Previous news and information

This page will specifically be used for previous information that has been printed in our newsletter and will act as a "REMINDER page" for you to check what is still in date but perviously published. I hope this can be helpful for you! ~ Annie

Class Structures

After our consultative process here at St Michael's School, which has taken place over the last two terms, we have finalised our 2025 Class Structures. A great deal of planning and consideration has gone into these structures, specifically needs of students, skills of staff, numbers of students, support structures, intervention and extension opportunities and programs, friendship groups and gender balance within the levels. More than 10 different structures were tabled and pros and cons considered for all of these. Our final decision was the following, which professionally we know is the best for the learning and social needs of our children at St Michael's School. 

Given the higher numbers in the middle and senior schools, additional resources and supports will be put in place to assist with needs of all levels of students. 

Year Five / Six Public Speaking Program

This week we are excited that we will be implementing the Public Speaking Program in Year Five/Six. This program is designed to enhance our students' communication and leadership skills. This engaging and dynamic workshop aligns closely with key aspects of the Victorian Curriculum and is a great opportunity to develop students' confidence and capability in public speaking.​ This year we have not been able to outsource the program due to competing interests here at St Michael's and outside programs having so many requests from schools. I have engaged the amazing skills of Mrs Emma Quinless to take on the planning and implementation of Public Speaking this year, allowing for additional time to research and implement it. The whole team of Year Five/Six teachers, then, will continue workshopping the skills throughout this last month of the year.

Workshop Overview

The day will involve a variety of interactive activities designed to build skills in speaking, listening, writing, and presenting. Students will participate in:

• informal debates where they can express and justify their opinions.
• structured sessions to plan, rehearse, and deliver presentations
• activities to develop their confidence in speaking in front of peers

Special Leadership Session by Avila College Students

As part of the workshop, students will also engage in a 50-minute leadership skills session facilitated by students from Avila College. This session will focus on leadership skills, providing a valuable perspective from older peers who can inspire and mentor our students.

Our Senior students will then put these skills into practice when they prepare and deliver their leadership speeches in the coming weeks, and naturally in so many ways when they attend Secondary School.

St Michael's Family Fun Fair 

Do you remember the last St Michael's Family Fun Fair??

I am excited to announce that after a brief hiatus, the St Michael’s Family Fun Fair is set to return in 2025! We are currently in the planning stages, with a tentative date scheduled for late March 2025. If you have any specific skills, passions, or connections that could assist in organizing this event, please reach out, and I will connect you with the organizing committee. Additionally, if you know any local businesses that have previously supported the St Michael’s Family Fun Fair or might be interested in contributing in 2025, please share their information with us. This will allow us to provide them with information about our sponsorship packages. We look forward to providing more updates in the coming weeks as we finalize additional details.

Contact: fundraising@smashburton.catholic.edu.au

Please complete our FFF survey so we can hear your ideas! Click on the link HERE. It's only short.

Seesaw App 

When was the last time you checked your child's addition to Seesaw? This app is used as a way of communicating to you what your child is learning and how they are progressing. We also love to communicate what is happening in your child's class throughout the week so that you can have conversations about their learning, enhancing their understanding further. 

2024 School Fees and Levies

Thank you to all our families who have paid their 2024 school fees and levies in full. This is greatly appreciated.

We are now at the stage of the year where we need to be finalising accounts and setting in place budgets for 2025, so it is vital that any fees and levies that are in arrears are settled as soon as possible. We will be sending our Term 4 reminders and would appreciate your attention to these as soon as possible.

If you are struggling to pay off large amounts, we would appreciate that you let us know this early in the year so that we can set up payment plans. We can still make arrangements for families to pay off current fees in smaller instalments so please make a time to see Kathy Muhllechner in the school office or contact her via email at kathym@smashburton.catholic.edu.au 

Thank you

Psychology Services

As mentioned in previous newsletters, St Michael's School has partnered with Advanced Psychology to provide assessment and counselling services for families in our community. We ask that if you are interested in any services that are provided by a qualified psychologist, that you please make contact with Advanced Psychology, using the booking procedures below. You may call to get advice about the services and ask questions as well. Please note that your communication and any services undertaken are completely confidential. St Michael's School simply provides the site for these services to take place.

Parent Information from Advanced Psychology

Just so parents are aware, from time to time, Advanced Psychology offers online sessions for parents around a range of needs. Last term we were notified of a session about Neurodivergence; Understanding Autism & ADHD, which we advertised in our newsletter.  For interested parents, you can go to the Advanced Psychology website, to the Blogssection, for the recording of this session as well as other sessions they have offered.

Hands on Music

Hands On Music is a company St Michael's has been using for some time.  If you wish for your child to learn an instrument this year, please make contact with Jen Capon via email: handsonmusic.j@gmail.com or phone: 0402 910 330