From the Head

From the Head of Pre-Prep

Dear Parents,

It has been good to catch up with the Parent Reps from Years 1, 2 and Reception this week. I know the Parent Reps will get back to your year group with answers to your questions. Please also know that you are welcome to make an appointment to discuss anything with your child’s Class Teacher or me if you feel that would be helpful.

Next week I am looking forward to seeing both the Kindergarten Reps on Monday 20^th January and the Nursery Reps on Tuesday 21^st at 8.45am for coffee. Please send them any questions or points for discussion that you feel may be appropriate.

We had the Travelling Natural History Museum in on Wednesday to talk to the Year 2 children about fossils. The children were fascinated with the artefacts and picked up so much information. This is something we will plan for the Year 2 diary again next year – so don’t worry Year 1, your turn will come!

I recognise the weather has been extremely cold lately but please could I ask that you don’t give your children hand warmers containing chemicals. We had children sharing them around and splitting them to see what was inside at playtime which caused staff some anxiety around the chemicals as you can imagine.

Don’t forget the Dr. Aric Sigman webinar about children's use of smarthphones and screentime which will take place next Tuesday 21^st January at 8pm. You should have received the joining link via email. I am sure you will find it useful.

Overheard in Pre-Prep:

Teacher: "There’s a real draft coming from that door."

Child: "I can’t see a giraffe!"

Have a lovely weekend,

Zerrin Leech

St Michael's parent webinars

Smartphones and screen time webinar with Dr Aric Sigman

Tuesday 21st January 2025, 8pm

Please see your email for joining details.

Please find below details of a webinar taking place for St Michael's parents next Tuesday 21st January. We encourage you to join this informative parent-focused session.

Children’s overuse and misuse of digital devices and non-homework screen activities (smartphones, TV, tablets, TikTok, YouTube, gaming, social media etc.) is increasingly linked with risks to their physical, emotional and academic wellbeing and is now a medical issue. The things that they say and do online can affect relationships or get them into trouble now and create a digital footprint for years to come. During this webinar parents will gain a better understanding of this issue and learn what they can do to establish healthy and safe screen habits in their children and prevent problems. The issue of if and/or when to give your child a phone or smartphone will be discussed. 

Dr Aric Sigman has published a number of peer-reviewed medical papers on this subject and is the author of the book Remotely Controlled. He is a member of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood and contributing author to its five recent reports on children’s mental health with significant contributions on discretionary screen time. He is a Chartered Biologist, Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Chartered Scientist awarded by the Science Council. 

House Drama Duologue Competition 2025

Contest dates

Heats: Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th February (All day- pupils allocated audition times in advance) 

Finals: Monday 10th February - Juniors and Seniors from 6pm (drinks from 5.30pm) in the Drama Room 

Junior Division: Years 3 and 4 

Senior Division: Years 5, 6, 7 and 8  

Using a published (can be online), play script (no film or TV scripts or self-written), pupils form into pairs (both from the same house) to perform a chosen section of between 2 and 5 minutes in length. There should be a spotlight on character development and conveying emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the pupil to contextualise the performance and state the title and the author if they wish, but this is not compulsory. Contestants must supply an original, unmarked copy of the script upon entering the room. Marks will be lowered if the script is not supplied. All sections must be presented from memory- no scripts will be allowed for performance.  

Marking

Each section will be marked out of 25 TOTAL /100  

SECTION 1 - USE OF VOICE

Candidates will be expected to show appropriate use of pitch, pace and tone to convey meaning and interpretation of the text. Diction and clarity will be an important part of this.

SECTION 2-CHARACTERISATION

Candidates will be marked on creation of believable characters in both appropriate vocal choice and physicality, including movement choices. The use of additional mediums including props and costume will be considered.

SECTION 3- FOCUS AND COMMITMENT

Candidates will be marked on their ability to sustain their characterisations, know their text and demonstrate their relationship to the audience.

SECTION 4-INTERPRETATION OF TEXT

Candidates will be marked on all their choices in respect of the actual text, including observing period, style and context. House points avail for all entering 

Here's a glimpse at what to expect:

Advertise your business in St Michael's school play programme

With rehearsals well underway for our next school play My Family and Other Animals which pupils will be performing in March 2025, we are reaching out to local businesses who may be interested in advertising in our programme. If you or someone you know has a business which could be advertised in the programme, please contact the Marketing Team at tusher@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk for more information.

Typically, our play is performed to 300 people across three performances and a programme is available to all audience members. 

Advert sizes available within our A4 programme are quarter-page ads (£30), half-page ads (£60), full-page ads (£120) and x1 full inside front cover ad (£180). All prices shown are inclusive of VAT. 

The online world is increasingly part of our children’s lives and it is easy to feel behind the curve. But what can you do to help them navigate this new world safely?

To accompany our forthcoming Smartphone and Screen Time Webinar with Dr Aric Sigman taking place next Tuesday evening, we will be sending home some useful posters with simple tips that can be put into practice at home. 

This week, we are looking at parental controls; scheduling regular downtime, reviewing new app requests, blocking accidental spending and keeping lines of communication open.

St Michael's U11s win South East Hockey Finals

On Monday 13th January St Michael’s Under 11 girls' hockey team travelled to Woking Hockey Club to compete in the South East Regional Hockey Finals which they had qualified for in November when they won the Kent Tournament. 

Having missed a few training sessions recently due to frozen pitches and Christmas holidays, the girls started quite slowly but still managed to win the first match against Feltonfleet Prep School with a goal from Anna W. 

Next up were St George’s Prep School who were a strong opposition: St Michael's and St George's drew 0-0 in a tight game. The third game was against Hoe Bridge School who had started strongly but we produced our best hockey to win 1-0 with a goal scored by Isabel E after good play from Anna W. 

The final game was against local rivals Sevenoaks Prep: St Michael's won 5-0 with a dominant display. Two goals from Amelia Rose B and one each from Mollie H, Isabel E and Anna W sealed the victory and meant St Michael’s were crowned Regional Champions for the third year running for St Michael's!

The team did not concede a goal all tournament so special mention to Tara C who made some great saves in goal as well. 

It was the perfect end to a fantastic season where the girls have won all of their school Wednesday matches, the Sutton Valence Tournament, Kent Finals, Regional Finals, IAPS Regionals and were bronze medalists at the IAPS Nationals (only narrowly losing in sudden death penalties to the eventual winners in the Semi-Final).

What a team! What a season! We are so proud of you all! 

Ruth Bingham, Games Teacher

Discovering dinosaurs with the ​Natural History Museum 

On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome the Travelling Natural History Museum to visit Year 2.

Over the course of the day, the pupils learnt how fossils are made, what caused the dinosaurs to become extinct, made casts of real fossils and we got to dig like Mary Anning.

The day culminated in a guest appearance from Reggae Rex - a young t-Rex with a penchant for football and sneaking up on people! The whole experience was incredible and really brought our Mary Anning focus to life! 

Ms Salmon, Head of Years 1 and 2

A visit from Good News

On Thursday we welcomed Michael Richardson from the organisation Good News back to St Michael's during Senior Chapel.

His informative assembly, based on the theme of communicating with each other in different ways, linked well with the message of Good News for Everyone which is the organisation's slogan.

Pupils in Years 6 to 8 then received a special gift - a New Testament inscribed with the St Michael's crest. The hope is that this gift will serve as a reminder of Michael's visit and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Additionally, it will help act as a guide to dealing with different events and emotions in pupils' lives, both now and in the future.

Mrs Shield, Head of Religious Studies

A thank you from the Hygiene Bank

The Tunbridge Wells Hygiene Bank, which St Michael's held a collection for last term, have written to thanks us for our generous contributions. They said:

"The hygiene products that we received from your school were incredible and exactly what we need. We are always grateful for the staples: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and period products, and you gave us those in abundance. The products were distributed within 48 hours, to food banks and community larders locally. These groups are so grateful for anything we can provide, but around Christmas it’s especially meaningful. We look forward to your continued support and all of us here at The Hygiene Bank would love to wish you all a Happy New Year!"

St Michael's success at NSEA competition

Congratulations to Lucy, Alvie and Florence who did brilliantly at the National Schools' Equestion Association (NSEA) competition held at Hadlow College last weekend. 

It was a busy show with lots of competitive riders in each class and despite the freezing conditions, St Michael's riders and their ponies had a fantastic time, displaying great partnerships. 

Lucy on her pony, Bonnie Lass and Alvie riding his pony, Princess both had great starts in the 40cm category with Lucy gaining 5^th place! They then both jumped fantastic clear rounds in the 50cm category. These were both big classes against some very speedy ponies. 

Additionally, Florence with her pony, Jack (Kippure) knocked one pole in the 70cm class and went on to win 1st place in the 75cm class.

We are very proud of the pupils and their ponies!

Florence and Jack (Kippure)

Learning Development Coffee Morning

Many thanks for the wonderful turn out at our recent Learning Development Coffee Morning. It was lovely to see so many of you there.

This session was led by our Dyslexia Specialist Katie Woods who covered topics around dyslexia, notably what to look out for and strategies to support at home.

If you did not attend and would like the presentation, please contact anorris@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk.

The Eco Committee are focusing on reducing litter as part of the Eco Schools' award this year. If you would like to help reduce litter in your local area, we have some litter pickers that you are able to borrow from the Prep Office for up to 2 weeks at a time. 

Another event you may also like to take part in is the RSPB The Big Bird Watch from 24^th  to 26^th January 2025. Please click on this link to learn more about how to take part: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch. On the Prep Eco Board there will be printed tally sheets that you are welcome to use.   

If you take part in any eco activities out of school please feel free to send us photos. We would very much like to share these achievements with the school community. 

This week, the Mini-Hive has been filled with laughter and joy as the children delighted in having their feet painted. In The Hive, the children had a wonderful time painting their hands to create a magnificent friendship tree. Meanwhile, both the Breakfast Club and The Hive have been buzzing with activity as the children crafted unique masterpieces that beautifully represent both clubs.

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.

Erin S for carefully researching facts about Mary Anning's life and completing a fact file in great detail

Kai I for working hard on his sounding out words and making good progress with his blending

Lois F for being very organised and focused with her self-care tasks and being the first one ready when we are changing or beginning new activities

Juliet E for beginning to really challenge herself when writing

Tim V for speedy and accurate addition and subtraction

Adrian S for working hard on his handwriting to make his letters smaller

Arabella H for always being kind and helpful in class

Callie L for being an excellent role model by always listening, being kind and helpful, and using her own initiative

Daniel A for independent, confident work when partitioning numbers to 20 

Allegra F for approaching every day with enthusiasm and determination, and being a wonderful role model to her peers

Ethan G for working with focus and determination to complete place value Maths challenges

Florence E for creative and amusing pirate speech bubbles

Ralph P for trying hard to work independently on Maths problems

Nikita V for an imaginative interpretation in his Henry de la Beche artwork

Alexandra O for being a thoughtful member of the class and being ready to help others

Charlie B for writing an incredible tongue twister using alliteration

Ivy R for her excellent knowledge of data handling during Computing

Hugo W for fantastic watercolour artwork inspired by Henry de la Beche

Times Tables Certificates 

Bronze Times Tables Certificate: Bella S and Martha S

Players of the Match – week commencing 13^th January

Gwyneth is crowned gymnastics champion

Congratulations to Gywneth who was crowned Champion with her partner at the Swifts Gymnastics Competition held in Sittingbourne on Saturday 11th January. 

Keep up the brilliant gymnastics, Gwyneth!

Nik and Robert win football cup

Congratulations to Robert and Nik along with their teammates from the U11 Sevenoaks Town Football Club who won the Autumn Cup in the Tandridge League at the end of last year. They had a difficult start to the season but with hard work and resilience, they persevered leading to success.

Keep up the brilliant work, boys!

Half Term Staff Sports Camps

Mr Thomas' February half term hockey camp

Mr Thomas will be holding his Half Term Hockey Camp at Hollybush Hockey Pitch on:

Monday 17th February

Tuesday 18th February

Wednesday 19th February

Please click here to book.

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