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Weekly Newsletter Friday 4th October 2024
From the Head
Dear Parents,
Our Black History Month celebrations have commenced this week as we have explored triumphs and achievements throughout Black History with assemblies, fun challenges and book displays. We look forward to exploring this theme further with the children over the coming month.
We have had some great successes in sport this week as our U11 girls won the Sutton Valence Hockey Tournament on Wednesday. We are delighted for this team who scored 18 goals across their 5 matches; we wish them continued luck as they head to the IAPS Regional Qualifiers next Friday. Congratulations also to the U10A girls' hockey team who won all of their matches at the Radnor House Festival this week, as well as the boys who are doing brilliantly in their football.
We have ended the week with our Harvest Festival celebrations which we have been grateful to receive so many food and toiletry donations for. Thank you so much for your generosity towards this collection for Trussell Trust foodbank which will be gratefully received by many local families this winter. We have enjoyed Harvest assemblies across both Pre-Prep and Prep this morning including Pre-Prep performing joyful songs and stories to celebrate this important time of year. Thank you to Mrs Crane and the Pre-Prep Team for preparing the children for this assembly which is always a highlight of the Michaelmas calendar.
Years 3 and 4 have embarked on trips to Port Lympne Safari Park and Horton Kirby today which we look forward to hearing all about on Monday. We hope they've had a brilliant day.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Nik Pears
From the Head of Pre-Prep
Dear Parents,
It is lovely to end the week on a high. Our Harvest assembly was wonderful. Thank you to Mrs Crane for leading it. The display of food and toiletries collected for the Swanley's Trussell Trust Food Bank was fabulous. Yet again, we filled up the volunteers' cars and truck with multiple bags. Thank you to everyone who donated, you are very generous and the food bank is very grateful.
I hope you all enjoyed popping in to see your child’s classroom on Tuesday. I know the children get very excited to show you around.
Just a reminder about parking and moving around the school site. Please drive slowly and wait for any children to cross the zebra crossing. Thank you for not parking next to the drop-off barrier in the morning. I think we are almost clear of parked cars in this area before 8.30am.
Next Tuesday Year 1 children will be off to Knole House in our minibuses. We will provide snacks and a packed lunch, so the Year 1 children don’t have to bring anything into school on that day, except their blazers.
Kindergarten parents are welcome to join us for a Phonics Workshop in the Pre-Prep Dining Room from 8.45-9.30am on Tuesday 8th October 2024. Please enter via the Pre-Prep Dining Room door. The presentation will be emailed out to all parents so please do not worry if you cannot make it.
On Thursday 10th October Reception children will be heading to Godstone Farm. This will be an exciting time for the children, going on their first ever school trip on a coach!
On Friday we end the week with an Open morning for new parents to come in for a tour. The sun always shines on Open Morning so if you are planning a local round of golf, Friday morning might be a good time!
Overheard in Pre-Prep:
Teacher: "What will you be able to do as an adult, that you can't do yet?"
Child: "Be elegant!"
Have a lovely weekend,
Zerrin Leech
Attendance emails
In the week before half term, we will be sending out emails to parents of any children whose attendance has fallen below 90%, since the start of term.
We are all aware that attendance at school allows each child the opportunity to fully access all aspects of their education. However, we are also aware that it is not possible for every child to be in school, everyday. The main reasons are illness and injury that prevent children from attending school. One of the steps we take to engage with parents about attendance is to send these emails, just prior to the half term breaks. In many cases we are fully aware of the background to any absences that have triggered the email, but if you feel we need more information, please engage with your child's Form Teacher or Head of Year.
Fireworks tickets 2024
Tickets for St Michael's 2024 Fireworks Display will go live next Monday 7th October 2024 at 8pm. All St Michael's parents will be emailed details including the link to book them in advance.
The Fireworks Display will take place on Friday 8th November 2024.
Aces A win Sutton Valence Hockey Tournament
St Michael's Aces A girls' hockey team won the Under 11 Sutton Valence Tournament for the third year in a row on Wednesday 2nd October.
In their group games they beat Somerhill 2-0, Spring Grove 3-0 and Vinehall 8-0. In the Semi-Final they beat Kent College Canterbury 2-0 and in the Final they faced the only other unbeaten side King's School Canterbury and were convincing 3-0 winners to retain the trophy.
The girls were superb all afternoon scoring an impressive 18 goals in 5 matches with none conceded.
Mollie H and Amelia Rose B were top scorers with 6 goals each. Anna W and Isabel E both scored 3 goals each.
The team of Tara C, Abigail T, Elizabeth W, Ella C, Mollie H, Amelia Rose B, Iris L, Anna W and Isabel E should be congratulated on their impressive skills and dominant performances. This Tournament was great preparation for their IAPS Regional Qualifiers next Friday where they will begin their journey to defend St Michael’s IAPS National Champion title again!
Ruth Bingham, Games Teacher
Celebrating Harvest Festival
We have ended the week with our Harvest Festival celebrations which we have been grateful to receive so many food and toiletry donations for. Thank you so much for your generosity towards this collection for Trussell Trust foodbank which will be gratefully received by many local families this winter.
We have enjoyed Harvest assemblies across both Pre-Prep and Prep this morning including Pre-Prep performing joyful songs as well as a poem by Year 1 and a performance of The Enormous Turnip by Year 2 to celebrate this important time of year and give thanks as a community.
Thank you to Mrs Crane and the Pre-Prep Team for preparing the children for this assembly which is always a highlight of the Michaelmas calendar.
Harvest Festival highlights video:
St Michael's success at Somerhill Cross Country event
The St Michael’s cross country runners did fantastically well at the annual Somerhill Cross Country event on Thursday afternoon. Each and every runner did their best from start to finish and they should all be so proud of their efforts. Special mention to the U9 boys' team of Raphael O, Albie C, Benji S, Edward H, Ben C and Arlo S who all ran fantastically to gain 3rd place overall. An extra special mention to Hugo M who ran in the U11 boys' category and even with one shoe remaining stormed home to take first place. Well done everyone on a great afternoon of running!
Congratulations to the below pupils who all took part in the event:
U9 Girls
Willow C
Saskia E
Nzu O
Olivia D
Alice H
Ellie H
U9 Boys
Raphael O
Albie C
Benji S
Edward H
Ben C
Arlo S
U11 Girls
Amelia Rose B
Isabel E
Chisomebi O
Kayla F
Iris L
Grace P
Isla J
U11 Boys
Hugo M
Thomas D
Cian C
Taran Singh M
Viggo W
Ruaridh O
U13 Girls
Florence D
Anouk C
Mikayla M
Belinda B
Maggie B
Clara H
U13 Boys
Demi W
Louis H
Finlay S
Oliver S
Oliver N
Xander S
Mrs Denton, Head of Girls' Games
Recorder Club
Children from St Michael's Recorder Club are enjoying playing as an ensemble and learning to listen to one another in their lessons with Mrs Mumford this term. They’ll soon be starting some Christmas pieces for a performance in assembly after half term.
Show Choir
Yo ho ho! It’s ‘all hands on deck’ in Show Choir this term as we prepare for another action-packed performance at the Christmas Concert on Friday 6th December. Show Choir is open to anyone from Year 5 upwards and combines acting, singing and performance skills to produce some memorable musical theatre performances. Rehearsals take place on Thursday break times at 10.45am in the Chapel and give pupils the opportunity to be creative in a fun and supportive environment.
Cellissimo
Introducing ‘Cellissimo’! This exciting new ensemble for cellists is led by our Cello Teacher, Ms Dove and meets each Tuesday at break time to rehearse a fun and light-hearted programme of pieces. Playing together, the group are learning to hone their ensemble skills and we look forward to their first public performance at our Christmas concert.
Mr Baird, Director of Music, and Mrs Crane, Pre-Prep Music Teacher
Music Tour 2025
Open to Years 5 to 8 pupils in Cantoria and Treble Trouble
Look out for our letter on Monday to parents of those in Cantoria or Treble Trouble regarding next June's Music Tour. If you would like your child to participate, you will need to register your interest by completing a short form that will open for bookings on Monday 7th October at 8.30pm. Places are limited, so please read the letter for details regarding how places are allocated. If you have any questions regarding the Music Tour or any of the music groups featured in the newsletter, please email: music@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk.
Introducing our themed book displays
We are proud of the diverse community that we have at St Michael's including the many languages that are spoken by our pupils, parents and staff. We have decided to celebrate this with a range of book displays updated each month to represent different global themes and countries.
Beginning this month, our first focus is Black History Month which celebrates many important people from various countries.
Pre-Prep will also be looking at Germany in October; learning how to say hello and goodbye in German, identifying where it is on a map and looking at their traditional costume.
From November onwards Pre-Prep and Prep will explore the same country every month. Pictures of the displays will be featured in our newsletter, so look out for them.
This week the Breakfast Club have enjoyed making tasty waffles! Meanwhile, in The Hive, the children have had fun baking spookily delicious monster and pumpkin cheesy wraps.
St Michael's Umbrellas
Please view the below poster for details of how to purchase St Michael's umbrellas.
P & F Christmas Fayre - calling all stall holders
|
Name |
Reason |
|
Samuel S |
For an excellent attitude to his learning and for always trying his best |
|
Mikey G |
For great participation and great counting during our Pete the Cat Maths activity |
|
Christian B |
For showing wonderful manners when completely unprompted |
|
Faith S |
For fabulous engagement in all our learning activities |
|
Finley C |
For his fantastic effort in Phonics this week |
|
Aslan P |
For his focus in Phonics and always taking care with his handwriting |
|
Rain K |
For impressive work on superheroes and villains |
|
Sofia B |
For always working hard and producing work of a high standard |
|
Olivia W |
For writing excellent adjectives to describe superheroes and villains |
|
Dilan D |
For writing imaginative and correctly punctuated questions to the cloud spotter |
|
Charlie E |
For having a go at writing independently |
|
Max M |
For showing good perseverance and working carefully in our handwriting lessons |
|
Alex B |
For fantastic effort in her Maths work on place value |
|
Iona H |
For producing a beautifully written and illustrated postcard of Sunny’s adventures in the rainforest |
|
Teddy D |
For working exceptionally hard in Maths and carefully answering greater than, less than and equal to questions |
|
Max Z |
For consistent enthusiasm and accuracy during Maths lessons, using numbers up to one hundred |
|
Archie W |
For enthusiasm, engagement and interesting contributions during our Religious Studies lessons |
|
Faith A |
For fantastic effort in her Maths work on place value |
|
Alex S |
For carefully answering questions on place value in Maths |
|
Name |
Reason |
|
Rosie C |
For a superb piece of work on neurodiversity. Presenting it to her class and Mr Pears! |
Week commencing 30th September 2024
|
Team |
Name |
Reason |
|
Football |
|
|
|
U8A |
Daniel S |
For great passing and vision |
|
U8B |
Mason T |
For developing his positional awareness |
|
U8C |
Charlie C |
For great attacking |
|
Senior 1st Team |
Demi W |
For his great goal |
|
Senior 2nd Team |
William C |
For determination and scoring 2 goals |
|
Colts A |
Adam J |
For great reading of the game and determination |
|
Colts B |
Misha B |
For hard work on the pitch |
|
Colts C |
Edgar B |
For great determination and attitude |
|
Colts D |
Zach E Zi Chen G |
For solid defending For great reading of the game |
|
Colts E |
Aidan B Stanley H |
Voted for by the opposition For great versatility |
|
Colts F |
Thomas A |
Excellent effort even whilst carrying an injury |
|
U9 A |
Harry B |
Leading from the front and good positioning |
|
U9 B |
Henry G |
For excellent midfield performance |
|
U9 C |
Herbert W |
For determination and good play throughout the match |
|
U8 A |
Reis N |
For great determination and all round good play |
|
U8B |
Jenson D Woody W |
For good tactical play For good tactical play |
|
U8C |
Zihao G |
Voted for by the opposition |
|
Hockey |
|
|
|
Senior 1st Team |
Belinda B |
Voted for by the opposition for great all round play |
|
Aces A |
The whole team |
Winning the Sutton Valence Tournament |
|
Aces B |
The whole team |
Winning every game at the Radnor Festival |
|
Aces B/C |
Chisomebi O |
Voted for by the opposition |
|
Aces C/D |
Lana C Marney B Ella D |
Voted for by the opposition Great defence and supporting the attack For being calm on the ball and for excellent stick work |
|
Aces E |
Isabelle P |
For good movement around the pitch |
|
Aces F |
Cleo |
Her dribbling into space |
|
Aces G |
Myla B Ivy J |
Voted for by the opposition For solid defending |
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