Our talented team of Year 8 students, including Caleb M, Hannah E, Dexter W, Tim C, Sophia V, and Valen C, have won the championship of the Hertfordshire district in the Faraday's Challenge Day competition organised by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). The students spent the entire day designing, building, and presenting a real-world engineering solution and a related hardware prototype model, addressing a specific topic. This STEM challenge provided them with an engaging and enriching experience.

As Hannah E shared, "We were given the opportunity to take part in a STEM day. It was a really lovely day with a combination of engineering, science, teamwork, and presenting. I had so much fun working with a team, and each of us used our different skills to create something great. We planned, produced, and then presented, also having the chance to see what other schools' teams had created. We actually won in this section, which was a nice end to a great day!"

Caleb M stated, "I enjoyed this unique experience, as it provided me with a lot of knowledge in engineering and allowed me to practise my abilities in communicating with other people. I got to know new people and collaborate with them by having different roles for different people, so we could divide the work equally. We were very clear about what we were doing, so we finished the project to a high standard. Although we found some difficulties with the materials because we didn't have enough resources to finish our project, we still overcame that by using other materials to replace the needed resources. Overall, it was a fun and exciting experience, and I would like to have something like that again!"

Dexter W elaborated on the skills the team developed during the challenge, saying, "During the day, my team and I learnt a multitude of skills, such as learning how to operate server motors and create a successful project on a tight budget. We came up with the main idea, and the thought process behind it was that we had to identify the problem, try many solutions, and then put the most successful idea (based on testing results) into action, considering the given constraints."

This impressive achievement by our Year 8 students showcases their dedication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, and we are proud of their success.

Our extra curricular programme has already started this week, with a large number of new weekly clubs including tennis, cricket, athletics & rounders. These are a great way to meet students with similar interests and a chance to learn more about a topic or increase your skills in a subject you enjoy- whilst also having fun at the same time. Students can sign up for their favourite activities via Socs or try something new this term!

We start the Summer Term with Turing leading the charge once again on 16,617 points. A great week for Johnson however who gained the second highest number of housepoints with 255 points. Well done to the following students with the highest points this week.

1. Ben R (8T) 9 points
2. Dave T (7T) 9 points
3. Alvin L (7F) 9  points
4. Elena M (9J) 9 points

Super well done  to Year 13 dancers who completed their practical exam on Thursday. You should be so proud of all you have achieved over the past 2 years. Thank you to their dancers also who were amazing.

Full steam ahead for the written paper in a few weeks’ time!

Alban TSH are delighted to be hosting some further Train to Teach events where you can learn more about becoming a teacher and meet representatives from other schools. The next event is an online webinar on Monday 22nd April at 6pm and there is also an in person event on Monday 20th May at 9.15am at Hammond Academy, Hemel. Please do come along to find out more about joining a really rewarding profession.

Vista St Albans is hosting coffee morning with a School and SEND Family Worker to help support parents/ carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, diagnosed or not. This is an informal and safe space for parents and carers to share information and chat. The DSPL7 Post-16 transition co-ordinator and primary and secondary SEND Leads will also be available for discussions. This is no need to book to attend the drop in.

Dates: 8th May & 26th June Time: 9:15-11:00am

Venue: The Hub, 228 Hatfield Road, Fleet Ville Junior school AL1 4LW. 

Appointments: Running alongside their coffee morning, there is also the opportunity to reserve a 20-30-minute appointment to speak to the following professionals. 

8th May: Tanya Suri – Speech and Language Therapy: 9:30, 9:50, 11:20 & 11:40am

26th June: Lyndsey Hooper – Mental Health Support Team: 9:30, 10:00, 11:00 & 11:30am

It was lovely to see so many of our Year 13 students having their individual photographs taken yesterday. Their final official photograph at Sandringham School! There were lots of hair adjustments and we are sure that you will be pleased with the results. We will be handing out forms with QR codes to students next week so that you can order copies if you would like to do so.

Their final day is Thursday 9th May where Year 13 students traditionally dress up to a theme and enjoy some celebrations. We hope that over their final few weeks, students are able to reflect on all of the opportunities offered here at Sandringham School, the friendships made, the learning journey experienced and hopefully the fun they have had during their time here. We will certainly miss them!

From the 4th to the 7th of April 2024, Year 12 and 13 geographers embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the land of fire and ice – Iceland. Students ventured onto Solheimajokull, a breathtaking glacier where we embarked on an exhilarating glacier walk. They encountered the enchanting waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, Gullfoss, and Skogafoss. They also visited Thingvellir National Park, a place of profound historical and geological significance. Here, they stood upon the meeting point of two tectonic plates, witnessing firsthand the powerful forces that shape our planet over millennia. They also indulged in a moment of relaxation at the Secret Lagoon. Nestled amidst steamy geothermal springs, this hidden gem offered us a serene retreat, allowing us to unwind and rejuvenate amidst Iceland's natural wonders. But perhaps the most memorable moment occurred as night fell on the second night; we were treated to nature's most spectacular show – the Northern Lights. Dancing across the Arctic sky in a mesmerising display of colour and light, the aurora borealis was a sight to behold, perhaps one of the modern-day natural wonders of the world. A big thank you to Miss Goss, Miss Pratley, Mrs Fricker, Mrs Mouncey and Mrs Kincaid for giving up their time to accompany the students on the trip, and of course the students for representing the school impeccably.

The whole school theme for this week is ‘The Environment’. This week celebrates International Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is ‘Planet Vs Plastics’. The students received an excellent assembly from Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Mouncey, who leads on sustainability for the school. This week is just one part of our wider commitment as a school to be as sustainable as possible and we are currently completing a number of projects which will help us move towards this goal. One such project involved fitting solar panels around the school last term which, when the sun is shining, will allow us to be completely energy self-sufficient.

Sandringham are currently looking for a part time Student Services Manager to join our fantastic school. More information is available on our website here.

Please share with friends who may be interested.

A fantastic report of the Holland Sports Tour from Ali P in 8F.

Over Easter, we went on a Sports Tour to Valkenburg in Holland. The coach journey to get there was pretty long (15 hours) but once we got there we went our exploring the narrow streets and saw some great views over the city. On the first day, we went to training in either Basketball or Football. I was doing basketball and we went to some amazing facilities to learn more skills with students from another school. After that, some people went to the pool and then we went bowling with everyone and I won! Later in the day, there were some fixtures against a Dutch team and we won by 20 points. Our age football team also won so it was a good day. The next day, we split up again and I did football training at some lovely pitches and afterwards we went to a traditional Pancake house which was so nice. There more fixtures that evening against some older teams. On Thursday, there was more training in the morning and then we went to a cool cave bounce place where we also did laser tag. This was really fun. In the afternoon there was a football tournament where our age group came 1st and 2nd against lots of other teams from England. The older age groups and the girls' teams also did really well in their fixtures. Later on, some of us did basketball and others went to a disco. On the final day, we went to a brilliant water park and there were some awards given out before we made the very long journey home. Overall, it was a great trip: the city was beautiful, the food was nice, it was great to play lots of sport with my friends and other year groups and to also do some new activities. I'd definitely recommend going on the Tour to anyone who enjoys sport!

With the London Marathon fast approaching this Sunday, we would like to wish all the luck to our amazing PE teacher and Head of Year, Mr Bailey who is running to raise money for a charity very close to his heart, Motor Neurone Disease Association. If you would like to follow his journey and support him, his just Giving Page link is here. Good luck to any other students, family or friends who are taking part. 

As a new term starts, we are delighted to mention another extra curricular club which was so popular last year, that it has been extended into two groups. On Thursday lunchtimes the PRE department runs the PRE Ambassadors club. They have a KS3 version which takes place in C1 with Miss Picciuto, and a KS4 club in C4 with Mr Lacey. Here's what two Year 8 students, Genevieve G in 8H and Vaidehi S in 8F had to say about it: "This is a really fun club run by one of the best teachers, Miss Picciuto. We answer questions that no one really knows the answer to. We have a lot of fun in this club. If you want to have a laugh answering interesting and random questions then come by and try it out!"

Sounds like fun! If this sounds like something you would be interested in why not join them on a Thursday in C Block.

If any other students would like to provide a write up about a club they are enjoying, please contact Mrs Holian with a few details and/or photographs. 

This week we celebrate one of our lovely and talented Year 13 students, Katherine M. Katherine is the netball captain of the Performance Squad and has just finished the National Performance League for Saracens Mavericks U19 Netball Squad. The team has just been announced on social media so we can now share this even though she has been training with them since September.

The closing weekend was on Saturday, at the University of Nottingham where they beat Loughborough Lightning. The team achieved a silver medal, losing one game all season.Katherine played in each of the 9 fixtures through the season. She has a tournament this July, which will be her last time with Saracens Mavericks as she will move teams when at university and it will be sad for her to leave as she has been part of Saracens Mavericks since the age of 13! Well done Katherine on a really fantastic 6 seasons, representing u15/17/19 age groups! 

If you would like to nominate someone for the student spotlight please contact holianm@sandringham.aat.school with any details and/or photographs to inlcude. We would love to hear from you.

You've just become the leader of your own country! There are a lot of decisions to be made, and not long to make them. The good news is you've got your hands on this funny, fact-packed book, covering everything you need to know to rule effectively - no matter where in the world you are. But it's not just about political systems, elections, climate change, justice and all those other things we hear politicians talking about.

You also need to learn how to lead. With essential life and leadership skills and tips - from teamwork, confidence and compassion to discovering who you are and what you believe in.

FRENCH: Le mot de la semaine: ardu

GERMAN: Das Wort der Woche: anstregend

SPANISH: La palabra de la semana: arduo/a

Thinking Question:

• How does a language reflect a culture?

A is for… arduous [adjective]

Definition: Difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy.

Example: It was an arduous climb up the mountain.

Synonyms: Gruelling, Challenging

Antonyms: Effortless, Easy

Etymology: Derives from the Latin ‘arduus’, which means high, steep, or difficult.

Well done to Ben T in Year 12 putting for in an MOM performance for ColneyHeathFC to help them extend their winning streak to 5 games in a row. Excellent work Ben! 

A quiet start to the Summer Term fxitures wise but it will be busy again before we know it. We are excited for the athletics, cricket and tennis season to begin!

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.  I don't know why she swallowed a fly...

But the People's Theatre Company do!

And now you can too as they bring the world's best loved nursery rhyme to life just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pam Adams' best-selling book!

With a captivating combination of live action, animation and puppetry, this magical re-telling of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly is sure to surprise and delight children and nostalgic adults in equal measure.

Tickets can be purchased here and cost £12.50

An evening of Fleetwood Mac and Cheese performed by Big Love UK!  Featuring a 5-piece tribute to Fleetwood Mac, plus some familiar cheesy dance floor classics!

Tickets are on sale here and cost £20

Following the fantastic success of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ & ‘Rapunzel’ our creative team are back with a Brand New pantomime adventure based on the classic tale.

 Puss In Boots and the Pea Green detective agency are ready to save Pantoland from a terrible threat!

The Hickory Dickory Dock clock has been stolen and someone is messing with the pantomime timeline. The police are struggling to sniff out a suspect and things are getting stranger by the hour! Join Puss In Boots on their epic quest to bring the time thief to justice. This sword-swinging, paw-scratching, time-stopping pantomime is an action packed treat for all ages!

Tickets are on sale here and cost from £10.00