Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

This Friday, November 15, we will welcome our Kindergarten students for 2025 into our school. The children will visit for the first of their three morning transition sessions. Transition to school is designed to give the students a taste of school life and a chance to familiarise themselves with the school surroundings. Each child will also meet their buddy, who will be a special friend during the first year of school. Our 'new' kindies will interact with the rest of the school during lunch before they head home or back to preschool or daycare to enjoy the rest of the day. Transition supports the children to have a positive start to their school life, by knowing what to expect in the school environment. It is designed to be a fun and happy experience through play based activities - not a time for formal learning. We look forward to greeting our Kindergarten Class for 2025 on Friday.

Friday of last week, Amanda McNair, Leah Summerell and myself travelled to St Joseph's Quirindi. We joined with our colleagues from Quirindi, St Xavier's Gunnedah and  St Francis Xavier's Narrabri to present our data and associated reflections from the 2024 school year. It's always great to hear what other schools are doing and have the opportunity to present our own happenings. Due to the nature of our Diocese, the conversations and presentations were similar in content, as we outlined our journey through the Armidale Catholic Schools Non-Negotiables. We have much to be proud of at St Michael's, both as a collective, and individual student results. Highlighting the growth in student learning, particularly in the areas of reading and mathematics during this year, was particularly satisfying. Well done to students, families and staff for a job well done.

Staffing for 2025 is a slow process this year. We are maintaining our six classrooms for next year, which is reassuring. Once we relinquish this, it will be difficult to get back. Please ensure that you have notified the Office if your child will not be attending St Michael's in 2025. There are a significant number of families relocating towns due to work and/or housing and knowing this information in advance is very helpful in determining class structures. Thankyou.

Our K-2 musical will be performed at the Manilla Town Hall on Thursday December 12, commencing at 6.30 p.m. Please mark this date on your calendar. Student leadership roles for 2025 will be determined in the coming weeks and Year 5 will be given this information shortly. Our Stage 2 children travel to Lake Keepit for an overnight camp this Thursday. Organisation for our Stage 3 camp to Sydney in 2025 will commence soon. When we have finalised the dates, we will let you know. It will be in Term 3 2025. Semester 2 Reports for this year, will be issued on Friday December 13.

School Uniform is an important part of what we do at St Michael's. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct uniform, including shoes and socks. There has been an increase in wrong colour socks and shoes and wearing of random caps. All children spoken to have the correct items. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated. If you have an issue with the uniform, please let me know.

The St Michael's P&F will meet in the staffroom at 3.15 p.m. this Wednesday November 13. If you are able to attend, that will be wonderful. Results of the Survey My School Parent responses will be tabled. I look forward to seeing you there if you can make it. Children of parents who attend, play outside as a group while the meeting is on. The meeting normally concludes by 4.00 p.m.

Enjoy a wonderful week,

Bronwyn