Celebration Assemblies

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Our end of year Celebration Assemblies are fast approaching and we are really looking forward to recognising the achievements of our pupils across the year.

These assemblies are a great opportunity to celebrate effort, progress and success. We are always proud to see the confidence and talents of our students on display.

We would like to warmly welcome all parents and carers to join us for these events and celebrate alongside us.

Please note that there has been a slight change to the dates. The assemblies will now take place on:

  • Year 10 – Tuesday 7th July
  • Year 7 – Wednesday 8th July
  • Year 9 – Monday 13th July
  • Year 8 – Wednesday 15th July
  • Year 12 – Thursday 16th July

Parents and carers will receive a letter confirming whether their child is receiving an award. However, the events are open to all parents and carers, and everyone is very welcome to attend and share in the celebration.

Further details, including timings, will be shared shortly.

We hope many of you will be able to join us.

 

Mr M Armitage
Assistant Headteacher

Arriva bus tickets

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Please see the below information from the bus company Arriva.

‘Student Travel Bursary/Financially Disadvantaged Students

For those students entitled to a travel bursary or, where you are assisting a financially disadvantaged students with the cost of travel, we provide a range of both short term and long-term ticket solutions, which will help you rationalise and centralise the process and, reduce the risk where you may be

  • Paying a travel bursary directly to the student
  • Purchasing Individual tickets
  • Processing receipts
  • Issuing cash to cover the cost of travel

Please see a brief overview below of Travel Vouchers and Smart Cards, which if purchased are paid for via an invoice

Daily, Weekly and 4 Weekly Tickets (Travel Vouchers)

  • Arriva Travel Vouchers not only help companies manage their travel expenses better, they also cut costs and save administration time by reducing the often labour intensive method of dealing with claims and forms.
  • Travel Vouchers are already used by lot of organisations, who from time to time need to cover other people’s travel costs
  • You can buy any combination of vouchers, Day, Weekly or 4 Weekly
  • Once purchased the vouchers can then be given to people to cover their travel costs
  • Vouchers – On the day the person is traveling, they just exchange the voucher on bus and will receive the relevant bus ticket back from our driver
  • The ticket they are given is used for unlimited travel on any Arriva bus for rest of that day, week or month (Depending on the given voucher type)
  • All Travel vouchers come with a 12 month validation date, so they have a year to use them
  • Any vouchers that are not used before the end of their validation period, can simply be returned to Arriva and will be replaced free of charge, disregarding any prices increases that have happened in the last 12 months
  • Vouchers can only be replaced once. If they expire a 2nd time, we cannot issue a replacement voucher
  • Expired vouchers must be returned to Arriva within 3 months after the expiry date

Smart Cards (Termly and Academic Year Tickets)

  • Smart cards are supplied to you with pre-loaded fares to pass onto or sell to students if you wish.
  • Smart cards are simply tapped when boarding the bus to allow travel.
  • Smart Cards are anonymous, so there is no need for a student photo.
  • Smart Cards can be hot listed if they are lost, damaged or stolen. They can then be replaced for small administration fee.
  • We can give you the smart cards in advance, as the dates are pre-loaded onto the card. This means you can issue them to students when you want to, and they are ready at the beginning of the term/academic year

Any enquiries from parents and students, should be directed to talktous@arriva.co.uk

Student Direct Debit Poster 2026 2027 Academic Year’ 

Support for Families

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Please see our new page on our website about which support is available for families, which can be found under our ‘School Life’ section.

Support For Families

Ms L Gibbons
Assistant Headteacher

Early Closure- 10th July

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Please note that on Friday 10 July, the school will close at 12.30pm for all students to allow staff to attend the funeral of our dear colleague, Mr Mark McKay.

 

 

Homework Club

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There will be no Homework Club on Thursday 9th July due to staff training.

 

Mrs T Sibley
Head of Student Services

Water bottle reminder!

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Due to the hot weather we have been experiencing we have had an increasing number of students reporting to have headaches and feeling hot.

Please ensure your children come into school each day with a water bottle. There are water fountains within school where they will be able to refill it throughout the day. 

Townsend C of E Office

Exciting opportunity for Young People aged 14–25 to join the Hertfordshire Youth Commission

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Please see the below information from the Police & Crime Commissioner.

‘The Hertfordshire Youth Commission allows young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner. The Youth Commission will explore urgent Police and Crime issues affecting young people.

We’re looking for a diverse group of young people from different backgrounds and life experiences to take part, including those who have direct experience with police, authorities and the justice system, or who are part of traditionally underrepresented groups.

This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to gain new knowledge, skills and experiences that focuses on listening to the views of young people in Hertfordshire. Members of the Youth Commission will work directly with key decision-makers including the Hertfordshire Police & Crime Commissioner and policing representatives, helping to ensure that young people’s voices shape decision-making.

How to apply:
The online application form can be found here: https://forms.gle/HnC8EranFHv3zQ286′ 

Second Hand Uniform

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Second Hand Uniform Needed!

Please remember to donate any old uniform to the school office. This helps us supply any uniform for our current students.

We are in particular need of blazers and PE kits.

Many Thanks,

Townsend C of E Office

Year 10 Exams

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Year 10 students will be sitting their non-core examinations from Thursday 18 June to Tuesday 23 June.

These exams will take place under full GCSE conditions to help prepare students for their formal examinations next year.

It is important that all students arrive fully prepared and equipped for each exam.

Please ensure your child brings the following:

  • A clear pencil case
  • Black pen(s)
  • Any other required standard stationery

Please also note the following exam regulations:

No electronic devices are allowed, including mobile phones, smartwatches, or AirPods. Any such items must not be brought into the exam room unless students have a medical diagnosis and this has been agreed with the Exams Officer.

If students bring water, it must be in a clear bottle with the label removed.

Students who are entitled to access arrangements such as additional time, a scribe, or a reader—will receive these as normal in line with their usual support.

These expectations are in line with GCSE examination rules and help ensure a fair and consistent environment for all students.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing these requirements and encouraging your child to approach these exams with focus and preparation. Please also remind them of the importance of a good night’s sleep, breakfast and arriving to school on time for a punctual start

A copy of the exam timetable and revision lists have been posted on Showbie for the students and are attached.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school at year10@townsend.herts.sch.uk

 

 

Kind regards,

Miss N Beades
Head of Year 10

Homework Club

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Please note that there is no Homework Club on Tuesday 23rd June due to Year 6 Transition Evening and Thursday 25th June due to Staff Training.

 

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High Oaks, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DR | Tel: 01727 853047 | Email: admin@townsend.herts.sch.uk