From the Principal

Dear St Michael’s School families,

Prayer

Pope Leo XIV has declared a special Year of St. Francis from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. This jubilee, focused on peace, encourages us to "follow the example of the Saint of Assisi"

WELCOME

We take this opportunity to welcome some new staff to St Michael's School this year! Whilst they will have been mentioned in our newsletters towards the end of last year we acknowledge the following new staff beginning with us:

Mrs Carolyn Wilson - Year Three / Four Blue

Miss Shae Jesson - Year Five/Six Blue

Miss Rebecca Taylor - Year Five/Six Green

Ms Melanie Ford - Performing Arts

Miss Alannah Morris - STEM Tuesdays

Miss Jordy Pignolet - Learning Support Officer

Miss Megan Hall - Learning Support Officer

We also welcome back Ms Ann, who was on long long services leave from Term Two last year. Ann works in Year One/Two R on Fridays. 4. Additionally we welcome back Mrs Emma Quinless who was on parental leave last year. Emma is in the Learning Diversity Leadership role again this year.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DAY

We hope by now you have marked this special day in your family calendar. All are invited to celebrate 80 years of St Michael's School and Parish. Keep it free and we'll see you there!

PARENT / TEACHER LEARNING CONVERSATIONS AND REPORTING 2026

You may recall completing a survey late last year, issued by the School Advisory Council (S.A.C.), seeking your feedback on our Parent / Teacher / Student Learning Meetings and Reporting processes. The S.A.C. reviewed this input at its December meeting, and our staff then explored the findings further during one of our final professional meetings of 2025.

Taking this collective feedback into account, we will begin the year with Snapshot Conversations this term, during which parents meet with their child’s teacher without students present. These initial conversations are designed to give you an opportunity to share insights about your child, while teachers will provide a brief update on how your child has settled into the school year and share some preliminary Literacy and Numeracy data.

These meetings will take place on Wednesday 4th March from 1.30-7.00pm in your child's classroom. PLEASE NOTE school will finish at 1pm on this day in order that teachers can conduct these meetings. TheirCare will be notified should you require care for the afternoon. 

We ask please that you complete the following form and send it to your child's teacher before the meeting OR bring it with you to discuss. Paper copies of these can be found through the office or your child's classroom. Times for you to book will be made available next week.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE & PLAY

All are invited to the PFA's Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Play event. Keep the afternoon of Tuesday 17th February free as children will share pancakes with their friends and family and are welcome to stay after school for a play on the Biggie. More details to come!

YEAR THREE TO SIX SWIMMING PROGRAM

By all accounts the students have been enjoying the Swimming lessons at Ashburton Pool. Thank you to the many parents who have assisted in walking us to the pool. The Swimming Carnival will be held NEXT TUESDAY from 9.30am in the outdoor pool. Families are welcome to attend as spectators. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend this year but Mrs Eloise Ellis will be there in my place.

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

This year our School Photo Day is being held on Wednesday 11th March. We ask that all students are dressed in full Academic School Uniforms with their school jumpers on this day with school shoes. If their PE session is scheduled on this day students may bring runners to school for the session.

MEDICATION AUTHORITY FORM

Please find attached below our Medication Authority Form. Any medication which is required to be administered to your child at school or during a school activity must be clearly indicated on this form. The form needs to be signed by an authorised AHPRA registered medical / health practitioner (in some cases this can be the pharmacist). Original packaging with the student's name and dosage needs to be provided along with this form. Please read the details on this form before bringing any medication to school.

STUDENTS' TECHNOLOGY USER AGREEMENTS

This week our classroom teachers have reviewed the Technology User Agreements with their class so that all have had the chance to understand the expectations and safety needs around the use of these devices at school. Please take the time to review these yourselves as parents so you are also aware of these expectations.

ST MICHAEL'S FEES & LEVIES

School fees and levies invoices will be sent out shortly to all families. Please find the Payment Committment Form below. This needs to be completed by every famiy and returned to the school office as soon as possible. Thank you

A reminder that families with a Health Care card may be entitled to a reduction in fees.

Please speak to Kathy Muhllechner in the school office if you have one.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Kathy at office@smashburton.catholic.edu.au or call on 9885 3105.

ST MICHAEL'S VEGGIE GARDEN

We kicked off the planting in the garden this week with Three/Four R planting some lovely lettuce seedlings. We can't wait until they're ready to harvest and we can share them with our community! We ask all families to send back (or please bring in) some gardening gloves for your child in plastic zip lock bags as soon as you can. Every class will have a turn at gardening this term.

OPEN DAYS 2026

St Michael's Open days are set and advertised on our website. We ask that if you know anyone looking to enrol in Prep for 2027 to please share these dates and times with them and urge them to register for one of these dates through our website.

SACRAMENTAL DATES

Is your child ready to prepare for and receive one of the Sacraments this year? Please see our 2026 Parent Handbook for dates of all Sacraments for 2026, as well as lots of other vital information.

PARENT & EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

We ask please that all parents please check the Nforma portal to ensure that your phone numbers are correct and also your emergency contact information. If a child is sick at school, parent numbers will be called, followed by emergency contacts if we are unable to get in touch with you.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP OF STUDENTS

In the interests of safety for ALL, we ask that parents abide the following safety measures during drop off and pick up times:

• When coming from Victory Boulevard, please walk around the corner onto High Street and not through the staff carpark.
• Park only on the side streets or church carpark, leaving school grounds for pedestrians only
• When parking on the West side of Morotai Avenue, please leave your car to collect your child so they do not need to walk across the street.

EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS

Are your children interested in after school Cricket, Drama, Tennis, Chess Club, Coding Club (year 3-6), or music lessons during school hours?

Check out the fliers in our Community News section.

SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM

Did you know that you can access a Social Skills Program for your child while they are at school? The Social Domain is run by a qualified Speech Pathologist, Atara Lebransky, who works positively with children in developing their social skills, using games and stories. See the topics covered here on the flier. Feel free to phone The Social Domain to inquire about how your child can benefit from a program such as this and how to enrol.

ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY BLOG

St Michael's School has partnered with Advanced Psychology with a psychologist working onsite weekly. This link takes you to a blog with podcasts / webinars that deal with a variety of topics which might be of interest to parents and teachers. 

https://www.advancedpsychology.net/blogs

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, play, pray, work and gather. 

We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and we honour the ongoing cultural, spiritual and educational contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.