From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been a full week, this first week of the 2023 year, beginning with our two full days of assessments on Monday and Tuesday. Eloise and I greatly enjoyed meeting so many parents at drop off and pick up on these two days and were both overwhelmed and grateful for your warm welcome.

On Wednesday, our first full day back for all students, it brought us great delight to welcome all our Prep students as they began their school journey. We started with family photos taken in the quadrangle and then parents from all year levels were welcome to come to the Hub Courtyard for a coffee to welcome in the new year. 

Our Preps have made a wonderful start, settling in quickly to the classroom and on the playground. I joined them for meditation on their first day and they already showed amazing meditative skills. Very impressive! Tomorrow we look forward to Year 6 buddies presenting the Preps to our school community at assembly. Year 6 leaders will also be presented with their badges at this assembly. All are welcome to join us.

St Michael's Newsletter

Many parents have already commented on the "new look" newsletter. This version of a newsletter assists people to view it through any device they have and is design to be mobile phone friendly. You can even check the St Michael's news while travelling on the train! 

Apologies to any who didn't receive this through Operoo last Friday. There were still some updating issues in the system. Most details have been reprinted in this newsletter for your convenience. 

The newsletter will be made available to families on Thursday of each week this year, with reminders and updates of what's happening.  A link will be emailed through Operoo, made accessible via the online portal, iNewsletter. 

Different Languages - Families please note that at the bottom of the inewsletter page there is a tab that you can click that provides access to translations of the newsletter into different languages. 

Opening School Mass

Next Friday, 10th February, at 10am, we invite all families to come and celebrate the beginning of the school year with us at St Michael's Church. This is our first opportunity to gather as a community to celebrate the coming year. Please join with us at this time.

 Families and Buddy Families BBQ

We welcome all our Prep families to come to meet other families at our Prep and Buddy BBQ on Thursday 16th February, from 5.30pm. This is a chance to meet other Prep parents and get to know your buddy families as well. An Operoo notice about this event will be released shortly. Please RSVP via Operoo when available. 

Anaphylaxis at St Michael's 

Just a reminder to all our families that we ask you to be mindful when packing food for your child that you please avoid packing nuts themselves and foods which contain traces of nuts, for the safety of all our students with anaphylaxis. Of course, if foods are accidentally packed for students, we understand this can happen and will manage this accordingly on the day. 

Year 3-6 Swimming

From Monday 6th February, students in Years 3-6 commence swimming lessons at the Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre. Students will walk to and from the pool. Please see details for this on Operoo and ensure you have given your child permission to attend.

Timetable of lessons and class times: 

Prep Students' Rest Days

Prep parents please be aware that Prep Rest days will be held on the following Wednesdays: Wednesday 8th February

Wednesday 15th February 

Wednesday 22nd February

Wednesday 1st March

Wednesday 8th March

PARENT / TEACHER / CHILD CONVERSATIONS 

We hope you have had the opportunity to see the Timetable that has been loaded onto Operoo regarding Parent / Teacher / Child Conversations. These will be held on Wednesday 22nd February from 12.30-7.30pm. You can book your times through Operoo. In order that we can hold these, school will finish on that day at 12.00 noon for Conversations to commence from 12.30pm.

CSEF Eligibility

If you are eligible for the Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund (CSEF), please make contact with the school office at your convenience. If you receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested, you may be eligible. If you are unsure, make contact to find out.

CHILD SAFE PRACTICES - Working with Children Checks 

St Michael’s School is committed to providing a child safe environment and takes active steps to ensure any person authorised to conduct ‘child connected works’ does not pose a risk to their safety or welfare. To achieve this, the school implements screening processes, including Working With Children Checks (WWCC), to assess and verify their suitability. 

St Michael’s School ensures that non-teaching staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors are of suitable character and do not have a relevant criminal record that poses an unjustifiable risk to children. 

Teaching Staff & Casual Relief Teachers who are registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) undergo criminal record checks via their annual registration.

St Michael's School Hours

For new parents and as a reminder to existing parents...

School hours 8:50am – 3:30pm (Monday 3:15pm)