14^th October 2022

It has been another great day at St Michael’s! This morning, we thoroughly enjoyed the Harvest Festival in the Church.  The children so eloquently shared our thanks for this year’s harvest and we would like to thank our whole school community for their kind donations to Swindon Food Collective.

This afternoon, children have carried out their sponsored Welly Walk.  Although it was a little damp underfoot, the sun made an appearance at the end.  The children did so well and they thoroughly enjoyed their hot chocolate, provided by the PTA.  There is still time for children to raise money for the walk, we ask that all sponsorship is brought to school by 4^th November 2022. Thank you to all those that so generously sponsored the children.

Parent Governor Elections

We are looking for a new Parent Governor to join our fantastic board of Governors.  To nominate yourself as a Parent Governor please complete the form, sent out today, to be returned by Wednesday 2^nd November 2022. For more details regarding our Governors please visit our website or contact our Chair of Governors, Nigel Payne (NPayne@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk).

Buddy Service – 9am Wednesday 19^th October 2022

Acorn and Oak Class parents/carers are invited to join the Buddy Service in St Michael’s Church on Wednesday at 9am, before we start the House Day. The service will officially welcome the Acorn Class to the School family. Parents of both Oak and Acorn Class would be warmly welcomed in the Church.

House Day

We are really excited about our first House Day of the year, next week.  Children will be working in their house teams on various challenges and activities throughout the day. Please send children in wearing a splash of their house colour along with clothes suitable for a day of outdoor fun including the forest.

We would love a few bits to help the day go well:

• a range of junk modelling for the children to use as part of the day – large and small all welcome!
• natural items such as small sticks, moss, conkers, acorns, leaves, pine cones etc (no nuts please!)

If you have any of the above to spare, please send these in with your child on Monday or Tuesday. Thank you in advance.

Outdoor Learning Centre/ Forest School Classroom

Following the amazing donations that have been made via the PTA for our Outdoor Learning Centre/ Forest School Classroom we wanted to provide you with an update on where we are with it.  The school have looked at several options and locations and have now agreed the final design and location.  Before the building can be erected, we are pending final confirmation from Planning and Building Control.

Unfortunately our plans have been slightly waylaid due to the delay in our school fence being completed.  However, we are very eager to have the Outdoor Learning Centre up and running as soon as possible as we know it will be of such benefit to the school.

Forest School Next Week

There will be no Forest School for Acorn and Hazel classes next week.  Elder class will have their last session in the Forest on Monday.

Water Bottles

As a reminder, children are to have a water bottle in school with them every day and these should be filled with water only. Thank you.

Community First Awards

We are thrilled to share that Oliver has received a Community First Award, which recognises achievements of groups and individuals in the community. Oliver won the young carers achievement award (under 12).  He has demonstrated his caring personality, resilience to overcome personal struggles and take part in many of the young carer respite activities.  His confidence has really grown.  Well done, Oliver, on this great achievement!

Message from STFC After School Club – Did you know, every Tuesday afternoon 3:15pm-4:15pm Swindon Town FC Community Foundation deliver an after school club at our school, for children in year groups 3 & 4. This is a great opportunity for your child to be involved in football, whether they’ve played before or never kicked a ball before, the STFC coaches will deliver sessions that engage the children while they learn lots of new skills and football knowledge along the way. If your child would like to get involved in the weekly sessions then please follow the link to register – https://stfcfoundation.ezfacility.com/OnlineRegistration/Register?GroupId=3219096

Poems For The Planet Competition

Over the half term, children may wish to enter the Poems For The Planet Competition.  Children can write about nature’s beauty and protecting the planet for this year’s competition with National Poetry Day.

Secondary School Applications

As a reminder, children who will be moving up to secondary school in September 2023 need to make their application via the Wiltshire Council website (or the relevant Council if you live outside of Wiltshire) by 31^st October 2022.  Please see the attached flyer for further details. For younger siblings, the primary school application deadline is 15^th January 2023.

Message from the PTA:

Bag2school – Please have a rummage around your homes for spare clothes, bags, shoes, soft toys that can be donated and earn the school some money.  Please bring your donations to school by 9am on Monday 14^th November and drop them off by the front gate.   Unfortunately, we are unable to store any bags before the collection date. The more we give, the more money is raised for the school.  Further detail attached.

Message from Whitton Church Group:

Messy Church will be taking place on Saturday 15^th October in Chilton Foliat School.  Please see attached for further information.

Term 1

Term 2

TD days

Monday 31^st October 2022

Monday 20^th February 2023

Monday 26^th June 2023

Monday 24^th July 2023