Dear Families,

Winter has arrived! It has been a challenge getting used to the cold Melbourne weather, but it is nice getting out the winter clothes and rugging up in warm winter coats. It also means that we are halfway through term two. All our staff have been busily checking your child's progress for the year so far and preparing for semester one reports.

Individual student reports will go home at the beginning of the final week of term two, and parent/child/teacher conversations will take place on Thursday, 3rd July, and Friday, 4th July. Your child's report will only be available via the portal access. You have already received a notification about this portal and how to access it via Operoo. Please respond to that notification before Monday, 30th June, to ensure you have access to your child's report. In the following weeks, you will receive an invitation to book your child's interview time. This term, interviews will take place in person or via Google Meet. No interviews will be held over the phone. Please look out for this notification and book your appointment as soon as possible.

In our Learning News section of this newsletter, you will find a letter explaining how Mathematics will now be reported against in line with the updated Victorian Mathematics Curriculum.

Our students will continue to participate in amazing learning opportunities throughout the remainder of the term to enhance and build on all the learning that has already taken place this year. Keep a lookout for this learning on Class Dojo, and please don't forget to like or comment on each post.

Keeping our School Community Healthy

The colder weather has brought with it an increase in colds and flu, and we are currently experiencing a high number of absences among both students and staff due to illness. We kindly ask for your support in helping to keep our school community healthy.

If your child is unwell, please keep them at home until they have fully recovered. If a child becomes unwell during the school day, families will be contacted and asked to collect them. We appreciate your prompt response in these situations.

Thank you for working with us to support the wellbeing of all at St Michael’s.

School Winter Uniform

All students should now be wearing the full winter uniform. A reminder that our uniform shop is open at school each Tuesday afternoon. Orders can also be placed directly with the uniform supplier or through our school office, with deliveries made to the school every Tuesday.

We also have a limited number of second-hand uniform items available. If you're interested, please speak with Susan Mooney for more information. If your child has outgrown any clean and in good condition uniform items, we’d greatly appreciate any donations to our second-hand collection. These items can make a big difference for other families in our community. Thank you for your support!

Australia's Best Teacher Campaign

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools are again partners in Australia’s Best Teacher Campaign. We are blessed to have excellent, dedicated teachers working in our school, so I encourage you to recognise them by nominating them. You can do so at: Australia's Best Teacher

Staff News

We welcome Rebecca McMenamin to our staff as the new Year 1/2 teacher. She replaces Stephanie Taylor, who has taken leave to care for her young daughter, Mia. Rebecca is an experienced teacher and joins with Fiona to become the Year 1/2RF classroom teachers. She will be working with us each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I know you will all make her very welcome.

Punctuality Plus

Thank you to all our families who are supporting their children in getting to school on time, as we have seen a significant decrease in the number of latecomers. Congratulations to Year 1/2 G for being the Punctuality Champions last week, with fewer than four latecomers throughout the week. This week's winners are Prep D and 1/2RF with less than 5 latecomers. Please assist your child and their class to win this award by getting them to school before 8.50am.

Welcome Pope Leo XIV

What exciting news it was to hear of the appointment of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of our Catholic Church! Stepping into the footsteps of Pope Francis, Pope Leo brings with him a deep commitment to compassion, inclusion, and working for peace across the globe.

Pope Leo has already shared his strong desire to continue the Church’s mission of reaching out to those in need, fostering dialogue, and promoting a spirit of welcome and care for all—especially the vulnerable. He has placed particular emphasis on listening to the voices of the faithful and nurturing the moral and spiritual development of young people. His vision encourages us to live out our faith through service, community, and a daily commitment to the Gospel values of love, justice, and hope.

Prep 2026

Meeting our prospective 2026 Prep families has been a heartwarming experience. When we ask why they have chosen St Michael’s, many share that it’s because of what they’ve heard from our current families. Time and again, we hear how you’ve spoken about St Michael’s as a school that genuinely cares for each child and warmly welcomes every family into our community. As we all know, word of mouth is the most powerful recommendation of all. Thank you for your continued support and for the positive affirmations that help others see the strength and spirit of our school. Your voice makes a real difference in welcoming new families to St Michael’s.

Important Dates for Term Two

Monday June 9 - King's Birthday public holiday

no school and no vacation care program

Thursday July 3 - End Term 2 at 2pm. Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews 2.15pm -5.30pm

after school care available from 2pm

Friday July 4 - Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews 8.45am - 1.30pm

after school care available from 2pm

Have a great week of learning.

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.

St Michael's Primary School Newsletter

"Where I'm Known"

Issue 7 · 30 May 2025

In this issue