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?

One of our very own Teachers is taking on an exciting challenge this April to raise money for the National Literacy Trust, a charity dedicated to improving literacy skills and supporting literacy development across the UK. To help support this amazing cause, Mr O'Connor will be running a half marathon in early April, and it is a great opportunity to contribute anything you can to a charity that empowers individuals through literacy. If you'd like to support Mr O'Connor and this brilliant cause, a JustGiving page has been set up here.

"I've been a teacher for 7 years now and the importance of literacy cannot be understated. Good literacy impacts all aspects of a child's learning and life, it's not just reading but accessing ideas, opening up opportunities and giving them a voice. Good literacy skills can change the course of a young person's life, so I'm doing a little run to support the National Literacy Trust in their work making a big difference. All and any donations are gratefully received - thank you in advance"

Supporting Links is offering a FREE in-person six-week "Talking Teens" course designed to help parents and carers navigate the challenges of parenting 12-19 year olds. It's open to all parents, carers, grandparents, and guardians in Hertfordshire,and will be held on Wednesdays, 7.00 - 9.00pm, from 26th February to 2nd April 2025 at the Gade Community Room, Oakleaf Primary School, Hemel Hempstead. The course will explore the teenage brain, explaining the physical and emotional changes that influence behaviour. It delves deeper into the connection between behaviour and difficult feelings, offer practical strategies for maintaining strong communication, discuss understanding and navigating risk-taking behaviours along with providing effective techniques and tools for conflict resolution. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to gain insights and connect with other parents and carers. For more information and to secure your space please click the links provided.

We Still Need Your Unused LEGO!

Exciting plans are underway for this year’s Teacher Conference on 13/14th February, and we need your help to make it extra special! We're collecting old or unwanted LEGO to create a fun and engaging experience for all our teachers.

If you have any LEGO that you no longer need and are happy to donate, please drop it off at Student Services or the Admin Office by Reception by Monday, 10th February. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for helping us make this event memorable for our teachers!

Following our recent announcement, we are thrilled to share with you the students who have received offers from either Oxford or Cambridge. These students stand out not only for their academic excellence but for their remarkable qualities and achievements in many areas. We hope they take great pride in this significant milestone, it's an incredible achievement. 

Cambridge

• Will M - Mathematics
• Brendan B - Philosophy
• Nico C - Mathematics
• Evan W - Geography
• Jay B - Mathematics
• Hanna-Mari S - Engineering
• Roslin M- Economics
• Maxim R - Mathematics

Oxford 

• Ethan K - Biochemistry
• Seb J - Economics and Management
• Madeleine M - English Language and Literature
• Beckie C - Medicine

We would also like to express our thanks to all the staff who have supported these students, as well as all of our Sixth Form students, through the UCAS and apprenticeship application processes. It takes a dedicated team to guide and support our students, and we are deeply grateful for the time, care, and commitment shown by everyone involved.

We encourage you to join us in celebrating the successes of every student in the Sixth Form over the coming weeks and months. Once we have a clearer picture of university offers, apprenticeship placements, job offers, and gap year plans, we will share these updates with the school community to ensure that every success is celebrated with the enthusiasm it deserves. 

The LRC has a new Valentines display and a number of curated romance books suitable for all year groups. With books featuring academic rivals, enemies to lovers, sport romance, LGBTQ+ stories and more, we hope you'll find something you'll enjoy reading over the coming weeks. Any books borrowed from the LRC from today will not be due back until after half-term. If you can't find what you're looking for or would like reading suggestions, do ask our friendly team of librarians. We are always happy to help. Happy romance reading! 

Come and join us! Sandringham School has a vacancy for a Pastoral Support Assistant and a Theatre Technician. 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.

HOUSE POINTS

Hepworth has remained at the top of the leaderboard, which has been a consistent trend so far in 2025. Austen has slightly extended their lead in second place over Newton, so it will be interesting to see how things unfold as we head into the second half of the spring term

1. Hepworth 16,305
2. Austen 15,811
3. Newton 14,867

Special mentions this week:  

• Eliana S (12N) (14) – Most points this week
• Shakespeare for winning this weeks house points – 334
• Hepworth for leading this months house points - 351
• 7A for the highest average points in their tutor group (116)
• 9E the highest quiz score total – 106/140
• S & T members for supporting the cake sales.

Tickets Now On Sale!

The annual Sandringham Chemistry Show is back with a bang! Tickets are on sale on the SandPit website to join us for an evening of fantastic demonstrations and experiments, led by our Head of Chemistry, Mr Reynolds. We look forward to seeing you there.

Please note: Wheatfields students in years 5 and 6 will be seeing the show in the afternoon. 

Emotionally Based School Anxiety Drop-In Sessions.

DSPL7 and Services for Young People, in partnership with The Pioneer Club, are offering free drop-in support sessions (booking required) designed for parents/carers and young people in Years 7-11 facing challenges with school attendance related to Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Please do come along to The Community Café, Suets Yard at The Pioneer Club, Heathlands Drive, St Alban, AL3 5AY, between 9:30-11:30am. Sessions are taking place on the following dates: 11th March, 14th May, and 19th June. Further information, including contact details can be found in the flyer.

On Wednesday 29th January, Mr Cracknell and I had the pleasure of awarding successful Prefect applicants their ties and assigned them their first tasks. The students were so impressive during the interview process and showed great strength of character and determination to be Sandringham ambassadors. Good luck to you all! 

Are you passionate about teaching? Do you want to make a change in your career? Come along to the Train to Teach recruitment event on Tuesday 11th Feb at the University of Hertfordshire. Sandringham School are currently seeking passionate individuals interested in English, Maths, Science, Computer Science and Business/Economics to join their Secondary Train to Teach program. Since 2004, Alban TSH has been offering high-quality Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in collaboration with local schools. This partnership ensures exceptional placements and ongoing support for trainees.

What do we offer our trainees?
🔹 Flexible Routes: Tuition fee paying, postgraduate teacher apprenticeship (PGTA), and salaried training options
🔹 Funding: Scholarships and bursaries worth up to £28,000 (tax-free)
🔹 Training Options: Full-time and part-time pathways to suit your schedule
🔹 School Placements: A variety of placements in our partner schools across Hertfordshire
🔹 Immersive Training: School-based training with one day a week protected for reflection and learning
🔹 Expert Support: Continuous support from the ITT team and school-based mentors
🔹 Research-Informed: Training based on evidence-based practices
🔹 Nationwide Network: Be part of a cohort of like-minded individuals from across the UK

If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing a rewarding career in education, please contact us at teaching@albantsh.co.uk for more details or apply via the QR code on the leaflet. 

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025 is taking place next week, starting on the 10th February and is the UK’s biggest event in the Department of Education apprenticeships and skills calendar. The theme this year is ‘Skills for Life’.

We are celebrating the value, benefit and opportunity that apprenticeships bring and have picked out a few virtual events you can access each day, which can be found in the careers section of the school website. Aimed at Years 10, 11 & 12, the week sees a mix of talks, events, and advice from key figures and a range of employers to help you see how apprenticeships can help develop skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. You can keep up to date by following Apprenticeships on X and Apprenticeships on LinkedIn, and for more information click here.

Year 7-9 Bingo TONIGHT.

Don't forget that after school today there will be the Yr 7-9 Bingo event to top off what has been a great Charity Week. Tickets are only £5 each, and there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs. This is a great opportunity to have some fun while supporting the schools efforts to raise money for some amazing causes.

Don’t miss out, there is still time to get your ticket and join us there!

Over the next couple of weeks, we have three exciting school trips taking place, offering our students the chance to explore new cultures, challenge themselves, and build lasting memories.

• Canada Ski Trip: Our adventurous skiers are heading to Canada for an unforgettable experience on the slopes, where they'll enjoy world-class skiing and stunning winter scenery.

• Sixth Form Expedition to Sri Lanka: Our Sixth Form students are embarking on an educational and cultural expedition to Sri Lanka, where they’ll immerse themselves in the local community, explore the country’s rich heritage, and take part in exciting environmental and social projects. It will hopefully provide students with the opportunity to experience a new culture, undertake conservation and voluntary work, and inspire confidence for future travel experiences. A few highlights those going on the trip can expect: visiting to the Tooth Relic Temple, one of the holiest places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Exploration of Sinharaja Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to numerous endemic species of wildlife, and a trip to Udawalawe, where students will learn about conservation efforts at the Elephant Transit Home

• Sixth Form Trip to The Gambia: A group of Sixth Form students will visit our partner school in The Gambia, continuing our strong relationship and working on collaborative projects with the students and staff there. In addition to their work with the school, highlights of the trip will include cultural sightseeing in Banjul, visiting a crocodile sanctuary, and exploring the vibrant fish market. This trip will provide our students with the chance to experience the local culture, enhance global awareness, and strengthen our partnership with the Gambian community.

We wish all the students and staff involved a safe and exciting journey, and look forward to hearing about their experiences after half term. Have Fun!

The Fo$S team is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming fundraising event. We’ve teamed up with Jest Another Comedy to bring you a hilarious night of stand-up comedy. The show will feature 4 fantastic acts, along with a fully stocked bar for your ultimate enjoyment!

Date: Friday, 7th March 2025
Doors Open: 6:45 PM
Show Starts: 7:30 PM

Don't miss out on this fun evening – grab your Tickets today!

Look forward to seeing you there!

French: agressif

German: bockig

Spanish: agresivo/a

THINKING QUESTION:

The French and Spanish translations this week are similar to the English word aggressive, they don’t have a different word for truculent. Why do some languages have more words than others? 

Being Miss Nobody, by Tamsin Winter.

Rosalind hates her new secondary school. She's the weird girl who doesn't talk. The Mute-ant. And it's easy to pick on someone who can't fight back. So Rosalind starts a blog - Miss Nobody; a place to speak up, a place where she has a voice. But there's a problem... Is Miss Nobody becoming a bully herself?

Juliette Durkin in 7F has recently read the book and wrote this fabulous review: "Being Miss Nobody is a heartfelt and relatable read that sheds light on the struggles of communication and self-acceptance. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a powerful coming-of-age story. The story beautifully explores themes of mental health, friendship, and the challenges of feeling unheard. Rosalind’s journey is both touching and inspiring, showing the importance of finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in."

T is for… truculent [adjective]

Definition: Eager or quick to argue or fight.

Example: Their truculent attitude caused the situation to worsen. 

Synonyms: Aggressive, Defiant, Ferocious.

Antonyms: Cooperative, Mild, Tame.

Etymology: From Latin truculentus, from trux, truc- ‘fierce’.

It was an exceptional Saturday morning last weekend for our students who entered the Cross Country Event. Over 15 runners competed and half of those qualifying for the county team. Exceptional running standards from our speedy students.

Qualifiers:

• Kate K (13T)
• Beckie C (13H)
• Zoe H (12F)
• Annabelle N (11F)
• Toby P (10H)
• Toby R (9A)
• Daniel K (7T)
• Eleanor W (7J)

The U13 Hockey Team played a very competitive and enjoyable game v's Royal Masonic School last Thursday. Sandringham took an early lead with an excellent goal by Megan. The game was end to end, and RMS equalised late in the 1st half. The 2nd half was equally as exciting with excellent hockey and superb teamwork. Sandringham had a goal disallowed and RMS scored a late winner to end the game 2-1. Both teams played some excellent hockey and learnt a lot from the game.

The U14 Hockey Team had an equally enjoyable game creating chances and narrowly missing scoring. Their teamwork and passing were excellent, with good defending and open play, moving the ball wider going forward. There was excellent leadership from Alice and Hannah with determination and effort from the whole team ensuring a close and enjoyable match. Two players had their debut for the school and the team gelled well and they should all be proud of their performance. The final result was 3-1 to RMS.

Next week will be a shorter week for students, with classes ending on Wednesday. However, there’s still plenty happening over the weekend and at the start of the week. Then, it's time for half-term to recharge. Good luck to everyone!

Once again, a massive congratulations to our Netball girls for making history last weekend! They will be the first team to represent Sandringham at the England Netball National Finals. What an incredible achievement – everyone involved should be incredibly proud! We can't wait to see you in action at the Finals, and i'm sure you'll have plenty of support to help you through the competition. Good Luck!

Yr 7 Football

Last weekend, the Yr 7 football teams faced off against Verulam in two competitive matches. The A's emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, with MOM  going to Nathan having played a key role in the success. Meanwhile, the B's fought hard but were defeated 5-0. Despite the loss, the team's attitude and perseverance remained strong, with Caddan R and Oli R sharing the MOM for their dedication and effort.

Yr 8 Football

In an exciting match against Verulam, the Yr 8 team played to a 2-2 draw. It was a highly entertaining game, and the morning proved valuable as players who have been committed to training got more minutes on the field. Charlie C scored both goals for the team, with a nearly decisive strike at the end, just missing out on a win.

Yr 9 Football

The Yr 9 team had a brilliant match last weekend - after taking an early lead of 1-0, the team found themselves trailing 3-1. However, a last-minute finish from Zach L secured a 3-3 draw, showcasing the hard work and determination from both teams. Well done to everyone for their effort and sportsmanship.

Y7 Basketball 

On Thursday, the Yr 7 team secured a solid victory against KWS, with a final score of 30-17. It was an exciting match, especially with several debutants stepping onto the court for the first time. The team applied key aspects from training and showed great improvement as the game progressed. A standout performance came from Tim H, demonstrated excellent development throughout the game. 

Yr 8 Basketball 

The Year 8 basketball team also enjoyed a fantastic win this week against Longdean in the county league. With one game remaining in the group stage next week, the team is looking forward to maintaining their strong performance. Congratulations to both teams, great effort.

Old Albanian Cricket Club are welcoming girls of all ages and abilities to join their cricket teams. Whether you're new to the sport or have years of experience, they offer a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. If you're interested in joining or would like more information, please see contact details on the leaflet.

Don't miss out on one of the most exciting events of the term – the Battle of the Bands at the Sandpit Theatre! Join us on Tuesday, 11th February at 6:30 pm for an unforgettable night of live music, fierce competition, and incredible talent.

Tickets are just £5/£4, so it’s a great night out for friends and family. With a fantastic line-up of talented performers showcasing their musical skills, it’s set to be a thrilling event you won’t want to miss.

So come along, show your support, and enjoy an evening filled with brilliant performances and lots of energy. Who will take home the crown? You’ll have to be there to find out!

Book your tickets here – we can’t wait to see you there!

Award winning production company, Limitless Productions, are back in St Albans and this time they've got backup!

Welcome to the wild streets of 1920s New York, where gangsters run the show in Bugsy Malone! Join the charming Bugsy as he dives head-first into a thrilling turf war between rival gangs - Dandy Dan’s slick crew and Fat Sam’s lovable misfits. With whipped cream pies flying and laughter echoing, Bugsy navigates chaos while trying to win the heart of the dazzling showgirl Blousey Brown.

As the stakes rise and friendships are tested, Bugsy must step up to save his pals and outsmart the competition. Bursting with catchy tunes and high-energy dance numbers. From the team behind 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Grease' and 'The Addams Family', this musical is a rollicking adventure not to be missed!

Tickets are on sale here and cost from £17.00