Students coming to school with an injury

If a child comes to school with an injury that prevents them from being on the playground or restricts them from certain school activities, it is a CEO requirement that medical documentation is provided that clearly outlines; 

• The nature of the injury
• The timeframe that the restrictions are in place for
• Confirmation of the activities that the child is able to participate in or is restricted to participate in

We appreciate your understanding with this as our priority is to keep everyone safe.

School Fun Day - Sports

This year has certainly thrown some unexpected challenges for our students, one of them not being able to participate in school carnivals and gala days. To provide the children with a sense of what this may have been like we will be holding a Sports Fun Day on Thursday 24 September (Week 10). The children will rotate between sporting activities within their stage groups. This allows us to still adhere to our restrictions but also provide some fun for the students. All children will wear their school sports uniform on this day so that they can fully participate.

Summer Uniform

Our official change over date to summer uniform is Monday 12 October, Week 1, Term 4. If the heat increases parents may use their discretion in Week 10 of this term. Please refer to the Lowes website or Wollongong store if you need any summer uniform items. 

Car Pick Up and Drop Off

As a school we are very fortunate to have the car pick up and drop off available for our parent community. I would ask that you please follow the council and school regulations associated with this zone.

• Please do not arrive too early as parking is not allowed
• If there is no space for your vehicle to pull into the area, you must drive around the block (this is to avoid traffic congestion)
• Please remain in your car when children are leaving your car or entering the car
• In the morning it is a drop off zone only, please drive off once your children have entered the school grounds

For the safety of everyone involved and the consideration of the community we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these regulations.

P&F News

Tomorrow Friday 18 September is a mufti day. Please bring in a gold coin donation that will go towards the replacement of the protective equipment on the poles in our playground. 

A reminder that all students must still wear a hat, wear appropriate clothing (no singlets or short shorts) and closed in shoes.

Creativity is nothing, but a mind set free’

Torrie T. Asai

This fortnight’s "Creative Corner” is our wonderful students from Years 5 and 6 who have been extremely busy sketching, drawing, designing and painting their Christmas Art ready for the Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Art Competition and Exhibition. All artworks this year were outstanding in meeting the artistic appreciation of the marking criteria and it’s my pleasure to be able to share their work with our school and the wider community.

After a lengthy judging process including prospective St Michael’s staff, we are very pleased to announce three students from Year 5 and three students from Year 6 who’s Christmas Artwork represented a very high quality of artistic appreciation of the marking criteria and will be forward to the CEO.

Congratulations to,

Year 5: Audrey M, Isabelle W, Monique S

Year 6: Zoe Mc, Layla B, Isabella H

This year the Christmas Art Competition will be allowing participating students to engage in the 2020 Christmas Story Art Competition and the Exhibition’s Official opening during the current COVID restrictions. This virtual event will be premiered on YouTube from 7.00pm on 14 October and will provide a unique opportunity for students to gather with family and friends to join in the celebrations and announcement of the official awards and finalists. It is intended to be a novel and fun way to celebrate the artistic achievement of students across our Diocese. Following this virtual event, a video recording of the celebration and the announcements will be made available to schools for students or staff who are unable to view on the night. The virtual event on YouTube will be available on  www.dow.catholic.edu.au/christmas-art  and will be shared via the school Compass week 1 of Term 4, for your convenience. 

There will be a selection of finalists from Year 5 and Year 6 who, along with the major award winners, will proceed to the Sydney Catholic School Competition and Exhibition to be held at Notre Dame University in December. 

There will be three major awards presented this year: 

• The Bishop’s Choice Award selected and presented by Bishop Brian Mascord to an entry that most powerfully represents the Christmas Message. 
• The Director’s Christmas Story Award selected and presented by Peter Hill the Director of Schools to an entry that best expresses the essence of Christmas and the message of peace, hope and joy. 
• The CatholicCare Star of Hope Award selected and presented by Michael Austin the Director of CatholicCare Wollongong to an entry that best reflects the sense of wonder and possibility of Christmas, inspiring positive action. 

The exhibition will be open at the Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli St, Wollongong

which includes a week of the student vacation period. Due to COVID restrictions only from 7-25 October 20 people will be able to view the exhibition at the one time. You are most welcome to attend the gallery but may experience wait times for entry. The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Friday 10.00am-5.00pm and Saturday and Sunday 12.00-4.00pm.

Please feel free to contact me via the school office, if you have any questions or queries. 

Mrs  Paula Jackson – Creative Arts Classroom Teacher

Academy of Enterprising  Girls and Young Change Agents design thinking challenge

On Thursday the 6th of August our Year 6 girls took part in the Academy of Enterprising  Girls and Young Change Agents design thinking challenge. There were 9 schools involved from Year 5-Year 10 including our Year 6 girls. The challenge on the day was an environmental themed challenge. The girls were split into groups of 5 to come up with a question around the topic ‘environment’ and then the girls needed to come up with solutions to the problem. From the list of solutions created, each group needed to come up with their own prototype which was an example of how the solutions will be put in place to address the environmental issue. Our groups came up with amazing and creative ideas including the ‘Save the Ocean Challenge’, the ‘Rubbish for Reward’ and ‘Earth Sisters’. The judging panel then selected those groups who made it through to the next Youth Incubator Challenge which will be held via Zoom. Excitingly, our group ‘Save the Ocean Challenge’ was selected to go through to the next level to give them the opportunity to further develop their idea through masterclass, activities and mentoring in early Term 4. 

Congratulations to the efforts and design thinking from all of the girls! Well done to Sara T, Kalani P, Jessica S, Mila C and Isabella H on your successful selection. 

Miss Claire Cole - Year 6 teacher