I wanted to share some developments around The Leader in Me program, which we have been working with over the past 10 years at St Michael’s.

As you know, the program has provided us with a good framework to focus on specific habits, leadership and life skills for students. 

As we continually reflect and evaluate our school journey and look towards our future direction, the time has come to explore other avenues and opportunities to foster life long learners and positive contributors to our community, other than The Leader in Me.

This means we will be no longer be using the framework or the specific ‘habits’ which are licensed to the program, however these are well-embedded in our school culture and our students will have other ways to explore these, and other values, to support their wellbeing and learning. 

We have already progressed from goal setting using data notebooks to demonstrating learning in other ways, such as See Saw, which provides a better and broader picture of students learning goals, progress and immediate feedback for students, staff and parents. 

Due to the specific licensing restrictions we will need to remove the signage and other references to the program, including the presentation of TLIM awards, but we will continue to explore ways to display our own school-based values, goals and recognise student achievement and growth. 

In addition to the student leadership opportunities we currently have in place such as Year 6 leadership groups, we will also be looking at other avenues to develop student leadership skills and activities. 

While the program has offered a valuable framework, these changes will enable us to look at new ways to better support our students’ current and future needs.

If you have any questions, I’d be very happy to speak with you. 

God Bless

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

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. 

Parent Spirituality 

Ripples! 

Episode 14: The Story Behind RUOK Day with Josie Larkin (Josie is the daughter of Gavin Larkin, the founder of RUOK Day. She is 19 years of age and is an extraordinary young woman with a very important message.)

PODCAST LINKS:

LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au

APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CathEd.DoW/videos/649600145674930/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CEV65G0g0M-/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CathEd_DoW/status/1298500935610556417

Messages from Father Ken 

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.

Samaritan’s Purse:  Operation Christmas Child  

Operation Christmas Child hand delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children in many countries who have nothing.  Thailand, New Guinea and Cambodia are among those countries.  Thirroul Catholic Women’s League combines with Austinmer Uniting Church Fellowship to fill shoeboxes.   Please, if you can, lend your support to this outreach:  gifts and donations to enable boxes to be filled for boys and girls aged 2yrs to 14yrs. 

Items required are … face washers;  soap [not liquid];  hair clips;  toothbrushes;  skipping ropes;  coloured pencils;  lead pencils;  biro pens;  pencil sharpeners;  erasers;  chalk [ask an oldie to tell you what that is!]  NB all items must be new.

On each weekend until 4 October there will be a tub for the items in the sacristy for your donations – or drop your gifts into the Parish Office.  Thank you for your generosity.

St Francis of Assisi:  Feast Day, Sunday, 4 October

Saint Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to following the Gospel, after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the church of San Damiano and live in poverty.  Born in Italy about 1181, Saint Francis was renowned for drinking and partying in his youth.  After fighting in a battle between the towns of Assisi and Perugia, Francis was captured and imprisoned for ransom.  He spent nearly a year in prison — awaiting his father’s payment.  Francis preached and taught a new kind of emotional and personal Christian religion that everyday people could understand.  He even went so far as to preach to animals, which garnered criticism from some and earned him the nickname “God’s fool.”  During his life he also developed a deep love of nature and animals and is known as the patron saint of the environment and animals.  His life and words have had a lasting resonance with millions of followers across the globe.

Blessing of Animals:  Monday, 5 October, 9:30am++

The annual Blessing of Animals will be held on the long weekend in October, from 9:30am onwards to 11:00am on Monday, 5 October.  All animals are welcome.  This year, because of social distancing regulations, all animals must keep two paws apart.  You may bring your pets anytime between 9:30am and 11:00am so as to maintain social distancing [especially between the lions and sheep].

On 4 October, people all over the world will be celebrating the feast day of the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi.  It is customary that in remembrance of St Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, animals are led to churches for a special ceremony called the “Blessing of the Animals.”  Every year, millions of animals are blessed by priests/friars in a ceremony that touches the hearts of most of those in attendance.

 Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator

Assemblies

“If you can’t think of anything nice to say you’re not thinking hard enough . ”

Kid president

This fortnight our wonderful Year 6 leaders William and Jessica led our school community in another motivational assembly. Our focus for the fortnight was to be mindful of our choice of words in order to create positivity and happiness in the lives of others. As a school we viewed a short and funny video clip by Kid President that outlined 20 things we should say more often. We then had a chance to reflect on the impact our words have on the lives of others. The purpose of this component of the assembly was to provide reminders and beautiful examples of the ways in which we can live and support others to lead fulfilling lives. We look forward to engaging with the school community in our final assembly for the term in week 10.

Mr James Bryce - Assistant Principal

Students coming to school with an injury

If a child comes to school with an injury that prevents them from being on the playground or restricts them from certain school activities, it is a CEO requirement that medical documentation is provided that clearly outlines; 

• The nature of the injury
• The timeframe that the restrictions are in place for
• Confirmation of the activities that the child is able to participate in or is restricted to participate in

We appreciate your understanding with this as our priority is to keep everyone safe.

School Fun Day - Sports

This year has certainly thrown some unexpected challenges for our students, one of them not being able to participate in school carnivals and gala days. To provide the children with a sense of what this may have been like we will be holding a Sports Fun Day on Thursday 24 September (Week 10). The children will rotate between sporting activities within their stage groups. This allows us to still adhere to our restrictions but also provide some fun for the students. All children will wear their school sports uniform on this day so that they can fully participate.

Summer Uniform

Our official change over date to summer uniform is Monday 12 October, Week 1, Term 4. If the heat increases parents may use their discretion in Week 10 of this term. Please refer to the Lowes website or Wollongong store if you need any summer uniform items. 

Car Pick Up and Drop Off

As a school we are very fortunate to have the car pick up and drop off available for our parent community. I would ask that you please follow the council and school regulations associated with this zone.

• Please do not arrive too early as parking is not allowed
• If there is no space for your vehicle to pull into the area, you must drive around the block (this is to avoid traffic congestion)
• Please remain in your car when children are leaving your car or entering the car
• In the morning it is a drop off zone only, please drive off once your children have entered the school grounds

For the safety of everyone involved and the consideration of the community we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these regulations.

P&F News

Tomorrow Friday 18 September is a mufti day. Please bring in a gold coin donation that will go towards the replacement of the protective equipment on the poles in our playground. 

A reminder that all students must still wear a hat, wear appropriate clothing (no singlets or short shorts) and closed in shoes.

Creativity is nothing, but a mind set free’

Torrie T. Asai

This fortnight’s "Creative Corner” is our wonderful students from Years 5 and 6 who have been extremely busy sketching, drawing, designing and painting their Christmas Art ready for the Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Art Competition and Exhibition. All artworks this year were outstanding in meeting the artistic appreciation of the marking criteria and it’s my pleasure to be able to share their work with our school and the wider community.

After a lengthy judging process including prospective St Michael’s staff, we are very pleased to announce three students from Year 5 and three students from Year 6 who’s Christmas Artwork represented a very high quality of artistic appreciation of the marking criteria and will be forward to the CEO.

Congratulations to,

Year 5: Audrey M, Isabelle W, Monique S

Year 6: Zoe Mc, Layla B, Isabella H

This year the Christmas Art Competition will be allowing participating students to engage in the 2020 Christmas Story Art Competition and the Exhibition’s Official opening during the current COVID restrictions. This virtual event will be premiered on YouTube from 7.00pm on 14 October and will provide a unique opportunity for students to gather with family and friends to join in the celebrations and announcement of the official awards and finalists. It is intended to be a novel and fun way to celebrate the artistic achievement of students across our Diocese. Following this virtual event, a video recording of the celebration and the announcements will be made available to schools for students or staff who are unable to view on the night. The virtual event on YouTube will be available on  www.dow.catholic.edu.au/christmas-art  and will be shared via the school Compass week 1 of Term 4, for your convenience. 

There will be a selection of finalists from Year 5 and Year 6 who, along with the major award winners, will proceed to the Sydney Catholic School Competition and Exhibition to be held at Notre Dame University in December. 

There will be three major awards presented this year: 

• The Bishop’s Choice Award selected and presented by Bishop Brian Mascord to an entry that most powerfully represents the Christmas Message. 
• The Director’s Christmas Story Award selected and presented by Peter Hill the Director of Schools to an entry that best expresses the essence of Christmas and the message of peace, hope and joy. 
• The CatholicCare Star of Hope Award selected and presented by Michael Austin the Director of CatholicCare Wollongong to an entry that best reflects the sense of wonder and possibility of Christmas, inspiring positive action. 

The exhibition will be open at the Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli St, Wollongong

which includes a week of the student vacation period. Due to COVID restrictions only from 7-25 October 20 people will be able to view the exhibition at the one time. You are most welcome to attend the gallery but may experience wait times for entry. The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Friday 10.00am-5.00pm and Saturday and Sunday 12.00-4.00pm.

Please feel free to contact me via the school office, if you have any questions or queries. 

Mrs  Paula Jackson – Creative Arts Classroom Teacher

Academy of Enterprising  Girls and Young Change Agents design thinking challenge

On Thursday the 6th of August our Year 6 girls took part in the Academy of Enterprising  Girls and Young Change Agents design thinking challenge. There were 9 schools involved from Year 5-Year 10 including our Year 6 girls. The challenge on the day was an environmental themed challenge. The girls were split into groups of 5 to come up with a question around the topic ‘environment’ and then the girls needed to come up with solutions to the problem. From the list of solutions created, each group needed to come up with their own prototype which was an example of how the solutions will be put in place to address the environmental issue. Our groups came up with amazing and creative ideas including the ‘Save the Ocean Challenge’, the ‘Rubbish for Reward’ and ‘Earth Sisters’. The judging panel then selected those groups who made it through to the next Youth Incubator Challenge which will be held via Zoom. Excitingly, our group ‘Save the Ocean Challenge’ was selected to go through to the next level to give them the opportunity to further develop their idea through masterclass, activities and mentoring in early Term 4. 

Congratulations to the efforts and design thinking from all of the girls! Well done to Sara T, Kalani P, Jessica S, Mila C and Isabella H on your successful selection. 

Miss Claire Cole - Year 6 teacher

Congratulations to the student who received the following award:

Prinicpals Awards

• Jessica S
• Ariah C

What to expect? 

Our NETFIT clinics offer netballers of all skill levels the opportunity to experience life like elite netballer.