Make a gift and make a difference.
At St Michael’s, we are proud of our innovative approach to teaching, learning and caring and we seek to provide the very best environment to enable our students to thrive. Our values of Dignity, Respect, Care and Compassion are based on the tradition of caring imbued by our founders, the Community of the Sisters of the Church.
When the Sisters of the Church embarked on their journey to Australia in 1895, it was thanks to the generosity of donors who agreed to support the ambitious undertaking. And when the Sisters purchased Marlton House, the first home of St Michael’s Grammar School and still an important part of our School today, the purchase was made possible through another generous donation.
Much later in the School’s history Sister Scholastica herself was a pioneer in leading campaigns to support the School’s expanding needs and to provide the best facilities for students.
Just as the values of the Sisters underpin our approach to education today, their tradition of philanthropy also continues. In 2019 the Board approved a new philanthropy strategy which has two main goals:
In April 2025, we begin the first stage of our vision for a Centre of Excellence for Sport, Health and Wellbeing, building additional outdoor courts to be delivered by July 2025.
Our longer-term vision involves updated multi-level Sports and Aquatics facilities that will further enhance St Michael’s athlete development programs and provide our community with a world-class hub for health, fitness and connection.
We are currently in consultation with students, staff, families and our extended community about this vision, including those interested in giving to our Building Fund.
We are also envisioning enhancements to our hub for design and technology in the Senior School, with a goal to link Science, Technology, Art, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M) learning spaces across our campus, delivering outstanding interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students and staff.
With architects, sustainability planners and donors to our School, we are still in the process of envisioning the best way to achieve this.
As plans evolve, we will ensure that community members are kept updated, and as always, any project will be carefully planned to minimise disruption to student learning, and our neighbours.
To discuss donor opportunities, you are invited to contact Judy Quin, Director of Advancement at jquin@stmichaels.vic.edu.au.
Community support was integral to the success of our most recent major building project – the refurbishment of St George’s Church to become our School’s hub for performing arts excellence.
Limited opportunities are still available to support the magnificent stained-glass windows in this facility. Please contact the Director of Advancement, Judy Quin, on (03) 8530 3270 or jquin@stmichaels.vic.edu.auto discuss.
Additionally, donations to the Building Fund of $2,000 or more will be recognised with a plaque on the back of a seat in the auditorium.
Leah Gelt, OM 2024, recently shared her St Michael’s experience with a group of donors. It was evident that the opportunities provided to Leah would not have been possible without the generous support of donors to our Scholarship Fund. Leah’s speech is shown below.
Good evening everyone,
It’s an honour to stand before you today and share my journey at St Michael’s—one that wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of the school’s scholarship program. Seven years ago, I walked through these doors as a Year 6 student, not yet realizing how much this school would shape my life. Because of the opportunities I’ve had here, I’ve discovered my passions, developed my skills, and built a future I never could have imagined.
One of the biggest parts of my journey has been volleyball. I started playing in Year 6, and with the support of my coaches and teammates, I worked my way up to the Firsts team in Year 10. Now, I train four days a week, and I’m working toward earning a scholarship to play in the US. St Michael’s has provided me with top-level coaching, competitive opportunities, and an environment that pushes me to be my best. Without this school’s commitment to fostering talent and ambition, I wouldn’t be on this path today.
Beyond sport, St Michael’s has challenged me academically. I’ve had the opportunity to study VCE Maths Methods, General Maths, Physics, English Language, and Economics—subjects that have pushed me to think critically, solve complex problems, and prepare for the future. The support from my teachers has been invaluable, helping me develop not just knowledge, but confidence in my ability to take on new challenges.
Music has also been an important part of my journey. I started with the clarinet before switching to the saxophone and joining the Stage Band, performing everything from jazz to film soundtracks. One of the highlights of my time here was performing at the opening of the newly transformed St George’s—a stunning performance space that has elevated the school’s music program and given students like me the chance to perform in a truly special environment.
None of this would have been possible without the support of St Michael’s. A scholarship gave me the chance to thrive here—not just to attend this school, but to make the most of every opportunity it offers. It allowed me to dream bigger, push myself further, and build a future filled with possibilities.
A gift to the Scholarship Fund can be life-changing for the recipient enabling someone who would otherwise not be able to attend our School to benefit from all that a St Michael’s Grammar School education has to offer.
If you would like to support Scholarships at St Michael’s, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the St Michael’s Grammar School Scholarship Fund here.
By making a contribution to the St Michael’s Grammar School Building Fund you are assisting us to maintain and develop high quality facilities that assist student learning and support our teaching excellence. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the St Michael’s Grammar School Building Fund, please click here.
To find out more about our programs or to discuss how you can support St Michael’s contact Judy Quin, Director of Advancement, on 8530 3270 or email jquin@stmichaels.vic.edu.au
