St Michael’s highly values pursuits of academic excellence. Teachers are committed to assisting all students to reach their academic potential through a range of academic endeavours, both inside and outside the classroom. These include science challenges, public speaking and debating competitions and the Premier’s Reading Challenge. All of these endeavours, in addition to many others, provide academic opportunities for our students.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 compete at school and regional level to prove the quality of their speaking skills.

DEBATING

Students from Year 6 compete at school and regional level to prove the quality of their debating skills.

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

This Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9 in Government, Independent and Catholic schools.

CODING

Students are introduced to the world of coding through programs like ‘Scratch’. As they become more proficient at coding they incorporate these skills into their classwork by creating animated displays and simple games related to their work.

SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

This activity allows Stage 3 students to compete in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) experiences with schools around the region. It is a wonderful example of community partnership and collaborative learning. The students are assisted in the challenge by university students, high school students and community volunteers, through rotary clubs in the region. The competition extends to high school, so the positive experiences the students have in Year 5 and 6 can develop into a passion throughout their high school years.

ART & CRAFT GROUP

During lunchtime students can participate in a variety of art and craft activities.

GARDENING GROUP

Students are taught how to plant, grow and take care of seasonal vegetables, whilst ensuring the sustainability of the natural environment. They also learn skills in recycling and composting.

LEGO CLUB

Students use various Lego Kits to design and create a multiple array of construction items. This allows for the development of problem solving skills as well as creativity.