News Bulletin
Welcome to Term 4!
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to another term, I hope you all have had a wonderful time over the holiday and had the opportunity to spend some valuable safe time with family and friends. As we enter Term 4 there are some restrictions that have been lifted, however there are still many in place. I thank you for your continued support and understanding as we attempt to maintain a level of parent engagement and varied experiences for our students. The letter that went home on Monday clearly outlines the changes and what still remains in place. If you did not receive this letter via compass please contact the school.
I look forward to continuing this journey with you this term as we approach the end of the year.
Christmas Story Art News
Congratulations to Isabelle W who received a highly commended for Year 5 and to Monique S and Audrey M whose artwork was selected to progress to the next level in Sydney. An amazing achievement for our students.
God Bless
Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal
PARENT ENGAGEMENT – LIVING THE FAITH
Vision & Mission
This year as a part of our school improvement journey we are reviewing our school mission and vision statement. We value your input and feedback as we work through this process. Please find attached a link to a short survey which will inform decisions about our school vision and mission. If you could please spare 5 minutes of your time to provide some input it would be greatly appreciated.
Year 4 Parent iPad Information Night
A reminder that Thursday 22 October we will be holding our Year 4 iPad information night via zoom at 6.30pm. It is ideal if all families are represented as we explain the process and information needed for 2021.
Staffing Update
It is with mixed emotions that I share that Mrs Carmel Gralton will retire at the end of this year. We congratulate her on this next chapter, however recognise and acknowledge the significant impact she has had on so many children and families in her time here at St Michael’s.
Miss Eliza Treble is on leave for the first 5 weeks of this term, thank you to Mrs Maria Turner who will teach Year 4 for this time and thank you to Mrs Penelope Wood for maintaining the executive release position and the Thursday on the class for consistency. Congratulations to Mrs Ronelle Peardon who is stepping up to the Middle Leader 2 position and to Miss Emma Riolo who is taking on the Middle Leader 1 role. Mrs Peardon’s leadership release day is a Tuesday and Mrs Penelope Wood is on Year 1 on this day.
Staff Development Day
The postponed staff development day from term 3 will be held on Wednesday 16 December. This means that the students last day of school will be Tuesday 15 December.
P&F Meeting Term 4
Please join us for the P&F meeting this term on Thursday 5 November, 6.30pm via zoom. Please have any items that you would like placed on the agenda to the executive by Thursday 22nd October. (Please note the time change due to Confirmation)
Book Week 2020
The theme for Book Week 2020 is ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’. This year St Michael's will be celebrating Book Week on Friday 23rd October. To celebrate this wonderful occasion we are inviting all students from Kinder to Year 6 to come dressed as their favourite book character or around the theme of 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ (STRICTLY no props - e.g.: sword, wand etc due to covid). There will be no parade or visitors on site this year as we still have our covid restrictions in place.
Grandparents /Great People
We usually have a special celebration for our grandparents and great people each year, however this year due to covid we are unable to do this.
Instead, we thought that we would bring the beautiful children of St Michael’s into your hearts and homes this year. Each class has created a special video to acknowledge and bless all the beautiful grandparents and great people in our lives.
What children need most are what grandparents and greatpeople can provide in abundance. They provide unconditional love, patience, humour, kindness, comfort and lessons in life.
We send all of our love during this time.
Year K: https://youtu.be/sv7H-tTBghQ
Year 1: https://youtu.be/E_1P74wF4R8
Year 2: https://youtu.be/MrtibDJbF0g
Year 3: https://youtu.be/UvfXBPBYK4s
Year 4: https://youtu.be/5JfezMv_5rM
Year 5B: https://youtu.be/isptMGn86Y4
Year 5W: https://youtu.be/BK54nr0AVLc
Year 6: https://youtu.be/OjohnAplbgg
Mission Month
‘We are in God’s arms, we are God’s heart, we are here like a part of the body of Christ in the world.’ – Bishop Kike
The impact of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, and the nearly twenty years of civil war that followed, is still felt today. Buried, unexploded landmines still cause accidents across the country today. Distressingly, although many organisations are working to clear these landmines, on average, 100 accidents and casualties still occur each year – and there is little support provided for these people.
Chen’s story
At just 16 years old, Chen’s life changed in a moment when he stood on a landmine that took both of his legs. With his family already struggling to make ends meet, they were unsure if they would be able to provide the necessary care for Chen. Thankfully, Bishop Kike, offered a lifeline, which has opened up many doors for Chen. The Arrupe Centre, established by Bishop Kike in north-western Cambodia in 2001, has been a home for many people, especially children, with disability – helping to empower them and offer opportunities they might otherwise not have. However, there are many more children like Chen that rely on the support and care that the Arrupe Centre provides. By fundraising through World Mission Month, we can help restore dignity and empower people living with a disability, like Chen.
What are we doing at St Michael’s?
- Week 3 Friday we will be having a Zoom Liturgy from 2:15pm - 3:00pm to learn about Cambodia and the work of the Church to support young people who are living with disabilities due to land mine accidents. We need to hear their story, just as much as they require our economic support.
- Week 3 Friday students wear “crazy socks” and bring in a donation. The money will be sent to Catholic Mission in order to help empower children and young adults with disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia, which provides vital care for those who would otherwise have limited opportunities or support to lead a fulfilling life.
Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator
Learning Labs - Wollongong University
The University of Wollongong would like to invite your students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 13th-15th January 2021
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 19th-21st January 2021
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: 9th November 2020
LITTLE AND EARLY LEARNING LABS program brochure
- Parents/Guardians visit our website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “January workshops overview” section.
- Parents/Guardians fill out the online application form.
- This is an academic enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website).
- Learning Labs is registered as COVID-Safe and follows the guidelines set out by the NSW Government here.
Canteen News
Fresh Start Canteen will be offering a full menu from this week. See menu below.
Community Notices
Selective High School Placement Year 7, 2022
- Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2022 must be made online between 13 October 2020 and 16 November 2020.
- Parents must apply online at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7
- All applicants are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test to be held on Thursday 11 March 2021.