From the Principal

Today is the Feast Day of St Monica, the mother of St Augustine. St Monica is the patron saint of women and a woman of deep faith and prayer and one who teaches us how to have HOPE.

Prayer

This week, let's take a moment in gratitude for those who protect us, for their bravery and willingness to do such an important job in our community.

Loving God,

We thank You for the men and women in our police force.

They work hard to keep our community safe,

to help people in times of trouble,

and to protect us when we need it most.

Bless them with courage, kindness, and wisdom each day.

Keep them safe as they serve others,

and may they always feel supported and appreciated.

We pray for their families too,

that they may be surrounded with love and peace.

Lord, we are grateful for their service,

and we ask You to watch over them always.

Amen.

Dear St Michael’s School families,

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Last week I had the privilege of attending this conference in the beautiful Australian city of Cairns. I was incredibly grateful to enter the warmth of Queensland for a few days but it was indeed a conference that brought much to think about in my ongoing work as the Principal of a Catholic School in Australia. 

Among 1500 other Australian Catholic Principals and Education staff, there was incredible choice as to the workshops we were able to attend, each meeting different needs within our communities. It was the keynote speakers, however, who shared their incredible knowledge and experience in their respective fields who held the attention of the great audience they had before them. 

The theme of our conference was "Hope, anchored in Faith", key to our 2025 Year of Jubilee and also of great significance in our world at the moment with so much devastation and a clear lack of hope in our global community. Our very first speaker, Sr Nathalie Becquart, a French Religious Sister, spoke about the need for synodality; one in which collaborative listening, dialogue and discernment are part of our Church's mission but also of our everyday interactions with those in our communities. She talked about our schools as 'networks of relationships' in which collaboration and dialogue are essential. Our children learn from the ways in which we interact with each other, hear each other's needs, support each other and forgive one another. We can only hope they then take these learnings into their own future lives and continue to do the same within their families, workplaces and the world.

We also had the privilege of hearing Dr Steve Constantino on Why Families Matter in which he explored the many benefits of Family Engagement in schools. Dr Constantino's study of the many researchers in the field of family engagement indicate that there can be improvements in attendance, higher academic results, higher graduation rates, improved social skills, better self-esteem and general behaviours and a greater likelihood of our children engaging in post-secondary school studies. There was much to reflect on after hearing his lecture and attending his workshop. There is much to bring from my learnings into my everyday work with our families and children at St Michael's School.

ST MICHAEL'S ATHLETICS DAY - TUESDAY 26TH AUGUST

Congratulations to all who competed in Tuesday's Athletics day at the Bill Sewert Track! It certainly was a windy one with rain threatening all day, but we persevered and made it through all the events for the day. It was wonderful to observe our children apply themselves so positively, even when they weren't sure about an event. With encouragement and a can-do attitude many were surprised with their efforts. 

The Glen Iris District School Sports Athletics event will be held on Wednesday 10th September for those who qualify. We are combing through Tuesday's results now to determine who will go to the next level and students and families will be informed as soon as possible.

Thank you to Deanna Imbriano and Eloise Ellis for their work in making the necessary arrangements for our St Michael's carnival to happen in Jordan Lo Ricco's absence. Thank you also to the many parents for your support in marshalling and the field events. We CANNOT do this without you!!

I also wish to thank the thirteen Year 11 Sport and Recreation students from Salesian College who volunteered their day to support us in all the events of the day. This work is actually part of their learning (curriculum) and it was wonderful to have so many extra pairs of hands present on the day. Thank you to Mr Mark Ashmore (Principal) and Mr Stuart Hill (teacher) in helping us to make this happen.

ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL PRODUCTION - SCHOOL OF POP

With SIX weeks to go and two weeks of holidays before the big event, here are some reminders:

• Rehearsal day at the venue will be on Wednesday 8th October. Students will NOT require costumes for the practice. Students will be bussed to and from school.
• Keep the evening of Wednesday 8th October, from 6pm free to attend this event. Check NOW with you family members who wishes to attend
• Tickets will soon go on sale, you will be notified through Operoo. A limit of 6 tickets per family will apply for the first sale. This is to allow ALL families to purchase tickets for immediate family members. Ticketing will be closed and then re-opened so that you may purchase further tickets for additional family members and friends. Dates for ticket sales to be notified next week. 
• The venue is Crossway Baptist Church, 2 Vision Drive, Burwood East (Plenty of parking available)
• Children will need a meal / large snack before being dropped at the venue at 5.45pm
• The show will run until approximately 7.15 - 7.30pm

Please find below the costumes required for each class. You will note that the school is providing some items so please only refer to the column "Parents to provide"

FATHER'S DAY STALL AND SPECIAL CELEBRATION

A reminder to please make sure you purchase tickets for your child so they can select a Father's Day present at our school stall on Friday 5th September. Also, if you haven't already given your RSVP to our Father's Day event at Burwood Reserve, please do so as soon as you're able. This event is being held on Saturday 13th September, hosted by the Ashy Redbacks Football Club. 

ST MICHAEL'S VEGGIE GARDEN

Thank you to Five/Six G and Jess Casey for your work in the Veggie Garden this week. The students harvested and sold off the remaining coriander, leaving us one of the tubs for new planting. They also diligently weeded some of the garden beds around the classrooms, which was fabulous to see. Looking forward to some new planting happening soon!

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING FORUM

This week I have been contacted about the following upcoming Police Forum and was asked to share this information with our families. It's being held NEXT WEEK so be sure to check your calendar and see if you're able to attend.

2026 PLANNING

As noted in last week's newsletter, I ask all families please to inform me if your child from Year Prep to Year Five will not be returning to St Michael's School in 2026. We will soon commence organisation for classes for next year and this information will help the decision making process. Please email me at principal@smashburton.catholic.edu.au 

FOOTY COLOURS DAY

This year the St Michael's Footy Colours Day will be held on Thursday 18th September (second last day of term). On this day students may wear their favourite AFL team's colours, hats, scarves, vests to celebrate Grand final fever! If they don't follow AFL, they may wear their favourtie sports' colours instead. Let's celebrate our sporty Melbourne culture together!

Traditionally this is held on the final day of term 3, although there are plans for another event on this day for all the students. Details to come!

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

Please indicate to your child's classroom teacher as soon as you are aware if your child will not be present on Wednesday 8th October - Production Day - so that we can make any necessary changes in advance.

A reminder to all students wishing to submit a piece of artwork to use in promotion of School of Pop, please submit these to the office as soon as possible.

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