Welcome to 2023

Dear Families and Carers

It has been a great pleasure today working alongside the St Michael's staff in reviewing, revising and setting up the procedures for the 2023 school year. It has been a wonderful time over the past two weeks getting to know many staff members, particularly our Executive Team who have welcomed me and other new staff and greatly assisted with lots of information and at least a million questions! I am eternally grateful to them as well as Kathy Muhllechner for their time and patience. I've been delighted to have been introduced to a few parents and community members this week, who have also warmly welcomed me. I look forward to meeting students and many more parents next week. I look forward to working with staff, parents and students and, with Fr Laurence and Deacon Malcom, to build upon the excellent culture that is currently in place here.

As a brief background for you, I begin my time at St Michael’s School after spending 4 years as the Deputy Principal / Learning and Teaching Leader at St Justin’s School, Wheelers Hill. Prior to that, I spent nine and a half years as Principal at Holy Saviour, Vermont South. I look forward to supporting our community in this 12 month secondment as Principal at St Michael's School.

I take this opportunity to welcome our new staff members to St Michael's this year:

Mrs Eloise Ellis, Deputy Principal, previously from St Joseph's School, Boronia
Mrs Elise Rimington, Literacy Leader, previously from Christ Our Holy Redeemer, East Oakleigh
Miss Jessica Casey, Year 5/6 Class Teacher, previously from St Agnes, Highett
Miss Bianca Toldi, Year 1/2 Class Teacher, previously from St Leonards School, Glen Waverley
Mrs Jessica Fary, Visual Arts Teacher, previously CRT at St Michael's School

Students beginning 2023

We look forward to meeting all our students over the upcoming assessment days on Monday 30th January and Tuesday 31st January. Please check Operoo for details of your child's times.

We then welcome ALL STUDENTS back to school on Wednesday 1st February from 8.50am. Whilst Wednesdays will be rest days for our Prep students until the week commencing Monday 13th March, we look forward to the Preps starting with Year 1-6 students next Wednesday.

All parents are welcome to join us on

Wednesday 1st February from 8.45am

for a Cuppa and Morning Tea in the Hub.

Details in Community News

Parent Evening - Raising Kids in a Digital World

We welcome all parents to be part of this very important information session, led by Marty McGuaran from Inform and Empower. The aim of this session is to assist us all as parents and teachers, to understand the ever-changing landscape of the digital world in which our children live. Please notify us of your attendance through Operoo if you haven't already done so.

Thank you to all the families who have already responded.

Thursday 2nd February, 7pm in the Hub. See you there!

Assembly

Next week we will hold a short assembly on Friday afternoon at 2.40pm in the Hub. All are welcome to attend before collecting children. Each week we will continue our brief Monday morning assembly in the quadrangle and hold the Friday assembly fortnightly in the Hub.

Parish Enhancement Session

SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, 9-11AM

We welcome all parents who are available on this day to be part of our Parish Enhancement Session. This one will include both the Parish and School grounds. They could do with some sprucing up so we'll see you there!

Details about registration to follow early next week.

Anaphylaxis at St Michael's

As within all schools, St Michael's School has students who are anaphylactic to certain foods, most commonly nuts. Eloise and I met with a family this week whose child is highly sensitive to nuts specifically and can react to the touch of someone else with even the smallest amount. We ask that you are mindful when packing food for your child and 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.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

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.

Class Names and Teachers 2023

Prep Alexandra Panas

1/2B Caitlin O’Donnell

1/2G Rachael Lampe

1/2R Alex Terzakis

3/4R Deanna Imbriano

3/4B Desiree Harding & Samantha Isaacson

3/4G Bianca Toldi

5/6B Katrina Balzat & Lyn O'Brien

5/6R Jessica Casey

5/6G Michael Stent

St Michael's Primary School Ashburton

A safe community of animated learners enlightened by faith in God

Friday 27th January · 27 Jan 2023

In this issue