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Issue 36 - 25th June 2026

 

Dear Families, 

A big thank you to all parents for your patience and support this week as we made adjustments to the school day to help protect the children during what has been an incredibly hot spell. The children themselves have coped really well in the conditions. We know some children cope better in the heat than others and we are incredibly proud of the vast majority of children who were able to engage in their learning. We hope the earlier finish helped to relieve some pressure and we look forward to a normal (and much cooler) week next week.  

Unfortunately, we had to cancel some events at short notice due to the weather warnings. We understand this may have been disappointing and we truly appreciate your understanding. With so little time remaining in the school year and a very full timetable, we are unable to reschedule events this term. 

A reminder that school will be closed to pupils tomorrow and Monday for an Occasional Day and INSET Day. We hope you all enjoy the long weekend. 

Emma Fordham, 
Headteacher 

Key Messages

Changes to Collection Arrangements 

We understand that there are times when parents need to arrange for someone else to collect their child, whether at the end of the school day or for transport to and from sporting events or other activities. For safeguarding reasons, it is essential that we are informed of any such changes in advance. We cannot allow a child to be collected by someone who is not their parent or usual carer without prior confirmation from you. Currently, these messages are sometimes shared via phone calls, the main admin email, or year group email accounts. This can occasionally result in information being missed, delayed, or not seen in time. To improve both safeguarding and efficiency, we have introduced a dedicated Change to Collection form on our website. We kindly ask that you complete this form (in the same way you would report a same-day absence) whenever there is a change to your child’s usual collection arrangements. Please also use this form if another parent is collecting your child, including for school events.  

Change to Collection Arrangements Form

“Guess the Member of Staff by Their Baby Photo” Challenge

Frogs that Flip Charity Fundraising Event 

The Frogs that Flip are excited to announce a fun event for their second pledge! 

They will be hosting a “Guess the Member of Staff by Their Baby Photo” challenge, and there’s already lots of excitement building among the children. The purpose of school government events like this is to help pupils fulfil their commitment to raising money for charities, while having fun as a school community. 

  • Cost to participate: 50p 

  • Important: Only children who have paid will be able to take part 

  • You can pay for this via Arbor by 3.15 on 30th June  

Year 6 Graduations 

We are in the process of planning for graduation and we would like to ask for your help!  

If possible, please could you send in a photo (digitally) of your child either as a baby or toddler/younger child before they came to Almond Hill. This is not a necessity but would be nice. If you want your child to be included in this, please send your photo in by Tuesday 30th June. By sending the photo in, we will take this as consent for using for the purpose of graduation.  

Please send photos to year6@almondhill.herts.sch.uk and use 'baby photo' as the subject.  

There are still some families who have not yet booked tickets for graduation. Please log on to the Arbor App to order your tickets. As previously mentioned, spaces are limited to 3 per family. The booking will close at 12.00pm on Friday 26th June. Please book your places to enable us to plan the space in the hall.  

  • Tuesday 14th July – 6S  

  • Wednesday 15th July – 6C  

  • Thursday 16th July - 6W   

Diary Dates

Did you know, you can subscribe to our calendar to keep up to date with the events going on within the school? 

Follow the link below, select 'subscribe' and follow the instructions for your device. 

School Calendar 

Preloved Book Sales 

Our preloved book sales take place during the school day. Children can bring cash to school for these. Books cost 50p each. 

We would love to add more books to our sales. If you have any you would like to donate (particularly chapter books), they would be gratefully received. Please give any books to your child’s class teacher. 

  • Tuesday 7th July 

Uniform Sales 

Our uniform sales take place from 3.00-3.30pm in the hall. Please note, we do not currently have space to accept donations.  

  • Thursday 9th July  

Attendance

Year 3 97.01% 
Year 4 95.63% 
Year 5 95.33% 
Year 6 94.43% 
All Students 95.6% 

5P 99% 
3W 98.3% 

House Points

Summer Term Achievements 2026

Summer Term Achievements 2026 Football  Huge congratulations to George in Year 5. After joining Shephall United at the start of the season for his first year of football, he was proudly awarded the award for 'Most Improved Player' at the end of season presentation! Well done, George.  Football Ollie partic…

FOAH Update...

FOAH will be hosting Frozen Fridays every Friday in July!  

This year we are doing it differently, each child that pre orders will be given a token at the end of the day. As they come out of their classroom FOAH volunteers will be at a table in the year 5 playground and you can come and exchange your token for a lolly!  

We will also be selling extras for £1 each and will take cash and card on the day, but if possible please preorder so we know how many lollies to buy so we don’t run out and avoid disappointment!  

Children can enjoy a cool treat for £1  

  • Friday 3rd July 

  • Friday 10th July  

  • Friday 17th July 

You can pre-order on Arbor school shop – the deadline each week is Wednesday at 9:00am to give us time to buy the lollies.  

This is always a big hit (especially when it’s hot!) 

Thanks for your support – here's to a cool July! 

In Other News...

Tune in to ASD – SEND Drop In  

We were lucky enough to have Jessica join us from Tune into Autism. She shared her personal insights into both being neurodiverse herself and bringing up neurodiverse children.  She offered advice to those parents who attended about the crucial role of parenting.  

Her website Home - Tune into ASD offers a range of services. 

Netball - AH vs Round Diamond

Netball - AH vs Round Diamond Our netball team played against Round Diamond on Friday. The team were excellent and really worked hard as a team. Their morale was brilliant and despite losing they played with a smile and were really encouraging one another. We had two amazing goals from Mason and Lilly! The opposition's player was given to Mason for his play a…

5J PE at Barclay

5J PE at Barclay 5J had a brilliant time at the sports event at Barclay, where they took part in shot put, relays and lots of other athletics activities. The children worked really hard and did so well in the heat, showing fantastic effort, team spirit and enthusiasm throughout the day. It was a lovely opportunity for them to get…

We have been awarded level 3 in the RHS School Gardening Awards! 

The award is thoroughly deserved too as our grounds look beautiful! Well done to our team of gardeners.

Additional Information for Families... 

The Big Future survey - have your say! 

We have been asked to share with survey again with families. If you haven’t yet completed it with your child, we would encourage you to do so: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TheBigFuture/  

Important messaging to parents ahead of summer holidays

Stevenage Cycling Hub  

Please find the below link for details of events and opportunities at the Stevenage Cycling Hub. 

https://www.stevenagecyclinghub.co.uk/  

Stevenage Cycle Map