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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
It is a short week this week with Anzac Day on Thursday and a closure day on Friday. The School Captains will be representing the school at the 10:30am Anzac Day Parade on Thursday. Please look out for them as they will be participating in the March as well as laying a wreath at the Cenotaph.
The children have also been looking at some of the Anzac Day displays we have around the school. If you visit the front office you will see the lovely artwork created by the 5/6 students. We have very talented artists and art teachers at St Michael’s.
Bike Safety around St Michael's Primary School
Unfortunately we have had some very near misses from students riding their bikes in an unsafe manner around the school grounds. Riding a bike or scooter is a great way to encourage students to be fit and active, but we must remind all students about being safe and riding their bikes.
Last week we were contacted by the school crossing supervisor on multiple occasions advising of students riding their bikes straight across the crossing with no regard for instructions. We have also had students riding their bikes and scooters in the school grounds in an unsafe way - they are “charging out the gates” with little care for others who may be walking around them.
We have the following expectations:
- Students must walk their bike or scooter when on the school grounds at all times.
- Students must walk their bikes across the school crossing and follow the instructions given by the school crossing supervisor.
We ask that all parents remind their children about the need to ride their bikes safely to and from school. Teachers will also continue to provide the bike safety message in their classrooms.
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT UPDATE
Throughout 2024, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community.
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.
Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers.
This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.
View the first presentation of the series here:
Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/
In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister's battles with Mental Illness.
Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.
We will be in touch fortnightly to share the remainder of the program, including research and wellbeing activities to integrate into day-to-day life.
School Advisory Committee
The School Advisory Committee operates as the principal consultative and advisory body in the school. 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
We are seeking four parents who are interested in being 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 by Tuesday 23rd April if you would like to be a part of this committee.
IMPORTANT DATES
- 25th April - Anzac Day - Public Holiday
- 26th April - School Closure Day
- 30th April - District Cross Country
- 1st May - Confirmation parent Meeting 6pm at the Church
- 20th - 22nd May - 5/6 Phillip Island Camp
- 24th May - Sacrament of Confirmation 6pm at the Church
- 4th June - District Winter Sports (5/6 students)
Direct Debits Thursday 25th April
Just a reminder that direct debits due this Thursday 25th April will be processed on Friday 26th April due to the Anzac Day Public Holiday on Thursday.
SSV State Swimming Championships
Our student leaders will be selling ANZAC DAY badges this week. Prices range from $2 - $20.
Sunday's gospel was the story of the Good Shepherd, a very familiar story. The image of Jesus as the good shepherd is one that can sometimes become over-familiar and cease to engage us. Countless works of art have presented this image literally, picturing Jesus as a shepherd with a crook and surrounded by sheep or even with a lamb draped around the back of his neck. In the gospel this week, Jesus says, ‘I am the good shepherd’, not ‘I am like the good shepherd’. The emphasis of the image is on the adjective. Jesus is the good shepherd.
Historically, shepherds generally were not regarded as particularly good people – more like the scum of the earth! – so the choice of image is a deliberate one to unsettle and confront the initial audience of this story. Unlike their normal expectation of shepherds – cut-throats who would run away at the first sign of danger – Jesus is the good shepherd: the one who does not abandon his flock; the one who has concern for his sheep; the one who will lay down his own life for his sheep. The final verses of the passage make an interesting extension to the image of shepherd and sheep. Unlike the ‘sacrificial lamb’, the good shepherd chooses to lay down his life and also has the power to take it up again. Jesus was giving them an image of what it means to take care of their people.
Each week students from each class are awarded Student of the Week certificates. These children are nominated for the example they have been within the school based on the School Wide Expectation focus for that week. The weekly focus will be from Wednesday until Tuesday the following week. Awards will be presented to students in the classroom on Wednesday.
In Week 2 the School Wide Expectation focus is Safety:
I have the right to feel safe in our school environment.
| Frankie Colgan | Kyah Pham | Hailey Lourensz |
| Blair Cooper | Finn Hourigan | Lahna Murphy |
| Otis Jeffs | Noah Del Mundo | Jagger Sutton |
| Boston Shaw | Olivia Bond | |
| Saxon Clark-O'Connor | Chad Di Dio |
We are excited to offer hot lunches weekly on a Monday with Munch Lunch. They are a local company that offer a variety of lunch items.
Ordering is simple, download the Spriggy Schools app via your App Store or Google Play store, select St Michael's School, add your children and their class to the app and place your order! Lunches will then be delivered to school. Orders need to be placed by 9:00am on the day. You can pre order lunches 2 weeks in advance.
Contact: Munch Lunch 0459 220 445 or hello.munch.lunch@gmail.com
The next second hand uniform shop will be this Wednesday 23rd April from 3:00-3:30pm. Please enter through the office.
If you have any old uniforms you would like to donate or swap for bigger sizes please bring them along!
