On Friday 1 July, school will conclude for Term 2. COVID19, Influenza and teacher shortages have made this a very challenging term. Leading and teaching in schools during these tumultuous times has not been easy and many staff have stepped into new roles for this term to support the students, families and each other. I am very grateful to all of our St Michael’s staff for their integrity, resilience and commitment to the young people they work with each day. The waves of sickness have continued to arrive on our doorstep each day so hopefully the two week break will allow students, staff and families to break the cycle and get well. I am also very grateful to the families who have continued to support the school during this term. Splitting of classes has needed to be actioned on a number of occasions this term and is the last resort if the school is unable to employ a casual teacher. Thank you families for your ongoing support. 

Last week a review panel from CEDoW visited the school and met with students, parents, staff and the school leadership team. The School Review occurs every four years and broad goals are determined through consultation with all stakeholders. The strategic plan is captured in the Annual School Report which is listed on our school website. Tomorrow Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski will have her Assistant Principal Appraisal which occurs every three years. Thank you to all members of the community who participated in the surveys to guide the Appraisal. 

During the last six months Father Joseph has been carefully considering the option of opening an ‘Outside School Hours Care’ (OSHC) facility in the parish hall. This is often referred to as an Out Of School Hours (OOSH) facility. Many families have been requesting this option for a number of years. In his role as Parish Priest, Father Joseph interviewed one of the newer local providers, ASPIRE. I also met with them when they visited the site a few weeks ago. This announcement will be placed in the parish newsletter this weekend:

Aspire OSHC

As per the advertisement in the parish bulletin inviting tenders to run an  ‘Outside School Hours Care’ (OSHC) facility, one submission was received. Accordingly, ASPIRE OSHC has been granted permission to go ahead with the formalities for the application for permission from the government departments. Hopefully the usual time limit for the approval is 90 days from the date of application. We will let the community know once the approval is granted from the relevant government agency. 

Father Joseph Pothenparampl. 

It is most likely that next Thursday 30 June 2022, there will be a state wide strike by school staff members in Catholic Schools as well as teaching staff in State Schools. A formal notification will follow from CEDoW. 

The NAIDOC Assembly scheduled for next week will now need to be postponed until a date to be determined in Term 3.

A special welcome is extended to Mrs Susan Rankin who has commenced working in our school office this week as a School Support Officer. Mrs Jess Webster will continue to work in the office on Monday and Tuesday. Susan Rankin will work in the office each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 

School will return for Term 3 on Monday 18 July 2022. Have a safe break everyone. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,