A school in the Lasallian Tradition

St Michael’s College is a leading Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition located in Adelaide. Made up of a Primary Campus at Beverley and a Secondary Campus at Henley Beach, the College proudly serves 1,966 total enrolled students and will be fully co-educational by 2027. In accordance with Lasallian values, this school nurtures an inclusive, respectful community that supports yet challenges each individual.

Catholic Identity is always at the forefront of their mission.

The St Michael’s College Primary Campus and Secondary Campus both offer students and their families the opportunity to celebrate the Catholic sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist through the sacramental program. Through engaging workshops and educational lessons, the community is encouraged to come together, strengthen their religious knowledge, and connect with one another. Students in Years 7 to 12 participate in retreats and seminar days where they share their faith and life experiences.

The school is also devoted to facilitating community service projects, social justice activities, and strong, respectful connections with peers and staff. Their Religious Education curriculum and Social Action Program teach students about Catholic social teachings. St Michael’s College is devoted to nurturing young minds who don’t just study religious teachings: they live by them every single day in both word and action to lead by example.

Student Leadership and action is also empowered at the school through exciting programs that involve young people ministering to their peers. Participation and teamwork is encouraged to equip students with all the confidence they need to take on the world.

St Michael’s College also goes above and beyond to provide engaging in-person learning opportunities for their student body.

Even when COVID19 disrupted their ability to hold large meetings, they got creative and overcame the issue by streaming school Masses. By the end of the year they were able to hold all their Retreats, celebrate De La Salle Day, and enjoy a lively Graduation Mass.

Students participate in Chapel services, Year Level Masses, Beginning of Year Mass, Founder’s Day Mass, and Mission Action Day (MAD) and staff and students are invited to attend a weekly Mass held before school in the College Chapel.

In addition, Retreat programs provided Secondary students with unique opportunities for reflection on their Lasallian identity. Year 7 students examined their school Mission and Vision Statement of Community, Challenge, Choice. Year 8 students focused on 'Finding the Hero Within'. Laudato Si was the focus for Year 9 students and Year 10 students visited a number of community based service organisations. The Year 11 Retreat examined the theme of 'We are all Leaders'.

The Year 12 Retreat was an incredibly special experience for everyone involved. It provided the opportunity for senior students to travel to one of three locations in South Australia and make connections between the world they know and the Lasallian faith to which they are called. Student evaluations spoke highly of this experience as a transformative and amazing life event.

The College also makes staff development a top priority.

New staff to the College experienced Lasallian Compass, a Lasallian Reflection Day focused on the twelve virtues of a Lasallian educator. Other staff members attended wonderful residential programs and conferences which helped them further their own knowledge and leadership abilities.

The school even offered opportunities for staff and students to learn together, such as the Brother in Residence program led by Br John Pill, former Principal of the College.

Another way this school excels is in their charitable outreach efforts.

The College continues to provide support for both local and global charities including Lasallian Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, Moore Street Centre, Australian Refugee Association, Cancer Council, Catholic Charities and the Hutt Street Centre. They raised enough funds to make an astounding donation of $50,000 to the Lasallian Foundation. This contribution meant the provision of much needed classroom equipment, clean drinking water, bathrooms and security to students in schools in Faisalabad, Ahmadabad, Gokhuwal and Multan.  Students were clearly moved when presented with a video showing the impact their fundraising efforts had made in Brother and Sister schools.

A continuation of the Beyond Borders Program provided full scholarships to 17 Secondary students. The program supports students from a refugee background, newly arrived students, or students with disrupted or no schooling who are experiencing hardship.

The College also finalised its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2022, an important social justice initiative and significant milestone as they continue to play their role in reconciliation in the country.

The school has also shown great commitment when it comes to constantly improving their campus facilities.

Facility development projects also took place to better the learning spaces occupied by valued students at St Michael’s College. This year at the Primary campus, a new two-story building including a Performing Arts Centre comprising of a Music Centre, six Music Tutorial rooms,  Dance and Drama rooms, which will provide a specialist facility rarely seen in a Primary environment, is under construction.. The completion of an outdoor learning space called the Reflective Garden at the Secondary Campus in 2022 provided staff and students with a quiet and tranquil setting for moments of prayer, reflection and contemplation.  With further Master Planning for the Secondary Campus underway, it’s clear that the school is going above and beyond to accommodate their increasing enrolments and future focused learning spaces.

Overall, St Michael’s College continues to display the highest standard of excellence. Their operations continue to improve the lives of not just their own staff and students, but of the surrounding community as well.

Through a strong Pastoral Care system, rigorous yet personalised curriculum, vocational education training opportunities, and engaging co-curricular activities, they are proud to nurture their students on their paths to achieving their dreams.

The school’s academic scores and the special recognitions their students receive are proof of their program’s efficacy. Last year, their pupils achieved higher than both State and National Results in most categories on the National Assessment Program Literacy & Numeracy (NAPLAN). Their 2022 Year 12 students also achieved outstanding SACE results, with 43 students achieving an ATAR in excess of 90, 91 students achieved an ATAR in excess of 80, 62 ‘A+’ grades were achieved by 39 students, 70 students achieved an ‘A’ grade in 3 or more subjects, 26 merits achieved by 20 students across 10 subjects and ‘A’ or ‘B’ grades comprised 86% of all results.  100% of eligible students successfully completed the SACE.

Lastly, multiple students from their school received Governor’s Civics Awards for showing admirable awareness of and engagement in South Australian civics issues.

Looking forward, the school aims to continue providing a contemporary Catholic, Lasallian community and education to both their students and staff. Through well-articulated Lasallian teachings and community engagement, they seek to help their students reach their full potential on both an individual and collective level.