Denise's Message

PREP 2023 ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN

ST MICHAEL'S OPEN DAY 16TH MARCH - TOURS 9:15AM, 12:15PM, 7:00PM

Dear Families,

It has been wonderful to move around the classrooms, seeing our children engaged so passionately in their learning. Our Prep children went on their first excursion today, they visited the local Woolworths Supermarket to see and buy some fresh fruit and vegetables as part of their Health Inquiry Unit, 'Healthy Humans'. As part of their Health Inquiry Unit, 'Health & the Community' our Year 2 children headed off to the MCG by tram to visit the Sports Museum. I believe that whilst there they met a very famous Australian Olympian, Steven Bradbury, Australia's first-ever Winter Gold Medal winner, how lucky were they!

School Advisory Council

In this week's newsletter, there is a new section devoted to our School Advisory Council (SAC). Our SAC members include Steven and I representing the school, our Parish Priest, a member of our Parish community, and parents of children in our school. We meet termly where we discuss issues concerning our school community and discuss how we can make improvements going forward. We met last night where representatives of MACS, Crosier Scott Architects, and Lloyd Group attended to update the Council on the progress of our new building and reported back on the results of the Worksafe incident that occurred during the January holiday break. I strongly encourage you to go to the SAC section, learn who our members are, and read our Chair, Joe Greco's report from the SAC meeting held on 17th February. One of our members, Elysia Robb, has resigned from her position on SAC and on behalf of the school, I thank her for her time and commitment to our school and wish her and her family well in their future endeavours.

Student School Leaders

It is with pleasure that I re-introduce our Student School Leaders, Sunny Rocca-McMahon and Danny Malikiwi. Both Sunny and Danny are very excited about their role and are wanting to do everything they can to listen to their fellow students and to help continue to improve our school by acting on the voices of their peers.

They have asked me to include the following information in this week's newsletter.

We’re introducing a student suggestion box this year; where you can leave a comment with an idea you have for our school. School leaders will be coming to your class to explain how it works. 

The box will be left at the office. 

Thank you,

Sunny & Danny

House Leaders

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as House Leaders for 2022. I know they will lead their House with great pride and enthusiasm throughout 2022.

Lewis House                                                         Patrick House

Kristina Williams            Levi Luu                   Alex Quinlan           Yoyo Shumye                                                

Frayne House                                                   McAuley House

Marlowe Hill                 Huxley Hill              Solyana Tsegai         Jonathan Manoj 

'Get To Know You' Parent / Teacher Chats

Thanks to all our families who took the time to meet with their child's teacher last Friday. It is an important part of building a strong and trusting relationship that will enable your child to learn more effectively throughout this year. If you were not able to attend last week it is important you contact your child's teacher to make a time to meet as soon as possible.

Library Books and Take Home Reading Books

During 2022 St Michael's spent in excess of $20,000 upgrading our library and take-home book stock, including books that the children themselves had chosen. 

It is with great disappointment that more than 1/3 of these books have not been returned to our school after being borrowed and taken home during remote learning last year. I am asking each family to search their home for any St Michael's books and return them to the school, even if they are damaged, as soon as possible. 

Books are a highly valued resource and our children have developed a deep love of reading but unfortunately, we are unable to sustain such a loss of books each year. It is important that children and families take great care of these books, enjoy reading them at home but bring them back to school each time so that others can then also enjoy them.

Lunch and Recess Play Schedule

As you would all realise our play space has temporarily been decreased due to the building program. We have had to make adjustment to the play schedule to cater for this and therefore are taking our Yr 3-6 children to the park three times per week and using the Parish tennis court each lunch and recess break time. Some classes will also spend some break times in their classes doing inside games and activities. We are constantly monitoring this playtime program and adjusting it where possible to allow children to be outside.

COVID-19

I have reported some school positive cases of Covid to you all over the past couple of days. If you are informed of a positive case in your child's class, you do not need to keep your child at home but it is advised that you closely monitor your child for any symptoms and continue using the Rapid Antigen Tests regularly.

Drop Off and Pick Up Traffic Safety

All families wish to drop off and pick up their child quickly at school but most importantly they want to do it safely, so I ask all families to please follow all road rules whilst doing the drop off and pick up routine.

Please NEVER park on the school crossing and please use the crossing to get to the middle carparks or to the other side of the road.

If you cannot find a car space do not double park your car and ask children to get in your car in the middle of the road, this is extremely dangerous. 

Children are supervised in the yard until 3:45pm, so I advise you to drive around or park just a block or two away,  in order to drop off and collect your child safely. If we all do the right thing then every child will get to school and home safely.

School Uniform

Thanks to all the children for wearing their school correctly and with such pride. A reminder that runners are only to be worn on sports day with their sports uniform.

School Closure Days

A reminder that we have 2 school closure days this term on:

THURSDAY 10TH MARCH and FRIDAY 11TH MARCH

On these days all staff will be completing their Berry St Educational Model training.

St Michael's School will not be open on these days but the Holiday Program will be available. Please make a booking with Susan or via the YLV website.

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.