eNews: Friday 18th October 2019

From the Head

In a week such as this one, I am reminded daily of what a privilege it is to be leading this magnificent school. The fact is I’m surrounded by talent, both in your children and in those who teach them and work alongside them.

Whether it’s the richness of provision on offer, the trips out to interesting places, or the meetings where our main focus is on supporting the children, there is a life and a buzz and a general sense of deep respect for what each child can do and where they are on their journey. Each day in Prep this week there has been a concert for a specific age group. Sadly I have only been able to attend one of these in full, but I know that there has been enormous pleasure derived on each occasion both from the parents and supporters of children performing and from the audience as a whole at the feast of musical offerings and there’s been respect for the variety showcased and for the confidence to share something quite personal with others. Meanwhile in Pre-Prep, children have been excited to visit Godstone Farm and Knole Park and enjoyed the adventure as much as the destination.

We heard the following from the children:

“I loved the piglets because they were so small and cute!”

“I loved the tractor ride when we saw the duck pond and all the ducks”

“I loved the pigs’ butts”

“It was the best day ever!”

 

This week draws to a close with the fantastic Senior Schools Fair which, as those of you who were here will know, was a truly impressive occasion with incredible benefits to both the schools present and the parents who came. I’d like to thank Karen Voce, Jenni Lovell and Jane Thornton for meticulously masterminding the whole event, the many staff who came and helped, Ian and the Estates Team and Mark and the catering team. We had a great deal of wonderful feedback.

This week also brought news to our Year 6 pupils of their results in the 11+ exams for Kent County Council and, for some, this will have brought huge pleasure and pride and for others perhaps anxiety. I spoke to all the children this morning about being sensitive to the needs of others this week on Friday after 11+ day, which is often a tricky day for some children. My own beliefs are that it is an exam that suits fast-working bright children and that there are plenty of bright children who prefer to work quietly and slowly and it alas does not suit this particular style. So if your child has not managed to get over that hurdle, please do come and talk to us about the next steps and be as positive as you can about the future, because I can assure you there are plenty of fantastic alternatives.

I hope you all have a wonderful half-term. Don’t forget to buy your fireworks tickets for Friday 8th November; see our Message Board for details.

Jill Aisher

Staff News

We are sorry to be saying goodbye this week to Vikki Pinnock, our Teaching Assistant in both Prep and Pre-Prep, as she moves on to a role within the insurance industry which she is excited about. Vikki joined us as our front desk receptionist and quickly settled into making fabulous connections with the children and learning about all the families that make up the school.

She connected well with parents phoning and needing help with something and passed on messages reliably and efficiently in that role. It was her love of working directly with children that led her to consider the role of Teaching Assistant and she has found happiness and fulfilment in this role and we thank her for all the work she has done.

Her new role allows her to be working from home, thus enabling her to see her own children, and we wish her the very best of luck in this.

News from Pre-Prep

• Poppies for sale in school in Pre-Prep Reception for Remembrance Day Assembly on 11.11.19
• Fireworks Night Friday 8th November

Today we were a sea of red in assembly, as we wore red instead for our local Air Ambulance charity. Paul Butt had spoken to the children in Monday’s assembly about the vital work that the air ambulance does. In Pre -Prep we managed to raise the sum of £372.25, thank you all for your generosity.

This week our Reception children went to Godstone Farm and our Year 1 children went to Knole House. They all had enjoyable trips and according to their teachers behaved beautifully. They are a credit to you and to St Michael’s.

Don’t forget your tickets to Firework Night. If you are new to St Michael’s, this is an event not to be missed. It is a great family occasion on the terrace at Prep school together with hot dogs.

Overheard: Teacher: How can we show kindness?
Child: Don’t push someone down a waterfall.

Have a lovely half term and see you all back on Monday 4th November.

Zerrin Leech

Staff Contact Lists

We are pleased to let you know that our staff list, with names and email addresses, is now available within our secure Parents’ Portal. If you wish to find the email address for a member of staff, please log in to the Portal and click on “Staff List”, which can be found in the menu on the left hand side of the page.

Short-term let accommodation required

Our contractors are looking for accommodation on a short term let until Christmas. They would need minimum of two bedrooms.

If anyone can help or knows someone who can offer accommodation for this period, please contact Di Birmingham, Director of Finance and Operations on dbirmingham@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk. Thank you.

On this week’s Message Board

Please log into our Parents’ Portal and click into the Message Board to see new important information as follows:

  • Notes to St Michael’s families from senior schools
  • Lost property in Prep
  • Catering changes at St Michael’s
  • Poppies now available at the reception desks in both Prep and Pre-Prep to support the Royal British Legion charity
  • Mr Thomas’ half-term hockey camp – spaces still available. Booking form on Message Board

On this week’s Community Events page

Please log into our Parents’ Portal and click into the Community Events page to see important community information as follows:

  • Sevenoaks Pumpkin Hunt in Aid of Demelza Hospice
  • Family Fun Run in Aid of Demelza Hospice
  • Mr Thomas’ half-term hockey camp – booking form now available

Pre-Prep Awards

Gold Stars

All of RJ – well done for listening carefully and being brilliant on our first school trip
All of RM – well done for being amazing on our first school trip to Godstone Farm
All of RRS for making our trip to Godstone Farm thoroughly enjoyable
All of 1FG, 1P & 1W for fantastic behaviour on our trip to Knole House
Max H for working hard in maths
Jessica H for working hard in writing, using good imagination
Lottie E for working hard in maths and good explanations
Sophie N for her enthusiastic approach to school work
Tom K for working exceptionally hard on multiplication problems
Eva V for taking great care when recording facts for her lapbook
Alice O for creating a fantastic interesting information book
James L for showing excellent maths skills while working on multiplication and division

Iris L for trying really hard with her spelling in her writing
Taran M for careful work in mathematics, thinking about how to solve calculations

Music Awards

Music Practice Cup: Grace P
Music Practice Award: Adam J
Star Violinist Cup: Sophie F

House Point Cup

Rochester House with a total of 170 points
Elisa F collected the Cup on behalf of Rochester House

Times Tables Certificates

Bronze: Elisa F / Finley S / Clara H / Florence B / Eva V

News from Prep

Headteacher’s Stars

J McDonnell For learning all times tables and division facts so early in Year 4
C Sinclair For a fantastic fish fact poster
T Bax For a fabulous poem about school, which won a ‘Highly Commended’ award for National Poetry Day
J Collings For giving a speech at Open Morning
P Mahil For giving a speech at Open Morning
A Sharp For giving a speech at Open Morning
E Gage For giving a speech at Open Morning
L Bowen For giving a speech at Open Morning
I Pennington Legh For giving a speech at Open Morning
L Poracchia For giving a speech at Open Morning
A Ogle For giving a speech at Open Morning
N Staples For giving a speech at Open Morning
E Collings For giving a speech at Open Morning
E Wilcock For excellent results in your summer maths work
O Scott For excellent results in your summer maths work

Players of the Match, week commencing 14th October 2019

Team Name Given for: –
1st Football H Soper For running himself into the ground, always with a smile on his face
2nd F Smith For good passing and scoring a hat-trick
3rd W Sherry For making some great saves in goal
Colts A M McLaughlin & T Smith For great passing and showing responsibility
Colts B B Cosgrove For being a solid defensive player
Colts C A Green

J Pathiwill

 For scoring 4 goals

For great mid field play
Colts D R Brown & E Green For all-round good play
Colts E I Premachandran For an all-round good performance
Colts F No Match
U9 A J West For scoring a hat-trick
U9 B J McDonnell & H Brown For great dribbling and scoring goals
U8 A T Staples For scoring a hat-trick
U8 B C Thornhill For great defending and awareness
U8 C E Wilcox For giving 100% effort in the rain
U13 A Hockey P Parker-Swift

E Powell

 For excellent tackling

For great defending
U13 B Hockey E Jones Voted for by the opposition
U11 A Hockey A Ogle Voted for by the opposition for great play
U11 B K Fryer For scoring 4 goals!
U11 C E Brewer

S Andrade

 For very solid defending

For driving forward from a mid-field position
U10 A G Owen For demonstrating good, hard passing
U10 B A Ulens For making some great saves in goal
U10 C D Patel For having great energy and attacking play
U9 A Netball No Match
U9 B No Match
U9 C No Match
U8 Green Netball No Match
U8 Black No Match
U8 Blue No Match

Senior School Open Days

These can now be found on our Senior School page. 

Upcoming events include Bromley High School Christ’s Hospital, Haileybury, Kent College Pembury, Oakwood Park Grammar School, Radnor House, Sevenoaks School, Skinners’ School, Tonbridge Girls’ Grammar, TWGGS, Whitgift School and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.

Latest News

Mr Bridges is on a mission to keep St Michael’s motivated with his latest exercise plan designed to make exercise fun.

The Director of Sport at St Michael’s, who is a very keen runner himself, has created a beginner to 5k plan for anyone wanting to keep fit this lockdown.

The six-week plan, featuring workouts, running challenges and rest days, covers a range of exercises aimed at strengthening all parts of the body.

Mr Bridges said: “I have created this training programme for the St Michael’s community to help anyone who wants to have a go at running during lockdown and safely get to 5k by the time we return to school. The plan is suitable for Prep-aged pupils, parents and staff, including absolute beginners.”

The teacher, who has 15 years’ training as a running and triathlon coach, added: “The programme is designed to build a body capable of running 5k at the end of the six weeks, and what better time to have a go than during lockdown.”

The detailed plan, organised into weeks and week days, follows a key where the letters W (walk) and R (run) appear alongside the number of minutes the activity should take place for. For example, 6 x 1:30w/2:30r represents a 1 minute 30 seconds of walking followed by 2 minutes 30 seconds of running, repeated six times.

Mr Bridges said: “The programme includes progressive long runs from week 3 onwards, the only day where the running is based on distance rather than time.

“On Mondays I will also be sharing a different workout on the St Michael’s PE YouTube channel which pupils can take part in.”

To share your experience of the programme, including photos please email tusher@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk. By sharing this information you give consent to it being shared on St Michael’s social media channels and publications.

 

On Tuesday 15th December, St Michael’s hosted a fun-filled charity day for Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA).

Organised by Year 7 pupil Lucy, whose life who saved by the emergency team last Christmas, the school partook in a range of fundraising activities including a fun run, Christmas jumper day, and brain-teaser quizzes.

Lucy said: “With Mr Wiseman’s help, I planned activities to raise some much-needed money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and increase awareness of their work.

“A lot of people don’t realise what a great charity they are, and I hope our fundraising day has changed that.

“Not only do they save people’s lives in moments of crisis, but they provide long-term support to families who undergo medical emergencies.”

Amanda McLean, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “A big thank you to the staff and pupils of St Michael’s for coming up with creative ways to involve everyone in fundraising. In sharing her story, Lucy has helped us spread awareness of what Thames Valley Air Ambulance does. We can only do what we do because of the imagination and generosity of our wonderful fundraisers. We hope you had a lot of fun on your fundraising day!”

Lucy, whose story recently featured in the TVAA’s Christmas appeal, said: “Thames Valley Air Ambulance helped me at a time when my parents couldn’t. When I was seriously injured, the team stepped in and became my heroes.”

“It means so much to me that St Michael’s have come together to support this cause.”

The highly successful events saw pupils spread festive joy while raising an impressive £2556.60 for the charity which relies wholly of public donations.

Mrs Bridges, St Michael’s Acting Head, added: “Yesterday was amazing! The whole school had such a great time, and pupils were very excited to take part in a different fundraiser which meant they could enjoy the outdoors, whilst raising money for such an important charity. Everyone gave their all in the sponsored run and it was a brilliant event to watch.”

 

Mrs Wade, Head of Girls’ Games also said: “The children did remarkably well considering the conditions, and ran superbly for Lucy’s cause.”

 

 

And Lucy’s family echoed this gratitude for St Michael’s support. They said: “We wanted to say a huge thank to the St Michael’s community for supporting Lucy’s appeal for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance this Christmas. We’re so grateful to you for getting behind this amazing charity to whom we owe so much. We know from experience that your donations really do save lives. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021!”

For more information about the Thames Valley Air Ambulance or to donate visit: www.tvairambulance.org.uk/support-us/donate

 

 

This Tuesday 15th December, St Michael’s will host a fundraising day for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA), organised by Year 7 pupil Lucy.

Determined to help a cause very close to her heart, Lucy has organised a series of events aimed at raising money for the charity-based emergency service.

Throughout the day pupils will be invited to participate in a range of activities including wearing a Christmas jumper, doing a sponsored run, and completing brain teaser quizzes in exchange for donations to the TVAA which relies wholly on public contributions.

Lucy said: “With Mr Wiseman’s help, I’ve planned activities to raise some much-needed money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and increase awareness of their work.

“A lot of people don’t realise what a great charity they are, and I hope our fundraising day will change that.

“Not only do they save people’s lives in moments of crisis, but they provide long-term support to families who undergo medical emergencies.”

And Lucy’s charity day is driven by her own bond with the charity who saved her life following an accident last Christmas.

She said: “Thames Valley Air Ambulance helped me at a time when my parents couldn’t. When I was seriously injured, the team stepped in and became my heroes.”

Since her accident, Lucy has remained close with three of TVAA’s critical care paramedics, Jo, John and Clare.

Lucy said: “Not only did the team come and visit me in hospital during my recovery, but in February this year my family and I were invited to their base to see their helicopters and learn more about their work.

“Since then, we’ve kept in close contact with them and have been given the exciting opportunity to take part in their Christmas campaign.

“One morning, my mum received a phone call from the TVAA asking if we’d like to tell our story as part of their fundraising appeal.

“Despite the accident still being quite fresh, we were keen to get involved as it’s such an amazing charity.”

Earlier this year, Lucy and her family were invited to Oxfordshire to talk about their experience in front of the camera.

The filming day, which involved interviews with both Lucy and her parents, aimed to raise awareness of the charity’s impact.

Lucy said: “It was such a fun day and really made us feel part of the TVAA community.

“Afterwards, we were sent several cuts of the video, including a very cool animation of my story which was very realistic.

“They kept us in mind throughout the whole process and made us feel very special.”

A full breakdown of the fundraising events can be found below. For more information about the TVAA or to view Lucy’s video visit: www.tvairambulance.org.uk/appeal/.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance Fundraising Activities 

  • Christmas jumpers – In Prep and Pre-Prep, we are inviting the children and staff to sport their best Christmas jumper and make a donation for the privilege of wearing it! The 15th  is the day of the school Christmas lunches, so this would be a good time to wear them. As with the last charity collection, the donations for Christmas jumpers can be deposited in the buckets at the doors into the buildings as the children arrive in the morning.
  • Sponsored run (Prep) – we are going to be inviting the children to run in teams of (up to) 4 around the shortest XC route on the fields. They will have a set time to complete as many laps as possible in that time. The children can look to have their team sponsored per lap, or have a donation from their sponsor. Sponsorship money raised will need to be brought in the following day.
  • Brain teaser quizzes – there are two quiz sheets that can be purchased for 50p each and you can take them home and try to solve the puzzles as a family. I’m afraid the only prize on offer is the glow of self-fulfilment upon having completed them. Answers will be shared on the last day of term. As parents cannot be in the school buildings at the moment, the quiz sheets can be purchased via homework diaries (please send the 50p/ £1, depending if you want one quiz sheet or both).

 

 

A former St Michael’s pupil has been awarded an Honorary Academic Scholarship for her excellence across all subjects.

Grace Goodwin, who attended St Michael’s between 2014 and 2019, has received the honour from Sevenoaks School.

Commenting on Grace’s success, her mother Marianthe Goodwin said: “Grace joined Sevenoaks in Year 7 and has really thrived from day one.

“We all knew Grace was doing very well academically as she was awarded the Academic Prize in Year 7 and Year 8. However, just before half term we received a letter awarding Grace an Honorary Academic Scholarship, one of only four which was awarded.

“Grace was delighted and extremely surprised as she had absolutely no idea that she was going to receive it. As an Academic Scholar, Grace is invited to attend the Schickler Society with the other scholars in which they discuss lots of different world issues both current and past, such as gun control and the Cold War.”

Mrs Goodwin added: “Grace had a wonderful and very happy time at St Michael’s and the decision to leave was  a hard one, but we felt it was the right time for Grace.  At St Michael’s she enjoyed all her subjects, especially English and Science.

“She found all the teachers very encouraging and approachable, and felt the growth mindset attitude and community spirit of St Michael’s gave her the confidence to hit challenges head on and not give up.

“Mrs Bridges among others was particularly encouraging of Grace during her time at St Michael’s and offered amazing pastoral support to pupils.”

And it isn’t just Sevenoaks School that spotted Grace’s academic potential. St Michael’s teacher Mrs Baisch, who taught Grace during her time at the school, said: “Grace is an incredibly creative pupil who loves reading and writing, and produced some beautiful work. The words flew off her pen.

“Grace was also a very good speaker which was shown by her victory in the poetry live senior competition which she won with her reading of Dulce et Decorum est. For a Year 6 pupil, her performance was very impressive.

“Grace’s scholarship is of no surprise and is something she should be very proud of.”

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