Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday I communicated to you via Compass that this Friday, 27 May 2022, IEU members will be participating in a full day of protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage. As a result of this action Ross Fox has advised that St Michael’s will be closed for students on Friday. The closure is because there are insufficient staff available to safely supervise your children. Your children’s safety is paramount and we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on Friday.

As Protected Industrial Action will be occurring this Friday, we will present our usual Harmony Awards next Friday 3^rd June.

We will also be posting some activities on Seesaw to assist families with learning on Friday, these activities are not compulsory and teachers will not be marking them.

Teacher shortages

I want to express my gratitude to the community for their understanding during some difficult weeks. The shortage of teachers has been truly challenging and the way staff have helped in so many ways is testimony to the fact that we are a people of kindness, doing what is needed to put students at the centre of all we do. Teachers at St Michael’s continue to give their best to provide wonderful learning experiences for your children.

Visit from Monash Primary School Leadership and learning team

The research-based professional learning provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond AM, PhD, CF and Brooke Wardana, experienced educator is highly valued in Education circles and we are hosting a team from Monash Primary School, ACT, next week to demonstrate some of the skills we have gained. Across sectors the word is spreading that what we are doing in our Catalyst initiatives is making a difference! I thank our staff for their continued professionalism and dedication to quality teaching and instruction.

Tell them from me

This week we are inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Michael’s.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/4st2g

School Fees

Thank you to the families who are continuing to support us by keeping up to date with fee payments. Fees have been sent home via the oldest student. If you have not received your fee statement please email Lynda at the front office. Please make an appointment to chat to me if you are having trouble managing fee payments. We encourage families to use the direct debit process to spread the payment of fees across school terms. 

Enrolment Period for 2023 School Year

A reminder to all families that the CE enrolment period concludes this Friday 27 May. For families of students in Year 6 looking to enrol in Feeder High Schools and for families wishing to enrol students in Kindergarten at St Michael’s please ensure you complete the required enrolment forms. If you have family, friends or neighbours please let them know about St Michael’s and direct them to our website or encourage them to come and say hello as we are always looking to promote our wonderful school.  

Representing St Michael’s

Congratulations to our Yr 2-6 students who are representing St Michael’s at the Belconnen Cross Country Carnival tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has been part of supporting our team and good luck and best wishes to all our runners!

A shout out to many families on the cold, flu, or COVID roundabout, we wish you all a speedy recovery. Thank you for keeping your children at home when they are unwell so that we can do our best to contain the spread of viruses at school.

Many Blessings

Judy Egan

Principal

YOUNG CHILDREN & DIGITAL DEVICES RESEARCH PROJECT  

Young children and digital devices research project opportunity for families living in Australia with children K-2. As part of my PhD with Deakin University, I am looking for parents and children to participate in a research project. The project is researching young children’s usage of mobile digital devices such as iPads and Tablets. 
The project is for PhD research titled, The Agential Practices of Young Children When Using Mobile Digital Devices. 

This research is only applicable to families living in Australia and with children who attend primary school in grades K-2. 

Please contact Kristen Swenson if you would like to be part of her research Project

KRISTEN SWENSON <swensonk@deakin.edu.au