Denise's Message
Staff News
As you know Andrea Kirby one of our Year 2 teachers will be leaving at the end of May to prepare for the birth of her first baby. It is my pleasure to announce that we have appointed Nathaniel Fitzgerald to take over her position here at St Michael's. He will begin in Week 6 of this term and I know he will be warmly welcomed into our community.
ANZAC Day
Thank you to all families who attended our ANZAC Day Service on Monday. It was a most reverent and respectful occasion.
Lest we forget!
ANZAC Day is one of the most important days in Australia's history and a day that our children need to learn about and understand its significance and therefore it is important that we know the history and meaning of ANZAC Day so we can share it with our children.
“ANZAC” was the name given to a combined force of First Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Army troops who landed on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula at around dawn on Sunday, the 25th day of April, 1915, barely nine months after the outbreak of World War I.
Galvanised by the example of courage and sacrifice demonstrated on that bloody battlefield, on the 10th day of January 1916 a public meeting of Brisbane citizens voted unanimously to establish the ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee to lay the groundwork for a nationwide, solemn day of public remembrance on the first anniversary of the landings.
On every 25th day of April for the past 100 years, “ANZAC Day” has been observed in Australia and New Zealand, becoming an honoured and sacred institution along the way.
School Opening
In 2019 renovations to our Prep classrooms, Senior classrooms, the Hall Kitchen and the installation of internal toilets both upstairs and downstairs were completed. The funding for these works came from the Federal Government. In 2020 we were to have a school opening ceremony but this was postponed due to COVID. This ceremony will take place next Tuesday morning. The works will be officially opened by Senator Scott Ryan and blessed by our Parish Priest Fr Nicholas. Unfortunately due to our current lack of space and continuing COVID requirements this ceremony will be only be attended by the students, staff and limited visitors.
Mother's Day
On Sunday 9th May we celebrate Mother's and all special Carer's Day. Many of us are blessed to have such special mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters in our lives today and others hold on to wonderful memories of these women who may no longer be with them. At St Michael's we will be celebrating Mother's Day on Wednesday 5th May with an Activity morning between 8am-9am. I warmly invite you to attend and enjoy this time with your children.
Winter Uniform
As we head into Week 3 and into the Winter months all children should now be in their full winter uniform. Please ensure your child's name is on all items of uniform including hats, scarves and gloves. It is also important to have their name on their drink bottles.
School Photos
School photos will be taken on Thursday 6th May. All children are required to be in their full school uniform and not sports uniform. If it is your child's sports day they are to bring their runners in their school bag to change into after the photos. If your child's hair is below shoulder length it is to be tied back with navy, yellow or white ribbon or ties.
Building News
Last week I attended a Tender Selection meeting along with our school Architect and representation from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). At the meeting presentations were made by three separate building companies and all were very impressive. After extensive discussion all parties agreed to recommend one of these companies to MACS as our preferred contractor for the new building. We are now awaiting MACS final approval of this preferred tender company. Until this approval is official we are bound by confidentiality clauses but as soon as I am informed that approval has been given I will be able to share with you all more information and greater detail about the method and timing of the new building's construction.
The most simple thing I can do is to be good today but better tomorrow
Denise Hussey
(Principal)