Headlines

This has been a reasonably ‘quiet’ week by Sandringham’s standards, with no major evening events, parents’ evenings and the like. It was lovely to see so many students receiving HTCs this morning however, with over 50 students rewarded for their exceptional hard work. Well done everyone. 

On Wednesday, we welcomed almost 100 Year 11 students and their parents from other schools, keen to view our Sixth Form to see if this is the right option for them. There will be a second open morning next Tuesday before the deadline for applications. It looks as though the Sixth Form will be extremely popular once again. Thank you to Ms Pitsillis for organising and to all our lovely Year 12 guides.

We also had a visiting speaker on Thursday, Daniel Sarginson who is an ex-professional England rugby league player. Daniel delivered a powerful session to Year 9 – 13 students on mental health and well-being. Feedback from students has been very positive and I am sure this will provide plenty of reflection discussion. Thank you to Mr. Kemp for organising.

The theme for assemblies this week has been Holocaust Memorial Day, powerfully delivered by Miss Constable, Director of Learning for History. It was peppered with real examples of where mass genocide has taken place in society, how this has had a profound effect on those involved and how we hope to learn from this to ensure that in the future, no one is victimised or persecuted because of their beliefs, heritage, or religion. Thank you to Miss Constable for spending time preparing this assembly and delivering it so well.

I am sure many of you are aware that the next main school show is a week away. Velocity 2024 hits the stage on Wednesday afternoon and will run until Saturday evening. I am sure it will be an amazing show and I look forward to seeing many of you at the performances. Good luck to everyone involved and a massive thank you in advance to Ms Davies and Ms Willmott for organising.

Mr A Gray
Headteacher

Upcoming Dates

30th Jan - Sixth Form Open Morning Tours
30th Jan - HPV Vaccinations (Year 8)
30th Jan - 4:00 PM Year 12 PTC
05th Feb - House Charity Week (Shakespeare & Turing)
06th Feb - 7:00 PM Battle of the Bands

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

Adrian K8N
Anais S8T
Chase O8E
Eirian W11S
Elijah B8A
Ella N8T
Ethan D8E
Evie O8T
George D8H
Grace S8H
Harvey S8H
Isaac N8S
Isla C8N
Joe Q8S
Lucas H8F
Mahi R8F
Max W8H
Megan C8T
Rose M8N
Sam M9E
Toby G8H
Vaidehi S8F
Xander P8N

Confidence

Amelie A7S
Archie B7T
Arunima A7E
Beatrice V7A
Bella G7A
Celine R7E
Claire H7S
Dave T7T
Eilidh W7F
Eleanor S7S
Eshaan B7J
Hana A7F
Hazel N7E
Henry Y7N
Isaac L7S
Isla-Grace F7A
James L7J
Jamie B7J
Jamie B7T
Jeevan G7H
Martin N7H
Maya M7F
Maya M7F
Remi S7J
Sofia B7S
Taka L7T
Yasmin H7E
Yasmin H7E

Initiative

Integrity

School News

PE NEWS

If you missed the Sports Tour Information Evening on Wednesday, an email was sent today with the powerpoint and a google form to complete for hoodie size required. Important points to note: 

  • Mon 1st April- meet at 4.30am at Sandringham School
  • Tues 2nd April- coaching in the morning, followed by bowling in the afternoon, fixture in evening
  • Weds 3rd April- coaching in the morning, Pancake House, fixture in evening
  • Thurs 4th April- Tobogganing, Cave Bounce and Laser Tag, tournaments, disco in evening
  • Fri 5th April- water park in the morning, arrive back at Sandringham at 10.30pm
Ms M Holian

YEAR 12/ CAREERS NEWS

Can you help?

We still have a number of Year 12 students look ingfor work experience. A placement can be a day work shadowing or up to a week learning about an organisation and the different roles in it alongside completing some work. Already this year, a number of parents are helping us to place students and it would be great if you could help too! If you are able to offer a work experience placement during our work experience week (12th-16th February) or in the school holidays, please contact Ms Griffiths Plunkett on griffithsplunketts@mysandstorm.org

Mrs S Griffiths Plunkett

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rather than share the standings (which haven’t changed since last week), we'd like to share some statistics from our Sandringham parkrunners. As you’ll see in the graphic above, it’s our Year 9 and 12s that dominate participation. 

We’ve now had 56 different participants, but top of the charts are:

  • Conrad L-O (9A) and Evan L-O (7J) - 14 parkruns each
  • Laila Z (9H) and Xavier H (10E) - 13 parkruns each 

As ever, us this Google Form to tell us of your participation. 

You can see the latest schoolrun results here too. Every Wednesday, 3.30pm, outside K block.

An update on Mr Smiths charity event. He has just hit his 50th school (Harpenden Academy), 32 miles in, just another 150 to go! The map can be seen here. 

Mr D Smith

THEME WEEK: Holocaust Memorial Day

This week’s whole school theme recognises Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). HMD is the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The students received an excellent assembly from the Director of Learning for History, Mrs Constable, about how the Holocaust and many other genocides in the past century have used misinformation and propaganda to create divisions in society. She also touched on the effects that these events can have on the survivors even after the event. We hope all of the students appreciate the importance of recognising this day to remember the people affected and ensure that prevent a genocide like the holocaust ever occurring again.

Mr O Lacey

Fo$S NEWS

FO$S are excited to announce their next event!

Come and join them on Friday 8th March for a fun night as Nick Grubb returns with his music themed quiz .  Tickets are £8 per person and you can book tables up to 8 people. Cheeseboards and hot snack boxes are available to pre-order. There will also be a fully stocked bar. Tickets available here.

They will also be running a raffle on the night with prizes including a laser quest party for up to 30 people in their new Hemel location.

Ms M Holian

MUSIC NEWS

Our lovely Year 7s have enjoyed exploring loops using music technology this week. Using the software package Ableton, they have been looking at concepts of chords, bass lines and drum loops. It has been fantastic to watch them having fun making musical masterpieces! Coming up soon we have:

Battle of the Bands Tuesday 6th February, 7pm

Always a brilliant night! Come and support your favourite musical acts. Tickets are on sale here

Spring Concert Tuesday 5th March, 7pm

Don't miss this amazing showcase of our musical talent at Sandringham School. Tickets can be purchase here

Miss A Stothard

SIXTH FORM NEWS

It was lovely to welcome prospective Sixth Form parents to the school this week for our Open Morning Tours. If you would like to view any more of the information, you can do so here. Important dates to note are as follows:

Tuesday 30th January: 9am – 10.30am: Open morning tour for external applicants.

Friday 2nd February: Deadline for Sixth Form applications

Weds 26th & Thurs 27th June 2024: Compulsory Sixth Form Induction

Ms M Holian

DANCE NEWS

Well done to Mia R in Year 9, who is our Dancer of the Week! Keep up the brilliant work. 

Miss A Davies

HOUSE NEWS

It was the turn of our Year 12 students to take part in house competitions this week. 

Sixth formers got involved in games such as table tennis, football & benchball with the following results:

  • 1st - Turing
  • 2nd - Johnson
  • 3rd - Fawcett
  • 4th - Hepworth
  • 5th - Newton
  • 6th - Elgar & Shakespeare
  • 8th - Austen

Well done everyone for representing your house so brilliantly!

Mr D Keenleyside

CAREERS NEWS

Oaklands College are holding open evenings at the St Albans and Welwyn Garden City campuses in February in April. You can find out more here or pop along on the evening. 

Tuesday 6th February | 5PM - 8PM | Welwyn Garden City Campus

Tuesday 23rd April | 5PM - 7PM | Welwyn Garden City Campus

Thursday 8th February | 5PM - 8PM | St Albans Campus

Thursday 25th April | 5PM - 7PM | St Albans Campus

Mrs C Eady

HOUSE NEWS

Well done to Turing who maintain their lead: 

  1. Turing 12,950
  2. Shakespeare 11,931
  3. Newton 11,849

Special mentions this week also go to:

  1. Clayton C (8S) 16 points
  2.  Rayyan J (7F)  15 points
  3.  Rowan D (8A) 11 points
  4. Alvin L (7F)  11 points
  5.  Theo S (9S) 11 points

UPCOMING EVENTS  

  • Battle of the bands – 6th February
  • House assemblies – W/C Jan 29th
  • Vertical form quiz – Friday 2nd Feb
  • House Maths – Wednesday 31st Jan
  • Shakespeare and Turing charity week – Feb 5th – Feb 9th
Ms M Holian

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

This week we celebrate one of our fantastic artists Bernice in Year 10 who has created this beautiful bird portrait as part of her GCSE work. Using acrylic paints, Bernice worked over the week to create a brilliantly detailed and lifelike picture. This is part of a bird exhibition created by Ms Kelly currently in the Art Block- do pop along to see the display of peacocks, kingfishers and much more. Well done Bernice and all of those involved! 

If you would like to nominate someone for the Student Spotlight next week, please contact holianm@sandringham.aat.school with any details and/or photographs. We would love to hear from anyone who you feel is going above and beyond.

Ms M Holian

VACANCIES

We are currently looking for an Assistant Caretaker, Cleaner and Learning Supervisor to join our fantastic school. More information is available on our website https://sandringham.herts.sch.uk/vacancies/

Please share with friends who may be interested.

L Lee

DRAMA NEWS

Our Year 12 and Year 13 Drama students had a fantastic trip watching @amirrorwestend this week. Thanks to the Drama team for arranging- a great time was had by all! 

Ms M Holian

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

Literacy News

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The students at Morton Academy are high-achievers, selected based on academic excellence. So when a series of murders target the school's brightest and best, the pressure is on. Someone is determined to stop at nothing to clear their path to the top.

But who is it? And can they be stopped? Jack Y has recently read the book and comments, “It is really intense at times and at every end of chapter it makes you want to read on (cliffhangers every single time!!!!!!!)”

 

 

Mrs S Thomas

WORD OF THE WEEK TRANSLATED

FRENCH: Le mot de la semaine: parfait/typique

GERMAN: Das Wort der Woche: wesentlich

SPANISH: La palabra de la semana: Por excelencia

Thinking Question:

  • Adjectives in French, German and Spanish have to ‘agree’ with the gender of the noun. Why do you think some languages have gendered nouns and some don’t?
Miss F Baikie

WORD OF THE WEEK

Q is for…quintessential [adjective]

Definition: The most typical example or most important part of something.

Example: Whatever his faults, he was the quintessential team player.

Synonyms: Typical, Classic

Antonyms: Unrepresentative, Atypical

Etymology:  Deriving from the Latin word ‘essentia’ meaning ‘being’.

PE News

NETBALL NEWS

Our Year 8 netball B team had a even game against Nicholas Breakspear A team this week. The team put in a fantastic performance which unfortunately ended in a loss 14-12. 

Mr D Keenleyside

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Please see above for our upcoming fixtures. Good luck to all of the teams.

Mr D Keenleyside

FOOTBALL NEWS

Well done to the U13 boys, who came away with a well executed 6-1 win against Dame Alice Owen’s last Saturday. It was a great opportunity for a number of pupils to get some good minutes with big fixtures lined up in the coming weeks. POM Hamish B for his outstanding effort. 

A huge congratulations to the U13 ‘B’ team who have played brilliantly this season but had their national cup run stopped on Tuesday in a very well fought 2-0 loss to Beaumont. To reach the final 16 in the country is a huge achievement, and one the players should be incredibly proud of!

And last, but by no means least, our amazing U13 girls' team have made it to the last 16 of the National cup with their 2-0 win over Salesian School. The girls played very well with some great saves being made by Erin C. Goals scored By: Nell M x2

Mr D Keenleyside

HOCKEY NEWS

The U12/13 girls and U13 boy’s hockey teams played in a very challenging match against Heathmount school on Monday. The girls defended valiantly moving the ball well to clear the ball from their D. However, the Heathmount team proved a far more experienced and a stronger team. The Sandringham goalkeeper was playing in her first game which was a huge ask but she made some good saves and her attitude and determination were exemplary. The boys played well in their game with some good attacking moves going forward and excellent defence and goalkeeping. The boys showed some excellent individual skills and resilience against the Heathmount team and were narrowly beaten by a better team. Although both teams were defeated, there was lots to be proud of and the teamwork, effort and development of skills under pressure improved by all of the players.

Miss V Borman

BASKETBALL NEWS

A mixed bag for our basketball teams this week. Our U15 boys Basketball team played well in a friendly vs Chancellors, with some excellent basketball from both sides. Unfortunately the final result was a loss for Sandringham but we wish Chancellors good luck in their upcoming District final.

Our Year 11 team however had a great win in the County League versus a strong St. Columba’s side sees us comfortably through to the semi final stage after half term. Well done boys!

Mr D Keenleyside

Sandpit Theatre

FLEETWOOD MAC AND CHEESE - FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 7.30PM

An evening of Fleetwood Mac and Cheese performed by Big Love UK!  Featuring a 5-piece tribute to Fleetwood Mac, plus some familiar cheesy dance floor classics!

Tickets are on sale here and cost £20

Miss A Carter-Downing

BATTLE OF THE BANDS - 6TH FEBRUARY 7PM

Enjoy an evening of student bands from rock to acoustic duos as they battle it out to win the title and be crowned the ultimate music band.  Taking inspiration from old rock legends such as Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, or following modern-day pop groups - bands of all types, playing covers or original songs, are invited to get involved.  Please contact the Music Faculty at Sandringham School for further details.

Who will win?  Have your band got what it takes?  Let the battle begin!

Tickets are on sale here and cost £4 / £5

Miss A Carter-Downing

SPRING CONCERT - TUESDAY 5TH MARCH 7pm

Sandringham School presents their annual concert.  This features all their choirs and instrumental clubs, including the ever-growing show choir, the famous jazz band and sinfonia orchestra.

Tickets are on sale here and cost £5 / £4

Miss A Carter-Downing