One of our students has kindly written a lovely account of the MFL trip to Rhineland which took place last week. If you don't already follow the @Sand.trips Instagram account, then you should absolutely do so to see some brilliant videos of the experience. Read more from Jacob below to get all the details:

My name is Jacob C, and I recently had the chance to go on an amazing and unforgettable school trip to Germany!

Here’s a look at the highlights of my trip.

When we first touched down in Rhineland,

We were greeted with a lovely meal and then went to settle into our rooms. I was in a room with 5 of my friends, and we were all excited to finally be in Germany together. We spent the night unpacking and talking about the trip ahead.

On day 2, we went to Cochem. First we took a cable car up to a mountain which had a amazing view point and had great photo/selfie 

Opportunities - later in the day, we went swimming at a local pool. The pool was massive and had 3 diving boards and a slide  me and my friends all went on. It was a great way to cool off and had all of us happy and feeling refreshed. We then finished the day with some mini golf and another lovely meal prepared by our hosts.

On day 3, we went to cologne and went straight to the Lindt chocolate factory museum.

It was very interesting, we got to learn about the history of chocolate, how it’s made and where the cocoa beans come from. We then made our way to the cologne cathedral. It had a beautiful gothic style to it and had amazing details and carvings around the whole building. For me it was one of the most memorable parts of the trip and we all made sure to take some lovely photos before heading to do some shopping around the city.

Cologne has some lovely shops, I bought myself a fragrance and some souvenirs for my family. After this we arrived back at our hotel and did a quiz (which my team actually ended up winning). We then went over to the local wine factory and they let us taste some of their grape juice which was very delicious 

On day 4, we went to Phantasialand, one of Europe’s most popular theme parks. Everyone was really excited for this day because everyone knew it would be packed with rides and plenty of fun, I went on loads of rides including my favourite ones Tarron and Fly.

When we got back to our hotel we had a disco,

Everyone partied and bonded together and had a great time.

On the night of day 4 we were all sad that it was over, but so happy with the outcome, and how many memories were made, from the friendships, to new interests and even new mindsets. The Germany trip was really amazing and the teachers did a great job keeping us all together with smiles on our faces.

Thank you very much for reading.

Jacob C

As part of last week’s E-Week activities, our Yr 7 students enjoyed an exciting day out at Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre, and what a perfect day it was for it.

Under bright blue skies and sunshine, students took part in canoeing and paddle boarding, showing great teamwork, balance, and plenty of enthusiasm. Whether gliding across the lake or just enjoying a splash, it was clear everyone had a fantastic time outdoors.

It was a brilliant opportunity for students to try something new, build confidence, and have some fun. Once again, a big thank you to the staff who made the trip possible.

Sandringham Alumni Teaching in Thailand

We’re always proud to share the inspiring journeys of our former students, and this week we’re delighted to feature Jessie D and Alice T-P, who are currently teaching English in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Jessie, who studied International Relations and Geography at the University of Exeter, and Alice, who pursued International Relations and Politics at the University of Manchester, have embraced an exciting opportunity to explore Thai culture while making a real difference in the classroom.

Their experience reflects the global mindset we encourage at Sandringham, and it's fantastic to see them applying their skills in such a meaningful and adventurous way.

Well done ladies, great job.

ParentPay Reminder: Check Your Account is Up-to-Date

We kindly ask all parents to check their ParentPay accounts to ensure that payments are up-to-date. Please also ensure that canteen accounts are cleared and topped up to avoid any issues. Keeping balances in check helps us continue to provide a smooth service for all students.

Thank you for your support.

Let the Challenge Begin!

Starting this Monday 30th June, we’re excited to launch this year’s ‘Fit for Life’ Week, and the theme is... Tour de Sandringham! 

Throughout the week, students and staff will be able to log their distances from any form of cardio exercise – whether it’s walking, running, cycling, swimming or rowing and contribute to a whole-school House competition. Every kilometre counts and will help your House race to victory and earn valuable house points!

The school day will also be packed with a variety of sports, dance, and aerobic classes to keep the energy high. Last year even included a Japanese sword fighting taster session, so expect the unexpected and be ready to try something new.

So lace up your trainers, get warmed up, and let’s make this the most active week of the year 💪

Hertfordshire County Council’s Services for Young People is offering an exciting Holiday Activity Programme this summer and it’s free for young people aged 12 to 16.

Held at the Links Academy in St Albans, the programme offers a wide range of activities including:

• Fun physical activities like sports, dance, and team games
• Creative sessions such as music production, cooking, and arts & crafts
• Free healthy food provided every day
• Informal workshops on healthy lifestyles and wellbeing
• A chance to socialise and make new friends
• Access to advice and information about other local services

Check out the attached flyer for more information and details on how to sign up - spaces are limited, so don’t miss out.

Sandringham Second-Hand Uniform Sale – Saturday 13th July

We’re pleased to announce our Second-Hand School Uniform Sale, taking place on:

Saturday 12th July
10am - 12 noon
Sandringham School

The sale will include a wide selection of branded school uniform items, including blazers, ties, and PE kit. We also hope to have a range of pre-loved football boots available.

This is a great opportunity to pick up high-quality uniform at a reduced cost  in prep for the new school year ahead. 

Donations Welcome!

To make the sale a success, we are looking for donations of good quality, branded school uniform and sportswear, including football boots.

Please note: due to limited storage, we can only accept school logo/branded items and sportswear.

Donations can be dropped off before 11th July at either:

• School Reception25
• Skyswood Road (in the shed on the front drive)

Thank you for supporting our school community and for helping promote sustainability by giving these items a second life.

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?

A huge round of applause for our Yr 9 Drama Club!

They recently completed an incredible "Theatre in Education" project, visiting local primary schools to help Yr 6 students with their transition to secondary school. Under the fantastic guidance of our amazing club leader, Olivia S (Yr 10), the Yr 9 students worked exceptionally hard to create and perform their own original piece. Every student involved should be incredibly proud of their powerful performance and their impactful work with younger students in the community.

Their dedication didn't stop there! Our Yr 9 Drama Club then led a vibrant Musical Theatre workshop for Arts week. They expertly taught other students a full-scale routine from the musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie. As their drama teacher, I am unbelievably proud of their hard work, creativity, and unwavering dedication to the arts throughout the year. It's been an absolute pleasure working alongside them!

Have your say on SEND in Hertfordshire - a message from the Hertfordshire SEND Partnership.

Hertfordshire’s SEND Summit is taking place this September, and we want to ensure that the voices of families are at the heart of it. Your experiences and ideas will help shape the event and our future SEND Strategy.

The survey includes questions about your experiences of SEND – both to highlight what is working and what requires further improvement, what you think should be discussed at the summit, and what changes would make the biggest difference to your family.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and share your views.

Your feedback will help us improve support for children and young people with SEND across the county. Thank you for being part of this important conversation.

HOUSE POINTS

Just 3 weeks to go and Hepworth are still fixed on that top spot. Can Austen or Johnson make a last attempt to challenge...

1. Hepworth 24,079
2. Austen 23,171
3. Johnson 21,935

Special mentions this week:  

• A Scourfield (7s) – 19 – Most points this week
• Shakespeare for winning this weeks house points – 364
• Newton for leading this months house points – 1,829
• 9T the highest quiz score total – 178/240

A big well done to Josh L (10S) who has been completing his work experience at Whipps Cross Hospital, not in a ward, but on the building site.

With the hospital currently under major construction, Josh has been gaining valuable hands-on experience in the world of construction and development, seeing first-hand how a major healthcare facility is being transformed.

It’s fantastic to see our students exploring such a wide range of career paths. 

Well done Josh.

Supporting Mental Health – Hertfordshire Services

As always, we value the importance of supporting mental heath within our school and wider community, and we’d like to highlight the Hertfordshire Children and Young People's Mental Health Service Directory, a valuable resource for students, carers, families and professionals.

This directory brings together a wide range of services offering both early intervention and more specialist mental health support for children and young people. Whether you're looking for advice, counselling, or more targeted care, the directory is a great starting point.

Click Here to access the directory for more detailed information and contact links.

We encourage all parents and carers to explore this resource and keep it handy should your child or someone you know need support.

We’re Hiring!

Come and be part of our fantastic team here at Sandringham. We’re currently looking for:

- Technical Theatre Manager

If you, or anyone you know would like to be part of our passionate and dedicated team, please visit here for more information and to apply.

On Sunday 22nd June, Lets Dance Academy held their Prize Giving & Choreography Competition. 

Based in Marhsalswick, there are many students from all over St Albans who compete at LDA. The awards received by Sandringham students are listed below:

Intermediate category Choreography winners

Silver medals:    Maria Z, Naomi S, Lily G & Elodie M

Senior category Choreography winners

Gold medal:       Cai L

Silver medals:     Hollie G & Eva G

Bronze medals: Lyla G (2 medals), Cai L, Lilli-Joan C & Maggie-Jo C

Novice Cup                        Ira M

Theatricality Cup             Hollie G & Eva G

Adjudicators Cup             Lucy B, Evie W & Olivia G

LDA Scholarship award  Olivia G

Well done everyone, what a fantastic achievement from all involved.

We’re pleased to share an exclusive discount for Sandringham parents from Barracudas Holiday Clubs, which is perfect for keeping children active and entertained over the summer break.

Barracudas is offering £20 off a full week or £4 off per day - with over 80 exciting activities for children to enjoy.

It has flexible booking options, so it’s a convenient and fun solution for busy families.

Check out the flyer attached for the exclusive discount code.

Ian A in Yr 10, has kindly written about his aspirational work experience week at the Crowborough Army Residential Camp.  Read about his endeavours below:-

How it was getting to meet everyone?  Surprisingly there were a lot of people male and female with ages from 14-18 making it a very diverse group to hang out with and proving that women are just as keen with men in cases when it comes to the military. I had a very good experience with the staff as I had great conversations and experiences with the vast majority of them. I believe this is a great work experience placement for all regardless for passions of the armed forces, because this is a great experience for everyone and it can give people lifelong memories and unforgettable friendships.

Activities I took part in:-

Battle drills - this is what army personnel would train for if they ever got into a “firefight”.  This was taught by our section staff splitting us into 2 half’s named “Charlie” and “Delta” fire-teams. While having prior experience in dealing with battle drills from cadets (3 years) I was elected as section commander, performing commands and orders. Electing roles allows for staff to correctly simulate what tactics certain roles in the army would use teaching us skills such as ‘pepper potting’, Hand signals and advancing with withdrawals. While doing this we were taught how to safely possess a rifle.

Parade drill-(marching)

This may not seem exciting and it comes from an ancient history, as medieval soldiers would march into battle. But in the modern day this is used to demonstrate the professionalism of a military branch, we were taught spins, stances and movements this is more physical than it seems but it was seen as fun time to get to know others as I have a good knowledge of performing ‘drill’

Conditions of the base - Overall the base we were stationed at had more funding compared to other army bases, as we had unlimited food for breakfast, lunch and dinner with meals changing everyday so we were all happy. Also, we had high pressured hot showers with very big locker rooms. This made me realise that the army isn’t only hard work with rationed food and cold showers, meaning if people don’t want to solely fight they don’t have to struggle as it is more chilled. Boys and girls slept in separate barracks and for 3 nights we slept in the barracks and on the other we slept in the field with a ‘basher’ (camouflaged roof) and a ‘rash-ion pack’ (this consists of food supplied to last 24 hours for the average soldier).  As most of these foods were inside the packs, we had to cook with a portable stove.

Thank you Ian for telling us about your eventful week!

Last week, our Yr 10 students attended their work experience placements. We have been overwhelmed by the amazing feedback from organisations and students. Here are some snippets from the many emails received:

“We have had the great pleasure of hosting Arhaan for his work experience this week and I just wanted to let you know that he has been a truly brilliant member of the team.”

“I just wanted to quickly reach out and say what a joy it was to have Rachel with us last week for work experience.”

“Charlie was an absolute pleasure and a credit to Sandringham.”

“It has been an absolute pleasure to have Theo, Oli, and Elliot on board. They have been amazing ambassadors for Sandringham School, enthusiastic, respectful, and a true credit to your community.”

Our pictures show Theo, Oli and Elliot working at CV Insight office and Bethan following her passion and working with animals.

Well done to every student for putting yourself out there and representing Sandringham so well.  Thank you to every organisation involved for taking the time to host our students. 

Congratulations to Lena S in Yr 7 who took part in the IV Open Traditional Karate-Do World Cup in Poland from June 13-15th.
It was amazing experience for Lena to take a part of that big competition where around 700 people from over the world took part.
We are delighted that, as an added bonus, Lena won a Bronze Medal in individual kata competition in her category.  

The school is really proud of Lena and the fact that she’s a World Cup medallist.

During British Science Week our KS3 STEM Club started a project to redesign the environmental area of Wheatfields Juniors, focusing on sustainable outdoor spaces. The project then progressed to a hands-on E-week activity, with our students translating their designs into practice, and helping to transform an underused area at the primary school into a functional garden. We spent three days at Wheatfields, and the transformation was huge!

Huge thanks to Mrs Simmonds, Dr Archer-Jones and Mr Rowley for their help in clearing the overgrown sections, preparing the ground for new planting. Students then painted the raised garden beds, tidied the storage shed, and recovered the path in bark chippings. Thank you to Mrs Devlin for her help on this day!

To support biodiversity in the new garden, our students installed bird houses, which were created and donated by our school's Design Technology (DT) department. These bird houses, along with a newly constructed compost heap, were outcomes of a Yr 12 DT project, making use of reclaimed pallet wood. Thanks to Mr Neville for donating these items!

On Friday, students from Wheatfields Juniors put the finishing touches on the environmental area, planting herbs, vegetables and flowers, plus building a 'bug hotel' providing a habitat for insects.

This project has been a valuable experience, demonstrating STEM education in action and helping to foster a sense of community between our schools. It has provided our students with practical experience, developed their collaborative skills, and created a positive impact for the primary school community. Well done to all who participated!

Lost Property After E-Week – Please Check!

Last week was an action-packed one with many students out on trips, and as a result, we’ve ended up with a large number of uncollected items that were left behind, particularly from Willen Lake and Stanborough Park.

Many of these items are unnamed, making it difficult to return them to the right owners. The collection includes water bottles, clothing, and other personal belongings.

Please go to Student Services to check the lost property cupboard or speak to a member of staff.

This week has been Arts Week at Sandringham, and a celebration of all things creative. Students have had the opportunity to take part in a variety of workshops, exploring different artistic disciplines and expressing their creativity in new and exciting ways.

A particular highlight was the Visual Arts Exhibition, held on Tuesday, showcasing the exceptional talents of our Year 13 students, who have recently completed their exam coursework in Fine Art, Photography and Textiles.

The exhibition offered a stunning selection of final pieces, demonstrating technical skill, creativity and dedication. It was a fantastic opportunity for the school community to celebrate their hard work and to inspire younger students, especially those currently taking or considering exam courses in the arts.

A huge well done to all students involved in the exhibition and workshops, and thank you to the staff who helped make Arts Week such a vibrant and enriching experience!

Following on from last week’s E-Week which was packed with enriching and enjoyable activities, there was this artistic moment with a pot painting session held outdoors in the sunshine.

Students had the chance to get creative with terracotta plant pots, adding colour, patterns, and personal touches to give each pot a vibrant makeover. It was a relaxing and rewarding session that allowed students to express their artistic flair while enjoying the fresh air and warm weather.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, the finished pots look fantastic and really brighten up the space.

UK Mathematics Trust – Junior Kangaroo Round

Last week, some students in Yrs 7 and 8 took part in the Junior Kangaroo Round run by the UK Mathematics Trust.  A follow-on Round to the Junior Maths Challenge, the Junior Kangaroo is a 60 minute, 25 multiple choice challenge. 

This was a fantastic opportunity which offers students the chance to develop their mathematical problem-solving skills. It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.  The problems on the Junior Kangaroo are designed to make students think.. 

Students that perform well are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze certificates;

Congratulations to

• Alpha W - Bronze
• Dave T - Bronze
• Mark H - Bronze
• Hina W - Bronze
• Matthew V - Silver
• Magus H - Silver

and finally Daniel M who was awarded Gold.

In addition, Magus H was awarded Best in Year, and Daniel M was awarded Best in School.

Well done to everyone.

A Night to Remember 

Last night, our Yr 13 students celebrated the end of their Sandringham journey in style at their much-anticipated Prom.

It was a wonderful evening filled with dancing, plenty of pizza, and lots of laughter as students took the chance to catch up with friends they’ve made over the years. With most now heading off to different destinations, whether thats university, apprenticeships, or new adventures, it was a special moment to come together and celebrate everything they’ve achieved.

We’re incredibly proud of Yr 13 and wish them all the best for the exciting paths ahead. You’ll always be part of the Sandringham family.

We also hope Year 11 have just as much fun at their Prom this evening!

Year 12 Biology Olympiad

Our Yr 12 Biologists recently took part in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad, a competition open to students in the first year of post-16 education anywhere in the world. The competition consists of a one-hour multiple choice paper to be taken online covering A level content, with some additional ideas introduced requiring problem solving skills and understanding of core principals of Biology.

This year 170,000 students took part, and only the top 15% achieve Gold, Silver or Bronze certificates, so we are incredibly proud of our biologists for their results this year!

Silver awards (top 10% of entrants): Sophie C, James H, Bea M, Tabitha D, Jess B and Esme C

Bronze awards (top 15% of entrants): Rico H, Huwie M, Ines C, Abi F and Yan Tung C

We also had many students receiving highly commended, commended and participation awards and are incredibly proud of them all.

What an amazing set of results, well done Yr 12! 

Hertfordshire County Council’s Services for Young People is running the Positive Pathways Summer Project - a fantastic free opportunity for young people aged 13 to 17 to get involved in positive activities during the summer holidays.

The project focusses on helping young people to:

• Build confidence and social skills
• Make informed decisions and set personal goals
• Learn practical life skills
• Develop personalised action plans with support from Youth Workers
• Take part in a range of fun and engaging activities

Check out the attached flyer for more information and how to book your spot.

A quick reminder that KWAF are hosting their very first Outdoor Cinema Event, taking place at Katherine Warington School in Harpenden.

Thursday 17th July.
The Greatest Showman - 4:00pm
Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy - 7:30pm

Bring your friends and family for a fantastic evening of film, food, and fun! There will be plenty of delicious refreshments available, and for adults, a licenced bar will also be open throughout the event.

Get your tickets here.

Unlocking the Universe, by Stephen and Lucy Hawking

Discover the universe in a nutshell, with chapters on everything from the creation of the universe to time travel to the future of humanity, all in an easy-to-read, illustrated package.

Elliot C in Yr 7 has recently read the book and thought that it was, “An amazing tour into the unknown, with facts, information and history”.

French: perspicace

German: eindrigend

Spanish: incisivo/a

Thinking Question: Sometimes languages ‘die’ - how might this happen?

I is for … incisive [adjective]

Definition: Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.

Example: She was an incisive critic.

Synonyms:Sharp, Astute, Shrewd

Antonyms: Weak, Incompetent

Etymology: From Latin incidere, meaning “to cut into”. 

A solid week of Athletics ahead - good luck to everyone taking part, it's going to be a hot one.

Yr 10 cricket: Our season comes to an end at the hands of Sir John Lawes in the District cup semi final. Strong batting and dropped catches meant SJL put on 180 in their 20 overs despite a good spell from Archer and a wonder catch from Fisher. In return, Sandringham were bowled out for 80 with Pritchard top scoring again. 

Spotlight Youth Theatre present Cats!

The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories to Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Sunday 29th June - 2:00pm and 6:00pm

These tickets are selling fast so grab them before they go here.

In its 45th year, Dance Unlimited presents “Lights, Camera, Action!”

We are celebrating movies throughout the ages - a tribute to the unforgettable films, choreographers, dancers and iconic scenes that have inspired generations.

Saturday 12th July 1:30pm or 5:00pm.

Get your tickets here.

Skyswood School proudly present The Wizard of Oz

Based on the classic novel by  L.Frank Baum, Tom Kirkham's brilliant adaption of the Wizard of Oz sees the key characters of the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow join with  Dorothy on her quest along the Yellow Brick Road to find the Great Wizard. Toto has certainly grown in size, and a few surprise characters are introduced alongside the munchkins, winged monkeys and original cast.

Produced by The Schools Musical Company, the play is brought to life with a collection of fantastic songs and colourful characters.

16th and 17th July.

Get your tickets on The Sandpit Website 

Get ready for a show full of fun, friendship, and fantastic dancing! This year’s showcase, “It Takes Two,” is all about famous duos — the perfect pairs who stick together through thick and thin.

From best friends and brave heroes to silly sidekicks and magical matchups, our dancers will bring these special partnerships to life on stage. With lots of music, colourful costumes, and styles like ballet, jazz, and street dance, every performance celebrates the joy of working together.

Come cheer on our amazing dancers as they show how teamwork, kindness, and a little bit of fun can make the perfect pair — because everything is better when you do it together!

Sunday 13th July 12:30pm

Get your tickets here.