Latest News

For latest news, please check our Newsletter page. We also share regular updates through our main Facebook page and class Facebook pages. Please follow us on Facebook and request to join the private Facebook Page for your class to stay up to date.

On this page you will find our archived newsletters from previous years.

• Newsletter - w/c 28/09/20

  Thu 24 Sep 2020
  Dear Parent/Carer,

   

  Please see below for a message from the Headteacher along with notices about school life:

   

  A Message from the Headteacher

   

  We are aware that many parents and carers feel increasingly worried about the risks of coronavirus and their child's safety and we understand these concerns given all we are hearing and seeing in the media.  

   

  Regarding children's safety, it is important to note that primary school-aged children remain unlikely to get seriously ill from coronavirus; it remains adults, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, who are at risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus.  For that reason, we urge our parents/carers to do the following:

  • Make sure only one parent/carer drops off and collects their child/ren
  • Wear a face covering on the school premises, particularly when entering the School Office area
  • Make good use of the flexible drop off (8:35-9:00am) and collection times (3:00-3:25pm) to avoid the crowds
  • Do not gather on our school premises or outside the gate
  • Telephone or e-mail the school with your questions instead of visiting the School Office - the Office Administrators have been asked by the Headteacher to use the intercom to speak to parents/carers before allowing them to enter the School Office area as many parent/carer queries can be answered in this way 

   

  We are trying very hard in school to give the appearance of normality so that every child feels safe and happy, and we know many of our parents and carers are behaving in the same way at home and when they visit school.  

   

  Although the children are washing their hands more than usual, sitting in rows, playing in zones at break and lunchtime, and arriving/leaving school at times they wouldn't usually, all else is being kept the same for them - we do not draw attention to our enhanced cleaning measures as we want the children to focus on learning and playing with their friends.  

   

  Regarding the children, our greatest concern is the effect school closure is having on their education.  As an example of this, we completed our first phonics assessments this week in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 and we are already realising the effects of school closure on children's reading skills, where 15% of our Reception children are reading at age-related expectations, 38% of our Year 1 children are reading at age-related expectations, 9% of our Year 2 children are reading at age-related expectations, and 34% of our Year 3 children are reading at age-related expectations.  Our staff (and children) are not afraid of a challenge and they will work incredibly hard to make excellent progress with reading this school year.  Miss Holland (Subject Leader for Phonics) has already organised staff training and selected children for catch-up phonics sessions, and Miss Griffiths (Subject Leader for English) has invested a lot of money in additional books for children to read in school (and to borrow to read at home) to give all our children the best chance of catching up with their learning.  We know we will have the support of our parents and carers with this too - please click here for a reminder about how to complete your child's reading record.

   

  Please continue sending your children to school, only keeping them off school if they are truly too ill to be in school, remembering that the symptoms of coronavirus remain a high temperature, a new persistent cough, and/or a loss of taste/smell.  

   

  It is our job to educate your children and we can only do that well if they are in school with their teacher, teaching assistants and friends.  

   

  Yours sincerely,

   

  Mr D Short

  Headteacher

   

  A Return to Hot Meals

   

  We have organised extra tables and chairs for our Main Hall so that we may feed one year group in the Dining Hall while feeding another year group in the Main Hall.  This allows us to return to serving hot meals from Monday 28 September 2020, something we know the children (and their parents and carers) will be very pleased about.  

   

  Please find the menu here, noting that next week we will be on Week 2.  Please also note that for next week only, Thursday's food will be served on Tuesday, allowing for Thursday 1 October 2020 (which is a census day for schools) to be a Burger Day where there will be the option of a beef burger or a vegetarian burger served with potato wedges, sweetcorn and assorted salad.  

   

  If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, school meals are free for every child.  This is called Universal Free School Meals and is funded by the Government.

   

  If your child is in Years 3-6, unless your child qualifies for Free School Meals, the cost per meal is £2.60 (which equals £13 per week).  You can pay using the SchoolGateway app or you may bring cash to the School Office.   Please note, if you incur a debt of more than £13, we will not feed your child a school dinner and we will request you bring in a packed lunch from home for your child until the debt is cleared.  Each time a parent/carer incurs a debt, it increases the cost of school dinners for other parents and carers which is not fair.  

   

  If you have a child in Years 3-6 and you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, please click here to read about it and apply.  If you want some help with this, please telephone or e-mail the School Office, requesting support from Mrs Pace (Office Administrator).  

   

  Coffee Morning - Wednesdays

   

  It has been very useful having the feedback from the parents who have attended our Coffee Morning with Mrs Bye (Family Support Worker) - it is because of those parents that we arranged extra tables and chairs to bring hot meals back to the Dining Hall sooner than planned.  If you would like to attend the Coffee Morning, all you need to do is turn up on the front playground on Wednesdays and meet Mrs Bye under the canopy.  

   

  Children's Birthday Treats

   

  Although it is not a school expectation, lots of parents and carers like to give their child treats to share with classmates on their birthday.  We are more than happy for parents and carers to do this; however, given current events, we would kindly ask parents/carers to not send in homemade baked goods or store bought large cakes and instead send in individually-wrapped confectionery or non-food items (e.g. stationery).  

   

   

  Kind regards,

   

  The School Office Team

  Hurst Drive Primary School

  admin@hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk    

  01992 624099

   

   

  http://www.hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk

   

   

   

• Newsletter - w/c 21/09/20

  Thu 17 Sep 2020
  Dear Parent/Carer,

   

  Please find below some important notices about school life:

   

  Reading at Home

   

  All research shows that reading to your child as a baby/toddler, reading with your child when they're young, and encouraging them to read as they grow older, is the best way for a parent/carer to support their child's education.  Reading teaches your child words, phrases, ideas, and information that helps them learn how to express themselves when speaking and when writing which are important skills for the workplace.  

   

  • We need children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to read for 10 minutes each day at home.
  • We need children in Year 3 and Year 4 to read for 15 minutes each day at home.
  • We need children in Year 5 and Year 6 to read for 20 minutes each day at home.

   

  To show your child is reading at home, they each have a reading record.  Please click here to find out what you can write in their reading record.  It can even be as simple as a smiley face and your signature! 

   

  In Years 4-6, children change their reading book when they finish reading it (or if they decide they no longer enjoy reading it as we like to give them the same choice we as adults have when we're reading).  

   

  For children in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3, we change your children's reading books weekly.  Please return your child's book bag with their reading records and books to school on a Wednesday.  On Friday, your child will take home their book bag with two reading books: one Read Write Inc. phonics book and one colour-banded story or information book.  

   

  Also, the local libraries in Waltham Cross and Cheshunt are open for families to visit.  Please click here to find their opening times.  We hope to resume our own visits to the local library in the spring term.   

   

  European Day of Languages / National Cooking Day - Friday 25 September 2020

   

  Next week, each class will be learning words and phrases from a particular country and on Friday, they will be preparing a dish from that country to enjoy in class.  On Friday 25 September 2020, your child may come to school dressed in non-school uniform but we would ask you to try and dress them in the colours on the flag of the European country they are learning about.  Please see below for a list:

   

  • Willow Class - The Netherlands = red, white and blue
  • Sycamore Class - Belarus = red and green
  • Ash Class - Sweden = yellow and blue
  • Chestnut Class - Cyprus = green, yellow and white
  • Beech Class - Belgium = red, black and yellow
  • Walnut Class - Germany = red, black and yellow
  • Oak Class - Turkey = red and white
  • Pear Class - Norway = red, white and blue
  • Cherry Class - Estonia = blue, black and white
  • Hawthorn Class - Greece = blue and white
  • Cedar Class - Portugal = red, green, yellow, blue and white
  • Mulberry Class - Denmark = red and white
  • Apple Class - Italy = red, green and white
  • Elm Class - France = red, white and blue
  • Birch/Pine - Spain = red and yellow 

   

  On Friday, ask them what words/phrases they know from the country they studied, and ask them about the dish they prepared.  If you really want to impress your child's class teacher, look into eating or preparing food from that country over the weekend and tag them in a Facebook post!

   

  School Dinners

   

  In the week commencing Monday 28 September 2020, we will be reintroducing hot meals at lunchtime for the children.  We have organised for extra tables and chairs so we may use our Main Hall alongside our Dining Hall and this should hopefully mean we can feed all the children during our two lunch hours without having to rush any children while still having time to clean tables and chairs between sittings.  We will be sending more information next week regarding the menu and reminders about paying for meals upfront.    

   

  Christmas Productions

   

  Unfortunately, due to the curriculum restrictions in place for music, we won't be able to organise a Reception Christmas Concert or the Key Stage 1 Nativity Production this year.  We know this will be disappointing news for parents and carers.  These dates will be removed from the website calendar.   

   

  Coffee Morning - Wednesdays

   

  Thank you to the parents/carers who came to our coffee morning on Wednesday - it was such a success that it nearly lasted till lunchtime!  

   

  Mrs Bye (Family Support Worker) will be hosting this each week on the front playground under the canopy.  It includes free tea/coffee, cakes, pastries, biscuits, and, if you need to bring along any toddlers or babies, we will have juice and biscuits available for them too.  It's so important for parents/carers to have that time to talk to each other, and to talk to our members of staff about school so we may learn what you like (and what you would suggest we change) about school so we can keep working well together for your children.  Hopefully, some of you will be able to make it next week too!  

   

   

  Kind regards,

   

  The School Office Team

  Hurst Drive Primary School

  admin@hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk    

  01992 624099

   

  http://www.hurstdrive.herts.sch.uk​​​​​​​

• Newsletter - w/c 14/09/20

  Thu 10 Sep 2020
  Dear Parent/Carer,

   

  We hope your first week with the children back in school has been an enjoyable one; we continue to be thankful for your support, knowing that many parents/carers remain anxious about the pandemic.  We will continue working hard to keep the school running safely and smoothly for you and your children.  Please see below for some important notices about school life:

   

  A Change to the Staggered Entry/Exit

   

  We have taken feedback from parents/carers and teachers alike.  Starting Monday 14 September 2020, we are adopting a lengthy staggered start and exit to have the same effect as the one we organised this week but with more flexibility for parents/carers who we know work or have to drop off other children to nursery school, secondary school or college.  

   

  Next week, and for the weeks after leading up to the Christmas Holidays, you may drop off your child/ren between 8:35-9:00am and you may collect your child/ren between 3:00-3:25pm.  This is the same for Reception parents/carers once your child is staying for full days.    

   

  Please note the following:

   

  • it is very important that only one parent/carer bring and collect the child/ren;
  • maintain social distancing - in other words, don't gather in areas and be prepared to space out - we have a big site with plenty of space; and,
  • the gates will open at 8:30am and at 2:55pm - please do not arrive early and gather outside the gates as it is adult to adult (rather than child to child or child to adult) transmission of coronavirus that is proving the most worrying.    

   

  Please also note, any child who arrives after 9:00am will need to enter via the School Office, and, depending on how late you arrive, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence (which, as the unauthorised absences build up in this term and the next, may result in the local authority issuing a parent/carer with a fixed penalty notice).  As well, if you have not collected your child by 3:25pm, they will be taken to the Dining Hall for late collection.  We keep a record of how many times a child is collected late as it is one of the signs of neglect in the family and we inform Children's Services as needed.  

   

  Thank you to those parents/carers who always bring their child/ren to school on time and collect them on time as well - it helps to keep the children feeling safe and secure which creates a happy, confident child.    

   

  Remember, children in Years 3-6 should walk themselves to their classroom door on Monday but you are welcome to still collect them from their classroom door at the end of the day.  If you want to give permission for your child to walk home alone or to walk themselves down to the front playground to meet you, please write a letter or send an e-mail to the school to let us know.  

   

  Wraparound Care/Breakfast Club

   

  For Wraparound Care, originally, to keep the group of up to 15 children consistent, we stated a parent/carer had to book all the slots for their child/ren.  However, we are changing the arrangement so that a parent/carer may book the slots they wish to use, but with the understanding that your child will only be able to play with a child or children from their year group, meaning, if they are the only child attending Wraparound Care that day from their year group, they will need to play alone, supervised by Miss Rowe and Miss Thomas.  Please do not complain about this to staff as it's the only way we can run the provision in line with the guidance.    

   

  If you have already booked, a member of the School Office will be telephoning you to confirm which days/dates you want, and, if your account is in credit, we can either refund you the money or keep it as a credit to book slots for the next half term.

   

  If you haven't booked, but you are now interested in booking, you will only be able to see the new booking (which will go live on Monday) if you've used Wraparound Care previously.  If you are new to using our Wraparound Care, you will need to e-mail or telephone the school for the attention of Mrs Chamberlain.

   

  Please note, we can only accommodate 15 children.  Once the spaces are filled, a parent/carer will need to arrange their own childcare.  If you click here, you can search for a local, Ofsted-approved childminder.  

   

  Please be aware Breakfast Club is now full for this Half Term. However, after the October half term, you will be able to book individual days.

   

  Returning Reading Books

   

  We are pleased that so many children benefited from taking reading books home over the summer; however, we now have a shortage of reading books, particularly in Years 5 and 6.  Please have a look around your home, or have your child look through their belongings, so you may return any schoolbooks to either your child's class teacher or the School Office.  

   

  School Dog - Babs

   

  We now have a school dog and her name is Babs.  Her owner is Ms Dulieu, School Business Manager.  Babs is currently having training, and, when she is ready, she will be able to sit with children and have them read to her or to have them pet her.  We have a risk assessment in place for our school dog that includes her always being on a harness and lead when with children, and only being visited by children who wish to see her - we would never force a child who is afraid of dogs to spend time with Babs.  Please can you contact the School Office if your child is allergic to dogs (more specifically, pet hair) so we may update our medical needs lists.    

   

  Secondary School Admissions (for Year 6 parents/carers)

   

  Parents/Carers of children in Year 6 should note that you can apply for your child's secondary school by clicking here.  The deadline to apply is 31 October 2020.  If you need any help applying, please visit the School Office and we will arrange for someone to help you.

   

  Facebook

   

  Many parents/carers follow the Hurst Drive Primary School page on Facebook but fewer parents/carers follow their child's class Facebook page.  If you search for your child's class, for example, 'Cherry Class' you will find them on Facebook and can send a friend request to the teacher.  You will then get daily updates of some of the learning going on in class so you may talk to your child about it after school.  Please remind other parents/carers you are friends with to do the same and please don't feel shy about commenting on posts; I know the teachers really appreciate it when parents and carers do this.  

   

  Swimming - Years 4 & 6

   

  Lots of the children have asked about swimming, particularly the current Year 5 children who missed their swimming lessons in Year 4 due to lockdown.  Unfortunately, we do not know exactly when swimming lessons will be able to go ahead but rest assured, when we are able to hire the pool again, we will work hard to make sure all the children who need their swimming lessons receive them.