Embedded Files
Learning in Classrooms
Learning in Classrooms
As we reach the half-term holiday, it’s wonderful to look back on a busy and exciting first half term of the year! The children have worked hard and enjoyed so many new experiences — including our fantastic swimming lessons in the pool on the playground this last fortnight. We’re so proud of everything the pupils have achieved so far and hope everyone enjoys a well-earned break before we dive into the next half-term. I would personally like to thank the staff for their phenomenal effort over this half term. They have worked tirelessly to create a safe and nurturing environment to support all learners. On a personal note, I would like to share some good news of my own: my wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl a couple of weeks ago and we are all doing well. We have enjoyed spending time together as a family and I will be returning to school shortly after the half term break. Have a wonderful half term break and enjoy the autumnal activities available! Have fun and stay safe! Mr Swift
This week, Year 5 pupils took part in some exciting activities. They taste-tested a variety of French foods and expressed their opinions in French, showing great enthusiasm (and some mixed reactions to the brie, cornichon and pate!). In Science, they used Oreos to represent the different phases of the Moon — a creative, memorable... and delicious way to finish their half-term learning about space. Year 5 have also produced some wonderful final Art pieces as part of their project on cityscapes.
Reception have been working hard this week and enjoying a wonderful mix of creative and practical learning. In maths, the children have been representing different numbers under five using a range of resources, showing great confidence and growing independence in their number work. As part of their learning about Diwali, they explored the story of the festival and discussed how it is celebrated around the world. The children then used colourful rice to create beautiful Rangoli patterns and carefully shaped and decorated their own tea light holders out of clay.
Year 1 have had a fun and busy fortnight to finish the half-term! In maths, they took their learning outside for a hands-on lesson about greater than, less than, and equal to. Using big blocks and wooden sticks, the children made their own comparison signs and loved challenging each other to choose the correct one. In art, Year 1 took part in the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition, creating some beautiful festive designs. We are very proud of Hollie, who was chosen by Mayor Cllr Catherine McArevey as a highly commended runner-up and will be receiving a special gift from the Mayor. Well done, Hollie!
Year 3 and 4 were lucky enough to take part in a Dacorum cross country event. Find out more in our experiences and opportunities section.
In Year 2, as part of their Science lessons, the children were building houses for the three little pigs to live in. They built a house out of paper, sticks and lego. They then tested out the different materials by attempting to blow the houses down... just like the big bad wolf!
Experiences and Opportunities
Experiences and Opportunities
Forest School
Forest School
We had a wonderful time this Autumn at Forest School. Year 1 shared their story, Stanley's Stick, with us and even brought the sticks they made in class to the woods. The children then made homes for them!
Year 2 decorated their sticks using resources from the woods that interested them.
We finished our sessions with our bonfire tradition. The children chose to cook hotdogs! The vegetarian ones were especially delicious!
Year 3 and 4 Cross Country
Year 3 and 4 Cross Country
Written by Tyler and Orla-Willow, Year 4.
Last week, we walked to JFK school to take part in a cross country event. We had to wait for all the other classes from the other schools to arrive. Then, the younger children ran first. Charlotte in the Year 3 girls' race came second and Stefan came second in the Year 3 boys.
Then it was Year 4's turn! It was the girls first and Lacey came the highest of the Micklem girls. In the boys race, it was me (Tyler!) who came first for the Micklem boys. We all had lots of fun, but we felt tired by the end.
Spooks and Sparkles Disco
Spooks and Sparkles Disco
Our Spooks and Sparkles Disco was a fantastic evening filled with music, laughter, and some truly amazing costumes! From Luke in Year 6 giving an alien a piggyback to Sophie, the terrifying zombie bride and plenty of spooky face paint, everyone looked incredible.
The children danced the night away to the brilliant tunes from DJ Mackie, who kept the energy high all evening. A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped make the disco such a fun and memorable event!
Art Club
Art Club
This week in Art Club, the children finished their colourful Picasso-inspired display. Everyone had the opportunity to paint a picture of a person using different shapes and bright oil pastels, resulting in a wonderful variety of imaginative portraits.
Lottie’s favourite part was using lots of different shapes, as she explained that “normally a face is just a circle and two eyes, which is really boring!”
After School Club
After School Club
In after school club last week, the children were all lucky enough to decorate pumpkins. They used paint to create creepy and colourful pumpkins and then took these home to share with their families.
The children also had an after school club campfire with Miss Evans and Miss Swinbank! They roasted marshmallows and had a wonderful time.
As the final part of activity week, the children then iced gingerbread biscuits and made chocolate cornflakes.
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
Secondary School Application
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.
Celebrating Success
Celebrating Success
Class Dojo
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
259
Green House
247
Red House
210
Yellow House
262
HIGHEST NUMBER OF LEVELS PASSED:
1st) Frankie- Year 2
2nd) Malachi- Year 2
3rd) Vincenzo- Year 2
BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT IN ACCURACY:
1st) Charlie- Year 4
2nd) Skye- Year 3
3rd) Lily- Year 3
Attendance
Attendance
Nursery
87.7%
Reception
96%
Year 1
94.2%
Year 2
93.6%
Year 3
88.6%
Year 4
89.2%
Year 5
95.7%
Year 6
94.3%
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
Cody - Cody has made fantastic effort and progress with his Maths this week.
Nellie - Nellie shared her knowledge all about Diwali with her class.
Rayn - Rayn has tried her best with phonics and is showing lots of determination.
Jules - Jules has been aiming high all week! Well done Jules and keep it up.
Year 1
Luca - Luca has worked very hard with his writing. We have been reading the story Stanley’s Stick and Luca wrote a fantastic story about his stick with several sentences and some great vocabulary.
Aurora - Aurora has been very helpful in class always making sure the tables are cleared and tidied after Busy Fingers and in other activities.
Ada - Ada has really tried hard with her Maths this week. She has been concentrating and really taking time to work it out.
Louella - Louella has been extremely creative this week. She has used different joining techniques to create models. She has drawn pictures and made cards.
Year 2
Malachi - Malachi has had a really brilliant week this week. In Year 2 we have been especially impressed with his determination with both his reading and his spellings.
Jake - For his brilliant work in maths this week when working on subtracting numbers from and across ten.
Abi - This week Abi has been working extremely really hard with her maths. She is is always using manipulatives to help her and has made progress as a result.
Theo D - Theo has been trying really hard with his English this week when learning about different types of verbs. He has also written lots of brilliant sentences.
Year 3
George - George tries his best in every lesson and does it with such a positive attitude. He never gives up and is a great role model to his friends!
Emily - Emily persevered in computing this week, with Year 3 coming towards the end of our coding unit. She found it difficult at first but was determined to carry on.
Millie - Millie has shown great independence and perseverance this week when creating her flower bowl, made out of clay.
Skye - Skye was a superstar in Maths Wednesday, when Year 3 were adding two and three digit numbers together, with no exchange.
Year 4
Amber - Amber found column addition and subtraction hard this week, especially with the exchanges! However, she persevered and pushed through it and came out the other side!! Great job Amber!
Yunice - Yunice has been putting in the effort with her reading. She is averaging 95% in her reading plus lessons and has topped everyone else for the last 2 weeks!
Archie - Archie has made great contributions to class discussions this week. He has been raising his hand and joining in and aiming high!
Tyler - Tyler has been trying to aim high all week. He has persevered with swimming, maths and computing. He has reflected when problems happen and has had a fantastic week!
Year 5
Rhiannon - Rhiannon is a role model for our school values. She is kind to everyone, always respectful and aims high in everything she does. We love having her in Year 5!
Savannah - Savannah has had a really positive week. She has read aloud during Guided Reading and completed the questions independently. She was also able to find factors using manipulatives in Maths. Well done Savannah - keep up the good work.
Emily C M - Emily shows great determination and effort in every single lesson. We love having her in Year 5. Well done!
Cam - For a fantastic week of Maths lessons. Cam has been so focused and determined to complete as many questions as possible.
Year 6
Isaak & Jessica - Isaak and Jessica have been amazing in our grammar lessons this week. We have been learning about conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, semicolons and types of clauses. They have confidently written sentences about Brainrots using all of the above and I am so proud of how much they have absorbed their new learning. Keep it up!
Luke - Luke has tried really hard with his writing this week. He has used compound and complex sentences confidently and uses all resources available to help him. Well done Luke - I have loved learning about Mister Tacorini. Keep up the good work.
Oliver - Oliver is always so helpful and today, instead of playing football with peers, he stopped to help the adults fix the Smooga. Thanks for your help Oliver, not only with the Smooga, but for always offering to do jobs in class.
Sunshine Learning Community
James N - For showing excellent focus and determination while creating sentences in English. Well done James - keep up the good work ethic!
Isla - For being a superstar and participating enthusiastically in swimming. Well done Isla!
Luka - For creating a great set of instructions for your Witches Brew using Colourful Semantics to help - Well done!
Alfie - For being a superstar in swimming, trying your best each session and aiming high! Well done Alfie!
Well done to everyone who worked so hard this fortnight, it is fantastic to see so many positive learning experiences!
Pupil Leadership
School Council
Each class has now chosen two school councillors to represent them on the School Council. These pupils will share their classmates’ ideas, help make decisions, and take part in projects to improve our school. We’re proud of everyone who put themselves forward and look forward to seeing the great work our new councillors will do this year!
Reception - Rayn and Jules
Year 1 - Maya and Johnny
Year 2 - Finlay and Alessya
Year 3 - Bella and Scarlett
Year 4 - Harleigh and Poppi
Year 5 - Harry and Char
Year 6 - Liam and Archie
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.
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
23rd October - Poppies and other Remembrance items for sale
27th - 31st October - Half-term Holiday
4th November - Vo Jo's Play Bus visiting Micklem
5th & 6th November - Parents' Evening
7th November - Non-uniform Day
7th November - Swimming lessons finish
10th November - Odd Socks Day
10th - 14th November - Anti-bullying Week
11th November - Deadline for parents to place online IQ Card orders
Wraparound Care
If you attend, or would like to attend, our breakfast or after school club, eligible working parents can get a £2 top-up for every £8 towards the cost of their childcare. Follow the links below for further information.
https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/childcare-early-years-education/tax-free-childcare
PTA
A big thank you to those that volunteered their time last Saturday morning to help clear the old pond area ready to create a new sensory garden. We managed to achieve so much in just a couple of hours and the transformation is incredible.
We will be holding another volunteers day on Saturday 1st November. If you are able to help at all then please sign up Here
If you haven't already done so, please join our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with PTA news and events.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/892705194182532
https://www.instagram.com/micklemschoolpta/#
SEND and Family Support
Click on the images below to find out more about events taking place in Hertfordshire and London over October half-term.
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