St. Michael's Primary School ~ Term 4 - Week 2

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal's Message

Dear Families, 

Welcome to Term 4! I hope everyone had a restful break and is feeling refreshed and ready for the exciting and busy term ahead. Term 4 is always a vibrant time in our school calendar, and this year is no exception. We have a number of wonderful events and learning opportunities planned, including:

• Swimming Lessons – a great chance for students to build water confidence and safety skills.
• Day for Daniel – where we come together to promote child safety and awareness.
• Colour Run – a fun and energetic celebration for our students to enjoy.

We also have some important dates to note:

• Pupil Free Day – Monday 20th October: Our staff will be joining colleagues from Tallangatta Primary School for professional learning with renowned behaviour specialist Dan Petro.
• Melbourne Cup Public Holiday – Tuesday 4th November
• Pupil Free Day – Thursday 28 November: This day will be dedicated to staff planning for 2026 and finalising student reports.

This term we are thrilled to offer a special opportunity for our parent community. Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd has partnered with world-renowned educational neuroscientist Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, who led our diocesan-wide professional learning earlier this year. Dr Horvath is a global leader in the Science of Learning, and his insights into how students learn are both powerful and practical. As part of this partnership, Dr Horvath has created a three-part parent series designed to help CESL families better understand and support their children’s learning journey. The sessions include:

1. Stress, Tech and Sleep
2. Surviving Study – Understanding the Three Keys to Learning and Memory
3. Brain Development – Why We Act Like We Do

We are delighted to share these informative recordings with our school community. More information about session dates and access will be sent out next week. As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a productive and joyful Term 4 together.

Warm regards,
Marsha Ardern
Principal

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

School Wide Positive Behaviour

Staying Strong in Term 4: A Community Effort

As we move into the final term of the school year, it’s a great time to reflect on the positive behaviours that help our school community thrive. Through our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework, all students are now familiar with our five core school rules, which guide our expectations and help create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment.

Our Five School Rules

1. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves all the time.
   This ensures everyone feels physically safe and respected.
2. We treat and speak to everyone with respect.
   Kindness and courtesy are the foundation of strong relationships.
3. We follow educators’ instructions.
   Listening and cooperating help us all learn and grow together.
4. We care for all equipment.
   Looking after our resources shows responsibility and pride in our school.
5. We make choices that keep ourselves and others safe.
   Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and good choices help protect our wellbeing.

These rules are more than just expectations—they are values we live by every day. They help us build a positive school culture where everyone can succeed.

Navigating Term 4 Challenges
Term 4 can be a challenging time for some students. As the year winds down, motivation can dip, focus may waver, and the pressure of finishing strong can feel overwhelming. It’s important to acknowledge these challenges and remind students that they are not alone.

One key factor in staying focused and ready to learn is getting plenty of sleep. With daylight saving time in effect, this can be especially difficult for some students as their sleep routines may be disrupted. Families are encouraged to support healthy sleep habits by maintaining consistent bedtimes and creating calming evening routines.

Together, We Thrive
Our school community—educators, support staff, families, and peers—will continue to work together to support every student. Whether it’s through check-ins, encouragement, structured routines, or extra help when needed, we are committed to helping students stay on track and finish the year with confidence.

Let’s continue to uphold our school rules and support one another. By working as a team, we can ensure that Term 4 is not just a time of challenge, but also a time of growth, achievement, and celebration.

As always, please contact me with any concerns.

Marsha Ardern

F & 2 Science with Mrs Hannah Baker

In Term 3 both the Foundation and Year 2 classes worked hard during our Chemical Science lessons to complete a design challenge.

Foundation

Students were learning all about what things are made of and the properties of different materials. For their design challenge they needed to create the strongest house they could, from the materials they were given, so that the Big Bad Wolf couldn’t blow their house down. All of the groups were able to work cooperatively and made some wonderfully strong and creative houses that were able to withstand the wind of the Big Bad Wolf’s blow.

Year 2 

Year 2 students were learning about the purpose of different materials and how they can be combined to create different things. For their design challenge they had to create a three layered puffer jacket to keep a bottle of water warm.

The students worked in pairs to plan out their jackets, create them and keep their water toasty warm. They were able to reflect on the experiment discussing what they would change next time, and then used the data to vote for the two winning teams.

It was a wonderful Term of learning, and both year levels are excited for more learning adventures in Term 4!  

Mrs Hannah Baker 

Wellbeing - Mr Joe Quinn

We look forward to a successful Term Four to finish our school year for 2025.  Caring for our mental health during this busy time is very important and caring for our children is a full-time job! 

Good physical health and mental health for children.

Good physical health is important for mental health. That’s because being fit and well gives your child energy and helps them feel confident, manage stress and sleep well. Here are ways to help your child stay physically fit and well:

• Offer healthy food and encourage healthy eating habits in your family.
• Encourage your child to try plenty of different physical activities and sports. Trying different activities is good for fitness and energy levels. It can also help children feel good about themselves as they develop new skills.
• Make sure your child gets the sleep they need. Quality sleep will help your child to manage stress and a busy life.
• Make sure your child balances digital technology use with other activities. Strategies for managing digital technology use can help with this.

Joe Quinn
Mental Health Wellbeing Leader. 

Lunch Orders - Price Update

Please note price changes for the Lunch Order menu for The Tallangatta Bakery (Thursdays Only). 

A copy of the Yellow Picket Fence menu (Mondays Only) is also attached. 

Catholic College Wodonga - Transition Days

Wodonga Catholic Parish News

Our Parish news is packed full again this week. This weekend it is World Mission Sunday.

REMINDER: YOUTH LED MASS THIS SATURDAY @5PM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH, WODONGA.

Page 2) You'll find a link to the Popes Message and information on ways you may be able to support Catholic Mission.  Page 3) You’ll find information about the RED NOVEMBER Prayer service happening in our church in Wodonga.

Enjoy the read and don't forget to share your smile with a stranger or a friend, it may be the only smile they get.

Happy days to all.

Sonni 🌻
Try not to let the rain camouflage the beautiful colours in your world.  

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance service is this October 28th, dedicated to honouring babies who were lost during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood. 

What's On

Hello Tallangatta, 

Tallangatta Trick or Treat will be held on Friday 31 October from 6pm to 8pm.  Halloween trick or treating is a great opportunity for our community to get outdoors and connect and for the children to have some fun! 

Neighbourhood House will put together a list of addresses so everyone knows where trick or treating is welcome and the list will be posted on Facebook on the day.

Participating households will be provided with a ‘Trick or Treat Welcome Here’ sign to display.

* Trick or treaters don’t need register – just the houses who will be giving out treats* 

To register your household address phone or text Neighbourhood House on 0408 573 474 or drop in to 5a Banool Rd on Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Any help you can give with promoting this event to your children, students and families via whatever method you may deem appropriate would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Katherine