From the Principal

Dear St Michael’s School families, 

ASSEMBLY

In tomorrow's assembly we will be issuing Year Six rugby tops and leadership badges, as well as S.R.C. badges to students who will be taking on this role in Semester One. All family members are welcome.

S.M.A.S.H. WEEKS

We come to the end of our S.M.A.S.H. weeks at St Michael's School. These first few weeks of the year we focus on our S.M.A.S.H. expectations and how we want to set up the expectations in our classrooms. We also have a strong focus on Wellbeing at this time of year and investigate ways that we can take care of our own wellbeing and others around us. Last week we engaged in a frisbee competition and yesterday our whole school gathered together in a game of knockout, where students and staff competed for the best 'shooter'. Read more about the Frisbee tournament and Knockout and check out the photos in our Wellbeing News.

ST MICHAEL'S ENHANCEMENT SESSION 

A record number of parents attended our Enhancement Session last Saturday which supported us in getting a great deal accomplished. Much of the yard was tidied with soft fall levelled and mulch spread in new garden bed areas. Two new trees were planted around the netball courts, replacing some older trees which needed to be removed last year. Many areas were also weeded and spruced up. We thank all who attended and we enjoyed some snags and soft drinks together after all the hard work.

ST MICHAEL'S SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Congratulations to all our swimmers on Monday's Carnival! It was a wonderful day at the pool, with perfect weather enhancing the event. The children performed exceptionally well in their heats, demonstrating perseverance, determination, and a strong competitive spirit. We sincerely appreciate the parents who generously volunteered to assist with the events, as well as those who came to watch and support the students. Your involvement was instrumental in making the day a great success. A special thank you to Jordan Lo Ricco, our dedicated Physical Education Coordinator, for leading the event with excellence and for continuously encouraging and supporting our students in their sporting endeavours.

RESULTS: 

1st - Green 

2nd - Gold

3rd - Blue

4th - Red

Gold House won the Team Spirit award!

We look forward to involvement in the Glen Iris District Swimming Carnival, being held next Tuesday 25th February.

BOROONDARA PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2025

This competition is being held again this year. Students are invited to enter photographs that highlight the lesser-known people, events, places, spaces, natural environment, and heritage features of Boroondara to be in the running for prizes and participation in a public Exhibition at the Town Hall Gallery. Here is the link to the online version of the 2024 Exhibition.

https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/boroondara-arts/whats/online-exhibitions/2024-exhibitions/explore-boroondara-online-exhibition

Young people who are of school age (up to age 18 on 1 January 2025) are eligible to enter if their photos are taken in Boroondara. To find out more about the categories, prizes and how to enter, scan the QR code on the flier in our Community News section or visit the Boroondara Photography Competition website  Boroondara Photography Competition | City of Boroondara

Entrants under 18 need permission from a parent, teacher, or guardian to enter. This is easy to do as a parent, guardian or teacher can fill in the online entry form on behalf of the student.Up to 10 photographs can be entered into the category students are eligible to enter.

YEAR SIX 2025, GRADUATION COMMITTEE

In Term Four we will be making arrangements for celebrations for our Year Six students as they graduate Primary School. I invite any parents of Year Six students to indicate their interest in being part of a committee to plan the Graduation Night celebrations for the students. Please email me no later than the end of this term at aherbison@smashburton.catholic.edu if you would like to be on this committee.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) UPDATE

This week all staff at St Michael's completed their annual CPR update. This is one part of our overall First Aid Training, and the requirement for this course is an annual update. Our trainer took us through a number of scenarios that we may encounter which would require administration of CPR and the use of the defibrillator.

CONGRATULATIONS PAST STUDENTS

We acknowledge and congratulate these past students of St Michael's School on their amazing achievement in VCE in 2024. 

Amy Dickson (pictured right), who was the 2024 Avila College Co-Captain, achieved an ATAR of 98.55 and a perfect score of 50 in English. Amelie Nguyen (pictured left), who was in the Avila Aerobics team who achieved a medal at the Schoolaerobics National Championship, also achieved a perfect score of 50 in English and an ATAR of 96.85. 

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUCIL

Last night we held our first School Advisory Council for 2025. We welcomed three new members: Charlotte Jones, Haydon Day and Grace Chung. In June we will welcome in another three members to join our committee so feel free to speak to current members if you have an interest in joining.

PREP REST DAYS

Wednesday 26th February

Wednesday 5th March

Preps commence full time from Tuesday 11th March

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School photo day is rapidly approaching! This will be taking place on Tuesday 4th March. All students will be required to wear their full school Summer uniform for this day (bring runners if they have PE on that day). Please see the order details below and place orders no later than 14th March.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WANT A SIBLING PHOTO YOU MUST ORDER THIS IN ADVANCE

PANCAKE TUESDAY

Given that this year Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday is the same day as photo day, our PFA has offered to arrange a Pancake Pick Up & Play from 3.15pm. On Tuesday 4th March parents may collect their child from the classroom, collect a pancake at the BBQ which will be placed on the Soccer courts and the children can enjoy a play on the biggie. Classroom teachers will bring remaining students from their classes to enjoy a pancake and biggie play. Look forward to seeing you there!

2025 OPEN DAYS

We invite all families who have a child ready for Prep to visit on one of our Open Days for a tour of the school. If you know someone with a child ready for Prep 2026, please encourage them to come along. If you have a child ready for Prep in 2026, please collect an enrolment form from the school office and submit it as soon as you're able, or visit our website to download one.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL

Monday:        Tennis 3.30pm

Tuesday:        Running Club 8.15am

                         Tennis 3.30pm

Wednesday:  Digimaker Club 3.30pm

Thursday:       Chess Club 3.30pm

                          Tennis 3.30pm

*St Michael's School Choir (years 3-6) practices once weekly and performs at various events.

*Instrumental and voice lessons are available through Hands on Music.