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Vision: Inspired by Christ, we aspire to excellence in learning, living life fully in community
The mission at St Michael’s is to:
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be a vibrant catholic community where all feel safe, valued, loved and respected
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display understanding, compassion and care for others and all creation
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foster dynamic and diverse learning opportunities
Calendar overview
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Week 9 |
Monday 16 Sept |
Tuesday 17 Sept |
Wednesday 18 Sept |
Thursday 19 Sept |
Friday 20 Sept |
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Week 10 |
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Tuesday 24 Sept |
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Pupil Free Days
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20 December |
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James Bryce - Principal
Have you ever wondered why you are in a certain place at a certain time? I know I have. Sometimes I even think that God isn’t listening, however, I need to remember that God always has a plan; although God’s plan may not, at times, align with my plan. I am really fortunate to live and work in a community where God is one, there is no I, rather only ‘we’. Our community is entangled with each other and it stretches far beyond what we can see or appreciate. We have a wholeness about us; we belong to the whole. Where God is, there is community.
Have you ever considered taking up the invitation to attend Mass after dropping your children off at school? Mass starts at 9am on a Wednesday and Thursday morning. What a wonderful opportunity to feel and embrace the wholeness of God.
Diocesan Catholic Mission Launch
We were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to host the Diocesan Mission Launch in our Parish Church and hall. Many of our students participated actively in the liturgy, contributing through their proclamation of the word through their actions, spoken word or singing.
Here is a little snapshot of our students and their involvements.
The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion
Enrolments CLOSED on 10 September 2024
Enrolment Forms may be downloaded by clicking HERE
Enrolment Forms are returned (by email or by hand) to the Parish Office.
Do not return forms to the School Office.
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Parent Meeting |
Tuesday, 15 October at 19:30 |
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Penance Classes 1 and 2 |
Tuesdays, 22 October and 29 October, 15:45 to 17:00 |
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Sacrament of Penance |
Wednesday, 30 October at 19:00 |
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Eucharist Classes 3 and 4 |
Tuesdays, 12 and 19 November, 15:45 to 17:00 |
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First Communion at either of the weekend Masses on ... |
30 November or 1 December ... or 7 or 8 December ... or on any later weekend |
Reconciliation Book Instructions will be emailed to those who enrol.
For information about the celebration of First Penance, click HERE
Parent Information for First Reconciliation will be emailed to those who enrol.
Eucharist Book Instructions will be emailed to those who enrol.
Welcome to the children who will participate fully in the Eucharist for the first time, by receiving Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LAST SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
First Reading Isaiah 50:5-9a
Isaiah says, “The Lord God has opened my ear that I may hear … ” What kinds of things do you think God wants us to hear? That “a brother or sister is without clothing and lacks daily food” from the second reading? Alright, then what? Do you act on what you hear? “The Lord God helps me. … The present reading” has these words twice. How do they relate to Jesus’ utterance in the Gospel, “Whoever wants to become my follower. let him deny himself”? Will God be with us, holding our hand, every minute, no matter what?
Second Reading James 2:14-18
How important is it to express your faith in works? The letter of James tells us to serve our neighbour. Do you ever respond to such a call? If so, how? With a few words? In some of your actions? With your entire life? “If a brother or sister is without clothing and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that”? Might one criticise a Catholic faith that is primarily “a fact on an ID card” rather than a missionary? How do you transmit your faith with “testimony”?
Gospel Mark 8:27-35
Do you want people you love to know you well? Do you think Christ wants you to know him well personally? He asks the apostles, “who do you say that I am?” What if he asked you that question? Do you answer it differently at different times in your life? “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering … ” In these words, Jesus is telling the apostles what discipleship is all about. Why does Pope Francis say Jesus chose the cross?
He [St. John Chrysostom] saw that despite appearances, Jesus is not a loser, but God, who willingly offers himself for every man and woman. Why did he do this? He could have saved his life, he could have kept his distance from the misery and brutality of human history. Instead, he chose to enter into that history, to immerse himself in it. That is why he chose the most difficult way possible: the cross.
So that no one on earth should ever be so desperate as not to be able to find him, even there, in the midst of anguish, darkness, abandonment, in the scandal of his or her own misery and mistakes. There he came, to the very place we think God cannot be present, there. To save those who despair, he himself chose to taste despair; taking upon himself our most bitter anguish, he cried out from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” A cry that saves. It saves because God took upon himself even the experience of our abandonment. And now, with him, we are no longer alone, ever.
– Pope Francis, Homily at 53rd Eucharistic Congress, 15 September 2021
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SUNDAY MASS TIMES Saturday 17:30 Sunday 08:00 |
THIS WEEK’S LITURGIES Monday ——— Tuesday 17:30 Wednesday 09:00 Thursday 09:00 Friday 09:30 |
What’s happening in our Parish Thirroul
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W10 |
Thursday, 26 September 19:15 |
Baptism preparation meeting for October Baptisms |
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Friday 27th September |
Class Mass - Year 4 and conversation with Fr Ken |
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School holidays |
Friday, 4 October 9:30 |
Feast of St Francis of Assisi Anointing of the sick during Mass |
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Monday, 7 October 9:30 |
Blessing of the animals |
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W1 |
Tuesday 15th October |
Year 2 - First Penance and Communion Parent Meeting @7.30pm |
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Friday 18th October |
Class Mass - Year 6 and Year 1. Year 6 conversation with Fr Ken |
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St Francis of Assisi Liturgy, 14:30 in the hall. Hosted by Mrs Kelly and Kindergarten |
Mrs Ronelle Peardon: Acting Religious Education Coordinator
Blessing of Animals, Monday, 7 October at 9:30am
The Blessing of Animals will take place on the Monday of the long weekend, 7 October at 9:30am at the Parish of Saint Michael, 325 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul. The blessing takes place in the courtyard next to the church. All animals under 900kg and their carers are welcome, though please keep fleas well-muzzled. The feast of St Francis of Assisi is on Friday, 4 October, with Mass at 9:30am – animals are welcome at that Mass.
What’s happened at St Michael’s over the past three weeks?
RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS NEWS
Our respect focus for Weeks 7-10 is: CONSENT
What we want to see and hear:
-asking permission of others to use, share or take their food or photo
- asking permission to enter someone’s body boundary
-accepting if someone says ‘No you can't touch me’ or ‘I feel uncomfortable’
-being aware that you may be in someone’s body boundary
-asking permission to borrow or use their property.
What we don’t want to see and hear:
-using,sharing or taking photos without permission
-entering someone’s body boundary without permission
-taking others property or food without asking
-touching or entering others' body boundaries after they have said ‘no’.
Waste Free Wednesday update
The Waste Free Wednesday Week 7 data:
Kindergarten: 95%
Year 2: 65%
Year 3: 70%
Year 4: 75%
Year 1: 68%
Year 6: 44%
Year 5: 76%
So the Gold Waste Free Warriors for Week 7 are:Kindergarten
and the Silver Waste Free Warriors for Week 7 are: Year 5
The Waste Free Wednesday Week 8 data:
Kindergarten: 84%
Year 1:68%
Year 2: 55%
Year 3: 65%
Year 4: 71%
Year 5: 78%
Year 6: 50%
So the Gold Waste Free Warriors for Week 8 are:Kindergarten
and the Silver Waste Free Warriors for Week 8 are: Year 5
Author’s Circles and Author’s Chair
As part of our annual improvement plan, we are on a journey to improve writing at St Michael’s. Teachers and students alike have started to identify themselves as ‘authors’ and really value the process of writing. Students are keen to share their writing on the Author’s Chair and to engage in Author’s Circles where they give each other feedback on their writing. Please enjoy some images of sharing on the Author’s Chair and Author’s Circles.
Author’s Voice
Our resident Year 5 authors, Iris F and Katerina M have been back at their craft again. This time they have created and refined some ‘Dad Jokes’. They have called themselves ‘The Dad Joke Survivors’. I asked them what their purpose is, and they said to make people laugh. I asked them who their audience was, they said 10 and up.
Mrs Amy Sammut - Assistant Principal
Tournament of Minds
On Sunday, 8th September, two teams of students from Years 3 and 4 proudly represented our school at the Tournament of Minds held at the University of Wollongong. Our Year 4 students participated in the STEM challenge, while our Year 3 team competed in the Language Literature section. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity on a larger stage. Although we didn’t come away with an award, the students showcased incredible creativity, resilience, and innovative thinking throughout the event.
In preparation for the competition, the students worked tirelessly, brainstorming and refining their ideas, while learning to embrace different perspectives and adapt to new challenges. By working together, they developed valuable lifelong skills, including collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to meet tight deadlines under pressure. We are immensely proud of their dedication, perseverance, and personal growth. These experiences will undoubtedly serve them well in future endeavours, both inside and outside the classroom.
The students will be showcasing their solutions at our Vision Awards assembly in Week 10.
STEM MAD
Yesterday, three groups of Stage 3 students proudly showcased their projects at the INNOVATE for IMPACT event at the Innovation Campus. The showcase celebrated student learning by recognising and promoting STEM initiatives that address real-world challenges while reflecting the core values of Catholic education. It inspired our students to advocate for justice and the common good through their innovative ideas. We are incredibly proud of the impact they made and the creativity they displayed throughout the event.
Mrs Chelsea McLeod Diverse Learning Coordinator - High Potential and Gifted Students
St Michael’s School Social Media
With so much going on at school, a great way to follow any up and coming events and read about the great things that are happening, please follow us on:
Instagram- stmichaels.thirroul or Facebook-St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Thirroul.
2024 - SPORTING EVENTS AND DATES
Upcoming dates for your 2024 “Sports Diary”
- Basketball Gala Days - Junior Boys and Senior Girls, Thursday 19th September
- Senior Boys and Senior Girls, Friday 20th September
We are still looking for parents to volunteer to manage a team on the day. If you are able to assist, could you please let the office know.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT NEWS!
Congratulations to Eliza D and Abby S who attended the McKillop Cricket Trials in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday the 11th of September. Both girls were selected as part of the McKillop team, such an outstanding achievement.
The girls will now attend the NSW PSSA State Cricket Trials in Bathurst in October and as a school community we wish them all the best at the next level of competition.
STUDENT SPORTING & EXTRACURRICULAR SUCCESS STORIES
We invite all our families to share their child/children’s sporting and extracurricular achievements outside of school, so we can share in their success as a whole school community through our School Newsletter.
If you require any further information about sporting events at St Michael’s please contact Mrs Campbell
Mrs Danielle Campbell - Sports Coordinator
Congratulations to the following students who received awards at previous assemblies:
Principals Award
- Billy C
- Melody E
- Summer D
- Grace B
- Taj D
