Dear families,

Staff News

We will be sad to say goodbye to our departing staff: Gabby Paul, Physical Education Teacher; Sol Musk, Year 3/4 Learning Support Officer; and Rebecca McMenamin, Year 1/2 Teacher.

We thank each of them for their dedication, care, and commitment to our students and school community. They have contributed so much to St Michael’s, and we wish them every success and happiness as they begin their next adventure. They will be greatly missed.

We will also say a temporary farewell to our Numeracy Leader, Sonia Baba, who is taking a year of leave from teaching. We wish Sonia a wonderful and fulfilling year ahead and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

Stephanie Taylor had planned to return in 2026 however she has decided to take more time to care for her family. Stephanie's eldest daughter, Ella, begins school next year, and her youngest daughter, Mila, continues to undergo a range of therapies to support her movement and language development. Stephanie and her family are hopeful that Mila will soon be able to walk with the help of a walker.

In addition, Stephanie and her family have launched the INAD Foundation to raise awareness and provide support for families of children diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy. This important work, along with caring for her daughters, will require much of her time, so Stephanie will be taking another year of leave.

We keep all of these staff members in our thoughts and prayers and thank them sincerely for their service to our school.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I share the wonderful news that Hang and her husband, Stephen, are expecting their first child. Their baby is due in May 2026, so Hang will be with us for Term 1.

During this time Hang will continue in her role as Catholic Identity and Mission Leader, as well as teaching Prep each Monday. She will also mentor Nathan Fitzgerald, who will be stepping into Hang’s role while she is on maternity leave.

We are absolutely delighted for Hang and Stephen and wish them every joy and blessing during this special time of pregnancy.

We welcome back the following staff to our school for 2026:

Kate Johnston: Returning from parental leave

Sarah Nichol: Returning from parental leave

David Whimpey: Returning from a year's leave

We have the pleasure of welcoming the following new staff to our community:

Misty Hall: Classroom Teacher

Year 5/6 Teacher: We are currently interviewing for this position and will inform families as soon as an appointment has been made.

Learning Support Officer: We are in the process of interviewing for this position and will inform families as soon as an appointment has been made.

I am pleased and proud to announce our St Michael’s 2026 STAFF

2026 Leadership Team

Principal: Denise Hussey (3 days), Angela Flint (2 days)

Deputy Principal: Angela Flint (3 days), Lauren Doherty (2 days)

Catholic Identity and Mission Leader: Hang Cao (3 days Term 1), Nathan Fitzgerald (3 days, Term 2, 3, 4)

Wellbeing Leader: Angela Flint

Learning & Teaching Leader: Lauren Doherty (3 days)

Literacy Leader: Rita Arrigo (4 days)

Numeracy Leader: Georgia Foley Year P-2 (2 days), Abby Dionysiou Year 3-6 (2 days)

Diversity Leader: Lyn Nelson (3 days)

Digital Technology Leader: Claire Mathieson (1 day)

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader: Fiona Dunne (2 days)

Community Leader: Fiona Dunne (1 day fortnight), Sarah Nicol (1 day fortnight)

Discovery/Inquiry P-2 Leader: Tahlia Bogg (1 day) returning in Term 2

2026 Class Groups

Prep

Prep S: Samantha Smith (4 days), Hang Cao (1 day)

Prep D: Dianne Caspersz

Year 1/2

Year 1/2D: Diane Ortisi

Year 1/2GN: Georgia Foley (3 days), Nathan Fitzgerald (2 days)

Year 1/2L: Lucinda Goring

Year 3/4

Year 3/4C: Claire Mathieson (3 days), Alessia Chamberlin (2 days)

Year 3/4S: Susan Plant (4 days), Alessia Chamberlin (1 day)

Year 3/4T: Taliesha McCarty

Year 5/6

Year 5/6: Abby Dionysiou (2 day/3 day fortnight), Misty Hall (2 day/3 day fortnight)

Year 5/6: Fiona Dunne (2 day/3 day fortnight), Kate Johnston (2 day/3 day fortnight)

Year 5/6: Teacher to be confirmed

Children’s Class Group

Our dedicated teachers and leadership team spend countless hours carefully planning class groupings. They thoughtfully consider each child’s social, emotional, and academic needs, as well as their relationships with peers and staff, to ensure the best possible environment for them to thrive. While your child may not always get their preferred classmates or teacher, this is a valuable opportunity to build resilience, a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.

As parents, you play an essential role in shaping how your child views the changes ahead. A positive attitude from you can make all the difference. Reassure your child that change brings blessings, new friendships, new learning opportunities, and the chance to grow under the guidance of a teacher who will care deeply for them. Children who see change as an opportunity, develop adaptability and resilience, key skills for their future success.

You have a choice: Will you speak with enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead, or will you model uncertainty? Your outlook will directly influence your child’s experience.

Specialist Staff

LOTE- Japanese: Pippa Murray (3 days)

Music: Stacey Cheeseman (3 days)

Physical Education: Sarah Nicol (3 days)

Visual Arts: Luisa Vivarelli (3 days)

Intervention

Literacy: Anne Draper (4 days)

Learning Support Staff

Prep: Tilly Dixon, Courtney Barrett

Yr 1/2: Ash Burton, Diluka Wasala, Isabella Ye, Leanne Sali, Mimi Pickford, Nadi Qaqoz, Vicky Gazzola

Yr 3/4: Beck Cassano, Michael Jeffrey, Nataliia Plakhta

Yr 5/6: Rachel Phelan, Lette Pirotta

Administration Staff

Office Manager: Michelle Scheggia

Administration Officer: Samantha Beg

Principal 2026

I wish to formally share with you an important update regarding my role at St Michael’s. It has been a privilege to serve as Principal for the past ten years, and I remain deeply grateful for the trust and support you have extended to me throughout this time.

As I look ahead, I would like to advise that 2026 will be my final year as Principal of St Michael’s. In preparation for my retirement, I will transition to a three-day working week from the beginning of 2026, working Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

To ensure strong leadership continuity, Angela Flint, our Deputy Principal, will step into the Principal role on Mondays and Tuesdays. To support her in this, Lauren Doherty will take on the Deputy Principal role on those days. Throughout 2025, Angela has stepped into the Principal role on numerous occasions, demonstrating exceptional competence, leadership, and a deep commitment to our school community. I have every confidence in her ability to continue leading effectively in this capacity.

I would also like to acknowledge the stability and strength of our school at this time. St Michael’s is in an excellent position, as reflected in our MACSSIS and NAPLAN data, as well as the outstanding feedback received through our 2025 School Review.

Thank you sincerely for your ongoing support. I look forward to continuing to serve our community throughout 2026 and ensuring a smooth and positive transition for the years ahead.

2026 Term Dates:

Term 1: 27 January - 2 April (refer to school schedule below for children's start date)

Term 2: 20 April - 26 June

Term 3: 13 July - 18 September

Term 4: 6 October - 16 December

Week 1 2026

Monday 26th January:

Australia Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 27th January:

St Michael's Staff Begin

No formal classes

TheirCare Vacation Care is available

Wednesday 28th January:

Parent-Teacher Introduction Meetings All Children and Families

No formal classes

TheirCare Vacation Care is available

Thursday 29th January:

Prep Children begin school

Year 1 - Year 6 individual assessment meetings

No formal classes for Year 1-Year 6 children

TheirCare Vacation Care is available

Friday 30th January:

Prep Children at school

Year 1 - Year 6 individual assessment meetings

No formal classes for Year 1-Year 6 children

TheirCare Vacation Care is available

Monday 2nd February:

All children attend school: 8:45am - 3:25pm

2026 School Fees & Levies

Please see below the 2026 School Fees and Levies. We have aimed to keep increases to a reasonable level; however, some adjustments have been necessary due to rising operational and program costs across the school.

A reminder that school fees are charged per family, while levies are calculated per child.

We have also had to increase Camp fees to reflect the rising cost of camps and bus transport. In addition, we will be introducing a Year 6 Graduation Levy. In previous years, the school has worked to absorb the costs of the Graduation program and celebrations, but this is no longer sustainable.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure that our school continues to offer our children a rich and high-quality learning experience.

Please remember, if you are experiencing financial difficulty, I encourage you to make a time to meet with me. Together we can arrange a suitable payment plan that supports your family.

Important Update – School Communication App

Operoo is the current communication app used at our school; however, access to this App will cease before the end of 2025. This term, we will begin the process of transitioning to nForma, which we currently use for Attendance and Reporting. nForma will replace Operoo as our new school communication tool. Please use the QR code below or click here if using your phone to complete a profile for your child/children by Monday, 8th December. All families who have their profile/s completed on time will go in the draw to win a $50 Wish gift card!

Term 4 Dates

Term 4 is always full of many special events. Below are some that I ask you to please place in your calendar.

7/12 - Sacrament of Confirmation Yr 5/6
8/12 - Student Achievement Awards Ceremony
9/12 - Step Up Day
11/12 - Yr 6 Graduation
16/12 - End of School Year

Social Media Age Restrictions

On 10th December, Australia will introduce a world-first law setting the minimum age for social media use at 16 years. This decision reflects growing concern about the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing and aims to create safer online spaces for our young people.

Here is a link to the eSafety Commissioner's website for more information and parent resources:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

Have a wonderful week of GREATNESS

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.

St Michael's Primary School Newsletter

"Where I'm Known"

Issue 19 · 05 Dec 2025

In this issue