Term 1 Reflection from the Head of the School
Dear St Michael’s Community,
As we arrive at the Easter holiday break and I reflect on Term 1 spirited by stories captured in our April edition of The Crest I feel a deep sense of gratitude. It is indeed a privilege to lead a learning community so alive with ideas, ambition and care, and so clearly united by our shared commitment to Aspire.
Across the opening months of 2026, our students, staff and families have approached the year with purpose, optimism and generosity of spirit. With our new daily structure firmly embedded, our campus feels settled yet energised a place of thoughtful learning, confident relationships and forward momentum. I would like to share a few of the highlights that have shaped this strong beginning.
Reimagined Facilities Making a Real Impact
More than 20 facility upgrades were completed by January, with two standout projects already transforming daily life on campus:
• The Coleman Courts – now a vibrant hub for learning, play and community connection.
• The Junior School Allan Pizzey Building – beautifully refreshed as a calm welcoming environment to support focus, collaboration and confident engagement for our younger learners.
Families have shared how much more at ease students feel in approaching staff, and how naturally parents are connecting with one another. Teachers are also reporting improved concentration and collaboration in classrooms affirming that these developments, informed by research into effective P–6 learning, are enhancing the learning experience in tangible ways.
Academic Care Embedded at Every Level
Our academic culture continues to strengthen, underpinned by robust pastoral care supporting both high expectations and deep student engagement in an abundance of extra-curricular opportunities With our revised timetable now delivering sector‑leading increases in the frequency and length of subject learning time, students across both Junior and Senior years are engaging more deeply and meaningfully in their studies.
As always, we are encouraging students to achieve their personal bests in assessments, but also to understand themselves as learners building resilience, curiosity and the confidence to push through challenging moments. This commitment to aspiration and self-actualising (reaching one’s personal best) remains central from Early Learning through to Year 12.
Across our Junior School, we are witnessing a powerful uplift in academic culture that lays a confident foundation for learning from Prep through to Year 12. The implementation of The Writing Revolution in Years 3-6 – focusing on strong sentence construction, effective note-taking, and purposeful planning – has already become a consistent feature of classrooms, complemented by explicit vocabulary instruction that strengthens both comprehension and application. Our students are engaging thoughtfully with NAPLAN preparations embedded across key subjects, and a new P–6 Mathematics bookwork rubric aligns expectations with Senior School standards, reinforcing clarity of thinking and care in presentation.
Across the School, academic challenge and support are increasingly personalised through a growing range of extension and enrichment opportunities coordinated by our Learning Services team. A key development this year has been the launch of SPARK (Scholarship, Purpose, Agency, Rigour and Knowledge) a targeted extension program for high‑potential students across Junior and Senior years. SPARK provides intellectually stimulating experiences that deepen curiosity, stretch thinking, and build academic confidence alongside core classroom learning.
Complementing SPARK, students are already engaged in a range of enrichment opportunities, including academic competitions, opt‑in extension activities and student‑led Club initiatives. For example, through their participation in the Ethics Olympiad, students have modelled ethical reasoning and respectful dialogue, recently sharing this work at assembly and earning silver medals and honourable mentions across both Junior and Senior divisions. Together with the Bridges Signature Program, which strengthens students’ understanding of neuroscience and executive function, these initiatives are fostering a confident, cohesive and aspirational learning culture across the School.
Celebrating Excellence – VCE Season of Excellence
We are immensely proud of the four St Michael’s students and Old Michaelians featured in the 2025 VCE Season of Excellence, recognised for exemplary work in Dance (Darcy, 12B), Systems
Engineering (Pete, 12S), Product Design and Technology (Ophelia Cravo, OM 2025), and Film (Dari Justin, OM 2025). Their achievements set a powerful example for this year’s VCE cohort, who are already building creative and ambitious works of their own.
Aspire Higher – Powered by Old Michaelians
Nineteen outstanding Old Michaelians have joined our teaching leaders as co‑mentors in our 2026 Aspire Higher program. This free tutoring and study support is open to all Senior School students, with a particular focus on VCE success for students in Years 10–12. Sessions run after school from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and the Term 2 program will be published early next term, commencing from Week 2. The program will feature a clearly advertised range of subject‑specific sessions alongside general study support delivered by some of our most academically gifted Old Michaelians. Bookings will be made through The Gipson Commons Library.
CONNECT • GROW • INSPIRE – Community Professional Networking Series
We are pleased to launch our new Community Professional Networking Series this April, beginning with a focus on Healthcare. Open to students in Years 10–12, parents and Old Michaelians, the series is designed to connect generations, grow professional insight and inspire future pathways through authentic, real‑world conversations.
Students will hear directly from those currently studying and working in their fields, gaining invaluable career guidance and early exposure to professional networks. Parents and Old Michaelians will have opportunities to reconnect, share expertise and strengthen relationships across our community. At its heart, this initiative is about reinvigorating the Old Michaelian network through emerging professional chapters and deeper, lasting connections, with future sessions planned across Science and Technology, Business and Entrepreneurship, Law and the Arts. Register here: https://community.stmichaels.vic.edu.au/REGISTERTODAY
Jesus Christ Superstar – Taking Over The National Theatre
If you pass The National Theatre on Barkly Street, you’ll see every window adorned with our School’s striking promotional artwork for Jesus Christ Superstar a proud acknowledgement of our enduring partnership with The National. Under the guidance of industry-leading creatives, rehearsals are well underway. This promises to be a bold, professional and unmissable production. Book here
Chapel Street Army Barracks – A Significant Opportunity for our Community
The Australian Government’s identification of the St Kilda Training Depot adjacent to St Michael’s for future sale has presented an unexpected but significant opportunity. While we are in the very early stages of understanding what this might mean, the site naturally forms part of broader thinking around our Facilities Masterplan.
No decisions have been made. Our current focus is on careful exploration and ensuring that any future considerations align strongly with our long‑term vision and values. Families who wish to be part of this conversation are warmly invited to email community@stmichaels.vic.edu.au.
Gala Ball
Our 130th Anniversary Gala Ball was a wonderful celebration of the spirit, generosity and connection that define St Michael’s. It was a joy to see so many parents and friends of the School come together to mark this significant milestone and the close of our 130th year. Between rich conversations and a lively dance floor, the evening was filled with warmth and energy and I must admit, for me personally, the music of the 80s and 90s proved especially hard to resist.
My sincere thanks go to the Gala Ball Committee, our parent organisers and the St Michael’s Advancement team for their extraordinary commitment, creativity and care in bringing the evening to life. Their generosity of time and energy, together with the valued support of our corporate sponsors, ensured the Gala Ball was a fitting, joyful and inclusive conclusion to our 130‑year celebrations.
Supporting Our Community During Global Unrest
We recognise that ongoing conflict in the Middle East is weighing heavily on members of our community, particularly students and families with family, business, or cultural connections to the region. As we approach Easter a season that invites reflection, peace, forgiveness and renewed hope we are especially mindful of the impact such events can have.
Alongside monitoring any operational considerations, including our transport services and planned domestic and overseas student programs, we are strengthening our wellbeing and communication supports so our community can navigate this period with care, sensitivity, and respect. At St Michael’s, we are deeply grateful to belong to a community founded on the values of Dignity, Respect, Care and Compassion. These values unite us, remind us to be inclusive, and
help us honour the diversity of experiences and perspectives within our School something we must never take for granted.
In addition to our Wellbeing Staff and School Counsellors, for families seeking guidance in supporting children through difficult conversations, SchoolTV offers a thoughtful parent resource, Discussing War and Conflict, available here.
As we move into the Easter holidays, I hope you and your family find time for rest, reflection, and meaningful connection. Thank you for the trust you place in our School and for the commitment, support and partnership you bring to our St Michael’s community. Together, these make a profound difference to the growth, wellbeing and learning of our students each and every day.
Sincerely,
Gerard Houlihan Head of the School
Over Page:
• Save the Date - Term 2 Key Events
• Parent Communications in 2026
• Helpful Parent Links
Save the Date – Term 2 Key Events
2026 School Photos
• Year 7–9: Wednesday 29 April
• ELC–Year 6: Tuesday 5 May
• Year 10–12: Thursday 7 May
• Sibling Photo Day/Make-Up Day: Monday 18 May
ANZAC Day Commemorative Ceremony
• Date: Friday 24 April
• Venue: On-campus, All Students (Parents currently serving and Veterans invited)
‘Careers in Healthcare’ Old Michaelian Professional Networking Evening
• Date: Thursday 30 April
• Venue: The Gipson Commons | Register
PCA Mother’s Day Luncheon (Sold Out)
• Date: Friday 8 May
• Venue: Zinc, Federation Square
Term 2 PCA Meeting (Online)
• Date: Tuesday 12 May
• Venue: Online
1st VII Netball Night Match vs Westbourne Grammar School
• Date: Wednesday 13 May
• Venue: Westbourne Grammar School
St Michael’s Tertiary and Careers Expo 2026
• Date: Wednesday 20 May
• Venue: Dolly’s Café and Gipson Commons Atrium
Soiree Festival (Years 4-12)
• Date: Saturday 30 May
• Venue: Performing Arts Centre, St George’s
Jesus Christ Superstar – Years 10-12 Musical
• Date: 1 May – 5 May
• Venue: The National Theatre
Virtuoso - Solo Performance Concert
• Date: Thursday 18 June
• Venue: Performing Arts Centre, St George’s
Parent Communications in 2026
To support parent clarity, please note below the intended methods and frequency of key parent communications throughout the year. Our aim is to continually improve parents’ experience with SchoL, and to share news and achievements in formats that suit the needs of busy St Michael’s families. Feedback and suggestions can be directed to community@stmichaels.vic.edu.au
1. Head of the School Letter – twice per term
At the beginning and end of each term, parents can expect a letter from me, celebrating our community achievements and bringing key ELC-12 matters and opportunities to your attention. I also invite parents to follow me and St Michael’s on LinkedIn, where I engage with trending topics in Education, and share the work of our students and exceptional teaching, pastoral and support staff
• St Michael’s Grammar School – LinkedIn
• Gerard Houlihan - LinkedIn
2. The Crest – our bi-monthly newsletter for St Michael’s families
Our Marketing and Communications team collaborate across our vibrant school community to highlight student achievement, staff expertise and impact, innovations to facilities and resources, parent contributions, key events and more. Feedback on our new format and its content is encouraged. Each family should receive a print copy, distributed in class and tutor groups, every second month within term time.
Read our April 2026 edition of The Crest online
3. ‘Important Dates’ post on SchoL
Updated every Monday, check ‘Important Dates’ on SchoL for upcoming key events requiring attendance and/or planning by families.
4. ELC, Junior School and Senior School Leadership Updates – SchoL
Alexandra, Nicole and Emma post key updates to families via regular SchoL news posts.
Adjusting your SchoL Notifications to improve your experience
I encourage parents and guardians to review your Notification settings on SchoL by clicking on your profile thumbnail and navigating to ‘Notification Settings’. This better ensures that your experience is tailored to your personal preferences. If you are encountering any difficulties with SchoL or other schoolsupported platforms, please contact our ICT team at support.technology@stmichaels.vic.edu.au
Helpful Parent Links
1. SchoL – Reset Password
Click on the ‘Parents, forgotten your password?’ link below the ‘Sign-in’ button to reset your password.
2. St Michael’s Private Bus Service – View route maps and book for Term 2
Bus Service Homepage – SchoL
3. 2026 Parent Handbook
The 2026 Parent Handbook provides key information to support your child’s learning journey throughout the year. I encourage all parents to download and refer to it as needed.
Available here: 2026 St Michael’s Parent Handbook
4. Parent Community Association (PCA) Homepage on SchoL
https://learning.stmichaels.vic.edu.au/homepage/12293