From the Principal

Pray the Rosary with Pope Leo

This week we have been asked by Pope Leo to pray the rosary with our children and to focus on peace in our world. In our classes this week, we have learned a little bit about what the rosary is and how / why we pray this special prayer. During one of our meditation sessions this week, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, we took the opportunity to pray one decade of the rosary together as a school.  

We pray this special prayer as it helps us to slow down, meditate, refelct on the life of Jesus. As we pray the Hail Mary, we ask Mary to pray with us and bring our prayers to Jesus. It is also a way of thanking God and asking for God's help, peace and guidance in our lives.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You.

Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Feast of St Michael, the Archangel

This week we also recognised the Feast of St Michael, the Archangel. This feast is celebrated on September 29th, which is always the school holidays for us! This morning our community shared a reflective prayer together and thought about ways we could protect others around us, family and friends, as St Michael's did.

Saint Michael the Archangel,

 protect us and keep us safe.

 Help us to stay strong when we face troubles,

 and guide us away from things that are not good.

 With God’s power, keep us safe from evil

 and lead us always towards what is right.

 Amen.

Dear St Michael’s School families,

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

We look forward to our Year Six students celebrating this very special Sacrament on Tuesday 27th October. Next Thursday (15th October), candidates from the school and Parish program will come together for a reflection day where they will take time to review the readings and prepare themselves for the event. We wish them well for this special time.

80TH ANNIVERSARY GALA - ONLY 10 DAYS TO GO!!

I am greatly looking forward to our upcoming Gala event! The 80th Anniversary Gala Committee has been working tirelessly to ensure all Live Auction items and Raffle Prizes are ready to go! Be sure to take some time to look at the raffle prizes on offer. You don't need to be coming to the Gala dinner to make a bid!

Click on the image to see the raffle items.

Check out our 80th Anniversary Gala page for more news.

THANK YOU MRS ELLIS 

Thank you to the many parents who have greeted me this week and welcomed me back to school after my leave from before the holidays! A relaxing and restful break was enjoyed! A special thank you to Eloise Ellis for her leadership during my absence. It was such a comfort to know Eloise was leading the staff and managing the various needs that arise at the end of a busy term!

WELCOME MRS EVA WANG

This week we welcomed Eva Wang to the St Michael's family. Eva will be teaching Mandarin lessons on Tuesdays while Lily Luo takes long service leave on these days throughout the term. Eva commenced this week and engaged the students with many photos and accompanying Chinese language. Great to have you onboard, Eva!

IMPORTANT STUDENT FREE DATES

Whilst these dates have been in the School Calendar section of our newsletter for some time, I draw your attention to them now as a reminder that there will no school on these days.

MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER - SCHOOL CLOSURE - Time in Lieu acquittal

TUESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER - MELBOURNE CUP PUBLIC HOLIDAY

MONDAY 23RD NOVEMBER - SCHOOL CLOSURE - Time in Lieu acquittal

TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER - SCHOOL CLOSURE - Staff professional learning day

DISTRICT ATHLETICS

We wish the following students well as they take part in next Tuesday's Glen Iris District Athletics day.

Roberta Catanese - Discus 

Elyse Arsenis - Shot Put 

Dominic Jones - High Jump 

Max Deschepper - Discus 

Edward Betros - Shot Put

LOCAL WALKING GROUP

Hopefully you noticed the information about the local Ashburton Walking group sent last week. Please also find a flier in our Community News with further information about this local community group.

A MESSAGE FROM BOROONDARA COUNCIL, SCHOOL CROSSING PROGRAM

Helping to make school drop-off and pick-up safer for everyone

Respect the road rules and parking signs

Illegal parking in a school zone is not only inconsiderate to other motorists, it threatens the safety of students. If our parking officers witness a motorist breaking any of the following traffic rules, they will issue them with a fine.

• Double-parking restricts the view of other drivers, obstructs traffic flow, and means children have to get out of the car onto the road. It also blocks the passage of any emergency vehicles that might need to pass.
• School crossings are there to ensure children cross the road safely. Parking within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a designated school crossing is illegal.
• The designated Kiss and Ride areas outside schools are No Parking, with a maximum two-minute standing time. This gives parents enough time to kiss and drop off/collect their kids before moving on to allow the next car to follow suit.
• School zone speed limits are clearly signposted and must be adhered to.

Walk or ride to school with your child

Walking or riding to school with your child is a healthy and enjoyable way to avoid the inevitable traffic snarls at drop-off or pick-up time.

• If you must drive, consider parking a few streets away and accompanying your child on foot the rest of the way.

2026 CHRISTMAS ART COMPETITION

All children in Primary Schools in the Chisholm electorate are invited to participate in Carina Garland's Christmas art competition. Carina stands at the Member of the House of Representatives for Chisolm and is asking students to create festive artwork that responds to the question, “What does Christmas mean to you?”

The artwork can be scanned and sent to her at carina.garland.mp@aph.gov.au or delivered to the office at 257 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley. Please send the artwork by the 27th of October and identify the artwork with the first name of the student, their age, and the school name.

The winner of the competition will receive a Certificate and Gift Card for $75 and runners-up will receive a Certificate and Gift Card for $25. The winning artwork will be featured in social media accounts, and Carina's Christmas Newsletter distributed to the whole Chisholm electorate. Best of luck!

ST MICHAEL'S VEGGIE GARDEN

Thank you to Five/Six R who spent some time this week weeding the garden bed near the Junior Play equipment in readiness for planting next week! This was hard yakka but the students worked hard to get this ready for fresh veggie seedlings to be planted!!

PLANNING FOR 2027

As we begin planning for the 2027 school year, it is important that we have the most up-to-date information regarding student enrolments for next year.  By gaining an indication of student numbers for the 2027 we can set overall class structures, forecast staffing allocations and negotiate with the school's finance partner our 2027 school year budget figures.

I therefore ask that you please email me at principal@smashburton.catholic.edu.au if your child will not be returning to St Michael’s School in 2027.  Parents are also welcome to make time to meet with me in the coming weeks.  

Thank you for your assistance in helping us plan effectively for the year ahead.

TEETH ON WHEELS - MESSAGE FOR PARENTS

GRADUATION SAVE THE DATE!

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.