What a fun day we have had at St Michael's with Singer, Songwriter, Dancer and TV Star, Timomatic coming along to teach our Year 3/4s a dance routine. The dance program we follow at St Michael's is called 'Every Chance to Dance'. This is a great online program created by Franco (who also visited us today). Channel 9 were here filming, so be sure to watch Win News tonight at 6pm to see if we make the cut.

Vinnie's Winter Woolies and StayOut

What a great night it was on Friday night. I am hoping that students really got a feel for the importance of raising awareness and a deepening understanding regarding homelessness in our society. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. That’s why Vinnies raises money to provide people experiencing homelessness with vital access to food and accommodation. They also provide education, counselling, employment and health services to help people overcome poverty in the long term.

Thank you to the school community for your generous donations of winter woolies and for alowing your child/ren to experience the 'StayOut'. 

Sacrament Of First Eucharist

This weekend we will celebrate the Sacrament of First Eucharist with 19 of our St Michael's school students. This Sacrament will be celebrated across the 4 Parish Masses. This is an exciting and special next step of these student's faith journey and I congratulate them and their families. 

Term 2 Award Assembly

On Friday we will present this term's Rainbow Award recipients.

The Rainbow Award will be presented to 2 students from each class, each term, selected by their class teacher. These students will be recognised for displaying our school values.

This is not just to focus on academic achievement, but to focus and recognise students who support others, show compassion and empathy, challenge themselves, listen to feedback from teachers, display a positive attitude and are an overall good role model for others.

In Term 4, all students who have received a 'Rainbow Award' will have a special 'uniform free day' and lunch with Mr Webb and myself.

Letters have been sent home to families of students who will be receiving these awards this term. 

Support Staff Day

On Friday we celebrated Education Support Staff Day which is celebrated on 13 June. 

The day celebrates and acknowledges the tireless work of support and operational staff. The annual celebration is an initiative of the Independent Education Union Australia (IEUA) and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), reflecting a resolution passed at the seventh Education International (EI) World Congress in 2015 to create a global celebration held every June known as World Support Staff Day.

We thank Lisa, Maria, Kylie, Sonja, Sharon, Unnati and Kim for all that they do to support us all at St Michael's. 

Refugee Week

On Sunday, Damien Webb, Laura Frogley and I started the Ration Challenge to raise awareness of the refugee crisis during Refugee Week. The three of us are living on the same rations as a Syrian Refugee for 7 days. Please continue to be gentle with us as we hit half way without coffee, alcohol, vegetables, red meat and sugar. We really appreciate all the sponsorship that we have already received from the school community. We originally aimed to raise $1500 collectively and have now surpassed this to have a total of over $4100. You can still sponsor us, every little bit counts to help us to help those in need. You can sponsor us at https://my.rationchallenge.org.au/t/stmichaelsstaff

Staffing Update

We welcomed Yvette Whalan back last week after a fortnight away. Yvette will continue working in a part-time capacity sharing with Natasha Kapantais on 1/2W until the end of the term.

Yvette Whalan and Shannon Blakey are both accessing long service leave for the whole of Term 3. Natasha Kapantais will continue as classroom teacher on 1/2W (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Friday) with myself taking the class every Wednesday. I am in the process of locking someone in to take 5/6B and will annouce that once it is confirmed. 

My Wellbeing Lessons on Wednesday will be planned and programmed by me, but covered by a casual teacher for Term 3 whilst I am on 1/2W. 

Sarah Anderson will be accessing Long Service Leave in Week 1 next term, Jane McKeough and Ann Webb will cover the week. Jane McKeough will be accessing long service leave in Weeks 2-4. Regular casual teachers will cover her days across various class/es and roles. Bridgette McCann will be accessing long service leave at the end of Term 3 for a week and a regular casual will replace her during Week 10. 

Thank you in advance for your support regarding staffing. At all times, Damien Webb, Meaghan Younger, Jo Krippner and myself are connecting with classes to ensure consistent and effective learning is occurring. 

Enjoy the week ahead.

Regards,

Pat Ellis

Principal