St Michael’s Weekly Post – 15th September 2023

15^th September 2023

As we come to the end of our second week of term, we would like to say congratulations to our new starters who have all settled in incredibly quickly into school life. A special mention particularly should go to our wonderful new Acorn class who have been absolutely brilliant during their first two weeks of school. It is often a daunting time, therefore we are so proud of them all and are really looking forward to all starting full days from next week – well done everyone!

Acorn Class (Reception) Timings
As a reminder, children will be in school for full days from next week – 8:35am until 3:15pm. They will start their weekly PE lessons on Monday, so please send them to school in their kit which consists of a light blue top and blue/black shorts/jogging bottoms. Please see our website for further information.

We would also like to invite all Acorn parents/carers to come in to meet with Miss Mearns for a Phonics Workshop on Tuesday 3^rd October to learn more about phonics and enjoy a tea or coffee at 8:45am straight after school drop off. Please come into school via the main entrance.

Forest School – Hazel Class (Year 1)
Please note there will be no forest school on Monday 18^th September.

Hazel Class Reading Information Session
We would like to invite all Year 1 parents/carers to a reading information session with tea and coffee on Tuesday 26^th September at 8.45am straight after drop off. Please come into school via the main entrance.

Jewellery
We would like to remind all children that if they are wearing earrings in school, these need to be small studs please.

Rockley Residential Trip – Oak Class
Oak Class will be heading off on their Residential trip to Rockley next week from Monday 18^th – Friday 22^nd September. A reminder to please check the kit list (sent via Weduc) and bring a packed lunch on Monday.  Lataca will provide a packed lunch for children who normally have a school meal. Please arrive at school at the usual time, ready to leave first thing in the morning.

Braeside Residential Trip – Rowan Class
Rowan Class will also soon head off on their Residential trip to Braeside on Wednesday 27^th – Friday 29^th September. A reminder, children will need a packed lunch on Wednesday 27^th, Lataca will provide a packed lunch for children who normally have a school meal.

Marlborough Literature Festival – Friday 29^th September
Oak Class will be attending the Marlborough Literature Festival this year on Friday 29^th September at 10am. They will be joining a talk by author Christopher Edge who will bring his book ‘Escape Room’ to life for the children. The talk will last for approximately one hour, followed by a book signing.

The LitFest takes place at the Marlborough Town Hall and in order to attend we will need some parents to transport the children to the talk and bring them back.  If you can help with this in any way, please email admin@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk to enable the school office to initiate the DBS process. Unfortunately without parental support this trip won’t be able to take place. There will be no cost for this trip.

 St Michael’s Day – Friday 29^th September
We continue to celebrate our school’s namesake and we will be holding a St Michael’s Day.  The wonderful Rev. Sue Rodd will lead a whole school service for us in the church on Friday 29^th September at 2:30pm. All parents are invited to join us. Cherry Class will be receiving their bibles and Oak Class will be receiving their respective responsibility badges during a special presentation. We hope to see you there.

School Harvest Festival Celebration – Friday 6^th October
Our school Harvest Festival service will take place on Friday 6^th October at 9:15am in the church and families are very welcome to join the celebration.

As per last year, we will be collecting produce for Swindon Food Collective and donations can be left at both entrances of school from Wednesday 27^th September. The Food Collective website gives more details of the basic staples that are most urgently needed and there is also an app that flags their precise needs at any given time should you need some direction on what to donate.

Outside Learning Centre
Following our Harvest Festival service on Friday 6^th October, we will be officially opening our brand new Outside Learning Centre, many of you may have spotted it in the main school carpark. It is fantastic to have this dedicated additional space at school which will be used for all sorts of things, including meetings with staff and children alike. The PTA will be serving tea and coffee, we hope you’ll join us to celebrate its arrival!

House Day – Friday 13^th October
Our first House Day this year will take place on Friday 13^th October. This House Day we will be welcoming new children into their houses.  Children are invited to come to school in non-uniform, wearing their house colours, this can be a simple a hairband or socks or head to toe their house colours. Please do not go out and buy something especially for this.  If your child does not know which house they are in, please ask the class teacher.

Buddy Celebration – Wednesday 18^th October
Acorn and Oak parents are invited to join us at St Michael’s Church for our “Buddy Service” on Wednesday 18^th October at 9:15am. We’re so proud of the buddy service we offer at St Michael’s and this is a great opportunity to welcome new families and chat over coffee and cake!

Sponsored Welly Walk – Wednesday 18^th October
Our annual Welly Walk will take place on Wednesday 18^th October this year, where children will take part in a sponsored walk – further details to follow.

Bible Explorers Lunchtime Clubs
Our Bible Explorers (Years 2-3) and Adventurers (Years 4-6) lunchtime clubs are back on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12.30-1pm this term. Everyone is invited for animated bible stories, games and activities. Adventurers started today and Explorers will begin on Tuesday 19^th September.  If your child would like to attend please could they let their teacher know.

Celebration Assembly
Our Celebration Assembly will start again on Friday 3^rd November. For those new to the school, we invite parents to join our weekly assemblies which celebrate the children’s successes.  Assembly will take place on Fridays at 9:15am and parents are to come into school via the main entrance should they wish to join us.  You do not need to inform us that you are coming each week, just turn up as and when you are available to join us.

After School Clubs
Reminder of our after school clubs for anyone who would still like to book in:

Message from Aldbourne Children’s Book Group
The Aldbourne Children’s Book Group are pleased to be supporting the Marlborough LitFest this year. Children have been working hard at The Studio this summer creating artworks for the Once Upon a Trail event starting this Saturday 16^th September. Sophy Thomas and Helen Cooper will be running a free workshop in in Marlborough Library on Saturday 30^th September so please pop in to say hello and help create The Greatest Show on Earth. The Detective Dog is showing on Saturday 23^rd September at 2:30pm in Marlborough library, please contact the library for tickets.

Aldbourne Harvest Appeal
The Aldbourne Churches Together will be running the Aldbourne Harvest Appeal this year to raise money for the Swindon Food Collective. The special appeal will run from the 17^th September launching at a United Harvest Festival Service at the Methodist Chapel at 10.30am and finishes with a Community Harvest Festival Service at 11am on the 29^th October in St Michael’s Church.

Term 1 – September 2023

Term 2

TD days

Monday 30^th October 2023

Friday 5^th January 2024

Monday 19^th February 2024

Monday 24^th June 2024