Tomorrow we farewell our grade 6 students. They will enjoy a special lunch in the hall and at 3:10 pm we will gather under the shelter for the traditional grade six throwing of the hat on the final bell. Tonight with their families they will gather at 6pm for a Graduation Mass at St Michael’s Church. It is a lovely way to end their time at St Michael’s for the staff, students and parents. 

Tomorrow your child's school report will be available to be accessed via PAM at 3pm. There will be no printed reports this year. Your child will come home with a letter advising important information about 2023 and next year's booklist. 

You will see that the report shows your child’s achievements assessed against state-wide standards expected at this time of the year.  It divides the years of compulsory schooling into levels (Foundation to Year 6) and assesses your child’s level in relation to other children of similar age in Victoria.

Remember that a majority of the students in any group will achieve “At standard”. This is normal and correct. It indicates that the child, in the opinion of his or her teacher, is performing somewhere in the level expected for his or her age group as compared with the standard set for children of that age in Victoria. Please note that this report no longer provides six-month delineations for the position of the progression ‘dot’. Generally, a student may be six months ahead or six months behind and still receive “At standard”.

As this year ends, we must also sadly farewell some families who have had a long association with our school, as their youngest child completes grade six or they move to new places.  I thank you for the many and varied ways in which you have been supporters and participants in the life of St Michael’s school.  

May the blessing of God go before you.

May grace and peace abound.

May the Holy spirit live within you.

May love wrap you around.

May the blessing remain with you always.

May you walk on holy ground.

Amen

This week’s ‘Along the Track’ had a poignant message for us all about the busyness of Christmas and how it is a chance to reflect on our year and give thanks to our loved ones.