Whole School Show - Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - Parent/carer Chaperones

We need you! During the performances, we need parents/carers to support backstage by supervising students to allow the Arts Team to focus on running the production.

If you are able to help, we would be incredibly grateful! The show dates/times we need support with are:

Thursday 13th November - 6:00 - 9:30pm

Friday 14th November - 6:00 - 9:30pm

Saturday 15th November - 11:00am -1:30pm and/or 6:00 - 9:30pm

Please email Mrs Hardacre directly - hardacrec@sandringham.aetrust.uk

Thank you for your continued support!

We’re Hiring!

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

- Learning Supervisor 

- Display and Publications Co-ordinator 

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.

Discover Potential Kids This Half-Term 

Potential Kids is a dynamic Hatfield-based charity offering social inclusion activities for neurodivergent children, young people, and their families. Established in 2018 and recognised with a King's Award for Charities, they provide a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for connection and growth.

They offer a range of social, sporting, and alternative provision activities at their premises and local sports centres, so there’s a fantastic line-up of local activities happening across Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City for children of all ages this half term:

• Family Football: Tuesday 25th October, 4:00 - 5:00pm at Hatfield Leisure Centre.
• Halloween Fun: Wednesday 28th October, 11:00 - 12:30pm
• Fun Rings: Thursday 29th October, 1:00 - 2:00pm 
• Trampolining: Friday 30th October, 6:00 - 7:00 at Gosling Sports Centre.
• Soft Play SEN Funzone: Tuesday 28th October, 7:00 - 8:45 at Gosling Sports Centre. 

For more information and details on how to book please click here 

St Peter’s Lunchtime Concert

On Wednesday 8th October, a group of musicians from Sandringham performed a lunchtime concert at St Peter’s Church in St Albans.

The audience enjoyed music ranging from piano music by Gershwin and Chopin to traditional Irish reels and airs, jazz standards and musical theatre.

Well done to all our musicians who took part!

The Zone at the Galleria is Now Open.

We are happy to share that The Zone, a brand-new community unit run by Potential Kids, located on the ground floor of The Galleria, is now open! 

The Zone is a dedicated space for neurodivergent children and young people to make friends, and it will also host early years sessions (ages 3-5, diagnosed or suspected) and wellbeing sessions for parents/carers.

• No formal diagnosis required.
• Siblings are welcome to join.
• Registration isn't needed to book activities.

The new location offers easier access for families to drop in, connect, and take part in a variety of supportive and engaging sessions such as:

• Parent/Carer Coffee
• Chat and Connect sessions 
• Play sessions for younger children
• Home Education sessions

Feel free to drop in at any time!

A reminder for those interested - 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 GCE/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.

Have you considered studying abroad?

We are pleased to share that St Albans School will be hosting an International Universities Fair on Monday 3rd November at 7.15pm.

At least seven overseas universities will be attending, offering an excellent opportunity for pupils and families in Yrs 10 - 12 to explore studying abroad options and learn more about international higher education pathways.

Visitors are kindly asked not to arrive before 7.00pm and please note that there will not be parking available on site.

For more details and to register click here.

Don’t miss this valuable chance to discover exciting university opportunities around the world - there is a lot to see!

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).

Exciting news! One of our students, Diego D, is running Spanish Club for Yrs 7 and 8 this term.

They meet on Tuesdays at lunchtime in C7, so get ready for a fun and interactive way to learn Spanish. Expect games, films, and activities that make learning the language enjoyable for everyone.

We are happy to share that Teresa C has been selected for the final of the Ballet Grand Prix in Scotland, taking place in February 2026. In the final, she will showcase her talent through both a classical ballet and a contemporary piece, embracing an exciting new challenge.

Teresa earned her spot in the final after a strong performance at the semi-final held at Acosta Dance Centre on the 21st September. Out of all the participants in the Junior session, only around 15 were chosen for the final, making this a really outstanding achievement for her.

Congratulations Teresa, we will look forward to hearing how you get on in February,

On Thursday 9th October, Yr 13 A Level Literature students went to see Hamlet - their Shakespeare examination text - performed at the National Theatre.

The cast were all incredibly impressive, and Francesca Mills stole the show as Ophelia.

It was great to compare this contemporary take on the tragedy with other performances watched on Digital Theatre.

It was certainly a memorable night and students really enjoyed their evening in London.

Creative Spark Project

A Brilliant opportunity for young people aged 11–17!

The project runs every Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Harpenden Young People’s Centre (27 High Street, AL5 2RU).

This inclusive programme is designed for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. It offers a safe and supportive space to build confidence, communication, and interpersonal skills while exploring creativity.

Participants are supported by qualified Services for Young People (SfYP) youth workers, who help them connect with others, learn new skills, and gain greater independence. The team also provides individualised support on emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, staying safe, cooking and nutrition, and money management.

Are you passionate about STEM and Sustainability? Imperial College London are running a new competition where teams will need to create a 5 minute film, showcasing their project. The main aim of the project is to develop a new and innovative scientific solution to one of the United Nation’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

To find out more information, email Mrs Cooper.

Co-parenting with care for parents with children with SEN

Family lives are delivering Co-parenting with care for parents with children with SEN programme during the Autumn term, funded by Herts County Council for parents/carers who live in Hertfordshire or who have a child attending a Hertfordshire school.  

This 6-week online programme offers a structured approach to help parents navigate their unique challenges, improve their relationship, and create a more supportive environment for their SEN child/ren . This group is aimed at parents who have a child with SEND and who are separated or divorced or going through the process of separation or divorce.

The programme covers themes including:

• Understanding SEN and its impact on children and family dynamics
• Effective Communication Skills
• Managing Emotions & Stress
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Building a Supportive Network
• Creating a Unified Parenting Approach

Co-Parenting with care for parents of children with SEN

Wednesday 15, 22 October and 5, 12, 19 & 26 November

9.30am to 11.30am - Via MS Teams

Co-Parenting with care for parents of children with SEN

Thursday 16, 23 October and 6, 13, 20 & 27 November

7.00pm to 9.00pm - Via MS Teams

We accept referrals from professionals as well as self-referrals. Please click here Co-Parenting with Care for parents of children with SEN for our online referral form or scan the QR code on the attached flyer

You can also email services@familylives.org.uk or call us on 0204 522 8700 or 0204 522 8701 for more information. 

Get Creative - Knife Angel Art Competition

As part of the Knife Angel’s visit to Hertfordshire this October, students are invited to take part in a county wide art competition inspired by this powerful monument made from over 100,000 surrendered knives.

You can submit artwork, photography or poetry that expresses your thoughts and feelings about the Knife Angel and the impact of knife crime.

The competition is open to all young people in Hertfordshire under 25, with categories for both primary and secondary age groups. Shortlisted entries will be displayed online for public voting in December.

How to enter:

• Complete the Microsoft Forms application here.
• Email a photo or file of your artwork to knifeangel@herts.police.uk

Deadline: Friday 7th November @ 8pm. (Entrants under 18 need permission from a parent, guardian or teacher.)

What a brilliant opportunity to showcase your creativity and raise awareness about an important issue.

Celebrating Black History Month

This October, we are proud to join schools and communities across the UK in celebrating Black History Month - a time to recognise and honour the achievements, contributions and stories of Black people throughout history and today.

As part of this, students took part in a dedicated assembly this week, reflecting on the importance of Black History Month and the positive impact of diversity and inclusion within our school and wider community.

Black History Month encourages us all to learn from the past, celebrate the present and shape a more inclusive future together. It’s a reminder that understanding, respect and equality are values we can live by every day at Sandringham.

HOUSE POINTS

Shakespeare have extended their lead out in front, nearly reaching the 7k points mark. Elgar and Turing remain in their second and third positions as we race up to half term.

1. Shakespeare 6,792
2. Elgar 6,068
3. Turing 5,961

Special mentions this week:  

• T Somers (9S) & R Dale (7E)- (15) – Most points this week
• S Smith (8S)- 92 - Highest scoring Year 8
• T Somers (9S) - 106 - Highest scoring year 9
• T Tearle (7A) - 103 - Highest scoring year 7
• J Scott (10A) - 66 - Highest scoring year 10
• E West (11J) - 30 - Highest scoring year 11
• F Evans (12S) 24 - Highest scoring sixth former
• 12J & 11E - Highest quiz score - 55/65
• Shakespeare most house points this week - 468

Visiting musician - Bill Carslake

On Wednesday 15th October, a number of our GCSE and A Level students enjoyed a visit from conductor and composer, Bill Carslake.

Students enjoyed hearing him speak about his life and experiences as a professional musician, a fresh perspective on ways to approach composition using the analogy of birdsong, and even a quick foray into conducting at the end!

Many thanks to for Bill for his time.

Buried Fire by Jonathan Stroud 

When Michael staggers home red-eyed and confused from an afternoon alone on the hill, his family suspect sunstroke, or even drugs.

But the truth is more terrifying than that. By digging up a Celtic cross in the churchyard, church excavators have released the evil influences of a dragon long buried under the neighbouring hill, and powerful forces are at large Sinister neighbours have already yielded to the enticements of this power and are determined to make Michael one of their own.

The fragile bonds that link Michael with his brother and sister are seemingly about to be destroyed in a fight for his soul...

Luke S in Yr 7 has recently read the book and felt that it, “Kept me on my edge of my seat throughout with some unexpected twists popping out of nowhere like jack-in-the-boxes. I would highly recommend this book”

Thank you to Jessica R, Yr 13, for creating our fabulous Halloween display. Which spooky book will you read this Halloween? We have lots of exciting books for students to choose from! Librarians are always available to help students choose a good book. We love to hear what everyone’s reading, and It’s great to see so many students enjoying their reading, reading regularly at home and feeling ambitious about the Yr 7 reading challenge.

French: provoquer

German: herausfordern

Spanish: provocar

Thinking question: Some languages have more words than others, how might that affect the people that speak that language?

G is for… goad [verb]

Definition: Provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.

Example: He was trying to goad her into a fight.

Synonyms: Provoke, Spur, Incite

Antonyms: Deter, Discourage

Etymology: Deriving from Old English gad, meaning a pointed stick used to drive animals. 

Plenty of sports fixtures happening heading towards the half term break. Good luck to all the teams and individuals involved. Looking forward to seeing all the updates on @sand_pe and in next weeks Sandprint.

Yr 8 Girls: Another win for our U13 team sees them progress into round 3 of the National Cup. Goals from I. Kelly and A. Dibbs with POM going to Sadie! Well done girls and onto the next.

Seniors: The Senior team are through to the second round of the County Cup. Excellent play spread across the team with POM going to R. Kincaid.

1st XV: A good game vs Samuel Ryder on Wednesday afternoon, ending in a win for Sandringham. A timely friendly for both sides, allowing lots of minutes for the squad. 

Yr 10: District League defeat for the Yr 10 boys in a very competitive game of basketball today vs Roundwood Park School. SAND MVP: S. Warren & a great points haul from A. Cofone.

Seniors: Some incredible play from our Senior team on Monday this week. O. Nicholls with an impressive 3-pointer which made for a comfortable season opener vs Owens. Great start boys.

Yr 9: Our U14 performance squad fought so hard on Tuesday this week in a competitive game vs Haileybury. Despite the hard work from every player, it unfortunately resulted in a loss for the girls. OPOM went to Grace for her fantastic movement and shooting, Coaches’ player went to Ella for stepping up and putting all we have worked on during training into practice.

Yr 10: Well done to our year 10 team who came third in today’s district tournament. A great effort from all players!

Yr 7: A good win Vs KWS last weekend for this group who continue to make improvements in their skills on execution and game understanding. Tries shared among the team, with the wingers getting in on the act today. MOM J. Parker & J Quinn. Congratulations boys 

Yr 8: Well done to the 21 U13 boys who represented Sandringham last weekend against KWS. Another strong performance from the boys resulting in a 25-25 draw. Great effort boys. Our next test is Beaumont!

Yr 9: The U14 girls Badminton came away with a win in the second round of the School Sports Mag. The girls played well against a solid Parmiters side and managed to sneak through on points after drawing 3-3 in games. Well done girls.

Yr 7: Last weekends game was the 2nd round of the National Cup vs Monks Walk. The boys played some brilliant football, with the final score being 5-0 to put us in the draw for Round 3. MOTM - Ross B for his continued relentless effort. Well done boys.

Senior Boys: This team are through to Round 3 of the County Cup after a 4 - 2 away win vs Rickmansworth School this week. Two braces from Ajaegbu & Everitt. The boys await the winners of Verulam vs Richard Hale in Round 4.

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.

The only tickets remaining are for Thursday 13th and Saturday 15th November 

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

Next week is our first Music Faculty event of the year and also our first ever, Sandringham Jazz Night on Tuesday 21st October @ 6:30pm

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.

A few tickets are still available from the Sandpit Theatre Box Office here.

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.

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. 

Saturday 29th November

Get your tickets here.