Dear Parents and Carers

During this busy and often challenging season, let us pause to reflect on the heart of Christmas: love. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity, a reminder that love is meant to be shared, not kept for ourselves.

In the spirit of Christmas, our work as educators is an extension of that love—creating spaces of care, encouragement and hope for our pupils, colleagues, and school community. As 1 John 4:19 reminds us, “We love because He first loved us.”

Let us all approach this season with gratitude for the opportunities we have to nurture, guide and serve others, living out the love of Christ in all that we do. May this be a reminder to strengthen our shared purpose and reflect on how we can bring peace and kindness to those around us, inspired by the light of Christmas.

At the same time, let us hold in our thoughts and prayers those for whom this season may be difficult—the lonely, the ill, the grieving or those struggling in silence. Christmas can be a time of great joy but it is also a time when the needs of others are more deeply felt. Let us look out for those in our communities who need support, offering kindness, compassion and love wherever we can. 

Let me take this moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas on behalf of the staff at St Michael’s. We deeply appreciate your kind words, thoughtful cards, and generous gifts. May you have a peaceful and blessed holiday season.

Warmest wishes

Angela Harris
Headteacher

PTA Review of the Term:

As we reach the end of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to thank everybody who has volunteered this half-term. Below is a summary of what we have done together as PTA and look forward to the next half-term.

This half-term:

-Our Year 4 reps supported by Stu Forknell put on an amazing Fireworks display that was enjoyed by us all. Special thanks to Chris Pillings who now has one less job for 2025.

-The second cake sale of the year from Year 6 reps raised well over £300 which is fantastic. 

-Thanks to Alex Lee Pan for his coordination of Christmas tree collections. 167 trees in total were offloaded with ruthless efficiency. I particularly enjoyed watching the debates about whether of not the tree would get in the living room.

-Well done to all our Christmas Raffle winners and big thanks to Ed Bushell, our sponsorship lead for making this happen. A massive thank you to all those who helped get prizes donated too. 

-A personal highlight was the hard work of Year 1 and 5 reps last Friday at the Christmas Fair. The children certainly loved the day and the only way to improve it would be to have double maths at the end. A big shout out to those who took on roles in the grotto and everyone who helped set up and tidy away. Especially those using holiday allowances from work to make the day happen.

Next half term: 

-We will be having another Preloved uniform sale on the 17th January, should anyone have had a growth spurt over Christmas.

-Year 6 will be ‘reaching for the lasers’ at the School Disco on Saturday 25th January. Keep any eye out for links to ticket tailor early next term.

As ever don’t forget that when you refer to the PTA, you are referring to every parent, carer and member of staff at St Michaels CofE School. Without the support of the class reps, the committee members and you, none of this would happen.

The committee is currently formed of four parents each with full time jobs. I’m certain that the majority of the class reps are also jugging full time jobs. So, if you have time to spare and want to help out, please email me at pta@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk or grab me at drop off.

Have a wonderful festive break and see you in 2025.

Olly Thornton-Flowers

PTA Chair

on behalf of the PTA Committee

PTA Website 

EYFS and Nursery:

As we approach the end of a wonderfully busy term, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate all the incredible learning that has taken place in our Early Years. It has been a term full of exciting new discoveries, full of new friendships, fun activities, and exciting learning experiences. Our little ones have been exploring, discovering, and growing in so many ways and we are proud of the progress they have made. 

Starting school is always an exciting adventure, and this term has been all about getting to know our new school in EYFS. The children have enjoyed exploring the classrooms, playgrounds, and all the special places that make our school unique. They've also been learning the importance of school routines, how to work together, and how to be kind friends to one another. It has been wonderful to see the children build such a strong sense of belonging.

In Reception, we’ve been learning all about our local community. The children have enjoyed finding out about the people who help us, such as doctors, teachers, and shopkeepers, and they’ve also discovered the different places around us, like the post office, library, and parks. We’ve been using maps to understand how our town is laid out and discussing how we can take care of our environment. We also delved into the world of nocturnal animals this term. The children were fascinated to learn about animals like owls, hedgehogs, and bats. Through stories, songs, and even a few videos, we discovered how these animals adapt to life at night and what they do while we're fast asleep.

A real highlight of this term was our exciting trip to the local fire station! The children loved meeting the firefighters and learning all about their important job. They got to explore the fire engine, try on firefighter gear, and even squirt water from a real hose! It was a fantastic hands-on experience that brought our learning about the community to life and gave the children a deeper understanding of how firefighters help keep us safe.

To finish the term, our Reception class took part in a magical nativity performance. The children were absolutely wonderful as they sang, danced, and acted out the Christmas story. Their enthusiasm and effort truly shone through, and it was a joy to watch them perform for their families and friends. Thank you to all the parents who helped with costumes and supported the children throughout the rehearsal process. We couldn’t have done it without you!

In nursery this term, we have focused on learning about people who help us in our community, such as firefighters, doctors, and teachers. The children have enjoyed dressing up and role-playing different jobs, learning how these special people keep us safe and healthy. We also celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with colorful decorations, stories, and even a special "light" parade! The children had fun learning about the meaning of Diwali and how it brings families and communities together.

In our maths activities, we’ve been exploring patterns, using blocks, beads, and even our own body movements to create and recognise different patterns. It's amazing how much the children have loved finding and making patterns in everything around them!

We are so proud of all the children’s achievements this term. They have worked hard, learned so much, and had a lot of fun along the way. We can’t wait to see what the next term holds!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warmest regards,
Miss Fryer and the Early Years Team 

Lower Phase:

This term has been filled with exciting learning opportunities, hands-on activities, and creative exploration across the curriculum. Both Year 1 and Year 2 students have worked hard to develop their skills and understanding in core subjects while delving into fascinating themes in History, Science, and Design and Technology as well as many more!
In Maths, Year 1 focused on addition and subtraction, building their understanding of number operations. They also explored place value, enhancing their ability to recognise, sequence, and manipulate numbers confidently.

Year 1 has been focusing hard on building their writing skills over this past term! They enjoyed engaging with rich texts such as The Leopard’s Drum, focusing on sequencing and narrative retelling. They also explored traditional tales with A House for Mouse, and developed their instruction-writing skills by studying How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth. The students creatively wrote their own instructions for caring for animals they imagined or chose.

This term’s history focus was on toys from the past. Students learned about how toys have changed over time, enriched by a special visit from grandparents and parents who shared their childhood experiences. This brought history to life and helped students appreciate the evolution of toys and their materials they have been made out of over the years.
Art lessons this term have  introduced the seven elements of art to the children. This has sparked creativity and an appreciation for artistic techniques. In Design and Technology, students undertook a project to design and build a chair for their teddy bear. This practical task emphasised the importance of stability, security, and structure.

The children ended this term with a fun pet day! Lots of parents came in with a variety of home pets and we discussed their features and got to classify them into different groups discussing diet, features and needs of different animals.
Year 2 has been equally busy this term! They consolidated their skills in number operations and place value while working towards fluency in problem-solving and reasoning.
Students expanded their writing skills through descriptive and factual writing tasks, developing both creativity and precision. They wrote some persuasive letters to Mrs Harris to ask for more break time and had to use rhetorical questions, varied punctuation and persuasive skills. 

The focus on the Titanic captivated Year 2 learners, as they explored the historical significance of this event. Through stories, timelines, and discussions, they gained an understanding of the ship’s journey, its passengers, and its tragic legacy.
In Geography, students explored their local area, comparing features of their hometown with other parts of the UK, including Southfields and Wimbledon. This unit encouraged map-reading skills and a deeper connection with their surroundings. They ended this unit with a trip to Wimbledon Common where they got to explore their local features and also speak to the common rangers!
Science lessons emphasised hands-on experimentation with materials. Students investigated properties such as strength, flexibility, and waterproofing through creative and engaging experiments.

Year 2 students designed and created whimsical windmills for the sensory garden. This project combined technical skills with an appreciation for aesthetics and functionality.

All of KS1 have been working on their hockey skills this term! They have tried to work on their skills and have had many opportunities to show teamwork, resilience and good sportsmanship.
Across both year groups, teamwork and creativity flourished. From designing functional objects to exploring historical and geographical concepts, students demonstrated curiosity, resilience, and an eagerness to learn.

Next term, we aim to build on the skills and knowledge developed this term. Both year groups will continue to deepen their understanding of core subjects while embarking on new thematic explorations.

This term has been a delight to see the students grow both academically and socially. Their enthusiasm for learning has been inspiring, and we look forward to another term of discovery and achievement. As I move on from St Michael’s I cannot express how lucky I have been to work in a school where the community and children make this a very special place for all. I wish all the children all the best for the next chapter in 2025 and hope all of our families have a safe and restful Christmas break.

Charlotte Williams

Lower Phase Leader

Middle Phase:

As the fantastic (and busy) Autumn term draws to a close, it’s been wonderful to look back on all the experiences and achievements we’ve had in the Middle Phase.

Year 3 have enjoyed two exciting educational trips this term. The first was to the Tate Modern in November to explore 'Pop Art'. It was wonderful to see the children really engage with the surroundings and make observational sketches of some of the artwork on display. In class, in Art, we focused on printmaking in primary colours and producing our own still life and self-portrait pictures. This month, we visited the Natural History Museum which covered our two current topics in Science and Geography. We participated in a very informative, interactive workshop about earthquakes and volcanoes and then spent time marvelling at hundreds of amazing rock specimens and fossils. 

This half term, the Year 3 DT project has been to research seasonal vegetables, then to create a recipe for a savoury tart. They then created our own pastry tart with a topping of our own choice of vegetables and carefully evaluated the final product as they enjoyed eating them. The children have been excited to start learning French this term and have already been able to express greetings (involving some finger puppetry and nursery rhymes) and put together phrases about colours and shapes. In English, we have been enjoying the story, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, a traditional African tale which has inspired us in our writing of a setting description, followed by a detailed character description. Year 3 children have recently worked hard to spot adjectives, adverbs and similes and to use them in their own creative writing. Maths learning has progressed from place value, through addition and subtraction and, now, onto multiplication and division. 

Year 4 has been full of creativity and discovery this term. We’ve enjoyed making sweet pastries in DT, creating art influenced by Kandinsky, and conducting science experiments to explore how different liquids affect teeth, as well as looking at living things and their habitats, and how they may change. In history, we explored the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain, helped through our text in English, Empire’s End: A Roman Story, which helped us to imagine life in Roman times and apply it in our writing. Our geography learning helped us compare both human and physical features of Spain and the UK, while in RE, we learned about Old Testament heroes, humanism, and the meaning of Advent. Inspired by George’s Marvellous Medicine, our writing was full of imagination, and in maths, we developed our skills in place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It’s been a great term of learning!

Outside of classroom lessons, Year 4 compared Spain and the UK through a local area walk, noting that Southfields is home to many coffee shops and estate agents, while Spain had more hotels. Our history learning came to life during a trip to the Roman Mithraeum in central London, or Londinium as the Romans called it. There, we explored artefacts and learned about Roman life. We even descended into the ruins of a real temple dedicated to Mithras, a Roman god worshipped by soldiers. The children were captivated by the immersive experience and enjoyed the booklet of activities (with a free multicoloured pencil!). Additionally, we participated in an anti-bullying workshop in November and held Black History Month discussions throughout October, where we explored the contributions of important figures to culture, entertainment, and advancements across various fields.

As we’ve prepared for Christmas, our school has been buzzing with festive fun! We kicked things off before December began with an afternoon of decorating our classrooms and Middle Phase area, including the now annual paper chain competition between the four classes. The results were impressive and the children enjoyed seeing their creations decorating our Phase area for this festive period. A huge thank you to the PTA and Year 6 for organizing such a fantastic Christmas fair—I am always impressed by how much sugar the children manage to consume! Last Thursday, everyone enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch prepared by Leisha and the kitchen team, topped off with a KS2 performance of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. We then enjoyed a zoom call with author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, who showed us how to draw a rhinoceros in a Santa hat! We wrapped up the festivities with lively class parties yesterday, filled with dancing and games.

We are so proud of the children and all they have done this term. I want to thank the children for their hard work and commitment to both learning and behaviour throughout this, the longest term. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the parents for their ongoing support with trips and contributions, and to the teachers and support staff for their dedication to planning engaging lessons and activities. Wishing all children, staff, and families a well-deserved Christmas break and a joyful New Year filled with more exciting opportunities!

With warm Christmas wishes, 

Lucy Barter

Middle Phase Leader

Upper Phase:

As we come to the end of a truly wonderful autumn term, we have taken the time in our phase worships to reflect on our Headaches, Highlights, and Horizons. This term, the children had so many highlights to share, celebrating their achievements and the joy of learning together. It's been a term packed with exciting activities, opportunities for growth, and memorable moments.

Year 5 has embraced a wealth of enriching experiences this term. One of the highlights was their trip to Kew Gardens, where they explored the Treetop Walk, the Palm House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory, learning about the wonders of nature. Their creativity shone in their Big Writes, and their hard work is something we are immensely proud of. For the first time, Year 5 began Mastering Number, developing their number fluency with remarkable success. 

Leadership opportunities have truly stood out this term, with our Junior Librarians and Playground Champions embracing their roles with enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility. Their contributions have been invaluable in creating a positive and supportive environment for their peers. Reading for Pleasure has brought a warm and inviting atmosphere to classrooms, with children cuddling up with their favourite stuffed animals during sessions, making the experience even more special.

Community events have also been a highlight of the term. The children threw themselves wholeheartedly into mufti days, and the Chamber Choir brought festive magic to the Christmas Lights Switch-On, showcasing their musical talent and spreading cheer. Year 5’s spirit of teamwork and collaboration was evident in their energetic class assemblies, where they confidently shared their learning, and on the sports field during the Dover House Football Tournament, where their effort and determination shone. The term was further enriched by an inspiring visit to St Cecilia’s, where the children had the chance to meet celebrated authors such as Daisy Meadows and Erin Hunter, sparking their imaginations and fostering a love for storytelling. Perhaps most heartwarming has been watching the children form new friendships, supporting and encouraging one another as they navigated this busy and rewarding term together.

Year 6 has embraced their final year of primary school with maturity, enthusiasm, and a growing sense of responsibility. Their incredible teamwork and talent were on full display during their class play, a brilliant showcase of their abilities and creativity. Adding to their list of achievements, the children celebrated a well-deserved victory in the Dover House Netball Tournament—a proud and memorable moment for everyone involved. As they prepare for secondary school, they have stepped into leadership roles with confidence, with House Captains leading after-school sports clubs and setting an excellent example for their peers.

The Christmas Fair was another standout moment for Year 6, as they demonstrated innovation and enthusiasm while leading their stalls, impressing everyone with their organisation and ideas. Their progress in learning has been inspiring, particularly during the challenges of Mock SATs, where their resilience and determination shone through. Immersive experiences like WW2 Day brought history vividly to life, sparking curiosity and deeper understanding. Meanwhile, their persuasive writing skills were put to the test in an exciting bid to convince Mrs Harris to allow a class pet—only time will tell if their arguments were persuasive enough!

Creativity has been at the heart of their term, from the delightful entries in the Christmas card competition to their impressive DT project, where they designed and built Christmas toys using CAM mechanisms. Through all these experiences, Year 6 has shown their commitment to growth, collaboration, and making the most of every opportunity during this significant year in their journey.

As we reflect on the many highlights of this term, we are also looking ahead to the exciting opportunities that the new year will bring. Thank you to our wonderful staff for their continued support in making this term such a success. We wish you all a joyful and restful Christmas break and look forward to welcoming you back in the spring term.

With warm regards,

Adele Stewart

Upper Phase Lead

Thank you to all the children for engaging so well with the PE curriculum this half term and all the support from parents getting the children all their safety equipment for hockey. The children made amazing progress in hockey and dance this half term. Next half term we will be working on netball and basketball to develop our throwing and catching, passing and moving and our hand-eye coordination to bounce the basketball. 

Successes this half term include taking part in the AFC Wimbledon tournament, playing a netball friendly against Honeywell and getting awarded for our commitment to creating opportunities for girls to play football. 

Congratulations to Melrose for winning the house cup for hockey this half term.

School Swimming 

This term 4B have been taking part in their curriculum swimming and made amazing progress with:

-58.6% of children are able to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres.

-46.2% of children are able to use a range of strokes effectively.

-75.8% of children are able to perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

Our year 6 children have also completed their swimming assessments with:

-87.2% of children are able to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres.

-87.2% of children are able to use a range of strokes effectively.

-89.3% of children are able to perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

These are much higher than national averages but we would still like to get this to 100% as swimming is such an important life skill. We have noticed this year that some children that met the standards in year 4 were unable to meet the standards in year 6 because they haven't been swimming since. Please do your best to take your children or get them lessons as we do have a short time with them in year 4. Assessments for year 6 always happen in the autumn term so please plan for these. 

Please follow this link for free swimming lessons for children that get free school meals https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-february-2024/free-swimming-lessons-for-children-on-free-school-meals/

Carl Rochford

Head of Sport

It has been a busy term for all of us in the Inclusion team, and one full of things to celebrate. We often have the pleasure of seeing exceptional work from children across the school, and this term has been no exception. The children have worked incredibly hard and should be proud of all they've achieved.

Towards the end of the term, we held Inclusion consultations, which were a great success. It is important to us that we collaborate with both students and parents during these times, ensuring that we agree on meaningful next steps for those in our care. Thank you for your support in this and the valuable input given.

Finally, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you are able to rest and recharge with family and friends.

Kind Regards,

The Inclusion Team

Local Offer Link

(The photos show some of our lovely Year 5 Playground Champions and our wonderful Pets As Therapy dog Nelson)

SENCO Surgery:

NOW ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS : 8:30am - 9:00am

Feel free to drop in via the front office to speak to Jenny Constable, SENCO, on a first come first serve ad hoc basis.

We know that that the winter holiday period can be a tough and challenging time for some. There’s a change in the routine, and more unstructured time that can feel difficult and overwhelming to manage. You may also feel pressured to feel or present yourself a certain way during this time. We have therefore created this guide to support you and your family to stay well.

Here are some simple and uplifting ways to support mental health and wellbeing for you and your family:

• Dance, Dance, Dance: Create a playlist of your favourite tunes that make you want to move. Dancing to music not only uplifts your mood but also triggers a positive physical response.

• Enjoy the Outdoors: Fresh air and nature are great for the soul! Take a walk in your local park and use your five senses to notice what you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.

• Power of Positivity: Focus on the good! Start a ‘positivity box’ or notebook with affirmations like “I am kind” or “I am amazing.” Reflect on your strengths and encourage your children to do the same.

• Mindful Moments: Practice mindfulness with techniques like deep breathing (in for 5 seconds, hold for 3, out for 7) or notice five things around you in different colours to stay present.

• Get Creative: Arts, crafts, and baking are wonderful ways to keep your mind and hands occupied. Try making holiday cards, glitter bottles, or baking treats as a family.

• Acts of Kindness: Small kind gestures can boost happiness and confidence while encouraging others to spread kindness too.

• Local Activities: Families in Wandsworth with children in Reception to Year 11, who are eligible for free school meals, can access free local activities. Check out what's available in your area.

Adele Stewart

Mental Health Lead

Wow. What a busy time it is for music at St Michael's!

We have had such an amazing term, from the success of our ABRSM candidates, to some incredible performances from our musical ensembles.

All our instrumental ensembles performed brilliantly on December 6th in the hall. Led by Mr Downes, the Guitar Ensemble started things off with the delicate sounds of Carol of the Bells, and then rocked out with Peter Gunn. The String Ensemble led by Ms Chesterman then performed a peaceful version of Silent Night, then Rainbow Song, before finishing off with Jingle Bells. The Wind Orchestra, led by Mrs Minster finished the concert with Great Beginnings, the heart-swelling Song for Friends, and a Christmas favourite, Last Christmas. 

The chamber choir has been very busy - entertaining audiences at St Michael's church, singing at the Southfields switching on of the Christmas lights, and performing Benjamin Britten's A Boy Was Born alongside the Lacock Scholars at St Mark's in Regent's Park, and again at St Barnabas in Southfields. The pop choir have been enjoying getting together for a less formal style of singing - this group has been opened up to year 2 from next term.

Well done to everyone for singing in the Christingle service and the House carols, and earlier in the term to Lauren Ward who visited us to talk about her experiences as an actress. 

Our group singing is so impressive, and that is down to each and every child who joins their voice in with the whole sound.

 A massive thank you to all the parents and staff whose support means that we can make such wonderful music at our school.

Do sing along with some carols during the Christmas season, and continue with your music-making. 

Have a lovely Christmas everyone, and I look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Mrs Minster

Head of Music

Learn to Love to Read wishes all the children and their families a very happy Christmas and thank you for all your support this year. It has been brilliant to for our volunteers to read with so many children in school, and we have really enjoyed running our Early Years classes and parent workshops at St Michael's. We look forward to more reading together in 2025!

We are recruiting for reading volunteers in school or online, one afternoon a week - no experience is necessary and full training is provided. If you are interested please email helen@l2l2r.org or visit our website Volunteer | Learn to Love to Read (learn2love2read.org.uk)

Helen Liley, Learn To Love To Read Co-ordinators

We changed things up a bit this term and have held a prayer meeting every Friday morning after drop off (rather than once a month as done previously) and made it a sharp 9am cut off!

In a time when everyone is stretched this way and that, it has enabled people to pop in when they can, without their days being eaten into too much - and we know that prayer is always a GOOD use of time!  We have seen so much answer to prayer this term and thank God for his grace and provision.

Thank you to everyone who has come to join us.

We have included so many things in our prayers - too many to list, but in particularly for an easy transition for the new staff and children starting this term, for grace to abound in all the relationships within the staff team and parent community.  For every child and parent/carer to feel included and belonged at St Michael's School.  For the Kingdom of God to be at the heart of the school ethos and for every child to know the love of God. 

Please feel free to drop into a prayer meeting any Friday morning that you have 15 mins to spare.  You will be so welcome.

Come to reception just after Friday drop off and ask to be directed to the Oasis room.

(or you can contact Amy Bell on 07813114020 (3B, 1W) if you'd like to join the WhatsApp group or would like to discover more. 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and pray this wonderful blessing over you:

May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

with love,

Amy & Nicci

We have been busy this term, including leading the Remembrance Service in November and also welcoming two new members to the group.

Our recent weekly meetings have been spent creating various seasonal posters and we are also very happy with a big new board games collection.

We also decorated some festive cupcakes to keep us going in the run up to the end of term!

As always, we are sad to say goodbye to any members, but such is the nature of military life... we wish the lovely George and Xander and their family all the best in their new home and new school next term.

Caroline Jopp

Christmas prayers:

“Father, today we give thanks for all the blessings You have given us. We’re safe from harm, we have food to eat and despite the challenges in our lives, we know that we are blessed. One of the things we’re most grateful for is Christ’s finished work on the cross. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

"We know that some people don't have food or resources this Christmas season and we have it in abundance. Thank You for always providing for our needs. Thank You for how You enrich our lives. Please comfort those who lack food, resources — and loving family members and friends. Please comfort these people and use us to help reach out to them this holiday season. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen"

"Gracious God: for children who wait excitedly for the morning, we pray joy; for children separated from those they love, we pray comfort; for children in hospital, we pray healing; for children in places of violence, we pray safety; for children who are hungry, we pray sustenance, Amen"