Thank you to all parents who took part in our Parent Safeguarding Survey this term. Your feedback helps us celebrate what’s working well and continue to strengthen our shared responsibility for keeping every child safe. It is encouraging to see how confident parents feel about who to talk to and how to raise a concern and your suggestions will help us make communication even clearer in the future.

Our aim is for every member of our community — children, parents and staff — to understand their role in safeguarding and to feel empowered to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. This shared commitment reflects our Christian vision of Love, Serve, Grow, where every child is known, valued and cared for.

As we close this half term, I hope you find time to rest and reconnect as a family. Thank you for all you do to support our school community. Together, we continue to nurture children who are joyful, compassionate and ready to make a positive difference in the world.

Have a wonderful half term

Mrs Harris

Headteacher

Lucky Year 3 spent the day at the Tate Modern yesterday...

Drawing Competition led by Year 6 pupils:

... and the winners are:

Yesterday the children had the pleasure of attending church to celebrate Harvest.  Each Phase sang a special Harvest song, which they performed to one another and it was lovely to see Reception for their first visit too.

Poor Mrs Harris and Mrs Dodman had to make a Harvest themed sandwich consisting of sticky toffee pudding, cheese, mayonnaise, blueberries and whipped cream.    It sounds nice but Mrs Dodman said it really wasn't!

The children focused on Thanksgiving and taking a moment of reflection to celebrate and appreciate all that we have.

Thank you to the clergy at St  Michael's church for organising such a fun service - and thank you Lord for the Harvest!

Look at these home grown pumpkins - two from our veg patch and the other planted as seed in our Mud Kitchen!

Thank you to all those who attended our  RFP session this afternoon.

Photographs will appear in next half term's News and Notices

As we reach the end of the first half of term, I wanted to take a moment to thank everybody who has volunteered this half-term. Below is a quick summary of what we have done together as PTA  and  what exciting plans are in store after the half-term break!

This half term:

• The Year 3 reps kicked off the academic year of fundraising with our first cake sale, raising an amazing £466.56!

• Year 2 reps led a great 'P Party' on the 10th October at Sambrook's Brewery Taproom. There were some great costumes and it was great to meet new parents and carers while also enjoying the oompah band.

• Thanks to everyone for attending our Annual General Meeting last night, it is good to see the hard work of the PTA benefiting the school. Especially hearing of the school council's creative ideas for the playground. 

Coming up next half of term:

• Fireworks

  • On the Saturday 8th November we will be lighting up the skies of Southfields thanks to the Year 4 reps, with our annual fireworks display. Click here to buy your tickets! 

  • Sales will close at 11:59pm on Friday 31st October. We may be able to sell tickets on the day but they will increase in price.

  • Don't forget that sausage orders need to be made by Monday 27th October at 11:59pm.

• Christmas Trees

  • On Saturday 6th December, we will be hauling Christmas cheer around the playground for you all.

  • Christmas trees are available to order here! You can also choose to "gift a tree" by donating whatever you can. We will buy as many trees as possible and get them to those in need. 

  • Orders will close at 12:00pm on Thursday 27th November.

• Carter Jonas Christmas board campaign

  • We are being supported by Carter Jonas this year who will donate £25 for each board outside a house between the 24th November to 16th December.

  • Please sign up here!

  • If you have a budding artist who wants to feature on the boards please hand in artwork to the school office by Friday 7th November!

• Cake sale

  • We look forward to tasty treats from the Year 6 reps on Friday 21st November at our second cake sale of the year.

• Christmas fair

  • Finally we will end the term with our three mufti days and school Christmas fair (led by Year 1 reps inside and Year 5 reps outside)

Please remember that when we talk about the PTA, we mean every parent, carer and member of staff at St Michaels CofE School. The PTA is all of us and we simply couldn't do what we do without the support of the class reps, the committee members and you!

The PTA Chair and Sponsorship roles are due to hand over at the end of this academic year, if you are interested please email us at pta@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk

Have a great break and see you next half-term

PTA Chair

on behalf of the PTA Committee

PTA Website 

PE Autumn 1

The children have been working on football this half term and started with ball mastery/dribbling. They then followed with passing technique, passing accuracy, passing and moving then passing and scanning. The children were then challenged to apply these skills in game situations starting with smaller 3-a-side games with the KS2 children progressing to 6-a-side. All children then started to develop their tactical knowledge and developing their analytical skills and language. We finished the half term with class house competitions for KS2 and friendly 3vs3 games for KS1. Viewfield finished 4th, Granville 3rd, Seymour 2nd with Melrose finishing as this year's football champions. The sportsmanship shown by all children was amazing and they collaborated so well. The children have also been working on floor gymnastics with Kick putting together sequences using various skills such as flight, rolls, travels and balances.

PE Autumn 2

After half term we will be starting our hockey unit and applying the football knowledge to the sport whilst developing the ball mastery skills needed to play hockey. The children in KS2 (years 3-6) will need to wear shin pads and a gum shield to protect them from injury. To keep the shin pads in place they will need long socks which will need to be navy blue or white. The children will also be starting their dance units with Kick.

PE and Sports Events

This half term selected children have participated in a range of activities and represented the school so well. The year 5&6 football team came 3rd in the PPSSA league but the most impressive aspect of the team was how they managed team selection and formation in the absence of Mr Rochford. All the adults that attended the league were amazed at their organisation, teamwork and style of football they played. We also attended the year 4 girls football festival organised by the Wandsworth School Games and AFC Wimbledon which was a positive experience for our girls. Our year 5&6 Cross Country team went to the PPSSA event on Saturday 18th October and came in 1st place. This is testament to the work the class teachers have put into creating more running opportunities at the school. A special shout out to Ms Bostock and Ms Hotten for running trials and taking the children to the event. We then finished the half term with the Primary Panathlon which is an amazing inclusive event. Well done to everyone involved.

Carl Rochford

Netball: 

The children played brilliantly this half term and it has been great to see their confidence develop as the half term has progressed. They finished 3rd in the league, which considering many have never played before, is a real credit to their efforts and teamwork! A big well done to everyone who represented the netball team at Dover House Road in the last 6 weeks - it has been great fun watching you enjoy the game! 

Hayley Bostock

It’s been a busy and positive start to the Autumn Term for our Inclusion team. Staff began the term with training on trauma-informed practice, developing their understanding of how best to support children with attachment and trauma-related needs.

We’re also delighted that Nelson, our pet therapy dog, has returned for his regular visits. Pupils have the opportunity to sit with or read to him, helping to promote calm, confidence and communication.

Our team supported Year 6 pupils through their mock SATs this half term, offering scribing, reading and emotional support to help them stay focused and positive.

We’ve welcomed two new external agents to our team: Katy Elleray, Speech and Language Therapist, and Eleanor Hobbs, Educational Psychologist. Both are already working with staff and children to strengthen our provision for learners with additional needs.

Staff continue to work closely with the Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service, accessing consultations and advice to support autistic pupils in the classroom.

We also hosted a well-attended parent workshop with the Education Wellbeing Service on managing common fears and worries in children. Parents came away with practical strategies and helpful insights into childhood anxiety.

Finally, a reminder that Mrs Constable runs a weekly SENDCo Surgery every Wednesday morning. Parents are welcome to drop in to discuss any small concerns about their child’s learning, development or well-being.

This term's figures:

Attendance for this half term:   

97.6%

Number of late arrivals this half term:  

239 late marks involving 107 children!

Number of unauthorised absences this half term:  

61 sessions involving 10 families and 18 children!

Please follow the link to our Attendance Policy including notification on our fines system (see pages 4 and 7)

LINK

W/c 3rd November Worship Focus:

Democracy

Spiritual Question:

"How do we help others grow through our choices and words?"

Dear Lord

Help me to live your goodness and kindness each day. 

Remind me that my actions express who I am even more than my words. 

May I love as you love. 

Let me be good to those who wish me harm, forgive those who need forgiveness, and reach out in kindness to all I meet so they can experience the unconditional love of God.

Amen