The Thomas Coram CE School

How have you shown: Kindness, Resilience, Respect and Thankfulness this week?

Newsletter 31
Friday 22nd May 2026

"And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28 16:20

Important Information for w/c 01/06/2026

Tues 2/6/26 - Y6 Class Photos
Wed 3/6/26 - Y6 trip to Chessington
Bounce Forward - Navigating Transition 4 week course starting 4/6/26
Mon 8-Fri 12/6 - GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK - paragraph 4
Please check your child's lunch account and top up as necessary.
Ponk - Berkhamsted based support group for neurodivergent children.
Flyers at the bottom of the newsletters - Bucks Museum, Games For All, Tring Fun Run

Oracy Homework
Is it ever ok to cheat?

This Week

We made it to the end of another half term and only one more to go!! School has felt very quiet this week after the excitement of SATs and all of the children I have spoken to are looking forward to the half term break. Next term, will be a fun filled half term with Chessington for Year 6, Year 4 residential, Whipsnade for Year 3, transition and Sports Day I hope everyone has a wonderful half term and I look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday 1st June.

Mobile Phones

On Tuesday, we had Ashlyns students come in to talk to the Year 5 children about smart phones and how to use them safely. In the evening, we then had Mr Roberts come in to discuss smart phones with parents. First of all, thank you to those who attended, I was a little disappointed that more parents did not attend, but I do appreciate everyone has busy lives. I felt that Mr Roberts gave some really useful information, however it obviously created some controversy amongst parents. As a school, we are not banning smart phones, but have collectively joined with the other local primary schools to discourage the use of smart phones. Ashlyns have seen, for many years, a huge increase in issues with smart phones on the school site and have not banned them completely for all children at this moment in time. At TC, the children hand their phones in as soon as they arrive and they do not get them back until they leave, therefore the children have no access to them and do not cause issues within the day. We are obviously at the start of this journey, which is why this year we are making a stand to actively discourage the use of smart phones for children, but at present myself and other Berkhamsted Heads are not prepared to say they are banned. Whichever decision is made - banning them or not, people are going to be unhappy and I do accept that, but I really would like your support in appreciating that currently this is the final decision!

Friends of Thomas Coram

TC Tidy Up - Litter Pick

Some of the JFoTC kids wanted to raise money for sustainability equipment so that's what we're doing. Forms were sent home, or you can donate online, the link will be shared by the class reps soon. We'd love to see any pics of you doing it if you can!

The big FoTC event this summer is the first ever Berko Duathlon!

We need lots of help, if you are able to volunteer please join the whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KfROeI5C1pr2YqHCttY0NR?mode=gi_t

We'll be launching a silent auction after half term with some amazing prizes, so keep an eye out for that!

Important Information

Great Big Green Week - Mon 8 - Fri 12 June

The Castle Federation Green Guardians have come up with a week of activities for The Great Big Green Week!

THE GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK!

Community Information

Ashlyns Comedy and Curry Night

A fabulous night of award-winning stand-up comedy is coming to Ashlyns School on Friday 10th July. Tickets are available now.

Headlined by Nathan Caton, who has starred on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and Richard Osman's House of Games, comedy-goers will also be entertained by award-winning comedians Jenny Collier and Christian Reilly. The fabulous evening will be hosted by the multi-award winning Chris Purchase.

Comedy is from 8pm, and there's also food and drinks from 6. Treat yourself to a host of delicious curries including chicken, lamb & vegan, plus all the trimmings - delicious and never fails to impress.

Tickets are available as comedy only or as a comedy and curry package. Book now at www.ashlynsfestival.co.uk. Over 18s only.

Sponsored walk for mental health awareness charity:

Over the course of 6 days Fr Stuart will be making a 180 mile sponsored walk from Berkhamsted to Manchester, for the local mental health awareness charity Hector's House. You can find out more about the work of Hector's House here: Hector's House About - Hector's House

If you would like to sponsor Fr Stuart, you can do that here: Stuart Owen is fundraising for Hector's House

Dens Castle Walk

✨Castle Walk is back! Join us for a fantastic community day out.

📆 Sunday 14th June 2026
📍 Berkhamsted Castle
👣 5 or 10 mile routes
💷 Adult (18+) £15, Child £10, Family £40

Kickstart your summer in style as you explore stunning local scenery and enjoy a brilliant day filled with community spirit, fresh air, and fun. ☀️

👉 Register here: www.dens.org.uk/walk

Weekly Attendance W/C 18/05/2026

Year 3 : 95.4%
Year 4: 96%
Year 5: 95.2%
Year 6: 89.1%
Whole school: 94%

"Attendance is the key to success"

👏👏👏Congratulations to Croatia for 100% attendance this week👏👏👏

Values in Action

Madagascar - Elodie - For demonstrating brilliant understanding of short multiplication this week.

Gambia - Penelope - For resilience in Maths and showing thankfulness to the adults in class for supporting her this week.

South Africa - Arthur - For his hard work in all lessons and kindness when working with others in groups.

Norway - Amber - For always showing resilience and perseverance in all lessons, even when some learning can be a challenge!

Croatia - Billy - For his resilience and positive approach this week - particularly in English and Maths

Finland - Reg F - For showing resilience and perseverance and trying really hard with his writing this week.

China - Mia - For always being thankful for the experiences she receives at TC.

Borneo - Karina - For the kindness and support she shows towards others.

India - Primrose - Mrs Hall was thankful to have you in class and was impressed by your kindness as are we.

Brazil - Carly and Emilia - Thankful for their amazing running in our PE lesson.

Peru - Emily - For showing kindness to all through consistently following routines and meeting the expectations and school values.

Mexico - Archie - For his resilience and working very hard and always trying his best.

A full calendar is available here

Flyers

Bucks Museum Half Term Activities

Hertfordshire Games for all

Tring Summer Fun Run

This week at St Peter's

Details of services at St Peter's can be found here.

To read the latest news from St Peter's click here.