Congratulations to our School Captains who were great representatives of the school at the Anzac Day Parade. It was also lovely to see so many happy faces and waves from the students watching the parade as we walked past. Thank you for your support!

We have been in discussions with some before and after school care providers regarding the possibility of engaging them to run a program here at St Michael's Traralgon. We are exploring both before and after school services as well as a school holiday service. You will have received an email yesterday (Monday 28th April) with a survey link. Please complete the survey so we can collect data about the viability of such a  program.

STARTING LATE AND FINISHING EARLY

Last term we stated in our newsletter the importance of children being at school on time and how leaving early severely impacts their learning routine. We again need to raise this with families. 

There are many reasons why arriving late after the morning music is not okay, these include: 

• Children are rushed, therefore feel out of sorts to start their learning 
• Children do not get time to run outside and get rid of excess energy
• Children do not get time to connect with their friends 
• Children miss key information relating to the structure of the day and this upsets their routine 

There are also several reasons why collecting your children early is not okay, these include: 

• Children miss out on key learning instructions - they then come back to school having missed the instructions for the tasks and feel overwhelmed because they are behind everyone else. 
• Children miss out on key learning concepts - we still teach in the afternoon!! Please don't think that the afternoons are chill and cruisey; they are not. Children are still expected to learn maths, literacy and other key concepts. 
• Children miss out on key messages, notes, and reminders for the following day or week. 

We understand that for some students coming to school is hard - please speak to your child’s teacher or a member of the learning adjustment team if your child is displaying school refusal or “school can’t“ so that a support plan can be discussed. We also understand that  medical appointments such as doctors or offsite therapist appointments cannot be avoided during the school day. 

However, we do ask that NON URGENT appointments be scheduled outside school hours. Reasons such as getting a haircut, avoiding traffic, difficulty parking, avoiding wet weather will not be accepted. 

Further to this, if you arrive at the school office at 3:15pm or later asking to collect your child, you will now be asked to wait until the bell goes at 3:20pm. 

Frequent absences - these not only impact your child’s learning they also influence their ability to form connections with their peers. By having continual absences they may also find it hard to return, creating anxiety as they need to reconnect with their friends and teacher, relearn the routines of the classroom and establish themselves back into the games on the yard during break times.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The School Advisory Committee operates as the principal consultative and advisory body in the school. We are seeking more parents who are interested in being a part of this committee, thank you to those who have already indicated they would like to be a part of this committee. Days and times for the meetings will be decided once a committee is formed based on the availability of those elected. 

Please email principal@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au ASAP if you would like to be a part of this committee.

The School Advisory Committee is advisory to the School Principal. This body acts as an adviser on strategic planning, support to the Principal, school improvement and development, policy and general leadership, the sole purpose ultimately being to serve and work toward the mission and vision of the school.

The responsibilities of the School Advisory Committee are to:

• promote the Catholic ethos of the school
• provide feedback on and review of school policies
• plan for the future of the school and its ability to accommodate future enrolments
• provide advice on budget planning and finance-related matters
• contribute to the selection process for the school principal
• provide advice on the appropriate provision of faith development and Religious Education programs
• promote child safety in the school

The School Advisory Committee has no responsibility for the internal management and administration of the school, which are the responsibility of the school principal under the supervision and direction of DOSCEL.

Membership of this committee comprises of: 

• the School Principal (acts as chair, unless the Principal nominates a chair) 
• the Parish Priest/priests (if they wish to be on this committee)
• four (4) parents of children attending the school elected by the parents of the school, including a nominee of the parent and friends association
• up to three (3) parishioner representatives nominated by the parish priest

Kind regards

Jodie