Dear Families,

Staff News

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Sarah Nicol, our PE and Yr 2FS teacher, and her husband Matthew are expecting their first child. They are very excited and over the moon with happiness. Sarah will stay working here until the end of Term 2 when she will commence her parental leave. I know that you will all wish them every happiness as they begin their 'family' journey!

Enrolments

Enrolments for Prep 2023 are now open and being accepted. If you have a child ready for school in 2023 please drop into the office and collect an enrolment form. Brothers and Sisters of current students are allocated a place for Prep next year but you need to complete an enrolment form and hand it into the office before the end of May.

We had many new families join us for our Open Day this week and we are looking forward to them joining our school community next year. If you have any friends, family or neighbours needing to choose a school for their child, please tell them about St Michael's as your recommendations are the best way to attract new enrolments.

Catholic Education Week and St Patrick's Day

This week is Catholic Education Week, a time to celebrate all that is good about Catholic Education and it also marks St Patrick's Day, 17th March.

St Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland and Melbourne and our Catholic Cathedral in the city is named after him. He was born in England and it is believed he brought Christianity to Ireland. As the Irish people came to Australia many came to Melbourne and in fact, many first resided in the North Melbourne area. The first Mercy nun to be principal of St Michael's school was Sr Patrick who was named after St Patrick.

We celebrated St Patrick's Day yesterday by wearing a touch of green and by learning a little bit of Irish Dancing from Irish Dancers, Patrick Gigacs and Shannon Gore from Christine Ayres Dancing School in Essendon. Steven also took our School Leaders Sunny and Danny, to represent our school at the St Patrick's Day Mass for all Catholic Schools at St Patrick's Cathedral in the city.

Variety Zoo Excursion

St Michael's has been fortunate enough to be invited by Variety, the Children's Charity to attend their inaugural Zoo Day on Tuesday 22nd March. We will be attending as a whole school as it will be an opportunity to celebrate Harmony day and doing something fun altogether.

Variety has also given us limited extra tickets for families and siblings to attend so if you wish to come along to the Zoo on Tuesday please let the office know as soon as possible so we can reserve your tickets.

Staff Professional Learning Days

Last Thursday and Friday the staff all came together to complete our Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM) Training. During these 2 days we worked together and engaged in amazing learning experiences. We also had time to make connections with each other as staff rarely get the time to sit and talk with each other during a normal school week. Erin has included a report of the days in our 'I Spy' section.

Winter Uniform

It is hard to believe that we only have 3 weeks of Term 1 remaining. As you know children begin wearing their Winter Uniform at the start of Term 2. You can purchase the items of Winter Uniform that you need for your child from Top School Wear on the following dates:

Tuesday 22nd March - cancelled due to school excursion to the Zoo

Tuesday 29th March - 2:30pm - 3:45pm

Tuesday 5th April - 3:15pm - 3:45pm

End of Term

It is hard to believe that Term 1 is coming to an end, our last day for the term is Friday 8th April. We return for Term 2 on Tuesday 26th April as Monday 25th April is ANZAC Day, a Public Holiday.

Denise Hussey

(Principal)

'The most simple thing I can do is to be good today but better tomorrow'

Catherine McAuley - Mercy Sisters Foundress

All students attending St Michael's Primary School have the right to feel safe. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.

Extracurricular Activities