Apart from this site, where else can I find information about starting school?
We have organised an information pack in a bag which can be used as your child’s library bag when they borrow books from the school library. For families who will be new to our school next year, these will be mailed to you. For existing families, these will be sent home with your eldest child currently at our school. If your questions are still not answered please call the office (9808 2658) and we will be happy to help you out.
Inside the information pack, among many things you will find:
Car sign for pick up (to be placed on windscreen when picking up in drive through in the afternoon)
Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services brochure - our Before and After School Care providers
My New School - a book to read with your child about starting school
Healthy Kids Cucina Canteen Price List and information about ordering online using the QKR app
St Michael’s Prayer Card
Information about the school’s BYO iPad program
List of apps to be downloaded onto each child’s iPad
Calendar Countdown to starting school with activities to do with your child
Parent Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses
Newman Selective Gifted Program Brochure
There will also be 3 documents which we would like you to complete and return to the school by Friday, December 3:
Publication/Media Consent Form (please note that if you don’t give consent we will not be able to use your child in photos or videos on the school Facebook page or website.
A Parent’s Dream - to write a message to your child as they start school. We store these at school and it will be presented to them when they complete their schooling at St Michael’s.
Kindergarten Parent Questionnaire
When will Kindergarten 2022 commence?
Kindergarten 2022 will commence at 9am on Tuesday 1 February, 2022. Our Year 1- 6 students will commence school the day before (Monday 31 January 2022).
What are the regular school hours?
8:30am - School gates open for supervision
9:00am - School commences with a line up assembly (for the first couple of weeks the Kindergarten students are brought straight to the classroom)
11:00am - 11:40am - Recess break
1:40pm - 2:20pm - Lunch break
3:20pm - School finishes with a dismissal from the line up area. (For the first few days of Kindergarten the children can be picked up at 3pm.)
What will happen on my child’s first day of Kindergarten? (To Be Confirmed)
In previous years, we encouraged the families of Kindergarten students to arrive at school at 8.45am, so there was time for parents to escort their child directly to the Kindergarten classrooms for a 9am drop off. Parents were then invited to the hall for a celebratory morning tea. The children will be at school for the whole day.
At this time, due to current Covid 19 restrictions, we are unable to have parents on school grounds. However, these guidelines could change again before school starts next year. We will communicate with you closer to the date when we have clearer guidelines.
I would like to take a family photo with my child at school on their first day. Will this be able to still happen with the Covid restrictions?
We know how important it is to record your child’s first day of school with a family photo. Many families take the opportunity to have a photo next to the school sign outside the office. On the first day of Kindergarten staff will be at the front entrance of our school and will be happy to take a family photo for you using your camera or phone.
Who will be the Kindergarten teachers in 2022? Which class will my child be in?
In their careers teachers often change schools. This can mean that sometimes we are unsure of the school’s staffing until quite late in the year. Therefore, at St Michael’s the staff lists are released to parents on the last day of Term 4. Please note that Kindergarten classes will not be set for the first 2- 3 weeks of Term 1. The children will be mixed around until we get to know them and decide on the best class formations. We will confirm the final Kindergarten class lists by Week 4 of Term 1.
How can I help my child prepare for Kindy?
Your orientation pack includes a couple of great resources titled My New School and Getting Ready for School. These are filled with lots of helpful tips to support your child’s transition to school. Please also see the videos on this website.
How do I register my child for Out of School Hours Care (OOSH)?
Our school offers an onsite Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service. Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services (SCECS) operates our OSHC service and provides a safe, comfortable and familiar environment for your child to enjoy high-quality programs that are engaging and of interest to them. It's a time to play, relax & unwind, make friends, participate in activities such as cooking & craft, complete homework, get physical and above all, HAVE FUN.
Information about our OSHC service, operating hours, fees, child care subsidy and how to enrol can be found here. This service also operates throughout school holidays. If required, you can register your child for attendance during the January holidays.
Where do I purchase my child’s school uniform?
Your child’s uniform can be purchased at Lowes Top Ryde. A full school uniform list can be found in the information pack which you will be given at the first orientation session.
The school bag and hat are compulsory items and can only be purchased from the school office during school hours. School hats cost $17.00, excursion bag is $15.00 and the school bag is $45.00. These can be pre-ordered prior to the orientation sessions by calling the school office (9808 2658).
Please remember we also have a clothing pool with some great second hand uniforms at reasonable prices. If you would like to purchase some second hand items please call our school office and we will do our best to find what you need.
Is there a school canteen?
We have a school canteen run by Healthy Kids Cucina and it is open every day. The menu and instructions for placing orders online are in the Information Pack which you will receive on the first orientation day. You can also order by writing the order on a paper bag and enclosing the correct money. Online orders must be placed before 8am on the day and paper bag orders must be placed by 9am on the day of ordering.
What are the school fees for 2022? How are they invoiced?
202 school fees have not yet been finalised by Sydney Catholic Schools. In 2021 the total for one child was $2900 and we expect only a small increase for 2022.
School fees will be invoiced at the beginning of each year. You may elect to pay annually, per term or monthly and via cash, eftpos or BPay. (As per your child’s enrolment form) Please advise the school if you wish to change your instalment plan. If you have difficulties paying your school fees, please contact the school office.
What should I pack in my child’s school bag?
Your child will need the following items in their school bag each day:
Small fruit snack for fruit break (chopped up fruit in small container)
Recess food (muesli bars, fruit, cheese and crackers etc)
Lunch (e.g sandwich, leftovers or salad) PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL IS A NUT-AWARE SCHOOL (we discourage food items containing nuts)
Bottle of water
Change of underwear in plastic bag (in case of little accidents)
Raincoat
Library bag (you can use the bag provided to you during orientation)
Please take care to label all items with your child’s full name.
NB - All stationery items (pens, crayons, etc) are provided by the school.
Note- Your child will not need to bring their iPad to school until requested by the teachers (usually around Week 4 of Term 1). They will also need headphones with a microphone.
What should I do if my child will be absent from school?
We have a school parent portal (Compass) and the instructions and username and password are in an envelope in the pack being sent to you. Each parent will receive their own username and password which is to be kept in a safe place as the portal will contain all information about your child. All correspondence, notes and information about your child and the school will be on the portal, ie. newsletters, reminders, school reports etc. Our school also has a Facebook page which we use to share information and photos about our student’s learning and our community. Please follow our school’s Facebook page. Please see the Communication section of the Parent Handbook for more details about communication with teachers.
What happens if my child becomes unwell at school?
If your child becomes unwell at school the school office will telephone you and ask that you come to collect them.
How will the school communicate with me during the year?
We have a school parent portal (Compass) and you will be given your own username and password on your child’s first day. Each parent will receive their own username and password which is to be kept in a safe place as the portal will contain all information about your child. We will also issue instructions on how to use the Compass Portal and the Compass phone app. All correspondence, notes and information about your child and the school will be on the portal, ie. newsletters, reminders, school reports etc. Our school also has a facebook page which we use to share information and photos about our student’s learning and our community. Please follow ourschool’s Facebook page. Please see theCommunication section of the Parent Handbook for more details about communication with teachers.
How can I connect with other families in our community?
Along with following our school facebook page, you may also want to join 2 parent run facebook group pages:
Note: these pages are not formally connected with or moderated by our school but provide a good way to connect with other parents/carers and exchange information.
Our Family Educator Kirrily McDermott organises events throughout the year to connect families with the faith and support family life and wellbeing. Kirrily has organised a picnic at Lions Park, West Ryde, for Kindergarten 2022 families on 3 December at 3:45pm. Click here for more information.
Kirrily is also coordinating an online Playgroup @ Home. To access it please click the link below:
Please keep an eye on our school’s facebook page for invitations to other community events which may be organised later this term if restrictions are eased.
I would like to get involved in volunteering/ supporting the school/parish community. What should I do?
There are many ways for you to get involved in the life of our school and parish community, including volunteering in the classroom, supporting administration tasks, volunteering as a mentor for the Newman Selective Gifted Program, etc. At the start of next year the school will send out a form requesting helpers. Please keep an eye out for the form early next year.