Happy New Year and welcome back to a new term from all here at St Michael’s!

We hope you had a restful and relaxing break with your family over the festive holiday. A big thank you from all of us for all the well wishes, cards and generous gifts that we received - they were very much appreciated.

We will be welcoming the children from 8:30am tomorrow, Thursday 4th January 2024.  We are now working towards Easter and the events that occur in our Christian calendar preceding this.  We will be looking at Fruit of the Spirit as our Worship Theme this term. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

A few administrative and housekeeping notes:

Please could we ask that if you need reports to be completed by the school, for independent school applications or referrals to outside agencies, that we have them well ahead of their deadline and clearly marked. Please ensure that info@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk is put as the contact email address and they will be distributed to the teachers. We have recently had a huge amount of reports to complete in a short space of time and some have required a very quick turn around. In order for us to ensure adequate time for teachers to incorporate into their already busy schedule please could we ask that you give us at least 2 weeks' notice in each case. 

Regular and punctual attendance at school is key to both academic and social development, which in turn will improve the life chances of children and young people. In primary school in particular we are looking to give children their best possible start in life. Being around teachers and friends in a school environment is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential. Time in school also keeps children safe and provides access to extra-curricular opportunities and pastoral care.  If your child’s attendance level falls below 90%, the school will contact you to explore the reasons and discuss what help and provision can be put in place. 

Please could I remind you that if you are driving to school to drop off your child that you leave in good time to arrive and park your car in a designated bay then walk your child to the playground. The children’s safety is a number one priority and as adults we are responsible for modelling to them how to operate and live within a community which include our neighbours and local residents. This is also an ideal opportunity to show our children the Christian values of respect for everyone and everything along with compassion - standing in someone else's shoes.  

A reminder that our revised drop off arrangements begin tomorrow. From 4th January the gates will be open to the KS1 and KS2 playground at 8:25am for parents and children to wait in the school grounds. The soft start timings will not change so the main school doors will open from 8:30am to 8:40am as before. After 8:40am the doors and gates will be closed and parents are to leave the premises please; any child arriving after this time must come through the office to be marked late. Reception children can wait in the KS1 playground with their parents until their internal gate opens just before 8:40am.

Spring Clubs commence w/c 8th January.

Please see below a message of thanks from the Wandsworth Foodbank where our reverse advent calendar donates were gifted.

Please pass on our thanks to all the children, parents, teachers and staff at St Michael Church of England Primary School for the Christmas donation of 172.2kg to the Wandsworth Foodbank (in addition to the Harvest donation of 222.8kg in October).  We estimate the total weight of 395kg  will provide 940 meals for our neighbours who are really struggling at the moment. 

We are grateful for your generosity and kindness.

From all of us at the Wandsworth Foodbank

We are delighted to welcome Cheryl Payne who will be working with me as a Consultant Headteacher from the beginning of this term. She brings a wealth of experience of working in a local Church of England Primary School, St Mary's in Putney, and will be here in school two days a week to share her valuable expertise and support for my Acting Headteacher role.

Finally, January is always a challenging time of year and difficult to get back into our routines and cope with the shorter days. We would like to remind the children, our staff and parents that we all need to get plenty of sleep, see our friends, play games, do something creative, listen to music and make sure we are moving - even maybe a bit of dancing and singing. 

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Kind regards

Angela Harris

Acting Headteacher