On Friday 24th April, our Yr 11 historians attended our annual ‘Big History Quiz’ . We had over 40 students attend and they competed in rounds on Medicine, Normans, Cold War and Weimar and Nazi Germany and it got very competitive. A huge congrats to Team ‘Stresemann’s volcano’  on their victory!

On behalf of all of the teachers in the History Faculty, we’d like to say a massive well done to the whole GCSE History cohort; they have worked so hard and we wish them the very best of luck with all their exams over the next month.

National Cup Success

Congratulations to Dylan L and his teammates, who were crowned National Cup winners last weekend - a fantastic achievement and the first time the team has secured the title.

This is a brilliant accomplishment and a memorable experience for all involved.

Well done Dylan.

HOUSE POINTS

Shakespeare are still managing to keep Turing and Fawcett at bay so far this term - can they go the distance!

1. Shakespeare 21, 884
2. Turing 20, 195
3. Fawcett 18, 923

Special mentions this week:  

• L Stagg (13JO) - (21) – Most points this week
• T Tearle (7S) 297 - Highest scoring year 7
• M Altiganer (8F)- 251 - Highest scoring Year 8
• T Somers (9S) - 249 - Highest scoring year 9
• G Birkin (10s) - 183- Highest scoring year 10
• B Stevenson (12F) 55 - Highest scoring sixth former
• 12S - Highest quiz score - 183/215
• E for most house points this week - 315

Outdoor Cinema at Battlers Green Farm

If you're looking for a fun summer activity, then Battlers Green Farm is hosting a series of open-air cinema events this summer.

With a mix of family favourites and iconic classics, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a film in a unique outdoor setting with family and friends.

For more information and to see the full programme, please visit their website here.

Potential Kids - May Activities

A quick reminder that Potential Kids are running a range of sessions throughout the May for neurodivergent children and young people, their siblings, and parents/carers.

These sessions provide a welcoming and supportive space for families to connect, have fun and access tailored activities.

To book a place, please visit their website here or for further information email: info@potentialkids.org

Please see the attached poster for full details of sessions, timings and venues.

Farewell to Year 13

As our Yr 13 students reach their final day with us, we take a moment to reflect on what has been a memorable journey for all.

It has been a pleasure to have you as part of the Sandringham community. Over the years, you have grown not only in your studies, but also as individuals - supporting one another, creating lasting memories and contributing so much to school life.

As you move on to the next stage - whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or taking some time to consider your next steps - we wish you every success and happiness in the future.

We are incredibly proud of all you have achieved and look forward to seeing where your journeys take you next, so remember to keep in touch!

Good luck - you will be missed!

Sandridge Rovers Juniors - New Recruits

Sandridge Rovers Juniors are currently recruiting new players for the upcoming 2026/27 season.

They are looking for students moving into Yr 7 in September 2026 (current Yr 6) to join their friendly, inclusive and hard-working teams, with a focus on developing footballing skills and teamwork.

For more information or to register your interest, please see the poster or visit their website here.

British Physics Olympiad Success

The BPhO, run by Oxford University, aims to encourage the study of physics and to recognise excellence in young physicists through a number annual competitions.

Last Summer, Ranya A and Eugene V in Yr 13 submitted an entry to the Computational Challenge. They were tasked with simulating several challenging optical situations including convex lenses, spherical lenses and rainbow formation. They went on to produce a fascinating paper on gravitational microlensing and have showcased their work on this website:

We are thrilled to announce that they have been awarded Gold, the top prize in this competition, indicating that they produced some of the highest ranking work in the country!

Congratulations both on such an amazing achievement - we couldn't be prouder.

Eligibility for Free School Meals is set to change.

Starting in September 2026, families who receive Universal Credit will have access to Free School Meals for the 2026/2027 school year. This adjustment means that every household on Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals. If your household is a recipient of Universal Credit, you could potentially save up to £495 annually for each child on school lunches. For families with several children, these savings can significantly impact household finances.

Further information regarding the expansion of free school meals is available on The Education Hub of the government website here click here

To apply for free school meals, you can do so now, directly with Hertfordshire County Council online by clicking here

For any questions or further information please contact Gemma Lovett at admin@sandringham.aetrust.u

A Fitting Tribute to Mr Gray

On Wednesday 5th May, two crack squads - blending both youth and experience - took to the pitch for a special testimonial match in honour of Mr Gray.

The high-quality and entertaining game was watched by an enthusiastic crowd of staff and students, who were treated to a thrilling 6–6 draw. All agreed that on this occasion, football was the real winner.

A special acknowledgement goes to Mr Gray, who marked the occasion in style by scoring a hat-trick,  just as he did in the very first match played on the astro turf when it opened.

Well done done to all the staff involved.

New Spring/Summer Menu Available

The new Spring/Summer menu from Culinera is now available to view on the Sandringham website.

Students and parents/carers can explore the full range of meals on offer by clicking here.

Royal Academy Success 

It is a wonderful moment of celebration for our creative community as we congratulate both students and staff on being shortlisted or selected for this year’s prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Royal Academy Young Artist's Summer Show.

Held annually since 1769, the exhibition is the world’s largest open-submission art show, attracting thousands of entries from artists across the UK and beyond. To be shortlisted is a significant achievement, recognising both the quality and originality of the work amongst an exceptionally competitive field.  The Young Artists summer show is a more recent addition to the show and over the past few years we have been delighted to celebrate students whose work has been selected for exhibition.

We are delighted to celebrate Emilia S from Year 7, whose animation work has been selected for the Young Artists’ Summer Show. Organised by the Royal Academy, the exhibition showcases the creativity and imagination of young artists from across the country, with selected works displayed both online and at the Academy itself. To have work chosen is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the Emilia’s talent, dedication, and artistic voice. We are equally delighted to celebrate the work of Mr Bloomfield whose work has been shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Show and we are excited to hear in due course as to whether this will be another opportunity for Mr Bloomfield to exhibit his work at The Royal Academy.

These achievements highlight the strength, ambition, and creativity within our community, and we could not be prouder to see both staff and student work recognised together on such an important national stage. We would also like to thank Mrs Gidden for her hard work in promoting and leading entries this year to encourage members of our community to take part.

Mental Heath Services Directory 

It’s important for students, parents and carers to know that help and support are always available should you need it. Hertfordshire’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service Directory brings together a wide range of services that can provide help with emotional wellbeing, anxiety, stress, behaviour challenges and more. 

You can view and download the full directory here:Link

The directory lists a variety of services, including early-intervention and specialist support such as:

• School nurses and duty lines
• Counselling services
• Youth wellbeing support
• Mental Health Support Teams in schools
• Digital and online support tools
• Single Point Access for professional assessment and referrals
• and more to help when you need it. hwehealthiertogether.nhs.uk

There are also services you can contact directly without a professional referral, including free and confidential support for young people in Hertfordshire. So please don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it.

Huge Rugby Success

Huge congratulations to our Yr 12 students Violet P, Cerys M, Eesha M, Annabelle N who played their hearts out as part of Old Albanians Junior Saints u18s rugby national final on Sunday and were crowned England National Champions!

The girls were involved in a nail-biting 17-17 draw at full time but by virtue of scoring the first try in the final beat Dings Crusaders from Bristol at Sixways Stadium in Worcester.

A fantastic end to the season which has seen them also win the Herts League and the Old Albanians RFC team of the year, the first time this accolade has been awarded to a junior girls’ side. 

Congratulations girls - an incredible achievement.

Senior Physics Challenge

In March, students from Yr 12 took part in the Senior Physics Challenge competition. This involves solving fun and challenging problems that are designed to stretch students beyond their A-level course. The results are as follows:

Silver awards, top 1100 students in the country! - Tara A, Isaac N, Harrison G, Ollie C, Owen K, Charlie S, Thomas D

Bronze awards - Ross H, Leo A, Theo T, Taylor P, Finlay L, Jacob E, Max H, Coralia K, Alex C, Yiheng S, Oscar M

Commendation - Calum W, Max D

Congratulations to all who took part - a brilliant achievement.

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough!

We would like to wish a very happy 100th birthday to David Attenborough, whose incredible work and legacy continue to inspire generations around the world.

To celebrate this remarkable milestone, students have created their own birthday cards, which have been sent this week. There were some truly fantastic entries, beautifully capturing his work, passion for the natural world and lasting impact.

You can see pictured some of the standout designs, selected by Yr 13 students and staff as the most impressive.

A wonderful way to celebrate an extraordinary life and legacy - once again, a very happy birthday Sir David Attenborough!

We’re Hiring!

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

- Senior Science Technician

If you, or anyone you know would like to be part of our passionate and dedicated team, please visit the website here for more information and to apply.

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).

The Monsters at the End of the World, by Rebecca Orwin

Sunny has known three truths about the creatures that prowl the seas off her tiny coastal town. They are dangerous. They are violent. They are monsters. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected connection, Sunny discovers just how wrong she has been. The monster she meets – Mo – is intelligent, gentle, and searching for his lost brother. Sunny desperately wants to help, and to keep her new friend a secret. But other people are keeping secrets too. And as hunger grips the town, new truths will emerge about the real monsters in Seawaren . . .

Tarah C in Yr 7 has recently read the book and comments;

‘This book is really good for people who likes a mix of dystopia, fantasy and mystery. I really liked the way the monsters communicate with humans and with each other which enables them to read thoughts.’

French: ésotérique

German: esotérico/a

Spanish: geheim

Thinking Question: This week the German translation is very different - why might this be?

E is for… esoteric [adjective]

Definition: Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialised knowledge.

Example: The professor's lecture on quantum theory was fascinating but esoteric.

Synonyms: Obscure, Abstract, Specialised

Antonyms: Common, Obvious, Accessible

Etymology: From Greek esōterikos, from esōterō meaning “more inward”.

County league 2

A good showing again yesterday afternoon as our students complete the second county league meet, securing strong points in the process. A few more debutants and some still finding their feet on an atheltics track but promising performances from all.

Athletes of the meet:

U14G - S Smith 1st, 2nd, 2nd
U14B - D Kennedy 1st, 2nd, 3rd
U16G - M Wright 2nd, 2nd, 2nd
U16B - S Selvamani 1st, 2nd

Yr 9 Boys

First game of the season for our Yr 9 team today vs a very strong St Albans side. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first resulted in a score of 48 against some tough bowlers.
As we took to the field, it was always going to be difficult to defend a relatively low score but Sandringham stuck at it and picked up three wickets before St Albans got the job done.

A great effort by this team.

County League Tables

A great start to the county league campaign for all four teams. An impressive points tally against some strong St Albans schools last week.

A reminder that all four teams compete in six county league meets and face every school in ‘Area B’ once. The top 4 qualify for the cup final after all six meets.

This week at County league 2, we look to build on the strong start.

Cricket and Athletics dominate as we settle into the Summer term - good luck to all those taking part.

County Doubles Tennis

Well done to our U18 and U14 girls, who represented Sandringham at the County Doubles Tournament.

There was some excellent tennis on display throughout the competition, with all teams showing great determination, teamwork and resilience. Each pair worked hard and delivered some fantastic performances against strong opposition.

A great effort from all involved, so well done to everyone who took part.

CMG Arts Present Dream Big 

Join us to celebrate their youngest students from CMG Arts as they take to the stage with their big dreams and spectacular stage presence.

Sunday 14th July - 11:00am and 3:00pm 

Book your tickets here.

A Journey At The Theatre

Join Theatretrain as we take a trip around the world in 60 minutes.

Get your tickets here.

Excel in Dance!

The talented students from Excel Performing Arts perform in their brilliant spectacular annual show Excelocity. 

Excelocity will be an exciting and entertaining mix of performing arts including ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary dance, jazz, commercial street, hip hop dance as well as drama and singing. With dazzling costumes and fantastic choreography, Excelocity will be a show where the most amazing, special memories are made.

SIGN UP FOR WAITLIST TICKETS IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO FIND TICKETS FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. 

Tickets will be allocated based on demand so we may not be able to offer more than 2 waitlist tickets per person. Regularly check your emails for updates regarding these tickets.

AG Dance presents The World Tour.

Join us for an exciting journey around the globe featuring performances in street dance, ballet, jazz, and musical theatre. The show brings together students aged 4–17, showcasing their hard work, progress, and enjoyment of dance across a range of styles.

Sunday 5th July 

We’re pleased to be returning to the Sandpit Theatre and look forward to sharing this year’s performance with you.

AG Dance runs weekly classes in St Albans, offering a supportive environment for young dancers to develop their skills and confidence.

Book your tickets here.