Spring Term Newsletter #27
24th April 2026
Spring Term Newsletter #27
24th April 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
The sunny weather has transformed our outdoor spaces this week, bringing energy to school. It has been wonderful seeing the children playing out alongside PE, art and science lessons around the grounds. We have been outside and off site this week: Reception explored Mead Open Farm on Tuesday meeting many animals up close; and our Y4 football team competed in a Watford FC tournament reaching the final and being awarded the Fairplay Award for their attitude and positive mentality. Their achievements were recognised by Watford footballer, Marc Bola, who came to school yesterday to meet the children. On Tuesday we had the first of two whole-school singing days where a musician from Herts Music Trust put children (and teachers) through their paces in a range of singing games and activities. We are expanding our music provision, so this input has been a really useful next step to our curriculum offer. Lastly, it has been lovely to see some new faces in school this week as we work with other Trust schools to exchange trainees. Their new ideas and different experiences help to enrich our team while they are here.
Shakespeare Workshop Legacy: Many of the new displayboards are now up on the ground floor displaying a wide range of Shakespeare-themed learning from the first week of term. The interest in Shakespeare has inspired many of our learners with 8 (!) children reminding me yesterday that it was the anniversary of the bard's birthday - many happy returns to the 462 year old who continues to influence so much of our language and shared culture.
Values: Inspired by Malala's words, we have explored respect this week, not only the quiet and mindful consideration of others, but the need to speak up to help and challenge on behalf of others. We discussed what this looks like in school and how we can be assertive and respectful at the same time. Next week, we review the third of our 3Rs - resilience - taking inspiration from Maya Angelou: 'You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.'
Votes for Schools: This week, 72% of children said yes to our question, 'Is space travel inspirational?'. Several children hold aspirations of space travel when they are older. Who knows where technology will take us in twenty years! Next week, we take a PSHE approach and consider 'Do you know what a healthy relationship feels like?'
Parental Engagement: A further reminder about two upcoming events - our inaugural Parent Forums (9am and 6pm on Tue 5 May) and Empathy Day (8.45am on Thu 11th June). To attend the forum, please register your interest here. For Empathy Day, simply turn up with your children to start the school day. There will be activites in class before Miss Murphy talks in the hall about our approach to positive relationships and behaviour management.
Tomorrow, Hello! Watford Food Hall is hosting their food and drink festival with taster menus allowing you to enjoy a range of cuisines. It is a very short walk from school and could provide some different lunch options! For something a bit different, illustrator Rob Biddulph's work is currently on display in a free exhibition at St Alban's Gallery in the town centre. You can always check out the market stalls while you are there. However you choose to spend your weekend, have a relaxing and enjoyable time.
Best wishes,
Mr. Matt Morey - Headteacher
Mon 4th May - Bank Holiday: School Closed
We are closed for the day and reopen on Tue 5th May
Tue 5th May - Parent Forum, 9am and 6pm
An opportunity for parents to contribute ideas to a range of whole-school topics
Mon 11th May - Y6 SATS Week
Y6 children embark on their SATS tests across the week
Thu 14th May - Y5 Trip to St Mary's Church
Y5 visit the historic church at the heart of the town to enrich their learning
Whole-school attendance this week has been a really positive 96.8%, increasing marginally from last week. Excellent attendance is vital for successful learning. Our curriculum is sequenced and builds knowledge cumulatively, so any absence can hinder their learning journey. Be sure to get your child into school every day. Congratulations to New York for their meteoric rise to claim their first win of the year with an impressive 99.6%!
Class Attendance Summary:
1. New York 99.6%
2. Cairo 98.9%
3. Jakarta 98.3%
4. Rome 97.9%
5. London 97.8%
6. Rio 97.7%
7. Cusco 96.4%
8. Colombo 96.2%
9. Kingston 95.8%
10. Kampala 95.6%
11. Tokyo 95.5%
This week has been full of children making excellent choices and working on our school values. The children listed below were recognised in assembly for their outstanding efforts! They were ready to learn, respectful of the environment and their peers and they were resilient and worked hard throughout. Well done, everyone!
Year R:
London - Everyone in Reception!
Year 1:
Rome - Isla
Year 2:
Colombo - Hugo
Jakarta - Olie
Tokyo - Shrutayu
Year 4:
Cairo - Natan
Kampala - Nouman
Year 5:
Cusco - Anoushka
Rio - Jessica
Year 6:
Kingston - Ajri
New York - Muhammed Umar
Children’s attitude to learning has been recognised through the collection of dojo points, which are then totalled as house points across the school. Every child continues to show their commitment to being Ready, Respectful and Resilient, earning points for their house. Each half term the points are reset and a new competition begins. All houses have made a positive start and the lead has swapped hands this week with Carver jumping ahead after collecting 473 points this week.
Here’s how the points stand:
1st: Carver with 814 points (+473 points)
2nd: Alhazen with 802 points (+445 points)
3rd: Curie with 797 points (+459 points)
4th: Sharman with 792 points (+475 points)
Let’s keep up the great work and continue to support each other as we aim for the top!
Class News
We have had a great week in reception. On Tuesday, we visited the farm where the children got to meet animals up close. They had the opportunity to feed the animals, brush ponies, stroke rabbits and even had a ride on a tractor. The children ere on their best behaviour and showed all of our school values whilst on the trip. We have looked at the life cycle of a hen, ready for our egg-citing visitors next week!
In DT, the children learned about the key features of a poster, including catchy titles, clear information and eye-catching designs. They then created their own posters about a lost alien, where it was last seen and where to return it. The children worked really carefully to make their posters bright, engaging and easy to read. We were very impressed with their creativity and the effort they put into their work!
This week in Year 2/3 English, the children were introduced to our new model text, Elf Road, which is a portal tale. They have been learning about portal tales, stories where characters travel through a magical portal into a new world, and have shared lots of imaginative ideas. For our hook, the children imagined stepping through a magical portal and explored different fantasy story settings, drawing the world they might discover. The classroom was full of excitement, with creativity and imagination shining through in their wonderful ideas.
It has been an incredibly exciting week in Year 4! In English, we have begun our new journey with the text - The Night Fairy. The children are doing a wonderful job exploring the magical world of fairy, focusing specifically on using vivid vocabulary for character and setting descriptions. We had some very special guests this week. We enjoyed an uplifting singing session with the Hertfordshire Music Service, which filled the halls with music. Additionally, we were thrilled to welcome Watford FC player Marc Bola during our PSHE lesson. The children showed great curiosity asking him questions about his career and were delighted to head home with his autograph.
This week in Year 5, the children continued their new Geography unit, exploring the inquiry question: 'What can we do today to help tomorrow?' It has been incredibly inspiring to see the children already showing such a passion for this learning. Working in small groups, they examined fact files to investigate the crucial role energy plays in our lives, particularly in the production of electricity. They then compiled their research as a class to evaluate which natural resources they would choose to generate power.
In Science, Year 6 have taken their learning outside for their Health and Circulation unit, by investigating how physical activity influences heart rate. After making predictions, they explored the effects of different exercises, selecting appropriate methods, gathering accurate measurements and presenting their findings. They showed great care in considering variables to ensure fair tests as well as using their results to explain how the circulatory system responds to varying levels of exertion. This work has highlighted not only their growing scientific understanding, but also their ability to think critically and work methodically.
We are working with 'Tender' a charity supporting mental health and PSHE provision across schools and communities. Part of that connection has been training for staff. This week we explored misogyny and how we can begin to address misconceptions in our young pupils. Next week, they will be working with Y5 children and holding a second workshop with staff about online safety.
LanchestFest
After the success of last year, LanchestFest 2026 is back on Saturday 11th July, 12-5pm.
We’ll have another afternoon full of music, games, food and drink. We’ll also have appearances from special guests so don’t miss out!
We can’t do it without your support. Please sign up for a volunteer slot here: https://volunteersignup.org/DYHWX
If you can help with raffle prizes, external stalls or know any companies who can support with sponsorship, please get in touch.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoflanchester or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsoflanchester/ or contact us by email: friendsoflanchester@gmail.com
Thanks for your support!
Friends of Lanchester committee - Tracey Bravo, Lawrence Brown, Louise Brown, Helen Gibson, Chloé Harper and Laura Robson
On Behalf of 'Friends of Lanchester CFS'
Registered Charity 1161580
Lanchester Primary School, Hempstead Road, Watford, WD17 3HD
Tel: 01923 224160 Email: office@lanchester.herts.sch.uk
Website: www.lanchester.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher: Mr Matt Morey