Dear Parents and Carers,

On Sunday we all had the opportunity to celebrate mothers, and the mother figures in our lives, albeit in a different way this year. I do still hope that you were all surrounded by family and love. We thank all mums and mother figures in our lives for the tireless work they do and the unconditional love they share.

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love

Can understand our tears,

Can soothe our disappoints

And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a mother's love

Can share the joy we feel

When something we've dreamed about

Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a mother's faith

Can help us on life's way

And inspire in us the confidence

We need from day to day.

For a mother's heart and a mother's faith

And a mother's steadfast love

Were fashioned by the angels

And sent from God above.

God Bless

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

Parent Spirituality 

Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parents on-going spiritual formation designed by Robyn Gallagher (Professional Officer - Staff Spiritual Formation - Catholic Education Office). It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to creation and to our loving God. Come and enjoy some Inspired Voices and Treasured Stillness. 

RIPPLE EFFECT

This program is called Ripples because of Robyn’s belief that there are some practices that have a ripple effect. When we have time to connect with matters of the heart, to hear a new perspective and to enter into silence we are more able to respond to life from a better place and space. And this has a ripple effect. It impacts the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, others in our world, to creation and to our God.

THE PROGRAM

Each week a new Episode and Meditation will be offered. You may like to listen to both the Episode and the Meditation in one sitting or you may choose to do them at different times of the day or week. You can choose a time that works best for you. 

A journal is a wonderful tool to support you in this time of reflection, so you may like to bring this with you as you sit with a question that the guest speaker offers during their Episode.

Come away and rest a while.

Mark 6:31

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation, due to be held on 2 July this year, has been postponed, and no date is set as of yet.

However, I would ask you, if your wish your daughter or son to receive Confirmation this year, to complete the Enrolment Form. This was communicated previously and the due date was by 10 May 2020. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, please complete as soon as you can.

The Enrolment Form may be downloaded from the Parish website:

http://www.thirroulcatholic.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21:confirmation&catid=6:sacraments&Itemid=26

Please return the completed Enrolment Form to the Parish Office, 325 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul, or by email  thirroul@dow.org.au

Once the Enrolment Form is returned, you will be emailed with details for the preparation and celebration of Confirmation once details are known.

A prayer for this time.....

Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator

NOT ALL HEROS WEAR CAPES

Over the past few months our teachers have faced many challenges in making a quick transition to a whole new style of learning delivery. From the onset of these changes our teachers were united in ensuring that we continue to deliver a high standard of learning despite these unprecedented changes. Our teachers spent a great deal of time in professional learning experiences to collaboratively plan strategies to continue to apply a high standard of education via remote delivery. 

We are extremely proud of the commitment of all of our staff in ensuring that we continue to provide quality and engaging learning experiences for all of our students. Each and every staff member has worked tirelessly over the previous months to ensure that our students continue to learn and be supported during these challenging times. Not only have our staff strived to provide quality learning, but also have gone above and beyond in providing upbeat and positive videos with the simple goal of making their students smile each and every day.

We are very happy that our parent community has been able to witness the great learning that is happening at St Michael’s and we are very appreciative of your support and ongoing positive feedback. We recognise that this has been a challenge for all parents and are very thankful for the time you have put in to support the learning over the past months. 

During a challenging time there are many positives that have come out of this situation. It has allowed us to explore new teaching tools that will continue to allow us to engage our students and support their individual needs. It has also equipped us with new additional strategies to support the wellbeing needs of our students. We look forward to continuing to learn together to ensure that we provide the best possible learning environment for all of our students. 

Mr James Bryce - Assistant Principal 

School Uniform Expectations - Focus on Hair

After a prolonged period of time in social isolation there have been many children who have returned to school with inappropriate hairstyles, coloured hair or long hair that is not tied back. A reminder that a students hair is a part of the school uniform and it is expected that all students follow the school policy. This means no coloured hair, no inappropriate hairstyles and if boys or girls have hair that is to their shoulders OR falling in front of their face it must be tied back. Following our school’s expectations demonstrates pride in the St Michael’s name and respect for the school rules. Thank you to all the families who follow the school rules and expectations.

Merit Awards

The PB4L team have been exploring ways that the school can incorporate merit awards into this remote learning environment. The staff will be awarding merit awards each fortnight on a Friday in their good morning message to the class. This is a great way to acknowledge the work the students have been doing and their commitment to what is a very different way of schooling. We will continue to monitor the accumulation of awards and also present Principal awards in the same way.

Remote Learning

Thank you to all our families, you have all juggled the demands of your own work and supported your children to access remote learning from home. One of the highlights for the students has been the good morning messages from their teachers. Over the coming weeks we will share some short compilations of some of the videos across the school via our Facebook page. Keep an eye out for the creative ways our teachers have welcomed your children to the school day.

It was great to see the children back in our school this week, all children that attended on their scheduled day had a great day catching up with their teachers and their friends.

Wellbeing Scavenger Hunt

Thank you for taking part in our wellbeing scavenger hunt this week. Some families are sending in their entries each day and some are sending in one entry on Friday. I have enjoyed seeing all the different responses and it has given us a great discussion point when seeing the children on Tuesday and Wednesday. A wonderful way to ease back into school and rebuild connection with your wonderful children.

TERM 2 UNIFORM

The official date for students to change to winter uniform this term is Monday 18 May (Week 4). If the weather becomes cooler students may wear their full winter uniform before this date.

Uniforms are now available from Lowes Wollongong and Online.

https://www.lowes.com.au/schools-online/st-michael-s-catholic-parish-thirroul

Parent Support Transitioning Back to School

Last week we sent out a link to a video interview between Mrs Hughes and Ms Kerrie Paul the school counsellor. The video has some practical advice and strategies to assist you as parents but also the children to return back to school.

Information Updates

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has launched a new COVID-19 Information Centre on its website. It is the best place to find the latest information about CEDoW's systemic response to COVID-19.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong continues to receive advice from NSW Health, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), and other agencies to ensure our processes and plans are in line with best practice and the latest expert advice.

At this stage, there has been no direction from government or CSNSW to close any schools, except in response to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in a student or staff member. All CEDoW schools, including ours, continue to operate as normal, subject to the directives outlined on the COVID-19 Information Centre webpage.

We will continue to provide you with updates if the situation changes and as soon as new information becomes available.

CatholicCare Support

Kinder enrolment interviews began this week, I thoroughly enjoy meeting all the smiling faces, new and existing families. It is an exciting time as we already begin to prepare for the next chapter of our St Michael’s community.

2021 Kindergarten Enrolment Forms are still available from the school office if you need one. You may also access the forms from our school website. We look forward to welcoming siblings and new families to our wonderful community.

The enrolment package is available from our school or online at www.dow.catholic.edu.au

STUDENT WELLBEING

As students started to return to school this week, all staff had a primary focus on the wellbeing of each student. Each class engaged in a variety of activities that had a theme of wellbeing and helping students articulate how they were feeling. Staff were very eager to ensure that all students had a great return to school. Positive impacts were felt across all classes with an emphasis of happy students. A brain in pain can not learn! It was lovely to see all students reconnecting with their class teachers and fellow class members. Smiles all round. 

The playground has been a hive of activity, albeit looking very different without equipment. Structured games were provided by teachers to ensure that students were kept active and occupied. Some of the activities that students participated in or can expect later are: hop scotch, I spy (fitness), Simon says, funny running, fitness relays/circuit and paper, scissors, rock face off to name just a few. For those who were not into the activities, it was a great time to catch up with friends. 

If you know that your child is feeling overwhelmed and displaying anxious behaviours, please make sure that you let the class teachers know. 

Mrs Ronelle Peardon - Middle Leader 1

TERM 2 P & F GENERAL MEETING

Please note that the P&F Term 2 GM will be on Thursday 21st May at 7pm via Zoom. Please forward agenda items to pandf@smtdow.catholic.edu.au.

The Zoom link will be shared to families prior to this meeting via the Compass App.

Thank you.