Dear Parents,

The end of the year has come upon us and before we know it, we will be on holidays and celebrating the birth of Jesus as a family. This year has been a great year at St Michael’s, we have continued to build on the partnerships of last year. We have had many opportunities to come together as a community to pray, celebrate and acknowledge the wonderful things happening in our community.

I am privileged to be a part of a community that truly lives it’s mission through our actions and words. The commitment of the staff is to be commended, they have worked tirelessly this year in many areas of academic and non-academic learning and wellbeing. We have all learnt together to continually improve and provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students. A sincere thank you to Fr Ken for his leadership of the community, his everyday faith witness and his enduring wisdom.

At the end of this year we wish Mrs Kirra Calvert and Mrs Carmel Gralton well who are exploring other opportunities and some well deserved long service leave. Of course we await the exciting news of baby Dutaillis.

Ms Ambre Sheidl is taking next year to focus on her studies to become a teacher and we wish her well as she pursues her passion.

Thank you to the P&F this year for their innovative approach to ensuring our students and community all had an opportunity to be involved in various activities throughout the year. Thank you to the team: Rodney Bolton,Elaine Gully, Mike Lyons & Sinead Molloy. The community is in your debt. We look forward to continuing on the great relationship.

Thank you also to the uniform committee who have continued to provide a service to our community. 

Finally, to every mother, father and carer, thank you for entrusting us in this partnership to support your child’s faith and learning journey. You are the first and greatest educators of your children and it is our privilege to share the journey with you.

We say goodbye to several families who are leaving our school this year. We thank you for your contributions to our community and wish you all the best.

Bleeker, Body, Calvert, Canales, Dekker, Garvey-Oakes, Giblett, Herrman, Jolly, Karakousis, Kelly, Kenter, Kokden, Lopes de Oliveira, McEvoy, Noble, Reid, Scari, Shelley, Wilson, Wood.

On behalf of the staff of St Michael’s I wish you a wonderful time with your family over the holiday break and a very happy and holy Christmas. I leave you with a reflection from the Jamberoo Abbey about Advent.

"Let your door stand open to receive him,

unlock your soul to him,

offer him a welcome in your mind,

and then you will see the riches of simplicity,

the treasures of peace,

the joy of grace."

~ St Ambrose of Milan

Throughout the term we have been sharing the wonderful work that has been happening in various classrooms as well as parent tips via Youtube. We have attached a short survey to obtain your feedback. The link is below.

https://forms.gle/3M772xw1hjkfWjnz7

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

END OF YEAR MASS AND THANK YOU MORNING TEA

Parents, friends and families are warmly invited to our End of Year Mass on Friday, 13th December at 9.30am to celebrate the conclusion to our school year. Following Mass, parents, friends, families and volunteers are invited to a ‘Thank You’ morning tea in the hall. The staff would like to sincerely thank all families and volunteers in the numerous ways you help in and around our school. We look forward to celebrating your dedication and contributions to our school with a lovely morning tea!

RISE AND SHINE AWARDS

The Wollongong City Council Rise and Shine Program aims to increase civic pride, accelerate environmental improvement and increase quality of life for present and future  generations.

This year Katie Kelly and Emma Groves entered St Michael's into the Rise and Shine competition based on an area of our School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) that we have been working on this year. This area focused on our continuing environmental initiatives - including our streamlined waste management system and vegetable gardens. 

On Thursday December 5 Katie Kelly and Emma Groves attended the Rise and Shine annual awards ceremony. St Michael’s Parish Primary School Thirroul won FIRST PLACE in the 'Best Ongoing Environmental Initiatives' Category. We received a certificate and some money to spend on further enhancing the environmental initiatives in our school. 

This would not be possible without the support of the staff and Mrs Hughes, our parents led by Jeremy Smith and our students. We thank everyone who contributes to the environmental initiatives in our school. 

The third of the three sacraments of initiation, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the reception of Christ's Body and Blood. This sacrament is the source of great graces that sanctify us and help us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ.

We congratulate all the students from St Michael’s who have made their Sacrament of First Holy Communion over the last couple of weekends. This was an extremely special time for both the students and their families. 

We thank Father Ken and the parish community for making this a memorable experience for these students.

Thank you everyone - CHRISTMAS CARD APPEAL 2019

This year we got involved in the Christmas Card project run by Sister Myree Harris and the Gethsemane Community. 

Each child wrote a Christmas card to man or woman who have mental illnesses or other disabilities. They live in boarding houses, group homes or aged care and have no family to contact. 

The students from St Michael’s wrote these people a Christmas card which will be the only personal mail they receive all year. Thank you to everyone who brought in a card to help support this fantastic initiative! Thank you also to Mrs Hughes for supplying a stamp for our 210 Christmas cards! 

Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator

The Leader In Me Assembly

During our week 8 assembly we had the pleasure of announcing our The Leader In Me award recipients for 2019. It was a great way to recognise some of our students who have most consistently implemented these habits to have a positive impact on our school community. It has been wonderful to witness these habits displayed throughout our school community and observe first hand the  difference our students can have on the lives of others. A big thankyou to our departing Year 6 students, who have been instrumental in the leadership of these habits. 

2019 TLIM Awards - Certificates

Professional Learning Review 2019

Throughout 2019 our staff have engaged in extensive professional learning in the areas of literacy and assessment to continue to enhance the tailored learning experiences we provide for all of our students here at St Michael’s. Our dedicated staff have gone above and beyond to continue to learn together and apply their new learning in their classrooms. The impact of this professional learning has been outstanding and we look forward to continued growth in learning in 2020. 

Mr James Bryce - Assistant Principal

CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2019

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us for the Christmas concert on Friday night it was a lovely way to end the year and come together. Thank you to the P&F who organised the lovely Rachel Hennesy to share her gift of music with us.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP 2020

Congratulations to the following students who will be our Captains and House Captains in 2020.

Captains: Emmanual O’Brien and Zoe Wilson

Vice Captains: Rory Milross-Rose and Zoe McNamara

Fitzroy: Jessica Smith, Will Egan-Brown

MacKillop: Zali Ninness, AJ Duffin

Penola: Kyah Temple, Cooper Garrard

Tenison: Sienna Hamod, Joel Eglitis

FIRST DAY BACK IN 2020

Year 1 – Year 6 students return on Wednesday 29 January in 2020. On Wednesday all Year 1 –Year 6 students will come dressed in the summer school uniform.

2020 KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

Kindergarten students in 2020 will be participating in the Best Start program and will attend school for their individual session (as per the timetable) on one of the following days between Wednesday 29 January - Wednesday 5 February. This means that Kindergarten will have their first day at school on Thursday 6  February in the summer school uniform.

TEA & TISSUES MORNING TEA

All parents, particularly new families and parents of Kindergarten students, are invited to attend a morning tea on Thursday 6 February 2020 @ 9 am in the hall.

YEAR 6 GUARD OF HONOUR - WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER

At approximately 3:15pm on the last day of school, students, staff and parents are invited to join in forming a guard of honour to wish Year 6 all the best as they complete primary school and move onto high school.

STAFFING UPDATE

I am pleased to be able to share the staffing for classes in 2020.

Kindergarten - Mrs Katie Kelly

Year 1 - Mrs Ronelle Peardon (Middle Leader 1)

Year 2 - Mrs McLeod

Year 3 - Mr Jason Novak

Year 4 - Miss Eliza Treble (Middle Leader 2)

Year 5B - Miss Emma Groves (Religious Education Co-ordinator)

Year 5W - Miss Emma Riolo

Year 6 - Miss Claire Cole

Teacher Release (Creative Arts) - Mrs Paula Jackson

Third Teacher - Mrs Shari Mayo

Assistant Principal - Mr James Bryce

Principal - Mrs Belinda Hughes

Families in Year 5 (2020) will receive a letter soon indicating their class and teacher for 2020.

READING THE STUDENT ACADEMIC REPORT

On Friday 13 December, parents of children in Kindergarten to Year Six will receive the end of year Student Academic Report via Compass. When reading the report, it is important to celebrate your child’s Learning Gains - the areas where your child has shown improvement. This section uses syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period. It’s important to note that because of the specific nature of syllabus text, it is not uncommon that the same comment will appear on student’s reports from the same stage of learning.

The Areas for Growth section identifies areas where your child may still be working towards. The comments in this section also uses syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ on their learning path. The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas, how students follow the 7 habits or their attitude to learning/work habits. If you need any clarification after reading your child’s report, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION LITURGY AND SUPPER THANK YOU

Thank you to Year Six for preparing and participating in the year Six Graduation Liturgy and presentation so beautifully. Thank-you to all the Year 5 parent helpers who provided a beautiful supper it was very much appreciated.

BUILDING WORKS OVER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK

The blocks have been delivered and are ready to be put into place for the construction of the Sacred Space. I look forward to seeing this come to fruition. The basketball court will also be replaced and the area leveled out and updated to provide a suitable playing surface for our students. This year has seen some significant developments with the upgrading of our playground spaces. Thank you to the P&F who have also contributed considerably to enabling this to happen, funds are already pledged to continue on the progress next year. Early next year we will begin the planning for the repair and upgrade of the main playground. This week we were notified of the successful application of a grant from the Federal Government through Sharon Bird of $10 000 to support our work in the playground. This was very exciting news.

YEAR 6 2019 CAPTAINS

Each year I ask the captains what would they like to be remembered for as their time as Captains. This year our Captains wanted to paint and resurrect the chess board outside the hall. They began yesterday and hope to have it finished before the end of the week. Great job team, I know it will get used.

PRESENTATION BOLLARDS

On Friday, our Aboriginal students with the support of Uncle Kevin and Kim Hobbs unveiled their bollards to the school community. 

Students included: Archie, Holly, Ruben, Henrietta, Tyrah, Cameron, Zane and Clancy. 

These students did a fantastic job of telling us about the local flora and fauna they painted, and the Dreamtime stories which inspired their artworks. 

Miss Emma Riolo

BAND

Mule Music has informed the school that the Band Program will go ahead in 2020. Band rehearsels will be on a Tuesday morning before school, tutorials will follow during the day. Yule Music will be in contact with all the required information. If you are interested in going to band please contact Yule Music directly to register.

PETER TURNER'S THANKSGIVING MASS

Today Miss Groves and Mrs Hughes attended Mr Peter Turner's Thanksgiving Mass. It was a beautiful celebration of what he has given to the Diocese. He will truly be missed. The Year 5 & 6 Captains attended also representing St Michael's wonderfully.

UNSW Global ICAS Assessments for 2019

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the UNSW Global ICAS Assessments for 2019. A special mention to the following students for their  outstanding results:

Digital Technology

Credit: Daisy Brungs, Samuel Garvey-Oakes

Distinction: Daniel Morozov

Science

Credit: Leon Do,  Audrey Mackey, Emmanuel O’Brien, Samuel Garvey-Oakes

Distinction: Daniel Morozov

Mathematics

Credit: Darius H, Daisy B, Molly H, Daniel M, Leon D, Ella F, Siena H, Samuel G, Harrison H

Distinction: Zoe Mc

English

Credit: Arabella B, Daisy B, Jeong Eum L, Daniel M, Isabelle W, Audrey M,

Emmanuel O, Harrison H

Distinction: Leon D

Writing:

Credit: Arabella B, Molly H,, Oscar L, Jeong Eum L, Mia S, Nieve S, Isabelle W,

Baden B, Leon D, Layla B, Samuel G, Holly W

Distinction: Daisy B, Daniel M, Ella F, Audrey M, Harrison H

Spelling Bee:

Credit: Jeong Eum L, Daniel M, Audrey M

Distinction: Harrison H

What an amazing year we have had in sport! Countless students participated in a variety of sporting endeavours. Some of these endeavors included:

Rugby League

Rugby Union

AFL

Aus tag

Soccer

Netball

Cricket

Basketball

Athletics

Swimming

Cross Country

Not to mention the many sports that our students trialled for at an elite level.

Congratulations to the students for always being great sports persons.

2020 Swimming carnival

Our annual school swimming carnival will be held at Thirroul Public Swimming Pool on Friday, the 14th of February 2020.

Students from Year 3 to Year 6 (2020) are encouraged to take part in our carnival. Year 2 (2020) students who can “confidently” swim 50 metres (i.e. swimming club members) are invited to participate. Please consider becoming a parent helper at the carnival so that we can ensure a smooth and successful day. Notes will be going out early in the new year

Mr Jason Novak - Sports Coordinator

Prinicpals Awards

• Taylen Woods
• Riley McEvoy
• Seidah Bristow
• Zoe Wilson
• Jonah Eglitis

Gold Award

• Harper Pingnam
• Riley McEvoy
• Zara Kokles
• Taylen Woods

St Michaels' Blue

• Riley McEvoy
• Joel Eglitis
• Jesse Miklas
• Taylen Woods
• Sunny Canales

Term 4 Token Winners

Top class= Year 5 with a whopping 125!!! Well done to Miss Groves and year 5