Previous news and information

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

2024 School Fees and Levies

Thank you to all our families who have paid their 2024 school fees and levies in full. This is greatly appreciated.

We are now at the stage of the year where we need to be finalising accounts and setting in place budgets for 2025, so it is vital that any fees and levies that are in arrears are settled as soon as possible. We will be sending our Term 4 reminders and would appreciate your attention to these as soon as possible.

If you are struggling to pay off large amounts, we would appreciate that you let us know this early in the year so that we can set up payment plans. We can still make arrangements for families to pay off current fees in smaller instalments so please make a time to see Kathy Muhllechner in the school office or contact her via email at kathym@smashburton.catholic.edu.au 

Thank you

Mandarin Cultural Awareness Week - 18-19 October

This term, Ms Lily Luo will be working with the staff and students to host Cultural Awareness Week in the week beginning Monday 18th November. Lily's focus is to highlight and celebrate the language of Mandarin and also to acknowledge how different cultures have brought so much to Australia and are now part of our culture. On the 18th and 19th November in Mandarin lessons, the students will have the opportunity to explore Chinese culture through a hands-on activity where they will make and cook traditional noodles using simple ingredients of flour, salt, and water. Lily will show the students how they are made and the students will have a chance to taste the noodles with some additional flavours to include. A notice will be shared on Operoo shortly about this and we look forward to having some parents assist and be part of the celebrations. 

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 notneed 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. 

Sunscreen in classrooms

A reminder to our families that we have sunscreen available for students to use as the we head into warmer weather. It's generic sunscreen and students are required to rub this in themselves due to health reasons. If your child has an allergy to sunscreen, we recommend that you provide a clearly labelled container of it for use at school and please let the classroom teacher know. 

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

Thank you to all our families who have paid their 2024 school fees and levies in full. This is greatly appreciated.

We are now at the stage of the year where we need to be finalising accounts and setting in place budgets for 2025, so it is vital that any fees and levies that are in arrears are settled as soon as possible. We have sent the Term 4 reminders out this week and would appreciate your attention to these as soon as possible.

If you are struggling to pay off large amounts, we would appreciate that you let us know this early in the year so that we can set up payment plans. We can still make arrangements for families to pay off current fees in smaller instalments so please make a time to see Kathy Muhllechner in the school office or contact her via email at 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 Blogssection, 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