Student Spotlight 

This week we feature three of our students in Yrs 8 and 9, Delilah P, Imogen D and Clara W, who are choristers in the St Albans Cathedral Choir. 

The girls rehearse six times a week, before and after school, sing Evensong twice a week and weekend services several times a month.  The choir sings to a very high standard, covering several complex pieces of classical music each week, as well as the formal repertoire required for the Cathedral’s services.  This requires a good knowledge of music theory and also quickly develops the choristers’ ability to sightread music.  Singing with the Cathedral Choir has also given the girls the opportunity to sing at regular concerts, on CD recordings, at St Pauls Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall, and to go on tours abroad.

Last term a special service was arranged for representatives of local schools to hear the girls sing and it was so impressive to witness such a high standard of singing and the level of commitment required to be maintain such quality.

Well done, girls!  We are very proud of you all.

Super Saver Meal Deal - Great Value for Students

We’re pleased to remind KS3 and KS4 students about the Super Saver Meal Deal, which now includes a hot dessert - all for just £3.70.

There are also alternative £3 meal deals available, giving students plenty of choice:

• Pasta pot and classic bake

• Classic salad and whole fruit

Some great value options, with something to suit everyone.

German Exchange with Hamburg  2026/27

For many years, we have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with a school in Quickborn, just outside Hamburg. Our German Exchange Programme offers a unique opportunity for students to host an exchange partner and experience life with a German family.

Last week, we launched our sixteenth German Exchange. Students in Yrs 8 and 9 who are interested should refer to the letter sent home to families. Further information is also available from teachers in the MFL department.

The deadline for applications is Friday 30 January, with pairings taking place in March.

Year 8 Careers Assembly 

As part of our careers provision at Sandringham, Yr 8 were treated to a careers assembly on Tuesday morning. Renee Ramsay-Nicol from Computacenter came in to talk about her route into the IT company, as well as share what it is like to work there.  Interestingly, Renee studied languages at university and she is keen to note that people of all backgrounds are invited to apply to work at Computacenter.  While many employees have a background in IT, many bring other skills to the table. There are also many apprenticeship routes within the organisation. Students listened beautifully and we are very grateful for Renee’s time.

Get Into Teaching Hertfordshire Online Event

Get Into Teaching Hertfordshire is hosting an online recruitment event on Tuesday 10th February at 6 - 6.45pm, for anyone interested in finding out more about routes into teacher training.

This short session will provide helpful information about how to begin a career in teaching and the different training pathways available.

To register, scan the QR code on the attached flyer.

This is a great opportunity for anyone considering teaching as a future career to find out more in an informal and accessible way.

Year 7 Author Visit

On Wednesday afternoon Yr 7 students had the opportunity to attend an event in our Sandpit theatre with our 2026 Whole School Read author, Brogen Murphy. Brogen spoke about their passion for re-wilding and gave us an insightful presentation about our lost native species and various UK initiatives to bring them back in order to enhance our eco-system. Brogen also spoke about their initial idea for their amazing novel, Wildlands and how they wrote their book. Many students talked with to Brogen after the event about their interests in conservation, zoology, writing, and some of the other fascinating themes in the book.

Thank you very much, Brogen, for visiting us!

House Charity Raffle 

We would like to say a huge thank you to SASA School of Performing Arts for their generous donations to our upcoming House Charity Raffle.

SASA have kindly donated the following prizes:

• One voucher for their Summer Showcase
• One voucher for 50% off a term of Adult Street Fit

SASA is a social-purpose, part-time performing arts school offering focused training for future musical theatre professionals, as well as a wide range of classes for children and adults. With performance opportunities at the heart of everything they do, SASA provides a nurturing, inclusive, and confidence-building environment for people of all ages and abilities.

We are extremely grateful to SASA for supporting our House charity raffle and helping to make it a success. 

House Charity Raffle - Prize Donations Needed

Our House Charity Raffle will be taking place in February, and we’re currently asking for any donations for raffle prizes.

If you are able to contribute a prize, big or small, please let Mr Keenleyside know - all donations are greatly appreciated and help make the raffle a success. Raffle tickets will be going on sale in a couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for more details soon. Thank you for your continued support of our House charity events.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far - there are already some brilliant prizes to win, so look out for tickets going on sale soon.

Supporting Links - New Courses Dates Added 

Due to high demand, additional courses have been added for the Spring Term.

These courses are run by a local Social Enterprise that provides parenting support through courses, workshops, and 1:1 mentoring for parents and children across Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.

The organisation values the experience and knowledge every parent brings and works to build confidence and positivity by offering practical guidance. Their sessions help parents better understand their child’s behaviour, develop effective strategies that really work, and strengthen communication - laying the foundations for positive and successful family relationships.

Places may be limited, so we encourage families to explore the available options and book early where possible.

SEND Health & Wellbeing Survey 2025 

Parents and carers are encouraged to support young people aged 11–25 with SEND to take part in the SEND Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025, which is open now until Friday 6th February 2026.

The survey is anonymous, can be completed on any device, and includes a save and continue option so it can be done over more than one session if needed. Young people may require support, and it’s recommended they are given privacy when answering personal questions.

The survey helps shape local services by gathering valuable information on areas such as mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, safety, and bullying, ensuring future support better meets the needs of SEND young people and their families.

Start the survey here or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Thank you for supporting this important opportunity to have young people’s voices heard.

Staying Healthy This Year 

As we start the new year, Beezee Families has shared some helpful tips to support families in staying healthy during the colder months.

Beezee Families run a free 12-week healthy lifestyle programme delivered by nutritionists across Hertfordshire. The programme helps families build healthy habits around food, physical activity, and having fun together.

Spaces for January are filling quickly, so families are encouraged to sign up soon.

More information can be found on their website here.

Generation Welwyn Hatfield - Careers Event

We’re pleased to share details of the next Generation event, Generation Welwyn Hatfield, taking place on Friday 6th February at The Fielder Centre, Hatfield.

It's encouraging Yr 10 students and above, along with parents, to attend the Twilight Session from 3.30–5.00pm.

The event will feature over 50 employers, all ready to talk about:

• Their companies
• Career pathways and roles
• Apprenticeships and future opportunities

This is a fantastic chance for students to explore career ideas, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into the world of work.

Find out more and book your place click here or check out the video to get an idea of what will be going on during the event.

HOUSE POINTS

Shakespeare steam ahead, with Turing also creating a little distance between them and Fawcett in third place.

1. Shakespeare 15,179
2. Turing 13,152
3. Fawcett 12,768

Special mentions this week:  

• A Busuioc (9F) (18) – Most points this week
• T Tearle (7A) - 186 - Highest scoring year 7
• M Altiganer (8F)- 169 - Highest scoring Year 8
• T Somers (9S) - 193 - Highest scoring year 9
• G Birkin (10s) - 121- Highest scoring year 10
• L Jones (11H) - 45 - Highest scoring year 11
• F Evans (12S) 33 - Highest scoring sixth former
• 12S - Highest quiz score - 105/115
• Hepworth most house points this week - 514

Holiday Clubs

Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s favourite school holiday camp for children aged 4 to 14 years, will be open at our school in 2026.

80+ exciting activities including arts and crafts, sports, teambuilding and much more! We also have specialist activities including archery and motorsports offered at our Easter and summer camps.  

Parent discounts: Parents can get £25 off a full week or £5 off a day by applying this code in the promotions box: HSCP26. *can’t be used in conjunction with other codes (apart from our Early Booking Offer)

Ofsted registered, confidence building camps with high staff to child ratios.  

Save up to £125 with their Early Booking offer and your exclusive code! 

Book now at www.Barracudas.co.uk or call 01480 467 567.  

Oaklands Open Evening 

Oaklands are very much looking forward to their upcoming Open Evenings at their St Albans and Welwyn Garden City campuses.

St Albans Campus - Tuesday 3rd February @ 5 - 7:30pm

Welwyn Garden City Campus -  Thursday 5th February @ 5 - 7:30pm

Click on the QR codes for more information and how to register.

Sixth Formers - Save the Date.

We are arranging an Apprenticeship Event for Yr 12 & 13 parents/carers and students on Thursday 5th March at 17:30. 

This will involve meeting and hearing from some of our alumni who are successfully pursuing an apprenticeship.

Further details to follow shortly!

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).

Spring Term Online Parenting Groups 

Family Lives, funded by Herts County Council, is offering a series of free online parenting groups this Spring term for parents and carers living in Hertfordshire.

These programmes provide support, guidance, and practical resources to help parents and adult family members support their child’s growth and development. Participants also have access to Family Lives’ helpline, live chat, and online resources for ongoing support.

Spring Term Sessions:

Less Shouting, More Co-operation

• Tuesday 20 January - 3 March, 7:00 - 9:00pm
• Or Thursday 9 February - 23 March, 9:45 - 11:45am

Bringing Up Confident ADHD/ASD Children

• Friday 23 January - 6 March, 9:45 - 11:45am

Getting on with Your Pre-Teen/Teenager

• Tuesday 3 February - 17 March, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Dads Together

• Wednesday 4 February - 18 March, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Booking & Contact Information:
To book a place, complete the online referral form here or scan the QR code on the attached flyer. For more information, email services@familylives.org.uk or call 020 4522 8701 /020 4522 8700.

Drama Reading Recommendations

The Drama department have been supporting ‘Our Year of Reading’ this week by sharing book recommendations with all Drama classes. 

Teacher recommendations have included:

1. The Little Big Things by Henry Fraser
2. Kernowland 1: The Crystal Pool by Jack Trelawny
3. The Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre by Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett

These recommendations have given students the opportunity to discuss with their peers the books they like to read.  As ever, we hold a wide and varied stock of books in the LRC and would welcome all students to borrow books and request any that aren’t currently in our collection. 

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

We asked our amazing visiting author, Brogen Murphy for a recommendation for this week’s Book Spotlight. After some thought they chose Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen.

'There was a wild crashing sound, a ripping of metal, and the plane blew through the trees, out over the water and down, down to slam into the lake...'

Brian is a city boy. Not used to living rough. Until his plane crash-lands in the Canadian wilderness. All he has is a hatchet - and a desperate will to survive. Now Brian must learn to live the hard way - or die.

Brogen says: “I read this when I was about 10 and it stayed with me. A vivid, gripping, visceral survival story set in the Canadian wilderness. This book was a huge inspiration behind writing Wildlands. The only reason I hesitate to recommend it is my worry that students might enjoy it more.”

French: raser

German: abreissen

Spanish: demoler

Thinking Question: Many of our words originate from Latin. What other word origins do you know of?

R is for… raze [verb]

Definition: Completely destroy (a building, town, or other settlement).

Example: As a result of the volcanic eruption, villages were razed to the ground.

Synonyms: Demolish, Obliterate, Wreck

Antonyms: Construct, Create , Repair

Etymology: From Latin rasare (‘to scrape or shave’), frequentative of radere (‘to scrape, shave’).

A heavy football, netball and basketball week ahead for our sports fanatics. 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 11 Boys: A comfortable win for Sandringham as they move onto the next round of the County Plate. Goals from Anfield (5) & McCree seal the win.

Yr 8 Girls: Congratulations to our U13 who beat Leventhorpe School in today’s County Cup match. Excellent play from all. Special mention to P.Allen who has been outstanding in both games this week.

Science Spectacular!

Sandringham School's Science Faculty presents their annual Chemistry Show!

Expect exciting experiments, funky facts and lots more.

4th March @ 6pm 

Book your tickets here now.

Get Ready for a Face-Melting Evening of Music

The Battle of the Bands is back at the Sandpit Theatre on Tuesday 27th January 2026, starting at 6:30pm.

Come and cheer on our talented student bands as they compete for the crown in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of live music.

Tickets are on sale now via the Sandpit Theatre, so grab yours early as you don’t miss out.

Sandringham School Dance Department invites you to step Into the Upside Down

This year, the theatre transforms into Hawkins, Indiana, where nothing is quite as it seems. As you enter, be prepared to cross the boundary between worlds and embark on a thrilling journey inspired by the secrets, shadows, and supernatural energy of Stranger Things. From the neon pulse of the ‘80s to the eerie echoes of the Upside Down, our dancers will guide you through a story where courage, friendship, and mystery collide.

5th - 7th February 2026

We are offering a Velocity 2026 VIP Package, which includes:

• Priority front row table seating
• 2 programmes
• Games on your table
• Stranger Things themed cocktail/mocktail
• And a few surprises from the other side…

Tickets are now on sale here - be sure to get yours quickly to avoid disappointment. This is one show not to miss!