From the Acting Head
I hope you have all enjoyed this week as much as me! It was a great pleasure to wrap up the parent Welcome Evenings on Monday and I thank you for your engagement and the questions submitted which enabled us to make the content purposeful and informative. I am delighted to hand over my newsletter spot to Head of Years 5 and 6, Rosemary Baisch, this week. Her wise words at the Year 5 & 6 Welcome Evening gave us all food for thought and were too good not to share in print. I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did:
While preparing a ‘Beginning of the Year’ talk for the Year 5 and 6 Welcome Evenings, I couldn’t help but think about our current circumstances and wanted to speak about something that would be useful as we help our children deal with the challenges of a daily changing landscape.
Lockdown was a difficult time for all of us. We were not necessarily all in the same boat, but we were all trying to weather the same storm. Lockdown took some things away but also provided some valuable insights. I learnt so much during that time. It forced me to raise my IT game and I realised that apparently you can teach an old dog new tricks! Lockdown gave us opportunities to find new ways to socialise, for the children a renewed sense of self and the gift of gratitude. For me one of the most positive aspects of lockdown was that it gave us the chance to gain perspective, to see what really matters.
One of the first things teachers do when we get back to school after the summer is ask the children about their holidays. I thought I was going to hear lots of sad tales about cancelled plans and trips cut short and I was pleasantly surprised to say that I honestly heard none of that. The things that brought your children joy this summer were family time, connecting with extended family and simple old-fashioned childhood pleasures. While marking pupils’ holiday news in English, I found myself commenting time and again, ‘This sounds like the perfect summer holiday,’ which is ironic when one considers that these holidays took place in the midst of a global pandemic! In the tapestry of childhood, what stands out to the children is not flashy holidays but rather the common threads that run throughout and repeat: the family dinners, nature walks, reading together at bedtime, Saturday morning pancakes.
What do our children really want and need? They want to be with us and feel safe. I really believe that in order to reduce anxiety and give them space they need to be fully themselves, we need to keep things simple. I read an article recently which spoke about ‘The Four Pillars of Excess’ that are hurting our children. The author, Kim Payne, speaks about excess stuff, excess choice, excess information and excess speed. Our children have too much, must decide too much, cope with too much news and information coming at them and do this all too quickly.
If we can keep in the forefront of our minds what really matters, we can help pare back. Send your child to school with only the stationery they need, nothing more nothing less. Think about your child’s schedule – are all the activities and extras absolutely necessary? I believe we need to consider carefully whether the news our children hear or conversations to which they are privy are helpful or if those discussions are perhaps a little too grown up and likely to cause worry or upset. Do we find ourselves hurrying our children when it would actually be ok to go slowly?
Years ago, in a discussion with my son, he told me that Wednesdays were his favourite day of the week. I asked why, assuming that he would say it was because he had sports fixtures after school or because school lunches were particularly good. Daniel told me that he loved Wednesdays because on a Wednesday, his granny fetched him. Daniel said that Wednesdays made him happy because Granny was never in a hurry. This gave me pause.
When we simplify, when we focus on what really matters to us, we can set a tone in our homes that honours our family’s needs rather than the world’s demands, a tone that is aligned with our dreams rather than dictated to by the world’s fears. My hope is that as we continue to navigate this journey together, we will choose to make more out of less and have children who are happier for it.
Rosemary Baisch
‘This holiday we saw three famous things. We saw Shakespeare’s house and his statue. We went to a river and fed the ducks. Twice.’
From the Head of Pre-Prep
It is always good to see our Nursery children wave goodbye to mums and dads and start to play happily without their parents in attendance. Our Nursery children have been loving the soft play equipment in the hall with Miss Rawlinson. I know it’s hard for you as parents as you watch you child take those first steps towards being a little more independent but it’s great to know they are loving life!
Our Harvest assembly this year will be on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd October; we will be doing three separate assemblies with your children. As we have done over the last few years, we will be collecting donations for the Trussell Trust Food Bank in Swanley. Any donations are very gratefully received. We are happy to take donations at the top of the bridge in the morning if this is easier. All items need to be received in school by the end of the day on Thursday 1st October. Please could all items come in a carrier bag or box. Thank you all in anticipation of your generosity.
If your children are in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 you should have received a letter about hearing tests. Dr Unwin comes into Pre-Prep every year to carry out initial hearing tests so if you wish to have your child screened please let us know. Your child will not be tested unless we have received your written permission.
Thank you for putting your family name and child’s class in your car for pick-up. This is certainly making things easier for us. Please be mindful of families still waiting in a queue to pick up, so the quicker you can get children strapped into car seats and drive away the better.
Overheard: “We had fish and fingers for lunch.”
Have a lovely weekend,
Zerrin Leech
Pre-Prep Harvest Donations
Pre-Prep will be collecting Harvest donations from children next month. All donations, which will be given to Trussell Trust Food Bank, must be received by Thursday 1st October.
Coordinator at Trussell Trust Food Bank, Wendy Halford said: “We have added some extras to put a smile on their faces at such a difficult time. We are finding it is people who have never had to use a food bank before coming to us at the moment.”
Items required:
Tinned Rice Pudding
Tinned Custard
Long life sponge puddings
Angel delight (or similar own brand version)
Jelly
Tinned fruit
Packet crumble mix
Packet dumpling mix
Fajita Meal Kits (or similar)
Tortilla wraps (with long dates please)
Chocolate biscuits e.g. Kit Kat, Penguin, Club etc
Powdered Milk (Not UHT please we have plenty UHT at the moment)
Jam
Squash
Washing up liquid
Shower gel
Shampoo
Conditioner
Ladies’ deodorant
Pre-Prep Gold Star Winners
Gabrielle O & Zach R.B. for a great start at St. Michael’s
Matthew D for trying hard in everything we have done this week
Conrad B for trying really hard with all of his work
Stanley H for being super helpful in class and showing great commitment to his work
Harry B for great number sequencing during our maths activities
Arlo S for working hard and concentrating well during our phonics activities
James H for amazing focus when ordering number monsters to 20
Felix B for working quickly and carefully in all of our learning activities
Aiden G for trying so hard with his work this week
Olivia D for working really hard all week
Oscar H for working hard in writing
Mona-Swan M for reading with beautiful expression
Sophia E & Dylan H for working exceptionally hard and producing beautiful work
Isla B for always trying to do her best
Isaac O for working hard in all areas of the curriculum
Taran M for going over and above in all he does
Grace P for trying really hard in maths
Nik B for taking pride in all his work
Elizabeth S for always staying on task
Leo H.B for fantastic speedy maths work
Ava M for always doing the right think at the right time
Kim V for fantastic confident swimming
General Reminders
Please can we ask parents to let us know if their child won’t be attending an activity or prep after school. This will save a lot of time for admin staff when making phone calls to find out where children are.
Please also remember that the deadline for booking into prep for any day next week closes tonight at 9pm. Beyond this, no further bookings for next week will be taken.
Updates from the Music Department
ABRSM online Grade 5 theory results
ABRSM ran their first ever online Grade 5 theory exam on 26th August and despite some widespread technical difficulties on the day, we are pleased to report the following results:
- R. Landgrebe Pass
- A. Scott Distinction
No peripatetic music lessons next week in the Prep School
This is a reminder that because of the PTE, PTM and CATS tests being held throughout next week, none of the peripatetic music team will be teaching in the Prep School next week (w/c Monday 28th September). There will also be no instrumental music activities and no Year 4 theory club next week. The various choral activities will continue to run where possible.
Key Dates
Pre-Prep
Friday 2nd October: Harvest Festival (All food donations to be received by Thursday 1st October)
Wednesday 7th October: Hearing Tests for Reception, Year 1 and 2 pupils
Prep
ISEB pre-test dates for the Michaelmas Term:
Friday 9th October
Friday 6th November
Friday 27th November
New School Shop Opening Times
The school shop is now open as usual with slightly adjusted opening times as follows:
8:00am – 9:15am: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
3:00pm – 4:30pm: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
We still encourage you to use the click and collect service where possible.
First few weeks of school
You can now view photos of your children during their first few weeks of the Michaelmas Term on our Facebook page under Photos.
Please enjoy these photos, but be mindful that they must not be shared beyond the St Michael’s community.
Send us your stories!
Has your child won an award, passed an extra-curricular exam or accomplished something exciting recently?
We love celebrating our pupils’ amazing achievements and want to showcase them in our weekly newsletter.
Follow us on social media!
Love seeing your children’s smiley faces on our social media pages?
Make sure you’re following all three of our channels to ensure you don’t miss any precious photos and videos.
Senior School Open Mornings
Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College will be hosting their virtual open morning on Saturday 3 October from 9.00am – 10.00am, to book your place please visit:
https://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/contact/book-a-visit/
Walthamstow Hall
Virtual Open Morning: Saturday 26 September at 11am for entry to Years 7, 9 and 12.
Join Walthamstow Hall for a live Q & A session with a panel of Senior Staff including Headmistress, Miss Stephanie Ferro, Head of Key Stage 3, Karen Hofmann, and Heads of Year 7 and Sixth Form. Pre-recorded film footage will also be shown during the event.
The team will discuss their new Deferred Entry process which will begin from this September, for 2021. Girls will undergo the entry process in Year 6 and a deferred entry place for Year 9 will be offered at that stage. Pupils wishing to apply for academic, music, drama and art scholarships will be invited back in Year 8 to take part in the scholarship process.
An invitation from Miss Ferro and further information, including how to book, can be found on their website.
In the Community
Mrs Grayland’s October Half Term Netball Camp
Mrs Grayland will be running a netball camp at half term which will be offered to St Michaels girl’s before being offered out to other schools. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Click here for a booking form.
Mr Thomas’ October Half Term Hockey Camp
Mr Thomas will be holding his October Half Term Hockey Camp at Hollybush Hockey Pitch on Thursday 29th- Friday 30th October from 10am-3pm.
Please email Mr Thomas on jnthomas88@outlook.com to reserve your space.
We will be following all England Hockey guidelines and may have to limit the numbers to less than previous camps. Please sign up early to avoid any disappointment.
Click for for a booking form.
