Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

The past two weeks have been extremely busy for both staff and students at St Michael's. We have finalised the merger of our beautiful Kindergarten and some of our fabulous Year 1 students. We have welcomed a new student into Year 2 and survived school photo day, which is always lots of fun. Mini Michael's are proudly wearing their shirts on Mondays and the 2025 P&F Executive has been elected, with some fabulous activities for both friend and fund raising in the pipeline for 2025. Congratulations to returning P&F President Jessica Callcut, returning P&F Vice President Emma Coombes, P&F Secretary Katie Agnew and P&F Treasurer, Ashlee Long. I look forward to a wonderful, fun filled year as we work together to improve the facilities for all students at St Michael's. 

Our advertisment for a teacher to replace Mrs Gall who is on leave, was unsuccessful. The advertisement ran for four weeks. We had the usual scam applicants, but no one who can actually fulfill the important role of classroom teacher at the best little school in town. In cases such as this, Armidale Catholic Schools engage the services of an outside recruiting agency, specialising in attracting teachers to regional NSW. Any applicants who are put forward will take part in the Diocese recruitment process to ensure that we have the best person for our school, teaching your children. Until that eventuates, I am committed to being the teacher in the Kindergarten/Year 1 classroom everyday to minimise disruptions and to maximise learning.

Mini Michael's is very much a highlight at our school this year. Mondays see a swell in student population. I love chatting and interacting with our future students each week and delight in seeing their confidence grow, as friendships form. Again, this would not be possible, without the expertise of Mrs Amanda McNair, weaving her magic and sprinkling her years of experience and leadership in early childhood education, over St Michael's everyday, but especially on Mondays. 

NAPLAN for 2025 has drawn to a close for 2025. Staff was super impressed by the attitude of students in Years 3 and 5 to the testing period and students I have chatted with, feel confident with their response. Thankyou to Miss Leah Summerell who has coordinated NAPLAN at St Michael's this year and to class teachers, Mrs Ellie Davis and Mrs Cathy Shepherd, for assisting in the administration of the testing. 

Personalised Plan meetings have been held this week and will be again next week, with parents and carers of students requiring additional needs and support in the classroom. Classroom teachers, our Inclusion teacher, parents/carers and students have met together to formulate learning and social goals moving forward until the end of Semester One. These meetings are always positive and give students and parents an opportunity to discuss individual learning plans. Thnakyou to everyone who has taken the time to make these meetings sucessful.

Upcoming events to look forward to over the next week, are the school Cross Country to be held at the Manilla showground on Wednesday commencing at 9.30 a.m. and the Colour Run hosted by the P&F to be held at the Manilla Golf Course on Friday, commencing at 5.30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you at both events, if you are able to attend.

Enjoy a fabulous weekend,

Bronwyn