Principal's Message
CLOSURE DAY - FRIDAY 15TH MAY
STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - LITERACY - FOCUS ON TEACHING SPELLING
ALL DAY CARE AVAILABLE WITH THEIRCARE
Dear Families,
Welcome back from the term break. I hope you have enjoyed the break from routines, and I trust you were able to spend quality time with family and friends.
It is great to be back and to see all the children ready to learn, and to feel the excitement for the term ahead.
At school, Term 2 is packed with a number of events to look forward to. We held our ANZAC Day service to start the term, Year 5/6 Camp Oasis, Mother's Day Celebration, The Colour Run fundraiser, Year 3/4 Camp Campaspe Downs, House Athletics Carnival, and more. Last but not least, we have moved into our newly renovated library, new staff lounge, walkways, classrooms, and playground. The excitement is definitely palpable, especially among our staff, who have not had a designated staff area since before COVID.
Our renovations continue with works on what will be our Art room and Music room. Work is also continuing on connecting the lower walkway to the old staircase. It is expected that these works should be completed by the end of term 2.
I look forward to seeing you all at school drop-offs and pick-ups. Stay safe, be kind to each other, and smile lots.
Staff News
We welcome back Tahlia Bogg from her parental leave. Tahlia will teach in Prep ST each Monday and will continue in her role as P-2 Discovery/Inquiry Leader each Wednesday. We are excited to have her back and look forward to sharing her expertise. We hope she doesn't miss her baby son Quinn too much.
As you all know, Hang Cao is now on parental leave, awaiting the birth of her first child. While she is on leave, Nathan Fitzpatrick will take on the Catholic Identity and Mission Leadership Role. We wish Nathan well in this new role and know that his passion and knowledge in this area will be a great asset to our community.
All families would also have received a letter from me via nForma today outlining my retirement plans. I ask you all to take the time to read it.
Keeping Our Children Safe
A reminder to all families to focus on keeping our children safe when arriving at and leaving school. We all know that parking near and around St Michael's is very challenging, but stopping to drop off or pick up children at the school crossing or parking illegally is never acceptable. The children are always supervised from 8:30am before school and from 3:25pm-3:40pm after school. Arriving a little earlier in the morning or a little later in the afternoon may ease some of the parking issues.
I also strongly ask that families set a good example to our children by using the school crossing when crossing the road at the front of the school. It amazes me when I see parents crossing the road illegally and risking the safety of their children. Please support us in teaching our children correct road safety strategies.
A reminder also that children arriving at school before 8:30am must be supervised by an adult. Children arriving alone are being put in an unsafe position because supervision does not begin until the gates open at 8:30am.
Winter Uniform
From Week 3 of this term, all students are expected to be wearing their full winter uniform. Wearing the school uniform correctly and ensuring it is clean and in good repair reflects the pride we take in belonging to the St Michael’s community.
A reminder that all students are to wear black school shoes with their daily uniform. Leggings are not part of the school uniform; students should wear navy blue socks or tights. Navy blue tracksuit pants can be worn on designated PE/Sport days.
Thank you for your continued support in maintaining our high standards.
SAC meeting
The next St Michael's School Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, 14th May. If you have any questions, queries, or issues you would like raised at this meeting, please contact one of our parent representatives to do so on your behalf. Their names and details can be found on the SAC page of this newsletter.
Internet Devices
You may be aware of recent changes spoken about by our Government regarding the use of personal internet-enabled devices by students while on school premises.
At St Michael’s, we strongly discourage students from bringing personal devices to school and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage. Any student who brings a mobile phone to school must hand it in to the office upon arrival. Students who wear smart watches or similar devices must ensure that any internet or communication functions are disabled during school hours.
Students found accessing these devices during the school day (with the exception of checking the time on a watch) will have the device confiscated. It will be returned to a parent or guardian upon collection.
Thank you for your support in maintaining a safe and focused learning environment.
Prep 2027 Enrolments
Prep 2027 enrolments close at the end of this month, so if you have a child ready for school next year, please make sure you complete an enrolment form as soon as possible. Siblings of families receive first preference for positions if their applications are received by the due date. You can find the link for enrolment here.
Prep 2027 family interviews will commence shortly.
Kind regards,
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.