We’ve noticed that some children have been playing on the jungle gym and in the wooded area before and after school. While it’s lovely to see everyone enjoying the space and catching up with friends, we do ask that children are closely supervised during these times. Please do not go on the jungle gym when it is wet.  

There have been a few occasions where children have reported minor injuries or incidents the following day. To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that your child stays with you and avoids using play equipment before the start of the school day and after school has finished. Thank you so much for your understanding and support in keeping our school community safe and happy! 

Children should not have phones on or be using them in the school grounds. It is a privilege to bring them to school and children who are using them on the grounds and upsetting others will be required to hand them into and collect from the office.

We have been really touched by the generosity shown by our families this term. Many of you have been kind enough to buy us items from our wishlist and they are so gratefully received. If you would like to have a look at our wishlist (and maybe make a purchase), the link can be found below. We will be updating this regularly.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3MLS898Q5Y5ML/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex 

The vaccination team will be in school for a ‘mop up’ visit in the afternoon on Wednesday 12th November. If your child didn’t have their vaccine on the first visit and you haven’t given consent (or declined) click here Vaccination UK Immunisation. The form is available in 10 languages— select yours when it opens. 

Year 5 are leading our 'reverse advent calendar' this year again where we collect food to donate to a food bank (Foodshed). A foodbank is for people in need that need food and other items. They need things like canned food, dried food and food that lasts a long time. Some people are amazing because they give food to the homeless and those in need. Please bring in food to your classroom during November to help those in need. Bring in tinned fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, toilet roll, toothpaste, chocolate, presents like books or pencils and even small toys. Thank you. 

Written by Miss Porter and Joey in 5P 

We will be offering poppies for a donation the week after half term to raise money for The Royal British Legion. The poppies for children are stick on but we do have some with pins. The pin on poppies will not be offered to children but parents are welcome to come and get them from the office if they would like.  

Dance with Dani is delivered by Dani, Miss Simmons's daughter who lives and breathes dance! In addition to her experience teaching Year 7 dancers, she has Dance A-Levels and every year she choreographs the year 6 dance performances for the graduation video. Dance with Dani is held on Tuesdays in the school hall. The morning class (8:00 - 8:45) is for children in Year 3 - Year 6. Here children will learn 'Gym and Dance' routines to upbeat and fun music. This class is for all abilities and while focused on dance is also very much about fun and fitness. Boys and girls welcome! The after school club is also on Tuesdays from 3:15 - 4:15 and is an 'Advanced Dance' club for Year 5/6 children only. In this class we will learn new dances to a range of genres including jazz, lyrical, street dance and modern. You do not have to be 'an amazing' dancer but if you love to dance, like to learn new things and perform to great music, this is the class for you. Boys and girls both welcome. Dani is working with the children on a dance for the upcoming Christmas talent show! Very exciting!  

Each class is only £5 and payable half termly through the 'classmanager' website. Link: https://my.classmanager.com/dance-with-dani 

New dates for Autumn 2 
Tuesday November 18th 
Tuesday November 25th  
Tuesday December 2nd 
Tuesday December 9th 

Lindsey Pollard Dance School runs cheerleading on a Wednesday morning (8.00-8.45am) and street dance on a Wednesday after school and is available for all year groups. Please book directly using the following website: www.lindseypollarddance.com  

We agreed for external clubs to use our space with the proviso that there were some (limited) funded spaces available for our children. If you feel that cost is a barrier for your child accessing this clubs, please email admin@almondhill.herts.sch.uk FAO Mrs Fordham. All emails will be treated confidentially. We have some spaces to offer for Dani’s gym and dance class. 

Football is run by Will and his team. Year 3 and 4 is on Mondays and Year 5 and 6 is on Tuesdays after school. Sessions are £7 each.  Please use the following link to book:  https://coaching-wb.classforkids.io/term/3

CGP Books  

Please be reminded, the deadline to order the CGP books is 9.00am on Monday 3rd November. These are available to purchase on the Arbor School Shop.  

Diversity Day – Tuesday 4th November  

On Tuesday 4th November, Almond Hill will be having a Diversity Day! On this day, children will share and learn lots about all the different things that make them special and diverse and celebrate how wonderful this is. They will learn about many different parts of diversity and make a classroom display too. As part of this, we would love to invite parents/carers/family members of our children in to speak to their child's class about something special about them. We have already had a few volunteers for this so thank you very much! We would love more though! If you are unable to come in yourself, perhaps you could write a few notes for your child to share instead? We're really keen to hear from a diverse range of families. 

If you would be free to help us out, please contact the teachers in your child's year group using one of the following emails: 

Year3@almondhill.herts.sch.uk 
year4@almondhill.herts.sch.uk  
year5@almondhill.herts.sch.uk 
year6@almondhill.herts.sch.uk 

Thank you in advance! 

Outdoor Learning Day – Thursday 6th November 

On the 6th November, Almond Hill will be taking part in a nationwide Outside Classroom Day initiative. We believe that children should spend more time in the natural environment and use this space to enhance their knowledge and understanding. Children will be spending part of the day outside and will therefore need to be dressed appropriately as the weather turns colder and wetter.   

Reading Workshop for Parents – Friday 7th November 9.00-10.30am 

On Friday 7th November, we would like to invite you to a 'Reading Workshop' where we will outline our aims and expectations for reading at Almond Hill. During the workshop, we will share the ways in which we teach reading and comprehension, the additional provision that we provide to further develop the children and the information and resources that are available for you to support at home. 

The workshop is aimed at all parents of children in Year 3 and 4 and parents of children in Year 5 and 6 whose child is not yet at ‘age related’ in reading.  

The workshop will be held in the hall on Friday 7th November 9.00-10.30am and there will be an opportunity to visit some classrooms to see reading lessons in action.  

Open Evening – Thursday 13th November 5.30-7.00pm 

Our open evening for prospective parents will be on Thursday 13th November where we will welcome lots of families to look at our wonderful school. This is supported by Year 6 children who act as ambassadors for the school and show families round. We always receive positive feedback about this event and are really looking forward to this year’s open evening. Look out for more information in the coming weeks.