Quality Mark. They came up with some great suggestions so watch this space for more World Class Schools news in the coming weeks.

Our Senior Boys Tennis team played St Albans in the Regional Semi-final on Wednesday for a place in the final and to be one game away from the National finals. Chris S playing as our one seed had a thrilling first set with the first 3 games lasting almost 45 minutes. Chris eventually came through to take the win 7-5, 6-3. Ivan R won his 6-0, 6-1, Ryan O’S 6-0, 6-1 and Matt McC 6-0, 6-2 to seal victory before the doubles started. Well done boys and good luck in the regional finals.

Our Year 8 boys Tennis team also took on Sir John Lawes in their County group stage match up. It was a good game with our predominantly Year 7 team taking the victory 12-0 with some superb singles performances to seal the match early on. This keeps our team unbeaten moving forwards to their last group match V Aldwickbury.

Well done to the students who have been involved in Athletics this week. On Tuesday we were at Westminster lodge for our Y7/9 District Athletics friendly. All 4 teams did well and all performed superbly. The Year 7s are slowly developing their technical  skill set and some are even stepping up to the Y8 County League teams. Wednesday saw us compete in our third County league match of the season also at Westminster Lodge. The teams were excellent and both our Y8 teams took the win with 54 points and 55 points, whilst our Y10 teams were 2nd in the 40s. Luke Carlin has also broken the 800m County League record. This is a huge achievement as the standard of these records is exceptional and most athletes on the record books have gone on to achieve great things in the sport. Well done Luke who sits just outside the top 10 in the UK for his age group a year young.

Well done to the U12 cricket team beating Marlborough today. A strong partnership from Willson and McCree saw us post a good score and some excellent bowling all round was pleasing to see. Batting POM - McCree and Willson Bowling POM - Pentland Fielding POM - Broome

Chuckl. In association with The Sandpit Theatre bring you the very best in live stand-up comedy.

Enjoy some of the biggest names in comedy along with our favourite handpicked artists.

The line-up includes Jo Caufield (Have I Got News For You, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow) / Sarah Keyworth (Live at the Apollo, Comedy Central's Roast Battles) / Martin Westgate ("...hope he gives up soon before he starts costing me work." - Gary Delaney) / Nelson Gombakomba (Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Finalist).

Tickets £12.50

This amazing documentary follows artist Preston Zeller, who feels compelled to take on a year-long creative project after the sudden death of his 35-year-old brother. Preston decides to create an intuitive abstract painting every day for 365 days as a way to process his grief and he shares the ups and downs of this momentous challenge in the film.

Following the screening there will be a Q & A with filmmaker and artist, Preston Zeller and clinical director of the Art Therapy Project, Lindsay Lederman

This film is presented by Zellerhaus Art and The Art of Grieving as part of The Art of Grieving Festival 2022 in St Albans.  All proceeds from the screening will go to Rennie Grove Hospice Care

Tickets £10

We can’t wait to see you back through our doors and we have some exciting shows and films coming up for you this season!

All the latest performances are on our website, www.sandpittheatre.co.uk, and you can keep up to date with what’s going on by giving us a follow either on Instagram & Twitter or give us a like on Facebook, just search for The SandPit Theatre!

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

Sandringham Dance present their annual summer dance show. An evening of student choreography, exam work

and pieces from the resident companies; SYCD, Tuxedo HipHop Company and TripleEdge.

Tickets on sale from Monday 23rd May.

Tickets £7/£5