Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

The new school year is full of excitement and possibility for students and parents. Regardless of how a child or young person has previously performed, this year offers a chance to set a new course.

While it’s tempting as a parent to make the attainment of good academic results the main priority, this is a narrow view that may be incompatible with long-term success. It’s wiser to broaden your view and focus on helping your child or young person become the best student they can be. Here’s how.

Encourage learning

The rapidly changing world and workforce that your child will enter requires that they have a willingness to continually learn and adapt. The concept of a lifelong learner, previously lauded by educators with an eye to the future, has now become a reality. Learning and continual improvement should be embedded in each child’s psyche so that school life is just a starting point to a lifetime of learning, growth and development. Help your child see themselves as successful learners who achieve results through hard work and application, and that nothing is beyond them if they apply themselves.

Promote leadership

Leadership is required in all walks of life including at school, at work, in families and in the wider community. Help your child see themselves as a leader by focusing on personal leadership capacities such as planning ahead, communicating clearly, being accountable for their behaviour, developing emotional awareness and fostering good relationships with siblings and peers. Personal leadership development provides a strong foundation for the development of leadership skills in more public forums in later life.

Applaud independence

The school years are critical for the development of independence, which can easily be closed down by the roadblocks of impatience, overindulgence, fear and lack of time. Alternatively, independence is promoted when we show patience, provide opportunity, display confidence and teach students how.

Embed wellbeing

If there is one difference that modern schooling is making to the next generation it’s in the leadership they have shown in recent years to the maintenance of mental health and wellbeing practises. Parents can support their child’s long term wellbeing by embedding wellbeing habits including healthy eating, exercise, sleep, relaxation techniques, regular time in nature, gratitude and mindfulness.

Teach socialisation

If you want your child to be liked by others, it’s essential to spend time and effort developing the skills and attitudes needed to succeed. Develop in them an awareness of how their behaviour impacts on others, instil manners and community-mindedness and develop a broad range of friendship skills that will assist them to relate well to others.

Foster resilience

2020 showed us life is unpredictable, full of ups and downs, straight balls and curve balls. It’s the unpredictability, the downs and the curve balls that develop kids’ resilience. How parents and teachers react to the hardships, frustrations and difficulties kids face either hamper or foster resilience. Spoil, overprotect or pamper and growth opportunities are wasted. Support, encourage and teach kids to cope and you’ll be helping them develop a real sense of psychological hardiness and resilience that’s essential for long term happiness and success.

Make this year a memorable one by helping your child grow and develop into the best student they can be. Keep the focus broad and do all you can to ensure that your child sees themselves as a confident and continuous learner.

 (Helping your child become the best student they can be by Michael Grose)

It is pleasing to have had such a great response to the online booking for the parent teacher interviews. These are an important opportunity to share information about your child that will be beneficial to their ongoing learning. Due to COVID restrictions there are a few things we will need your assistance with to ensure our compliance.

• Parent teacher interviews for grades 1 – 6 will be held in your child’s classroom, with the exception of 5/6 E will be in the Italian room and 5/6 F will be in the Art room. Please be on time as we need to limit the numbers in each space and it may not be possible to reschedule another interview time.
• Outside the main entrance to each building there will be a table set up with a QR code and Visitor Declaration form for each family to fill out. These will only need to be completed once per family.  
• As per government advice, face masks are mandatory indoors. Both parents and staff will be required to wear a mask during PT interviews unless an exemption applies.

Kind regards

Jodie

St Michael’s Parents & Friends Association

1^st February 2021

Dear Parents,

The St Michael’s Parents & Friends Association meets monthly to coordinate fundraising activities and social gatherings like the Walkathon, Mothers and Fathers day stalls, school disco and social nights.

It is an important part of the school as it generates much needed funds for the school. These funds are used to enhance and beautify the grounds, to purchase equipment, furniture and educational programs. P&F offer lots of opportunities to be involved – no matter what your interest is, how much time you have to spare or what skills you can offer.  Please take the time to think about what you can do to support your school community and show your children that their school is important to you as well.  All of our children benefit from our fundraising activities and without more parental support our ability to raise funds will diminish.

The meetings are quite informal and are a good opportunity to hear about developments within the school as Jodie (Principal) or Lia (Deputy Principal) attend each meeting.  If you would like to know more about P&F please contact: myself, Jodie, Lia or the school office.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 4^th March at 7pm in the staffroom. So come and make yourself a cuppa and join us.  You will be warmly welcomed and will meet some terrific parents.

We really need more parent help to keep the committee going. Your consideration of taking on a position on the P&F committee or being a general member or someone who helps out when needed would be greatly appreciated. Some roles will be vacated at the AGM and it is vital that passionate people fill them.  Please see the attached Nomination Form.

For any further information or questions please text or phone Deb on 0417 014 175

Yours sincerely,

Deb Rowley

P&F President

The St Michael’s Parent and Friends Committee, Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 4th March 2021 at 7pm in the school staff room. Some positions will be declared vacant. The following positions are to be filled on the core committee- President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. Or you may be interested in Publicity Officer or General Committee Member. If you are considering returning to a position or self nominating for one of these core positions, you will need to attend the AGM and submit a written nomination via this form.

Roles within P&F Committee

President

The President’s position carries a task of trust and responsibility and requires skill and time. The President should exercise authority with tact, be impartial and open to other points of view.    The main role of the President is to:

• Be the main representative/spokesperson for the P&F
• Liaise with the Committee members and set the agenda for meetings
• Be the main contact for agenda items
• Open the meetings punctually and ensure the agenda is followed
• Ensure those present at the meeting have the opportunity to discuss each item on the agenda prior to a decision being made
• Make sure, particularly on contentious matters, as many points of view as possible are expressed
• Make sure everyone is given an opportunity to speak and encourage members to speak by addressing questions to them
• Work towards a collaborative approach with other members of school community
• Be mindful of timelines, keep discussions on track and keep meetings moving
• Be mindful of the role of the Education Board and refer any contentious issues the board for discussion
• Liaising with the school principal in relation to any issues or concerns
• Is a core member of the Parents and Friends Association

Vice President

The Vice President plays an important role by assisting the President with P&F responsibilities such as:

• Replace and chair meetings in the absence of president.
• Is a core member of the Parents and Friends Association

Secretary

The Secretary is very important to the efficient operation of the P&F. The Secretary will work with the President and Committee members. Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Taking minutes at P&F and Committee meetings
• Photocopying and distributing minutes to Committee members along with agenda approximately one week prior to the next meeting
• In consultation with the Principal and President providing a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting for display on a parents notice board and/or in the school newsletter
• Dealing with any incoming/outgoing correspondence
• Is a core member of the Parents and Friends Association

Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary plays an important role by assisting the Secretary with P&F responsibilities such as:

• Taking minutes at P&F and Committee meetings
• Photocopying and distributing minutes to Committee members along with agenda approximately one week prior to the next meeting
• In consultation with the Principal and President providing a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting for display on a parents notice board and/or in the school newsletter
• Dealing with any incoming/outgoing correspondence
• Is a core member of the Parents and Friends Association

Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer

The Treasurer carries a task of trust and responsibility. Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Taking charge of monies of the P&F
• Keeping accurate financial records of all receipts and expenditure
• Banking all money regularly
• Reporting monthly on the P&F’s financial position at meetings
• Preparing a financial report for the Annual General Meeting

Is a core member of the Parents and Friends Association

Icy Poles

Zooper Doopers will be sold for 50 cents each from the sports storeroom by the Grade 5/6's at lunchtimes.

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 class until assemblies can resume. 

In Week 2 the School Wide Expectation focus was: Respect