CLOSURE DAY - FRIDAY 19TH JUNE

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - NUMERACY - FOCUS ON TEACHING FLUENCY & NUMBER SKILLS

ALL DAY CARE AVAILABLE WITH THEIR CARE

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of Semester 1, it is an important time to reflect on each child’s learning journey and share their progress with families.

Throughout the year, our teachers have continued to align their teaching practices with the MACS Vision for Instruction, implementing evidence-based strategies and best practice approaches across all learning areas. They have drawn upon professional learning from educational experts to tailor learning experiences that meet the individual needs of every child in their care.

The growth and achievements of each student will be shared through their Semester 1 written report and during the Parent, Child and Teacher Conversations. These conversations provide a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s successes, acknowledge their progress, and discuss goals for continued growth throughout Semester 2.

Semester 1 reports will be available through the nForma Portal during the final week of Term 2.

Parent, Child and Teacher Conversations will be held on Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June. We encourage all families to make a time to meet with their child’s teacher. Interview bookings will also be available with our Specialist Teachers: Pippa (Japanese), Stacey (Music), Sarah (Physical Education), and Luisa (Visual Arts).

Our preference is for interviews to take place in person. A limited number of online interview times will be available; however, phone interviews will not be offered.

If you require assistance accessing your child’s report or booking an interview time, please contact the school office.

End of Term

Term 2 will end on Thursday 25th June. Children will be dismissed at 2:00pm. Parent, Child and Teacher Conversations will be held on Thursday 25th June, 2:15pm-5:30pm and on Friday 26th June, 8:45pm - 1:30pm

Staff News

It is with great excitement that I share with you Ashleigh Burton's (LSO Yr 1/2L) news. Ash and her partner Thomas Howard are so happy to announce their engagement. She just can't take the smile off her face, and neither can I, as Tom just happens to be my son!

It is also a pleasure to announce the appointment of Harumi Thornton as our new Japanese teacher for Semester 2. Pippa will be here at the beginning of Term 3 to complete a thorough handover. I wish Harumi well for her time at St Michael's and know that, along with all our staff and me, you will warmly welcome her into our St Michael's community.

Emergency Evacuation Drill

As part of our Emergency Management Policy, we are required to conduct either an Emergency Evacuation Drill or a Lockdown Drill each term. During Term 1, we practised a Non-Discreet Lockdown (a non-urgent lockdown procedure). Towards the end of next week, we will be conducting an Emergency Evacuation Drill.

Prior to the drill, staff will discuss the process with students and ensure they understand what will happen and why these procedures are important. We conduct these drills to prepare both staff and students in the event of a real emergency, ensuring that we can respond safely and effectively to keep everyone in our community safe.

Please be aware that the evacuation drill will involve the sounding of sirens. We encourage you to speak with your child beforehand to reassure them that this is simply a practice exercise designed to help keep everyone safe. Students will be supported by staff throughout the process and their wellbeing will remain our priority at all times.

Australia's Best Teachers Campaign

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools are again partners in the Australia’s Best Teacher Campaign.

Our teachers are extremely dedicated and passionate about their work, and they spend a great deal of time outside of school hours preparing thoughtful and inspiring lessons for your child to engage with. I encourage you to recognise their exceptional work by taking this opportunity to nominate them for this award.

Australia’s Best Teachers – nomination form

Please take a few minutes to nominate your favourite St Michael's Teacher!

Closure Day

Our next Closure Day is on Friday 19th June. On this day our staff will be working with Dr Angela Rogers. Dr Ange is an experienced and passionate Numeracy Consultant, PhD researcher, and expert in Primary Mathematics Education from Melbourne.

The focus of the day will be on key numeracy concepts, whole-school strategies, and effective classroom practices. All of the staff are looking forward to learning alongside Ange.

All day care is available with TheirCare; please ensure you make a booking prior to the day.

Principal Selection Process

The application period for the appointment of the next Principal of St Michael’s, led by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, has now closed.

MACS will now review and ratify applications received before moving to the interview process. The timing for this part of the process has not yet been finalised.

Let us continue to keep this process in our prayers, ensuring St Michael’s is guided by the very best leadership into the future.

Acting Principal & Acting Deputy Principal, Term 2

I am pleased to announce that, in the interim, Angela Flint will step into the full-time role of Acting Principal until the newly appointed Principal commences their tenure.

Angela is an exceptionally capable and experienced leader who has already been undertaking many of these responsibilities on the days I have been absent throughout this year and last. Her knowledge of our school community and commitment to St Michael’s will ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Angela will be ably supported by Lauren Doherty, our Learning and Teaching Leader, who will step into the full-time role of Acting Deputy Principal. Together, Angela and Lauren will provide strong leadership and continuity for our school.

I am confident that St Michael’s will continue to be exceptionally well led by these talented and dedicated professionals, who will have the full support of our staff and the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) team.

Building Update

We now have access to our new Art room and the full library corridor. Luisa is excitedly preparing the new room for Art lessons next week. Our new Music room is due to be completed before the end of Term 2. Families are invited to visit and view the new spaces after-school on Thursday 18th June between 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm.

Kind regards,

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.

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