Welcome Back

Start of Autumn Term 2025

Message from Mrs Harris, Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

A very warm welcome back to the new academic year at St Michael’s CE Primary School. I hope you and your families have enjoyed a restful and happy summer, and that the children are feeling refreshed and ready for the year ahead in their new classes.

We know that returning to school after a long break brings mixed feelings – some children skip in full of excitement, while others may feel a little anxious or unsettled. Please be assured that our staff are ready with patience, kindness, and plenty of hand-holding to help every child settle back in quickly and happily.

As we begin this year together, I would like to share a verse of encouragement for our whole community:

“Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

This year promises to be a special one for St Michael’s. We continue to grow as a school and to strengthen our vision of Love, Serve, Grow in all that we do. You will find in this newsletter a number of important notices, updates, and key dates, so I ask that you please read it carefully to ensure you are aware of everything happening this term.

I am delighted to welcome several new members of staff to our school community (names are listed below), and I am especially pleased to introduce our new Deputy Headteacher, Hannah Dodman, who has written a short introduction further on in this newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support of the school. The partnership between home and school is central to helping your child flourish, and I am grateful for the trust you place in us. The entire staff team and I are very much looking forward to the year ahead and to seeing the children tomorrow morning, ready to begin their new chapter.

With every blessing,

Mrs Harris

Headteacher

Message from The Board of Governors:

Dear Parents, Carers, Pupils, and Staff,

On behalf of the Board of Governors, we hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer break and are ready for the new academic year. We know that while many children (and parents) are looking forward to the start or this new school year, it can also be a nerve wracking time for others. We pray that the words from Paul in Philippians 4:13 will encourage you during this time: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.

Whether you are returning for another year, or joining us for the first time, we are delighted to have you with us and look forward to a year filled with chances to show love, serve one another, and grow.

As the Board of Governors, our role is to make sure everything our school does is aligned with its vision, ethos and strategy, hold the school leaders to account, and monitor the school’s finances. We also manage the Maintenance Fund, a vital element in ensuring that St. Michael’s School is a safe, well-equipped and pleasant environment for children and staff.

In the last two years alone the Maintenance Fund has meant that we have been able to replace all the toilet facilities, refresh and redecorate classrooms and common areas, and repair the MUGA. In the next few years we would like to continue with our five-year rolling renovation plans in order to provide a safe environment for the children and keep the school looking well maintained. We are grateful for the ongoing support of parents and carers, whose contribution to this fund makes all this possible.

We are proud to be part of this school community and we look forward to working alongside you all this year.

Warm regards, 

The Board of Governors 

https://www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk/school-information/board-of-governors

New Staff Announcements:

We are delighted to introduce the following new members of staff to our school and we are sure there will be plenty of opportunities for our wider school community to make them feel welcome too.

NEW DEPUTY HEAD

Mrs Dodman

NEW CLASS TEACHERS:

Miss Grindel 5G

Mr Robinson 4R

Mr Johnston 2J

Miss Marriott 1M

NEW TEACHING ASSISTANT:

Miss Green 4B

NEW STUDENT TEACHER

Mr Boden will be working alongside Mrs Lee and Miss Campbell.

Message from Hannah Dobman, Deputy Head:

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a lovely summer break.

My name is Mrs Hannah Dodman and it is my pleasure to be joining the St Michaels family, as your new Deputy Headteacher.

I have received the most wonderfully warm welcome from the team so far and have been blessed to have met some of you and the pupils before the break.

Thank you for this!

I look forward to the exciting new academic year ahead, as we work together to love, serve and grow as a school.

Mrs Dodman

Notices for This Week:

Parent Messaging System:

We are no longer using Parentmail and all families should by now be signed up with Arbor.

If you have any problems with your sign in please either email info@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk or telephone the school switchboard rather than visit in person at this very busy time for the office team.

New Phase Drop Off Points:

Phase 1 (Years 1,2,3)

All children to come in through the side door in the old KS1 playground - Year 3 to then go straight up the Year 3 stairs.

Phase 2 (Years 4,5,6)

Children to walk down the right hand side of the building and enter through the Reflection area and up the Year 6 staircase.

New Entry Phone System:

For the Office Reception please press 1

Office Opening Hours are 8am to 4pm

For Wraparound Care please press 2

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR NEW SYSTEM REQUIRES YOU TO BE BUZZED BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

Parking Space Polite Request:

If any local families with space on their driveways feel able to let any staff members park during the school day it would save a lot of expense for them who have to pay daily parking charges.

There are many staff members who would be extremely grateful for this opportunity.

PE Kit/Uniform For This Week:

There is no PE kit required for this week and children can continue to wear their Summer uniform up until October Half Term.

School Uniform:

Please ensure your child adheres to our school uniform code, INCLUDING THE CORRECT SHOES.

LINK

Please also label all personal items including water bottles and snack boxes.

Start & End of Day times:

I am looking forward to opening the gates tomorrow morning from 8:25am.

Gates close at 08:40am.

Please may we ask that you start as you mean to go on and be in school promptly and before the registers are taken each morning.

This is an important life skill.

A reminder that the times for the end of school are as follows:

Nursery: 3:00pm

Reception - Year 6: 3:10pm

The children will be led out to the designated areas in each playground and any uncollected children will be taken to the main office.

Please keep an eye on the younger siblings running around the playgrounds as the gates are all open.

Please also note that the castle play area at the front of school is still OUT OF BOUNDS.

Meet the Class Teacher Meetings:

Here are the dates and times:

LINK

It is an opportunity to meet the class teacher, hear about the routines and procedures and ask any questions.

Clubs:

These start next week from Monday 8th September.

Children will go directly to their clubs.

Children in the Phase 1 will be directed to the clubs by the staff.

Please note all children will have to take responsibility for getting changed accordingly.

Autumn Clubs 2025 LINK

There are still some spaces on some clubs, especially Coding. so do take a look to see if any are of interest in the Arbor shop or via the individual external providers.

Calendar:

Please avoid taking time out for holidays during the school term.

The government and Local Authority are working closely with us this term to monitor absences and we have to report / record attendance on pupils.

Please note that all holidays taken during term time will be unauthorised unless classified by the Headteacher as exceptional circumstances.

Christmas 2025

(please note this will be updated regularly over the next few weeks while dates are confirmed)

Term Dates Link

Free School Meals:

Please also note that if you receive any of the following:

Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance please let the office know as you would be entitled to other benefits such as: a free after school teacher run club, uniform grants and store vouchers during school holidays etc.

And we would also get additional funding for the school budget which will benefit your child.

Once again, this year all children from Reception to Year 6 will be entitled to free school meals under the Mayor of London's initiative. There is no need to write in - it is automatic.

You only need to notify us if your child is changing from school lunches to packed lunches please so that the kitchen team can know numbers.

And we continue to request that once children have decided on whether they are having a school meal or a home packed lunch they need to stick with this for a whole half term please.

Change of Pick Ups

Please try to notify the School Office as early as possible regarding any change of pick ups, always copying in your child's teacher as well.

Many thanks

Birthday Treats:

Please be reminded that birthday treats, such as cupcakes or sweets or lollipops, each need to be individually wrapped for distribution at the end of the school day .

(And please remember our STRICTLY NO NUTS AND NO SESAME POLICY)

Thank you

Walking to and from school unaccompanied:

For Years 5 and 6 only

Please ensure you complete the online form LINK and return to the school office so that we have a record of any permissions given.

If your child is walking to school unaccompanied please be extra vigilant in advising the office by 9am if they are going to be absent from school.

This is a vital safeguarding requirement.

Thank you.

Mobile Phones in School:

Only Years 5 and 6 are permitted to bring mobile phones in to school and they MUST be left at the front desk first thing in the mornings and collected at the end of the school day.

INSET Days 2025

The staff have been kept busy while the children have been away..

In the July INSET Miss Guinness held a Mindfulness Art Workshop for all staff. Aren't we a talented lot?!

And these past two days have also included focus on Attendance, Safeguarding and Staff Well-Being activites and training.

Our Church School:

Reflection and Prayers:

A back to school prayer

Heavenly Father, as this new school year begins, I pray for Your presence and protection.

Give me the courage and wisdom to learn, to make new friends, and to be a kind and positive influence on others.

Be with my teachers and classmates, and fill this day with opportunities to grow.

Amen

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