Kindness  Resilience  Respect  Thankfulness

Newsletter                

24 October 2025

As we approach half term, I cannot believe how far the children have come since they took their first steps into school after the holidays. Our youngest children in Early Years have quickly got used to the school routines and are so engaged with their learning when I have been going around the school. 

Year 1 have enjoyed the new outdoor and indoor resources which have been enhancing their learning. Lots of them have come to show me their writing that they have chosen to do as part of their child intitiated learning.

Year 2 have taken on key responsibilities around the school, with our Kindness Ambassadors meeting with other schools to plan our kindness activities for the year and our Spiritual Ambassadors doing a great job at the Harvest Festival.

Wishing all our families a restful and well deserved half term break and we look forward to seeing you on Monday 3 November.

Congratulations to Mrs Jones 
We are very excited to announce, Mrs Jones is expecting her second child early next year. We will update families (with children in Cedar) about who will be covering the maternity leave, after half term. I am sure you will want to join with us in congratulating Mrs Jones.

Worship 

During worship, the children were learning about Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. We talked about what we use to protect ourselves in our day to day lives and related that to how God protected Moses while he crossed the Red Sea.  We talked about the 'wows' and 'ows' of the story. The children thought a wow was the Red Sea being parted and how much power that would take and the ows, were when the soldiers got drowned when the sea returned to normal.

New After School Club Menu

We have a new menu for after half term which will be on a two week rota. Please share with your child so they are aware of the choice available for the day they attend ASC.

Poppies on Sale
Our Spiritual Ambassadors will be on the playground at drop off continuing to sell poppies, after half term. If you would like to make a donation, the recommendation is a minimum of £1.

Save the Date- November 
Kindness Week- WC 10 November

• Odd Socks Day-Monday 10 November. Wear your odd socks to school
• Remembrance Tuesday 11 November
• New Event- Dress Down Day-Friday 15 November to help raise funds for 52Lives (organisation who supports the Kindness Ambassadors). Details will be given after half term

Art Club
The art project this half term was ‘The Marvelous Spiral’, inspired by F. Hundertwasser.  You can view the children's artwork here Victoria on-line art gallery. If your child is interested in joining here are the details for next term.

Berkhamsted Library
Looking for a free activity to enjoy together this half term? Visit your local library and take part in My First Library Adventure, by bringing the special bookmark (which came home from school) with you. If you have lost yours don’t worry. Just ask at the library for a new one. 

Choose from hundreds of picture books, fact books and beginning to read stories to share at home.

Complete the Adventure to enter the special prize draw. Fifty lucky Hertfordshire Reception pupils will win a personalised, signed book from author/illustrator Ged Adamson with two overall winners enjoying an author visit with their whole class. Find out more here: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/news-and-campaigns/startingreception 

Castle Federation 5 Year Strategic Plan
After the consultation about our vision and values, we took suggestions and views to created a 5 year action plan. For information about our 5 Year Strategic Plan for the Federation, click here.

Acorn - Anna for fantastic focus and participation in yoga.

Ash - Essie for always being ready for learning and being a great role model for her friends.
Oak - Freddie for his fantastic work in maths with repeated patterns

Beech - Max for having a great attitude to learning and spreading kindness to others.

Cedar - Ralph for his creative and fun quiz. What a grand idea and so much fun.