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St Michael’s Students: Community Kudos

In a society experiencing what many describe as a ‘loneliness epidemic’, simple moments of inter-generational connection, curiosity and respect send a message of hope and humanity to all of us.

I happened to be taking a tram journey today. There were quite a few St Michael's girls from the Junior School on the tram already, occupying many of the seats I am a senior citizen with grey hair and after a short time, one of the girls asked me whether I would like to sit down

I was somewhat taken aback as I don't often encounter young people offering seats to adults on public transport. They are often engaged in their own world of conversation and of course the mobile phone. It was wonderful to see an example of good manners and courteous behaviour.

Your students were also engaged in quiet conversation amongst themselves This is also somewhat unusual as often the conversation is loud and boisterous and oblivious to their surrounds

I thank your students for their courteous behaviour and I congratulate you and the school for nurturing the fundamentals of good citizenship.

Kind regards,

10 Years of The Gipson Commons

Ten years ago, the Gipson Commons opened its doors. Since then, more than 106,000 timetabled classes have taken place within its walls.

On 22 April 2016, the Gipson Commons welcomed its first students. A decade on, it remains one of the most active learning environments at our School

Those 106,000 classes span an extraordinary breadth of learning: Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Food Technology, Media, Literacy Support and Flexible Learning Programs across multiple year levels Students have run experiments, built media projects, developed recipes and found support when they needed it most.

It has also become a genuine gathering place for students, staff and parents alike.

The Gipson Commons exists because of the generosity of our donors Thank you for making it possible, and for everything that continues to happen within it.

AJGEN, Emeritus Professor JeffreyV Rosenfeld AC OBE KStJ (Ret )

AJGEN (Ret’d) Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC OBE renowned neurosurgeon, former ADF Surgeon General (Reserves), and Monash Emeritus Professor is a leader in traumatic brain injury and pioneering bionic vision research transforming lives.

Why Prep is the Best Time to Start at St Michael's

Kirsten James has taught at St Michael's Grammar School for 31 years. She's been teaching in the EarlyYears for much of that time, and in Prep for the last 4 years, and she's still surprised bywhat she sees everyyear.

The question prospective families ask most often isn't about curriculum or facilities It's simpler than that: will my child be okay?

It's the right question And for Kirsten James, who has spent three decades watching children arrive in the Junior School and leave ready for everything that follows, the answer has never changed.

At St Michael's, Prep is structured to build those foundations deliberately The day begins with a Morning Meeting, a moment to settle and connect From there, children move into a structured literacy block that Kirsten describes as rigorous but never rigid.

We use the Little Learners Love Literacy program a structured, research-based approach to reading and writing built on explicit phonics teaching, word study, and smallgroup guided reading tailored to each child Many begin the year with limited writing skills By early Term Two, children who initially struggled are writing independently, forming simple sentences and using basic punctuation.

St Michael's is a coeducational school, and Kirsten is direct about what that means for girls at this age Girls do well here; all of them.

"We know that happy children learn," she says "So, our job at St Michael's is to make sure children feel happy, settled, confident, and supported. If we get that right, they will thrive."

Starting early matters, not because there's a race, but because the foundations built in these first years shape how a child approaches the challenges that follow The way they take a risk The way they sit with a hard problem

The way they feel about themselves as a learner. It's worth noting that VCE results at St Michael’s have often demonstrated the importance of starting early – with many of St Michael's topperforming Year 12 students beginning their journey here in the ELC or Junior School.

The school is particularly skilled at drawing out the deep thinkers who might percolate an idea for a long time before they're ready to voice it, creating the conditions where that thinking can surface through discussion, Morning Meetings, and an environment where getting something wrong is treated as part of the process, not a failure

As children apply their developing literacy and numeracy skills, they become increasingly agentic inquirers. Through transdisciplinary units, teachers guide rather than give answers supporting children to work things out for themselves This nurtures curiosity, persistence, and a genuine excitement about coming to school

It's an approach that has earned St Michael's Junior School recognition in the Australian Education Awards in 2024 and 2025 including for Primary School Principal of the Year, Primary School of the Year (Non-Government) and Innovative Learning Design.

Recently, we received our 2025 report from the Victorian Kindergarten Parent Survey, allowing ELC families to provide feedback on our 3 and 4-year-old programs.

Spread the word – our ELC and Prep communities are open for indepth tours on Thursday 18 June Places available for 2027 – share with your network! Info here

This feedback reflects the depth of care and expertise offered by Alexandra Fegan, Director of the ELC, and her highly credentialled team of educators and builds on our recently renewed 'Exceeding' rating from the national regulator

Netball Night Match

St Michael's 1sts and 2nds travelled to Westbourne Grammar for ourAnnual Night Netball fixture.

Although our 1sts went down 36–13, both squads finished the match strongly, and there's plenty to build on ahead of the rest of the ACS Winter season.

As we look ahead to our next big sporting night, the Geoffrey Ryan Cup, there is some big news to be announced shortly

In consultation with students, parents, staff and Old Michaelians, St Michael’s has been developing a new sports brand, giving us a defined direction and purpose.

Keep your eyes peeled early in Term 3 for the announcement!

On 8 May, our community joined thousands of Australians in acknowledging Do It For Dolly Day, a powerful reminder that kindness matters and that bullying has no place in any school

At St Michael's, the wellbeing and safety of every student is at the heart of what we do For families navigating conversations about bullying, Dolly's Dream offers free, practical resources tailored to every age group from primaryaged children through to young adults as well as dedicated guidance for parents and carers

Their 24/7 Bullying Support Line (13 DOLLY) connects students and families with qualified counsellors by phone or webchat

Our own internal Bullying Support resource provides clear guidance on how St Michael's identifies, responds to, and supports students affected by bullying We encourage all families to read and bookmark it.

If you have concerns about your child, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or our Student Wellbeing team

Keeping the Battalion Alive

Each year, we do something few schools in Australia can claim. We march on behalf of a Battalion.

This ANZAC Day, we gathered to remember joined by special guest Mr Michael O'Connell (OM 1995), who enlisted in the Royal Australian Army at just 18 and served for 11 years across Malaysia, Thailand, Iraq and East Timor

Bruce Sampson, former serviceman and Head of Breen House, led our School Captains and Prefects in parading the Colours of the 14th/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion Colours we have held in trust for 25 years

The following morning, our student leaders attended the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance before marching in the ANZAC Day March At its conclusion, a Shrine Commissioner sought out our student and staff representatives to tell them their bearing, and the way we have kept the Battalion present, does great honour to the soldiers they represented Lest we forget

A Moment to Celebrate

The 2026 St Michael’s Mother's Day Luncheon brought together 400 mothers across our community for what is an annual highlight in our School’s calendar.

This year's event drew one of our largest attendances yet The conversation was loud, warm and wide-ranging stretching well beyond school life into careers, friendships and everything in between.

One mother put it simply: "Being mums brings us together, but it's an extension of that that makes us us"

Back in the classroom, we asked students what they wanted their mums to know The answers were earnest, funny and occasionally surprising One student said: "I'd want her to know that I'm proud of the way she's raised me as a person"

And from one of our younger students, something quieter: "My mum taught me how to write." That, really, is what the day is about.

View our highlight video from the day here.

Six Awards in Three Years. St Michael’s Recognised for Excellence

St Michael's Grammar School has been named a 2026 Excellence Awardee in two categories at this year's national awards Senior School ofTheYear and Best Use ofTechnology. For the second consecutive year, our school has taken home the technology award.

Highlights from our Senior School submission include:

a strong and explicit focus on Student Voice and Agency, empowering learners to take ownership of their growth ourTeaching, Learning and Caring Framework, which underpins high quality practice and relationships our Revised Timetable, designed to better support learning, wellbeing and balance innovative programs such as Year 9 Unleashed: Tasmania, which challenges students through purpose-driven experiential learning the ongoing redesign of learning spaces and the opening of the Coleman Courts, enhancing learning and Co-curricular life the depth and strength of partnership with our Parent CommunityAssociation (PCA), reinforcing shared endeavour

For our 2026 Technology submission, our focus shifted to a major whole-school transformation: replacing fragmented systems with a unified, real-time data platform

This platform integrates academic, wellbeing and engagement information into a single environment reducing duplication, improving data accuracy and lowering administrative burden for staff, while enabling earlier identification of student needs and more coordinated academic and wellbeing supports.

Importantly, this work was driven by a clear educational purpose: ensuring teachers and support staff have timely, meaningful insights to respond effectively to each student, while preserving time for teaching, care and connection

Judges acknowledged both the scale of this transformation and the professionalism with which it was delivered, balancing innovation with consultation and student-centricity

Both achievements reflect the leadership of Emma McDonald, Head of the Senior School – Deputy Head of the School, and Matthew Heinrich, Director of ICT and Learning Technologies and the staff whose dedication continues to define our community’s reputation

Led by our Senior Prefects and School Co-Captains, this year's Merry Month of May campaign raised funds for four worthy charities: the Starlight Children's Foundation, The Big Issue, Change the Record, and the Leukaemia Foundation. Each week brought different activities, different energy, and great participation from both the Junior and Senior School

The new online donation model, introduced in response to community feedback, made it easier for families to contribute, and the community raffle generated real excitement, with prizes donated by local businesses and supporters from across our community

Well done again to the student leaders who drove this campaign, the families who gave what they could and of course, Murray Phyland, Head of Community Service (K12), for his time in coordinating such a popular initiative

“St Michael’s really is a great place to work. The staff here are friendly and hardworking, and I really admire the teachers whom I constantly see working hard to provide the best for their students.”

In terms of print publications, what makes a good one?

I think firstly you have to try and create something that people will actually want to pick up and read an enticing front cover goes a long way Printing on the right stock also helps a gloss or matte can really change the visual outcome

Over the years I’ve seen the school really step up in terms of print publications, from the amazing job of Mr Hess and Performing Arts with all the programs, to the excellent array of school handbooks, Open Morning materials and items like The Crest produced by our Marketing and Communications team Teachers are also putting together some pretty awesome student workbooks these days too

Has paper output decreased at St Michael’s over time?

I remember when I first started at SMGS in ’07

Back then, Schol didn’t exist (or if it did, it was in its infancy), which meant EVERYTHING was printed! I was literally surrounded by stacks of printed materials at every point of the day At one point, I remember having boxes of printed workbooks and exams stacked so high that they nearly touched the roof.

I feel paper output is really like a wave; some years seem bigger than others! Obviously, the COVID and post-COVID era had a massive effect on output and I think over the past few years there has been a steady incline of print materials and output volume, especially in the print room, but in saying that, we’ve really boosted our events, marketing and performing arts over the past few years to a super high standard that probably warrants the increase This reflects broader changes in schools and beyond, whereby a return to print is surfacing, as people can be fatigued from digital communications.

Outside of work what makes you happy?

I enjoy spending time working in our Bali-inspired garden at home I live in The Hills, so I’m lucky enough to have a fairly large outdoor space that I’ve filled with Balinese statues, ponds, walkways and I’ve also planted out many palms and bromeliads and lots of other Melbourne-friendly tropical looking plants. I find gardening quite relaxing and it's great for my mental health There’s something to be said for getting your hands into the soil I also love good records I have a decent record collection that gets a fair workout on the weekends

After finishingYear 12, Lee Gorner found a job ad in the back pages of a local newspaper and called the number. That decision led to a career in print that eventually brought him to St Michael's in 2007 where he's been ever since. He sat down with the Crest to talk craft, paper, and the job nobody sees coming.

How did you start at St Michael’s?

I had a friend who was working at St Michaels in the Business team. They were struggling to fill a role that was a little unconventional in terms of school administration roles She gave me the details and a contact number and I remember starting soon after That was in 2007

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy the autonomy and the fact that I get to produce something tangible I also get to help people turn the hard work they’ve prepared digitally into a nice physical product

My role at our School is very singular (as it’s just me in the print room), but at the same time, it puts me in contact with a large range of staff from across the School I love both these aspects of the role

Does St Michael’s have room for improvement in terms of efficient use of paper and sustainability?

There’s always room for improvement but we are definitely on the right track with our school’s sustainable approach The general copy paper we use here is also environmentally friendly, being certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and made from 100% renewable fibres.

Who should we interview next?

Let us know via community@stmichaels vic edu au

Lee in 2016!

Jesus Christ Superstar

This large-scale production was the result of an extraordinary collaboration between Teaching and ESS staff, creative artists, music tutors mentoring students in the orchestra, Old Michaelians and industry professionals

The Years 10–12 Musical remains one of the defining experiences of our Performing Arts program. It provides opportunities for students at every stage of their journey from those discovering performance for the first time to those preparing for future industry pathways.

In particular, we thank Chloe Hancock, Yvette Sauvage, Ben Moody, Adam Donaldson, Stacey-Louise Camilleri, Frances Walker, Harry Nguyen (OM), Harrison McGrath (OM), Lucilla Smith, EmilyVan Dyke, Susan Warner, Lee Gorner and BillyJ (12M)

Supported by valued partners including the National Theatre, Avoca Catering, LSS Audio and Pro Screens, the production reflects the exceptional creative and operational leadership of Tyler Hess, Director of Performing Arts ensuring that while the work responded ambitiously to the scale and context of the project, the student experience remained at the centre of every decision

Widely described by attendees as one of the best shows they've ever seen, Jesus Christ Superstar, the 2026 St Michael's Grammar SchoolYears 10-12 Musical, drew record audiences across a five-day season in May, and attracted unprecedented accolades from Australia's musical theatre community.

Watch the video by clicking here.

Inspiring the next Healthcare generation

Students, parents and OMs came together this term to discuss careers and trends in Healthcare, joined by an awe-inspiring panel of Old Michaelians leading in their respective fields.

With impact across oncological treatment and research, intensive care and ethics, haematology and speech pathology, these powerhouse OMs shared their unique pathways to specialisation, encouraging young attendees to use their time at St Michael’s to explore what interests them most, and to grow in awareness of their academic and personal strengths.

Drs Lillian Krikheli, Sasha Grubman, Sam Orton and A/Prof Merrole Cole-Sinclair shared diverse, compelling examples of the reward and challenge that comes with working in Healthcare, and their stories carried a common thread around the importance of patient and family empathy, teamwork and communication

“Listening to these professionals who are just a wealth of knowledge has further motivated me to pursue a career in Healthcare” Cooper, 12B

Tyler Hess Director of Performing Arts

I found that I really enjoyed the companyof peoplewho I never thought Iwould hang out with and I feel thatwe had a good group'vibe'. Itwas awesome!

Being hands on with animals was the best thing I have experienced and it made me even more passionate about the career I want to pursue.

Hanging outwith friends and meeting newpeople was the best because it was a great opportunity to create and strengthen friendships andwe had a reallygood time.

Ireallyenjoyedthe whitewaterraftingand riversledding.Ialso reallyenjoyedlearning aboutthebeesand tastinghoney!Ienjoyed everypart.Theprogram wasamazing

A collection of student reflections from our Year 8 Big Rivers and Year 9 Tasmania Unleashed trips.

Investing in the Futures of our Students

Designed for students in Years 9-12 and their families, the Expo brought together universities, TAFEs, vocational providers, employment organisations and international study programs under one roof

St Michael’s recently hosted our 2026 Tertiary and Careers Expo – an evening that opens doors and sparks conversations to help shape and support student futures.

The standout moment of the night was the Old Michaelian Alumni Panel – a group of past students whose journeys reflect the remarkable range of paths a St Michael’s education can lead to

This year’s panellists included:

Chris Watts (2010), a finalist in the 2026 Archibald Prize; Nicki Carter (2011), Cardiologist at The Royal Children's Hospital; Zak Bahramis (2007), Firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria; Jack Austin (2010), founder of Canary B; Joanna Margiolis (2014), Graphic Designer and Photographer for Netball Australia; and Sienna Di Natale (2020), currently completing a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

Their stories are a powerful reminder of what a St Michael’s education makes possible Thank you to all the families, students and guests who made the evening such a success.

Generative AI is no longer a novelty nor something schools can afford to ignore.

It is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life, and with that comes genuine opportunity: to enhance learning, foster critical thinking, and support both students and staff

How schools respond to this moment matters.

At St Michael's, we are guided by a clear belief that AI should amplify human potential, not replace it, and that its use must be transparent, fair, and developmentally appropriate

In late March, St Michael's hosted the Victorian ICT Network for Education's sector-wide gathering of school leaders, exploring the next phase ofAI in education Alongside presentations from our own staff Matt Heinrich, Director of Learning Technologies and ICT, and Shandor Biczok, AI Learning Specialist the agenda canvassed a wide range of ideas, from AI's impact on the arts industry and the importance of honouring creative processes, to questions around respecting cognitive development

Emerging research suggesting that over-reliance on AI tools may lead to cognitive offloading, reduced memory formation, and diminished critical thinking was among the most discussed themes of the day.

From student surveys to parent coffee conversations, our approach is built on ongoing, meaningful dialogue with staff, students, and families about the ethical implications ofAI and the literacy required to use it well.

Thank you also to Belinda Geddes, Careers Counsellor for her work in organising the event

The Woman Behind the Systems at St Michael's

Long before Kenise Tong became the person colleagues turn to when systems get complicated, she was a thirteen-year-old in a new city, trying to find words she didn’t have yet.

We sat down with Kenise to talk about a career built on turning complex systems into something genuinely human –and the personal journey that shaped her instincts for it

Victorian School Aerobics Success

Both the Diamonds and Angels were crowned Victorian Champions, winning Gold in their divisions. The Diamonds also achieved the highest Year 1 score in their section, reflecting an outstanding performance Thunder delivered a strong routine to finish 4th in a highly competitive division, with their score also securing qualification for Nationals

These results reflect the commitment, teamwork and dedication shown by all students in the program, who have represented the school with pride and excellence Sincere thanks to coaches Ms Charlene Peffer and Miss Chloe Hancock for their expertise, leadership and ongoing support of the teams.

St Michael’s Grammar School is proud to celebrate outstanding success at the Victorian School Aerobics Championships held at Rowville Performing Arts Centre on Saturday In our first year competing in this competition. All three

St Michael’s teams Thunder, Diamonds, and Angels have qualified for the National Championships on the Sunshine Coast in late August, an exceptional result for the program

Looking ahead, we are excited to build on this success, with plans to introduce a Year 5 and 6 team in next year’s program

We now look forward to preparing for Nationals, where all three teams will represent St Michael’s Grammar School on the national stage

As part of our commitment to sustainability, print versions of The Crest use 100% recycled paper. Our broader publication suite has also been streamlined to ensure that this periodic newsletter does not increase overall paper output across the School.

Rethinking the Test

We sat down with Senior School Mathematics Teacher

Dean Carlton to talk about something that might surprise you: why his students no longer fear their test results.

Dean, alongside Head of Mathematics Thomas Allott and Assistant Head of the Maths FacultyAnthony Liu, has been quietly reimagining the way St Michael's approaches mathematics assessment shifting the focus from scores and verdicts to curiosity, growth, and what happens after the test

"I teach students it's fine to have the emotion," Dean says "But your job now is to act" The goal is rewiring: building enough experiences of struggle, effort, and reward that the anxiety response softens and the relationship with maths shifts

Science Talent Search

Year 7 took over the Gipson Commons recently for the 2026 Science Talent Search Fair!

Students presented original projects to visiting families and staff, fielding questions with a confidence that came from genuinely understanding their work

From concept to execution, the depth of thinking on display made it clear that science at St Michael’s has a very engaged audience. We look forward to our talented winners taking part in the STAVTalent Search

We discussed mathematics anxiety, the stories some new students arrive with in Year 7, and why so many young people who are perfectly capable of mathematical thinking have already decided they aren't 'maths people' by the time they reach Senior School.

Dean believes assessment has played a significant role in building that identity and that it can play just as significant a role in dismantling it

We also explored the faculty's move to rubric-based marking, championed by Thomas Allott, which asks a different kind of question of students altogether not just 'did you get it right?' but 'what does your thinking look like, and where can it grow?'