Dear Parent, Guardians and Carers,

As this year draws (quickly!) to an end I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the countless wonderful people who make up our St Michael’s school community.

As a school we are blessed to have  the generous support of the parent body. We know that the staff and the parents must work together in partnership if we really do want our children to excel. Thank you also to all the parents involved in the School Advisory Committee and the  Parent and Friends  for their dedication, hard work and friendship over the years. It was great to be able to have a few laughs and also get so much work done. A special thanks to all of you.

Many thanks also to our staff; they are such a committed group of people who truly care for the children in our school. They all put in many hours above and beyond their duty to help each child realise their own potential. Thank you for your understanding, dedication and sense of community.

Thanks also to our students, so many people comment on the consideration they always show visitors to our school. Special thanks to all our School and House Captains who have demonstrated such wonderful leadership skills throughout the year. They have been fine role models to our younger students and I wish all the Yr 6’s further success as their education journey continues.

Our Mini Vinnies team have had a big year this year as a newly formed team led by Mrs Rickwood. This year they cooked pancakes, sizzled sausages, collected canned goods, guessed the number of lollies and many other activities to raise money. The work they do to support people locally and around the globe defines our school as a community of living faith in Jesus Christ, we are missionary people. 

Our fundraising for Catholic Mission during Term 3 and Term 4 has been more than successful. Together we have raised $4,787.75….. What an amazing effort! This money will provide many resources and much support for the communities in Mongolia. This result, however, could not be achieved without your support at home. So thank you for everything that you do to allow us to be missionaries within this world.

Thank you to Fr. Aju, Fr. Peter, Deacon Tony and the Parish office staff for all of their support throughout the year.  The partnership between the school and parish is vital in the ongoing success of the school and we greatly value the time and support given to us by the parish community.

As this year ends, we must also sadly farewell some families who have had a long association with our school, as their youngest child completes grade six or they move to new places.  I thank you for the many and varied ways in which you have been supporters and promoters of St Michael’s school.

May the blessing of God go before you.

May grace and peace abound.

May the Holy spirit live within you.

May love wrap you around.

May the blessing remain with you always.

May you walk on holy ground.

Amen.

This is my last newsletter as Principal at St Michael’s and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and well wishes over the past few weeks. It’s a bittersweet feeling as I have loved my time at St Michael’s over the past seven years but I am also looking forward to the challenge of a new school and the opportunities it will provide me to do new things and grow as a leader.