Principal's Page - Pat Ellis
A huge thank you to the community for the fundraising efforts this year. Funds raised have recently purchased new competition sporting shirts for students. These shirts are more lightweight compared to previous ones. We are also looking to purchase some new Lego Mindstorms to add to our existing two. This will mean more students have access to a machine to code, particularly for Coding Club and Robotics. Your fundraising efforts have also paid for our Community Breakfast during Catholic Schools Week and as a tradition, will pay for our Year 6 student's graduation dinner.
Each year, there is a Council Levy included in your school fees. As mentioned previously, this money goes to assist us with purchasing new furniture and equipment for our learning spaces both inside and outside. Some of these funds also combined with the Technology Levy to purchase bigger ticket Tech items such as new TVs, Chromebooks and iPads.
Year 1/2 classes will be receiving new 
classroom furniture for the start of 2020 which will be very exciting with 3/4 classes receiving new furniture in 2021. Kindergarten had a new TV installed in their room last term and another TV will be purchased for one of the 3/4 classes ready for 2020. Early next year we will be looking to update the C Block 30 iPad bank. This will compliment the bank of Chromebooks purchased this year. We also recently updated our hall data projector and sound. There is lots happening across the school to maximise opportunities for engaging learning to occur.
We have some very exciting news! I have recently requested some support from CE to install some split system units for our classrooms. I am pleased to inform everyone, that we will be installing split system units in all classrooms. I am hoping this is done in the next few weeks before it gets too hot. This will also mean that the old electric bar heaters can be removed from classrooms. As you would be aware, I am very passionate about creating the best learning environments for our students. I take great pride in ensuring we present engaging spaces inside and outside for our students with comfortable temperatures in classrooms contributing to an optimum space to learn.
Term 4 Fee Statements 
Fee statements have gone home this week. Please organise payment by the due date. If you are paying by direct debit, please ensure your direct debit will cover your fees for 2019. We have one of the best fee collection rates of Catholic schools. Thank you to everyone for ensuring these fees are paid to assist with our ongoing operating costs and expenses.
Food for Recess and Lunch
This is just a reminder to please pack enough food for your child each day. We are having a lot of children coming to the office for lunch each day, as they have eaten all their food at the first break because they were hungry. Whilst we would never allow a child to go hungry during the day we would organise a very basic sandwich for them, I have requested that parents are now to be called by the Front Office informing them that food is being supplied to their child. This will help you start a conversation with your child about the food they are eating at school and ensuring each child has enough food each day.
We also have students coming to the Front Office for fruit break where they haven't bought any with them. In these cases, students will go without fruit for the day. We do not have the facilities to store fresh fruit at school. As this is optional and there are many students across the school who choose not to have fruit at fruit break, we will not be providing fruit for students.
JUMPFEST 
A reminder we have JumpFest on Sunday (10-2pm). Thank you so much to all those parents and friends who have volunteered to help on the day and everyone for baking something to donate. Remember, all money will go to Jariah Education Centre in Kenya. We are hoping to raise at least $2500 for them to purchase a water tank for their school so they can access fresh water during the day.
Thank you to our sponsors...
- Own It Finance
- Premier Capital Properties
- McDonalds
Please support those who support us!
You can still pop your name down to help. Why not help out for an hour when the kids are jumping?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EivbL4sjpZ_nNeDJ8fWJJqhr9fyCBX6cw9b4D34T4Ro/edit
Today, we celebrated World's Teachers Day (official Australian date is the last Friday in October). We have incredible teachers at St Michael's, all passionate and dedicated to their profession of making a difference in the lives of every student they encounter. Thank you to the Community Council for providing lunch for staff today as a thank you on behalf of the parent community. Much appreciated!
I will be away from school on Thursday afternoon and Friday. I will be attending a Principal's Retreat in Galong. Damien Webb and Meaghan Younger will be points of contact in my absence.
Tomorrow night, our Year 3 students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and their parents will be required to participate in a preparation evening at St Michael's at 6pm. I wish you all well on this next step.
Good luck to our teams heading to Boorowa on Friday. Mr Webb, Mrs Hardwicke, Mrs McCann and Miss Lewis will be attending the carnival.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Kind regards,
Pat Ellis
Principal