Our Community
'Parents have said "I am delighted that my children have had the benefit of attending this school - this school has a wonderful community feel". OFSTED September '22
'Partnerships with the local community demonstrate the school's commitment to 'encouraging the best in others'. SIAMS March '24
Welcome to our community page, where we believe that collaboration with our community is essential for fostering a vibrant and enriching learning environment. At St Michael's, we believe that engaging with our local community not only enhances the children's ability to learn, but also strengthens the bonds that connect us all.
By working together, we create opportunities for our pupils to develop valuable skills, gain real-world experience, and become active, responsible citizens;
🎓 And the Learning Goes On! 🌟
Celebrating progress, achievement, and the joy of discovery every step of the way!
EDUCATIONAL VISITS:
Our curriculum is also brought alive through a variety of educational visits to various places of interest in the wider community. We value the opportunities such visits offer our lovely pupils. Whether it is a day trip to the beach, a museum, or a castle, school trips are very much part of our curriculum, and we believe they enhance this. 2 residential trips in Years 5 and 6 to Newby Whiske and Ingleborough are described as highlights for our pupils. Residential trips in particular help our pupils with their personal development, social skills, the importance of learning beyond the classroom, connecting with nature & of course, these trips will have a lifelong, positive impact.
WHOLE SCHOOL THEMED DAYS/WEEKS:
Throughout the year, themed days/weeks are woven into our curriculum to extend the breadth and balance of exciting opportunities that we offer to our pupils. These include – Science Week, World Book Day, Book Author Weeks (e.g. Roald Dahl), Internet Safety Week, VE Day, R.E Days…and much, much more!
VISITORS IN TO SCHOOL:
Visitors have a valuable role to play and can contribute to many aspects of the life and work of our school.
Visitors, including the police, local fire fighters, health care professionals, and local community experts such as Calderdale libraries, deliver talks, 
workshops and full day activities across a wide range of subjects, giving our pupils access to outside experiences and expertise, whilst providing a valuable link with the wider community to promote positive citizenship amongst our children. We also have regular visits from the local Church who conduct our ‘Open the Book’ worships, bringing the bible to life!
Other visitors like artists, authors, musicians, etc., provide our children with exciting opportunities to learn new skills.
OUTDOOR LEARNING:
At St Michael’s we love a bit of outdoor learning!
Children are stimulated by the outdoors, where they can undertake a range of practical activities to support and enhance learning across the curriculum.
Our Reception and Key Stage One children benefit from activities outside, such as tending growing beds to producing fruit and vegetables.
Our wonderful nature garden brings learning to life and a love of curiosity. Further up the school, opportunities are built into the curriculum for children to continue learning beyond the classroom.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Throughout the year we offer a varied and unusual menu of after-school and lunch clubs to all of our pupils. These are incredibly popular amongst our children and are typically over-subscribed. These opportunities are designed to provide a pleasant social experience for all that attend, as well as the chance to learn new skills!! Forest School, Choir, LEGO Club, Clay Club, Cross Country & Netball are just some of what is on offer!
SPREADING JOY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY:
Spreading joy within our local community is something we love to do. Every year, we conduct our Christmas Angel project, where members of our school community crochet beautiful angels and attach a prayer to them. Children then deliver these throughout the local community at Christmastime – it has become somewhat of a tradition and the local community watch out for them every year! In addition, here are some of the other things we do:
Children deliver Christmas cards to the local area and local businesses
Children visit the nearby care home to sing to the residents and take mince pies.
Every year, we invite the local community to join our school for a Christmas Carol Concert that we host at the local park which is central to the village.
Children partake in the annual Shelf gala, even helping set this up!!!! This is a big event and something we are always proud to be a part of – even in the procession - have a scroll through below!
KINDNESS:
As a school, we raise money throughout the year for various causes. We have worked with the Halifax Community Kitchen and people’s generous food donations to school have then been passed out to members of our community who need this.
We also conduct our annual shoebox appeal with the local Rotary Club, where families are encouraged to fill shoe boxes with different items that can then be distributed to members of our community.
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
We value our parents and feel it is very important that they are a part of their children’s learning journey at St Michael’s. To that end, we have several things in place which involve our lovely parents. Here are some of these:
- Parent Voice
- Parent Workshops
- Stay and Play
- Booknic
AND ALL OF THESE OTHER BRILLIANT THINGS!
Young Voices
Colour Run
Frozen Friday's
Ukulele lessons
Active Bands
Children In Need
Comic Relief
Poppy Appeal
Choir
We have a school choir for Years 4 and above. They meet to rehearse at lunchtimes and enjoy performing at any opportunity. They have performed in school assemblies as well as at St Michael's Church during their Christmas Angel Fest.
Our choir relished an opportunity to sing at The Big Sing at Victoria Theatre in Halifax and at a showcase event at Brighouse High School.
They can not wait to be able to get singing together once again and spread some musical joy in our local community.