Denise's Message

Welcome Back

It’s been wonderful to see our students return this term – full of energy, smiles, and stories from their holidays. We hope the break was restful and filled with fun for all our families.

We’re looking forward to a busy and exciting term ahead, with plenty of great learning opportunities and community events planned.

Please remember to check the school calendar, which is shared with families every second Friday, and keep an eye on our school noticeboard for weekly updates and upcoming events.

Let’s make it a fantastic Term 3 together!

Principal Long Service Leave

I will be taking four weeks of Long Service Leave, beginning on Monday, 11th August and returning at the start of Week 8 on Monday, 8th September. During this time, I will be travelling with my husband and friends to Africa. We are fortunate to be visiting South Africa—including Johannesburg and Cape Town—Botswana, and other regions. One of the highlights of our trip will be going on safari, where we hope to see the “Big Five” game animals: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. I’m very excited about the adventure ahead!

While I’m away, the school will be in the very capable hands of Angela Flint, who will take on the role of Acting Principal, and Hang Cao, who will step into the role of Acting Deputy Principal. I know the school community will be well supported during this time.

Congratulations Makhoul Family

We extend our congratulations and well wishes to Jeanette, Christian, Isaac and Aiden on the safe arrival of Maya Sabrina Makhoul. Maya has two caring brothers in Isaac and Aiden who we are certain will cherish and protect their little sister.

Coffee Shop

It has come to our attention that some families and students have been visiting the nearby coffee shop before school and bringing hot drinks onto the school grounds.

For child safety reasons, we strongly advise that children do not visit shops before or after school unless accompanied by an adult. Additionally, bringing hot drinks into the school can pose a safety risk.

If you choose to take your child to the café before school, we ask that any hot drinks be finished before entering the school grounds. Students who arrive at school with hot drinks will be required to sit on the benches and finish them before the bell. Hot drinks are not permitted in classrooms, and any unfinished drinks will need to be disposed of.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.

100 Days of Prep

Congratulations to our wonderful Prep children who have now completed 100 days of school – and what a journey it has been! It's hard to believe how quickly the time has flown.

Today, our Prep students enjoyed a fantastic celebration with each other and their families, marking this special milestone by embracing all things “100.”

In just a short time, they have achieved so much, growing in confidence, independence, and curiosity. They have already become valued and vibrant members of our school community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to their families for the support they’ve provided in helping their children settle so beautifully into school life.

A special thank you also to our dedicated Prep team – Sam, Dianne, Tilly, Courtney, Isabella, and Mimi – for their care, enthusiasm, and commitment.

We look forward to seeing our Prep students continue to grow and flourish throughout the rest of the year and beyond.

Mobile Phones

A reminder to all families that if your child is bringing a mobile phone to school, it must be handed into the office before school. Children are not permitted to have or use their mobile devices when on school premises. If your child is seen with a phone onsite, it will be confiscated, and a parent will be required to come and collect it.

SAC Meeting

Our Term 3 School Advisory Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 7th August. If you have any items you would like raised at this meeting, please contact one of our parent members. You can find their details on the School Advisory page of this newsletter.

Staff Professional Learning – Tuesday & Wednesday Afternoons

A reminder to families that our staff participate in Professional Learning meetings each Tuesday and Wednesday after school, commencing at 3:35 pm.

We kindly ask that you avoid requesting meetings with your child’s educators during these times. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact your child’s teacher to schedule a time on another day that suits both parties.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to prioritise staff learning and development for the benefit of all students.

Protecting Learning Time – Student Pick-Ups

A reminder to all families that every minute of learning counts, and we strongly encourage that appointments be scheduled outside of school hours wherever possible.

If you do need to collect your child early on occasion, please ensure that this is done before 3:00 pm. To minimise disruption to learning and end-of-day routines, students will not be dismissed from class between 3:00 pm and 3:25 pm.

We appreciate your support in helping us maximise learning time for all students.

Staying Connected – School Calendar Updates

Each alternate Friday (on weeks when the school newsletter is not published), an updated School Calendar will be shared with families via Operoo and Class Dojo.

This calendar will be updated weekly to help you stay informed about upcoming school events and activities.

We encourage all families to check it regularly to stay connected and up to date.

Building Update

Our building program continues to progress on target. The following tasks have been completed:

Demolition of the old rooftop area, the connecting hallway outside the library space, and the old music room.
The excavation of the area is being done to prepare for building footings.

Over the past two weeks the focus has been on completing the following:

Concrete cutting of paving slabs to expose footings
Underpinning
In ground plumbing
Preparation for steel installation

Punctuality Plus

Due to the great success of this program, we will continue to reward classes that have the least amount of latecomers. It has been pleasing to see such an improvement in seeing children arrive on time so I ask families to support their child in getting to school on time. Teaching our children that being punctual is an important life lesson. Congratulations to 1/2RF for being the Punctuality Champions last week, with fewer than 4 latecomers throughout the week. This week's winners are 1/2, with 1 latecomer. Please assist your child and their class win this award by getting them to school before the gates are locked at 8:45 am, allowing time for them to arrive at their classrooms and unpack by 8.50 am.

Moving Towards a One-Stop Communication Platform

St Michael’s is working towards streamlining communication with families by transitioning to a single platform – the nForma app.

Currently, families use nForma to access student Semester Reports. This term, we will begin introducing a new process for reporting student absences through the same platform.

In time, we will phase out the use of the Operoo app, with all formal school communications being managed through nForma.

Please keep an eye out for further information and instructions on how to access and use this new tool. We appreciate your support as we work to simplify and improve our communication processes.

School Closure Day

Our school closure day for Term 3 will be on Tuesday September 2nd. On this day, our staff will engage in Professional Learning focusing on the teaching of Mathematics. Please place this date in your calendar. All day care will be available with Their Care.

Have a 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.