Page 3907 - Week 12 - Thursday, 30 October 2014

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St Michael’s Primary School

MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.52): I rise today to speak about St Michael’s Primary School in Kaleen. St Michael’s is a Catholic systemic school with 236 students in 10 classes from kindergarten to year 6. St Michael’s takes an integrated approach to education where gospel values are reflected in policies, structures and relationships. Parents and teachers work together to provide a meaningful education. The school’s motto is “Live in harmony”.

St Michael’s opened in 1982 with 250 pupils under the administration of the Ursuline Order. The Ursulines have a long tradition in education dating back to St Angela Merici, who founded the order in Bresica, Italy in 1535. St Michael’s encourages parents to get involved in school life and provides many opportunities for them to volunteer. The parent representative network forms a link between the classroom and parents of the class. Parent reps for each class are a contact person for the class teacher and other parents to ensure that teachers receive assistance when required and parents are given the opportunity to help out and get information about their children’s classes. Parent helpers are an important part of the school life and can be involved in classroom activities as well as excursions and camps, sporting activities and assistance with sacramental programs. Parents can also help out with the school canteen, working bees, the morning prayer gathering and the twilight fair.

The school community council provides an opportunity for members of the school parish and archdiocesan communities to support the school. The community council executive oversees a number of groups that are involved in running the school, including the finance committee, parent representative network, school environment, canteen, hospitality and events and school fair groups.

The community council members for 2014 are Colleen Welsh, Nicole Dwight, Father Warwick Tonkin, Sister Kate McMahon, Judy Walsh, Felicity Greenville, Leon Sanft, Stuart Duncan, Michelle Hastie, Kayla Tait, Jo Krippner and Pepe Warwick.

Last Friday I was pleased to attend the annual twilight fair at St Michael’s. The twilight fair is always a highlight of the school year. This year the fair featured a variety of entertaining events including rides, raffles, plants, books, craft, jewellery and a white elephant stall. As usual, the fair also brought out the best cooks and bakers at the school, with a wide variety of delicious foods and drinks available.

I congratulate all those involved in organising the fair, including the organising committee, Steph Alves, Nicole Dwight and Annette Vickery. I congratulate the principal, Judy Walsh, and all the staff and the school community at St Michael’s. For more information about the school I recommend members visit their website at www.stmichaelsps.act.edu.au.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.56 pm until Tuesday, 25 November 2014, at 10 am.


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