School News
This year R U Ok day will be held on Thursday the 8th of September. R U OK day is a day to encourage people to say connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. It is about building motivation, confidence and skills of the help-giver to have meaningful conversations with someone who is struggling.
Here at St MIchael’s we will be celebrating this important day in a number of ways. Students will be meeting back up with their peer support group and our peer support leaders will be guiding their groups through relevant and fun activities. They will then have the opportunity to eat their lunch as a peer support group to continue to build strong connections with students from across the school.
Assembly for this week will be moved from Friday to Thursday afternoon so that we can come together as a whole school community to acknowledge and celebrate this important day.
The students will be asked to wear something yellow with their school uniform.This could be a yellow ribbon, hat, socks etc.
We look forward to celebrating this important day!
Miss Eliza Treble - Assistant Principal
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Liturgy
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is on the 1st September each year.
This day also marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, which is an annual event that encourages prayer and action for our common home which runs from 1st September through to 4th October. In 2022 the theme is Listen to the Voice of Creation.
We will be celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation with a special liturgy.
This liturgy will be held on Monday, 5th September at 2.30pm in the school hall.
Parents are welcome to attend.
St Francis of Assisi Award - For love of and appreciation for all of God’s creation
Last year we introduced a new award at St Michael’s - The St Francis of Assisi Award. It is an Environmental Award that will be presented to students who have exemplified themselves by contributing to a range of the criteria listed below. One student per class will be nominated by their teacher. This award will be presented on Monday, 5th September when the school community comes together for a liturgy to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The award is equivalent to a superstar award and contributes to the 5 awards that go towards a Principal Award.
Criteria
- Aligns their environmental beliefs with Gospel Values through their words and actions, at school and at home.
- Reflects St Francis' devotion to God through their love and appreciation for all of God's creation. This includes showing care / concern for those less fortunate, the poor or sick.
- Exhibits the naturalist intelligence. Students with naturalist intelligence are those who seem to be in love with the natural world. They like to spend time there, they thrive there, they are skilled and confident and comfortable there, and they learn best there — in short, they are nature smart.
- Demonstrates great interest in nature, the environment, conservation, stewardship, ecology, and/or sustainability and sustainable development.
- Exemplifies enthusiasm, energy, initiative, and commitment toward the natural environment, and serves as an inspiration to other students.
- Has perhaps put their interest into action through an ongoing campaign or one-time project (of age/grade-appropriate scale) that has raised environmental awareness or led to environmentally friendly discussion, reaction or change in the student's class, school or community.
- Demonstrates commitment in being part of the Green Team and taking care of the gardens on a regular basis.
- Assists with the waste management within the classroom and the playground by making sure the 4 coloured bin system runs smoothly.
We look forward to seeing who the recipients are for this year.
Mrs Katie Kelly WEN - Wollongong Environmental Network Contact
Transition to Summer Uniform
The formal transition to summer uniform is the 1st day of term 4, Monday 10 October. If the weather is quite warm in Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3, the students can begin to wear their summer uniform in those 2 weeks. Please see below an outline of our updated school uniform policy.
This week at St Michael’s saw the reintroduction to the ‘Focus of the Week’.
The behavioural focus for week 7 and 8 is the expected behaviours on the playground during the morning prior to school starting.
We have unpacked the behaviours with the students as:
- wearing your hat
- playing handball in the designated courts
- using the other painted games that are on the asphalt
- talking with friends
- Walking
- making sure that our bags are placed in their designated areas
- being present in the supervised areas.
These expected behaviours are to ensure that we are true to our school rules of taking care of each other, taking care of yourself and taking care of this place. With the limited amount of area that we can use during this busy morning period, our aim is to ensure the safety for all.
Each fortnight we will roll out a new focus area and will be celebrated at the fortnight assembly. We appreciate the conversations that you have with your children at home in helping to support endeavours, such as these. We are aiming to project a consistent message of respectful behaviours.
Mrs Ronelle Peardon
Would you like to share your expertise with our students?
Do you have a special gift, talent or experience in a field that you would like to share? We are looking to build a ‘database’ of parent / grandparent names and talents at the school where teachers may be able to access your expertise in the classroom when it is appropriate. For example you may be a writer or editor and you may wish to share your skills in how to be a good writer, you may be musical and you may be able to help out at liturgies and masses with the music. If you would like to share your talents please complete the google form and we look forward to hearing from you.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14jsRoUG5KBwKskCaO9a0RnqHd2RCYCXaHJyMf4IEfSI/edit
Message from Fr Kens - First Penance and First Communion
First Penance and Communion
The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion are celebrated when a child is in Year 2 or seven years old (or older).
First Penance and First Communion Information - 2022
Enrolments for 2022 close on 13 September 2022
Enrolment Forms are returned (by email or by hand) to the Parish Office.
Do not return forms to the School Office.
The Sacrament of First Communion is given to children who have reached the age of reason, which is accepted as seven years old, that is, when a child is in Year 2. [Canons 913, 914]. Prior to receiving First Communion, children are to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance [Reconciliation].
In order to prepare for these Sacraments,
there is a preparation program consisting of the following:
- a parent information evening
- two classes (after school hours) in preparation for First Penance
- celebration of First Penance
- two classes (after school hours) in preparation for First Communion
Enrolments close on 13 September
Enrolment Forms may be downloaded at https://www.thirroulcatholic.org.au/images/stories/Enrolment_Form_Communion_2022.pdf
Enrolment Forms are returned (by email or by hand) to the Parish Office.
Do not return forms to the School Office.
Life Education Van Visit
Early in term 4 we are pleased to be able to welcome back the Life Education Van. All classes will have the opportunity to visit the van to learn about topics that are being covered in their PDHPE lessons. Further details will be forwarded shortly. There is no extra cost involved as this was included in school fees for 2022.