Denise's Message
SCHOOL HATS ARE COMPULSORY IN TERM 4 AND MUST BE WORN EACH DAY.
Welcome Back to Term 4!
Welcome back to Term 4, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic holiday and enjoyed some special time with your family and friends. It’s wonderful to see everyone’s smiling faces back at school, ready for another exciting term of learning and fun.
This is our final term for the year, and it’s going to be a big one! Our teachers have planned lots of amazing and engaging learning experiences across all year levels, as well as some special events and celebrations to enjoy together. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone continue to learn, grow, and make the most of every opportunity as we finish the school year strong.
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.
- 21/11 Teacher Appreciation Day
- 22/10-23/10 Yr 3/4 Camp
- 28/10 Grandparents' Morning
- 30/10 School Advisory Council Meeting
- 3/11 School Closure Day
- 4/11 Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
- 25/11 School Closure Day
- 7/12 Sacrament of Confirmation Yr 5/6
- 16/12 End of School Year
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF CLOSURE DAY
FROM FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER TO TUESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER.
This change needed to be made due to a change in the availability of the venue for the staff professional learning day.
Staff News
Welcome Back and Farewell
We welcome back all staff who have been on leave — some returning from exciting overseas adventures! We hope you all had a wonderful time away and created some lifelong memories.
A special welcome back to Sam, our Administration Officer. During the June/July school holidays, Sam had an unfortunate fall, injuring her foot. Initially, she thought it was just a minor sprain, but after returning to school and finding it was still sore, a visit to the doctor revealed significant damage to her ankle, requiring surgery. Her recovery has been long and challenging, but we’re so pleased that she is now mobile enough to return to work. It’s wonderful to have her back with us!
We also extend a big thank you to Adrianna, who kindly stepped in to support the office a couple of days each week during Sam’s absence. It was such a reassurance to have someone who already knew our community so well. Thank you, Adrianna, for your time, care, and flexibility.
It’s fabulous to have everyone back on deck again!
It is with great sadness that we farewell Tracey Norman-Bernie, one of our treasured Learning Support Officers, who finished with us at the end of Term 2. Tracey and her husband had been planning a move to the beach in the future, but their plans were fast-tracked, and they are about to settle into their new home on the Peninsula.
Tracey joined St Michael’s in 2022 and has supported our students and staff in the Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 areas. She has been deeply dedicated to assisting children in their learning and ensuring that school is always a safe and welcoming place for them. Her genuine care and commitment to the wellbeing of every child have been truly exemplary.
Tracey will be greatly missed by students, staff, and families alike. We wish her and her husband every happiness as they begin this exciting new chapter by the sea.
Term 4 School Uniform
Term 4 sees us move into our Summer School Uniform. As the weather is often unpredictable, children will be able to continue wearing their Winter Uniform for the first two weeks of term 4. A reminder that children are not permitted to wear a mix of summer and winter uniforms. Our uniform shop is open each Tuesday afternoon and orders can be placed online and collected at the school office.
Wearing Our Uniform with Pride
We wear our school uniform with pride and dignity, showing our community how proud we are to belong to St Michael’s.
A reminder that uniform pieces that are torn, frayed, or have holes are not acceptable. Families are encouraged to replace any worn items to help maintain our high standard of presentation. New uniform pieces are available through our uniform shop, and Susan also has a range of quality second-hand items in stock.
Melbourne Cup Tour
The Melbourne Cup Visits St Michael’s!
We were very privileged to receive a visit from the famous Melbourne Cup! The Cup has travelled all over Australia and even overseas — and on Tuesday, 7 October, it made a special stop at St Michael’s.
It was wonderful to see so many children getting into the spirit of the day by dressing up and creating fantastic hats for our parade. A special congratulations to Amelia in Year 3/4, who designed and made her own jockey silks, replicating those worn by Michelle Payne, who rode the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance.
The staff from the Victorian Racing Club and Danny O’Brien Racing Stables were extremely impressed by our students — their enthusiasm, curiosity, and respectful attention throughout the presentation were outstanding. The children learned about the Cup’s rich history, how the racehorses are cared for, and the craftsmanship behind the Cup itself. They were amazed to discover that it’s worth more than $800,000, and that a brand new one is made each year!
A big thank you also to all the families who joined us for this exciting event — many were just as eager as the children to have their photo taken with the Cup!
Mobile Phones and Smart Devices
A reminder to families that if your child brings a mobile phone to school, it must be handed into the office upon arrival and collected again at the end of the day.
It’s also important to note that smart watches or other devices that can connect to the internet or be used to make or receive calls should also be handed into the office each morning or prevented from using the internet and making calls.
Students are not permitted to make or receive mobile phone calls during the school day. If you need to contact your child, please do so through the school office.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation in helping us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.
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.