From the Head

From the Head of Pre-Prep

Dear Parents,

At last, a relatively calm week has taken place. The children have been learning new things and consolidating their knowledge and the teachers have been telling me how much they adore their classes and don’t want the children to move onto their new year groups in September! This happens every year in a Class Teacher’s life; letting go of the children they have helped to raise for the year is always a wrench.

Next week is full on, with Year 1 going out to Shoreham Village on Monday for the morning. They will be back in time for lunch. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Fox for letting us park our minibuses in your car park.

On Tuesday 20^th May we have our third Open Class Event where you are welcome to pop in and see what your children have been doing in their lessons. We will open our doors at 3pm. Please let your Class Teacher know if your child isn’t going to have an adult attending and we can arrange for them to do something else during this time. When looking at your child’s books, I would urge you to compare your child’s first page with the pages in the last couple of weeks to see their progression. I hope you will be impressed.

On Thursday 22^nd May we will have French Day. Children are welcome to dress up in red, white and blue for the day rather than their school uniform. We will have a range of French themed activities and playtime will include a French snack whilst being entertained by music from St Michael's Accordion Club.

Friday 23^rd May is our last day before half term. It is a very important day in our Pre-Prep calendar as we run our Sports Day with three different year groups. If you have a child in Reception, please meet us down on the main pitch for 9am. If you have a child in Year 1 meet us at the pitch for 11am and if your child is in Year 2, you will be welcome to join us from 1.30pm down on the pitch. I know Mr Davies has sent out a letter to all parents of Pre-Prep children so please refer to the details in the letter.

Overheard in Pre-Prep: 

Teacher: "What is the most important muscle in your body, the one that keeps you alive?"

Child: "YOUR SIX PACK!"

Have a lovely weekend,

Zerrin Leech

RSAcademics parent survey

We have sent out a parent survey to the St Michael's community which we would really appreciate your response to. All answers will be anonymous and will be managed by RSAcademics, an independent and highly regarded company. Thank you in advance.

French Day, Thursday 22nd May 2025

All day at Pre-Prep and Prep

Our annual French Day is fast approaching and we have lots of wonderful activities planned for the children to enjoy. On this day we invite all our pupils to wear the colours of the French flag (bleu, blanc et rouge) instead of their school uniform. Pupils can choose to dress from head to toe in these colours or they may simply prefer to wear accessories or a red t-shirt, for example, but please no football or rugby shirts. 

On French Day pupils will be offered a traditional French lunch provided by our kitchen. For those who are brave enough, we have ordered snails again. In the morning, our Year 7 pupils will be preparing drinks called “grenadine” (French syrup with water) for Prep pupils. Pupils in Prep are therefore invited to bring in £1 to buy a drink from our French bar. Pre-Prep pupils will also enjoy a French-themed snack served by Year 8 pupils but do not need to bring in any money for this. 

We look forward to seeing all of the pupils’ wonderful outfits as well as celebrating everything French! 

“À bientôt !” (See you soon!)

Years 7 and 8 French Trip

Last week Years 7 and 8 went on their French Trip to the Côte d'Opale, visiting Boulogne-sur-mer and the surrounding areas. The trip began at 7.30am on bank holiday Monday, heading straight to the ferry at Dover. Thankfully, the crossing took two hours which gave everyone plenty of time to discover the arcade room!

Our first stop in France was Boulogne old town where we went to a boulangerie for a quick treat and then visited the beach for games. The next day we headed for the tree-tops at the Opaladventure Centre where Florence showed her speedy skills and Maggie needed rescuing from the zip wire! One of the most memorable moments was visiting the Commonwealth War Memorial at Étaples and taking time to remember those who fought in WW1 and WW2.

Another highlight was visiting a local secondary school and putting our French skills to use whilst talking to French students. It was a great morning, concluding with a handball match.

With so many activities ranging from visiting the Nausicaá Aquarium and learning how to make croissants with Bruno at his bakery to learning circus skills, watching chocolate being made at the chocolaterie and meeting Crevette the dwarf goat that we all wanted to bring home with us, everyone was exhausted by the end of the trip. Thank you to our amazing teachers, Madame Poracchia, Madame Buttery, Madame Lacroix, Mr Orpin and Mr Godoy for organising the trip and for giving us memories we will never forget (...we all saw you dancing at the disco!).

Words by Georgia R, Year 8

Certificates

Joe G – “Sage comme une image" (As good as gold)

Oliver N – "Monsieur Soleil” (Ray of sunshine)

Olivia O – "Madame Soleil" (Ray of sunshine)

Hugo H – "Monsieur Mange Tout" (French gourmet)

Finlay S – “Monsieur francophile" (French enthusiast!)

133 St Michael's pupils compete in Knight Frank Triathlon

We were delighted to send 133 St Michael's pupils from Years 3 to 6 to the Schools Knight Frank Triathlon at Sevenoaks School on Sunday 11th May. The challenge? Form a team of four, swim 50m, cycle 1000m and run 750m. Oh, and come up with the wackiest team name possible. Spoiler alert: they nailed it!

The sun was shining but the real stars were our pupils. With beaming smiles, they cheered each other on, swam, cycled and ran their hearts out. The Triathlon, organised by the Restless Development global charity, supports the power of young people to create a better World. They train, mentor and connect thousands of young people to lead positive change in their communities, tackling challenges like lack of education, unemployment and climate change.

Our pupils were incredibly inventive with their fundraising ideas. Once we know the total amount raised, we will share the fantastic news.

It was a joy and privilege to watch our triathletes compete. Everywhere we looked, there were smiling faces from St Michael's, magnificently supported by parents and relatives, turning the day into a fantastic family event.

Congratulations to all of the children who took part for their brilliant achievement. We are very proud of you!

Steve Brightman, Director of Sport

If you have any additional photographs of your children competing in the Triathlon that you would like to share with the school, please email them to tusher@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk for inclusion on the school's public platforms.

Year 4 PGL highlights

This week our Year 4 adventurers enjoyed all that the PGL centre in Marchants Hill, Surrey has to offer. It was a fantastic experience characterised by enthusiasm, courage and resilience.

The children took on the exhilarating Giant Swing, Climbing Wall, Tunnel Trail, Challenge Course and Sensory Trail. Each activity presented unique challenges, encouraging the pupils to step beyond their comfort zones and uncover new capabilities.

Team work was the real star of the show as the children bonded and helped each other achieve and push themselves to new heights (literally on the climbing wall!).

Memories to last a lifetime!

Rhys Morgan, Head of Year 4

Scholars’ and Chamber Music Concert

Tuesday evening at Shoreham Parish Church was a true celebration of musical talent and dedication at St Michael's as our Years 7 and 8 Music Scholars, Exhibitioners and members of the Scholars’ Enrichment Club took delivered an unforgettable concert.

We were delighted to return to Shoreham for our sixth annual Scholars' Concert. Parents and guests were welcomed with a convivial reception of canapés and drinks, before being treated to an eclectic programme of solo and ensemble performances spanning a broad range of musical styles and historical periods. From the refined elegance of a JS Bach Bourrée performed by the instrumental ensemble led by Ms Ingram, to the beautiful harmonies of Mendelssohn's Abendlied, sung by our Chamber Choir, the pupils demonstrated some excellent ensemble musicianship.

The Chamber Choir impressed with four contrasting pieces, showcasing their vocal versatility and control from Tudor anthems through to modern works. Music Scholars Oliver S, Belinda B and Clara H delivered some exceptional and challenging performances, impressing the audience with their communication skills and assured appreciation of stye. All of our featured soloists gave confident and stylish performances, each demonstrating exceptional musicianship and a growing command of the stage. Congratulations the following soloists: Emile M, Hugo M, Jamie D, Theo S, Xander S, Finley S, Zi Chen G, Silas C and Elizabeth W. Thanks also to the additional members of the Chamber Choir for their hard work and dedication: Theia H, Walter M, Leo H, Sophie N, Oliver A and Jessica H.

Special thanks go to Mr Bennett for his inspiring work with the Scholars’ Enrichment Club and to Ms Balcombe and the entire Music Team for their tireless support and dedication. 

Congratulations to all of the performers for a wonderful evening of music!

Gordon Baird, Director of Music

Year 6 step back in time for Victorian Day

On Thursday 15th May, Year 6 were transported back to the year 1897 for their Victorian Day experience. Upon entering the Drama Room, they found themselves in a traditional Victorian classroom, complete with dip pens, slates and the strict social expectations of the era. The morning was a fascinating journey through the customs and classroom routines of Victorian Britain, offering a hands-on glimpse into the past.

In the afternoon, the learning continued with a visit to the travelling museum. Pupils explored historical artefacts through a suitcase investigation and even had the chance to create their own Victorian toys.

The children had a wonderful day, fully engaging with the activities and gaining a deeper understanding of life in Victorian times. It was wonderful to see their true interest in the past.

Mrs Dodd, Mrs Medd, Mr Morgan and Mrs Shield

Prep Art House Photography Competition

St Michael's Eco Club invites members of the St Michael's community to take part in our Big Litter Pick this year. Don't forget, you can borrow litter pickers from the Pre-Prep and Prep Offices!

Well done to Finley who is thoroughly enjoyed his litter picking! During his recent rubbish sweep on the road where he lives, he was cheered on by many passers-by! Thank you for making a difference, Finley!

Cyber Essentials certification

We are pleased to announce that St Michael's has been awarded the Cyber Essentials certification. This certification demonstrates our ongoing commitment to maintaining strong cybersecurity measures, ensuring that the data of all members of our community is protected against online threats to the best of our ability. It reflects our continued effort to create and maintain a secure digital environment, providing reassurance to parents and supporting our delivery of safe digital learning. Thank you for your continued support in our ongoing effort to achieve high standards in all aspects of our school's digital infrastructure.

Please visit our Learning Development Parent Guides page for a collection of valuable resources for parents, focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Here you'll find a variety of courses and information designed to support you and your child. Whether you're looking for educational materials, support groups or expert advice, these resources aim to provide the guidance and assistance that you need. We will update the resources each week so please keep checking this page. 

This week we have added FACE's summer sessions timetable. 

Twitch

"Twitch is a livestreaming service which tends to focus on gaming. Users can publicly broadcast their gameplay and commentary online for other users to watch. It's a community-driven platform where viewers can support their favourite streamers’ channels through PayPal donations. Each streamer or group creates their own community for fans to interact with each other. Twitch has more than 15 million daily active users and also includes non-gaming topics such as music, cooking and art. Anyone can create a channel to livestream or watch videos. In the guide, you'll find tips on avoiding potential risks such as inappropriate content, private chat rooms and contact from strangers.”

Words by Clare Godwin, Video Game Journalist

This week has been a whirlwind of creativity and joy as we've immersed ourselves in water painting and outdoor fun and games.

For more information about the Hive or Breakfast Club or to book in your child, please contact Nicky Smith at WrapAroundCare@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk.

Discovering Poland

Coffee Cart opening

P & F Summer Fest 2025

Valence Festival of Motoring

Royal Society of Biology Art Competitions

The below competitions may be of interest to your child. They are open to children aged 7 to 18 years old and there are some amazing prizes available including an invite to the Royal Vertinary College. The closing date for both competitions is Thursday 3rd July 2025.

The BioArtAttack 2D (UK) competition is for 2D artworks (without labels or descriptions) featuring an endangered animal, plant or fungi species. 

The BioArtAttack 2D (Nancy Rothwell Prize 2025) competition. The Nancy Rothwell Prize is a sub-category specifically for specimen drawings entered into this competition - these can be of any animal, plant or fungi. Competition entries into this category need to include labels and descriptions on the artwork itself.

For more information about the competitions and prizes available, please click here.

Join the fun at this year's Otford Village Fete

The Otford Village Fete, run by The Otford Society, is one of the biggest in Kent. Held every year for over 80 years, this year's Fete will be taking place on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 2025 11am - 4pm on the Otford Recreation Ground, TN14 5PR. You can find out more by clicking here.

St Michael's will also have a stand at this year's Fete: come and say hello as well as taking part in our competitions, activities and story time sessions. 

House Point Certificates

Dover: Finlay S; Florence E and Bella S

Leeds: Tiara A and Ava D

Windsor: Aisha Y; Sofia B; Perseus A; Archie W; Finley C and Jemima G

Times Tables Certificates

Bronze Times Tables Certificate: Annabella N

Silver Times Tables Certificate: Thomas R and Rowan T

Players of the Match - week commencing 12th May

Bethan completes knitted scarf!

Follow us on social media!

Make sure you are following St Michael’s social media channels for important updates and content throughout the year.