Message from Mrs Harris, Headteacher
We have now reached the end of week five of our Autumn Term. This week our focus has been on kindness and strength. We began by looking at the Bible story of David and Saul, which reminds us that true strength is shown not in power or winning, but in choosing kindness and self-control, even when it is difficult.
On Thursday, we marked the beginning of Black History Month with an opening celebration, exploring why we celebrate this and some of the background to how it began.
Next week our theme will be Living Humbly, and we will visit the church on Thursday for a special service reflecting on this value. A verse that will guide us is:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
This verse reminds us that humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking of ourselves less — making room for others through kindness, listening and service.
At this stage of the term, children (and staff!) often begin to feel the pace of school life. Research into school wellbeing suggests that around the fifth or sixth week, energy can dip as the initial excitement of September fades and the longer rhythms of routine settle in. It’s a normal part of the school cycle, and one we can support our children through by encouraging healthy routines: plenty of rest, outdoor play, reading for pleasure and space to talk about their day.
A few reminders on school uniform:
Shirts should be worn as part of our daily uniform, with ties for all children.
Air-text tops are for PE only and should be white.
School sweatshirts are optional for PE, while jumpers and cardigans are part of the main uniform.
We have a growing collection of unnamed jumpers and cardigans around school. Please make sure your child’s clothing is named clearly, and that they know where to find their name label. Some children only have their surname written inside, which they don’t always recognise, so please do show them so they can identify their own clothing.
I am also delighted to share some exciting news with you. The Times has recently published its list of top primary schools across the country and St. Michael’s has been placed 118th out of more than 20,000 schools nationally. This is an incredible reflection of the hard work of our children, the dedication of our staff and the support we receive from you as parents and carers.
While league tables never tell the whole story of a school, it is encouraging to see the love of learning and the commitment of our school community recognised in this way. Most importantly, it reminds us that when we work together, we can achieve amazing things for the children in our care.
Thank you for all the little ways you support your children and the school – together we are helping them grow in kindness, strength and humility.
With every blessing for a lovely weekend,
Staff INSET Twilight Session 1:
On Wednesday evening all the staff took part in a training session :
What is coaching and how does it fit in?
After a very stimulating hour the teams worked together to produce their interpretive posters focusing on Agenda, Autonomy and Agency.
What a creative and thoughtful body of staff we have amongst us!
Little Village is again running it's Winter Warmers Appeal, helping babies and young children stay warm and well thorugh the colder months.
Please can you donate any of the following items:
Warm blankets and bedding
Boots and weatherproof shoes
Snuggly clothing and socks
Drop off point is at: Bay 2, Jews Row, SW18 1TN
Donation hours: Monda to Friday 9:30am to 4pm
Reception learned all about Oral Hygiene this week
This year's theme is: "Standing Firm in Power and Pride", focusing on the resilience, strength, and commitment to progress within the global Black community.
We are so grateful for all our wonderful reading volunteers.. of the two and four legged variety.
We love seeing our Pets As Therapy dog here in school, sitting gently with the children in our lovely library each week.
Year 6 Level 2 Cycle Training:
(see recent letter via Arbor)
There are just 3 slots still available on a first come first served basis.
Please note: Year 5 will have an opportunity to take part in Level 1 training in the Spring.
Individual and Sibling Photos:
These will be taking place in the course of next week.
All sibling photos will be taking place on Monday as there is no PE on this day. All other individual photos will be taken in the course of the week on a day that your child doesn't have PE.
Please send your child in with smart uniform and tidy hair.
Supervision At Collection:
Please ensure that when you pick up your child they need to be supervised at all times - the gates are open and children can wander.
It is down to the parent collecting to keep eyes on their child at all times once a member of staff has returned the child to your care.
If your child is not going to attend an after school club they are booked in for please ensure the office and the class teacher are alerted asap.
If your child decides on the day not to go to their club and instead goes home, you MUST still inform the office.
Staff spend much of each afternoon searching for children who have not turned up to their clubs and are therefore unaccounted for.
This is an important safeguarding issue and your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Important Notice Re Tailgating:
When you are let in to the school grounds please do NOT allow anyone in behind you.
Visitors should only come into school if they are either visiting the front office or going round the side to wraparound care.
Please note that there are two separate bells for these two separate entrances.
Love In A Box Advance Notice:
Leaflets will be sent home for families to be able to prepare the boxes during half term.
Boxes can then be returned to school throughout w/c 3 November.
It is lovely to receive such positive messages from parents who have commented that they like the way comms from school via Arbor come in to their personal email box.
"...it has been incredibly helpful - it 's the first time in our almost six years at the school that I've found it much easier to stay on top of information without feeling overwhelmed."
Absence Reporting on Arbor:
In order to report absence through the Arbor Parent Portal APP, go to the home page of the Arbor app.
From here click the green Log Absence button in the top-right of the page
(Please note this is regularly updated while events are awaiting confirmation)
Next Week's Worship Focus:
Living Humbly:
"What does humlity teach us about leadership and love?"
Don't forget to look out for updates on school life throughout the week on Facebook and Twitter so you don't miss out.