Student Support

At SMMIS we care about your child’s wellbeing. With that in mind we ensure that students have access a variety of support networks.  We have an onsite School Counsellor, a strong Inclusion Team that provides learning support and English is taught as a Second or Additional Language. We have a nurse on site each day and offer a hot nutritious meal to our entire SMMIS community. Our day starts with a traditional prayer service or mindfulness to ensure our students start the day in a calm and relaxed way. We know that a mindful brain is a healthier brain. Research has shown that a mindfulness practice have extraordinary protective benefits for mental health especially during critical early adolescent years which is of increasing importance, particularly in our post-pandemic future.

English as a Second or Additional Language (ESAL)

At SMMIS we welcome students into our well-established English as a Second or Additional Language (ESAL) Programme. Our aim is always to ensure the social and emotional wellbeing of your child, as well as inculcating independence and resilience in pursuit of mastery of the English language. We work as a team to foster happy and successful learners. The expert teaching offered by our specialist ESAL team, in partnership with you and with our class teachers, enables students on the programme to benefit from the excellent learning opportunities taking place in all of our classrooms every day, as quickly as possible. The ESAL programme empowers learners to communicate confidently and effectively, and to develop the critical skills needed for 21st century adulthood. It promotes active learning, develops thinking skills and encourages intellectual engagement. We use the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is used around the world to map learners’ progression in English, to measure students’ progress. An English Proficiency test is taken as part of the admissions process. Based on this assessment, your child will nominally be considered either a Beginner or an Intermediate learner and a bespoke package of support aligned with the Cambridge International Primary, and Lower and Upper Secondary curricula will be put in place. Our programme develops a solid foundation for the further study of English either as a First Language, which is our goal, or as a second or additional language. Parents receive regular progress reports from our ESAL specialist teachers and are encouraged to attend our Parent Teacher Conferences to meet face to face. (Please note there is a chargeable fee for this service).

Mental Health, Wellbeing and Emotional Support at SMMIS

At SMMIS we believe that it is our pastoral duty to support and enhance the wellbeing of each and every child. Our nurturing and caring environment allows for children to feel safe and well supported, however, we recognise that there are times when students may require assistance from a school counsellor. We therefore ensure all students have access to free and confidential counselling services. Our school counsellor works closely with class teachers and the leadership team to ensure that students’ emotional and social needs are fully supported. Personal Social and Health Education is also part of our curriculum and we have a trained Nurse on site each day. 

Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At SMMIS we pride ourselves in having a small, yet very successful, Inclusion Department who work tirelessly in support of students with moderate additional needs. We take an inclusive and holistic approach in everything we do, and every child is respected and valued as an individual. Our small class sizes enable most students to be supported effectively in the general classroom setting, while some students will need small group or individual support from the Inclusion team. We are unable to support the learning of students with more complex needs.

Healthy Eating at SMMIS

Each day our chef and his team of professional staff prepare freshly made, delicious home cooked food for all of our students. A kosher hot meat or vegetarian meal is provided each day. At SMMIS we ensure a high standard of hygiene throughout our kitchen and food preparation areas, in line with NEA and SFA guidelines. Our highly trained staff attend Health and Safety and Food Hygiene courses regularly in line with Government directives.

Mindfulness

Each child at SMMIS, is invited to develop a personal mindfulness practice, focusing on supporting students wellbeing. Every morning students participate in yoga, meditation or traditional Jewish prayer. We believe that a mindful brain is a healthier brain, and these practices give our students choice about how to perceive the world around us - with eyes focused on loving kindness and compassion for the self and others. Research has shown these practices have extraordinary protective benefits (Dr Lisa Miller, The Awakened Brain) for mental health especially during critical early adolescent years which is of increasing importance, particularly in our post-pandemic future. They help us find a language and a way to co-exist which transcends division and embraces a collective pursuit for meaning, value, connection and hope. Meaningful principles and practices help our students develop and bring these tools forward throughout their lifetime.

Our two boys attended SMMIS for 5 years, and between them covered Grades 1-7. Most importantly, every single day, they left and returned home with smiles on their faces. They thrived socially and academically. Where they needed support to develop particular strengths they were stretched appropriately, and where they faced challenges, being a small school, they were given strong, personalised support. The school also nurtured new interests that we believe will be passions for life, around sports, poetry and music. We also loved that while the school has a strong Jewish ethos, they were able to interact and form friendships with children from all countries and backgrounds. Our children will always have fond memories of their happy years at SMMIS.

Anna and Alex - Parents

I’ve been a student to SMMIS for 6 years and finished my last year here. What is so great about this school is the great environment it’s created and the opportunities it provides for students to grow. The schools’ Jewish values really makes the school special as it teaches us to grow into better people and it really makes good friends. SMMIS is unique in the sense that students really enjoy coming to school to learn, and they don’t fall behind because of the immense amount of attention that the teachers give the students, and that is what I love about this school.

Georgia - Grade 10

I have been a student at SMMIS for 4 years and what is so amazing about this school is its extremely brilliant social and academic environment. I would compare this school to a small village, where everyone knows everyone; where everyone makes everyone a better person and a valuable member of society. What I really love about this school is that everyone is extremely supportive in every way, whether it be falling behind in class or of a student's wellbeing. It is amazing how the teachers give each student an immense amount of attention especially when they don't understand something, no matter the size of the class. The opportunities, the diversity, the kindness, love and respect everyone has for each other is what makes this school what it is and I love that.

Shreya - Grade 9

I have been a student at SMMIS for 5 years. I love the fact that everyone knows each other so we are able to build really strong relationships. SMMIS is unique because we can have a wonderful academic Jewish school but also have 6 religions and 31 nationalities. Teachers always put in the effort to make sure that learning is fun and interactive and everyone is really kind to each other. I will really miss this school and it will always have a place in my heart.

Arlan - Grade 7

I've been a student in this amazing school for almost 2 years. I love the community, and the fact that I know everyone and everyone knows me. I love coming to school to meet all my friends, and to meet the teachers who make the lessons exciting.

Daksh - Grade 7

I have been a student at SMMIS for 5 years and I think it is a very good school for learning about different cultures, religions and what's happening today in the world and its history. I am looking forward to learning more about the history of the world, geography and competitive sports in Secondary School.

Judah - Grade 5

I love the school because there is a fabulous swimming pool that you can learn how to dive and swim well. I also love it because of the values that everyone shows at the school such kindness, peace, respect and resilience. I love the school values because it will help you in the future when you are working - you'll be able to work in teams well and speak to each other kindly.

Amit - Grade 4

I like the teachers because they are very kind and them help me learn. I like to learn Chinese because it is fun and we learn through songs and dance.

Mia - Grade 1

I like playing football on the green field with my brothers and my friends at SMMIS. We get to tackle the others! I like learning about being peaceful and helping the teachers.

Tristan - Kinder 1

Our two boys attended SMMIS for 5 years, and between them covered Grades 1-7. Most importantly, every single day, they left and returned home with smiles on their faces. They thrived socially and academically. Where they needed support to develop particular strengths they were stretched appropriately, and where they faced challenges, being a small school, they were given strong, personalised support. The school also nurtured new interests that we believe will be passions for life, around sports, poetry and music. We also loved that while the school has a strong Jewish ethos, they were able to interact and form friendships with children from all countries and backgrounds. Our children will always have fond memories of their happy years at SMMIS.

Anna and Alex - Parents

I’ve been a student to SMMIS for 6 years and finished my last year here. What is so great about this school is the great environment it’s created and the opportunities it provides for students to grow. The schools’ Jewish values really makes the school special as it teaches us to grow into better people and it really makes good friends. SMMIS is unique in the sense that students really enjoy coming to school to learn, and they don’t fall behind because of the immense amount of attention that the teachers give the students, and that is what I love about this school.

Georgia - Grade 10

I have been a student at SMMIS for 4 years and what is so amazing about this school is its extremely brilliant social and academic environment. I would compare this school to a small village, where everyone knows everyone; where everyone makes everyone a better person and a valuable member of society. What I really love about this school is that everyone is extremely supportive in every way, whether it be falling behind in class or of a student's wellbeing. It is amazing how the teachers give each student an immense amount of attention especially when they don't understand something, no matter the size of the class. The opportunities, the diversity, the kindness, love and respect everyone has for each other is what makes this school what it is and I love that.

Shreya - Grade 9

I have been a student at SMMIS for 5 years. I love the fact that everyone knows each other so we are able to build really strong relationships. SMMIS is unique because we can have a wonderful academic Jewish school but also have 6 religions and 31 nationalities. Teachers always put in the effort to make sure that learning is fun and interactive and everyone is really kind to each other. I will really miss this school and it will always have a place in my heart.

Arlan - Grade 7

I've been a student in this amazing school for almost 2 years. I love the community, and the fact that I know everyone and everyone knows me. I love coming to school to meet all my friends, and to meet the teachers who make the lessons exciting.

Daksh - Grade 7

I have been a student at SMMIS for 5 years and I think it is a very good school for learning about different cultures, religions and what's happening today in the world and its history. I am looking forward to learning more about the history of the world, geography and competitive sports in Secondary School.

Judah - Grade 5

I love the school because there is a fabulous swimming pool that you can learn how to dive and swim well. I also love it because of the values that everyone shows at the school such kindness, peace, respect and resilience. I love the school values because it will help you in the future when you are working - you'll be able to work in teams well and speak to each other kindly.

Amit - Grade 4

I like the teachers because they are very kind and them help me learn. I like to learn Chinese because it is fun and we learn through songs and dance.

Mia - Grade 1

I like playing football on the green field with my brothers and my friends at SMMIS. We get to tackle the others! I like learning about being peaceful and helping the teachers.

Tristan - Kinder 1