Micklem Newsletter

Welcome Back!

It was wonderful to see everybody back last week! I have been so impressed by the start that we have made. Classes are calm and focussed, and our new revamped After School Club has been a joy to behold.

I hope that you all had a fantastic summer, and that the recent weather hasn't dampened your spirits too much. We are eager for this year at Micklem to be the best one yet and are determined to work closer with you than ever. Please feel free to come and say hello at the start or end of the day, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

I am looking forward to another fantastic year of learning and experiences and cannot wait to share these with you in our newsletters.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe!

Mr. Swift

Learning in Classrooms

We’ve had a busy and exciting first full week at school, and it’s been wonderful to see all the children already so engaged, excited and enthusiastic about their learning in their new classes.

In Year 5, the children began their new Science unit all about Space. They were so enthusiastic and had lots of amazing knowledge to share. Take a look at Leo S, Seb, Rhiannon and Leo K's super reports about Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Earth.

The Sunshine Room has been working hard with Miss Hammond this week. They have done some super learning about the different food groups and healthy eating. Take a look at Jayden's wonderful work around understanding the importance of the eatwell plate. In English, the children began their 'All About Me' topic by writing about their favourite food, colour, toy and film. Take a look at Isla and Alfie's super work.

The new Year 6s have begun their Science topic all about light. They learnt that light travels in straight lines, sorted light and non-light sources and drew diagrams and wrote an explanation to show their understanding. Take a look at Precious and Elsa's work from this week's lesson.

In Year 3, the children have started their coding unit using purple mash. Their challenge was to begin creating their own computer program using 2Code. They needed to create a background and their own character. Well done Stefan and Charlotte.

Year 4 were showing some super skills in their first PE lesson. Their focus this half-term is rugby and the lesson was all about dodging. The children were using fantastic footwork and changes in pace to get past the other team.

The Reception children have settled into their routines brilliantly and have been enjoying the garden, (in between the showers!), exploring the wildlife area, playing parachute games, making cups of 'tea', looking after the babies, colour mixing, making obstacle courses and lots more...!

Year 1 have been learning to explore their new classroom. Their English focus is on the book 'Kindness is my Superpower'. They have been thinking of ways to be kind and created a Kindness Cafe in our role play. The children have taken on roles such as cooks, servers and customers. They have also written cafe orders and made tokens to pay (incorporating Maths in counting and sorting activities).

Experiences and Opportunities

Forest School

With a wet and wonderful start to our Forest School sessions, we'd like to say welcome to Mrs Haynes who will be leading Nursery and Reception's Forest School sessions.

The children made the most of the wet weather by setting up snail races and cooking us delicious food in the mud kitchen, yummy!

Sky Studios

On Tuesday, Year 6 went to Sky Studios in Elstree and created a film pitch. They worked as a group and filmed three short scenes to show what their film would be about. They each had different roles such as director, scenery lead and editor and had an amazing morning.

Upcoming Dates

Celebrating Cultures Day

Our Celebrating Cultures Day will take place on Friday 3rd October. On this day, our school community will come together to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up our community.

Please look out for a letter with more information about this event!

Secondary School Application

Parents of Year 6 children will need to begin the exciting process of secondary school application. Families are encouraged to explore their options early and carefully consider which schools best suit their child's needs and interests. Throughout September and October, there will be open days at secondary schools. It's important to note that on-time applications for secondary school places must be submitted by 31 October 2025.

Travelling Book Fair

The Travelling Book Fair will be coming to our school from 25th September to 2nd October and will be set up in the school hall. It will be open after school each day, giving students and families the chance to browse and purchase a wide range of exciting books. Come along and discover your next favourite read!

Celebrating Success

Speech and Language Support

At Micklem we recognise speech and language development is crucial because it underpins academic success, enabling children to read, write, and learn effectively. It also fosters strong social-emotional well-being by helping children to form relationships, express their feelings, and manage their emotions. Strong communication skills are a fundamental 'life skill' that contribute to future employment prospects and the ability to fully participate in society.

We are delighted to announce that we are one of the first schools in Hertfordshire to have achieved the 'Herts Shining Communication Award'. The aim of this award is to improve support for children with communication needs in partnership with our Speech and Language Therapy team. We achieved the award for implementing effective strategies and support for pupils with communication needs, raising awareness of Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN), and maintaining good practice.

Class Dojo

This year, we have introduced Class Dojo. A way of celebrating individuals and classes that are following our school rules of:

Be Kind. Show Respect. Aim High.

Children will be able to receive one or two points for these core values from any member of staff. We will keep an eye on which individuals, classes and house groups are being the kindest, most respectful and ambitious over the year.

Blue House

Green House

Red House

Yellow House

Highest number of correct numbers:

1st) Theo Allport- Year 2

2nd) Wyatt - Year 2

3rd) Vincenzo- Year 2

Biggest improvement in studio speed:

1st) Fatima - Year 4

2nd) Poppi- Year 4

3rd) Imani - Year 4

Attendance

Nursery

92%

Reception

96%

Year 1

99.1%

Year 2

92.6%

Year 3

95.5%

Year 4

86.5%

Year 5

94.5%

Year 6

92.6%

Congratulations to Year 1 for aiming high with their attendance this week. The class will receive bonus Class Dojo points for Aiming High!

Learning of the Week

Every week, we celebrate extraordinary learning that has taken place in classes. It may be that they have pushed passed an obstacle in their learning; worked on their presentation; thought about how to help others amongst other things.

Our Learning of the Week for the last fortnight goes to:

Reception

Ida Ray - for trying lots of new activities and sharing with others.
Oliver H - for playing cooperatively with his new friends.

Year 1

Riley - Riley has settled into Year 1 well and has been doing some independent writing. He wrote a group list for our Busy Fingers activity.
Ada - Ada has settled into Year 1 and has been reading every day. Well done!

Year 2

Yevin - For settling well into Micklem, you are a great addition to the class and have given everything your best go so far. Keep up the hard work!
Edward - Well done Edward on a really positive start to Year 2. We have been really impressed with your attitude towards your learning and giving everything a go in your own way. We are really proud of you, keep up the hard work!

Year 3

Ayla - Ayla has started the year with a big smile on her face and has shown such a positive attitude towards her work. Well done Ayla, keep it up!
Earl - Earl has impressed his Year 3 adults already with his spelling knowledge and has shown he is able to spell difficult common expectation words. Well done, Earl!

Year 4

Holly - Holly has had a great start to the year. It has been noticed by us how independent she is being. Keep it up Holly!
Orla-Willow - Orla aimed high when writing her description of Goldilocks (in the style of Roald Dahl- it was very gory!). She even made sure each line had a little rhyme!

Year 5

Pwamori - Pwamori has made a wonderful start at Micklem. She has worked hard this week and settled into routines really well.
Leo K - Leo created a fantastic report all about planet Earth. It was full of lots of fact and interesting information. Leo also took lots of pride in his presentation. Well done!

Year 6

Ava - Ava has had the most brilliant start to year 6. She turns up everyday and tries her hardest. She is polite, kind and enthusiastic. This week she has produced some great figurative language ideas ready to write a description next week. "The walls lived alone together. (oxymoron) The halls are a portal to death."
James and Elsa - Since being back James and Elsa have shown such kindness and respect to peers and adults. They have gone out of their way to be helpful and have shown what great role models they are.

Sunshine Learning Community

Jayden - Jayden has engaged in all his learning this week. Especially when we have been learning about healthy eating.
Isla - Isla has settled in well to the Sunshine Learning Community. She has followed instructions and engaged nicely in all her learning - Keep it up!

Well done to everyone who worked so hard this week, it is fantastic to see so many positive learning experiences!

Pupil Leadership

School Council

Watch this space for further updates.

Letters

Please find all of our latest letters here: https://www.micklem.herts.sch.uk/letters/ . If you have any questions regarding anything coming up, do not hesitate to ask.

PTA

The PTA AGM is taking place on Wednesday 1st October at 2pm in the school hall.

If you would be interested in having a more active role in the PTA or just want to find out a bit more about what’s involved, please feel free to come along.

Upcoming Dates

26th September - Reading Café, Book Fair and Macmillan Coffee afternoon

1st October - PTA AGM

3rd October - Celebrating Cultures Day

13th October - Swimming lessons start

23rd October - PTA Spooks & Sparkles Disco

7th November - Non-uniform Day

SEND and Family Support

SEND and Pastoral Support at Micklem

At Micklem, it is our aim to support every child to reach their full potential and to be the best that they can be. Our School Inclusion Lead and SEND coordinator (SENDCO) is Miss Palmer. She works closely in our Pastoral Team with Miss Evans who is our Mental Health and Forest School Lead, and Mrs Gilden who is our Family Support and Attendance Lead.

Every child learns in different ways and, from time to time, may need some extra support. This may be within the classroom or interventions we can provide within school. At times, with parental permission, we may ask other agencies to come into school and help our children to make progress.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance as they will be happy to talk to you about any support your child is receiving in class. A member of the Pastoral Team is on the playground every day at drop off or home times for quick chats. Meetings can also be booked with Miss Palmer or the Pastoral Team via the school office.

Please visit the Inclusion page of our school website for more information about inclusion at Micklem. https://www.micklem.herts.sch.uk/inclusion-incorporating-sen-and-disability-informa/

Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL) is a Hertfordshire-wide initiative, working to improve the range of provision and support services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, aged 0-25.

It aims to secure a range of provision, support services and resources in each area that:

• meets the needs of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 as close to home as possible

• improves outcomes for wellbeing and attainment

• widens choice for children and parents/carers

• removes barriers to learning

• uses resources effectively

Our DSPL area is Dacorum, or DSPL8. Click on the image above to visit their website. This brings together information about support and services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, as well as their families. The website also details the work of the DSPL8 partnership and how you can get involved.

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