St. Michael’s Weekly Post – 29th April 2022

29^th April 2022

Our first week back, following the Easter holidays, has been another busy one, particularly for Rowan Class who have been on an epic residential adventure to Grittleton House! The children had a fantastic opportunity to not only spend time together outside the classroom and away from home, giving them some independence, but also to undertake some exciting activities.  Activities included hover boarding, body zorbing, water rolling, climbing and lots more.   Children have come back enthused by their trip, although rather tired.  We hope they can enjoy a restful long weekend, with school closed on Monday for the bank holiday.

We would like to thank our wonderful teaching team who accompanied the children on the residential. They gave so much of their personal time to ensure the children had a fantastic experience.

Poetry Slam 2022

As a reminder, we are super excited that our Poetry Slam is back for 2022! The Poetry Slam finals will take place in the 4^th week of Term 5 (week commencing 16^th May) so children might want to think about their entry for this year.  We really hope many of the children will take part, making it a truly great event!

The children should spend some time finding (or writing) a poem that they really like or have an interest in – it could be fun or serious, it might rhyme or it might not, it could be a classic poem or a new one – the choice is theirs! As ever, they can perform individually or in small groups – it’s up to them!

As usual, they will perform their chosen poem in class (the teachers will tell them the date for this) and those with the most votes will go through to the Poetry Slam Finals. The teachers will be discussing all things poetry with the children during their English lessons too.

PE and Forest School

As a reminder, PE and Forest school will take place on the following days this term. Children are to come to school in their PE/Forest School clothing on the appropriate day.

Jubilee School Lunch

On Friday 27^th May Lataca will be serving a celebratory lunch (further detail attached) and is bookable via the Lataca ParentMail app. If your child requires school lunches this term and you haven’t already placed an order please also book these via the app.

Braeside Education Centre Courses

Braeside Education Centre, Devizes is providing a range of courses for primary school children. The courses are designed to allow students to benefit from extra-curricular opportunities to explore and develop areas of ability. They focus on challenges for pupils in Years 2 to 6. Bookings need to be made directly with the centre once you have confirmed with the class teacher (via emailing admin@stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk) to ensure the course is suitable for your child.

More information can be found on their website or we have copies of the course information, as well as booking forms, in school. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Miss Mearns.

Brass Lessons

As Monday is a bank holiday, Brass Lessons will take place on Wednesday instead.  Please make sure children remember to bring their instrument on Wednesday 4^th May.

Brass Ensemble

There will be no Brass Ensemble on Thursday 19^th May as the music teacher will be away.

Ukraine Fund Raising

Four of our wonderful Oak class children organised a cake sale on The Green in Aldbourne on the weekend to raise money for two Ukrainian charities: https://www.uktoukraine.com/ and https://racingtohelpukraine.uk/.  They raised a whopping £762! Well done Alfred, Gus, Max and Sam and thank you to all those who donated!

Mobile Phones in School

As a reminder, if your child brings a mobile phone to school, the phone is to be handed in to the office first thing in the morning and collected at the end of the school day.

All visitors and volunteers in the building should have their mobile phones turned to silent or switched off and must not be visible in pupil areas. Photographs are not to be taken unless by prior agreement.

Messages 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 9^th May 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.

Message from Aldbourne Community:

Beating the Bounds is taking place on Monday 2^nd May at 8am on The Green.  For those who take part in the whole 18 miles they will receive the much prized ribbon, and anyone who completes one half will receive a badge.  Come along on Monday and join in a great walk!

Message from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service:

With the longer days and hopefully warmer weather we will all be spending more time outside. In the two counties covered by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service we are lucky to have many beautiful areas of water including the sea, rivers, lakes and canals. The most important water safety advice you can help teach your child for water safety is FLOAT to live. Talk to your child and explain if they ever fall into water, or struggle when swimming they need to think “FLOAT.” Lie on their back, put their legs and arms out like a star and look up to the sky. Why not check your child knows how to do this by practicing on dry land or next time you are swimming in a pool with them? For more information, including two stories to watch read by Zoe Wanamaker CBE and Olympic Swimmer Sharron Davies MBE please visit Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Be Water Aware (dwfire.org.uk).

Diary Dates – Term 5

Diary Dates – Term 6

TD days

Monday 27^th June 2022

Monday 25^th July 2022 – Now an extra holiday for all