St Michael’s Weekly Post – 20th January 2023

20^th January 2023

This week has been a particularly musical one for KS2.  Cherry and Elder classes enjoyed a children’s classical music concert in Southampton.   Today, Oak and Rowan classes are taking part in the largest school choir in the world, performing at the Young Voices Concert at the O2.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to sing in an amazing concert venue with 9000 other children, run by a professional musical team.  We wish them lots of luck in their performance this evening.

Willows

This week Willows Afterschool Club have celebrated Chinese New Year, the year of the rabbit. They created an amazing display, wrote a menu and Suxia cooked a delicious Chinese meal, enjoyed by all whilst listening to traditional Chinese music.

Please Arrive in School Promptly

Our school gates open at 8:35am, ready for children to start their school day at 8:45am.  Can we please ask that children arrive promptly so that learning is not disturbed on their arrival. Children who arrive after 8:45am will be recorded as late.

School Attendance

We are continuing to monitor attendance in line with our obligation to follow the DfE’s Working together to improve school attendance. Parents of children with less than 95% attendance will receive a letter regarding current attendance levels. We are working with families to support children and improving attendance as the benefits are clear – “Better attendance at school by pupils improves their educational achievements and, in turn, their lives and prospects. Even a small reduction in absence would result in many pupils receiving greater benefit from their education.” The National Audit Office.

Latin Afterschool Club

Marlborough College students have returned for Latin Afterschool Club for children in Oak and Rowan Classes.  Sessions will take place on Wednesdays, 3:15pm – 4:15pm, on the following dates:

25^th January

1^st and 8^th February (no session on 22^nd)

1^st,  8^th, 15^th and 22^nd March

There is no cost for the club but please sign your child up via this online form if they wish to join. Please note, this form will be shared with Marlborough College.

Aldbourne Nursing Home Visits

Once a week, children in a small group visit the residents of Aldbourne Nursing Home.  It is a lovely opportunity for the residents and children to read together or carry out an activity.  During their time at the Nursing Home, children are requested to wear a facemask.  If you, or your child, are uncomfortable in them doing so, please Weduc the class teacher, so they are not selected to go on the visit.

Cold Weather – Hat, gloves & scarf

The weather this week has been beautiful and dry but it has been cold when the children go out to play.  Please can children bring in a named winter hat, gloves and scarf each day during the winter months.

Waterproofs

It is great to see that children are bringing in their waterproofs to allow them to play freely as part of OPAL.  If anyone has old/outgrown waterproofs at home, particularly larger sizes, we would appreciate them in school

OPAL – Request for items no longer required at home

Following last week’s post we would love the following items:

• Any unwanted kitchenware (no sharp cutlery please!) e.g. pots, pans, baking trays, weighing scales, wooden spoons etc. (We’re hoping to create a mud kitchen and have a range of interesting percussion ’instruments’ for music making!)
• Tarpaulins (to use for den/shelter building)
• Buckets and spades
• Trowels and shovels (for our digging area)
• Wooden pallets

For families with younger siblings: Five to Thrive

Please find attached details regarding free Five to Thrive Group starting in Marlborough Library on 22.02.2023-22.03.2023. Over the Five Weeks they will look at how we interact with our children and how this helps their brains grow and develop strong patterns to Thrive. We have a range of fun activities for children aged 0-5 that encourages interaction with their parent/carers.

Message from the PTA:

Following our PTA meeting on Tuesday 10^th January, please find the minutes attached.

Reminder: Burns Night – Saturday 28^th January 7pm-11pm 
There are only a handful of tickets left and we will have to stop selling tickets once full – thank you so much to all those of you from the school and our wider community who have bought tickets for this event. Remember, you don’t have to know how to Scottish dance and you really don’t have to wear black tie if you don’t want to. Come on you own, in a pair or in a group – everyone will be welcome. A welcome drink, dinner and a lot of dancing will be included. Do buy tickets from the village post office or from our school website.

Term 3

Term 4

TD days

Monday 20^th February 2023

Monday 26^th June 2023

Monday 24^th July 2023