Dear Families,

National Reconciliation Week 27 May -3 June

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise.

For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable, and reconciled country for all.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words, and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.

I invite you all to join us on Monday for our morning assembly where we will launch our Indigenous mural painted by First Nations Artist, Merindah Guya.

At this ceremony, we will have a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and a prayer liturgy to bless and launch our mural. Please join us for this very special event.

Staff News

Lisa Hood was appointed as our Deputy Principal at the beginning of 2023, unfortunately, due to personal health reasons Lisa has stood down from this position and after completing her Long Service Leave will resign from St Michael's Primary School. Lisa has contributed enormously to the growth and development of many children over her career and we were very pleased to have her join our school. We wish her good health and best wishes for her future.

In Lisa's absence, Angela Flint stepped in as Acting Deputy Principal and recently has been appointed as our ongoing Deputy. Angela is well-qualified and skilled to take on this role and is very excited to do so.

Other Leadership news is that Lauren Doherty has been appointed as our Teaching and Learning Leader. Lauren is currently working alongside Kate as one of our YR 3/4LK teachers. Lauren will now step away from the classroom to take up her new role.

We have been fortunate to employ Georgia Foley to replace Lauren. Georgia is an experienced teacher and comes to us very highly recommended and will begin at St Michael's on Monday 5th June.

I know you will all congratulate Angela, Lauren, and Georgia on their new appointments.

Some exciting news for one of our staff members, Andrea, our Maths Leader has announced that she is pregnant with her second child. We congratulate Andrea, Justin, and their son George on this wonderful news. Andrea will work until the end of Term 3.

Prep Enrolments for 2024

Our Prep enrolments for 2024 are closing on 31 May 2023 and spots are filling fast. It would be greatly appreciated if our current families who intend to enrol a sibling for the 2024 Prep intake, collect, complete and return an enrolment form as soon as possible. It is imperative that forms are completed so that we have accurate figures to predict the number of students we will take on for 2024.

Student Illness

Recently, the school has experienced an increase in the number of positive COVID cases. This is a timely reminder to continue to closely monitor your family’s health and if they present with any symptoms, to perform a Rapid Antigen Test. If you or your child tests positive, it is recommended that you isolate for five days. Rapid Antigen Tests are available for all Victorians from Council sites.

It is common during the change of seasons that incidents of other conditions such as cold and flu are more prevalent. Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If a child is unwell at school, they will be sent home. Thank you for your support in ensuring that we minimise the spread of illness in our school community.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conversations

These conversations will be held at the end of Term 2 on Thursday 22nd June and Friday 23rd June. Children will finish Term 2 at 2.00pm on Thursday 22nd June in order for teachers to be available for these conversations. They will be offered in person or online and children are expected to attend with their parents/guardians. More information and booking details will be distributed in the coming weeks.

School Fees

Thank you to the families who are up to date with the payment of their children's school fees and levies. You will receive your fee statement next week and I ask you to ensure your payments are up to date. If you have any queries please contact our office.

CAMPS, SPORTS and EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student misses out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational, and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government's commitment to breaking the link between a student's background and their achievements. CSEF will be provided to eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions, swimming or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. The annual CSEF amount per student is: $125 for primary school students. If you are eligible and have not yet applied, please contact the school office to collect a CSEF application form or download it from the CSEF website at https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/CSEF_application_form.pdf Applications close on 16th June 2023.

Denise Hussey

(Principal)

'The most simple thing I can do is to be good today but better tomorrow'

Catherine McAuley - Mercy Sisters Foundress

All students attending St Michael's Primary School have the right to feel safe. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.

Learning News

Prep L / Digital Technologies / RE