Dear Parents and Carers

We've come to the end of our first half term of 2022 already and also the end of our Child Mental Health Week. Though sadly for some of us, pupils and staff alike, it's been a not-so-healthy-week, with so many of us struck down with Covid.

It only serves to reinforce to us that unfortunately we aren't through the woods yet. So I thank you all for your continued vigilance and understanding and I want to thank my wonderful staff in particular for keeping the ship going this week while we were so reduced in numbers.

Fingers crossed for a healthy and happy half term ahead for all of us.

(And just a polite reminder: please don't take your child out of school for holidays out of term time. They have missed enough schooling already.)

In the meantime, you will see below what a busy time we've had in school these past 7 weeks and there's plenty more fun and learning planned for when we come back on 21st February.

We will also be launching into all the exciting activities we are planing for Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee celebrations later in the summer.

Have a great Half Term everyone.

Best wishes

AMG

Headteacher

Learn To Love To Read:

Did you see the recent BBC programme about Jay Blades of The Repair Shop learning to read aged 51?

It was a powerful programme highlighting the impact that not being able to read can have on your life.

The programme showed Jay learning to read with the support of a volunteer from a reading charity.

St Michael’s school also uses reading volunteers, trained and supported by the charity, Learn to Love to Read, to ensure that every child leaves school able to read confidently. As the programme illustrates learning to read is not an easy process and many children find it difficult.

A committed, enthusiastic and patient volunteer can make all the difference.

Could you be that volunteer? You need to be able to commit to 90 minutes, one afternoon a week.

You could be changing a child’s life. Email matilda@l2l2r.org if you would be interested, or check out our website www.learn2love2read.org.uk

Children's Mental Health Week:

This week, we celebrated Children's Mental Health under the banner "Growing Together".

We had some fantastic well-being workshops and assemblies with Big Foot. It was an excellent opportunity to promote positive mental and emotional health in every year group and reinforced our Growth Mindset principles of reflection, innovation, collaboration and perseverance.

We rounded the week off with "Dress To Express" to celebrate our uniqueness and diversity.

MICHELLE GRIGG

Safer Internet Day:

Tuesday 1st March 2022

We will be marking this important date a little later than usual due to our busy calendar.

We have lots of interesting workshops and worship planned for the day to help protect our children and promote their well being online.

Psychology Undergraduate Research Project:

"I'm a student who's lived in Putney my whole life and am currently looking for schools in the area to help me with my dissertation research. I would be forever grateful if this could be forwarded onto parents at the school. The research has been ethically approved and more information is below.

We are looking for parents with primary school children to take part in this study examining the effects of parental and child wellbeing. The survey will take around 30 minutes to complete and there are 8 £25 amazon voucher awards to be won! Your participation will be kept completely anonymous, and more information will be disclosed before starting the survey. If you would like to take part in this study, please click the link below.

https://universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cGVmFfHkYNYNvPE

Best wishes,

Callum Crees"

Nursery & EYFS Review:

The Nursery children all returned from the Christmas break just that little bit taller and even more keen to get stuck into life at Mini St. Mikes. We have been exploring traditional tales this term, kicking off things with Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We read an African version of Little Red Riding Hood and the children have loved exploring all the different types of animals in the story.

We have enjoyed dressing up, putting on puppet and dance shows for our friends, building houses out of all sorts of materials in the outdoor area and tasting porridge, amongst other tasty Australia Day treats.

It has been lovely to see the children get involved in lots of lovely collaborative play. We have been talking about persistence, not giving up when things get tough and also reflecting when we have problems to work out whether there is a better way of doing things.

The children enjoyed exploring Chinese New Year, sweeping outside, making decorations and helping to chop vegetables all in preparation for our Chinese New Year feast. We even had our very own dragon parade with the rest of the school as our audience!

Red and Green Classes have enjoyed continuing our phonics lessons and have been practising using digraphs in our writing, these are two letters which make one sound. We have also learnt 3 different trigraphs! These are three letters that make one sound.

During our child initiated play and group practice reading sessions we have been able to apply this phonics knowledge. We especially enjoyed some independent book making at the writing table and writing a list of animals who went on an adventure in Mr Gumpy’s boat!

One of our favourite weeks this half term was when we read ‘The Pirates Next Door’ and took part in lots of pirate based activities. These included learning new vocabulary, which we used to orientate our way around our school. We then collaborated together to create and label a map of the school, which could help a visitor find their way around our wonderful school. We also had lots of fun making pirate ships, maps and hats. Ohh arr!

As part of our Maths learning we have developed a deeper understanding of numbers up to 10. We have learnt all about the part-part whole model and explored different ways of making numbers.

Topic work this half term had a theme of discovery and construction, teaching children about the environments that they share with others including their homes, school and places in the local community.

As part of this topic learning we have been builders and architects. Particularly in our builders yard role-play area, where we have designed and built a varety of different buildings, including castles and homes for the three little pigs!

We have also used the outside area to build together collaboratively, using a range of diferent materials.

This topic linked wonderfully with our big RE question this half-term, "Who cares for the wonderful world?" We showed service and care when we visited the church to help clean and tidy. We also had some wonderful discussions about how we can take part in caring for Gods’ planet, including keeping the seas clean and the animals healthy.

Lastly, we had great fun taking part in a drama workshop, where we went on a safari adventure! We learnt some great animal acting techniques and a new banana language!

THE EYFS TEAM

Lower Phase Review:

Another super term in Key Stage 1! The children fully immersed themselves into their new topics: Memory Box in Year 1 and Wriggle and Crawl in Year 2. Our

Year 1 children learned all about the history of St Michael’s, after listening to Mrs Harris’ and Miss Fenton’s accounts of what it was like as pupils at St Michael’s when they were young girls.

The children also looked closely at how transport has changed over time and thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the London Transport Museum which supported their learning and helped them to understand more about transport through the years. In Year 2, the children loved learning about minibeasts. They have learned that minibeasts are invertebrates, meaning they have no backbone, and have also developed their understanding of habitats and microhabitats. The work they completed on the life cycle of bees and looking at how and why bees make honey really captured the children’s interest!

They too, enjoyed getting out and about, to continue their learning, when they visited the Wetlands Centre, in Barnes. Here they deepened their learning through attending a workshop titled ‘How can we get close to wildlife and look after it?’, and having a go at building some natural habitat for the surrounding wildlife.

In English the story ‘Owl Babies’ has been a focus for Year 1, where they learnt about character profiles, speech bubbles and story sequencing, to name just a few. They have also completed a non-chronological report on the human life-cycle.

In Year 2 the children have created fact files and leaflets about minibeasts of their choice that they thoroughly researched to ensure all the information was correct and factual.

In the last few weeks of term we have looked at the wordless book ‘Bee and Me’ and compared this to the film ‘Bee Movie’. The children wrote book and film reviews about them, using their comparative language skills and sharing their own thoughts and opinions.

As always there have been a number of fantastic events that we have taken part in this term, including Well-being week, number day and the PTA disco. It has been a fun and productive term for us all and we look forward to what the next half term has in store for us.

GEMMA JENNINGS

Middle Phase Review:

Middle Phase has been buzzing with positive energy throughout the half term, with the children getting excited about all aspects of their learning. We have continued our focus on Whole Class Reading and times tables, often practising Time Tables Rock Stars on the laptops as a morning starter.

For Year 4 there are some particular highlights to mention. We were so pleased to be able to put on a performance to parents again after such a long time. Thank you to everyone who was able to come along and watch our assembly about ‘Burps, Bottoms and Bile’.

To put on this show, children collaborated well, learning their lines and actions quickly and confidently and being very patient as Mrs Lee and Mrs Stewart directed rehearsal after rehearsal! The theme was all about healthy eating and, by learning factual information in the script, the play really embedded important information about teeth, digestion and different food types.

The colourful costumes and 3-part harmony added to a really memorable event.

In addition to this topic experience, we were lucky to have a visit from a dental nurse, Joanne, who helped the children to understand the purpose of our different teeth and the importance of good dental hygiene.

We also have a scientific investigation underway in our classrooms to discover the effect that various drinks (Coca Cola, orange juice, squash, water and milk) might have on our teeth. Will our predictions be correct?

In Maths this half term, Year 4 have got to grips with multiplying and dividing 3-digit numbers by one digit numbers. We have had fun exploring factors and learning about ‘distributive law’ and ‘associative law’. We loved Number Day because it was a time to use our skills and innovation to crack codes and solve number puzzles with our friends, and we do love a chance to dress up!

Our English curriculum this term has been inspired by George’s Marvellous Medicine. So far, our Big Writes have been a playscript of the opening chapter of the book, a set of instructions about a magical potion (we actually tried this out in class with some unusual ingredients

including eggs, toothpaste, brown sauce, glitter and cold tea) and a narrative text about George entering a very different world through a ‘portal’. We are getting really good at using similes to enrich our description.

Year 3 have been busy exploring fairy tales in English. We have read several different versions of Cinderella, one set in the Caribbean, one in which Cinderella was Cinders and one in which Cinderella didn't want to marry the prince and protested at the ball! The children have used their fabulous imaginations to dream up their own fairy tale giving stories a bit of a twist. We look forward to reading the finished masterpieces!

The focus in maths this half term has been to multiply and divide 2-digit numbers by one digit. To help us with our learning we use counters, place value charts and cubes to be able to visualise what is actually happening to each digit when we do these calculations.

Year 3’s topic this half term has been ‘Predator’ which has involved finding out all about food groups, animal and human diets and their differences, skeletons and muscles! The children can explain the difference between an animal with an endoskeleton, an ectoskeleton and a hydrostatic skeleton!

In Computing we have been learning about sending emails and in French we are learning to say, hear and write the numbers to 12.

Years 3 and 4 have both been learning about Hinduism this term and, in our collective worship throughout the term we have been finding out about the Fruits of the Spirit. The qualities of Love, Kindness and Patience lend themselves to our PSHE learning as well, when we have been discussing diversity and friendship.

Every Tuesday morning, we have been doing something called Votes for Schools, which Mrs Stewart has introduced to our school. This is a great initiative which encourages the children to debate topical issues such as space tourism and free meals for all school children. This enables open conversation and respect for everyone’s opinions.

A big shout out to all the Middle Phase team who continue to work so hard in their commitment to the children’s pastoral and academic welfare. I hope that all staff, pupils and St Michael’s families have a restful and healthy half term break.

RACHEL LEE

Upper Phase Review:

This term Year 5 have been immersed in History: studying the lives of the Ancient Egyptians in topic and (in the much more recent past) the lives of the 'Hidden Figures' who were behind NASA's space programme, in our English lessons.

We have explored the incredible lives of the Pharaohs using historical sources and considered what the numerous artefacts can tell us about the culture and way of life of the people of Ancient Egypt - we have even made our own version of a canopic jar using some rather surprising recycled materials!

Year 5 have also examined the geography of Modern Egypt and the Nile delta.

In English, we have been fascinated by the story of the women 'computers' who overcame racial prejudice and helped in America's bid to put the first man on the moon, documented in our book 'Hidden Figures'.

5B have been getting to grips with formal methods of multiplication and division in Maths - all of their hard work in learning their times tables is paying off and we encourage them to keep practising so that they keep those multiples at their fingertips!

We have been particularly proud of the mature and sensitive way the class has approached this term's RE topic: The Journey of Life and Death which has been taught through some excellent texts aimed at children, such as Michael Rosen's 'Sad Book' and 'Badger's Parting Gifts' by Susan Varley. As well as investigating beliefs about life and life after death in different religions, the class have had the opportunity to learn about how faith can provide believers with answers to life's most challenging questions. An important lesson from this unit explored how important it is to celebrate the lives of those they have lost and how remembering can help the healing process.

In year 6, their topic this half term has been Revolution where the children have been developing their knowledge about Victorian culture and significant figures from this time. This included the creation of a fact file about Queen Victoria. The children embraced their Victorian school day and were able to make comparisons to modern day education. We continued with our electricity learning as the children explored ingenious inventors who created so many things that we take for granted today: the electric light bulb, the telephone and the first flushing toilet.

Our English focus for this half term has been on Macbeth. The children thoroughly enjoyed their Rapspeare workshop, which really hooked them into the story. They have written two detailed Big Writes: an opening narrative and a letter. It has been great to see the children including more examples of figurative language.

In Maths, Year 6 has been expanding their knowledge of fractions, decimals and percentages, expanding their knowledge of numbers and gaining greater confidence in their arithmetic skills.

Our focus on ‘Dreams and Goals’ in PSHE has given the children an opportunity to think about their aims for the future and consider ways that they could achieve them. It has been fantastic to see children employ a growth mindset and form realistic aims with a look to what lies ahead.

This term, we have been impressed by their contributions in RE throughout our current topic, Who Is Jesus? In this unit, children have explored the significance of Jesus in the Christian faith, and gained an understanding for this dynamic by comparing it to the relationships in their own lives. It has been great hearing children consider the people in their lives who provide them with guidance and direction!

HAYLEY BOSTOCK

5B created a paper chain after discussing the importance of celebrating differences.

"Every one of us unique in our own way"

A Review of the Half Term:

This term, we have welcomed back our brilliant Playground Champions & Wellbeing Buddies to the playground at lunchtime. The Year 5/6 children really enjoy this responsibility and the younger year groups love being able to play with the bigger children again.

We have also reopened our Sensory Room which is a much-loved calm space.

We produced a survey to ask Parents for their opinion on a potential name change for our department and also how they would like our team to keep in touch. We have had some brilliant ideas and helpful feedback. We will also ask our pupils and the staff for their thoughts and ideas too.

Stay tuned!

MICHELLE GRIGG

PE News:

Basketball and Netball

This half term we have been learning netball and basketball looking at the similarities and differences of the sports and how skills can be transferred across. Getting used to the different rules of the two sports e.g. positions in netball and moving with the ball in basketball has been challenging but the children have done an amazing job learning them.

By the end of the term we would have done a house competition for each sport and I will announce the winners after half term.

Well done to all of the children for applying a growth mindset and developing their skills.

We want the children to embrace the competitive nature of the house competitions and enjoy it but not focus too much on winning and losing. We want them to focus on developing their skills and knowledge and celebrate their progress. If winning is a result of this then great but it is not the only evidence of success.

Apparatus Gymnastics

I had the pleasure of observing year 2 in their apparatus gymnastics lesson taught by Louise. I have also popped in to see some other years taking part and it has been amazing to see the children develop their skills on the vault, beam, rolling mat and putting together sequences on apparatus. Thank you to Louise for her amazing lessons and well done to the children on the progress they have made.

PE next half term

Next half term the children will be working on tennis skills and dance. We will explore tennis related skills both with and without a racket. We will learn some reaction skills and hand eye coordination skills, as well as applying the skills in adapted games depending on age and ability.

CARL ROCHFORD

SAS Group:

Whilst we haven't been able to meet as often as we would have liked this half term - and when we do it is in smaller bubble groups - we have nevertheless had lots of fun together.

We have enjoyed doing some puzzles and activities around Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, we've played games such as Dominoes and this week the children will (hopefully) be bringing home their homemade cards for their loved ones to mark a special date that's coming up in half term....

CAROLINE JOPP

Pupil Faith Group:

We are so excited that we can start meeting properly as Pupil Faith Group after so much disruption due to Covid. We have our badges and are making plans for Lent and Easter. Over the Lent period we will be reminding our classes about the '40 Acts of Kindness' and will lead a class Collective Worship on how Easter is commemorated and celebrated in different countries. We also led wonderful worship sessions about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries last term!

We are keeping a close eye on our Reflection Areas and making sure that they are tidy and inviting places for people to have space.

We are looking forward to the return of the Big Question Box and we are all proud to represent our classes.

Miss Cunningham is so proud of us because we are taking responsibility and representing the importance of faith and collaboration in our school.

SHARON CUNNINGHAM

Dear God

Thank you for the fact that we have the food that we need and can choose what to eat.

Please help us to choose the right food that is healthy for us.

Please help people who don’t have enough food.

Amen

Our 2021-2022 school attendance target is: 97.5%

This half term we achieved:

96.8%

Please refer to the punctuality link on our website

http://www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk/our-school/attendance/

SpringTerm 1:

Price per day: £2.60

Price per week: £13.00

Price per half term: £91

Change To Lunch Arrangements:

If your child wishes to switch from school lunch to packed lunch (or vice versa) next half term please be aware that the kitchen will need a week's advance notice.

If you are switching over, please do then stick with this decision for the remainder of the half term ahead.