Welcome to the 2022 school year. I hope that you were able to find time to rest, recharge and reconnect with loved ones during the break. Please know that you were in my prayers, especially those of you directly impacted by COVID-19.

As Term 1 begins, you'll hear a lot about “COVID-smart” measures designed to keep our school communities safe. I would like to sincerely thank you for your continued show of support as we again enter another year of restrictions, guidelines and considerations. I am very appreciative of your understanding with the short notice given to the RAT kit roll out and for being so flexible with that process. I completely understand the extra strain that this places on families and I am acutely aware of the added pressure and potential anxiety this may cause for some children. Thank you for your cooperation and for working together with us as a school to keep our community safe. As has been the case over the last 2 years the restrictions, guidelines and mandates have led to some difficult decisions having to be made to consider the safety of all of our community.

As we continue to work together and navigate all that comes our way it is our sense of community, compassion and understanding that will continue to make it possible for our students to thrive no matter what 2022 has in store for us.

The last two years have been extremely disruptive, but through it, our mission has not changed. We are here for our students. To help them reach their learning potential. To invite them into a personal encounter with Jesus. To ensure that each one of them is known as a person and learner and feels valued and included. To help them build positive relationships, experience connection, and find meaning and purpose. This is why we exist for them.

I thank you in advance for your understanding and concern that you have already expressed for our staff. The following weeks will once again present us with unprecedented times as it becomes inevitable that students and staff will either be Covid positive or be a household contact. I assure you that we will do all that we can to maintain as much consistency as possible.

I will continue to ensure that you are kept informed and provided with all possible support as we work through what each day brings.

God Bless

Belinda Hughes - Principal

Term Dates and Allocated Pupil Free Days 2022

Please find below the updated Term 2 and Term 3 Staff Development Days that have been allocated. There is a change to the first day of term 2.

Term 1, 2022

• 28 January - Staff Return Pupil Free Day (Friday) 
• 31 January - Staff at School Pupil Free Day (Monday) 

• 1 February - Students return; Years 1-6  (Tuesday) 

• 8 February - Kindergarten Students Return (Tuesday)

• 8 April - Last day of Term 1 (Friday) 

Term 2, 2022

• Pupil Free Day - Monday 25 April

• 26 April - First day of Term 2 (Tuesday) 

• 1 July - Last day of Term 2 (Friday) 

Term 3, 2022

• Pupil Free Day - Friday 26 August

• 18 July - First day of Term 3 (Monday) 

• 23 September - Last day of Term 3 (Friday)

Term 4, 2022

• 10 October - First day of Term 4 (Monday) 
• 19 December - Last day of Term 4 (Monday)
• 20 December - Pupil Free Day (Tuesday)

Carnival Dates 2022

Please find below a reminder of these dates, they are on the Parent Calendar.

Swimming Trials - Wednesday 9 February

Cross Country - Thursday 24 March

Athletics Carnival - Friday 24 June

Fr Ken’s 25th Ordination Anniversary

This weekend Bishop Brian Mascord will be celebrating mass on Sunday morning to acknowledge the wonderful milestone of Fr Ken’s 25th Anniversary since his ordination into the priesthood. Monday 7 February is the actual day, the school will be presenting him with a special gift for this significant occasion. Fr Ken is a central figure in our school community. Congratulations!

St Michael’s Uniform Expectations:

We always like to begin the year with a high standard of school uniform. Please find below an excerpt from the Parent Handbook in relation to school uniform expectations. This ensures that a high standard is maintained. If students are consistently wearing the incorrect uniform a reminder slip will be sent home.

The wearing of the correct school uniform is an expectation at St Michael’s. It is important for students to take pride in themselves, and in their school, by being correctly groomed and wearing full uniform.

The following information from the Parent handbook outlines the school uniform policy. We thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that our students take pride in their school uniform.

Girls Summer Uniform

Blue check tunic, short blue socks, black leather shoes, hat with school emblem or culottes and shirt. 

Girls and Boys Sport Uniform 

Unisex microfibre navy shorts, polo shirt with emblem, blue socks, sport shoes that are modest in colour, preferably blue or white. Navy microfibre sports jacket with emblem and microfibre sports pants, navy scarf (optional). School hat with emblem.

Boys Summer Uniform

Navy blue shorts, short-sleeved blue shirt, blue socks, black leather shoes. School hat with emblem.

Hairstyles

Hair that is over collar length must be cut or tied back. Hair may not be dyed. Hair that is untidy (for example long in length or on top or sides, in face) must be cut, no hairstyles that are inappropriate for school (eg. rat tails, mohawks, mullets, beaded hair etc.) are allowed. Only light blue or navy coloured bands, ribbons etc. may be worn.

Jewellery

For safety reasons, jewellery, with the exception of simple watches, signet rings and plain stud or small “sleeper” earrings (1 only), is not permitted. Crosses on chains may be worn under uniforms.

Nails 

Nails are to be kept short and clean.  (No nail polish or other cosmetics are to be worn.)

Drop Off and Pick up Procedures

Car drop off and pick up is the preferred method of arriving and leaving the school in the current restrictions that we are required to follow. Please read the procedures of car drop off and pick up that will keep everyone safe and the pick up running smoothly without holding up traffic. Please note that the area is only zoned as a drop off zone, not a parking zone.

• Students in Tenison and MacKillop House will be picked up between 3.00pm and 3.15pm (preferably using car pick up)
• Students in Penola and Fitzroy House will be picked up between 3.15pm and 3.30pm (preferably using car pick up)
• Students catching the bus, walking home or accessing Big Fat Smiles after school care will remain in their class cohort and leave as usual, ie 3.15pm dismissal

Parent Communication

As we have returned to school with a ‘normal’ delivery of learning and teaching, all parent communication will now revert back to our school procedures. If you need to contact a teacher or a member of the leadership team please email all enquiries through the school office email address info@smtdow.catholic.edu.au or phone 42672560. This will ensure that your email is directed to the right person or if someone is away it will still be addressed. Any formal notices or notifications will be communicated via Compass. SeeSaw will no longer be used for communication between class teacher and parents. SeeSaw will revert back to being used for its intended purpose of sharing children’s progress in learning.

Building Update

We have finally moved in to the new administration space and it looks and feels amazing. Thank you for all the comments from parents who have come in to the office. It feels great to be able to work in a fresh, contemporary and welcoming space. I am so pleased that we were also able to achieve the completion of the top playground. It certainly has been a long time coming, but we got there in the end! It is an even and safe surface now with amazing splashes of colour and interactive spaces for all of our children. So far the feedback from the students has been very positive!