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Dear Parents and Carers,
This week sees another release of changes and directives that schools need to adhere to. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the parent community for your continuous understanding and adapting to the constant changes as they come our way. It is always very much appreciated.
I would also like to thank the staff for their flexibility and their diligence in maintaining a high standard with the hygiene and safety procedures in place. The new directives this week have had a significant impact on how we operate internally with all professional development no longer permitted. Again our teachers have adapted quickly and we have explored creative ways that we can continue to work on improving our practice and providing quality learning with the support of each other.
In times like these it can sometimes be challenging to remain positive and maintain an optimistic outlook. A time where a focus on one’s mental health and well-being is so important. However we have certainly learnt that we can only focus on the things we can control. I am continually reminded of the privilege it is to be a part of this wonderful community, we sincerely feel the support of our parent community and the staff truly support each other and look out for each other. It is this sense of community in a time where being physically together is no longer permitted that lifts the spirits and reminds us of the good in people.
Enjoy this little quirky poem from Michael Leunig about one’s mental health and well-being and the importance of friends and family.
God Bless,
Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal
Whole School Mary MacKillop Prayer Service Via Zoom
On Friday, August 7 we celebrated the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Some of the leaders of Living the Faith and Father Ken assisted in this wonderful celebration.
The Assumption of Mary Liturgy Via Zoom - Hosted by Year 3
On Tuesday August 18 we came together to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary. We celebrate Mary’s passing from this world into the glory of God. Mary was a person of faith and trust who loved her son Jesus, even when he did things she didn’t understand. We pray that we walk in Mary’s shoes and learn to be people of faith and hope willing to trust in God. Thank you to Mr Novak and Year 3 for this beautiful liturgy via Zoom.
Vinnies COVID-19
Winter Appeal
Vinnies St Micheal's Thirroul is now undertaking its annual winter appeal and seeking your financial contribution to qassir those in need within our community.This year as a result of COVID-19, many more are suffering from economic hardship, social isolation, homelessness and mental health issues. Please help Vinnies to provide support to those in our community by daunting via the below link:
St Michael Thirroul Vinnies Winter Appeal in Fundraise your way
All donations over $2 are tax deductible and your receipt will be automatically processed and sent via email.
Thank you for your support!
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).
PARENTS can access on this site: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/clem-spiritual-formation/spiritual-formation/parents
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR YEAR 2 STUDENTS
Students in Year 2 or older are encouraged to enrol for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.
Enrolments for First Reconciliation and First Communion close on 10 September.
Enrolment Forms may be downloaded from our Parish website: click here
Please return completed Enrolment Forms to the Parish Office – not to the school office. The format for 2020 will depend on NSW Government Health Regulations.
Please enrol, and emails will be sent to those enrolled as to how preparation and celebration of these Sacraments will take place in 2020. Please enrol by 10 September 2020.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR YEAR 6 STUDENTS
If you want your son/daughter in Year 6 to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, Sacrament of Confirmation, you need to enrol them ASAP – check the Parish website.
Books and Books are Needed by Vinnies
Vinnies has a huge demand for books in this present pandemic environment. If you have any good reading books, please drop them into the Vinnies bin in the church grounds, or drop them in to the sacristy or Parish Office. Thanks for your generosity.
Baptisms at Thirroul
If you want your child baptised in our Parish, please contact the Parish Office so that a suitable time can be organised for the celebration – currently baptisms will not be held during the weekend Masses.
Book Week 2020
The theme for Book Week 2020 is ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’. This year St Michael's will be celebrating Book Week on Friday 23rd October. To celebrate this wonderful occasion we are inviting all students from Kinder to Year 6 to come dressed as their favourite book character or around the theme of 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ (STRICTLY no props - e.g.: sword, wand etc due to covid). There will be no parade or visitors on site this year as we still have our covid restrictions in place.
In the coming weeks students will be reading shortlisted picture books during their library time and doing an activity that Mrs Medina has organised. On our Book Week celebration Day (Friday, Term 4, Week 2) teachers are organising an activity based on their allocated book. There will also be a raffle ticket lucky door prize for every class! The winners will receive a book!
Grandparents Day
We usually celebrate Grandparents Day in conjunction with book week - having open classrooms and a lovely liturgy. This is such a beautiful time for both our grandparents and students but unfortunately at this time, health restrictions prevent us from doing so. This year we will be doing something a little bit different to thank and celebrate our wonderful grandparents.
Updated / Revised / New Directives in relation to Covid-19
Major changes to our COVID-19 protocols:
This week NSW Health released further restrictions and directives that schools must follow to maintain the health and safety of everyone, students, staff and parents. A summary of this was sent home this week. Please find below a repeat of these directives.
- Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, students and staff are required to be free of symptoms AND present a negative COVID-19 test, which must be sighted by the school, before they can return to school.
- Students will now stay within their relevant cohort (i.e. class, year group or stage) for all learning activities.
- Schools cannot travel outside of their geographic region, including for all inter-school activities.
- Student activities at offsite locations are no longer allowed, except in very limited circumstances (i.e. inter-school activities within our region and day field trips to outdoor locations within walking distance of the school).
- Participants in attendance at inter-school sport and physical activities must be limited to 100 people per venue, including staff.
- Singing, chanting and use of wind instruments in group settings is not permitted (Band has ceased until further notice)
- Assemblies are limited to stage groups (primary) and year groups (secondary) and cannot run for longer than 15 minutes. (As a school we will continue with the short assemblies every fortnight via zoom)
- Only incursions/external providers essential to curriculum delivery are permitted.
- Community groups using school facilities must now have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- Playgroups – including Transition to School Through Play – are not permitted.
- P&F meetings must be held online and P&F social events are not permitted.
- Parent/teacher meetings must be held online, except in very limited circumstances.
- School formals, dances, graduation and other social events are not permitted.
- All professional development undertaken by staff will be online, except where compliance depends on a face-to-face component, and there will be no mixing of staff from different schools.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding as we implement and follow the updated directives.
COVID-19 Catholic Education Information Centre
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.
We will continue to provide you with updates if the situation changes and as soon as new information becomes available.
Stage 2 iPad Information Night
Next Thursday 27th August is the Stage 2, 2021, 1:1 ipad parent information night. This is for parents of students currently in Year 2 and Year 3. As this is a new approach it is important that at least one parent from each family is able to attend via zoom. It will begin at 6.30pm. We look forward to sharing this initiative with you.
Stage 3, 2021, 1:1 iPad night will be later on in the term.
School Site - Update on Current and Future Works
At the recent P&F meeting I shared some current and upcoming works to be completed at the school. We certainly have some exciting projects planned before the end of the year.
Front Garden
The front school garden was given a significant clean up in the last holiday break and some new plants that are appropriate for school settings were planted. It is part of a 2 year approach to beautify the front aspect of the school.
BasketBall Court
We are finally seeing the basketball court being relayed and fixed in order to provide a safe, even and up to date playing surface for our students. The significant rain we have experienced this term was certainly an inconvenience in being able to complete this project on time.
Year 5 Classroom Space
The year 5 classrooms are in need of significant refurbishment and updating. It is anticipated that in the next school holidays the rooms will receive a considerable upgrade. This includes removal of outdated cabinet work, new carpet, installation of pinboards and whiteboards, a double opening door in between the 2 rooms, the installation of a new wet area in both rooms, painting and environmentally friendly electrical. In addition the CEO has agreed to also fund new contemporary furniture to match the refurbished rooms.
Lighting throughout the school
Before the end of the year, the lighting in all classrooms, library, toilets and canteen will be replaced and upgraded to be energy efficient. This will significantly reduce our environmental footprint and also reduce the school’s electricity bill.
Top Playground
The top playground will be resurfaced to provide an even playing space for the students, eliminating the safety hazards that are currently present. This is currently in the design phase with the estimated time of completion by December this year.
A sincere thank you to the P&F and you the parent community for the funding needed to complete such a task.
I look forward to being able to share photos of the completed works with you as they become available.
Creative Arts News
‘The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."
Albert Einstein
This fortnight’s "Creative Corner” is our amazing Year 3 students sharing their wonderful creativity in the processes of creating ‘Girl in The Mirror’ inspired artwork by Pablo Picasso.
The Christmas Story, Art Exhibition and Competition 2020
Key Dates:
- Selected artworks due to CEO by Friday 18th September
- Shortlisting of artworks - Monday 22nd September
- Judging of artworks 4th October
- Installation of artworks - Thursday 5th October
- Exhibition Opening Night - Wednesday, 14th October - 5-7pm (Depending on Restrictions)
- Exhibition open to public - Saturday 7th October - Wednesday 25th October (Depending on Restrictions)
The start of Term 3, students from St Michael’s in Years 5 and 6 have been busy through the process of ‘breaking open’ Scripture, students bring their understanding of the Scriptures of Advent and Christmas to artistic expression. They illustrate their understanding of the themes of our faith story through art.
The Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Art competition for 2020 is in alignment with Stage 3 English, Creative Arts and Religious Education Syllabuses. This is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney to celebrate and explore children’s creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story. The exhibition and competition provides the opportunity for teachers to select artworks from Years 5 and 6 to share with the wider community and create a greater awareness of the role of the arts in Religious Education. Students will develop a deeper appreciation for their talents and recognise the value of the arts in expressing understandings of the Catholic faith.
Exhibition Opening - The judges are again looking for artworks that reflect an understanding and interpretation of one of the scripture verses that also includes authentic imagery from the time of Jesus. The best 50 artworks which have responded to the criteria will be hung in the Wollongong City Art Gallery. The exhibition will open on Wednesday 7th October and will run until Sunday 25th October. (Depending on Restrictions)
To Enter - Each school is invited to select a maximum of six artworks (three from Year 5 and three from Year 6) for the exhibition and competition:
- Quality of presentation is a criterion for selection and awarding of prizes.
- Each artwork must be framed to comply with exhibition guidelines of the Wollongong Art Gallery (Please do not mount artworks in frames with glass). Artworks can be painted on a stretched canvas or a canvas board or mounted on foam-core within the frame. (Individually purchased)
- Diptych, triptych and other multiple-image artworks MUST be mounted on one board. (Individually purchased)
- Minimum size for artwork is 30cm x 40cm; maximum size is 80cm x 120cm.
- Artworks may be landscape or portrait mode.
- Each artwork entry must have a separate printed copy of the CEOW entry template attached to the back of the work.
Helpful Resource:
The link below provides helpful ideas and activities for parents to do at home in creative learning and development: creative play, arts and crafts, digital media, drama, music, dance, movement and creative writing for primary school-age children.
Please feel free to contact me via the school office, if you have any questions or queries. Thank you
Mrs Paula Jackson – Creative Arts Teacher
SPLICED NEWS
Our students completing this year's SPLICED program continue to work hard on their projects. Last week a group of students engaged in a workshop at school where they were able to spend time developing their art works. While the students still have a way to go, they are producing some fantastic work and we can't wait to see the end results later this year.
PB4L Update:
Explicit teaching of expected behaviours
Our expected behaviour videos have been received well by the students and have complimented the explicit teaching of behaviours. In weeks two and three our focus was on lining up and leaving our assembly area. It has been very positive to see the students taking on board the expected behaviours braided into our three school rules: Take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of this place.
In weeks four and five, we have had a focus on wearing our school uniform. Thank you to all the parents who send their children to school dressed in the correct SMT apparel. Our explicit teaching has provided students with a framework of wearing our uniform with pride. School shirts are tucked in, we wear our hat and tie and we are neat and tidy.
Please view our video that the students have been watching to support the expectations of wearing the school uniform.
Mrs Ronelle Peardon - Middle Leader 1
Congratulations to the students who have received the following awards:
Prinicpals Awards
- Nieve Smith
- Sienna Paduch
- Audrey Foran
- Sophia Lamberger
Gold Award
- Nieve Smith
- Audrey Foran
- Sophia Lamberger
St Michael's Blue
- Nieve Smith
- Sophia Lamberger
