PTA Review of the Year:

Congratulations! 

We’ve all made it to the end of the 2023-24 academic year! Thank you for all the amazing help and support you've provided St Michael's this year. We have shared our highlights in our recent End of Year Review. If you missed it you have helped raise an astonishing £31,249 (subject to any outstanding costs). A fabulous amount to put towards our ongoing commitments to the school.

Our first event of the 2024/25 academic year will be a Uniform Sale on Friday 13th September. The first AGM will be on Thursday 17th October where we’ll be electing a new PTA team. There are a number of positions up for grabs including Co-chairs, Sponsorship and Secretary roles so it's not too late for you to get involved. To find out more about these roles please reach out to Louise or Sheila or have a look at the Committees/Roles part of our website.

Wishing you a restful well-earned break.

Louise and Sheila

PTA Co-chair(s)

on behalf of the PTA Committee

PTA Website 

EYFS and Nursery:

As we come to the end of a fantastic year in Early Years, we are filled with pride and joy as we reflect on the remarkable growth and achievements of our children. This year has been brimming with learning, adventures, and memorable experiences. Our final term was particularly eventful with Reception’s class assembly, beach days and the nursery’s teddy bear picnic. 

In Nursery, the children celebrated their end-of-term events with great enthusiasm. The super cool beach day was another highlight, featuring extended water play with big paddling pools, sprinkles, and ball games, bringing smiles to both children and adults alike.

The children have shown significant progress in phonics this term. Their listening skills have improved remarkably, and they are now more confident in hearing and saying sounds in words. This progress has laid a strong foundation for their reading and writing journey in Reception.

In Reception, the theme of Moving On has been at the forefront of the children’s minds. They have been curious and excited about transitioning to Year 1, visiting their new teacher and classroom, and anticipating the new learning experiences and responsibilities ahead.

The reception class assembly was a delightful celebration of their learning of nature. The children shared their knowledge about plants, describing the life cycle from seed to flower and the importance of caring for our environment. It was wonderful to see the confidence of the children grow as they told us all about butterflies. We are so proud of the children for learning their lines so quickly, the songs and our amazing dance! 

In Phonics, the children have successfully completed Phase 4, learning new words and exploring alternative suffixes and sounds. Mrs. Lightning and I are incredibly proud of the children's progress in phonics and reading. We encourage all children to keep reading at home over the summer to continue their fantastic progress.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the children and families for their unwavering support throughout the year. Your participation in events, mystery readers and trips has been invaluable. We are grateful for the sense of community and collaboration that has made this year so enjoyable.

To our EYFS children, thank you for a wonderful year. We wish you all the best as you move on to your new year group. Keep shining and continue to make us proud!

Warm regards, 

Chloe Fryer

EYFS Phase Leader

Lower Phase:

As we take a moment to reflect on what a fantastic year it has been, we look at our Lower phase children and see the effort, progress and achievements they have made this year!  Each child should be proud of themselves and how far they have come! 

This term, our Year 1 learners have been on a fantastic journey of discovery! They have explored a variety of exciting units of study, all designed to build their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

In Maths the children practised using clocks and calendars, understanding the concept of "before" and "after," and creating their own routines.

In Science, they went on a wild ride, exploring the fascinating world of animals! They learned about different animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.), their habitats, and their unique characteristics. Their trip to Battersea Park Zoo was a highlight, where the children came face-to-face with incredible creatures.

In DT, Year 1 got creative! designing and making delicious fruit plates. The children explored different fruits, their shapes, colours, and textures. They practised using safe cutting tools (under adult supervision) and arranged the fruits beautifully on their plates.

In English, they delved into the wonderful world of stories with the book "There's an Orangutan in My Bed!" This captivating tale allowed them to explore key features of language:The children actively participated in discussions, independent writing and lots more!

This summer term, our Year 2 adventurers have been busy exploring, creating, and expanding their knowledge!In English, they embarked on a literary adventure, starting with the heartwarming story, "The Journey Home." The children followed the captivating tale, then took a creative turn, retelling the story with a twist: they changed the animals and used their imaginations as they introduced elephants, dolphins, and even giraffes  into the narrative.

They also delved into the fantastical world of "The Dragon Sitter." The children explored the pros and cons of having a dragon as a pet, sparking lively debates. They then put their critical thinking and persuasive writing skills to the test by crafting compelling speeches for or against keeping a pet dragon. Their arguments were full of imaginative details and well-supported reasons!

As artists,  Year 2  took inspiration from the vibrant and playful art of Yayoi Kusama. The children explored her use of dots, patterns, and bold colours. They then created their own unique dot-inspired artwork, showcasing their creativity and artistic flair.

In DT they put their creativity and engineering skills to the test by designing and constructing hand puppets. The children learned basic sewing techniques of a running stitch! The culmination of their hard work was a delightful puppet show performed for the Reception classes, filled with laughter and imagination.

We've witnessed remarkable progress in their knowledge, skills, and confidence. It has been a whirlwind of learning and fun filled with Sports day, trips, the Summer Fete and Move Up Morning. We've seen tremendous growth in our Lower Phase students, and we're excited to see what the next term brings!

Charlotte Williams

Lower Phase Leader

Middle Phase:

Summer term has been very busy for the Middle Phase! Both Years 3 and 4 have worked hard in their lessons and enjoyed a variety of enrichment activities to support their learning. As we arrive at the end of the academic year, I know many are looking forward to a well-deserved break, although we should also remember all we have achieved. 

This term was full of exciting activities for all of the children. They enjoyed Sports Week, showing off their athletic skills and sportsmanship, with the teamwork and support for each other being a particular highlight. The summer fair brought the community together with fun games and treats and I know many children would have experienced quite a sugar crash by the end of the day! Mrs Lee organised a wonderful French cafe morning, which offered a taste of French culture and a chance to enhance their French speaking skills. An inspiring visit from author Abi Elphinstone was a highlight from before half term, sparking creativity in young minds and an insight into how authors write. Last week, we were a thoroughly engaged audience for the Year 6 production, which was a hit and had many already looking forward to their own in Year 6!  

This term, Year 3 have had some wonderful opportunities for creativity and fun in their learning. In D&T, they learned to create cross stitch bookmarks, honing their fine motor skills. In ART, they explored painting techniques by using value to create fruit still life paintings. Their writing has been inspired by themselves, starting with autobiographies and progressing to adventurous stories. In History, they conducted a fascinating experiment by mummifying a tomato, gaining hands-on experience with ancient practices. Their knowledge of Ancient Egypt was further enhanced by the Egyptian Day arranged by the teachers, where they explored a variety of aspects of Egyptian life and art. As geographers, the year group also went on a very wet trip to the River Wandle, identifying features from their lessons in a real-life setting. In Science, they delved into light investigations, discovering more about light through various experiments. 3G and 3L have really enjoyed these exciting and educational lessons.

This term, Year 4 students have embarked on an array of stimulating activities. They wrote "What if?" narratives, drawing inspiration from our author visit and taking her tips on board. In Science, they explored electricity and applied their knowledge by creating light-up boxes in D&T. Maths lessons focused on time, money, shape, coordinates, and statistics, providing excellent cross-curricular learning opportunities, particularly for Geography, where we covered lines of significance. The children applied their maths knowledge of coordinates to locating places using 4 and 6-figure grid references, as well as exploring time zones and weather patterns. In History, we studied the invasion of the Normans and the impact they had on Britain, with a trip to the Tower of London being a particular highlight. RE included learning about Islam, complemented by a memorable visit to a mosque, where we were enthralled with lots of information. It is also worth mentioning how Year 4 excelled in their Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) earlier in the summer term, and they should all be very proud of their achievements.

The children have enjoyed all the special activities and events to celebrate the end of another academic year, including meeting their new teachers last week and taking books home to share all their learning with parents and carers. On Tuesday this week, we concluded our celebrations for the end of the school year with a whole-school Church Service, where it was brilliant to come together as a school community and also a chance to hear the lovely leavers song prepared by the children with Mrs Minster for the Year 6s. 

As we enter the summer holidays, I would like to thank all staff, children and parents for their hard work and collaboration throughout the year. In Middle Phase, both Ms Raimi and Teresa Osborne, our longest-standing TA, are leaving, and we want to thank them particularly for their contribution and wish them all the best for their next stages! I hope you all enjoy the summer holiday (with or without the sun) and look forward to hearing all about it when we are back in September!

Lucy Barter

Middle Phase Leader

Upper Phase:

This summer has been an incredible term filled with a variety of engaging and exhilarating events that have brought joy, unity, and a sense of togetherness to our school community. The numerous sporting events that took place during the summer term have been a highlight for everyone. The Panathlon showcased the incredible talent and teamwork among our students, while our Summer Fete was a massive success, offering a fun-filled day with laughter, games, and delicious treats.

Another standout event this term was our highly anticipated Science Fair. The passion and energy displayed by students were truly remarkable. Our young scientists amazed everyone with their innovative projects and experiments, demonstrating a deep understanding and enthusiasm for various scientific concepts. The fair was a hub of creativity and curiosity, with each presentation showcasing the students' hard work and dedication. It was a joy to see the excitement in their eyes as they explained their findings and discoveries to the audience. The Science Fair not only highlighted the incredible talent within our school but also ignited a love for science that will undoubtedly continue to grow.

Sports Day was another highlight, where everyone participated with enthusiasm and showcased their athletic skills. The netball match between staff and children was particularly memorable, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and bonding across all ages.

Our Year 5 students had a term full of enriching experiences and learning opportunities. A special visit from Ant and Dec left a lasting impression, inspiring and entertaining the students with their charm and wit. The educational trip to Hampton Court allowed the students to delve deep into the history of the Tudors, while the workshop at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre brought the classic play "Romeo and Juliet" to life, sparking a newfound appreciation for Shakespeare's works.

For our Year 6 students, this term has been a period of significant milestones and achievements. They completed their SATS, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff for their unwavering support and dedication throughout this process.  The PGL trip was an adventure of a lifetime, featuring activities like Jacob's Ladder, abseiling, and the giant swing. The dorms buzzed with excitement, jokes, and the formation of solid friendships, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Our PE lead ambassadors and subject ambassadors also completed the final parts of their roles, demonstrating leadership and commitment to their peers.

It has truly been a wonderful term with countless highlights. We are immensely proud of all our learners for their hard work, enthusiasm, and achievements. As we say goodbye for now, we hope to see many of our Year 6 students and their families soon, continuing to be a part of our extended school community.

As we reflect on the joy and unity of this term, let us be reminded by this scripture:

"Let all that you do be done in love." – 1 Corinthians 16:14

This summer term has been a testament to the strength and unity of our school community. We have come together, worked hard, and celebrated each other's successes. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to making this term so special. We eagerly look forward to the future with hope and excitement.

With warm regards,

Adele Stewart

Upper Phase Lead

We are proud of our recent sporting awards:

As we come to the end of another fantastic year of music at St Michael's, I would like to highlight some of our recent performances and events from this term.

We had an after school concert featuring our string ensemble, guitar ensemble and wind orchestra. The groups all showed off the pieces they had been busily practising throughout the term, and the concert also featured a few soloists. All of our musicians played beautifully, and I would like to thank everyone who came along in support.

The summer fete was a wonderful day when children were able to share what they had been working on in the music room and during their music clubs. The wind orchestra, featuring some guest players from previous years, started off the music with the stirring Chariots Of Fire. There were performances from so many of the children in the school; from nursery, reception and year 1 singing The Kindness Song together, to year 2 performing We Will Rock You on the recorders, year 3 and year 5 singing Siyahamba, and also the chamber choir who ended with the lively song Kusimama. I would like to congratulate all the children who performed - I was so proud of you all.

We had 19 children entered for ABRSM exams this term. I am happy to report that everyone passed, maintaining or 100% pass rate at St Michael's.

Year 6 have been so busy this term with their music; singing at Southwark Cathedral, giving three performances of their production, and singing again at the church service and their leavers' service. They have produced such amazing work and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success in the future.

To all our musicians; keep playing and singing throughout the summer break whenever you can. Please be sure to sign up for your music clubs for the Autumn term - we will be working towards Christmas performance, and every year they come along much more quickly than expected.

Have a lovely summer everyone, and see you next year.

Mrs Minster.

Head of Music Faculty

Our final term of the year has come quickly upon us and has kept us busy as usual in the library! This term we have continued to welcome our beloved four-legged friend Nelson in on Wednesday afternoons with his owner, Justine, to listen and work with a variety of lucky children. 

As well, the Lower Phase reading groups continue to take place in the library during weekday mornings. While classes have been in for their weekly visits in the afternoons! And our doors have been open to our highly regarded Reading for Pleasure afternoons with our families and reading volunteers. Always a bustling environment but equally, a calm and welcoming one!

It is always at this time that we farewell this year’s fantastic Year 5 Junior Librarians who have, week in week out, worked to make our library not only neat and tidy, but also a fun and curious place to be with their quizzes, activities and ‘treasure hunts’ that have kept the children on the lookout when they come to the library! A big shout out and thank you to each one of them!

In other news, we have acquired some lovely signed copies of local author, Abi Elphinstone’s latest books, so do keep an eye out to borrow these in September.

As always, it is with sincere thanks to all the children who have been diligent in returning their books each week. Well done!

I look forward to welcoming you back in the new school year well read, refreshed and ready to offer your book reviews and recommendations! 

Until then, happy summer holidays!

Best wishes,

Natalie Mitchell

We give huge thanks to God for all that He is doing and has done at St Michael's School this year.  It has been a time of change and transition and we have prayed throughout for God's grace to abound... and it has with abundance - Praise God!

Thank you to the St Mike's school staff for always welcoming us into the school, we do not take this for granted and feel so blessed to be able to gather together to pray on the grounds for the children, staff, governors and every aspect of the school.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

It has been wonderful to see the St Mike's church team on site so much these last couple of terms, presenting gospel focussed assemblies in such fun and creative ways - lucky kids!

Thank you to everyone that has come to pray with us this year.  We have had some wonderful Holy Spirit filled meetings and been able to pray faithfully for all elements of the school, and, always and particularly, for the precious children in it.

 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

We sadly say goodbye to Lucy Simpson this year.  She has been a wonderful and wise partner host of the Parent Prayer Group.  I hope you will join me in praying for abundant blessings on her and her family as they continue on their missionary life in Coulsdon.

We are lucky to have Nicola Harding join the prayer team, which will be a huge blessing, and are excited to announce that we will be trialing meeting EVERY Friday morning from September.  It will be a short and sweet meeting from drop off 840am with a sharp finish at 9am!!  Once a month we will then follow on to the church cafe afterwards for those who fancy coffee and more chat!

Please join us when you can.  It would be wonderful to see you there, whether you are a regular church goer or just interested to find out more - you are so welcome!

Please contact Amy Bell on 07813114020 (2W, Red) if you'd like to join the WhatsApp group or would like to discover more. 

In the meantime, we hope you all have a wonderful summer and pray that each school family and staff member will know the blessings of their Father in Heaven.

Love, Lucy, Nicci and Amy

Autumn Clubs:

BOOKINGS GO LIVE ON SATURDAY 20TH JULY AT 9am

One booking per child in the first instance and then any additional bookings can be made from Monday 22nd July and onwards.

A letter has now gone out detailing the range of clubs for next term.

This includes all the regular sporting activities - Football, Rugby, Multisports, Tennis and Hockey.

Additionally there are some new clubs available, including Homework Genies and Let's Rock for Year 3 pupils.

Parking Spaces Plea:

A plea to any parents who live locally and have space in their driveways... might it be possible to allow a member of staff to park there during term time please?

If so please let the school office know.

Thank you for your kind support.

St Michael's School has now partnered with School Space for venue hiring at evenings, weekends and during the holidays.

Please follow the link for details of our school letting service:

SCHOOL SPACE LINK 

End of term prayer:

We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.

Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family.

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.

May we always be conscious of you in our lives.

Surround us and our families with your loving care, keep us safe and return us in September, renewed and refreshed.

Amen