Old Athletics Spikes Needed!

We would like to ask our wonderful school community for a small but impactful request. If you have any old or unused athletics spikes that are no longer needed, we would greatly appreciate your donation. These spikes will help support our athletics ambition to ensure that students have the proper equipment they need to succeed.

If you have any to donate, please bring them to Student Services or Reception - thank you so much for your generosity and continued support of our students.

Comic Relief – 40th Anniversary Celebration!

Today, we are celebrating 40 years of Comic Relief with a non-uniform day. Students were invited to come to school in their own clothes for a minimum donation of £2, with the option to contribute more if they wish. Donations can be made through ParentPay, and any additional contributions will be greatly appreciated.

All funds raised will go to the incredible Comic Relief charity, supporting vital causes both here in the UK and around the world. This is a fantastic opportunity to show our school’s support for such an important cause, while also having a bit of fun!

Thank you in advance for your generosity and we hope they manage to achieve their donation target amount by the end of this evenings brilliant TV coverage.

AI Parents Information Evening 

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a major topic of conversation, it’s important that we stay informed and navigate this rapidly evolving field together. There are still many unknowns, but staying up-to-date is essential to ensure we’re supporting our students and staff effectively.

We’re excited to invite all parents to an AI Parents Information Evening on Thursday 5th June, which will be held online. The session aims to provide parents with a better understanding of how AI is being used in school, as well as key messages on how to best support our young people in using AI effectively and safely in their studies and beyond.

We encourage all parents to join this important discussion as we work together to equip our students for the future. More information on timings and how to register will be shared nearer the time.

St Albans Youth Council - Giving Young People a Voice

Hertfordshire County Council is offering young people aged 13-17 the chance to get involved in the St Albans Youth Council, an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in their local communities. They meet every Monday from 6-8pm at the Harpenden Young People’s Centre (27 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2RU).

This program empowers young people to have their voices heard, design social action projects, and get involved in meaningful debates. Members work together to determine local priorities, develop action plans, write funding bids, and actively participate in local decision-making processes.

If you are passionate about creating change and want to be part of an exciting group of young leaders, the St Albans Youth Council could be the perfect opportunity for you. To join, simply complete the SfYP referral form by scanning the QR code on the poster or contact the St Albans Team for more information.

A Brilliant Week Celebrating British Science Week!

Last week, our students had an incredible time celebrating British Science Week. With so many exciting events, talks, and workshops happening, it’s hard to capture it all in just one article. Highlights included engaging workshops on AI and machine learning, inspiring garden redesign projects, an eclipse camera workshop, and a variety of hands-on scientific activities.

From exploring the future of technology to redesigning outdoor spaces, students had the chance to dive deep into the fascinating world of science and innovation.

To get a full rundown of all the amazing highlights from the week, please click on the following link.

We’re so proud of our students for their enthusiasm and participation in making this week a memorable one. And thank you again to the staff for making this all possible. 

Last Chance to Join the "Talking Teens" Course!

There’s only a few session left of the free in-person "Talking Teens" course, offered by Supporting Links, designed to help parents and carers navigate the challenges of raising 12-19 yr olds. This course is open to all parents, carers, grandparents, and guardians in Hertfordshire.

The final session will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the Gade Community Room, Oakleaf Primary School, Hemel Hempstead.

This course has already covered a lot, including:

• Understanding the teenage brain and its impact on behaviour
• Exploring the connection between behaviour and difficult emotions
• Strategies for maintaining strong communication
• Navigating risk-taking behaviours
• Techniques for effective conflict resolution

It’s not too late to join and benefit from these practical insights and strategies, plus connect with other parents and carers!

Click here to secure your space or for more information

As we gear up to launch our new Golf Society in the summer term, we’re looking for donations of second-hand golf equipment to help support our beginner players who don’t have their own gear. If you have any golf clubs, balls, or bags that you no longer use - especially junior sets that have been outgrown - please consider donating them. To donate please email Mr. Smith (PD YR11) at smithda@mysandstorm.org. We can also arrange collection if needed.

HOUSE POINTS

After one week out of the top 3, Newton have upped their game and made their way back onto a podium spot. 

1. Hepworth 19,561
2. Austen 18,611
3. Newton 17,056

Special mentions this week:  

• J Cordery (7J) (11) – Most points this week
• Johnson for winning this weeks house points – 359
• Hepworth for leading this months house points – 2,019
• 7A for the highest average points in their tutor group (143.1)
• 9E the highest quiz score total – 128/170
• Johnson & Newton for an amazing charity week!

'Sandringham’s Got Talent’ 

As part of Charity Week, we were treated to an outstanding display of talent during the Sandringham’s Got Talent event. The title of ‘Sandringham’s Got Talent’ went to T Gorsuch, who delivered a breathtaking performance of ‘Shallow’. Gorsuch's skilful guitar playing, combined with his beautiful vocals, truly captivated the audience, and the emotion he conveyed through the lyrics was felt by all. It was a truly deserving win.

Not only was the event a fantastic showcase of talent, but it also raised money for charity. A huge well done to all the performers for making the event so memorable and for contributing to such a worthy cause.

We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of one of our talented students, C Lau, who recently competed in the Welwyn Garden City Dance Festival! She took home 1st Place in the Classical Ballet (12 years old) category, scoring an impressive 86 points. While this event wasn’t a qualifier for the All England Dance Championships, her remarkable performance was still an incredible accomplishment.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and can't wait to compete again next weekend in Luton!"

We wish her the best of luck in the upcoming competition and look forward to hearing more about more future successes in the world of dance.

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?

This week’s whole school theme is ‘Red Nose Day 2025’. This year is the 40 Year anniversary of the first Red Nose Day celebration in 1985. As a result this Friday students are invited to come into school in non school uniform for a small donation on parent pay. Alongside this students received an excellent assembly from Mr Smith who spoke about the history of the day and the fund raising activities that have gone on in the past. In the spirit of red nose day this week has also been one of our many Sandringham Charity weeks. This week there have been bake sales everyday outside C Block, a sponge the teacher at lunchtimes, and Sandringham’s Got talent after-school on Thursday.

Emotionally Based School Anxiety Drop-In Sessions.

DSPL7 and Services for Young People, in partnership with The Pioneer Club, are still 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: 14th May, and 19th June. Further information, including contact details can be found in the flyer.

Hertfordshire County Council is excited to offer young people the opportunity to participate in the Supporting You Project, which is designed to build resilience and emotional well-being.This project is aimed at 13-17 yr olds, takes place every Thursday from 6-8pm at the Pioneer Young People’s Centre in St Albans (Heathlands Drive, AL3 5AY).

The Supporting You Project provides young people with the tools they need to help themselves navigate challenges and develop positive mental health. Over the course of the project, attendees will learn 12 CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) skills, as well as a method for planning and achieving personal goals. These valuable skills are delivered by Youth Workers who are specially trained in CBT techniques.

If you or someone you know would like to join, you can complete the SfYP referral form by scanning the QR code in the poster or contact the St Albans Team for more details.

House Charity Week has been a fantastic success, with Johnson and Newton leading the way with some incredibly popular fundraising events.

Sandringham’s Got Talent wowed the audience with amazing performances, and the Sponging the Teachers event was a massive hit on the tennis courts at lunchtime. Huge crowds gathered to take their chance at soaking the teachers, and some students were even generous enough to donate enough to pour an entire bucket of water over one lucky staff member.

It was a great insight into what raises the most interest, perhaps all charity events going forward should include a sponge the teacher theme? Nevertheless, the school spirit was truly on display. Thank you to everyone who got involved, your support means so much to the charities we are raising funds for. Be sure to check out the highlights in the attached pictures. Well done everyone.

New Easter Holiday Opportunity for Year 11-13 Students

We are excited to offer Yr 11-13 students a fantastic opportunity to participate in the KPMG Virtual Work Experience Day on 14th April, from 10am to 3pm. This is a great chance to explore career opportunities in business, finance, accounting, and professional services.

To register, simply click here: KPMG Virtual Work Experience Registration

Ms. Baikie Takes on the Swimathon Challenge!

Our very own Ms. Baikie is taking on a fantastic challenge to support worthy causes. On March 29th, she’ll be swimming 2.5km (that’s 100 lengths!) as part of the Swimathon, raising funds for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, and the Swimathon Foundation. As returning to work after having a baby wasn’t quite enough of a challenge - she’s diving into the Swimathon to test her limits. If you'd like to support Ms. Baikie in this amazing effort, you can visit her fundraising page here: Fundraising Page.

Let’s cheer her on and show our support for this incredible challenge - Good luck!

Hertfordshire Schools' Gala Concerts – Featuring Sandringham Students!

The Hertfordshire Schools Symphony Orchestra (HSSO) and the Hertfordshire County Youth Choir will be performing two concerts as part of the Hertfordshire Schools' Gala this Sunday 23 March 2025, with two performances at 1.45pm and 7.45pm. A number of talented students from Sandringham will be participating in the HSSO, including R Tune on the violin, along with other students who play the oboe and cello. 

One of the highlights of this performance will be the HSSO’s recent appearance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. In this special concert, they will be performing a variety of pieces, including songs from Matilda, which will accompany choirs from several Hertfordshire schools. Other music on the programme includes works by Richard Strauss, Saint-Saëns, as well as specially commissioned pieces for the event.

It no doubt be a fantastic celebration of local talent, and we encourage you to come along and support our students and the wider Hertfordshire music community

Important Social Media Update: Closing of X Account

Following the update shared last week, we want to let you know that we are officially closing our X (formerly known as Twitter) account as of the end of today. 

Our primary platform for school updates going forward will now be Instagram, where we will continue to share news, announcements, and important information. We will also continue to use Facebook for updates related to the main Sandringham School account.

Please make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. The main social media accounts we will be using going forward are:

• @sandringhamsch1 – Main School Account (Instagram)
• @sand_pe – All Sports/PE Updates (Instagram)
• @sand_artsteam – All School Arts Updates (Instagram)
• @sand.trips – All School Trips (Instagram)

Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to staying connected with you, whilst continuing to share our stories and successes along the way.

Signed, Sealed, Dead, by Cynthia Murphy

True-Crime obsessed Paige, and her family, move across the Atlantic to her father's eerie home town, and it's not long before she uncovers the town's dark history - a string of unsolved murders and disappearances in the 90s. And then notes start appearing at their dilapidated old home, about the secrets the house is keeping.

The clues lead Paige to a diary concealed in the walls that belonged to one of the missing girls.

Could this be the key to solving a quarter-of-a-century mystery, or will this make Paige the next target?!

French: xanthique

German: Xanthogen

Spanish: xantato

Thinking Question: All of the words this week are very similar. This word of the week had Greek origins and clearly English, French, German and Spanish have ‘borrowed’ the Greek word. Why do languages borrow words from each other? How does this happen?

X is for xanthic (adjective)

Definition: Of, relating to, or tending toward a yellow colour.

Example: The type of the cyanic series is blue, and that of the xanthic series yellow.

Synonyms: Yellow

Antonyms: Cyan, blue

Etymology: From Greek xanthos ‘yellow’ + -ic.

Yr 8: Last weekend capped off a thoroughly enjoyable football season for this team. Despite some excellent resolute defending, it wasn’t enough to keep out a strong KWS side. More importantly, a massive well done to the team, who turned up week in week out, and did the school proud.

Yr 10: It was an exciting and closely contested game for 60 minutes last weekend, with KWS ultimately securing a comfortable victory. Despite a 4-1 loss for Sandringham, the team showed great determination, with N Payne the lone scorer for us. While there were challenges in retaining possession during the second half, the focus now shifts to the upcoming District Cup semi-final against Nicky B. The team is ready to build on this experience and give their best effort in the next match

Senior Girls: Congratulations to our Senior team who beat St Albans Girls School today in their County Cup Semi Final, and now progress to the Final on the 31st March. Goals from M. Raath I. Martin J. Rance

What an incredible day it was last Sunday for our Yr 11 Netball team! After securing 5 wins and 3 losses, they finished 4th in their group and 8th overall. The team played with incredible heart, and every single player gave their best effort. Their determination and teamwork were truly inspiring, and they should be incredibly proud of everything they’ve achieved. Well done girls, you are a credit to the school and yourselves.

Congratulations to the Senior Girls for an outstanding squad performance, who beat The Marist School in the final of the Sister n Sport National Plate Final yesterday, to be crowned Champions.

Special shout out to M Raath for being chosen as Player as the Match for the Final.

We're all very grateful and proud of the amount of work that they have put in to their netball, and we hope that they have enjoyed the experience as much as we have. You have grown into such lovely people and we wish you the very best of luck for the future. Well done ladies.

After an epic week of sporting triumphs, we continue to have a busy week with football and netball fixtures, with the addition of athletics now beginning to ramp up as we near the start of the summer term. Good luck all.

Y8: Congratulations to the Yr 8 Boys and Girls team for both being crowned County Champions this week.The Yr 8 boys took the title with a superb comeback in the 4th quarter to seal a 51-46 victory over Queens school. A.Cofone and O.Harley-Bentley led the turnaround. The Girls also put in an absolutely outstanding performance to also take the county crown - it's been a victorious Yr 8 Basketball season, well done all.

Yr 11: A huge well done to the Y11 Boys who have also been crowned County Champions with an OT win over Beaumont. A tight game from the start but a late run down the stretch was enough to seal it - Congratulations boys, what a way to end your Yr11 Basketball careers.