From the Principal

Dear St Michael’s School families,

Prayer

Loving God,

Today we remember the special day when Mary, the mother of Jesus, 

was taken to heaven.

Thank you for Mary's great love and for the way she always said “yes” to you.

Help us to be like Mary—kind, caring, and full of trust in your plan.

May we always remember that you are with us and that heaven is our home too.

Mary, pray for us and guide us with your gentle love.

Amen.

Thank you parents who attended St Mary MacKillop classroom prayers last week. All welcome to the Parish mass tomorrow at 10am to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Just a reminder to all families that I will be attending the M.A.C.S. East Central Principal Network next week, the Australian Catholic Education Conference with other Catholic educators, leaders, clergy, parents and others from the broader Church involved in Catholic education.

During my absence, Mrs Eloise Ellis will be Acting Principal. Although I will have access to my email, I will not have regular opportunities to check it, so please make contact with Eloise with any urgent matters during this time at eellis@smashburton.catholic.edu.au.

ST MICHAEL'S PERFORMANCE, 8TH OCTOBER

No doubt with the singing and actions that you're already seeing at home, you know that we're well into Production mode! We ask that if you know that you're child will not be here on Production day, that you please email the office as soon as you're aware so we can make any last minute changes as required? Thank you

office@smashburton.catholic.edu.au 

BOOK WEEK 18-22ND AUGUST

The children have been enjoying reading the Book Week books throughout the week, and discussing the stories and characters. Next week each class will vote on their preferred book in their category and we will announce St Michael's preferred 2025 Book Week books. We will also be having a special Art of the Week for Book Week next week.

This year at St Michael's School, we are encouraging our children to be adventurous in their dressing up for Book Week. Any theme, any book character can be considered and created for this year's event! Looking forward to seeing all the creative geniuses in our midst! I wonder what the teachers will be wearing this year??

We will be holding our Book Week parade at 9am on Monday morning in the hub. Due to the parade, teachers will take their students from the line directly into the classroom on the first bell to drop off school bags and take the roll. Classes will then gather in the hub by 9am for the parade. Parents are welcome to join us in the hub for our assembly and parade.

BOOK FAIR OPENS TOMORROW

Our fantastic Book Fair will open AFTER school for approximately half an hour on 

Friday 15th September (3.30 - 4pm)

Monday 18th September (3.15 - 3.45pm)

Tuesday 19th September(3.30 - 4pm)

Wednesday 20th September (3.30 - 4pm)

We can't wait to show you all the fabulous books, stationery and posters!

Thank you so very much to those wonderful parents who have offered to help. We couldn't do this without you!

We still need a couple more helpers, especially on Tuesday, to volunteer please go to https://volunteersignup.org/FC9CD 

PREP 100 DAYS

What a wonderful and exciting day our Preps had last week, celebrating their 100 days at school. Dressing as hundred-year-olds, the children then went on to focus on all things 100! 

SUPERHERO TUESDAY - BULLYING PREVENTION WEEK

Thank you to all who participated in our Superhero Tuesday! It was wonderful to see so many children bring along something to show their heroism! Each class had a focus on Tuesday on ways they could take action in St Michael's School to show respect and kindness towards each other, and support each other if they see bullying in action.

YEAR FIVE / SIX STUDENTS ATTENDING BOROONDARA YOUNG LEADERS DAY - TUESDAY 19TH AUGUST

Our Year Five / Six Students will be attending the Boroondara Youth Leadership Day next Tuesday, 19th August. The Boroondara Youth Leadership Day will be held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre and offers students a unique chance to explore leadership and learn how to emerge as leaders within their communities. It aligns with Victorian Curriculum outcomes and the event programming has been tailored to incorporate the values and interests identified through student consultations with several local primary schools. We're looking forward to hearing about their experience! 

YEAR THREE TO YEAR 6 STUDENTS ANNUAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

This year's carnival will be held on Tuesday 26th August. All Year 3/4 and 5/6 students will participate in the St Michael’s Athletics Carnival at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track. We have altered the structure of the day to offer a more inclusive approach to all students and their participation in the day's events.

The event will begin from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm. Parents are asked to drop their child/children at the Athletics Track by 8:45 am for a 9:00 am start. At the conclusion of the Carnival, buses will return the children to school.

The relevant details for the day are as follows:

• Address: Bill Sewart Athletics Track, Burwood Highway behind Nunawading Basketball Stadium. Parking is available.
• Arrival: Students can be dropped off from 8:45 am onwards with teacher supervision.
• Uniform: House colour t-shirt, sports uniform. Depending on the weather, please ensure your child has a hat and sunscreen or a raincoat.
• Food: Please pack lunch, snacks, brain food, and two water bottles (no canteen facilities available).
• First Aid: A teacher in each House team will have a first aid kit. Students should bring their own asthma inhalers if needed.

The Operoo permission form for the Athletics Carnival has just been released for this event. Please indicate your child's attendance for this day as soon as you are able.

GIRLS AFL 9'S BOROONDARA DISTRICT COMPETITION

Congratulations to our Year Five / Six AFL 9's team who got through the competition UNDEFEATED last Thursday. We're so proud of our courageous and resilient team who worked together to progress to the Regionals. These were then played on Monday this week and our girls placed third at the regional level. Well done to the team for showing perseverance and courage throughout all the games!

EASTERN METROPOLITAN REGIONAL NETBALL

Congratulations to our talented netballers who competed yesterday in the Eastern Metropolitan Region Finals. The girls opened with a strong first-game win, showcasing skill, teamwork, and a can-do attitude. Although the following two matches didn’t go their way, they played with unwavering spirit, determination, and sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of their perseverance and the way they represented St Michael's School!

ST MICHAEL'S ASHY REDBACK'S FATHER'S DAY EVENT

We invite Dads or special friends with their children to our special Father's Day event. This year we are holding our celebration at Burwood Reserve generously hosted by the Ashy Redbacks. Please see the invitation below and note the date and time in your family calendars. Please note, we will not be holding an event on school grounds this year with this event taking it's place. See you there!

An Operoo will come out shortly where you can register your interest for catering purposes! 

We look forward to it being a fantastic, fun afternoon.

ST MICHAEL'S VEGGIE GARDEN

This week Year One/Two G got busy in the garden, continuing some of the weeding that was needed and planting some rocket seeds. Can't wait for that to be ready!! Thanks team for your hard work yesterday!!

FUN AND FUNDRAISING!

Join in gardening with St Michael's

Buy some Lucinda Everlastings!

                   In our Morotai Street Garden, the Year 5/6s will be planting Lucinda Everlastings

 We’re looking forward to a lush pink and white meadow of flowers! At home, you too can plant these bright gorgeous natives or buy the seeds as a lovely present for others!

Lucinda Everlastings are a low maintenance, easy-to-grow Australian native annual.

WATCH OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

FREE PARENT WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Advanced Psychology is offering a free online workshop, designed for parents, educators, and carers who know a child or teen or adult who’s putting in the effort, but still finding learning unusually hard. The session is free to attend, with an optional donation to the Mirabel Foundation, a local organisation supporting vulnerable children and carers in St Kilda.

See the flier and the link below. If you wish to donate to the Mirabel Foundation, please add a note to the section – Donation on behalf of: Advanced Psychology so they know the source.

 https://www.mirabel.org.au/get-involved/donate

Instructions to register can be found on the leaflet. Your support could make a big difference for a family looking for answers.

FOOTY COLOURS DAY

This year the St Michael's Footy Colours Day will be held on Thursday 18th September (second last day of term). On this day students may wear their favourite AFL team's colours, hats, scarves, vests to celebrate Grand final fever! If they don't follow AFL, they may wear their favourtie sports' colours instead. Let's celebrate our sporty Melbourne culture together!

Traditionally this is held on the final day of term 3, although there are plans for another event on this day for all the students. Details to come!

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

Please indicate to your child's classroom teacher as soon as you are aware if your child will not be present on Wednesday 8th October - Production Day - so that we can make any necessary changes in advance.

A reminder to all students wishing to submit a piece of artwork to use in promotion of School of Pop, please submit these to the office as soon as possible.

ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY BLOG

St Michael's School has partnered with Advanced Psychology with a psychologist working onsite weekly. This link takes you to a blog with podcasts / webinars that deal with a variety of topics which might be of interest to parents and teachers. 

https://www.advancedpsychology.net/blogs