Dear Families,

Our Prep children celebrated their 100 days at school last Friday and had a fabulous day. Their families put in a great deal of effort to help them dress up and look like they belonged in the olden days and both Olivia and Tahlia really looked the part as well. I recall some of the 'olden day' teachers I had at primary school and I don't think they looked that good or were that energetic! The children and their families enjoyed participating in '100 day' day activities. It was terrific to see so many parents in the school engaging in their child's learning, we all look forward to many more occasions like this. Gratitude to both Olivia and Tahlia for all the effort they put into making this a memorable day for our 2022 Prep children. Please enjoy the photos in the I Spy section of this newsletter.

Yesterday I attended the MACS STEM MAD Exhibition where a group of Year 6 children presented their STEM project to many other schools and visitors. Thanks to Patrick for inspiring the children to create such a wonderful exhibition and I was very proud watching them explain their project with others.

Staff News

I will be taking some Long Service Leave starting on Monday 15th August and will be away for the remainder of Term 3, I will return for the start of Term 4. I will be heading away with my husband, Nigel in our caravan to explore the east coast of Australia, starting with a stay in Byron Bay. While I am away I will leave the school in the very capable hands of Steven who will step into the role of Acting Principal. He will be supported by Rita and Angela who will come out of her classroom to fulfil her role as Wellbeing Leader and a member of Senior Leadership. Lauren will teach Year 3/4AL fulltime during this period.

Pick Up and Drop Off

I have some concerns about the safety of our children during our pick up and drop off times. Before school, children who arrive before 8:30am when our gates open must be supervised by an adult. I am seeing a number of our senior children arriving as early as 8:15am without any supervision. I ask that if your children come to school independently that they leave home at a time that will see them arrive at school between 8:30am and 8:45am and not before.

I strongly request when collecting your children after school parents and carers wait inside the school playground or well away from the gate. We are seeing great congestion around the gate area, making it unsafe for all in that space. I am pleased to see so many families choosing to cross the road safely by using the crossing, so if we can avoid crowding the gate area it will make crossing the road by children, parents, and carers much safer for all.

Inform and Empower Parent Seminar

I encourage all parents and carers to access the Inform and empower Parent Seminar on Thursday 18th August. These seminars provide families with many ideas on how to help your children be safe when they are online. Stopping children from being online is not always the answer but putting strategies in place that teach and support our children to be safe online is certainly something all parents and carers should be committed to doing.

2023 School Year

Planning is already underway for the 2023 school year and we are in the process of setting class groups and numbers. If your family is moving away from the area and your children will not be attending St Michael's next year, I ask that you inform the school office as soon as possible.

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.

Denise's I Spy Great Learners