This page will specifically be used for previous information that has been printed in our newsletter and will act as a "REMINDER page" for you to check what is still in date but perviously published. I hope this can be helpful for you! ~ Annie

New Uniform pieces

As discussed earlier in the year one of the main focuses of the School Advisory Committee (SAC) has been to review of the current school uniform. At the start of Term 3, after seeking and reviewing information from our families, we introduced some minor refinements to the uniform. Families now have the option to wear the PE uniform

Tuesday - Thursday each week.

The next step in the process was to review the individual items that make up the current school uniform, with the intention to refine the number of items available and update some of the uniform styles. To allow the uniform to be more streamlined for the convenience of families and for student comfort we will be removing some items and adding in some new items to further enhance the St Michael's school uniform.

Over time we will transition out the following items:

· Legionnaires Hat

· Bomber Jacket

· Unlined Spray Jacket

· Culotte

· Leisure Pant

· Current Style Tracksuit Pant

And we are happy to announce the addition of the following items:

· Jumper

· Long Sleeve Sports Top

· Skort (with bike pants)

· New Style Tracksuit Pants

· Swimming Cap

· Beanie

The new items will be transitioned in when they become available. Currently the skort, tracksuit pants and beanie are available to purchase. It is expected that the long sleeve spots top and jumper will be available for Term 2 next year. The new skort will be able to be worn with the academic and sports tops.

We want to specifically note that families do not need to replace the outgoing items immediately. It is expected that the transition will occur over an extended period, as uniform items need to be replaced.

Principals' Pilgrimage ~ The Way of St James

I wish to make parents and caregivers aware that I will be absent from school in the first week of Term 4 (7-11 October) as I am attending a special pilgrimage with 25 other Catholic principals from the Eastern Region of Melbourne. I will depart Melbourne on 23rd September for Spain, meeting the Principal group on Sunday 29th September, returning to Melbourne on Saturday 12th October. Mrs Eloise Ellis will be your point of contact during my absence - eellis@smashburton.catholic.edu.au

This pilgrimage follows in the footsteps of the Apostle, St James, in Northern Spain. It's an ancient pilgrimage from medieval times, arriving at the Santiago de Compostela, where it is believed the remains of St James are buried. This particular pilgrimage is often referred to as the Camino de Santiago. The total distance of this Camino is 825km, however my colleagues and I will only be completing the final stage of this journey, from Sarria to Santiago, which is 115km.

As a team of leaders in Catholic schools, our goals during this pilgrimage will be to build on our collegiality as well as experience spiritual growth and cultural immersion. We have each been gifted a journal for our Camino, which has a range of reflections and prayers for meditation along the way. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is situated in Galicia in northwest Spain which will be the final point of our pilgrimage where we will have the privilege of visiting the Tomb of St James, in a crypt beneath the main altar.

I am most grateful for the opportunity I have been given in this journey and hope to bring my learnings and experiences back to St Michael's to share with you in Term 4. I ask for your blessings and prayers during this time!

Prep Transition Dates

We ask all families who have a Prep child commencing in 2025 to please take note of the following dates and put them into the calendar now! These will be the dates we hold the Prep Transition sessions for the pre-school students and general parent information while students are with the staff in structured sessions.

Session 1: Wednesday 16th October, (9:00-10:00 am)

Session 2: Wednesday 30th October, (9:00-10:00 am)

Session 3: Wednesday 27th November (9:00-10:00 am)

Session 4: Wednesday 4th December (9-11am) Please take note of this 2 hour session

Additionally we invite all parents to an information and social parent night on Thursday 14th November (7-8:30pm) . This is a parent only evening so please put it on the calendar now. This will be held in the hub and there will be light refreshments served.

2024 School Fees and Levies

We wish to thank families who have recently paid their school fees and who continue their payment plans. If you are struggling to pay it off in large amounts, please remember we can make arrangements for you to pay in smaller instalments that can work for you. If you wish to arrange a payment plan, please contact Kathy Muhllechner in the school office or via email kathym@smashburton.catholic.edu.au

St Michael's School Library

Just a reminder that our school library is open for parents to come in on Mondays, 3.15-3.30pm. If you wish to select some reading material with your child or even just see what your child is reading, feel free to visit Kate Borg in there on Mondays. Next week is BOOK WEEK, a perfect time to come to the library with your child!

Psychology Services

As mentioned in previous newsletters, St Michael's School has partnered with Advanced Psychology to provide assessment and counselling services for families in our community. We ask that if you are interested in any services that are provided by a qualified psychologist, that you please make contact with Advanced Psychology, using the booking procedures below. You may call to get advice about the services and ask questions as well. Please note that your communication and any services undertaken are completely confidential. St Michael's School simply provides the site for these services to take place.

Parent Information from Advanced Psychology

Just so parents are aware, from time to time, Advanced Psychology offers online sessions for parents around a range of needs. Last term we were notified of a session about Neurodivergence; Understanding Autism & ADHD, which we advertised in our newsletter. For interested parents, you can go to the Advanced Psychology website, to the Blogs section, for the recording of this session as well as other sessions they have offered.

Hands on Music

Hands On Music is a company St Michael's has been using for some time. If you wish for your child to learn an instrument this year, please make contact with Jen Capon via email: handsonmusic.j@gmail.com or phone: 0402 910 330

St Michael's PFA News

PFA NEWS:

St Michael's Fundraising Parent Social Event