From the Head

From the Head of Pre-Prep

Dear Parents,

What a glorious week! The standout events for this week have been Year 2 going to Prep as part of their transition to Year 3. They took part in a Creative Day with the theme: 'The Lion and the Mouse'. They all came back very excited about becoming Prep children soon. Their excitement was matched by the Kindergarten children who came up for lunch on Monday and are keen to become Reception pupils.

On Tuesday and Wednesday our Nursery and Kindergarten children performed a Concert to their parents followed by a demonstration of their running and throwing skills. It is lovely to see how much their confidence has built since Christmas. A huge thank you to Mrs Crane and Mr Davies for organising these events along with the wonderful Nursery and Kindergarten Teams! 

Next Tuesday our Year 1 children will be visiting Stonepitts Farm to learn all about strawberry growing and hopefully come back to school with a few! Year 1 parents, please keep your eye on the weather for next Tuesday morning.

Year 3 will be popping down to Pre-Prep on Wednesday to take part in a Q & A session about moving up to Prep. It is always fun to have the Year 3 back in our garden.

Another reminder to please put sun lotion on your children in the morning and ensure that they have a sun hat in school for the next few weeks.

Overheard in Pre-Prep:

Teacher: "What did you have for breakfast?"

Child: "Straw cut up into small pieces."

Teacher: "Could that be shredded wheat?"

Child: "Maybe."

Have a good weekend,

Zerrin Leech

At the end of this term we will sadly be saying goodbye to Jane Thornton:

Jane Thornton - Director of Admissions and Marketing

Jane has been a valued member of St Michael’s Senior Leadership Team and Admissions and Marketing Team since she joined the school 9 years ago. During Jane’s time with us, she has contributed tremendously to the strength of pupil numbers at St Michael’s and had a lasting impact on many prospective families, many of whom are deep-rooted members of the St Michael’s community today. Often, it is Jane who is the first point of communication for prospective parents, introducing them to St Michael’s with such warmth and dedicating a real sense of time, care and interest to every individual. It is a true art to make someone feel belonging before they step through a door, but for Jane this is something that comes naturally. As well as welcoming new families into the school, Jane has developed St Michael’s community engagement, planned Prep Prize Giving ceremonies and supported many families in securing bursaries for their children over the years. In school, Jane is renowned for her regal tea cups, sparkling brooches and impeccable sense of humour. But most of all, it is Jane’s passion and pride for St Michael’s which has shone through her every action. St Michael’s has not just been a place of work for Jane, but somewhere which, as she so often expresses, ‘has a piece of her heart’. We wish Jane all the best as she enters her retirement and looks ahead to many happy days of gardening, antique auctions and days out with her family members across the UK.

Words by Taz Usher, Marketing and Media Manager

Following Jane’s retirement, St Michael’s Marketing and Admissions Team will undergo a restructure as outlined below:

Taz Usher – Head of Marketing

We are delighted that Taz Usher, our current Marketing and Media Manager, will take on a new role as Head of Marketing from September. Soon to enter her sixth academic year at St Michael’s, Taz is a key member of our Marketing Team and well-known to pupils, parents, staff and St Michael’s community relations. During her time at the school so far, Taz has helped to develop St Michael’s popular social media pages, videos library and storybook branding, as well as representing the school on conference stages and panels following our Marketing Team’s success as National AMCIS Team of the Year in 2023. Taz is looking forward to her new role and the creative challenges that it will bring as well as continuing to capture and celebrate what makes St Michael’s unique.

Words by Nik Pears, Head

Sally Norman – Head of Admissions

Sally has worked in education in London and abroad for over 25 years, holding a variety of roles including Teacher, Director of Studies, General Manager and, for the past six and a half years, Head of Admissions and Marketing for a group of schools.

Outside of work, Sally enjoys reading, photography, musicals and immersive theatre. Whenever possible, she returns to Italy where she spent over a decade working as a teacher and translator. She has a teenage son who is currently studying for his GCSEs.

Sally is excited to get to know the St Michael’s team and wider school community. Her first impression of St Michael’s is that it is a place filled with warmth, respect and joy.

Chloe Randall – Marketing Officer

Chloe began her career in journalism after graduating from Bournemouth University in 2020 with a First Class Honours degree. Since then, she has reported on entertainment and beauty news for a range of print and digital publications, developing a strong foundation in storytelling and media.

Outside of work, Chloe enjoys travelling and discovering new places. She is also passionate about musical theatre and regularly performs in local productions. Alongside performing, she plays an active role in promoting the shows through her work on the Marketing Team—a responsibility that sparked her interest in pursuing a career in marketing.

She is now thrilled to be joining the fantastic Marketing Team at St Michael’s and looks forward to starting in September. Chloe is especially excited to meet both the staff and children and to contribute to the vibrant school community.

A Message from the School Nurse

Warm Weather Precautions

To ensure your child is adequately prepared for the warm weather, please apply sun cream generously before they arrive at school. Pupils may bring their own sun cream for reapplication throughout the day. Additionally, please provide them with a sun hat and a water bottle. Your support with this is greatly appreciated to ensure your children feel well throughout the school day.

Mrs Carlton, School Nurse

Countdown to Prep Sports Day!

The countdown is on to Prep Sports Day on Friday 4th July!

Ahead of the event, click here to view the programme. 

St Michael's triathletes raise £15,203 for charity!

We are delighted to share the incredible fundraising amount raised by St Michael's pupils in this year's Knight Frank Schools' Triathlon.

Writing to St Michael's on Monday 16th June, the Knight Frank Schools' Triathlon Team said: "We are really pleased to inform you that your pupils raised an amazing £15,203! We would like to say a huge thank you to your pupils and the school community for your fundraising efforts. Yet again the Schools' Triathlon reached new heights, showing the incredible strength of young people when they come together."

Of the £15,203 raised, £3911 will go to St Michael's chosen charity Demelza House who the school have a long-standing support of, whilst the other £11,292 will be donated to Restless Development, a non profit global agency that supports the collective power of young leaders to create a better World.

We are extremely proud of this year's competitors and thank them and their families for their hard work in making such a difference to these charities.

Pre-School shine in Sports Days and Music Concerts

What a spectacular celebration of song, dance and sunshine! Our Nursery and Kindergarten children truly stole the show at their Summer Concerts, performing with confidence, joy and wonderfully big singing voices. From cheerful tunes to delightful actions and dances, every moment was bursting with smiles and energy.

After singing their hearts out, Nursery and Kindergarten participated in some exhibition athletics activities including sprints, relay running and throwing challenges. All of the children performed amazingly well, following instructions and trying their hardest to show their learning from this year.

It was great to see so many parents and family members cheering on our young stars under the glorious sun, spectating and encouraging the children. Thank you very much for your support.

We are incredibly proud of every child. Their enthusiasm, teamwork and sparkle made the Sports Day and Concerts ones to remember. 

Mrs Crane, Pre-Prep Music Teacher, and Mr Davies, Pre-Prep PE Teacher

Kent Athletics Championships 2025

On Friday 13th June a team of 16 brave and brilliant athletes from Years 5, 7 and 8 set off to represent St Michael’s at the Kent Preparatory Schools Athletics Championships held at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford.

For many of our pupils, this was their first experience of county-level competition. Once they arrived and took in the buzz of the stadium, their nerves quickly transformed into excitement and fierce determination.

The stakes were high: only the top two in each event would qualify for the National Finals at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Wednesday 2nd July. Our athletes rose to the occasion like true champions. They ran, jumped and threw their hearts out, showing not just talent but also grit, focus and a whole lot of team spirit. The support they showed one another was nothing short of inspiring: cheers, high-fives and the occasional pep talk were flying around like confetti.

We’re thrilled to announce that five of our athletes have qualified for the National Finals! 

Jamie D – U14 Shot Put – Silver Medal

Finlay S – U13 Long Jump – Kent Champion

Hugo M – U12 1500m – Kent Champion

Grace P – U12 Long Jump – Kent Champion

Zach R – U12 800m – Silver Medal

Every single athlete achieved a personal best and we couldn’t be prouder. Whether they are heading to Nationals or not, each pupil walked away with valuable experience, a boost in confidence and probably a good night’s sleep!

A huge thank you to the Sports Department, parents and, of course, our phenomenal athletes. We wish our qualifiers the very best of luck in Birmingham.

Team - Toluwa O, Demi W, Theo S, Oliver N, Jamie D, Finlay S, Thomas D, Adam J, Misha B, Zach R, Hugo M, Chisomebi O, Abigail S, Amelia Rose B, Grace P, Isabel E

The Sports Department

Years 2 and 3 Creative Day

Year 2 joined Year 3 in Prep as part of their transition programme of activities for their collaborative Creative Day on Monday. The day was themed around the fable, The Lion and the Mouse and the children experienced a range of workshops: papier-mâché; dance; music; sculpture; art and a scavenger hunt.

This gave Year 2 the opportunity to explore Prep in collaboration with the Year 3s who all felt very grown up! A lot of fun was had and everyone was engaged whilst building confidence and independence. We look forward to our next transition event down in Pre-Prep which is Biscuits and Questions on Wednesday 25^th June. 

Mrs Perkins, Head of Year 3

Year 6 gain their Bunsen Burner Licenses

Strings Assembly

What a delightful way to start the day! Led by Mrs Dove and Mrs Peters, our very own Fiddlesticks string ensemble treated Pre-Prep to a lively and engaging performance. With smiles all around, the children played with confidence, fun and enthusiasm, filling the Hall with beautiful music.

The assembly wasn’t just about performance—it was a learning experience too! Mrs Dove and Mrs Peters introduced the children to the violin and cello, sharing fascinating facts and giving live demonstrations that captivated everyone.

A big thank you to our wonderful Music Team and the brilliant young performers for inspiring us all. Bravo, Fiddlesticks!

Mrs Crane, Pre-Prep Music Teacher

St Michael's gains Green Flag status with Merit!

We are thrilled to announce that St Michael's has gained Green Flag status with Merit again this year! We have received the following feedback:

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!

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. 

Health and Fitness Apps

“Over time, more and more fitness apps have been finding their way into circulation. Usually free to download – at least initially – these apps claim to offer helpful advice and assistance in routine management to those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.

While these platforms can be useful, they do present several safety concerns, such as inaccurate advice, in-app purchases and persuasive design features which encourage overuse. These issues become more significant when we consider that children and young people could be using these apps due to peer pressure or body image concerns. Our free guide breaks down the risks of health and fitness apps and offers expert advice on how to address these concerns to safeguard younger users.”

Words by Dr Claire Sutherland, Online Safety Consultant, and Kath Robertson, St Michael's Head of Computing

This week has been a zesty blast! We’ve had loads of fun squeezing lemons to make the coolest, most refreshing lemonade drink around.

Our creativity continued to flow in The Breakfast Club and The Hive as we used just a few felt tip pens to make amazing 3D optical illusion handprint art—it looked like the drawings were jumping right off the page!

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.

Camp Beaumont returns to St Michael's this summer!

We are excited that children's activity provider Camp Beaumont will be running sessions at St Michael's again this summer from Monday 14th July to Friday 15th August 2025. 

The perfect solution to keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays, Camp Beaumont's summer camps are packed with a wide range of exciting activities to provide children with a safe, fun environment to play and make friends. 

Every day is a new adventure with multi-activity days that kids of all ages can get involved with. Whether your kids are into sports, arts, reading or love to take part in competitions and team activities, Camp Beaumont has it all.

The camps are led by a qualified, enthusiastic team that are passionate about ensuring kids have an unforgettable time during their school breaks.

They offer a great selection of activities for ages 3-11. Their Playtime day camps in Kent are for 3-4 year olds, with fun and age-specific activities that little ones will love taking part in. For 5-7 year olds, their Magic summer camps in Kent that are filled with exciting things to do and take part in, from sports and team activities to quiet time and learning opportunities. And for kids aged 8-11, their Active half-term camps in Kent are the perfect option.

Camp Beaumont is an ideal place for your little ones to learn a new skill, try a new hobby or simply make new friends. For parents in need of a flexible and affordable childcare solution during the school holidays, or for kids who want to have fun during the school break, their camps in Kent are available throughout the year for kids in the local area to enjoy.

Use code STMICHAELS25 at the checkout to receive 10% off!

Secure your child's place here.

A Message from The School Shop

The School Shop will be open throughout the summer for your back to school needs. We strongly recommend that all new parents or existing parents with lots of items to buy during the summer period book an appointment to come to the shop. If you have more than one child that requires uniform fitting, please book consecutive appointments for each child. We would advise early booking to ensure you get a convenient time for yourself as the appointments are subject to availability.   

To book an appointment please click here or visit our website and click on the 'opening times and info button'. 

Until the end of term we will be open at our usual term time opening hours: 

8:00am - 9:15am: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 

Should you need any further help, please do not hesitate to email us at stmichaels@sturdyclothing.co.uk or call Lou on 07713 632284 and we will do our best to help. 

Déjà Vu will be open on the following days during the summer holidays from 10am to 12pm. 

Friday 22nd August

Thursday 28th August

Monday 1st September

Please check the website nearer the time for any changes.

If you have any questions or need a private appointment due to being a new family or having multiple children please contact Melissa Samworth at melbrand@yahoo.co.uk.

Donations are always welcome and appreciated, however please do not leave them outside of the shop if it is closed. If you cannot drop your donations off during our opening hours, please email Melissa Samworth for other arrangements.

Sevenoaks Football Academy trials

Otford Allotment Association

History of Otford exhibition

Shoreham Village Players auditions

House Point Certificates

Dover: Peter C; Stefania M; Alexander L; Aslan P and Ivan K

Leeds: Isla D and Sebby B

Rochester: River R; Christian B; Mason M; Freddie S; Jordan M and James C

Windsor: Alex B; Nikita V; George P and Edwin L

Times Tables Certificates

Bronze Times Tables Certificate: Archie W

Gold Times Tables Certificate: Teddy D; Luca A; Isabella S and Rowan T

Platinum Times Tables Certificate: Reuben S; Millie W; Martha S and Max Z

Players of the Match - week commencing 18th June

Victory for Elodie's football team!

Congratulations to Elodie and her football team U10 Girls' Otford Wolves who won the plate at the Tonbridge Junior Football Fiesta on Saturday 14th June! Keep up the great football, Elodie!

Ollie and Albie win hockey trophy!

Congratulations to Ollie, Albie and their Knole Park U10 hockey team who played some brilliant hockey at the Eastbourne Tournament over the weekend, winning the trophy in the glorious sunshine. Their victory adds to Knole Park’s growing reputation for producing young hockey talent. 

Albie's team win Tonbridge Football Tournament!

It was a busy weekend for Albie as on the same weekend as winning the Eastbourne Hockey Tournament, his football team, the Otford Gladiators, won the Tonbridge Football Tournament. They retained their title for the 3^rd year in a row!

Evelyn performs in Sevenoaks Arts Festival

Congratulations to Evelyn who performed at the Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival last Sunday. Evelyn competed in the Grade 1 Piano class playing Berry Smoothie. In the Speech and Drama classes, she was awarded Honours and 1st place for her Prose Reading of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Dan, George and Danny's football success!

Congratulations to Dan, George and Danny who took part in the Tonbridge Junior FC Fiesta Tournament and all came away with medals after a really fun day in the sun on Father's Day. George's Borough Green Athletic side reached the overall Cup Final with a remarkable +31 goal difference in the league phase and very narrowly lost out to the Sevenoaks Town team. Dan and Danny's Chipstead Kestrels team won the runners up plate after a thrilling penalty shoot out in their Final, with Dan brilliantly saving two penalties to win it for Chipstead. 

Staff Sports Camps

Join Mr Shea at his summer football camps:

Follow us on social media!

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