ST. MICHAEL’S PREPARATORY

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 2014

Swansea University come to St. Michael’s

Preparatory School

Start of term: Monday 5th

January 2015

Half term: Monday 16th

February 2015 – Friday 20

th February 2015

End of term: Friday 27th

March 2015

SPRING TERM DATES

SUMMER TERM DATES Start of term: Monday 13

th April 2015

Half term: Monday 25th

May 2015 – Friday 29

th May 2015

End of term: Wednesday 8th

July 2015

Lego robots are technical machines that can be programmed by a computer. Preps 2 – 4 had the fantastic opportunity of experiencing Lego robotics, at a workshop set up by Swansea University. There was first an interesting and informative PowerPoint on what robots are. Following this, we programmed the Lego brick Wall-E robot to move along a set path. Finally a red and white Lego brick cobra was displayed. It had a sensor to detect black and white. So we then made a black and white path for it, which it slithered down, attacking obstructions on the path. It was an amazing experience! By Taimur Khan, Prep 3

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Children in Need

Pupils went ‘Potty for Pudsey’ for Children in Need. The Preparatory School raised £270 by dressing up and holding a cake sale. Well done to you all!

Other Events

Jack Cummine

Ellen Rosser Monisha Premkumar William Morgan Aryan Chaudhry

Head boy

Head girl Holly Robinson

Prefects

McMillan Cancer

A coffee morning was held at the ELC to raise funds for this charity. There was a great show of support, many thanks for your support.

Internet Safety Talk The PTA AGM included a talk from Ms Andrea Jones regarding the issues of Internet Safety. Many thanks to her for giving up her time and sharing her expertise.

Armistice Day

We were very proud to have members of the Infant Department attend the Remembrance service at Llanelli Cenotaph on Armistice Day.

Bronze Ambassadors

Frankie Giannini William Morgan

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Preparatory Pupils Present ‘ Born in a Barn’

Born in a Barn: photographs by www.seriousphotography.co.uk

This year’s Nativity performance was very traditional, but told through the eyes of the animals that were in the stable at Bethlehem. The children at the Early Learning Centre were fantastic on the day and made us all very proud. There were a host of animals telling the story. At the stable we caught sight of Mary and Joseph nursing baby Jesus, whilst the angels watched over them. The Preparatory Children then performed their own version of ‘Twas the day before Christmas for teachers’. They all worked hard to learn their lines in preparation and I’m sure will be singing the songs for many weeks to come!

DVDs and photographs are still for sale. Please contact Serious Photography for more details.

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Around the classes

Nursery & Reception

Pre-Prep 2

Pre-Prep 1

The new school year has certainly started with a bang! From working on the theme of 'Colour', visiting St.Fagans, visits from PC Sharon, Autumn walks, rehearsing for the Nativity and preparing for Christmas, the Nursery and Reception children have been very busy. Next term we are looking forward to our new theme : 'Castles'.

It has been a very busy term in Pre-Prep 1 and the children have been working hard. They have designed and made their very own healthy eating fruit kebabs and they have investigated the brightness of different light sources. They have also visited Beti Bwt in St.Fagans National History Museum where they learnt all about a washday long ago and how to wash Grannies Bloomers!

Pre-Prep 2 attended the Remembrance Day service at Llanelli Town Hall on the 11th November 2014. We were the only school who attended in the rain and were complemented on our outstanding behaviour. The children had studied this special day as part of their History topic.

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Around the classes

Prep 1

Prep 3

Prep 2

Prep 3

Prep 4

We have had a really busy term in Prep 3 so far, including 2 fabulous trips. One to Cog

Moors Waste Water Treatment Plant and the other more recently, to Craig Y Nos Country Park where we looked at all thing Victorian –

we even made some beautiful Victorian Christmas decorations.

We find ourselves at the end of the first term this year and Prep 2 have enjoyed a busy term filled with lots of learning and plenty of fun. They enjoyed learning about the Egyptians and particularly enjoyed their visit to the Egyptian Centre. They got to dress up as Pharaohs and Gods and handled three thousands year old artefacts. Mrs Bennett and Ms Rees would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The pupils in Prep 1 have settled well into the routine of the juniors. We have worked hard and achieved so much. The children particularly enjoyed learning about the Romans, especially making their shields.

During a Computer Science Workshop they had an opportunity to look inside and rebuild a computer.

Prep 4 have been on three interesting trips – Craig y Nos, 1940’s Swansea Bay and Laugharne (Dylan Thomas). Their favourite was 1940’s Swansea Bay, where Prep 4 thoroughly enjoyed dressing up in a variety of uniforms and clothes from World War Two.

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Sporting Events

Urdd Swimming Tournament

St Michael’s Cross Country Pupils from St.Michael’s headed to Carmarthen for the annual Carmarthenshire Primary schools Cross Country championships on Thursday 25th September. The team performed extremely well with every member of the team placing well in a very competitive race. Caleb in Prep four ran in the senior race and came across some tough competition. However he held his own and placed 3rd which is an incredible achievement considering the tough conditions. Well done to all the runners who competed.

Bronze Ambassadors Our very own Frankie Giannini and William Morgan were elected to train as Bronze Ambassadors for sport. They have been spending their free time training other Prep pupils in team sports. We are very proud!

Tennis We are delighted to inform you that Rhea was chosen to play a National tennis tournament in orange ball held at Bolton Sports Arena on the 2nd Nov. She is one among the top 16 players in the whole of the U.K to have a direct acceptance for this tournament. The acceptance is based on the current national ranking. Football

Congratulations to Prep 3 & 4 football team who are going through to the County finals!

The Prep swim team headed to Llanelli for the annual URDD swimming gala on

Tuesday the 11th of November. It was a very exciting day with lots of close races and

some outstanding performances. A massive well done to all the pupils who placed in the

top three in their races, especially the boys and girls relay teams who gave us such

exciting and nerve wracking race. Bring on next year.

URDD Primary School Netball Tournament

Prep 4 girls played outstandingly and beat Penygaer, Dewi Sant, Y Felin, Y Castell and Swiss Valley convincingly. The girls have earned a place in the next round in January. Well done to all who took part.

Hockey A fantastic day of hockey and multi skills for Prep 2 pupils.

Chess Jack Cummine Prep 4 came in the top 10 graded list of the West Wales League Junior Division. Many congratulations!

Upcoming Prep Events 2015 Swansea Valley born Artist Beatrice Williams will be holding a workshop session with Preps 3 & 4 during the Spring Term.

St. Michael’s School Bryn Llanelli SA14 9TU Office: 01554 820325 Out of School Club: 07949 398665 office@stmikes.co.uk

www.stmikes.co.uk

Contact us

We have formed a partnership with Swansea Tennis Academy who will be training Reception Class initially before moving on to Pre-Preps in January. Details to follow.

Christmas Holiday Club Opening Dates 8.30am – 4.30pm

Thursday 11

th December

Monday 15

th December

Tuesday 16th

December Wednesday 17

th December

Thursday 18th

December Friday 19

th December

Reserve your place by telephoning the school.

PTA Many thanks for the help and support of our proactive PTA. Their contributions allow us to purchase additional items for the school. Visit

our website for next PTA meeting.

Recent contributions/events:

Portable Keyboard for the ELC

Considerable contribution for each pupil towards Christmas Cinema Trip

Hallowe’en Disco

Internet safety talk

School Ball

May I also extend my thanks to Mr & Mrs Edwards at the Playking for their contribution

towards the Prep Party, it is much appreciated.

A Boden party will be held during the evening of Tuesday 3rd March 2015 at the ELC. Save the date! More details to follow.

House Points Bryn were this term’s winning

team Best Boys: William Morgan &

Steffan Urquhart Rocco Biorrelli & Yuvraj Dale

Best Girls: Monisha Premkumar & Sophie Locking