ENHANCEMENT SESSION - SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY, 9-11AM

Rescheduled Yrs 3-6 Swimming Carnival Monday 17th February 9.30am-12.45pm. Please note, school start time remains the same.

Please see Operoo notice for details!

Please note additional dates have been added to the calendar in the newsletter. See Calendar page

Dear St Michael’s School families,

Pope Francis has specially scripted this prayer for 2025, this year of Jubilee.

2025 SACRAMENTAL DATES

We draw parents' attention to the following dates on which the Sacraments for 2025 will take place. Please diarise these now so that you can plan around these. Dates for parent information nights and reflection days will be made available to you throughout the year.

SACRAMENTAL CEREMONIES FOR 2025
First Reconciliation: Celebrated in Year Three	Thursday 27th March	5.00-6.30pm
First Eucharist: Celebrated in Year Four	Saturday 21st June	6.00pm
First Eucharist: Celebrated in Year Four	Sunday 22nd June	10.30am
Confirmation: Celebrated in Year Six	Wednesday 29th October	6.00pm

*Please note, Reconciliation information night for Parents will be held on the 27th February from 5.30-6.30pm in the Hub. More news to follow soon.

YEAR PREP TO TWO SWIMMING DATES

Tomorrow will be the final day for our Year Three to Six Swimming program.

Commencing Monday 24th March, Year Prep to Year Two students will be undertaking their program. This is earlier than usual for our Junior School, however the weather should still be warm to mild and it will lead straight into the term holidays where they will be able to rest and recuperate from the term. Dates for the Junior swimming program will be:

Monday 24th March

Tuesday 25th March

Wednesday 26th March

Thursday 27th March

Monday 31st March

Tuesday 1st April

Wednesday 2nd April

Thursday 3rd April

ASHBURTON FESTIVAL

St Michael's have a long standing tradition of hosting the cake stall at the annual Ashbuton Festival.

We are proud of this tradition and in order for this to be a success, we reley on our wonderful team of parents to volunteer on the day.

Please see link below to sign up. Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

YEAR LEVEL NEWSLETTERS

This week each year level will be releasing a "Level Newsletter". The information in these newsletters pertain specifically to that year level and their learning for this term. I ask parents to please take some time to look over these newsletters to come to an understanding of what the focus of the learning will be in your child's level. Your daily conversations with your children help to consolidate their learning. Any opportunities you have as a family to discuss, read about or investigate further will help to cement understandings. Please make contact with your child's classroom teacher with any queries about their learning or development.

FIRST ASSEMBLY FOR 2025

Our first whole school assembly this year will be held on Friday 21st February, as per our timetable on the School Calendar page. Parents are invited to ALL assemblies, which take place from 2.35pm in the hub every second Friday (even weeks).

At this assembly our Year Six students will be receiving their special Rugby tops and Leadership badges. A much anticipated assembly by our Senior students. See you there!

2025 PARENT HANDBOOK

The Parent Handbook has been updated for 2025 and is attached to this newsletter in Quick Links. If you are new to the school, or have not read it in a little while, please take the time to look over it as there are a few changes that have been included. The link will remain in the newsletter throughout the year for your reference.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT PLANS

This week classroom teachers updated our information about student medical plans, particularly relating to Anaphylaxis and Asthma. Can I please ask parents to ensure they have up to date Medical Management Plans and medications that are also in date. Also, it is vital that you upload the plans to Operoo as we are unable to do that - only parents have access to the information in Operoo about their child/ren. Thank you

MEDICATION AUTHORITY FORM

A reminder that the Medication Authority Form must be completed for any medication which needs to be administered during school hours, whether short or long term.

The form needs to be signed by an authorised AHPRA registered medical / health practitioner (in some cases this can be the pharmacist). Original packaging with the student's name and dosage needs to be provided along with this form. Please read the details on this form before bringing any medication to school. The link will remain on our Quick Links page throughout the year for your reference.

SCHOOL ENHANCEMENT SESSIONS 2025

Please take note of the following dates

SCHOOL ENHANCEMENT SESSIONS FOR 2025
Saturday 15th February	9:00 – 11:00am
Saturday 3rd May	9:00 – 11:00am
Friday 14th November	5:00 – 7:00pm To be confirmed

PREP REST DAYS

Wednesday 19th February

Wednesday 26th February

Wednesday 5th March

Preps commence full time from Tuesday 11th March

RUNNING CLUB

We welcome all students, Years Prep to Six, to take part in our weekly Running Club, which operates on a Tuesday morning on the tennis courts. Running club engages students in physical activities and games, led by our Year Six Sports Leaders. This begins at 8.15am each Tuesday and will commence on Tuesday 18th February. Please ensure children are not dropped off earlier than 8.15am for Running Club as there is no adult supervision available before then.

CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSION FUND (CSEF)

Families who hold a current Centrelink Card may be entitled to the CSEF payment of $150 per child per annum. Please contact the school office by Monday 17th February for a current CSEF form. We will need a copy of your current card for our records.

M.A.C.S. CONCESSIONAL FEE DISCOUNT

Families may apply for a MACS Concessional Fee Discount if they hold a current eligible Healthcare Card or a DVA Gold Card. Families must apply for this discount using the MACS School Fee Concession Application form. You must bring your valid Healthcare Card/DVA Gold Card into the office to be eligible for this discount. Families can only obtain this discount if a Direct Debit Plan is established.

CLASS REPS

Thank you to all parents who have agreed to be class reps this year. Please note the What'sApp link if you haven't already to be kept up to date with all the latest information.

OPEN DAYS 2025

Our Open Day Dates have now been finalised and are listed on our school website. Shortly I will be visiting our local kindergartens and child care centres to drop off our fliers and make contact with the directors. If you know anyone wishing to visit St Michael's School, please share our Open Day Dates with them, or encourage them to phone the school office to book a tour with me at an alternative time.

SCHOOL OPEN DAYS FOR 2025
Thursday 6 March	9:30am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 18 March	9:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 23 April	9:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 10 May	10am - 12 noon
Enrolment Information Evening
Wednesday 14 May	7pm to 8pm

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL

Monday: Soccer Clinic 10.50am (first break)

Tennis 3.30pm

Tuesday: Running Club 8.15am

Tennis 3.30pm

Wednesday: Digimaker Club 3.30pm

Thursday: Chess Club 3.30pm

Tennis 3.30pm

Friday: Soccer Clinic 10.50am (first break)

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

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

PREP PARENTS WELCOME DRINKS

FREE WELLBEING ONLINE PARENT SESSIONS

Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN Year Three and Five students