The Crest - Issue 9

St Michael’s acknowledges the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the School stands. We pay respect to their ancestors, elders and emerging leaders, and are committed to reconciliation.

A Reflection from Mr Houlihan

In recent years, it has been the custom to adopt a word for the year; one that can become a beacon for us as we go about life at St Michael’s. Our word for 2023 is Collaboration, and I am proud to say that the St Michael’s community has embraced this notion with great zeal as evidenced in this latest edition of The Crest

To effectively collaborate we must have a common purpose. At St Michael’s we articulate this via our Strategic Plan: Towards 2030. In this document, we acknowledge that our students are at the heart of a learning ecosystem designed to cultivate strong foundations in knowledge, skills, creative problem solving, collaboration, and collective wellbeing. The exemplary VCE results and tertiary offers of the Class of 2022, highlighted herein, are a fine testament to this approach.

In 2023, our students have been enthusiastic participants in a multitude of activities held across the first semester. House events, such as the Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, and House Dinners, have been embraced. There has been a wonderful level of participation in the Exodus programs already undertaken at Years 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Our Clubs are thriving, the Merry Month of May and our Community Action days have been held. And amongst the excellent ensembles and performances, there have been outstanding productions including the P-12 Choral Concert and The Boy from Oz

In respect to the latter, I am delighted that the redevelopment of the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s has been completed, and we are now making full use of this state-ofthe-art facility. The official opening was, and will remain, one of the highlights of the year. In another progression of our building masterplan, St Michael’s officially launched the new Centre for Inquiry and Innovation (CII). At the opening, it was

explained to our students that this fantastic Junior School space is dedicated to wonder, curiosity, joy, and the academic rigour of inquiry.

As Head of the School, I enjoy hosting events where I can connect with parents. What a pleasure it was to host the Head’s Welcome to Parents Reception in Dolly’s Café – the first such gathering since 2019! Likewise, to speak at our Mother’s Day lunch. For me, such events exemplify all that is special about our St Michael’s parent community. People who are always friendly and welcoming, with a pervasive interest in the School, and willingness to be involved.

My Commissioning, and Installation Service was conducted in January to mark the formal commencement of my role. For me, it was both joyful and uplifting to share the occasion with students, staff, Board members, PCA representatives, Old Michaelians, past colleagues, mentors, friends and, of course, my own family. I was also honoured that our guests included Sister Elisa Helen, Provincial, and Sister Linda Mary, Past Provincial, of the School’s founding order, the Community of the Sisters of the Church, as well as representatives from a range of education and community organisations.

As I expressed on the day, we have been part of Melbourne’s education landscape for more than 125 years, and what a vibrant and diverse community we are. At our core, we share a common interest in the education and welfare of the children and young people in our care, and a commitment to bringing social good into this world. In this regard, I look upon the collaborative efforts of our community this past semester with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

I trust you enjoy reading this latest edition of The Crest

"At our core, we share a common interest in the education and welfare of the children and young people in our care, and a commitment to bringing social good into this world"

VCE Results: Celebrating the Class of 2022

St Michael’s congratulates our Class of 2022 on their outstanding VCE results.

This resilient group of students showed courage and leadership as they returned to onsite learning in their final year, and we commend them on their accomplishments. The breadth of achievement in academia, sport and creative studies demonstrates the diversity and dedication of our students and is reflected in their ATAR results.

• 7% achieved an ATAR of 98 or higher (top 2% of the state)

• 16% achieved an ATAR of 95 or higher (top 5% of the state)

• 31% achieved an ATAR of 90 or higher (top 10% of the state)

• 60% achieved an ATAR of 80 or higher (top 20% of the state)

Congratulations to the 2022 Dux of the School, Lilian Knight, who received an exceptional ATAR score of 99.7. Lillian also achieved a perfect score in Literature.

We would also like to congratulate George Kaltzidis (99.4), who received two perfect scores in Accounting and Legal Studies, and Luca Searle (96.65) and Clare Flynn (98.9) for achieving perfect scores in Media and Studio Arts respectively. These impressive outcomes are testimony to their hard work and effort throughout the year.

The Class of 2022 was supported by our dedicated staff, who encouraged our students to follow their passions and develop their strengths. This can be seen in the depth and breadth of scores achieved across a diverse range of studies, including study scores of 40 and above for:

• 56% of Studio Arts students,

• 53% of Media students,

• 50% of Systems Engineering students,

• 42% of Italian students,

• 37% of Product Design and Technology students,

• 36% of History: Revolutions students,

• 32% of Literature students,

• 30% of Philosophy students.

Our students leave School ready to take their place as global citizens with the values of Dignity, Respect, Care, and Compassion guiding them on their journey. We have no doubt they will continue the tradition of Old Michaelians making a significant, positive difference in the world.

Please join us in congratulating St Michael’s Class of 2022.

Year 12 Students 2022

Year 12 students light their candles before their final departure from the School

Class of 2022 receive diverse tertiary offers

Our Class of 2022 graduates received their first-round tertiary offers in late December, following another year of excellent VCE results. The students received a range of exciting offers across a number of university courses as well as other learning opportunities, continuing a long history of our graduates pursuing diverse learning pathways.

We are pleased to share that all students who applied for a tertiary course in Australia, received an offer.

Students were offered places at a variety of tertiary institutions with 42 receiving an offer from The University of Melbourne. A further 39 received offers from Monash University, 36 from RMIT, 16 from Swinburne, 8 from Deakin, 3 from La Trobe and 2 from Australian Catholic University, with students also receiving offers from other institutions. Some students also received multiple offers of a place.

The majority of offers were for courses in the area of Society and Culture followed by the Creative Arts, Natural and Physical Sciences, Management and Commerce, Engineering and related areas, Health, Architecture and Building, Information Technology, Agriculture and Environmental Studies and Education.

The breadth of the courses being undertaken by our students is impressive and range from Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, to the Performing Arts, Aviation Engineering and Cyber Security to name just a few of the courses chosen. Many students will also undertake double degrees.

We would like to congratulate our Class of 2022 on their outstanding accomplishments and we have no doubt that they will make significant contributions in their chosen fields. We wish all students the very best for the future and look forward to following them on their journey as Old Michaelians.

Lilian Knight: Flourishing on and off the stage

Traditionally, St Michael’s is a place where creativity is nurtured and individual expression is encouraged. We believe that the performing arts play a vital role in assisting students to understand more about themselves, each other, and how the arts impact and shape our world.

For graduate Lilian Knight, some of the most rewarding experiences were spent on-stage, bringing to life one of the many School productions. In 2022, Lilian was part of the cast for the Years 10 to 12 Play: Arcadia, and Years 10 to 12 Student Production: DNA, while also taking on a production crew role for the Years 10 to 12 Musical: Hello Dolly!

“I was a student at St Michael’s from Years 7 to 12 and during that time my favourite experiences were definitely the school productions. The Saturday rehearsals, holiday intensives, the production week delirium induced by too much sugar or caffeine, and the late, loud, emotional nights will always hold a really special place in my memories” said Lilian

While Lilian captivated audiences with her talents in several productions, her off-stage performance was equally commendable. Lilian was Dux of the School with an impressive ATAR of 99.7. She also led Hughes as their 2022 House Captain, planning and executing many activities, while also representing Hughes in House Athletics, Drama and Swimming.

Lilian took on a challenging mix of subjects for VCE, including French, Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Theatre Studies and Biology. The subjects that Lilian enjoyed the most were Literature and Philosophy, as these subjects provided a time to talk about and genuinely enjoy the course work and topics. It was important to Lilian that she studied subjects that she enjoyed, rather than following a norm or expectation.

“Overall it was a pretty hectic year. I think what helped was that I enjoyed what I was doing – I liked what I was learning, I really loved being involved in the productions and working

with the other students in my House to put on activities and events for Hughes. I guess it is a matter of figuring out what you enjoy and what you don’t and trying to work around that.”

When reflecting on the most rewarding part of her final year, Lilian speaks to the enjoyment and pride she felt when her time and effort produced successful outcomes. Lilian is particularly proud of her Theatre Studies monologue and the time she dedicated to researching the aesthetic, characteristics and specific pronunciation of Shakespeare’s vocabulary. Further still, Lilian was able to add her own twist and creativity, executing an original and compelling piece of work.

“To put forth a queer, gender bending, punk-infused imagination of a Shakespeare monologue to VCE examiners and have it be liked was a really rewarding moment, and while I decided not go through with my Top Acts audition the fact that all the work and effort put in was recognised means a lot.”

Lilian’s advice to future VCE students is to remember that VCE is not the ‘be-all and end-all’. While she encourages students to do their very best, she also recognises the importance of looking after your physical and mental health and not comprising your wellbeing by putting too much pressure on yourself. For Lilian, it was also imperative to remain kind and empathetic to her fellow peers, acknowledging that everyone was a little tired, stressed and confused but ultimately, doing their best.

Since graduating, Lilian has commenced a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, where she intends to study a range of subjects from Gender Studies, Literature and International Politics.

We look forward to following Lilian’s journey beyond St Michael’s and wish her all the very best for this next exciting chapter.

1. 7-9 Play Midsummer Night's Dream (2018)

2. Getting makeup and hair done by Julia for the 10-12 play Arcadia (2022)

3. The cast of 10-12 Play The Winter's Tale (2021)

Class of 2022 continues to impress

Whilst our Class of 2022 have long left the School to pursue their passions, their achievements continue to be recognised and admired.

Luna Verratti was selected as a member of Top Class 2023 for Theatre Studies and Isaac Maling for Drama, while Clare Flynn and Jack Snow-Viener were named finalists for Top Arts 2023. Luca Di Natale was selected as a finalist in Top Designs 2023 and Mia Quinn was named a finalist for Top Shots 2023.

During their time at St Michael’s, Luna and Isaac were active participants in the Performing Arts Program, displaying their talents in Arcadia, DNA and many more productions. Top Class recognises students who have achieved outstanding results in their performance examinations in the previous year.

Clare and Jack achieved exceptional results in Visual Arts and were active members of Art Club and exhibitors in the 2022 Brightspace Exhibition. Clare also took on the challenging role of Chief Editor of The Phoenix student magazine. Both Clare and Jack were selected to exhibit their work at Top Arts, which showcases extraordinary works of art and folios that achieved excellent results in VCE Art or VCE Studio Arts. The Top Arts Exhibition is hosted at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square.

Luca’s work Mechanical Dreams was exhibited at Top Designs, hosted at the Melbourne Museum, and celebrates the innovation of Victoria’s emerging designers. The event displays 69 exceptional VCE students from 2022 and each work addresses socially responsive design themes and expresses a deep understanding of social and environmental issues.

Lastly, Mia’s work Field Dream was exhibited at Top Shots, at the Museum of Australian Photography, which celebrates and showcases exceptional photographic work produced by students who have completed VCE subjects in Ar t, Media and Studio Arts.

At St Michael’s, we are proud that our graduates leave with the determination to follow their passions and the confidence to lead in their fields of endeavour. This next chapter is an exciting one for our alumni and we cannot wait to see what they accomplish.

1. Isaac Maling (OM 2022)

2. Clare Flynn (OM 2022) (right) at the 2022 Brightspace exhibition with Eliza Meckiff (OM 2022) (left) who won the Board Acquisition Prize

3. Luca Di Natale (OM 2022) Mechanical Dreams

4. Luna Verratti (OM 2022)

Commissioning our new Head

At St Michael’s the 2023 school year began with great fanfare as we celebrated the Commissioning and Installation of Mr Gerard Houlihan as Head of the School on Tuesday 31 January. Students, staff, and distinguished guests gathered for a service at All Saints Anglican Church in the presence of Bishop Genieve Blackwell, representing the Archbishop.

Mr Andrew Eddy, Chair of the Board presented Mr Houlihan to Sister Elisa Helen, Provincial of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, who formally commissioned Mr Houlihan as Head. He was then welcomed by Tassara (12B) and Nicholas (12M) –Co-Captains of the School, Mrs Nicole Armatas – Deputy Head and Head of Junior School, Ms Emma McDonald – Deputy Head and Head of Senior School, and Ms Jacqui Walker –President of the Parent Community Association (PCA).

Prayers were read for the Nation, the Church, children and families, the Houlihan family and the School. These were delivered by several longstanding staff members, Miss Monique Warwick, Mr Murray Phyland and Mr Pat Tyrrell as well as our School Co-Captains and Ms Jacqui Walker.

The service was elevated by the music led by Dr Gary Ekkel who conducted the 2022 New Zealand Touring Choir, Old

Michaelian and staff singers and the combined student, staff and guest Orchestra.

When Mr Houlihan addressed the congregation, he referred to the many roles he plays that have helped shape him including, “son, brother, teacher, leader, and most importantly, a Michaelian”. He has been a staff member at the School for more than 22 years and has always modelled the School values of Dignity, Respect, Care and Compassion. His dedication and passion have inspired many students during his time at the School and he is committed to ensuring that St Michael’s continues to offer the highest quality holistic education for which the School is renowned.

We know the entire St Michael’s community looks forward to supporting Mr Houlihan in his work as the Head of the School.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended this significant event in the life of our School.

1. Mr Houlihan addresses the congregation

2. Miss Monique Warwick read a prayer for the Nation

3. All Saints Anglican Church

4. Mr Houlihan, Head of the School

Students, staff, and distinguished guests gathered for the service

A grand and glorious evening

The official opening of the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s

The much-loved St George’s Church has been reborn as the new Performing Arts Centre, St George’s. This outstanding new facility was officially opened on Thursday 4 May with an exciting program of performances featuring guest artists, students, Old Michaelians and staff.

As befitted the date, following a reception in McLellan Hall, once guests were seated in the Performing Arts Centre, the Scholastica Band commenced proceedings with a rousing excerpt from the Star Wars theme.

The Chairman, Mr Andrew Eddy, welcomed guests and spoke about St Michael’s commitment to creating engaging and contemporary places for learning that reflect the School’s values, spark curiosity, and enhance well-being, commenting that this new Centre embodies these ideals. He acknowledged the immediate past Head of the School, Mrs Terrie Jones’ role in guiding the planning of the redevelopment. He advised guests that, it was for this reason, Mrs Jones’ portrait will permanently hang in the Performing Arts Centre at the head of the Northern aisle. Mr Eddy also thanked the many donors who had contributed to the redevelopment by supporting the restoration of the exquisite stained-glass windows and advised that the opportunity still existed for others to also support the project.

Mr Eddy announced that the Auditorium within the Performing Arts Centre will be known as the Janette GordonClark Auditorium. Dr Janette Gordon-Clark was a hero of St Michael’s Grammar School. She joined St Michael’s as a student in 1940 at the age of three and had an 81-year association with the School. After years of service to the Old Michaelian Committee, in 1973, she was a foundation member of the School Council (now the Board of Directors) and served on the School’s governing body for an unbroken 40 years. As a thespian and student of drama she made an

important contribution to planning the redevelopment as a member of the Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology (FIAT) sub-committee of the Board. Dr Gordon-Clark passed away in 2021 but her proud family were present on the night.

Following Mr Eddy’s presentation, Mr Paul Grabowsky, renowned musician, cultural icon and a past parent of the School, performed a beautiful piano piece. Paul, a pianist, composer, conductor and producer of note is one Australia’s most distinguished musical artists with an extensive and ever-expanding list of achievements and accolades. The New Zealand Touring Choir, never in better voice, then sang, demonstrating the versatility and excellence of the acoustics within the Auditorium.

The former St George’s Church occupied an important place in the St Kilda community and is listed on the Heritage Register because of its many outstanding features. Mr Gerard Houlihan, Head of the School, spoke about these aspects in outlining the redevelopment process. He also thanked the very many people who had played a critical role in the project before introducing Ms Anna O’Byrne (OM 2003).

Anna has an international career spanning opera, theatre, concert and film. Shortly after graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts Anna successfully auditioned to understudy the role of Christina in the Australian tour of Phantom of the Opera She performed the role in Perth and Adelaide and has subsequently appeared in theatrical productions in London and Melbourne and for world leaders and royalty and released a solo album. To the delight of the guests, she performed two numbers from her musical theatre repertoire.

The entertainment continued with presentations from Mr Ben Moody, former Director of Performing Arts, and now Director of Curriculum (7-12), and Mr Tyler Hess, the new Director

of Performing Arts. They orchestrated the official opening announcement with a mix of technology, humour and glorious music from the Scholastica Band. After a blessing from Father Kenyon McKie, the evening concluded with the cast of the recent Years 10-12 Musical, The Boy from Oz, coming to the stage to sing I still call Australia Home Guests were enthusiastic in their applause for the whole evening and eager to explore the Performing Arts Centre.

The new facilities and the beautiful heritage features retained inside the building are a surprise to all who visit. From the outside, it appears that the Church has simply been cleaned, although the wonderful new landscaping suggests bigger things.

Throughout the redevelopment, careful attention was given to the many heritage features which make the Performing Arts Centre unique. The magnificent, vaulted timber ceiling, the heritage organ by renowned organ makers Lewis and Sons of London, and, of course, the beautiful stained-glass windows, crafted by leading artisans at the end of the 19th century, have been fully restored. So too, the impressive honour board acknowledging the service of members of the St George’s congregation who fought and died in the First World War. This has been relocated to the Northern entrance, along with other important military plaques, so that they are more readily accessible by family and members of the community. And within this inspiring space, state-of-the-art facilities have been installed to ensure that our students have access to a theatre that is arguably among the best in Australia. Both the sound and lighting are of the highest quality. The nextgeneration sound system L-ISA is similar to that installed in the refurbished Opera House, and the Performing Arts Centre is only the second venue in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere where the system is installed. The sound and

lighting will not only enhance performances but will enable our students to gain valuable production experience using the most sophisticated contemporary equipment available.

A special sprung floor has been installed to make the space suitable and safe for dance, aerobics and movement across a range of genres. Electronically controlled blackout curtains will mean the space can be configured for a variety of performances. The seating is also flexible with a main bank of raised seating for more than 200 with the additional capability to add almost another 200 chairs at floor level along with a special stand for a choir.

Students have begun to use the space with great enthusiasm and the School’s intention to open the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s, to the community has already been realised. On Saturday 20 May, the Hush Foundation hosted the launch of a new album by acclaimed classical guitarist and Old Michaelian, Slava Grigoryan (OM 1994). Slava began composing the music for the album, Gratitudes, during the pandemic, as an expression of thanks to healthcare workers. The event also featured a special guest, composer and pianist, Luke Howard (OM 1995).

The opening of the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s, is an exciting step in a long-term plan to redevelop our campus to ensure that our students have the very best facilities to learn and flourish, and to open our School to the community.

1-4. Performing Arts Centre, St George's

5. Cast from The Boy From Oz

6. Ms Anna O'Byrne (OM 2003)

‘Lights like ice-cream sandwiches’

Our new Centre for Inquiry and Innovation

Tuesday 27 March was an exciting day for the Junior School with the opening of the new Centre for Inquiry and Innovation (CII). Although the weather was not kind, students and guests were still able to enjoy the special occasion.

On arrival guests were entertained by solo performances from some of our Junior School students. The formalities began with an Acknowledgement of Country from our Year 6 Co-Vice Captains Amelie (6I) and Tommy (6E) and the Harrison Choir (P-2) performed a traditional Indigenous Australian lullaby sung in Yorta Yorta language. Our Junior School has been a leader within St Michael’s in paying respect to, and learning about, Aboriginal culture, both locally (on Boonwurrung Country) and across the nation. The CII will continue to promote students’ curiosity, engagement and connection to the land, waters and skies.

Mrs Nicole Armatas, Deputy Head and Head of Junior School, led the event, joined by many special guests including Mr Andrew Eddy, Chair of the Board and Mr Gerard Houlihan, Head of the School, staff and the entire Junior School. We were also very pleased to welcome guests including the architect, builders and landscapers and others from the St Kilda community, including the Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, staff from EarthCare, and a leader of the Junction Area Action group representing our neighbours.

At the opening, Mr Houlihan spoke to the students about the importance of wonder and curiosity and explained that the CII is dedicated to the joy and surprise of Inquiry, which is one of the key program areas in the Junior School. It is defined as a philosophy, mindset and a pedagogy and we continue

to be influenced by the tenets of the Reggio Emilia Research Project in this regard.

Inside the CII, the different spaces enable our Junior School students to explore ideas, make inquiries and research the many questions that arise during their learning. Students are encouraged to be curious and creative. The feedback and questions that have been generated by the students so far have been enlightening. To give just some examples:

‘I wonder if we could make this a shelter for the homeless?’

‘I wonder why the lights are shaped like ice-cream sandwiches?’

‘I think we have many different rooms to work in like a reading room, thinking room, group thinking spaces, a stress relief room, a research room, group working room and an art room.’ Students are now using the spaces for their classes, Signature Programs and lunchtime clubs. From reading in the Early Years, to learning about the history of the School and making pancakes in the kitchen on Shrove Tuesday, the learning experiences in the CII are interactive, inquiry driven and always complement the important work they do in their class-based-learning.

The CII was designed by Sally Draper Architects, one of Melbourne’s most respected design practices. The practice has received awards for a wide variety of design projects, including many at other schools across Melbourne. However, student voice and agency are integral to St Michael’s and our way of being, so naturally students played a key role in influencing the design of the building and how the spaces are used.

During the design process students expressed the importance of feeling that they were surrounded by nature when learning. Careful attention was therefore given to the landscaping around the CII including a vertical garden that can clearly be seen through the Eastern windows. In collaboration with our maintenance and gardening team, the Environmental and RAP Club students helped plant the shrubs in the vertical garden. And the beautiful playground has provided a new space at the School for informal gatherings, both for students and staff. Importantly, it is a space like no other in the School, as the external areas have been designed to be a retreat and a passive space for play.

School facility designs today require far greater intentionality with regard to the philosophy and teaching practices that must exist within them. Learning spaces are required to empower students to engage in learning experiences that support them to learn through their preferred ‘language’ or multiple modes. The CII is not a homogenous space, and during the design phase, we drew on research and our School vision to inform us on the agility and functionality of the spaces. Creating conditions for rigorous learning that supports every part of an inquiry cycle informed our planning. Further to this, we acknowledge that learning about skills, dispositions and capabilities does not always translate to students developing them. We looked at the various areas of the CII to ensure they provided spaces for students to experience them and be coached to use them. The development of skills and capabilities is enhanced in learning settings that inspire learners to think creatively and critically,

and to actively investigate. The CII invites self-direction and requires self-management, with carefully equipped areas where students have easy access to all materials to support their learning. They can choose to work independently or collaboratively, in quiet nooks or larger gathering spaces for robust discussion or reflection.

Our thanks to the architect, builders, landscapers and staff who have helped this vision for a centre that inspires curiosity and nurtures wonder to come to fruition. We know the children will continue to have a plethora of valuable experiences in this space for years to come.

The CII is an inspiring environment where our Junior School students can learn and play. It is just one of a number of important building projects undertaken at the School over the past twelve months to ensure that our students have the very best facilities in which to thrive.

Mrs Nicole Armatas Deputy Head and Head of Junior School

1. Cutting the ribbon

2. Opening of the Centre for Inquiry and Innovation

3. Mrs Nicole Armatas, Mayor of Port Phillip –Heather Cunsolo and Mr Gerard Houlihan

4. Opening of the Centre for Inquiry and Innovation

5. P-2 Harrison Choir

Choristers strike a chord with New Zealand audiences

Every two years, students in the Senior School can elect to join the St Michael’s Touring Choir, an international trip where the power of song is truly recognised and embraced. In December 2022, the Touring Choir visited New Zealand to perform their repertoire to audiences from Christchurch to Queenstown, in a variety of settings. Students developed endurance and resilience in a gruelling performance schedule resembling a professional ensemble, while also learning about the culture and history of New Zealand. Our students were joined by several staff members, Dr Gary Ekkel (Director of the Tour), Ms Jennifer Gillan (Assistant Conductor), Mr Geoffrey Scarlett (Accompanist) and Ms Frances Walker (Head of Kilburn House).

After landing safely in Christchurch, the Touring Choir were bussed to their accommodation at Bealey Quarter. Not wanting to waste a minute, the students had an informal rehearsal out the front of the accommodation, attracting significant interest from patrons and employees.

The following morning, after a good night's rest, the Choir travelled into town for either punting or canoeing. Despite

the slight drizzle, students and staff enjoyed paddling up and down the Avon River accompanied by some adorable ducks. Afterwards, the group had lunch at the Riverside Market, with students able to explore the streets of Christchurch and its culinary delights.

The first opportunity for the Choir to flex their musical muscles was at All Souls Church. As the beginning of the concert approached, students were slightly disappointed to discover an audience of two - the vicar Meghan and her assistant. What followed was a truly memorable experience, and a testament to the character of the students involved. Undeterred, the Choir put on a full programme with great enthusiasm, taking full advantage of All Souls' wonderful acoustics. They sang brilliantly, filling All Souls' impressive acoustic space with beautiful choral music.

Following the concert, the vicar felt moved to share her recent experience with us, comforting a member of the congregation who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed after only a few days. The vicar spoke of the emotional toll this had inflicted on herself and the community. Meghan said

that she had been praying for something to lift her spirits, and carry her through the Christmas season. During the speech the students became acutely aware of music's ability to move and heal the people whose lives it touched. The success of the concert was not measured by the number of people in attendance but what those people left with.

Lake Tekapo was a stunning place to visit. We had a sell-out concert in the, admittedly tiny, yet iconic church. The concert started outside on the banks of the Lake, until it began to rain. One important measure of the calibre of a group is how well they do under pressure and how well they adapt and improvise in the moment. The rain grew progressively heavier but they just kept singing. The highlight of this being the four soloists running around the outside of the church and singing their parts through the windows!

Oamaru was the next stop and another concert, this time at the impressive St Patrick’s Basilica. This too was a sell-out concert of much more impressive proportions, as the church hosted over 150 people. We were treated to the warmest and kindest of welcomes from this country parish who fed us and gave us a standing ovation.

On day five of the tour, students performed their Nine Lessons and Carols service at All Saints, North Dunedin. The students sang so well and of particular note was how they covered for each other when things went wrong. One of the privileges of choral singing over time is the ability to form a unified sound

and blending with the voices around you, which was observed over the course of the trip.

On the trip to Queenstown, the last leg of the tour, the Choir decided it was fitting to entertain travellers with a pop-up sing in the historic Dunedin Train Station. Choristers lined the upper balcony of the mosaicked entrance hall performing to a growing number of people. The stunning acoustic and beautiful surroundings created one of those memories that will last a lifetime.

The final performance was at St Peter's church, Wakatipu. The vicar’s warm words at the end of the concert were complimentary and heartfelt. It was clear many were moved by this performance, including members of the Choir and staff.

At each venue, from an audience of two to 150, there were people who went out of their way to let the Choir know that they were genuinely touched, impressed and entertained by the performances. There were many responsive tears and, for a student group to present such a big program off-by-heart and with such emotional maturity was truly remarkable and a credit to the group cohesiveness, musicality and professionalism.

Ms Jennifer Gillan, Mr Geoffrey Scarlett and Dr Gary Ekkel Music Tutors and Director of Choral Music

The New Zealand Tour Choir and staff

Our community in action

At St Michael’s, students are encouraged to research and connect with local community organisations that need support. This helps to embed a culture of care, compassion and community spirit amongst our student body. Some of the highly anticipated events each year are the regular Community Action Days which help raise much-needed funds and awareness for our students’ chosen organisations.

Our Community Action Leaders and teams regularly host barbeques, bake sales, games along Coleman Walk and casual clothes days to collect donations for the charities of their choice. In their first Community Action Day on 3 March, our students raised $1800 for the Emergency Action Alliance, an organisation which assisted the millions of people left displaced and vulnerable in Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquakes.

During their second Community Action Day on 31 March, our Junior and Senior teams came together to raise an impressive $2100 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal and Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation.

Prior to Easter, Sophia (12B) and Oscar (11M) our Community Action Leaders, led the charge in collecting donations of chocolate eggs to support the Challenge Foundation, which hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt.

“Challenge continue to positively impact the lives of families and patients impacted by childhood cancers and we are honoured to play a small part in this,” said Sophia and Oscar.

We commend our students on their generosity, energy and the impact they continue to make. Our students' passion and dedication to supporting others and giving back to those in need is always heart-warming.

Mr Murray Phyland Head of Community Service (K-12)

Senior School students running a lunchtime BBQ to raise funds

Junior School students participating in fun activities and selling items

Mathematics for everyone

On Tuesday 14 March, St Michael’s students joined young learners around the world to celebrate International Day of Mathematics. The Junior School came alive with shapes, calculators and equations big and small! Students engaged in learning experiences with their classmates to further explore how mathematics helps them to make sense of the world around them.

The theme this year was ‘Mathematics for everyone’ and, at St Michael’s, our teaching approach embodies this simple but powerful theme. Students learn from their earliest experiences that they are all skilled and highly capable mathematicians. In the Junior School, teachers have explored the work of Professor Jo Boaler from Stanford Graduate School of Education. Boaler’s book, Mathematical Mindsets, incorporates neuroscientific research to reconsider approaches to mathematics teaching and learning.

Neuroplasticity describes the brain's ability to change and adapt based on experiences and learning. This means that our brains create new neural pathways and connections through learning, and importantly, by making mistakes.

Alexa (2M) explained that when she learns something new ‘a synapse fires in her brain, like electricity!’ Empowered with the knowledge of how their brains function, everyone is encouraged to see themselves as talented mathematicians who learn best through challenge. Young learners who discover neuroplasticity are more likely to adopt a growth

mindset. A growth mindset is the understanding that an individual’s ability can be developed through effort and practice. Conversely, a fixed mindset is the belief that an individual’s ability cannot be changed, and effort is a sign of being ‘bad’ at something.

At St Michael’s, learners are explicitly taught the power of a growth mindset. With this mindset, learners reflect positively on their achievements and are more likely to embrace challenges with tenacity and resilience.

In the Junior School, students can explore mathematical concepts through an inquiry lens, which fosters active and authentic learning experiences. Inquiry-based mathematics learning encourages students’ curiosity and promotes active construction of understanding. In Year 1, students collected data about each other’s cultural backgrounds and analysed their findings. In Year 4, students deepened their understanding of measurement to construct eco-boxes for local fauna. These experiences were designed through an inquiry lens to connect with the motivations of our students and inspire deep engagement.

Here at St Michael’s, we aim to design authentic and inclusive experiences in which all students develop a genuine love of mathematics.

Ms Lucinda Creenaune Learning Leader: Numeracy

Prep students using different shaped blocks to create structures.

Fostering a love of reading

Early in my career, I worked as a ‘Train the Trainer’ (Literacy) for Independent Schools Victoria. I am passionate about Literacy and developing a love of Literature in children. We know as educators that early language experiences lay the important foundations for Literacy development. The way in which children begin to make sense of the world is constructed through the language they use.

At St Michael’s, we design Literacy teaching and learning experiences to cater for all students at various levels of their literacy development in the early years, understanding they come to us with varied knowledge and skills. Importantly, while we appreciate that when children start school they are learning to read, we also never lose sight of the fact that they are always reading to learn. Fostering a love of reading and writing is an important factor in developing literate students.

In March, we had the pleasure of welcoming a small group of community members to the Gipson Commons for our first AskAnExpert session for 2023, to explore the topic of Literacy. This was an opportunity for current families and the wider School community to expand their knowledge, while also discussing ideas and asking clarifying questions on how to best support young children as they navigate the exciting but complex act of learning how to read.

The interactive and engaging session addressed the fundamentals of what to expect when your child is learning to read. Going back to basics, we explained the key elements that early literacy programs focus on to develop children’s decoding skills, comprehension skills and strategies parents can implement to support their child at home while they are learning to read. Mrs Belinda Klose led an interactive activity that demonstrated first-hand how our students learn to read using the Little Learners Love Literacy Program.

At St Michael’s, we are committed to ensuring that we provide a differentiated approach to learning, so that all students

have access to the Literacy curriculum. During the session, we spoke about the need for explicit teaching that targets the various needs of students, and through evidence-based programs, such as the Little Learners Love Literacy Program we use at St Michael’s, we awaken and engage cognitive function that enables us to build the vital pathways and connections towards fluency in reading.

My thanks to the families who registered and attended this event, as well as to Mrs Klose who co-presented this most worthy session.

I encourage future families to attend the AskAnExpert sessions, which will be held in subsequent terms. Every session is run by a different subject matter expert and provides an insightful perspective on the learnings and challenges our children face in and outside of today’s classroom.

Mrs Nicole Armatas Deputy Head and Head of Junior School

Parents gathered for AskAnExpert

Mrs Nicole Armatas and Mrs Belinda Klose presented about Literacy in the Early Years

Embedding a culture of safety online

Our students are at the heart of our collaborative decisionmaking in several key areas related to technology, and their agency is important in fostering curiosity to understand our complex world. Recent updates to Child Safe Standards have amplified the importance of schools promoting safety and wellbeing in online environments, while minimising the opportunity for young people to be harmed. In addition to policies and interrelated measures in place internally to protect students, our staff design authentic experiences and seize meaningful opportunities for students to learn and apply socially responsible and ethical practices when using technologies to support learning.

St Michael’s has a rich history of technology use, from the first notebook device program in 1998, to progressive online continuous feedback practices, Virtual Reality (VR) aligned within the curriculum and diverse STEM-based opportunities. Online and offline, we continue to cultivate strong foundations to prepare students to be positive contributors to society. Recent circumstances have required greater reliance upon technology to both learn and maintain connection. This has also surfaced issues we must collectively address such as redefining our relationship with devices, technology companies’ collection and use of data, cyber security vulnerabilities of organisations and the prominence of emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

Embedding a healthy culture of online safety across the School requires curated access to tools and learning platforms, combined with a synergy between students’ developing mindsets of positive contribution online, our DRCC values in actions, and a scaffolded technical skillset that provides them creative confidence. Across our curriculum, safe and ethical use themes specifically address managing digital reputation, respect for intellectual property and creative processes, personal data practices as well as learning the importance of help-seeking behaviours and healthy online interactions with others.

Several Junior School students were showcased in a news article and video in February developed by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. After completing a Digital Licence+ program (aligned with the School’s eSmart Membership) our students spoke articulately about their evolving understanding of technology, challenges navigating online environments and different scenarios. Like any form of licence, these learning experiences are ‘just in time’ opportunities for development of knowledge and evidencing understanding that will continue to be enriched by individual experiences, increased self-regulation and age-appropriate learning opportunities addressing increasingly complex themes.

Our Senior School curriculum provides opportunities that require an awareness of appropriate behaviours and skills when using online tools including social media, with specific themes such as privacy, consent, respectful relationships and explicit online content. Personal wellbeing (as our subject is aptly titled) for many young people is intrinsically associated with their relationship with technology and their consumption of digital media. With ubiquitous access to text and image generative AI technologies now emerging, we are also committed to unifying staff, students and parents mindsets, encouraging both the effective and ethical engagement with such tools.

Technologies will continue to rapidly evolve - with and without safety built-in by design. Appropriate guidelines and guardrails will enable us to continue to foster creativity and inquiry with technology, while acknowledging our collective responsibility to nurture young people’s ability to connect safely with purpose, reflect regularly upon their online use, and act to protect themselves and others.

Mr Matt Heinrich Director of Learning Technologies and ICT

Jude (2M) Freya (8K), Gisele (8S) and Abby (8H)

The Boy from Oz

Australian writing is a rarity on the international musical theatre circuit, so it was with great excitement that we presented The Boy from Oz at the National Theatre in March for this year’s 10-12 Musical. Bursting with exciting choreography, memorable musical anthems, powerful scene work and true-blue Aussie heart, the story of Australian entertainer Peter Allen was certainly a complex, inspiring and extremely rewarding project for our young artists to tackle. Biographical in its format, the show trails Peter Allen’s musical career and whilst his songs speak of loss, pain and solitude, his public persona exuded dynamic confidence, boundless energy, tongue-in-cheek humour and intelligent wit. The cast leaped wholeheartedly into this thought-provoking story, learning about the individuals and formative experiences that shaped the career of this iconic Australian performer by researching the lives of the people they were portraying, as well as the historical contexts represented within the narrative. This work encouraged our performers, musicians, and creatives to share in meaningful conversations about the world and as maturing young adults, our students demonstrated incredible care, compassion and respect for one another and this story.

The Boy from Oz certainly provided us with the material to showcase our commitment to presenting theatrical excellence, whilst fostering diversity and opportunity in Performing Arts learning. Each member of our cast, orchestra and crew was uncompromising in their collaborative efforts to create the spectacular world we saw on stage. They have proven themselves to be a brave team of talented young people who are incredibly engaged, feel a strong sense of

belonging and have absolutely loved the rehearsal journey just as much as feeling the warmth of the spotlight on stage!

This year’s major production required us to reimagine the theatre space with a production design reflecting Peter Allen’s final tour to Sydney in 1992. We presented a concert setting, where Peter was surrounded by a series of motifs that have become his trademarks. Our cascading staircase was larger than life and our costume design dripped with the flamboyance Peter Allen is remembered for. The design allowed for Peter’s two disparate worlds, rural NSW and the sparkling 1990s, to collide seamlessly. Experimenting with new theatrical technologies and exploring innovative approaches to support our storytelling was central to the creative learning journey for this show.

Judy Garland sings “I’ve been taught by experts...” which really is the perfect sentiment to echo the experience of our students. The Performing Arts team at St Michael’s is truly first class and I thank them for their expert talents, dedication and for going the extra mile for every young person engaged in our program. The Years 10-12 Musical was very much a celebration of what we stand for as a St Michael’s community and I am incredibly proud of the exceptional theatrical experience that resulted after four months of hard work and collaboration between creatives, cast, orchestra, crew, parent and staff volunteers.

Mr Tyler Hess Director of Performing Arts

1-9. The Boy from Oz

Be a Voice for Generations

St Michael’s is committed to strategically and practically building a culture which acknowledges, affirms and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and traditions. Our approved Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) affirms this commitment and we are working to embed action in that Plan into the School Curriculum.

In 2021, we launched our first RAP, which commits us to continuing to promote an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, cultures, histories, heritage and aspirations. In the RAP, the School committed to 24 targets which span across Narragunnawali’s three categories: Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

After 12 months, organisations that have a RAP are asked to update and review the contents in order to ensure the RAP is a living document, with purpose and meaningful actions.

St Michael’s second iteration of our RAP was approved by Reconciliation Australia in December 2022.

The main actions added to the document were first, the commitment to local sites, events and excursions –St Michael’s commits to supporting visits by our staff and students to appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sites, attend significant local events and explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in excursions. We have embedded these actions across the School, including incorporating them into our experiential learning program. Recently, our Year 2 students enjoyed a visit by Boonwurrung

Community member, Jaeden Williams to learn about the six seasons of Boonwurrung Country. Secondly, we are committed to supporting teachers to embed the Australian Curriculum ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures’ cross-curriculum priorities within our Teaching, Learning and Caring Framework. This includes embedding Cultural Awareness professional learning opportunities for staff in the School’s professional learning calendar.

And finally, we will create a RAP specific budget allocation to strengthen the sustainability of our RAP actions and demonstrate the School’s commitment to reconciliation through allocation of resources.

This year's National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. During Reconciliation Week the School conducted a special whole-of-School-ceremony to mark the occasion and Mr David Tournier, Boonwurrung Senior Cultural Officer, has committed to conducting a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony at the School in the near future. We are excited to continue the School’s work in reconciliation to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

Ms Alex Mountford Chair of the Reconciliation Action Working Group

Year 2 incursion with Boonwurrung community member, Jaeden Williams

Celebrating International Women’s Day

On the morning of Wednesday 8 March, Dolly’s Café was abuzz with students, parents, staff and members of the St Michael’s community, who came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with the annual breakfast.

The morning began with the Co-Captains of the School, Tassara (12B) and Nicholas (12M) introducing this year’s theme of ‘Embrace Equity’, explaining the importance of this and the difference between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’.

We were very fortunate to have AFLW Premiership winner and Head of Physical Education (K-6), Miss Jordan Ivey, join us to speak about equity in professional sport. She gave an inspiring speech about the positive changes she has witnessed on her journey to becoming a professional athlete and addressed the barriers that did, and still do, exist for professional female sportspeople.

Miss Ivey’s overarching theme “you can’t be what you can’t see”, resonated with our audience, and I think all in attendance would agree we are fortunate that the young people at St Michael’s have an amazing role model to look up to in Miss Ivey.

Even though 40% of professional athletes are female, we know that inequity exists in areas such as remuneration and media coverage. Miss Ivey offered five practical ways we can all help change this, including watching women’s sport on television, engaging in media content and reporting on women’s sport by liking, commenting (respectfully) and sharing. Other ways of showing support included buying tickets and attending

women’s sporting matches, becoming a paid club member or purchasing merchandise and wearing it proudly.

In addition to shining a light on equity in sport, our International Women’s Day Breakfast also supported the 'Stars Foundation', an organisation selected by our Community Action students. 'Stars Foundation' provides holistic mentoring support to one of the most at-risk groups in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women. Thanks to all the donations, we raised over $1500 for 'Stars Foundation'. We also saw many goods donated for our second charity, ‘Support the Girls’. We thank the St Michael’s community for their generous donations.

Ms Emma McDonald Deputy Head and Head of Senior School

Tassara (12B), Miss Jordan Ivey and Nicholas (12M) International Women's Day Breakfast

Hughes House makes a splash

Early in Term 1, at our Years 7 to 12 House Swimming Carnival, Hughes House dethroned Breen to take out the House Swimming trophy. The competition was fierce at Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre and the atmosphere was electric, with all the Houses cheering from the stands, showing great sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Well done to Hughes House for taking home the trophy, with Breen closely behind in second, Kilburn in third, Sarum fourth and Mitre fifth. Congratulations to Kilburn who claimed the House Spirit Award for their energetic chants and support for their peers.

A special mention to Alfie (7K), who broke two School records; the Year 7 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly.

Placing House Points

1st Hughes 3482

2nd Breen 3306.5

3rd Kilburn 3161

4th Sarum 3148.5

5th Mitre 2875

Mr Hamish Meacham Aquatics Coordinator

1. The victorious Hughes House

2. Year level champions and runner ups

Swimmers race to the finish

On Tuesday 14 March, 59 St Michael’s students participated in the Association of Co-educational Schools (ACS) Swimming Championships. It was a wonderful showcase of student skill and athleticism and demonstrated the strength of the ACS and the important role it plays in fostering participation in sport. Our team finished third overall and we were incredibly proud of the manner in which they conducted themselves, displaying sportsmanship and team spirit.

Congratulations to the following students and teams who produced some exceptional results.

Our Year 7 Boys, Alfie (7K), Sam (7B), Saxby (7H), Sam (7H) and Baxter (7B), finished as the overall Year 7 Boys Champions.

Our Year 11 Boys – Eric (11H), Ned (11K), Thomas (11S) and Cam (11H) who for the fifth year in a row finished as overall Boys Champions (Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Boys Overall Champions).

Congratulations to all those who represented our School with pride and thank you to the staff who make these competitions possible.

Hamish

Mr

Meacham Aquatics Coordinator

1&2. ACS Swimming

AFLW Premiership Cup on Tour

It was with great excitement that the Junior School welcomed AFLW Melbourne Football Club champions Alyssa Bannan, Maeve Chaplin, Tahlia Gillard and Sinéad Goldrick, along with our very own Miss Jordan Ivey, Head of Physical Education (K-6), to speak about their premiership experience.

The five Melbourne Demons players toured the Premiership Cup around the Junior School. At each classroom they visited, students had the opportunity to ask the players questions, hold their medals and the Premiership Cup. Students learned about the disparities between AFL and AFLW and how sponsorship and training works for players and teams.

Club Fair lights up Coleman Walk

Co-Curricular programs are an integral and complementary part of the education journey here at St Michael’s. We are proud to provide students with an array of opportunities to discover new interests, connect with peers and build positive relationships with students and staff alike.

On Friday 10 February, we launched the 2023 Co-Curricular Club Fair along the Coleman Walk. The various Clubs set up stalls run by the respective Co-Curricular Captains and Staff Coordinators. Students from Years 7 to 12 had the opportunity to learn more about the Clubs and register their interest. Well done to our Co-Curricular Leaders and staff for putting on a fun and informative lunchtime event. Coleman Walk was abuzz with students and staff chatting with like-minded peers, engaging with the activities and signing-up ahead of the official start of the programs.

Mrs Laura Munro Experiential

One inquiring student, Alma (3D) asked “how does it feel to be a sports champion and a girl? Because I think it’s awesome!” This sparked a discussion about representation in sport and the importance of girls having female role models to look up to. Alma then shared with the class that she dreams of becoming a professional volleyball player. She was met with encouragement from her peers and the players.

At St Michael’s we encourage all students to pursue their passions, whatever they may be. Being a holistic and wellrounded school, we give our students a range of opportunities to participate in various Co-Curricular activities such as Sport, the Performing Arts and other experiential learning programs.

Learning Coordinator

1. Year 6 students with the AFLW Premiership Cup

2. Chloe (4F) with one of the Premiership Medals

3. Rosa (10M) learning about the Public Speaking Club

2023 Year 6 Leaders

There is an array of formal and situational leadership opportunities for students throughout the School. These opportunities are designed to enable our students to develop the skills, dispositions and competencies associated with leadership as contributing members of the wider School community.

Formal leadership roles for Year 6 students include CoCaptains and Co-Vice Captains of the School (K-6), House Co-Captains, Music Co-Captains, Sacristans, STEM, Community Action and Environmental Action Leaders. A new leadership opportunity of Peer Mentor will be offered this year with interested students assisting in the design and implementation of this program. As part of our preparation for these formal leadership roles, students in Years 2 to 5 can apply to be Environmental Action Group and Community Action Group representatives.

On Thursday 16 February, we were delighted to welcome parents, staff and students from Year 1 to Year 6 to All Saints Church for the annual Year 6 Leaders’ Induction Ceremony. The service included speeches from Leaders within the School community, including Mr Gerard Houlihan, Head of the School, Mrs Nicole Armatas, Deputy Head and Head of Junior School and the Co-Captains of the School Nicholas (12M) and Tassara (12B). The elected Year 6 students were inducted into their 2023 leadership roles, pledging to lead, serve and support their peers and the wider School community. Mr Houlihan presented the leaders with their leadership badges which had been blessed by Fr Kenyon McKie.

Our Year 6 Leaders have already embraced their roles and we are confident that they will continue to be positive role-models for their peers, demonstrating daily the School values of Dignity, Respect, Care and Compassion.

YEAR 6 LEADERS

ELC – Year 6 Co-Captains Cleo and Ari (both 6I)

ELC – Year 6 Co-Vice Captains

Cintra House Co-Captains

Marlton House Co-Captains

Amelie (6I) and Tommy (6E)

Francesca (6E) and Hugo (6I)

Mathilde and Christian (both 6E)

Moss House Co-Captains Lucy (6E) and Billy (6I)

Woods House Co-Captains Grace and Bo (both 6M)

Music Co-Captains

Environmental Action Leaders

STEM Leaders

Community Service Leaders

Hannah and Dash (both 6M)

Liliana (6I) and Michael (6M)

Stephanie (6I) and Leo (6M)

Maggie (6M) and Ezra (6E)

Sacristans Thomas, Jude and Arthur (all 6E)

Ms Emma Phillips Director (4-6)

1. Mr Houlihan addresses the students, staff and parents

2. Students from the Junior School attended the service

3. The inducted leaders

Year 6 Exodus: Exploring the nation’s capital

In Term 1 St Michael's Year 6 students embarked on an exciting and immersive four-day tour of Canberra, as part of their Experiential Learning Program. The experience was designed to develop an understanding of Australia’s political history, and the layers of government and how they have shaped the lives of all Australians. The trip was full of adventure and new learning experiences, with the students exploring several landmarks and attractions in Canberra.

The students were in awe of the various locations they visited, including Parliament House, the National Electoral Education Centre, the Australian Mint, and the Museum of Australian Democracy. Each place gave students a firsthand account of the inner workings of Australian politics and governance, where they were able to appreciate the importance of the democratic process and civic engagement in a functional society.

One of the highlights for the students was meeting the Honourable Joshua Burns, Member for MacNamara, who shared with them his journey into politics and the role he plays in representing his constituents in Parliament. This interaction gave the students an excellent opportunity to realise that anyone can become a leader in our society and make a difference.

The evening tour and exploration of Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, was also a particular highlight for the students. The interactive exhibits and handson experiences gave them a chance to engage with science and technology in a fun and engaging way, inspiring them to consider careers in these fields.

Unsurprisingly, the "We Will Remember Them" tour of the War Memorial was the most poignant part of the trip. Students were given an insightful look back at Australia’s war history and the importance of commemorating all those who have served our country. The tour emphasised the value of sacrifice and the importance of respecting those who have given their lives to protect our country and our freedoms.

Throughout the trip, the School's values of Dignity, Respect, Care, and Compassion were constantly demonstrated by the students. They returned with memories, new friendships and an appreciation for the importance of civic engagement, leadership and sacrifice.

Mr John Sanderson Director of Experiential Learning

A minute’s silence at the Australian War Memorial

Year 6 students at the Royal Australian Mint

Year 7 Exodus: Building strong foundations

At St Michael’s, we view our Outdoor Education Program as an integral part of the learning journey. Each year, there is an emphasis on personal growth through various outdoor experiences, with Year 7 focusing on friendships and foundations.

During this year's program students camped at Balnarring, Shoreham and Warrandyte. They were excited to participate in activities including surfing, bushwalking, abseiling, orienteering, cooking, beach games, art and learning about the local coastal environments. These activities are designed to allow students to build friendships, develop a solid foundation of outdoor skills, and connect with the natural environment. For many in the cohort, Year 7 Exodus was their first Outdoor Education experience. An important aspect of Exodus is allowing students to bond and build relationships within their House group. Encouraging students to form strong connections in their House community is essential, as those peers will be a key support network throughout their St Michael’s experience.

Students focused on working together and getting the best out of their group, and themselves, in order to successfully complete the challenges. The outcomes of this program aim to strengthen students’ foundations not only in their friendships but also in areas such as work ethic and cooperation to assist them in their academic studies at school.

Mr John Sanderson Director of Experiential Learning

1. Students learning to surf

2. Reid (7M) tackling the obstacle course

Year 9 Exodus: Learning real responsibility

Outdoor Education at St Michael’s encourages students to be innovative and creative, it challenges their mindset, and equips them with the skills and knowledge they need for the future.

Our Year 9 students embarked on a week-long journey, where they were fortunate to explore one of three stunning locations around Victoria for their Exodus program, each taking on different adventures and challenges.

A group of students undertook a single-pitch rock climbing and bushwalking journey in the Grampians, while another group explored the Eildon Region by white water rafting along the Goulburn River and bushwalking. The third group cycled from Mansfield to Yea along the Goulburn Valley Rail Trail.

The theme of the Year 9 Exodus program was Real Responsibility. Throughout the week, students were encouraged to take on greater responsibility for themselves

and their peers, taking on a more proactive leadership role to manage their group and discover group potential. The theme was integrated into every aspect of the trip, from the preparation of meals to setting up and packing down tents at each campsite. Students also developed their skills in goal setting and time management.

At the end of the week, our Year 9 students returned from Exodus with greater confidence, new skills and stronger bonds with their fellow peers.

Mrs Laura Munro Experiential Learning Coordinator

1. Cooking dinner for the group 2&3. Rock climbing in the Grampians

Ms Lucinda Creenaune

Ms Lucinda Creenaune has been a teacher in the Junior School since 2021. Her interest in teaching was realised while employed in the arts sector, working in communications and supporting the development of education programs. She completed her Master of Teaching at the University of Melbourne and, while studying, Lucinda gained experience in diverse educational settings, including a placement in the remote community of Ntaria, Northern Territory.

In the classroom, Ms Creenaune has a passion for inquiry-based learning and looks for authentic experiences that spark curiosity. For Ms Creenaune, learning experiences are powerful when they connect with the motivations and interests of young learners. She thoroughly enjoys learning alongside students as they persevere with challenges and are eager to stretch their thinking.

Taking on the role of Numeracy Learning Leader (K-6), Ms Creenaune

Mr Simon Daniels

looks forward to building her leadership skills and supporting a culture of collaboration in the Junior School. “As a Professional Learning Team (PLT), we are driven by improving student learning outcomes. Together, we will examine the impact of our current practices, and engage with contemporary research to refine our approach.”

This year, Ms Creenaune is thrilled to be part of the Teaching Excellence Program at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. The program is an opportunity for deep thinking and genuine collaboration across a broad cross-section of schools. Ms Creenaune is most excited about the program’s inquiry focus, where teachers closely examine evidence of student learning and develop action plans.

Outside of school, Ms Creenaune loves the arts, getting out in nature and making ambitious travel plans. Throughout the school year, she shares these interests through her teaching and also creates opportunities for

her students’ interests to be visible in the classroom.

Ms Creenaune looks forward to continuously developing her teaching practices, while also contributing to the dynamic learning culture in the Junior School at St Michael’s.

Mr Simon Daniels joined the St Michael’s community at the beginning of 2023 as Director of Years 7 to 9. With a deep passion for pastoral care and nurturing individual strengths, Mr Daniels has experience supporting students to navigate the important middle years of their education.

For Mr Daniels, it is fundamental that students are given every opportunity to discover and pursue their passions at this stage of their education by exploring a breadth of activities with a sense of fun, purpose, resilience, and with hope for the future.

“The times across Years 7, 8 and 9 should be cherished, as students seek greater independence and responsibility, not only for their own learning but also as they identify their interests in life.”

In addition to his role as Director of Years 7 to 9, Mr Daniels teaches VCE Geography. Developing an understanding and care for environmental and human issues, Mr Daniels enjoys the privilege of providing students with a broader perspective of the world.

Outside of School, Mr Daniels loves to keep active and enjoys spending time outdoors running, cycling, and preparing for the occasional triathlon. An Essendon supporter and all-round sports fan, he likes following and supporting many different codes. Whenever he can, he enjoys travelling and the learning that takes place when exposed to new cultures, ways of life and by appreciating the diversity that exists around the globe.

We are excited to have Mr Daniels join the St Michael’s community.

Ongoing connections with the Old Michaelian community

Our rich and diverse Old Michaelian (OM) Community continues to provide support for students across our campus in a myriad of ways.

The start of the School year commenced with the commissioning service for the new Head of the School, Mr Gerard Houlihan and we were delighted to have a number of Old Michaelians participating in the choir including Katherine Lieschke (OM 2008), Kaemon Wilcox (OM 2020), Luna Verratti (OM 2022), Isaac Burgess (OM 2019), and Billie Tumarkin (OM 2014) leading the exquisite choral numbers with her soaring soprano voice.

The 10-12 Musical – The Boy from Oz, was a wonderful success, showcasing spectacular costumes and sets brought to life with the help of some experienced Old Michaelians. These included Ellie Singe (OM 2020) who worked on the bump out crew, and Louis Tuckfield-Smith (OM 2019) and Tiernan Maclaren (OM 2017) on the build crew and the bump out crew.

The development of the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s, saw many OM community members involved at every stage of the project. Harry Amos (OM 2020) featured in the video to launch the project at the commencement of the build and Maverick Newman (OM 2015) was involved in the filming of the official launch video. The St Michael’s community had the great privilege of being entertained by renowned Australian actress and soprano singer Anna O’Byrne (OM 2003) along with the 2022 New Zealand Touring Choir at the official opening of this wonderful new facility.

In March, Mia Quinn (OM 2022) returned to the School to run a workshop to guide students through the photographic process that she used to create her Cyanotypes artworks in Year 12 Art.

In early April, St Michael's competed at the Victorian Teams Racing State Championships and narrowly missed out on the finals for their division. Coaches Liam Whitehouse (OM

2022) and Anna Cripsey (OM 2022) were acknowledged for their hard work and commitment in preparing the team for competition. Several Old Michaelians are also working as coaches for our St Michael’s sporting teams and we thank them for the work they do in motivating our teams in the ACS Sport home and away fixture. The following OMs are coaching in our ACS program: Alex Wolnizer (OM 2020), Harry Townsend (OM 2021), Stella Smith (OM 2021), Roman Sowada (OM 2022), Luca Pelosi (OM 2022), Maxwell Prezens (OM 2022), Justin Bond (OM, 2019), Finn Jessen (OM 2022), and Nick Leach (OM 2018).

Every year, the Old Michaelian Association Committee (OMAC) offers support to the Year 12 cohort as they complete their final year at St Michael’s. On the same day that the Easter Eucharist was celebrated, the students surprised with Easter treats provided by the OMAC to welcome them back to School and provide a joyful start to Term 2.

The strong presence of our Old Michaelian community and the engagement of so many Old Michaelians with the School is deeply appreciated and provides a source of great joy for all involved.

If you are interested in engaging with the students, contributing to life at St Michael’s or learning more about the OMAC please contact oldmichaeliancommittee@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

1. Coaches Liam Whitehouse (OM 2022) and Anna Cripsey (OM 2022) with the Victorian Racing State Championships team

2. Finn Jessen (OM 2022) coaching students in the before-school Basketball Academy

Vale

St Michael’s pays tribute to Old Michaelians, Staff and members of our community who are no longer with us and offer our condolences to their family and friends who are in our thoughts and prayers.

Mrs Loris Crisp (nee Lampard) (OM 1944)

24 September 2021

Mrs Claire Halsall (nee Shelton) (OM 1949)

25 March 2022

Mrs Betty Emery (nee Harvey) (OM 1940)

30 October 2022

Mrs Heather Harding (nee Dalziel) (OM 1945)

2 January 2023

Mrs Kerry Dickeson (OM 1969)

17 March 2023

The Reverend Dan Octigan

24 November 2022

In the previous issue of The Crest, the incorrect peer year was listed for a number of Old Michaelians who were acknowledged in the Vale section. The correct peer years are as follows; Mrs Helen Israel (nee Kew) (OM 1951), Mrs Wyvern Hodgkin (nee Carter) (OM 1958), Mrs Monica Shepherd (nee Johnson) (OM 1955).

St Michael’s thanks the community for advising us of the passing of their loved ones. This information is correct at the time of publication. To respect the family of the deceased, names will only be published where the family has advised the School or there has been a public notice advising of the death.

These names have been added to the School’s Year’s Mind Book, which records anniversaries of significance to the School community. This will ensure that they will be remembered in prayer at a Eucharist held in the School’s Chapel of St Michael and All Angels at the appropriate time each year and that their memory will be honoured by St Michael’s Grammar School in perpetuity.

If you are an Old Michaelian or member of the St Michael’s community who would like to share a story or community notice, please contact us at engagement@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

Reunions

Reunions provide an opportunity for our diverse and supportive Old Michaelian community to revisit their St Michael’s years together.

On 17 March we were delighted to see over 60 Old Michaelians and past staff from the Class of 2013 return for their 10 Year Reunion. The 2012 Kosi to Coast Group 1, were particularly excited to read the ‘notes to their future selves’ that they had written on their Year 11 trip, which was then stored in a time capsule for their reunion.

On 31 March we enjoyed another joyful evening of laughs and stories as the Class of 1993, many of whom are current, past and future St Michael’s parents, reminisced about their school days at their 30 Year Reunion. The sense of belonging and togetherness on nights like these demonstrate the deep connection that is felt amongst our former students.

CONNECT

The Old Michaelians Facebook group is a lively community where past staff, students and parents can keep in touch and stay up-to-date with Old Michaelian news and events. Additionally, SMGS Generation is a networking platform exclusively for the St Michael’s community. The platform enables Old Michaelians to connect with each other professionally, for mentoring, and for opportunities to connect to School activity such as careers nights.

St Michael’s Old Michaelians

SMGS Generation

UPCOMING REUNIONS IN 2023

We will host a number of reunions over the remainder of the year and we invite Old Michaelians from the following peer years to join us as we renew old friendships, develop community networks, learn about the changes that have taken place at St Michael’s, reminisce about days gone by and share in life experiences.

25 Year Reunion Class of 1998 Fri 18 Aug 2023

35 Year Reunion Class of 1988 Fri 06 Oct 2023

Boarders Reunion Sat 18 Nov 2023

Old Michaelians will be sent an invitation by email, and are encouraged to update their details to ensure they receive these: stmichaels.vic.edu.au/update-your-details/ Please check www.stmichaels.vic.edu.au/community/events/ for booking details. We also ask that Old Michaelians share the details with past classmates to ensure we reach those who are not currently connected with the School.

We value all ideas, input and assistance from Old Michaelians to help create special and memorable reunions. If you have social media skills, a flare for events or would just like to be involved, then we would love to hear from you.

Email: engagement@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

Phone: +61 3 8350 3298

1–3. Class of 1993 30 Year Reunion

4–5. Class of 2013 10 Year Reunion

Andrew Scrimgeour: brewing a successful career in beer

Co-founder of one of Australia’s largest independent breweries – Brick Lane Breweries, Andrew Scrimgeour (OM 1993) has achieved a great deal of success within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry since graduating St Michael’s.

After finishing Year 12 in 1993, Andrew went on to study a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations before completing a Master’s degree in Foreign Affairs at Monash University. Andrew subsequently worked for multiple global FMCG companies including CUB, Coca-Cola and Adidas which saw him work in France, Germany and Australia.

When reflecting on his career to date, Andrew speaks of the four years spent living and working in Paris. For Andrew, making the decision to move to France post studying his Master’s degree, without any French language skills, was an incredible experience. Andrew became fluent in French and was given the opportunity to work in the brewing industry, which ultimately paved the way for him to start his own business.

From the conception of an idea through to seeing the business commence, Andrew has always enjoyed the excitement and pace of start-up companies. A big part of this for Andrew is the pleasure of meeting new people and how diverse skillsets can come together to achieve success.

Starting Brick Lane Breweries has been a rewarding journey for Andrew, enabling him to work with some incredible shareholders and a talented team. He feels a great sense of satisfaction when he sees the products that he helped create

on shelves around Australia and is optimistic about future growth. Proudly independent and B-Corp certified, Brick Lane Breweries is a pioneer in craft brewing, with sustainability and best-in-class efficiency at its very core.

“Each project component incorporates a technological or engineering approach, new to the Australian beer market and helps us to significantly reduce primary energy and water requirements: to the tune of 1.5 million litres per annum,” said Andrew.

Thinking about how School prepared him for his career, Andrew feels St Michael’s equipped him with the fundamental life skills that laid the foundation for a successful career.

“When you leave school and enter the world, you are often challenged on many different levels and I believe it’s how you handle these challenges such as further education, employment, travel and family that ultimately prepares you for your career. Never underestimate the importance of surrounding yourself with family and good people, and how this will lead to success.”

For students who are interested in starting their own business or following a similar career path, Andrew has some words of wisdom and encouragement to offer.

“If you have the desire to start your own business and build that business into something special, don’t ever give up. Just because someone says it won’t or can't work, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Be resilient and dream big.”

We thank Andrew for his time and advice and look forward to continuing to follow his journey beyond the School gates.

Molly Daniels: from St Michael’s to the big screen

Since graduating in 2013, Molly Daniels (OM 2013) has written for a Netflix series, starred in TV shows, including Tomorrow When the War Began (2016), hosted the Short and Curly podcast for the ABC, and produced and directed her own short-form programs. A director, writer and actor, Molly has a passion for comedy and currently works in the television and online space.

For Molly, it is the ultimate privilege and a joy to work in a field that allows her to write and create full-time. When speaking about what she enjoys the most, Molly reflects on the deep fulfillment that comes with directing a show that she has written. Bringing together a cast and crew who all work really hard to achieve the same common goal, or seeing the magic of a wild idea come to life is what Molly finds most satisfying. Molly is well versed on the challenges and rewards that come with pursuing an artistic career in the performing arts space. She offers some excellent advice to those students who wish to follow a similar career path, which put simply is to believe in yourself and work hard.

“You are going to get rejected a million times over - there are going to be six thousand nos for every yes. There is no stability or job security and on multiple occasions, you’ll be broke and depend on a hospitality or retail job to get you by. It’s really tough, so you have to absolutely and completely believe in yourself and the things you have to say. Let this

belief keep you motivated and passionate to try your hardest every single day.”

When contemplating the impact that St Michael’s has had on her career and achievements, Molly speaks of the many opportunities she had to discover and explore her passion. Further, in a career that demands excellent time management and defining priorities, St Michael’s taught Molly how to balance extra-curricular activities with study and leadership responsibilities.

“St Michael’s awakened and encouraged the creator in me through things like student-run theatre initiatives, play-writing electives, and of course, passionate and inspiring English teachers. Writing and directing a House Drama play alongside a friend was particularly insightful, as I watched an audience full of people laugh at jokes I’d written and had a consuming urge to chase that feeling forever.”

With the recent opening of our new Performing Arts Centre, St George’s, Molly is excited for the students who will now benefit from this wonderful facility that will inspire students for generations to come.

“This school shaped my relationship with creativity and the arts, and I truly believe this new space is going to do the same for so many students to come. I can see it igniting passions for everything from jazz dance to lighting design.”

We congratulate Molly on all her achievements and look forward to following her journey beyond the School gates.

Jacqui Walker

Jacqui Walker, commenced as President of the Parent Community Association (PCA) in November 2022 after holding the role of PCA Treasurer for two years. Being new to St Michael’s during the first year of COVID, Jacqui felt disconnected and wanted to gain a greater insight into the School and its

Andrew Kantor

community. Jacqui was particularly interested in making a positive contribution to the St Michael’s community, while also leveraging her experience in the PCA Treasurer role to give back in a meaningful way. While it can sometimes be challenging for Jacqui to balance work, volunteering and family time, it is rewarding to see the impact of her work within the St Michael’s community. Specifically, Jacqui enjoys creating opportunities for St Michael’s community members to connect, nurturing a sense of belonging, raising funds to support PCA grants that in turn benefit the St Michael’s community, and collaborating with a committed group of parent volunteers and St Michael’s staff.

Outside of volunteering, Jacqui is the Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at Ormond College, which is

a residential college for students of The University of Melbourne. Beyond this, Jacqui enjoys spending time with family, including their 4-year-old very spoilt cavoodle, and enjoying the arts.

To other parents who are thinking about volunteering with the PCA, Jacqui’s advice is to get involved, no matter what role, big or small. For Jacqui, volunteering is very rewarding, and as a parent, it enriches the relationship she has with her daughter, through understanding and connection. To volunteer, Jacqui believes you need a sense of enthusiasm, a desire to work with other committed volunteers, and to be open to the many roles you can play.

We are thrilled to have Jacqui as part of the PCA and are grateful for her ongoing contributions to the St Michael’s community.

Andrew Kantor was appointed the St Michael’s PCA Leader of Sports in March 2022, and has since been involved in organising events and making significant contributions to Sport at St Michael’s.

With a long career in physiotherapy, Andrew has held positions at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Darwin and Royal London Hospitals, all of which allowed him to develop a broad knowledge base and an appreciation

of collaborative teamwork. Andrew has a passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports medicine, and is currently Director and Principal Physio at South Melbourne Physio, where he has been since 2005.

As the PCA Leader of Sports, Andrew has given his time and support at netball matches and the Geoffrey Ryan Cup, helping students with their warm-up, cool-down, strapping and injury management. Andrew was also involved in organising the 2022 Father’s Day celebration, an evening at the Porsche Centre Brighton, which was a huge hit among the St Michael’s parent community.

When Andrew’s daughter Eve started at St Michael’s last year in Year 7, he wanted to be involved with her learning journey and better understand school life. Andrew feels that as students move into Senior School, their focus often shifts more towards friends and teachers, therefore, by volunteering for the PCA, he has a common language and understanding with Eve.

Andrew's support network has played a critical role in enabling his volunteer work. He noted his wife has helped immensely in encouraging and supporting him to balance work, life and volunteer commitments. He is passionate about volunteering and believes it is a meaningful way to give back, while fostering and strengthening relationships.

For other parents looking to volunteer with the PCA, Andrew recommends reaching out to the committee to discuss how you can get involved. For Andrew, volunteering with the PCA is a valuable experience and a great way to be a present parent in your child’s education journey. People who are open-minded, ideas-driven, flexible, organised and passionate are what Andrew believes are the prerequisites for creating a strong community spirit.

We thank Andrew for his contributions to the PCA and the Sports program at St Michael’s.

The PCA – bringing us together

The Parent Community Association (PCA) commenced the year with great enthusiasm. Our Year Level Representatives (YLR) organised many year level coffee catch-ups and welcome events over Terms 1 and 2. The new Parent Community Association Executive Team was very pleased with the large number of new parents volunteering as Year Level Representatives (YLR) and attending induction sessions at the commencement of the school year to learn about their role. These sessions gave our volunteers an opportunity to hear from the new Head of the School, Mr Gerard Houlihan, meet the new PCA Executive Team and to connect with one another.

In March, a team of dedicated parent volunteers attended the bi-annual working bee in the Octavius Brown Kitchen Garden. The team weeded, planted, pruned and swept amongst other duties. We also celebrated the 10 year milestone of the garden in operation with a beautiful cake from Dolly's and pizzas prepared in the PCA pizza oven. Thank you to Mary Wood and those who attended. It was a very productive and enjoyable morning.

During Term 2, the Mother’s Day Lunch celebrated family as a powerful representation of collaboration, our word for the year. Parents were impressed by the stunning venue Sophia, at the Prahran Arcade on Chapel Street, which epitomises the excesses of late 19th century architecture. As one of the most popular PCA events on the School calendar, it was a wonderful occasion for parents across the St Michael’s community to come together, celebrate and be celebrated.

The PCA run Second-Hand Uniform Service (SHU) continues to go from strength to strength, offering a wide selection of

high quality uniform items to St Michael’s students. The parent volunteers who run the service are committed to the mantra of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, aligning with the School’s values. Uniforms that do not meet the quality benchmark for resale are donated to Charities – the Katalyst Foundation and the Reagan Milstein Foundation or sent to Upparel for shredding and repurposing. Funds raised by the SHU service are put towards the PCA Grants program which allows students, staff and parents to put forward submissions for the funding of projects that will benefit the wider school community.

The PCA once again supported the School’s Giving Day on 25 May, donating $5000 in match funding through the PCA annual grants program. The PCA supports the growth and development of the School’s Scholarship program, which provides opportunities for students who may not be able to start, or continue, their St Michael’s education.

The parent community is anticipating one of the biggest events on the School calendar – the PCA Trivia night. Last year the event was held at the Timber Yard venue in Port Melbourne with a record number of parents in attendance and a wonderful night had by all. This year promises to be just as much fun.

Ms Jacqui Walker

PCA President

1-3. Mother's Day lunch

4. Volunteers helping with the Kitchen Garden working bee

Thank you to our Donors

The opening of the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s on Thursday 4 May was a very special occasion for the School. It was also an important event for the generous donors who chose to support the restoration of a stained-glass window as part of the redevelopment, as it was the first time they were able to see ‘their’ window in situ

In 2020, with the proposed redevelopment of St George’s as a state-of-the-art performance facility in prospect, it was planned to hold a series of tours to explain the heritage features of the church and to encourage prospective donors to consider supporting a stained-glass window. However, COVID meant that tours were not possible in either 2020 or 2021 and in 2022 building work commenced and the site was unavailable. Despite this, 11 donors elected to support a window, based only on pre-restoration photographs. We are indebted to them for their faith in the project and the leadership they showed. Since then, a further three donors, who had the advantage of viewing windows in the near completed Performing Arts Centre, have chosen a window. Opportunities still exist to support the remaining 14 windows. Donors who do so are acknowledged in a plaque adjacent to the window and will therefore have an enduring connection to St Michael’s for the life of the building.

From July, it will be possible to view the windows through a new online portal featuring a gallery of the available window, and, of course, we are now able to visit the Performing Arts

Centre and see the windows in all their glory within the space. There will also be an opportunity to celebrate your family’s involvement with the School by having your name on a seat in the new Janette Gordon-Clark Auditorium within the Performing Arts Centre. Further information on this opportunity will be available soon.

May was an especially busy month this year. Not only did we begin the month by celebrating the opening of the new Performing Arts Centre, but our annual Merry Month of May and Giving Day were a focus for the whole School community.

The Merry Month of May (MMOM) is a student-led initiative that raises funds for, and awareness of, four community organisations chosen by the student themselves. This year the students chose World Wide Fund for Nature, Red Dust, Emerge and the Leukemia Foundation. They were enthusiastic in their activities throughout the month and raised a staggering $54,000. The MMOM helps build a culture of philanthropy within our community and develop students’ understanding of what it means to be a contributing citizen.

Giving Day is the culmination of the MMOM. It is the one day of the year when we invite our entire community to emulate the efforts of our students and to give generously to support our Scholarship program. St Michael’s has been offering scholarships to students since 1916. Over that time many hundreds of students have been given the chance to follow their passions and excel. Overwhelmingly, in keeping with

St Michael’s goal to graduate contributing global citizens, our scholarship students have been characterised by their willingness to give back and make a difference.

The value of a scholarship transcends the monetary support, or the benefit of a good education. Scholarships give a young person a sense of inclusion, a sense of worth and a belief that they are valued and that they can contribute meaningfully.

We were fortunate to have the support of many members of our community who acted as ambassadors for the Day. Ms Diana Renner, an Old Michaelian, current parent and past scholarship recipient, kindly agreed to narrate the highly impactful Giving Day video and recorded a short message for social media to encourage people to donate. Other members of the community who recorded a message were Mr Andrew Eddy, Chair of the Board, Mr Gerard Houlihan, Head of the School, Ms Jacqui Walker, Parent Community Association (PCA) President, Ms Mairead O’Connell-Lacey (OM 2022) and our current Co-Captains Tassara (12B) and Nicholas (12M).

This year, through the generosity of parents, Old Michaelians, suppliers, students and staff, we raised $167,000 with all donations going to our Scholarship Fund. We are especially grateful to our matching donors who showed great leadership in kindly agreeing to donate in advance to encourage others to donate on the day. Matching donors included our suppliers, the PCA, parents and past parents and the Board of St Michael’s and the School Executive.

Our aim is to grow our Scholarships Fund to a corpus that can support an ever-increasing number of scholarships and sustain the program indefinitely.

St Michael’s prides itself on its sense of community and our commitment to social justice, including giving as many young people as possible the benefit of a St Michael’s education. Building a culture of philanthropy is important in ensuring that we achieve our goals.

If you are interested in donating to St Michael’s or would like to find out more about giving to St Michael’s you can do so here: Giving to St Michael's or call the Director of Advancement on 03 8530 3315

A very sincere thank you to all our donors, who have either chosen to assist with the restoration of a stained-glass window in the Performing Arts Centre, St George’s or who supported the MMOM or Giving Day and our Scholarships program.

1&2. Restored stained-glass windows in the Performing Arts Centre, St George's

3. School Co-Captains Nicholas (12M) and Tassara (12B) on Giving Day

4. Student Leaders collect donations on Giving Day at the Chapel Street entrance

5. Campbell (12B) collecting donations

Opportunities that ignite their passion .

Our holistic approach to teaching, learning and caring means our students can explore academic study, co-curricular activities, leadership programs, and community service in ways that engage and excite them.

Telephone: +61 3 8530 3200

community@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

stmichaels.vic.edu.au

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