From the Principal

Dear St Michael’s School families,

Prayer

Loving God,

As we begin this season of Lent, 

help us open our hearts to You.

Teach us to be kind, 

to make loving choices, 

and to care for those around us.

May the ashes we received 

remind us to grow in goodness each day

and to follow the example of Jesus in all we do.

Guide our school community during these forty days,

so that our words, actions, and friendships reflect Your love.

Amen.

FAREWELL & THANK YOU KATE BORG

Congratulations to Mrs Kate Borg, who has accepted a position in Administration in the school office at St Christopher's School in Syndal. Many of our families will know our beautiful Kate who has worked at St Michael's for seven years as a Learning Support Officer across all year levels. Kate has also been administrator in our school library for the past two years, has supported our garden program each week with different classes and has been a regular in our front office on days where additional support has been needed. Whilst we are so sad to see her go, we know that Kate will shine in this new role and we wish her every happiness and success. 

​Kate has worked with care and compassion with our students in so many capacities and we are grateful to have been on the journey with her. Don't be surprised if you still see her back in the near future when she returns for casual relief days!!​ We can't wait! Kate's officially final day with St Michael's will be next week, Wednesday 25th February.

We are pleased to announce that Ms Megan Hall will be taking up additional days to cover some of Kate's work in classrooms and in the garden and Mrs Giovanna Boccari will be taking over the administration of the library this year.

SEE YOU SOON MRS RACHAEL LAMPE!

It seems like only yesterday we found out Mrs Lampe and her husband, Nick, are going to be welcoming a new member to their family! The time has almost come for Rachael to finish up at St Michael's School to go and start her family. Next week is Rachael's final week with us before she makes the final preparation for Baby Lampe. Thank you Rachael for all your work here in these first few weeks of 2026. We can't wait to meet Baby Lampe. Take care! We will miss you! 

PANCAKE & PLAY

Although we were unable to hold the event as originally planned, we are immensely grateful to our PFA members and the additional helpers who arrived early on a very hot 37°C morning to cook and deliver pancakes to the classrooms. The sweet aroma drifting from the BBQ created a cheerful atmosphere across the school, and the children thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected break in their learning — especially the chance to lick their sweet, sticky fingers afterwards. We are sincerely appreciative of everyone who stepped in at short notice and adapted so readily to ensure the morning was a success.

ASH WEDNESDAY

A beautiful celebration was held yesterday on Ash Wednesday with the Parish community. It was delightfully refreshing to hear Father speak to the children about how they can show 'kindness' during this season of Lent as a way of showing how we can live more like Jesus. We thank Father Darien and Deacon Malcolm for their work with our children in this space. 

P.F.A. SURVEY

Thank you so much to the many families who have completed the PFA survey.  We are so eager to hear your feedback.  If you haven't already completed the survey, please click here to access.  It will only take you a few minutes but every comment will help to make our school better!

80th ANNIVERSARY MEMORABILIA

Did you or your parents / other family members attend St Michael's Primary School?  We are seeking memorabilia, especially photos to include in our display on March 22nd.  If you have something to share, please contact either John Whitehouse on  0411 091 338 (Sarah, Gr 6) or Therese Molnar on 0417 014 772  / therese.molnar@gmail.com (Luke, Gr 4) or Annie Herbison. All items will be treated with great care and returned in the same condition.

MIX, BAKE, DONATE - OUR CAKE STALL IS COUNTING ON YOU!

Traditionally in February we ask families to contribute a cake for The Great St Michael's Cake Stall for the Ashburton Festival. This year, the Cake Stall will happen right here on Sunday 22nd March as part of our wonderful 80th anniversary celebrations. Again all families are being asked to bake a cake or a slice, or cookies or muffins or whatever it is that you do well. Please start preparing NOW in readiness for this special event. A reminder that we are unable to sell anything that requires refridgeration at the cake stall. 

A "cake kit" with details will come home to you soon. Pull out your recipe books and start planning now.

PARENT / TEACHER SNAPSHOT CONVERSATIONS

A reminder to families that on Wednesday 4th March, between 1.30-7.00pm, Classroom Teachers will be holding Snapshot Conversations with parents. The purpose of these meetings is 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. 

PLEASE NOTE: SCHOOL WILL FINISH AT 1PM ON WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH AND THEIRCARE IS PROVIDING CARE FROM 1PM ONWARDS.

Booking times can now be found and booked through the nForma portal.

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. 

INFORM AND EMPOWER - CYBERSAFETY LEARNING

Over the coming weeks our students will take part in Cybersafety Webinars, prepared by Inform and Empower. This assists the children in furthering their understanding about how to be responsible digital citizens. For further information families may choose to head to the Inform and Empower website https://www.informandempower.com.au/ 

ST MICHAEL'S VEGGIE GARDEN

This week Five/Six R spent some time tidying some of the garden beds and planting some fresh and vibrant flowers in the pots in the quadrangle. Along with veggies, it's always lovely to enhance the area with some colour! Thank you to Mr Hickey, Mrs Borg and the students for their work this week!

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. 

Did you or your parents / other family members attend St Michael's Primary School?  We are seeking memorabilia, especially photos to include in our display on March 22nd.  If you have something to share, please contact either John Whitehouse on  0411 091 338 (Sarah, Gr 5) or Therese Molnar on 0417 014 772  / therese.molnar@gmail.com (Luke, Gr 4) or Annie Herbison.

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.