From the Head

Dear Parents,

I hope you had a wonderful half term.

We have returned to a beautiful autumnal scene at St Michael's this week; one of my favourite seasons at the school. Thank you to the Estates Team for spreading the joy of autumn to our Pre-School by collecting the many fallen leaves and placing them under the Fairy Tree for the Nursery and Kindergarten children to play in.

We have had a brilliant week of learning across St Michael's; it has been a joy to hear the start of Christmas music rehearsals as Pre-Prep prepare for their Nativities and Prep for their Carol Service and Christmas Concert.

Today our U11 girls have travelled to Amesbury School in Surrey to compete in the National IAPS Football Finals. We are so proud of the pupils for making it to this stage in the competition and look forward to hearing how they have got on.

Fireworks will light up St Michael's sky this evening which we look forward to enjoying together as a community. Next week we will take part in a Remembrance Service, Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying Week and Children In Need day. Please see the newsletter for more details. 

I'd like to end by reminding you that we are collecting Christmas jumpers for local primary schools until next Friday. We are extremely grateful to you for donating any good condition small and children sized jumpers which your children may have outgrown. Please do check wardrobes for anything you can contribute to this cause. 

Best wishes,

Nik Pears

From the Head of Pre-Prep

Dear Parents,

I hope you all had a lovely half term. We are now back and starting to learn the words for the songs in our Nativities and learning lines for our roles as sheep and angels! I know at this time parents often wish their children had more lines to say than the average 2, however we have to move the story on and the more lines we give out the longer the play lasts.

I am writing this in anticipation of our Fireworks Night. It is always a great event. I hope you have managed to get tickets. I will be at the “lost children” tent which will be just outside the turret so if you are missing a child please pop over to see our selection of missing children before you leave!

On Monday we will take part in a 2 minute silence after playtime to pay respects to all those who have died in wars around the World. We keep this quite low key at Pre-Prep making sure the knowledge we impart is commensurate with the age of our children.

On Tuesday 12^th November children are welcome to wear odd socks as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of bullying. The odd socks show that it is good to be different.

Just to round off the week, if your Pre-Prep child would like to wear yellow or spots next Friday for Children in Need day, they are welcome to do so. A collection will be made at the top of the bridge during morning drop-off. Onesies are allowed however please ensure children have a vest underneath and bring in their school coat for playtime.

Overheard in Pre-Prep: 

Child: "I'm 7 now as it was my sister's birthday yesterday."

Have a lovely weekend,

Zerrin Leech

We are delighted to welcome the following individuals to St Michael's:

Kellie Crozer - Education Committee Governor

Kellie began her career in the education sector after completing a B.Ed Primary (Hons) degree. She has worked in both the state and independent sector for over 25 years in various roles including Class Teacher, Phase Leader and Deputy Head. Currently, she is Head of the Nursery and Pre-Preparatory School at King's School Rochester including Head of Early Years and Whole School Safeguard Lead.  Kellie has also worked as an Early Years Advisor for Kent County Council where she played a crucial role in shaping early years education policies and practice. She is passionate that all children receive the highest quality education. 

She is married and the proud mother of two children – both now of senior school age. Kellie was born and raised in Kent, although lived in North and West London for a while. She moved back to Kent 16 years ago to raise her family and be nearer to her own family. She enjoys walking, theatre, live music and watching (not playing) sport! 

She is very keen to get to know the St Michael’s Team and work closely with them. 

Katie Reynolds - Teaching Assistant

Katie has worked in education for over 15 years in various roles including Class Teacher, Curriculum Lead and Head of Wellbeing.

She is married with three children, all primary school aged. She enjoys a range of activities including reading, theatre and travel. She particularly enjoys going on holiday to North Wales.

Katie is excited to be a part of the St Michael's Team and is looking forward to working with the Pre-Prep children. 

St Michael's Christmas Jumper Collection

As part of our community outreach, we are inviting St Michael's families to donate Christmas jumpers to our collection for local primary schools in collaboration with Sevenoaks School. 

Extending our collection until next Friday 15th November, we are collecting good condition Christmas jumpers sized 5 to 12 years every day outside the Pre-School, Pre-Prep and Prep entrances. 

We would be very grateful if you could contribute to this collection which will be distributed to local primary schools in time for national Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 12th December 2024. 

St Michael's Hearts and Crafts Club are adding a special touch to any donated Christmas jumpers by creating handmade gift labels. 

Remembrance Service - Monday 11th November

Parents are welcome to attend the St Michael’s Remembrance Service on Monday 11^th November at 10:45am. This will take place on the terrace at the front of the main building. Tea and coffee will follow in the Chapel after the service.

Odd Socks Day - Tuesday 12th November

Next week St Michael's will take part in national Anti-Bullying Week 2024 which runs from 11th to 15th November. 

The theme for this year is Choose Respect’ and the pupils will be encouraged to reflect on this theme throughout the week.

They will have opportunities during assemblies, form times and PSHE lessons to explore some of the key messages in greater depth including celebrating diversity, making good choices, demonstrating kindness and knowing what to do when we witness hurtful behaviours both online and offline.

To help raise awareness, we will begin the week by taking part in Odd Socks Day on Tuesday 12th November. All adults and children are invited to wear odd socks at school to celebrate what makes us each unique and different. Your child can wear their odd socks with their usual school uniform. Please note that this is not a fundraising event therefore children do not need to bring in any money. 

We very much hope that the children will enjoy the week and learn some valuable lessons.

Children in Need - Friday 15th November

Pre-Prep

If your Pre-Prep child would like to wear yellow or spots on Friday for Children in Need day, they are welcome to do so. 

A collection for the charity will be made at the top of the bridge during morning drop-off.

Prep

Year 2 compete in Football Tournament

The annual Year 2 Football Tournament was held on St Michael's Astro pitch on the last Friday of half term in beautiful, balmy weather.

The children had been looking forward to demonstrating the skills and gameplay they have been learning in their Games sessions and they didn’t disappoint with 37 goals being scored across 12 games along with multiple saves, passes and dribbles to please the crowd.

It was great to see so many parents and supporters attending, cheering loudly and offering vital encouragement which helps the children to focus and apply themselves. The first place Final in the Eagles Tournament produced an amazing finish with desperate attacking and defending from both the Pink and Blue Teams who in the end couldn’t be separated, drawing 0-0 and sharing the champions honours.

In the Lions Tournament, the Red and Green Teams had a thrilling 3-3 draw in round robin play, only for the Red Team to manage a superb 4-1 win in the first place Final to be crowned winners.

Thank you to everyone for the support and to the Games Department and Year 2 teachers for all of their help. 

Mr Davies, Pre-Prep PE Teacher

An inspiring visit from Joshua Seigal

On the last Friday before the half term break, the award-winning poet Joshua Seigal visited Prep. He brought his poems to life in his two performances to the great enjoyment of his audiences. In addition to his performances, he led interactive poetry workshops for Year 5, encouraging the children to explore their own poetic voices through fun exercises. We hope that the day sparked a passion for poetry in our children. 

Mrs Andrade, Head of English

Year 2 discover the Horniman Museum

Year 2 recently had a wonderful day exploring the Horniman Museum and taking part in a workshop about animal adaptations. They discovered that some animals can change the colour of their fur, depending on the season, so they can easily camouflage within their environment!

We enjoyed time in the aquarium looking at fish and crustaceans from around the World, as well as a trip to the Butterfly House to see the brilliant butterflies. We were also lucky enough to see the temporary Dinosaur exhibition, which had fossils, moving dinosaur models and dressing up costumes!

Mrs Powell, Year 2 Teacher

Stepping into the stories of Roald Dahl

Our annual trip to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden took place on the Thursday before the half term break in bright autumnal sunshine. During the day, our Year 6 children explored the hands-on exhibits in the museum, with Roald Dahl's writing hut being one of the highlights. Part of the day was spent exploring the village and identifying the places in which Dahl imagined his characters living and spending time. This trip supported the Year 6s' work on autobiographies and biographies in English lessons.

Mrs Andrade, Head of English

An inspiring research trip to Greece

During the half term break, Mr Powell, Miss Lambert and Mrs Caswall jetted off to Corfu; the enchanting Greek island that was home to the Durrell family and the place where this year's school play My Family and Other Animals is set. It was a great opportunity to research, explore and get the vibe of the island for set decoration ideas, as well as search in some of the charity and vintage shops for any props or items of costume. As well as visiting one of the Durrell's homes, we spent an afternoon at the purpose-built village set of the TV series (as well as being used for other movies and shows including Mamma Mia 2!)

One of the other highlights was a visit to the Corfu Donkey Rescue Sanctuary. This incredible institution has been selected by the cast as our charity collection recipient and we will be fundraising for it over the three performances. We will also be asking the whole school to donate in the Lent Term on one of our school charity days.

It was heartbreaking to hear the stories and plights of the rescued donkeys, horses, cats and dogs who had suffered from neglect or improper work practices. Thankfully, they now have a place to go where they are loved and looked after. We even met a donkey called Lev - although he isn't named after our Assistant Stage Manger, Lev V! 

Mr Marshall is creating a film of our exploits which we hope to bring you soon. Tickets for the production will go on sale before Christmas, keep your eyes peeled for the on-sale notification in the newsletter.

Mr Powell, Head of Drama

St Michael's Family Cross Country Race

We were delighted to have around 26 intrepid parents join their children to run the final cross country club run, prior to half term. It was a tough and punishing course, but all participants put their best foot forward and tackled the hills and nettles with aplomb. There were even some smiles still to be seen as both parent and child crossed the finish line.

Mr Wiseman, Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Prep Music Department – save the dates!

As the festive season fast approaches, the Music Department are busily preparing the children for performances in concerts, exams and our end of term Carol Service in Shoreham Church. Please look out for emails in the next few weeks with more detailed logistics and information, especially concerning the Christmas Breakfast Concert and the Carol Service. In the meantime, we hope that the summary below will be helpful for your diaries. If you have any queries, please email music@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk.

The Breakfast Club children have had fun trying to see how many times they can bounce a ping-pong ball into a cup this week.

Meanwhile in The Hive we’ve welcomed one very sleepy visitor on Wednesday as Herbie the tortoise made a special appearance before heading off to hibernate for the winter.

We’ve also enjoyed a spot of leave printing and had fun playing a new game called Chain Chess.

St Michael's Umbrellas

Please view the below poster for details of how to purchase St Michael's umbrellas.

St Michael's Travel Coffee Cups

Wine Tasting

P & F Christmas Fayre - calling all stall holders

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Request for Christmas Fair donations

Players of the Match - week commencing 14th October

Elizabeth wins gymnastics silver in Bulgaria

Congratulations to Elizabeth W for winning a silver medal for her ball routine as a part of the Espoir group at the Pazardzhik Rhythmic Gymnastic Cup in Bulgaria on Monday 4th November 2024.

Keep up the amazing work, Elizabeth!

Happy News

Mr Smith's wedding

Many congratulations to Tom, St Michael's IT Technician, and Kerstin who got married during the half term on Saturday 26^th October.

We wish them every happiness, love and a lifetime of adventures together.

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