Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Semester One draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our incredible staff and students for a truly wonderful six months. Our classrooms have been buzzing with engaging learning experiences and it's been inspiring to witness the dedication and curiosity of our students. Beyond academics, enthusiastic participation in community involvement initiatives has showcased the generous spirit of St Michael's. From fundraising efforts to local and broader outreach, contributions have made a real difference. And of course, the energy and sportsmanship displayed in our sporting activities throughout the Semester have been outstanding – congratulations to all who participated and represented our school so well. A special mention to staff members Cathy Shepherd, Emma Martin and Isabella Rasche who managed and/or coached teams (Rugby League, Swimming, Hockey, Touch, Netball) that competed at Diocesan, Polding and/or State level. Well done ladies and how lucky we are to have such talent available to our students at St Michael's. To our parents and carers, thank you for your ongoing support of ourstudents'learning and for your continued commitment to St Michael's school. Your partnership is invaluable and plays a crucial role in the success of our students.

Semester One Reports are now available for viewing on COMPASS. We encourage all parents to review their child's progress. Additionally, we invite you to book a Parent/Teacher conference for Tuesday, July 22. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's learning journey and celebrate their achievements. Please book your preferred time through COMPASS.

We're excited to welcome all our students back for Term 3 on Wednesday, July 23.

This day will be a special one, as we'll be hosting our NAIDOC celebrations commencing at 10:00 a.m. It's a wonderful opportunity for our whole school community to learn about and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We look forward to seeing everyone there, including our friends from McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth, Manilla Pre-School and Manilla Long Daycare. Thankyou to staff members Ashlen Rae and Renae Catlett for organising a wonderful day of celebration. 

Just a friendly reminder that when we return for Term 3, students will still be wearing their winter uniform. The exception to this will be NAIDOC Day on Wednesday July 23 when everyone is encouraged to wear red, black, yellow, blue, white and/or green.

We're incredibly excited about a major highlight of Term 3, our Stage 3 excursion to Sydney in August. This promises to be an unforgettable experience for our students (and staff), packed with diverse and engaging activities. Imagine visiting Parliament House and St Mary's Cathedral, taking on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, enjoying a special meet and greet with NRL players, and even attending an NRL game - Penrith V the Bulldogs! But that's not all – we'll also explore the amazing wildlife at Taronga Zoo at night, discover the beauty of the Royal Botanic Garden, experience the vibrant atmosphere of Paddy's Markets and Chinatown, delve into history at the Australian National Maritime Museum and enjoy the lively precinct of Darling Harbour. There's so much more planned and we can't wait for our Stage 3 students to embark on this amazing adventure. Thankyou to staff members Leah Summerell and Cathy Shepherd for joining me for this amazing week of culture, learning and fun.

We want to extend a huge congratulations to all students who have received weekly awards in our Shine Program. Well done to Bodhii, Aidhon, Piper, Dusty, Mila, Eadie, Mason D, Billy A, Cydi, Lottie, Max H, Max C, Darcy, Tommy, Maisy, Summer, Jack G, Poppy, Arthur, Sriyan, Aubree, Lily, Kahlani, Joe, Georgia, Alice Yr 5 and Lillian. Your hard work, positive attitudes and dedication to demonstrating our school values truly shine brightly. It's wonderful to see so many of you consistently striving for your best, both in and out of the classroom. Keep up the fantastic effort, everyone – you're an inspiration to us all!

A huge congratulations to our dedicated Term 2 Spark Award recipients! These students have truly shone by reaching 20 tokens for their outstanding commitment to our schoolculture and learning. As a special recognition, these students already have or will be enjoying a well-deserved hot chip lunch! Congratulations to Dusty, Max C, Maisy, Jack G, Thea, Lily, Joe, Miller, Jack K, Alice Yr 5, Georgia, Jasper, Jet, Makayla and Lillian. We are incredibly proud of your efforts and the positive impact you have on our school community. Keep up the fantastic work!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce our first Glow Award recipients: Georgia and AliceYr 5! These two wonderful students truly embody what it means to "glow" at St Michael's. They consistently shine bright, demonstrating incredible school spirit and outstanding dedication to learning. Congratulations Georgia and Alice Yr 5. Your positive attitudes and commitment are an inspiration to us all. Keep up the fantastic work!

When we kick off Term 3, we want to encourage every student to continue to strive forexcellence and aim for our Weekly, Spark, Glow and Diamond Awards. The ten-week term will provide a fantastic opportunity for every student to reach new milestones, including the ultimate Diamond Award. Remember, these awards celebrate dedication to learning, positive contributions to our school culture and all the wonderful ways you embody the St Michael's spirit. Let's make Term 3 a term of incredible achievement and growth for everyone! Keep up the fantastic work, and we can't wait to celebrate your successes.

To help families plan, the Term 3 calendar, to date, is attached. Please take a moment to review it for all upcoming events and important dates. The calendar is updated regularly for every newsletter.

Wishing all our students, families and staff a very safe and happy school holiday. We hope you get to relax, recharge and make some fantastic memories.

Take care,

Bronwyn