END OF TERM NEWSLETTER – LENT 2009

The second half of this term has again been a full and eventful one. The music department has provided a number of musical treats in the form of Informal Concerts and the term ended with our annual Spring Concert involving all the children in Forms 1 to 6 in a celebration entitled ‘Strictly St Michael’s’. Many parents have made the comment “best Spring Concert ever”.

Next term it will be the turn of Pre-Prep C and the Junior Department to entertain their parents and information will be sent out with the half-term mailing in May.

The Pre-Prep Department held their Class Assemblies for parents, culminating last week with Pre-Prep A, which was based on an Easter theme.

Children throughout the school have been very successful in the recent Jersey Art and Craft Eisteddfod, winning awards for their artwork, handwriting skills and needlework. For the second year running Emily Warner won the Sue Chinn Trophy for the best piece of art in Year 7, 8 and 9. Well done to her and to everyone who took part in the Eisteddfod.

Once again sport has been a major part of school life this term. Many parents watched the Inter-House Cross-Country before half term. Earlier this month St Michael’s hosted the 4-day Festival of Sport which was attended by some 500 children from the UK, Jersey and Guernsey who competed in Hockey, Netball and Rugby Sevens Tournaments. All the boys Hockey and Rugby, and girls Netball and Hockey teams performed very well. The St Michael’s Sevens team again travelled to the IAPS Small Schools Rugby Sevens Tournament at Oundle School, and did incredibly well reaching the semi-finals before they were knocked out. There have been the normal range of inter-school matches and I would like to thank those parents who supported the teams and particularly the parents who were responsible for making hot drinks on Saturday mornings.

Moving a vehicle on school premises: If for any reason you are in school and need to move your car when the children are outside playing, please can you inform the member of staff on duty before you start your vehicle. I would also like to remind you to take special care whilst driving around the access roads to St Michael’s.

Hot Lunches: We will assume children currently on the hot lunch list will remain so for the next Academic Year unless you inform the school office otherwise. Hot lunches have become very popular and we are oversubscribed. It is impossible for the kitchen staff to produce anything other than the stated menu, and it is school policy that children should try a little of everything except where children are medically or religiously excused. We would like your full support on this matter.

Reports: Thank you for supporting our Parents’ Evenings. Because of these, there are written reports for children in Forms 3 and 6 only.

Examinations: Common Entrance and School Examinations for Forms 3-6 will take place during the week commencing Monday 1^st June. Key Stage 1 testing for Pre-Prep C and tests for Forms 1 and 2 will be held during May. It would be appreciated if parents could make every effort to avoid doctor, dentist and other appointments for their children at these times.

Holiday Reading: Children in Forms 3 to 6 should read a minimum of two books during the holidays. The English Department would like children in Forms 3, 4 and 5 to write a review of one of the books to be handed in at the start of next term. This will be a good opportunity for the children to practise their typing skills on the computer.

Morning Minibus Service will start on the second day of term ie Thursday 23^rd April 2009.

‘Off games’: Requests for a child to miss his/her PE lesson should be in the form of a letter from parents please.

School Fees: A reminder that next term the Governors will be reviewing the school fees for the 2009/2010 Academic Year and you will be notified of changes during Trinity half-term.

Activities’ Week: Next term the senior school will again be involved in Activities’ Week:-

Form 6 Rockley Watersports, Biscarosse, near Arcachon. 13^th – 19^th June.

Form 5 St Jacut de la Mer, Brittany. 15^th - 19^th June

Form 4 Overnight trips to Herm and France and 1 day in Jersey. 15^th – 19^th June

Please note that the children will need their own passports to travel on these activities.

Advance Notice of Summer Sports Courses:

Summer Sports Activity School: Mr and Mrs McAviney will be running their Summer Sports School during the weeks of 13^th and 24^th July. The activity will be open to all children currently in Pre-Prep A to Form 5.

Football Coaching: Mr Wheeldon will be running a three-day, Pre-Term Football Coaching Course in early September. The course will be open to children currently in PPC and Forms 1 to 5 inclusive. Dates and times will be confirmed in due course.

These are provisional dates and details will be sent out next term.

Diary Dates:

Pre-Prep Sports Day: Tuesday 9^th June

Form 2 Summer Concert: Friday 12^th June

Pre-Prep C Concert: Wednesday 17^th June

Nursery Summer Celebration: Thursday 18^th June

Form 1 Summer Concert: Friday 19^th June

Junior Sports Day (Forms 1 and 2): Tuesday 23^rd June

Senior Athletics Finals (Forms 3 – 6 inc): Friday 26^th June

Forms 5 and 6 Performance of ‘Cinderella’: Thursday and Friday 2^nd and 3^rd July, 6.00 pm.

Open Day and Prize-Giving: Wednesday 8^th July, at which our guest speaker will be Mr Richard Biggs, Headmaster, King’s College, Taunton.

The school telephone will be answered during the Easter holidays between 9 am and 11 am each day. The uniform shop will be open by appointment only. To make an appointment please telephone Mrs Paula Shales on 07797 725 957 between 9 am and 12 noon only.

I should like to thank you for the support you have shown by turning up to so many events this term. I should also like to thank your children for the enthusiasm and commitment they have shown in all areas of school life.

RICHARD DE FIGUEIREDO March 2009