It is with great excitement that I have the opportunity to connect with the wonderful St Michael’s community for the first time in my new role as Principal. I feel privileged to come back and lead a school community that has such a special place in my heart. 

In my opening days with staff, I had the opportunity to share my vision as Principal at St Michael’s, Thirroul. My vision is that St Michael’s is a place where every individual can be their best. What this means to me is that every single person who walks through the gates of our school feels a sense of belonging and thrives in a culture that empowers all to be the best version of themselves. This simple vision will be used as my lens to help inform my decision-making in a quest to ensure each individual has ongoing opportunities to build and share their unique gifts and talents. 

As a Principal, I value creating positive partnerships between the school and home. If you have any concerns, would like to share information about your child, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call to organise a meeting with me. This year with the easing of restrictions, we are committed to providing additional opportunities for parents to further engage and support the life of the school. Please keep an eye out in the newsletters for opportunities for parent support and engagement. 

A special welcome to our new staff members joining our team in 2023. We are fortunate to have Amy Sammut stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. Amy is a passionate teacher and leader who brings a high level of expertise that will add value to our school community in many ways. We are blessed to have Pamela Di Domizio (Year 2) and Maria Shea (Year 4) joining our staff in 2023. Pamela and Maria come highly commended from their previous school settings, and are wonderful fits for our school community. 

Welcome to all of our new families joining our school community in 2023. I look forward to getting to know each of you over the coming weeks. I hope St Michael’s becomes a place that feels like a second home where you all feel valued, heard and supported. 

For our new Kindergarten parents, please be kind to yourselves and your children during this transition period. I also have a little one starting Kindergarten (St Joseph’s, Bulli) and can resonate with the mixed feelings of great excitement, but also some worry. Please know that your children are in extremely good hands, and we will do everything possible to ensure they are well-supported during this time of change.  

I look forward to an amazing 2023.  

Kind regards,

Mr James Bryce - Principal

“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

Rita Pierson 

Term Dates and Allocated Pupil Free Days 2023

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, 2023

• 27 January - Staff Return Pupil Free Day (Friday) 
• 30 January - Staff at School Pupil Free Day (Monday) 
• 31 January - Students return; Years 1-6  (Tuesday) 
• 7 February - Kindergarten Students Return (Tuesday)
• 6 April - Last day of Term 1 (Thursday) 

Term 2, 2023

• Pupil Free Day- 24 April (Monday)
• 26 April - First day of Term 2 (Wednesday) 
• 30 June - Last day of Term 2 (Friday) 

Term 3, 2023

• Pupil Free Day - 22 September (Friday)
• 17  July - First day of Term 3 (Monday) 

• 21 September - Last day of Term 3 (Thursday)

Term 4, 2023

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

Assemblies (Term 1)

Friday February 10 at 2.30 pm 

Friday February 24 at 2.30 pm

Friday March 10 at 2.30pm 

Friday March 24 at 2.30pm 

Other key dates for the calendar

Carnival Dates 2023

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

Swimming Trials - Monday  13 February

Cross Country - Friday  24 March

Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 28  June

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.)

Parent Communication

At St Michael’s we value creating a stong partnership between the home and school. 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. 

Car pick-up reminder

Our car pick-up procedures have been designed to ensure students leave the school safely, and that we minimise disruption to the local traffic flow. To support the staff in ensuring there is a quick and efficient process, please remember to have your family name displayed on your front windscreen. It is also important to note that the car pick-up zone is from 3.20 pm. Please do not arrive earlier than this time to avoid exceeding the 2-minute limit as it can cause congestion on Station Street and Lawrence Hargrave Drive. 

Thank you in advance for your support.