Extended Learning Day 

We are excited to announce that next Wednesday, 24th September, marks the first of this year’s Extended Learning Days!

This special day is designed to give students an opportunity to engage deeply with focused learning activities beyond the regular timetable.

Each year group will be concentrating on unique themes and projects tailored to enhance their skills and knowledge. Please see the attached table to find out what each year will be focusing on.

We’re looking forward to a productive and inspiring day for all!

Mrs T Dowling

Every year we enter a number of students for a home language GCE/GCSE or A level exam.

For example, if you speak Polish at home, you might be interested in doing the GCSE.

If you would be interested in completing a GCSE in your home language, please email into reception for the attention of Ms Baikie and Ms Bowman (Exams).

Students are only able to do the GCSE exam in Yr 10 or Year 11, we do not enter younger students.

The deadline for expressing interest is Friday 24th October for entry in the summer 2026 exams.

No applications will be accepted after this.

Ms F Baikie

Important Notice: Fake ParentPay App Alert

We’ve been made aware of a fraudulent app on the Apple App Store that is imitating the ParentPay brand.

Please note:

• ParentPay does not currently have an official app available on any app store.
• To access ParentPay, parents should always go directly to: www.parentpay.com
• Once logged in via a mobile phone, you can save a shortcut to your home screen for easy access.

Only two cases have been reported so far, but ParentPay is taking the matter seriously and is working with Apple to have the fake app removed.

This is just a heads up to keep everyone informed. If parents have any questions, they can be reassured that the safest way to access ParentPay is via the official website (above link).

Mrs T Dowling

Staff Tug of War – Let the Battle Begin!

Our brave Sandringham staff will be facing off in the much-anticipated tug of war competition later this afternoon.

Good luck to all those taking part - we’re sure things will get a little competitive (it wouldn’t be fun otherwise), but at the end of the day, it’s all about having a great time and coming together as a team.

May the strongest (and most determined) team win!

Mrs T Dowling

Reminder that tomorrow, students are invited to an exciting Agricultural Careers Day, offering a chance to explore the wide range of opportunities in this vital industry.

See poster attached for details on time and location.

For more information, contact: hertsyfc@hertsshow.com

Ms C Eady

Free Parenting Courses This Autumn from Supporting Links.

Are you a parent or carer living in Hertfordshire? Supporting Links is offering a range of FREE 6-week online courses this Autumn Term 2025, funded by Hertfordshire County Council’s Targeted Parenting Fund. These courses are designed to equip you with valuable strategies and insights to support your children through various stages and challenges.

Booking is essential. Further information and links can be found in the flyer. To check eligibility and book your place, please quote the Course ID and contact Supporting Links on 07512 709556 or bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk.

Talking Anger in Teens (Children aged 11-19)                  

Learn to understand anger in young people and yourself, develop strategies to handle it, recognise early signs, reduce conflict and encourage positive behaviour.

• Online Course ID 775: Tuesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:30 PM (4th November – 9th December)

Talking Anxiety in Teens (Children aged 11-19)

Gain understanding of why young people and adults experience anxiety. Develop strategies to manage anxiety within your family, recognise early signs, reduce stress and encourage resilient behaviour.

• Online Course ID 776: Tuesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:30 PM (16th September – 21st October)

Talking Teens (Children aged 12-19)

Explore the physical and emotional changes of the teen brain and how they affect behaviour. Learn to maintain relationships through good communication, understand risk-taking behaviour (drugs, alcohol, gang culture) and negotiate to reduce conflict.

• Online Course ID 778: Tuesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM (16th September  – 21st October)
• Online Course ID 777: Thursdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM (6th November – 11th December)

Talking Additional Needs (Children aged 2-19, with any additional need - no diagnosis required)

Understand your child's behaviour, develop effective strategies, reduce conflict, improve emotional regulation, explore sensory needs, increase resilience and manage different family needs.

• Online Course ID 770: Wednesdays, 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM (17th September – 22nd October)
• Face to Face Course ID 771: Wednesdays, 7PM - 9PM (5th November – 10th December) Reddings Family Centre, Bushey, WD23 3PE

Talking Families (Children aged 0-12)

Receive tips on managing challenging behaviour with consistency, encouraging positive behaviour, building self-esteem, setting boundaries, responding to tantrums, and developing strong parent/child relationships.

• Online Course ID 774: Wednesdays, 8PM - 9:30PM (17th September – 22nd October)
• Online Course ID 772: Thursdays, 9:45AM - 11:15 AM (18th September – 23rd October(
• Online Course ID 773: Tuesdays, 8PM - 9:30PM (4th November – 9th December)

Talking Dads (Dads & Male Carers of Children aged 0-19)

Improve listening and communication skills, foster a healthy dad-child relationship, learn effective strategies for anger and conflict, enforce boundaries and be the dad you want to be.

• Online Course ID 779: Wednesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM (17th September – 22nd October)
• Online Course ID 780: Wednesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:15 PM (5th November – 10th December)

Ms M Morris

Sandringham Jazz Night - Tuesday 21st October, 6:30pm

We are excited to announce our first Music Faculty event of the year and also our first ever, Sandringham Jazz Night.

This new event, will feature many of our school ensembles, including the Jazz Band, Concert Band and Senior Choir and will take place in the main school hall.

Tickets are available from the Sandpit Theatre Box Office, and will go on sale from Monday 22nd September.

Ms A Stothard

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 follow the link on your House Google Classroom (it will be posted on Monday at 8.a.m.) to fill out the Google Form. 

Good luck! Why not play at home and see who is the quickest to get the answer (unfortunately we can only accept answers from students)?

Mr J Richardson

We’re pleased to let families know that the whole school group photograph is now available to view and order through Tempest Photography.

To access the image and place your order, please visit the following link:

When ordering, please include your child’s full name to help with smooth distribution within school.

Order within two weeks to benefit from free delivery to the school. Orders placed after this window may incur postage and packaging charges.

If you need assistance, please call Tempest Photography on 01736 752411 and choose:

• Option 3 – To place an order (P&P applies)
• Option 5 – For customer services

One for the memory books!

Mrs T Dowling

Careers in the Music Industry talk

We are looking forward to hosting a talk on 'Careers in the Music Industry' on Monday 22nd September at 3:15pm after school. 

This is open to all students interested in learning more and will be held in F6 after school and would encourage students in Year 10 and above particularly to attend, as this is a great opportunity to gain insights into the industry.

Mon 22nd September @ 3:15pm in F6 - come and have a listen.

Ms A Stothard

Year 7 Peak District Adventure 

Excitement is building as our Year 7 students prepare to set off on their Peak District 2025 adventure next week.

This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to experience the great outdoors, build new friendships, and create lasting memories.

For all the important information about the trip, please visit the school website here

Wishing all our Year 7s an amazing and fun-filled adventure.

Mrs T Dowling

Meet RAF personnel online at our RAF World themed events, which take place online in the evening 

The next event is scheduled for Wednesday September 24.

These themed online events are the perfect opportunity to explore many different aspects of a career in the Royal Air Force. You will be able to learn from professionals who can guide you to help you find your ideal RAF career.

As well as live speakers, there are also chat rooms to find out more about specific professions and topics. You'll be able to connect with a friendly RAF recruiter online and our experts will be there to answer all your questions about career paths, RAF lifestyle, sports opportunities, benefits, and how to start your RAF journey.

Register for the September 24 event here now

Ms C Eady

We’re pleased to share this great offer for our community - Barracudas are offering an exclusive discount for the upcoming October half term. With a wide range of fun, active, and engaging activities for children aged 4 to 14, Barracudas is a great option for holiday childcare.

Parents can enjoy a special £20 off per week, or £4 a day discount on bookings using our unique code.

To find out more and secure your place click here

Discount Code: HSCP25

Mrs T Dowling

From school surveys it is clear that students and families are interested in studying Latin and Classics.  Whilst we don’t offer a taught session within the timetable, we are really fortunate that Mr P. McNally, an experienced teacher of Latin and Classics, already hosts a private Latin class at Sandringham after school each week. He is now able to provide an additional after school class for students wishing to begin studying Latin.  For those wondering ‘why study Latin?’, he describes it in the following way: “It is the gateway to literature:  to be a good reader of English and Irish literature alone, knowledge of the literature of the Romans offers an inestimable advantage. A charge often laid against learning Latin, apart from the absurd notion of elitism, is that it is useless. Why not learn Mandarin, people ask, or Russian or French?  Well half of our English vocabulary is made up of Latin words and roots; Latin provides the root words for all of the modern sciences; Latin is the language of law, government, logic, and theology and Latin effectively develops and trains the mind.  For me the pleasure of Latin is precisely because - aside from the points sketched above - it is "useless". Latin doesn't help to turn out mass-produced mini-consumers fit for a globalised 21st-century society. It helps create curious, intellectually rigorous children with a rich interior world, people who have the tools to see our world as it really is because they have encountered and imaginatively experienced another that is so like, and so very unlike, our own.”

Overall, studying Latin not only enriches students' understanding of language and culture but also equips them with valuable skills and knowledge that can benefit them in many areas of life.

Classes are held after school in K3, starting at 15.10. and finishing by 16.00, students from all years are welcome to come along for a taster session.

Finally, remember: LATIN ISN’T DEAD: IT’S IMMORTAL

If this has whetted your appetite and you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Mr McNally directly via email:

mcnallyp@sandringham.aetrust.uk

Mr P McNally

Bronze Medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Vova in Yr 13, who represented Ukraine at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the world’s most prestigious maths competition for secondary students, and returned with a well-deserved bronze medal.

The IMO brings together the brightest young mathematicians from over 100 countries, and earning a medal is no small feat. It demands exceptional talent, deep problem-solving skills, and months (if not years) of intense preparation. Vova demonstrated all of this and more, tackling some of the most complex problems ever set at this level.

His performance on the global stage reflected not just his mathematical brilliance, but also the focus, resilience, and determination of a true scholar.

What an incredible inspiration for our whole school community, and we can’t wait to see where his remarkable journey takes him next.

Mrs T Dowling

HOUSE POINTS

Shakespeare have managed to keep their lead for a second week, with Turing knocking Hepworth out to sneak into the third spot!

1. Shakespeare 2,687
2. Elgar 2,509
3. Turing 2,285

Special mentions this week:  

• J Coyne (9S) - (18) – Most points this week
• S Smith (8S)- 36 - Highest scoring Year 8
• I Muriki (7E) - 49 - Highest scoring year 7
• J Scott (10A) - 26 - Highest scoring year 10
• A Shaikh (11J - 19 - Highest scoring year 11
• E Orchard (12F) 13 - highest scoring sixth former
• 11H - Highest quiz score - 20/20

Mr D Keenleyside

We’re Hiring!

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

- Exam Invigilators

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.

Mrs T Dowling

Clubs and Instrumental Lessons

It has been fantastic welcoming new members to our choirs and ensembles this year.

New members are still welcome in our ensembles and sign ups for instrumental lessons are also still open.

Please get in touch with the Music Department for more information.

Ms A Stothard

I know it’s far too early to be thinking about Christmas, let alone talking about it… but here we are.

Believe it or not, planning is already underway for this year’s Sandringham School Christmas Fair, which will be held on Saturday 6th December.

If you (or someone you know) would be interested in having a stall at the fair, we’d love to hear from you!

Whether you sell crafts, gifts, tasty treats or anything festive and fun, please get in touch with FOSS at: friendsofsandringhamschool@gmail.com

Let’s make this year’s fair the best yet, just don’t blame us if you find yourself humming Jingle Bells in September...

Mrs T Dowling

French: franchise

German: die Ehrlichkeit

Spanish: franqueza

Thinking Question: Which European country has four official languages?

Ms F Baikie

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell.

Everyone tells Sophie that she was orphaned in a shipwreck – found floating in a cello case on the English Channel on her first birthday.

But Sophie is convinced her mother also survived. When the Welfare Agency threatens to separate her from her guardian and send her to an orphanage, Sophie takes matters into her own hands, starting with the only clue she has – the address of a cello-maker in Paris.

On the run from the authorities, Sophie finds Matteo and his network of rooftoppers – urchins who walk tightropes and live in the sky.

In a race across the rooftops of Paris, will they be able to find her mother before it's too late?

Hopeful, inspiring and thrilling in equal measure, this is a classic adventure story about pursuing your dreams and never ignoring a possible.

Emilia in Yr 7 has recently read the book and comments: “An amazing book with loads of interesting characters and a great plot twist at the end! A good book for people who like mystery mixed with fantasy.”

Mrs S Thomas

C is for… candour [adjective]

Definition: The quality of being open and honest; frankness.

Example: He was a man of refreshing candour. 

Synonyms: Truthfulness, Sincerity, Directness.

Antonyms: Guarded, Insincere, Evasive.

Etymology: From Latin candor (‘whiteness’, ‘brightness’, or ‘purity’), from candēre (‘to shine’).

Ms A Wiggett

A bigger squad took to Townsend to take on their course this week with 21 athletes running.

Some debuts from our younger students which saw them impress and get a feel for secondary school sport.

Special mentions:

D Kennedy - 1st in JB
R Bullivant - 2nd in JB
O Chau - 5th in JB
O Daniel - 4th in JG
E White - 6th in JG
E Power - 6th in IG

Mr D Keenleyside

Yr 10 Girls: Congratulations to our triumphant teams who came 1st and 3rd in today’s Harpenden Colts Football Tournament! Excellent play and sportsmanship from all players.

Mr D Keenleyside

Lots of activity happening tomorrow with all our Rugby teams playing St Columba's College, followed up with a very busy beginning of next week! As usual, good luck to all our teams, we hope you have a successful week.

Mrs T Dowling

Yr 11: the team had a slow start and found themselves 1-0 down early in the match. They responded brilliantly, taking control and dominating the game from that point on. Their determination secured a convincing 4-1 win in the first round of the National Cup. Anfield (3) and Daniel were the goal scorers. Brilliant result boys.

Yr 10: The team unfortunately lost 3-2 to Van Dyke in a very even game. After controlling the first half with lots of possession and a 1-0 lead, our opponents took their chances in the second half and go through to round 2. Sage with the goal whilst Bailey & Howett take MOM.

Yr 9: Also a fall at the first hurdle of the National cup with a 4-3 loss to HABS. A valiant effort in which the game could have gone either way. Schmidt(2) & Huntley grabbed the goals but the boys couldn’t quite come out on top. Yang & Martin MOM.

Mr D Keenleyside

1st XV: A highly competitive friendly match against St CC this week saw the team showing great promise. After a strong first half, going into half time with a 7-5 lead, the team gave it their all. Despite tiring in the second half and facing challenges with squad depth, the team demonstrated resilience and valuable experience to build on for future games.

Mr D Keenleyside

Congratulations to our U15 girls who won their first National Cup fixture convincingly today. A stand out player of the match performances from F. Randall! Looking forward to the rest of the season now, what a brilliant start.

Mr D Keenleyside

Senior football: A resilient performance from the Senior Boys B team this week, beating STABS 2-1 in a hard fought contest in difficult conditions.

GS - Luke R and Oscar.

MOM - Harry P

Mr D Keenleyside

Following on the success of the smash-hit ‘Bugsy Malone’, Limitless Productions, returns to The SandPit Theatre this Halloween, with a brand newfull-scale musical.

One of the darkest musicals ever written,Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race. Perhaps composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s most perfect score,Sweeney Todd is lush, operatic, and full of soaring beauty, pitch-black comedy and stunning terror.

Featuring a sizeable cast, full scale set and immersion throughout, this classic musical thriller is not to be missed.

Click here for ticket.

The Sandpit Team

Join the students from Cassana Performance Academy as they bring the story of Matilda to life in this much-loved musical.

Become captivated as Matilda finds strength in her unique powers and unites the children against Miss Trunchbull!

Get your tickets here.

The Sandpit Team

Join us for KT's Academy's winter production of Dancing through the decades.  

Join us down memory lane, where the children will showcase their performance skills through the decades.

A variety of dance, singing and acting performances showcased by our students. 

Get your tickets here.

The Sandpit Team

Sandringham School Drama Faculty presents the world-famous Willy Wonka, and he is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Get your tickets here, this is not one to miss!

The Sandpit Team