K-2 Literacy update

This week our K-2 staff have completed professional development on InitiaLit, a Tier 1 whole class literacy program which will be delivered by classroom teachers to all students across K-2 in 2024. This program will provide students with essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers.

InitiaLit is a reading program that incorporates a synthetic approach to the teaching of phonics alongside a rich literature and vocabulary component. The teaching of this program enables our teachers to strengthen literacy practices and provide thorough and consistent instruction across classrooms and a reduction in the number of children needing support in higher grades. This program is an evidence-based approach to reading and spelling that is aligned with the Australian National Curriculum.

Kinder Orientation

We look forward to welcoming back our students who will become our Kindergarten cohort for 2024. Our current Year 5 students will be meeting their new Kinder buddies and are extremely excited to be stepping up into this role. Please ensure that your child brings fruit break, morning tea, a water bottle and a hat to the session starting at 9:00-12:30 in the Kinder classroom. 

Campaign against child sexual abuse

At St Michael’s we prioritise the safety of children. Please be aware of the importance of ‘One Talk at a Time’, a national campaign against child sexual abuse, launched by the National Office for Child Safety. One Talk at a Time aims to protect young people from sexual abuse by encouraging adults to have ongoing, proactive, preventative conversations.

Link: https://www.childsafety.gov.au/one-talk-time

Advent Liturgy 1

This Friday Year 1/2 will present our first Advent Liturgy followed by our morning assembly and final Harmony awards for 2023 at 9am in the hall. All parents are welcome to attend.

Reports & Interviews

Semester 2 reports will be issued via Compass in week 9 Monday 4th December. Your child’s teacher may request an interview to discuss progress. Parents can book an optional appointment for an interview between 5th- 8th December through the Compass portal. The bookings will go live on Compass on Monday 4^th December.

School Camp 2024

In February we are offering a camp experience for Year 5 & Year 6 at Camp Wombaroo. Camp will be held on Wednesday 28 February - Friday 1 March 2024. The camp provides an exciting and inclusive environment for the students to be active, develop competence in life skills, learn about their abilities and benefit from meaningful participation in an amazing setting. Please ensure that you provide consent on the Compass Portal to secure your child’s place.

Giving Mass & Rainbow Awards

Next week, Thursday 7 December we will be holding our Giving Mass & Rainbow Awards in the Church. We will start with a Mass in the church at 9:30am followed by Rainbow Awards for Term 4. We will also farewell any staff leaving. Students are welcome to come dressed in Christmas t-shirts and clothes and all parents are welcome to attend.

End of Year Events