The beating heart of St Michael’s

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hearing the stories of three of our wonderful Year 5 students. I was nearly brought to tears hearing their writer's voice to convey a message that they were obviously extremely passionate about. 

The first text by Jemima C, was centred on the importance of family and passing down stories. One of our central needs as humans is a sense of connection and belonging. Jemima’s text beautifully portrays the importance of sharing stories to understand our family history and identity. Please take the time to read, enjoy, and be inspired by one of our many amazing authors here at St Michael’s. 

Grandma's Stories

My eyes follow the horizon of the bread.  Up, up, up, it rises. I sit there patiently, I watch Yaya’s gentle, slim fingers bring out the warm scones. “Come Lilly, sit  down.” Let me tell you a story, one that you may pass down generations. I am filled with joy when she tells me this, for she always tells the most wonderful stories. But I have a feeling that this will be unlike the others, it won’t make me smile.

 “When I was your age my grandfather went to war.” It was a terrible, terrible place, he was scared and we were too. In his first letter he sent, he told us that he was in an area called Gallipoli. Yaya clasped her bony hands around the letter. It was old and fragile, it looked as if it was about to break before her.

19 February 1916

The Censors are now very strict. No place names.

We are prepared now for a battle along the Canal -

Camels, horses, wagons, guns of all sorts. Doing a lot of night exercises. Met a lot of chaps from kellyville 

Goodbye Mill, from James.

“Who is Mill?”. I ask.He was my grandfather’s sister, my great aunt. Are there any other letters? Yaya sighs, I can see that it is very hard for her to read these letters. She carefully picks up one last note. Her soft voice starts to flow out words from the past. 

Somewhere in France. 14 march 1916

Sad news about my poor old grandfather‘s passing. He was a good old fellow and we can all be proud of the hard-working and honest life he led. I suppose the other good old Kellyville boys are on their way to join us in this colossal struggle. If I do cop it in the neck I want you to know that I went proudly for my country. Only one thing troubles me and that’s my poor old dad. I’ve toiled with him and I know how hard he has worked. I think of him every day. Never will I forget him. whatever happens to me in this lot. I feel proud to be the son of such a brave honest hard-working man. 

Send my love, from James

 “All of my grandfather's friends died in that fight”. Yaya tells me. James was devastated, so he named all his children after his mates.” That’s so special, I think to myself. Tears well up in Yaya’s eyes, one single drop curve tracks down her face. “Just remember something for me Lilly.”  “Remember that, “Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one”.  I love you so much my Lilly.

Come on Maddy, don’t be afraid. My eyes follow the old grumpy walls, they have a mind of their own. Exactly how I remember it. The floorboards creak as my daughter and I walk together, they have a voice of their own. “Somewhere in this house Yaya would make scones for me.” I tell maddy. I would watch them rise, up, up, up.” I blink back my tears, I stay strong for her. “She’s not here anymore.” I say under my breath. “I miss you.” I whisper. I hope that she hears me. I love you more than you will ever know.

Come Maddy. Let me tell you a story, one that you may pass down generations.

Author : Jemima C (Year 5)

Our second author, Ciara M, developed a text with a strong message that is very relevant for our local community. Ciara displays a deep connection and love for the beautiful ocean that edges our community. Her writing craft leaves the reader reflecting on their personal choices to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience this gift. Please take the time to read Ciara’s powerful and inspiring piece of writing.

The Ocean Is A Place I call Home

For me, the ocean isn’t just a phrase, it is a place that our community calls home! Memories are made in the ocean that shape our lives and connections to the deep underwater world. The ocean is a place where I can explore, and glide in the depths of the salty waters. 

Today we are harming the water with climate change, pollution, overfishing, and so much more to come! We need to assure our younger generations that they will get the same water opportunities that we have such as surfing and swimming. Stories are told in the confluence of the water. We want to carry those same stories to our children and grandchildren!  

Can you imagine waking up to a beautiful horizon of the frothy marmoris waves? The ocean has not only given us waves, and the capability to swim freely, but it has given us animals and other species. As Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Water is the driving force of all nature.”  This quote is a big thing to think about. The more the ocean moves the more I feel a sense of peace in my body

As I grow older, I now notice that we are killing our ocean creatures by using toxic chemicals in the place I call home. I have grown up on the water, using the waves to surf out my feelings. I never knew a word existed to describe someone like me until I heard of the word ‘thalassophile’ meaning someone who loves the sea. The ocean is a place that holds a deep sense of its nature and wildlife, of which there are different colours, textures, and sounds.  

You should believe that the ocean can heal your mental health and the way you think. I know after I glide in the ocean I feel a sense of peace and belonging to earth. The vast tranquility of the ocean is the place I call home!  Waves glisten with the air while the sand flows through my cold feet. Some countries don’t even get to see the water. I could never imagine that, sometimes when It is raining and I can’t dip in the ocean. I feel sad, bleak, and dismayed. Except when the sun is out, I feel colourful, glowing, beaming, and glimmering. 

The ocean for me is an open water place where you can explore and be one with the sea. That’s why the ocean matters to me. 

Author: Ciara M (Year 5)

Joanna L, created a powerful text using vivid imagery and encouraging the reader to reflect on how fortunate we are today. She challenges us to consider the harsh experiences of others and recognise that the world may not be as perfect as it seems. We often get caught up in the trivial things in life, without a broader perspective of the challenges that those around the world face. Please take the time to read and be inspired by our wonderful author Joanna. 

No Survivors

BANG! She shook, I shook the walls looked like they were going to shatter with just one frail finger. The way my fragile mother looked down on me longingly, struck something inside of me. She was skinny and her waxy skin on her face was pulled so tightly, I could see the bones and veins popping out at me. She clasped her bony fingers around the pan, the pan looked as though rusted, thin and worn out, small, breakable, shallow, it matched her, so thin, small broken inside, although she never complained, I could feel her screaming, broken . She poured the cold chunky mixture into my dirty hands, she poured ever so carefully, making sure each drop had vanished . My hands were colder than ever before, stiff, cut, dirty with no water to wash away the grime. 

Although they were unlike the silk, gloved hands from Kyiv, they did the job. slowly moving upwards towards my lips, my lips blue and frozen as they touched the liquid. It didn’t take long for me to consume the remainder of the liquid, I licked the palms of my hands and unlike others, didn’t feel the hunger die away,  it still lingered inside of my stomach longing for something else to eat.

The abnormally large eyes of my mothers welled up with water as she heard the deep grumbling emerge from my stomach. She swung her weathered arms around me, I watched how the many wrinkles seemed to tell stories, each cut with an elaborate background, I pondered how her skin looked colourless yet still sun kissed and dusty. I didn’t feel more warm nor less hungry when hugging her, but I can’t explain how I felt so safe, like the world had put an immortal bubble on us and as if time had stopped for a split second as if all of my wildest dreams had been compressed into just one moment, as I pulled away, I was back to reality, back to the unbearable torture of living here. I took one last glance at her before heading to bed, Her head prickly, spiked and rough as though it had been cut with a rusted axe, her clothes barely holding on.

That night was different, that night was worse, the thin rag that kept the dust away wasn’t keeping the cold out, I lay there on the concrete floor, hard and cracked and I listened to the howling wind and the bustling of my mother trying to keep it at bay .

Suddenly, a loud, ear splitting bang, sharp yet thick, followed by a dark, excruciating scream, just one scream. Came as fast as it went, terrified and alone. 

That was the night that changed everything. 

Author: Joanna L

Parent consultative Group and P&F meetings

On Wednesday we engaged in our second parent consultative group meeting. This dynamic group has already provided some valuable insights on the Faith, Leaning, and Wellbeing of our students through a parent lens. Some of the changes and strategies that have been put into place as a result of our conversations include:

• Development of a parent guide explaining how our diverse learning structures operate
• Refinements to our parent/teacher interview structures to give parents a greater insight into their child as a person and learner
• Exploration of strategies to provide parents more regular insights into their child’s learning
• Review of the school award system 

Mother’s Day- our unsung heroes 

A huge thank you to all of our wonderful mothers who joined us last Friday for our Mother’s Day breakfast and liturgy. There was a beautiful buzz within our school community and it was lovely to observe the connection we share. Thank you to some of our unsung heroes (Jakki and Claire) who play a significant role in pulling together our beautiful community events. Jakki and Claire put in a great deal of extra time to ensure these events are meaningful and beautiful for all. 

Staffing update -
On Thursday 22 May, Mrs Peardon will be jetting off for some very well deserved long service leave for the remainder of the term. During her absence, Mrs Rouse and Mrs Kors will predominantly be taking her class. During this time, the amazing Mr Ryan will be taking the role of the Religious Education Coordinator. 

 
Principal’s conference
On Wednesday 21 May, I will be making my way to the biennial Catholic Principals conference in the Hunter Valley. I look forward to this development opportunity and applying relevant new learning into our school context. 

Calendar overview 

Pupil Free Days

Mr James Bryce - Principal