Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Friday was definitely a reminder of how quickly things can change!

Stage 4 restrictions have been a new experience for us in regional Victoria and we hope you are all coping with going back into (hopefully) a short-term lockdown. The CBD has been eerily quiet over the past two days.

Whilst as a school we decided that we will use a “homework” approach for these three days, please be assured that the staff have been working hard to put things in place for the continuation of learning if the current restrictions are extended. Please keep checking your emails for updates.

This week is also the start of the Lenten season and in his message for Lent 2021, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.” He reminds us that every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping, and loving.

In these times of trouble, when everything seems fragile and uncertain, it may appear challenging to speak of hope. Yet Lent is precisely the season of hope, when we turn back to God who patiently continues to care for his creation which we have often mistreated.

In Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn”. In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes enough simply to be kind, to be “willing to set everything else aside in order to show interest, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference”.

To experience Lent with love means caring for those who suffer or feel abandoned and fearful because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these days of deep uncertainty about the future, let us keep in mind the Lord’s word to his Servant, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you” (Is 43:1). In our charity, may we speak words of reassurance and help others to realize that God loves them as sons and daughters.

The full transcript can be found: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/02/12/210212a.html

Stay safe!

Kind regards

Jodie

St Michael’s Parents & Friends Association

1^st February 2021

Dear Parents,

The St Michael’s Parents & Friends Association meets monthly to coordinate fundraising activities and social gatherings like the Walkathon, Mothers and Fathers day stalls, school disco and social nights.

It is an important part of the school as it generates much needed funds for the school. These funds are used to enhance and beautify the grounds, to purchase equipment, furniture and educational programs. P&F offer lots of opportunities to be involved – no matter what your interest is, how much time you have to spare or what skills you can offer.  Please take the time to think about what you can do to support your school community and show your children that their school is important to you as well.  All of our children benefit from our fundraising activities and without more parental support our ability to raise funds will diminish.

The meetings are quite informal and are a good opportunity to hear about developments within the school as Jodie (Principal) or Lia (Deputy Principal) attend each meeting.  If you would like to know more about P&F please contact: myself, Jodie, Lia or the school office.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 4^th March at 7pm in the staffroom. So come and make yourself a cuppa and join us.  You will be warmly welcomed and will meet some terrific parents.

We really need more parent help to keep the committee going. Your consideration of taking on a position on the P&F committee or being a general member or someone who helps out when needed would be greatly appreciated. Some roles will be vacated at the AGM and it is vital that passionate people fill them.  Please see the attached Nomination Form.

For any further information or questions please text or phone Deb on 0417 014 175

Yours sincerely,

Deb Rowley

P&F President

The St Michael’s Parent and Friends Committee, Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 4th March 2021 at 7pm in the school staff room. Some positions will be declared vacant. The following positions are to be filled on the core committee- President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. Or you may be interested in Publicity Officer or General Committee Member. If you are considering returning to a position or self nominating for one of these core positions, you will need to attend the AGM and submit a written nomination via this form.

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

Icy Poles

Zooper Doopers will be sold for 50 cents each from the sports storeroom by the Grade 5/6's at lunchtimes.

Each week students from each class are awarded Student of the Week certificates. These children are nominated for the example they have been within the school based on the School Wide Expectation focus for that week. The weekly focus will be from Wednesday until Tuesday the following week. Awards will be presented to students in class until assemblies can resume. 

In Week 3 the School Wide Expectation focus was: Learning

Dear Parents,

School Sport Victoria will once again be offering the opportunity for gifted and talented students from school communities to register to trial for school sport Team Vic teams in 2021.
Registrations are open and will remain open until 1st March, 2021 for Australian Football, Netball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Boys Football (Soccer).
These trials are for emerging athletes who have reached a certain standard or level Eg. Played in a representative team. They are a process for selecting a Team Vic State Team going to School Sport Australia National Championships.
Each school is allowed a maximum of three (3) students per team mentioned above to attend these trials so it’s important that as a school, we acknowledge the capacity and ability of these nominated students to be able to participate well in these trials. It needs to be emphasised that these trials form part of School Sport Victoria’s Gifted and Talented program and are not ‘come and try’ opportunities.
Each child is trialing for a state team and as such we must attest to each child’s athleticism, skill level and school behaviour.

If you would like your child to be endorsed by the school can you please return the form below to school by Friday 19th February:

School Sport Victoria Application

Thank you,
Sharon Scholtes
Sports Leader