Vision: Inspired by Christ, we aspire to excellence in learning, living life fully in community
The mission at St Michael’s is to:

• be a vibrant catholic community where all feel safe, valued, loved and respected

• display understanding, compassion and care for others and all creation

• foster dynamic and diverse learning opportunities

What a wonderful fortnight we have had here at St Michael’s, Thirroul. It was terrific to see so many parents, grandparents, and carers join us for our Opening School Mass and picnic. I truly hope that St Michael’s is a place where all students, staff, and parents feel safe, valued, loved and respected. 

As stated in our School Vision, we are committed to ensuring that we aspire to excellence in all aspects of learning, living fully in the community. As a staff, we have engaged in rigorous collaborative processes that are informed by the needs of our school community to design targeted annual improvement priorities for 2023. Throughout the year, we aim to further engage the parent community to share and celebrate our improvement journey. Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletters for opportunities for parents to have an insight into the impact of our improvement priorities. 

Please see below an outline of our school priorities for 2023:

Goal 1: Formation in the Catholic Tradition Priority:

Our first priority is focused on deepening and igniting Staff’s relationship with Christ through targeted and ongoing Spiritual Formation experiences. To do this, we will be strategically mapping time and space to deepen our connection with God and become the best versions of ourselves. If we, as teachers, are at our best, we are better positioned to support our students throughout their faith and learning journey. 

Goal 2: Learning and Wellbeing priority: 

Although our school data in mathematics is sound, we as a school are committed to excellence in learning. As a staff, we have identified a focus on building further evidence-based practice to teach number, so that all students can use a range of methods to communicate their thinking. This involves a shift in the way mathematics is traditionally taught to ensure students learn through meaningful experiences and rich dialogue.

Goal 3: Learning and Wellbeing priority:
With the implementation of the new English syllabus in Kindergarten to Year 2, comes the perfect time to ensure we have consistent research- based practices. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers will be supported throughout the year to understand the research behind the new syllabus, identify student learning needs, and continue to build a repertoire of research- based teaching practices. 

Thank you to parents and carers who are following our afternoon pick up procedures so that students leave the school site in a safe manner. If you are new to afternoon pick up, please see below a reminder of our school procedures to ensure a flow of traffic, consistency for all and above all the safety of students.  

• Arrival to the car pick up zone is from 3.20pm 
• Please do not arrive earlier than this time as you will be exceeding the 2 minute limit and it causes traffic congestion in Station Street and Lawrence Hargrave Drive. If you do arrive earlier, please continue along station street and loop around  Raymond Road, to allow the traffic flow to continue. 

If you are collecting your children from parent pick up, please do not park in the car pick up zone. 

Mr James Bryce - Principal