St. Michael's Primary School ~ Term 4 Week 10

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we approach the close of our school year, I write to you with a heart full of gratitude and a mix of emotions. This year has been one of great joy, growth and community, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to serve as your principal.

Our much loved LSO of over three decades, Mrs Sue Hogan, will again be leaving us at the end of this school year. We wish Sue and Ross a wonderful retirement filled with relaxation, joy and new adventures. Thank you Sue for her many years of dedicated service and the care and love she has shown to our students, staff and families. Sue leaves a legacy at St Michael's that will continue in the future. 

We will also be saying goodbye to Ms Jo Hook, who is moving back to Darwin to take up an exciting new teaching position. Thank you to Jo for all of her wonderful work in the classroom with her students and as our Sports Leader and Learning Inclusion Leader her positive impact has been felt widely throughout our community. We wish Jo well and hope her new adventure is filled with much joy, fulfilment and growth. 

Fr Adi Indra will take up his ministry in the Shepparton and Dookie area in the new year. We thank Fr Adi for guiding us in faith, for sharing his wisdom and for leading us closer to God throughout his time in the St Michael's Tallangatta and Wodonga Parishes and wish him well for the future.

It is with a sense of both excitement and bittersweetness that I share with you that I will be stepping down as Acting Principal of St. Michael’s at the end of Term 1, 2025, to take on a new role as Principal at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Elmore. This decision comes after much reflection, and while I am looking forward to this new chapter, leaving St Michael’s will certainly be a difficult farewell at the end of Term 1, 2025.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your support, trust and encouragement. St. Michael’s will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry the lessons and experiences from this community with me into the next chapter of my journey. Please see the letter to our community from Kate Fogarty, Executive Director CESL further in the newsletter.

Today we have our Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass, Grade 6 Graduation Dinner and some of our students will be singing at the Tallangatta Christmas Carols. These will be wonderful celebrations and bring such joy and hope to our community we look forward to seeing you all with us. 

Thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers and families for all that you have done to support our students to flourish in 2024.

To the wonderful St Michael's students, we thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm for learning, we have witnessed your successes and your perseverance as you worked hard to achieve your goals, and we are so grateful for the privilege of being a part of your educational journey!

As we approach the Christmas season, I pray that you and your families are blessed with peace, joy and love. I look forward to the months ahead and the many opportunities we will have to ensure the continued growth of our students and community through the amazing work we continue to do together.

Thank you once again for welcoming me into your lives, for your support and for making my time at St. Michael’s truly unforgettable. I look forward to being with you in Term 1, 2025 and beginning another exciting school year together. 

I wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday time with your families. May God bless you all, and may the spirit of Christmas fill your homes with love and light.

Peace and blessings,

Lisa Hitchcock 
Principal

ADVENT

The second week of Advent marks the gift of Peace we have in Christ. Peace is a gift we must be open to and must work for. God gives us the gift of peace  when we turn to him working together in faith, justice and keeping ourselves in love.

Loving God, we thank you for the gift of peace you give us through Jesus. 

Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming by working for Christ's peace in our hearts, families, communities and world. 

We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord. 

Amen

2025 St Michael's Staff 

I am excited to share with you our 2025 staff. We will sadly farewell Ms Jo Hook and Mrs Sue Hogan and warmly welcome Ms Kaycee Frew, Ms Hannah Baker, Mr Daniel Henderson and Ms Mia Puntoriero.  

Principal: Mrs Lisa Hitchcock 

Senior Leader: Mrs Marsha Ardern

Religious Education Leader: Mrs Mez Moffat

Mental Health in School Leader: Mr Joe Quinn

Foundation: Mrs Marsha Ardern 

Year 1: Ms Kaycee Frew 

Year 2: Mrs Bianca Kennedy

Years 3 & 4: Ms Sally Maguire and Mrs Sarah Palmer

Years 5 & 6: Mrs Mez Moffat

F-2 Specialist: Ms Hannah Baker

3-6 Specialist: Mr Daniel Henderson

LSOs: Mrs Ann Wright, Mrs Kirstin Piper, Ms Ren Wyatt, Ms Holly Johnson and Ms Mia Puntoriero. Another LSO announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

Finance Officer: Mrs Kelly Johnson

Administrative Officer: Mrs Alice Colclough

Cleaning: Mrs Lesley Hildred and Mrs Bec Kirk

2024 School Fees 

Please ensure your school fee accounts are paid by the end of the school year. If you would like to discuss your school fee account to arrange a payment plan or school fee relief please contact Mrs Hitchcock at the school. 

A letter regarding the 2025 School Fees was emailed to families last week. 

2025 Pupil Free Days

Term 1: 28-29 January Staff Professional Learning Days and 1 April -Behaviour Curriculum Professional Learning

Term 2: 22-24 April Staff Professional Learning Days (The Neuroscience of Learning)

Term 3: 13  August CESL Staff Spirituality Day

Term 4: 17 - 19 December Staff Professional Learning Day & TIL Days

St Michael's Leadership Announcement 

Please see below a letter from Kate Fogarty Executive Director, Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL) about St Michael's leadership in 2025. 

CESL Personal Digital Devices - Letter from Kate Fogarty CESL

St. Michael’s Primary School is committed to child safety and the inclusion of all children.

Grade 5/6 - Mrs Mez Moffat

Mini Vinnies 

Grade 3/4 - Ms Jo Hook

Grade 1/2 - Ms Bianca Kennedy

Foundation - Mrs Marsha Ardern

Merry Christmas from Foundation 

Wodonga Catholic Parish News

Greetings everyone,

Below is the link to (and attached) our Parish News for this weekend. I have also included the link to the Prayer Leaflet for the Third Sunday of Advent. 

As the year flies by and life keeps us all so busy, let's remember to take a moment to share our smiles with both strangers and friends. It might be the only kindness they receive. 

Kind regards

Sonni 

Office Space for Rent:

Are you in search of a professional environment to expand your business?

Wodonga Catholic Parish offers an office space for rent; ideally situated with additional amenities. Including........

Reverse cycle air conditioning, a shared restroom, kitchen and a stylish meeting room. For further details about this available space and its features, please contact the Parish Centre and ask to speak to Fr Andrew or Sonni PH: 02 6024 3366 during office hours.

What's On

Tallangatta Swimming Club

Dust off your goggles, Tallangatta Swimming Club season kicks off on December 3! 

Join the club for training on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Tallangatta pool. 

All welcome, including adults!

Juniors train 4.15-5pm Seniors train 5-6pm 

Registration and pool pass must completed prior to commencing.
Follow Tallangatta Swimming Club on Facebook for more information and registration links. 

Neighbourhood House - Tallangatta