Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers, 

Harmony Week is a celebration held annually in March across Australia. It’s aimed at promoting diversity, respect and inclusiveness. This event is an excellent opportunity for parents to teach their children about different cultures, traditions and customs. The goal is to encourage everyone to appreciate and celebrate differences and promote a sense of community and belonging for everyone.

During Harmony Week, there are a number of events and activities held to bring people from different cultures together. These activities include multicultural food festivals, cultural performances, art exhibitions and workshops. Participating in these events helps children to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse communities that make up Australia.

As a parent, you can engage your children in discussions about multiculturalism and encourage them to ask questions. Promoting a more harmonious and inclusive society, can help children grow up with a greater appreciation for the richness and diversity of Australia's cultural landscape.

Change of date for School Closure Day - Pupil Free Day 

The school closure day originally occurring on Tuesday 10th June (after the King’s Birthday long weekend) has now moved to Friday 6th June. This is due to a change in circumstances for the staff of St Michael’s to participate in a Professional Learning day with Mr Michael Ymer. This day will be held in conjunction with St Gabriel’s staff and the focus is on “Effective Strategies for Teaching and Learning of Mathematics”. 

Please note the change of date in your calendars. 

Aerobics Competition - Friday 28th March at 9am. 

The dance routine looks amazing and now is the time for the judging competition. You are all warmly invited to remain in the playground at school drop off on Friday 28th March for the final aerobics dance off! Each house team will be scored against a criteria and an overall winner will be announced. The house captains have done a wonderful job teaching the students (and staff) and we look forward to it all coming together next week.  

Important Dates - these dates are also located on the school website 

• Monday 17th March - 21st March - Dental Van onsite 
• Thursday 20th March - Hot Cross Bun Order closes on CDFpay 10pm
• Friday 21st March - Year 3/4 Mass at 9:30am
• Tuesday 25th March - District Athletics 
• Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March - Life Ed visiting the 5/6s 
• Thursday 27th March - P&F Annual General Meeting 
• Friday 28th March - Aerobics Competition at 9am 
• Friday 4th April - Last Day of Term 1pm finish 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

St Michael’s Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting Invitation

The St Michael’s School Parents and Friends is an important part of the school. The group generates much needed funds which are used to enhance and beautify the school grounds, to purchase playground equipment, furniture and educational programs.   

The P&F group meets monthly to coordinate fundraising activities and social gatherings like the Mothers’ and Fathers’ day stalls, hot cross bun fundraisers and pie drives. There are lots of lots of opportunities to be involved – no matter what your interest is, how much time you have to spare or the skills you can offer.  All of our children benefit from our fundraising activities, but we require parental support through initiatives such as this group.  

The meetings are quite informal and are a good opportunity to hear about developments within the school.  Lia (Principal) or Sharon (Deputy Principal) attend each meeting. 

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 27^th March 2025 at 9:00am in the staffroom. You will be warmly welcomed to join us for a coffee and chat.  All roles will be vacated at the AGM and it is vital that passionate people fill them.  Please see the attached Nomination Form.

Kind regards,

The Parents and Friends Group

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

In fourth place, with 191 points, we have  Green House—great effort!
In third place, with 205 points, is  Gold House—well done, team!
In second place, scoring 243 points, is  Blue House—awesome job!

And that means our 2025 St. Michael’s Athletics Carnival Champions are…  Red House with an incredible 275 points! 
Congratulations, Red House! You worked so hard, and it paid off!

Last week we welcomed Andrew Chinn back into our school. A fabulous day was had by children, staff and parents. 

Thank you Andrew Chinn by Branson Flewin and Riley Collins

Firstly, we would like to thank Andrew Chinn for all of his dedication to all schools across Australia. Andrew Chinn is a musical artist who has created multiple meaningful songs, he was a teacher for almost twenty years before moving onto a musical career. He is wonderful and has been to our school many times over the years. He has a great sense of humour and always makes everyone laugh. He has brought joy to hundreds of students and teachers at St Michael’s. Andrew Chinn makes our school an upbeat place where everybody is included and everybody carries a smile. He knows that everybody has a voice and he supports that. 

The School Savings Bonus is a State Government initiative designed to assist families with cost-of-living pressures. Under this funding, each eligible student is entitled to a $400 bonus for application towards activity levies and uniform purchases from approved supplier. Within our school, all CSEF applicants are eligible to receive this funding. All families who have a Centrelink Health Care Card and have not applied for CSEF in the past are encouraged to contact the school office and initiate an application this year. Please refer to the below link for more information:

https://www.vic.gov.au/receiving-school-saving-bonus#non-government-school-information

All 2024 CSEF recipients and new 2025 recipients have received a letter and DOSCEL Funds Allocation Form for SSB via email. Please complete and return the form as soon as possible. If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the Allocation form they will be available at the office.

On Tuesday 1st April at 6pm there will be a Parent Information night for all families involved in the Sacrament Program this year. This meeting will take place at St Michael’s Church. 

The Sacraments are celebrated in the following order and each Sacrament must be celebrated before continuing to the next. 

Each Sacrament will begin with a Parent night to learn more before preparation begins. 

Please take note of the following celebration dates:

• Baptism (usually celebrated at birth) See flyer in today’s newsletter about a school aged Baptism program about to run in the parish
• Reconciliation (Grade 3 or above) Celebration Date: Tuesday 9th September 2025
• Communion (Grade 4 or above) Celebration Dates : Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd November 2025
• Confirmation (Grade 6 or above) Celebration Dates: Friday 30th May 2025: 6pm

If your child is participating in any of the Sacraments this year please attend the Information Meeting on the 1st April and bring along the completed enrolment forms that have been sent home today via email. If you have any questions please contact Sue Rickwood on srickwood@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au.

The second hand uniform shop will be open Thursday 27th March from 3pm-3:20pm. Uniforms can be purchased or you may swap items in reasonable condition for another size or item. 

We offer hot lunches weekly on a Monday with Munch Lunch. They are a local company that offer a variety of lunch items. 

Ordering is simple, download the Spriggy Schools app via your App Store or Google Play store, select St Michael's School,  add your children and their class to the app and place your order!  Lunches will then be delivered to school. Orders need to be placed by 9:00am on the day. You can pre order lunches 2 weeks in advance.

Contact: Munch Lunch 0459 220 445 or hello.munch.lunch@gmail.com