From the Principal

PRAYER

Peaceful God,

We pray for peace and harmony in our school and throughout our community. 

Help us to treat one another with kindness, respect and understanding.

May we celebrate our differences, listen to one another, and always choose compassion over conflict. Give us the courage to stand up for what is right, to forgive when we are hurt, and to reach out to those who may feel alone.

May our school be a place where everyone feels safe, valued, welcomed and included. 

Guide our words, our actions and our choices so that we may bring peace to those around us.

May we work together to build a community filled with friendship, respect and hope.

Amen.

Dear St Michael’s School families,

THE 2026 SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR OPENS TOMORROW!!

We are very excited that our annual Book Fair will open tomorrow, Friday 21st after school in the Hub.  It will run until Wednesday next week, each afternoon at pick up and also just before the Book Parade on Monday morning.  We sincerely thank all those who have volunteered to help:  Jane Potter, Annabelle Carter, Sousan Esposto, Hana Burian, Elva Zhao, Laura Long, Adam Parslow, Danni Marchi, Amanda Tran and Therese Molnar.  This is the biggest fundraiser that we hold each year to purchase new books for the school library and teaching aids for the classroom and it can't happen without parent assistance.

We are very short of helpers on Wednesday.  HELP!!!!!

If you can at all help, please sign up at volunteersignup.org/FCAAH The task is simple - selling books and stationery - and as it is held in the Hub, it's quite safe to bring toddlers and babies along while you help out, as there is plenty of space for them to play.

We would like to thank Scholastic books for their contribution to our Gala Fundraising.  They have donated two fabulous books signed by the authors which will be included in our Silent Auction. Thank you Scholastic Books!

ART OF THE WEEK

Thank you to our Year Six Arts Leaders for making the arrangements each fortnight for our Art of the Week competition.

THEME: Disney Characters

ARTWORK DUE:  TODAY to be presented at assembly TOMORROW.

SAVE THE DATE!! - SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER

All families are invited to be part of this year's Father's Day celebrations on Saturday 5th September at the Burwood Reserve. More details to follow but please keep the date free! Thank you to the Ashy Redbacks for hosting this event again!

YEAR THREE TO SIX ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - BILL SEWART TRACK

On Tuesday, our Year Three to Six students enjoyed a fantastic day at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track for our annual Athletics Day. We were blessed with beautiful sunshine, making it the perfect day for students to participate in a wide range of track and field events.

Our students are to be commended for the wonderful way they represented St Michael's throughout the day. They gave their best in every event, demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, encouraged one another and embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm, resilience and house spirit on display.

A huge thank you to our PE teacher, Mr Lo Ricco, whose exceptional organisation ensured the day ran seamlessly from start to finish. Also thank you to our parent helpers, the Salesian boys and our brilliant staff. These events could not run without them. 

Congratulations to Green House, who were awarded the Spirit Award for their outstanding encouragement, teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the day. Congratulations also to Gold House, who were crowned our Overall Athletics Champions.

Well done to all students for their participation and effort. We are incredibly proud of the positive way they represented themselves and our school community.

TIME TABLE ROCKSTARS

At St Michael’s School, we are continuing to strengthen students’ multiplication fact fluency across Years Three to Six. Being able to recall multiplication facts efficiently and accurately is an important part of developing confidence and fluency in Mathematics. We want our students to not only know their multiplication facts, but also understand the strategies and relationships that help them work out facts they may not yet know.

In the next few weeks we will be launching a new platform for our students to assist with this goal. This platform is called Time Table Rockstars.

The accompanying letter gives a fuller explanation of mathematical fluency and it also shares a link with parents to give you an idea of how the platform works. The letter also describes the importance of using a range of card and dice games which equally support these skills. 

YEAR THREE/FOUR MUSEUM EXCURSION

In Inquiry, students investigated Biological Science, with a focus on living and nonliving things and how living things depend on one another.To deepen their knowledge and understanding students attending excursion to Melbourne Museum on Wednesday 19th of August. During the visit, they explored the dinosaur walk exhibition, where they investigated evidence of prehistorical life and experienced IMAX Australia 3-D. The excursion supported students in making real word connections to the concept of exploration and strengthened their understanding of the natural world.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE PLAYGROUND ~ How can you help??

Our 80th Anniversary Gala committe is continuing to work hard the scenes to raise sponsorship and donations for our Gala Dinner for 17th October. Don't forget our Wine Wall! If you're able to donate some bottles for this cause, please check out the details on our 80th Anniversary Gala Event page. Check out our sponsors there too and please support them if you're if you need anyth!

LITTLE ANGLER KITS FOR YEAR FIVES

Yesterday, all our year Five students were gifted a Little Angler Kit by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. The VFA says Year 5 was chosen because of considerations around the Victorian Curriculum, movement and motor development, and safety. In 2026, 82,500 kits are being distributed to Year 5 students across about 1,816 Victorian primary schools during August, before the September holidays. The VFA has stocked many Victorian lakes with catchable rainbow trout so now is the time to go fishing!!

This government-funded initiative is designed to get more children outdoors, introduce them to fishing and nature, encourage families to fish together, and build the next generation of recreational fishers.

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.

GRADUATION PIZZA LUNCH FUNDRAISER - FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST

If you would like to order a pizza lunch for your child on Friday 28th August, please see the flier below and book through the Humanitix link.

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.