From the Head

From the Head of Pre-Prep

Dear Parents,

Move-Up Morning went well for all of the children. They loved their new teachers and classrooms despite being in sweltering temperatures. When they returned to their current teachers many of the children were close to melting! Year 2 took the opportunity to have a water fight which led to it being the “Best day ever”!

It was so lovely to watch Dance Act doing a ballet demonstration class for parents on Tuesday and Wednesday. The children were wonderfully poised and it took me back to being six years old.

Thursday was a busy day with another three families touring the school. It is always good to have parents coming to view the school when they have been here themselves as children; it is lovely to hear their stories. Year 1 pulled out all the stops with their end of term celebration. They sung beautifully and performed poems and a dance which made every parent and teacher immensely proud. Well done to the Year 1 Team and Mrs Crane for such an accomplished performance.

Next week is our last week of the school year. There will be lots of celebrating. Year 2 will be performing their end of year production and Prize Giving on Wednesday afternoon in the Prep Sports Hall; Year 2 parents are welcome to join us for a 1.40pm start.

I am also looking forward to the Prep Summer Concert on Tuesday evening and the Prep Prize Giving on Thursday evening with a performance by concert pianist Nicolas McCarthy.

School’s out for summer… on Friday 11^th July at 12pm for Pre-Prep children. Those families with children in Prep will be able to pick-up the older children from Pre-Prep at the same time.

Overheard in Pre-Prep:

Teacher: "Oh no, we don’t have any internet!"

Child: "Ooh, does that mean we’re having sandwiches for lunch?"

Have a lovely weekend,

Zerrin Leech

We wish Ellie Floyd and her family well as she prepares to enter her maternity leave at the end of July:

Ellie Floyd - HR Administrator

As Ellie approaches her maternity leave, we wish her and her husband Joe love and happiness as they await the arrival of their little one.

Ellie has been a great addition to the HR Team at St Michael’s since joining in April 2024. Ellie is a pleasure to work with and her warm and friendly nature shines through all aspects of her work especially when working with candidates, colleagues, work experience placements, volunteers and Governors. 

We will be welcoming Sally to the HR Team in July to cover Ellie’s maternity leave.

Words by Emma Blakiston, HR Manager

At the end of July we will be welcoming Sally to St Michael's:

Sally Smith - HR Administrator (Maternity Cover)

Hamburg Music Tour 2025

Our unforgettable Music Tour to Hamburg last week was a celebration of music, friendship and adventure. From the moment we arrived, the children immersed themselves fully in the musical and educational experiences on offer, singing their way around the city with enthusiasm and captivating curious locals and tourists.

Highlights of the week included visits and singing workshops in two partner schools, to whom we are extremely grateful for their kindness and warmth. At the Johann-Rist Gymnasium our pupils received a warm welcome, huge applause and glowing praise for their musicality, discipline and engagement. The school uniforms were especially fascinating for our host schools!

The concert on Monday night was a memorable and fun evening with a highly appreciative audience, followed by a very popular pizza party. Tuesday's visit to Stade allowed us to work together with pupils from the Vincent Lubeck Gymnasium; we were given another very warm welcome before our workshop together.

The concert in the beautiful church of St Wilhadi was a truly moving occasion with excellent feedback from our hosts who were full of admiration for the musicianship, tone quality and maturity of our pupils. We have since received many complimentary emails from school staff and visiting tourists to the region who attended our concert.

Spontaneous busking sessions across Hamburg – on buses, boats and in busy squares – attracted delighted crowds and warm applause. Many passers-by commented on the children's impressive behaviour and the choir’s stunning intonation and diction. Even our tour guides were visibly moved to tears by the joy of the children’s unprompted singing.

Other cultural highlights included a modern staging of Così fan tutte at the Staatsoper, an exhilarating day at Heide Park and a magical visit to Der König der Löwen (The Lion King) – all in German! Throughout the week, the children took part in creative activities, quizzes and challenges designed to deepen their understanding of Hamburg’s rich history and musical heritage, with plenty of prizes awarded along the way. The hotel and food were a real hit this year with pupils and staff alike and the buffet selections were plentiful and delicious.

We are immensely grateful to the dedicated staff team who accompanied the tour, providing musical direction, pastoral care and medical support and entertainment along the way. Their tireless energy, care and commitment ensured a wonderful experience for all. The children were true ambassadors for St Michael’s in every setting and we could not be prouder of their conduct, kindness and musical brilliance. 

Herzlichen Dank, Hamburg.

Mr Baird, Director of Music

Ellis Andrews Memorial Cricket Match

Bright sunshine and high temperatures signalled the start off the annual Ellis Andrews Memorial Cricket Match in the year that Ellis would have celebrated his 21st birthday. The children cheered on the bank as the teachers sorted their field and Patrick Spice and Rob Andrews walked out to open the batting. The first ball was hit for four and Patrick continued in this attacking manor reaching 30 quickly and re-tiring resulting in Harry Stacey coming to the wicket. Rob was looking to up the pace of his innings but this resulted in him hitting one to cover off the bowling of Mr Thomas and was the first wicket to fall. Then followed a wealth of talented former pupils and parents: Mr Crawford gets a special mention for his talent with the bat and Mr Barker had a much improved performance from last year. The Andrews 11 were all out for 157 runs. The speed and agility of Mr Sheth and Mr Patel saw off the opening batsman. The agility of Mr Batters and Mr Twadell in the field assisted in the downfall of further batting pairs. Mr Steel was exceptional behind the wicket and Mr Carey proved a great new talent. The St Michael's team won the match.

However, this match isn’t about victory - it is about friendship and the bringing together of parents, teachers and old pupils. It is about raising money for a small charity and remembering a brave little boy whose happiest days were at school, where he could forget all about his treatments and be a little boy again. Thank you to all who attended, making this annual event so special.

Mrs Andrews, St Michael's parent

A Year 6 Celebration Day to remember

The first ever Year 6 Celebration Day took place on Wednesday this week. The day began with a group activity that involved running between nine stations, each manned by a teacher. The pupils were required to complete various tasks – decode a message in Morse code; create a replica of St Michael’s out of Lego; create freeze frames in various poses and photograph them; identify teacher catchphrases; and build a cairn amongst other activities. Once completed, the groups were given their next clue which directed them to another station and another activity. The fields, playgrounds, terrace and other spaces were abuzz with noise and laughter.

After a specially prepared snack, for a little calm, children planted a tree and wildflower seeds above the tennis court. After that they spent some time poring over their year books and collecting signatures from each other. Before their lunch time picnic which sadly had to be held indoors (thanks for the Drama Room, Mr P), the children had a newspaper fashion show where some impressive design skills and runway struts were on display.

Throughout the morning, the children enjoyed the freedom of running all over the school grounds and remembering funny events from their time at St Michael’s, all while making brand new memories and deepening their friendships within the year group.

Year 6 embraced all of the activities and together, we overcame the obstacles the weather threw at us. It was a wonderful day and one that will be repeated in years to come.

Mrs Baisch, Head of Years 5 and 6

National Fieldwork Month at St Michael's

Exploring Our Environment

As part of National Fieldwork Month, organised by the Geographical Association, pupils in Years 5 to 7 have been exploring the environment around St Michael’s using a variety of geographical fieldwork techniques.

Year 5 have been busy engaging their senses and observational skills through sound mapping, nature’s pallet and environmental quality surveys, helping them understand how different elements contribute to the character of a place. They also created haikus to describe their personal perception of the environment. Here are some examples:

• Leaves rustle in the breeze

• Birds whistling in the wind

• Children having fun

• With daisies swaying

• Towering trees above me

• The luscious green grass

Year 6 have been developing their map skills, learning to use compasses and creating detailed field sketches to enhance their understanding of spatial awareness and navigation.

Year 7 have taken on a more investigative role, conducting an infiltration study to assess whether St Michael’s is at risk of flooding, applying real-world science to local geography.

This hands-on experience has not only deepened the pupils’ understanding of their local environment, but also sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for Geography in action.

Miss Lambert, Head of Geography

Open Drama Rehearsals

This week Years 3 and 7 welcomed parents and friends to see them in an Open Drama Rehearsal of pieces they have been working on this term. This was an opportunity to see them interacting with each other whilst responding and contributing to the devising and blocking process.

The Year 3 pupils presented scenes as either superheroes or villains; much of the text and narrative written by themselves. They were also adorned in self-designed and created costumes for their characters.

Year 7 showed us devised work from a play originally written and performed as a monologue, but in their case, the text had been shared out between them. The audience also got to see some sections crated from scratch.

Several parents commented on how interesting it was to see the process and the different ways the children responded to it.

The Year 8 pupils performed a play entitled Melon City on Thursday which they received the scripts for on only Tuesday morning. In two and a half days, they produced the 20 minute show with two songs added, created some simple hand painted set and props and raided the St Michael's Drama costume department for costumes. They were able to show the fruit (pardon the pun) of their labours to some invited younger classes and staff. Much fun was had discovering all about the melon who became a King!

Mr Powell, Head of Drama

An update from our ducklings

Mrs MacRae is delighted to share an update about the six ducklings who hatched and spent their first days at St Michael's this term.

The ducklings have begun to spend their days outside and are integrating nicely with Mrs MacRae's hens, cats and dog. The two adult St Michael’s ducks Sunny and Hope, who previously hatched at St Michael's a few years ago, are currently less impressed by the newest members of the family but will hopefully warm to them soon. 

Year 1 Summer Concert 

What a way to end the year! The Year 1 Summer Concert was bursting with joy, energy and proud little performers who shone on stage. With bright smiles, big voices and even bigger hearts, the children treated us to a wonderful celebration of music, dance and poetry.

The Hall was packed with proud parents and it was clear from the very first note that all the rehearsals had paid off. From toe-tapping tunes to thoughtful poems, each child gave their all—and it showed!

Thank you to everyone who came to support the children and helped make the event so special. Most of all, congratulations to our fantastic Year 1s—you did yourselves proud!

Mrs Crane, Pre-Prep Music Teacher 

Big Litter Pick

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. 

Persuasive Design

“For many companies who operate in the online space, attention and engagement are the holy grail. Social media sites in particular make deliberate creative choices to keep people scrolling, reading, watching and clicking, from ‘streaks’ to notifications to auto-play and auto-refresh functions. This phenomenon is known as ‘persuasive design’ and it’s being employed in the vast majority of the digital world’s most popular destinations.

A study by the charity 5Rights Foundation concluded that “…the brain's response to rewards and punishments can be leveraged through persuasive design to keep children online.”  This guide can help to educate youngsters on the effects of persuasive design – and suggests ways to insulate themselves from its influence.”

Words by Rebecca Jennings and Kath Robertson

A citrus aroma could be smelt in the Hive this week as the children enthusiastically rolled, squashed, and juiced oranges to make delicious Orangeade.

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.

This week St Michael's parent Gamze Priest came into Pre-Prep and Prep to tell the children about her native country, Turkey. The children learnt about the person who created modern day Turkey after the end of the Ottoman Empire, its unique geography and, of course, what a school day looks like for children in Turkey. Gamze also spoke about many school and national celebrations that children and grown ups enjoy taking part in. Turkish is a pretty tricky language too, if you are ever in need of a challenge! Thank you, Gamze, for this interesting introduction to your culture! 

The International Club

Sevenoaks Football Academy trials

Sevenoaks Bookshop Photography Competition

Otford Allotment Association

Perform classes

Razzamatazz Robots Holiday Club

House Point Certificates

Dover: Poppy R and Zohan A

Leeds: Daniel A; Alex K; Angelica H and Rupert D

Rochester: Hugo A

Windsor: Harry W; Savannah S and Charlie E

Times Tables Certificates

Bronze Times Tables Certificate: Poppy R

Silver Times Tables Certificate: Lila P

Platinum Times Tables Certificate: Rupert D and Hugo W

Swim England Awards

Discovery Duckling Level 4: Kai I; Arin K; Aslan P; Rihaan S; Daniel A and Leya D

Learn to Swim:

Level 1: Eren E; Dilly E; Jasper D; Alexandra O; Stefania M; Aria L and Raphael S

Level 2: Edwin L; Charlie B; Ada L; Callie L; Reuben S; George P; Mason S; Frankie T; Thea L; Harry W; Kensi W; Max Z; Sofia B; Phoebe D; Allegra F; Ethan G; Jemima G; Dilan D; Sebby B and Neve H

Level 3: Sophia P; Annabella N; Millie W; Gabriella A; Archie F; James C; Leo V; Isabella S; Erin S; Arthur R and Hugo W

Level 4: Martha S; Arianna O; Jessica C and Tancred B

Players of the Match - week commencing 30th June

Gwyneth's golden gymnastics performance

Congratulations to Gwyneth who secured gold with her partner at the Tigers International Acro Cup 2025 held at the University of Essex last Saturday 28th June. 

Despite having just returned from St Michael's Music Tour the night before, she was able to deliver the highest performance standards and took home the gold medal. This was a huge encouragement to all the efforts she has put into her training.

Lana, Cían and Willow's sporting successes

Congratulations to Lana, Cían and Willow who took part in the Dulwich Cranbrook Junior Triathlon last Sunday. They had a great time and did really well. Lana came 1st in her category (Novice Female 11-14) and 3rd overall; Cían came 1st (Tristar 9-10) and Willow came 3rd in her category (Novice Female 8-10) and 5th overall. They really pushed themselves and we're very proud of their efforts. 

Lana also took part in the Kent International Judo Competition at Medway Park last Saturday. Despite some tough competition, Lana came 3rd, winning bronze, placing her 3rd in Kent in her age/weight/belt category.

Theia flies to cheerleading success

Congratulations to Theia for her recent performances with Fusion in the Bournemouth International Cheer Competition. Theia performed in two teams, Comets and Eclipse and came 11th nationally. She’s been training hard all year for her cheer teams as a flyer and tumbler.
​

Owen's football success

Congratulations to Owen for being awarded a participation certificate and medal from Otford Football Club. Keep up the great football, Owen!

Rupert's team win London Football Tournament

Congratulations to Rupert who won the U7 category of the London Legends Football Tournament on Saturday 21st June, playing for five hours in the 30 degrees heat. In his position as goalkeeper, Rupert kept 6 clean sheets out of 7 games, helping the team to secure their position as overall U7 winners.

St Michael's boys win football tournaments

Congratulations to Albie, Harry, Ted and Tom for participating in the recent Larkfield Football Tournament. Albie won the cup with his Otford club, whilst Harry, Ted and Tom secured the plate for their Tonbridge club.

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.