Weekly Web Update

Friday 15th September 2023

Dear Parents and Carers

'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 have now come to the end of the second week of this new term and much has happened already!

The children certainly seem to be raring to go and have hit the ground running, despite the heat!

We loved having our new little visitors in for their 1:1 and taster sessions with their Nursery and Reception teachers last week and now see how happily they are coming through the gates in the morning already.

A special warm welcome to all our new families who have joined us. I do hope you will enjoy your time here at St Michael's now that you are part of our school community.

We've also enjoyed welcoming parents to our "Meet The Teachers" sessions this week to meet their child's teacher and I do hope you found these useful.

Whilst writing please may you be reminded about the importance of safety in the playgrounds at drop off and pick up times. There are no members of staff on duty at the end of the school day and children are their parents responsibility to monitor and control on our play equipment. There is no scootering or riding bikes permitted in the playground. Thank you for helping to ensure the safety of the children at St Michael's.

Also, the children have been reminded of the importance of wearing their school uniform with pride so please do ensure that they have access to the correct uniform as stated in our dress code: Dress Code Link . If you have any issues obtaining any items of uniform please do contact me directly. Please note that hair accessories should be school colours and we do not permit bracelets, smart watches or dangly earrings.

Finally, I am sure you will join me in sending Mrs Grant our best wishes whilst she is away from school and we also want to reassure you that the school continues to run smoothly during this time. Please continue to contact the office with any questions or queries through the usual email address: info@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk.

Best wishes for the weekend.

Angela Harris, Deputy Head

Facebook:@StMikesCoE

Twitter:@StMikesCoE

Don't forget to look out for updates on school life throughout the week on Facebook and Twitter so you don't miss out.

Our PTA:

Welcome back everyone - we've made it through the first full week and are delighted to have welcomed all our new students and families. We hope everyone is settling in but if you do have any questions/ need some support just let us know - talk to your class rep or email pta@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk.

We are delighted to announce that the very wonderful Louise Whitehead is joining the PTA committee as Co-chair allowing Cora to finally relax. We know you will all welcome her with the same enthusiasm we have!

Today, we held our first uniform sale of the year and we want to thank all the people who helped, donated, sorted and sold. We were also asking that people sign up to their class Whatsapp group or Bad Dads so you can stay in the loop and be able to take part in various PTA events through the year - there is so much to be gained by being part of this community and we welcome all comers.

Bad Dads meet up on the first Thursday of every month and is a great way of keeping in touch with what's going on. Rich Constable will be happy to include you - just ask your rep or email the PTA for contact details.

The PTA is a charity and we rely on your support to help us support the school. As we are a charity, you may be able to benefit from workplace volunteering schemes. Check if your company has a policy allowing staff to take a day off to volunteer - you may be able to use it to support a panto trip or spend a day building gazebos before the fete!

Enjoy your well earned rest this weekend but do check out our website for details of upcoming events:

https://sites.google.com/stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk/stmichaelsptasite/menu

Sheila & Louise

PTA Co-chairs

Meet the Lead Ambassadors for 2023-24:

We are delighted to introduce our eight new Lead Ambassadors in Year 6.

They are all great role models and we know they will do themselves proud and represent us beautifully to the wider community.

And well done to all of them for hosting some prospective parents this morning for the first time and reading their speeches so beautifully.

School News:

Jeans For Genes Day:

Monday 18th September 2023

Children can pay £1 via Parentmail and come in jeans/denim on this day, but to wear with their school uniform and school shoes please.

Charlotte Holmes Visit:

We were delighted to welcome back ex pupil Charlotte Holmes this morning who came to play her flute to the children and took questions from them all about how she learned and how hard she practises.

She is off to Cardiff to read music at the weekend and we wish her all the best.

Cycle To School Week:

25th - 29th September 2023

Advance warning: children can bring their bikes and scooters in to school every day this week.

All bikes and scooters need to be left locked in the official bike racks and scooter parks by the MUGA and are left at the owners' own risk.

School Streets:

This will go live on October 16th!

With this in mind, you will soon receive details of how you can help to make this a successful launch of this vital programme that will help keep your children safe around school.

Harvest 2023:

Church Service:

We are looking forward to a whole school service led by St Michael's clergy in mid October (pupils only)

Wandsworth Food Bank:

As with previous years, we would love you to bring in contributions to the Wandsworth Food Bank during Harvest, w/c: 16th October.

These are the items they are particularly requesting this Autumn:

Noodles

Chocolate/nut & raisins

Tea

Hot chocolate

Packet soup

Tinned tomatoes

Tinned potatoes

Tinned pulses

Tinned fish

Tinned custard

Peanut butter

Cooking oil (small bottles)

Shower gel

Tinned dog & cat food

Laundry tablets (non-bio)

Love In A Box:

Advance Notice:

These will be collected by Mustard Seed in November and leaflets will be sent home with the children in their book bags just before the half term break.

St Barnabas Church

Autumn Fair:

Saturday 30th September: 12noon - 3pm

This family-friendly community festival Southfields Harvest is back!

Hosted by St Barnabas Church as usual (on the corner of Merton and Lavenham Roads).

There will be allotment veg, locally made cider, honey and jam, music, art activities and ample opportunity to engage with your neighbours and celebrate Southfields.

£1 donation entry, children free.

Office Noticeboard:

Maintenance Fund:

You will by now have received a letter advising that the payments for this have gone live on parentmail.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support for these vital funds which make a huge difference to the life and fabric of our school.

Lunches:

Please be reminded that children need to be consistent as to whether they are going to have EITHER a school lunch OR a packed lunch for at least half a term please.

Also, please remember: we are a NO NUTS AND NO SESAME school.

Many thanks.

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.

Year 5 Secondary Transfer:

Saint Cecilia's Open Events for September 2024 entry:

Please book your places early to avoid disappointment:

See oppposite for dates

"You will have a tour of the school and have an opportunity to hear from our Headteacher and some of our pupils.

To read our prospectuses and book your place, please visit our website:"

www.saintcecilias.london/open-events-1

Ashcroft Open Events 2023:

Please follow the link for September Open Days for 2024 intake:

Ashcroft Open Days Link

Southfields Academy Open Events 2023:

Please see the flyer for dates and booking details, also sent out via parentmail.

For bookings please email: sean.french@southfieldsacademy.com

Courageous Advocacy:

This year 3 girl demonstrated great Courageous Advocacy by making and selling beautiful bracelets and raising £12 for Winston's Wishes.

How lovely.

Our Inclusion:

Playground Champions:

It’s that time again when we look to our Upper Phase children to become our wonderful Playground Champions! Those who wish to take on this role have taken an application form to fill by Monday 18th September.

Playground Champions assist the Midday Meal Supervisors in the playground at lunchtime by playing games with the younger year groups and looking out for those who might be lonely or need a little help.

Once the applications have been received and Champions chosen, the children will receive training and begin helping out once or twice a week during lunch play.

SWLSTG NHS Education Wellbeing Service Parent Webinar Series

The SWLSTG Education Wellbeing Service is offering evening and lunchtime parent Webinars across the year to help support your child’s wellbeing and mental health.

You can sign up to any of their free webinars by copying this URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/primary-parents-nhs-wellbeing-workshops-682309?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

Their next webinar will be Through the School Gates- Overcoming Daily Challenges Getting into School, running on the 25th & 26th of September.

SENCO Surgery

Tuesday mornings, 8:30am

As all parents know, they are able to make an appointment with the class teacher and/or SENCO to discuss concerns they have about their child's learning and development.

In addition to this The Inclusion Team would like to offer parents quick, drop-in opportunities where they can ask Mrs Harris (Deputy Headteacher, SENCo and Mental Health Lead) questions they have about their child.

At the moment these sessions will be run on a first come first served basis, so there may be a queue. Please come and wait in the School Office.

Kind regards

The Inclusion Team

Here Are Some Of Our New Displays:

Reflection and Prayers :

A prayer from the teachers for back to school,

with thanks to Miss Cunningham:

Father,

you call us together at the beginning of this new school year.

We ask you to send your spirit upon us that,

as the days and terms unfold,

we may be always mindful of your presence

and alert to opportunities to see and serve you in those around us.

We pray that we may teach well by the example of our own lives,

by our knowledge and love of learning,

by our gentleness and care of the pupils entrusted to us.

In all that we do and say,

we pray that, in building up the community of our school,

we may contribute to the betterment of society

and to the Kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ,

for your greater glory.

Amen.

Extract from The Bridge by The Venerable John Kiddle, Archdeacon of Wandsworth

We celebrate this month the Season of Creation:

Many churches will be holding Harvest Festivals and other events during these weeks. It’s a good opportunity to reflect with gratitude on the beauty and bounty of creation, but also to reflect with repentance on the damage we do to a fragile planet on which we, and all of life, depends.

Perhaps this year we will do so with an added sense of urgency, a sharpened sense of dependence and gratitude, and a renewed determination to play our part in ensuring a fair future for all.

This month, how might we consider creation?

It might mean taking time to open our eyes and see the intricate beauty around us.

It might mean learning to pay attention to life and its changes around us.

It might mean finding out more about the causes and effects of our changing climate.

It might mean being still, and knowing our true dependence on God

And, as we make space to consider, what might God be seeking to say to us – about faith and dependence – about gratitude and generosity – about hope and action – about love and justice?

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to stop and open our eyes to the beautiful fragility of creation, and, as we do so, to see more deeply God’s loving provision and goodness.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?”

Matthew 6.28-30

.. and finally...

We love it when the Year 7s come back to visit!

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