Dear Parents and Carers,

This last 2 weeks have been a special time for our Year 6 students as they have celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation that links with Baptism and Holy Communion. It is an articulation of being blessed with the Holy Spirit and how they can share their gifts with others. This was also further explored when the students took part in Activate Fire, please see Miss Groves’ write up of the retreat day for some great photos.

We have kept our Year 6 students in our thoughts and prayers as they are filled with the Holy Spirit and called to carry out God’s mission in the way they express their faith through their actions. I would like to thank Miss Cole and Miss Groves who have supported our students through their journey.

This week we have also celebrated and acknowledged NAIDOC week with the theme for this year being “Always Was, Always Will Be”. A significant time to reflect and recognise that the First Nations people have cared for and cultivated this land for over 65 000 years. This week Miss Riolo has supported staff and students to engage in some great activities to learn more about NAIDOC week and it’s significance.

God Bless

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

Mission Day - CRAZY SOCK DAY 

Thank you for your encouragement, support and involvement in our Mission Month 'Crazy Sock Day' fundraiser and Liturgy. The money raised will be sent to Catholic Mission in order to help empower children and young adults with disabilities at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia, which provides vital care for those who would otherwise have limited opportunities or support to lead a fulfilling life.

 Parent Spirituality 

PODCAST LINKS:

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

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

First Penance and First Communion

Dear Parents of those enrolled for First Penance and First Communion Firstly, thank you for enrolling your son/daughter in these Sacraments. With the Covid-19 restrictions, there have been delays and, of course, complications. In addition, on medical advice, Ken has to take a break for a number of weeks, having had the major operation earlier in the year. Consequently, so as to avoid any rush, it has been decided to postpone both Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion until 2021. Sorry about this, but I trust you will understand the circumstances. In the meantime, Andrew will be looking after things in the Parish. Office hours etc. will be as usual. Ken Cafe ofm

Activate Fire 

St Michael's Year 6 were involved in the Activate Fire Formation Experience on Monday 2 November, 2020. The day was an Immersive Spiritual Experience based on the Yr 6 unit Confirmation: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Joel Duval from the Catholic Education Office and Miss Cole facilitated the day with assistance from Mrs Hughes and Mr Bryce. 

On Wednesday 11th November our school participatied in a zoom Remembrance service from 10:30am -11am. Students from Years K to 6 were involved in the service. 

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Congratulations to the 32 Candidates who are being confirmed this year between 31 October and 12 November.  Congratulations to Kody G;  Sienna H;  Tyla G;  Zoe W;  Ava A;  Zali N;  Shelby R;  AJ D;  Rory M;  Emmanuel O;  Joshua K;  Stella W;  Sara T;  Michaela L;  Kalani P;  Mila C;  Anabel G;  Joel E;  Elena O;  Ciaran S;  Layla B;  Jessica S;  Destiny A;  Violet J;  Isabella H;  Sandon R;  Lauren A;  William E;  Oliver H;  Zoe M;  Kalan T;  Cooper M.  Thank you to the Candidates, parents, sponsors and families during this somewhat difficult year.  Please remember these Candidates before the Lord, especially during the next week or so.

Liturgy with Bishop Brian 

“Today we celebrate that life is an adventure, you’re not alone and God is with you always” 

On Tuesday November 17, Week 6 Year 6 will come together to celebrate a special liturgy with a video featuring Bishop Brian Mascord. As the students primary school adventure is coming to a close and their high school adventure is just around the corner, Bishop Brian will remind the students that they are not alone and that along with their friends someone else – very special, is always with them - God. 

Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co Ordinator

Term 4 Assemblies

On Friday of week 4 we came together for our fortnightly zoom assembly. The wonderful Miss Riolo and our Year 6 leaders facilitated this assembly and did an amazing job. 

Our fortnightly assemblies will continue to run on a Friday in weeks 6 and 8. We look forward to continuing to come together as a whole school to recognise and share the wonderful work and achievements of our students both academically and pastorally. 

Professional Learning Update 

This term our staff have come together to collaboratively develop an agreed practice for our literacy block. Over two days we unpacked the elements of our literacy block and planned ways that we can ensure teaching and learning experiences are contextual, cohesive and targeted to student needs. Our School Review and Improvement (SRI) goals around reading and writing over the past three years provided a great foundation to collaboratively construct our agreed practice. Our agreed practice is still in draft form with a planned consultation process at the end of the term to make some final refinements. Throughout 2021 this will be a framework for all teachers, and used to ascertain and drive further professional learning. 

We are extremely proud of the shifts in practice as a result of our professional learning and the impact this has had on student learning. We look forward to continuing to grow and learn together through our ongoing professional learning.

Mr James Bryce - Assistant Principal

Kinder Orientation

This week we were able to hold a modified Kindergarten orientation for our wonderful students starting next year. They have all been so brave, excited and enthusiastic in coming to the school to meet new friends and to meet Mrs Kelly their teacher. We have truly enjoyed having them with us this week and starting to learn more about them.

School Uniform

As we head towards the end of the year the standard of the school uniform can sometimes slip. I ask that we continue to work together to maintain the high standard of uniform right to the end. In particular school shoes, a reminder that school shoes are supposed to be black leather shoes, canvas shoes such as Vans, Converse are not acceptable as a part of the school uniform. If your child is using these as their school shoes either a sport day or normal school uniform please ensure that they return to wearing their black leather shoes or ensure that they begin the year next year with the correct shoes. Thank you for your cooperation.

SPLICED 2020 Update 

Last Wednesday some of our students from Years 2 to 6 took part in a SPLICED workshop at school to continue to work on their 2020 projects. The students had a very successful day with a variety of artworks, written work and digital presentations being completed. We look forward to sharing the students final projects with the school community via a St Michael’s SPLICED website in the next few weeks.

Mrs Shari Mayo

Young Agents for Change- Mini Youth Incubator Challenge

‘Eco warriors’

Year 6 Students: Jessica S, Sara T, Kalani P, Isabella H and Mila C

Recently, we had two special days learning about how we can be Young Agents for Change and find solutions to help save the environment. We were selected to join girls from 8 different high schools to further develop our ideas from the Wollongong Catholic Diocese Design Challenge. We chose to do a ‘Save The Ocean Challenge’ titled ‘Eco Warriors’, because we are all deeply connected to the ocean. The beach is our home and we have seen the damaging effect that plastic is having on our ocean. 

Our challenge was to take our original design idea and turn it into a social enterprise. We came up with the solution of a ‘Saint Michael’s 6 Week Challenge, where each class is encouraged to use the least plastic possible. At the end of the week we see who has the least plastic. Over time we would collect the plastic waste that we do have and work with a professional team to help us transform this waste into snazzy recycled plastic bracelets that people could purchase to fund our challenge. Our solution also involves education for students in our school about the damaging effects of plastic waste on our oceans.

Throughout the two days we engaged in masterclasses and mentoring sessions with mentors who helped us transform our ideas. We learned about social enterprising, designing a prototype, branding, and marketing for a target audience and customer. We now understand how to draw ideas from other already made websites like Precious Plastic. We have also learnt about what plastics can be remoulded and repurposed in a sustainable and safe way. We had so much fun doing this challenge for something we really care about.

Volunteer for cleanups at the beach and in our community. You can get involved in protecting our beach too!

Miss Claire Cole - Yr 6 Teacher

Creative Arts News                                         

‘Creativity is nothing, but a mind set free’

Torrie T. Asai

This fortnight’s "Creative Corner” is our amazing Kindergarten students, sharing their wonderful creativity in the processes of creating their fabulous ‘Silhouette Artwork’ conveying living and non- living things and their arrangements of dance. Students demonstrating  their awareness of body parts, control over movement, balance and expressive qualities.

Mrs Paula Jackson - Creative Arts Teacher

Virtual Book Fair

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions we were unable to hold our annual Book Fair at school this year, however we have some exciting news as we will be holding a Virtual Book Fair in conjuction with Collins Booksellers, Thirroul. A wish list of books and information on how to access the Book Fair will be communicated in the coming weeks.

PB4L Update

All staff at St Michael’s promote positive behaviours, which are embedded in our three school rules; take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of this place. I have been reflecting on the year that we have had and the hurdles that we all have had to overcome and as a whole school, we have approached the promotion of positive behaviours proactively to ensure that each child can develop in the best version of themselves. Relationships can at times become strained towards the end of the school year as students tire. St Michael’s staff 

implement various strategies to ensure the wellbeing of each and every student. Some of the strategies that are implemented are role playing, social stories or class discussion that promote how to maintain healthy relationships with peers. Many classes have had a focus on this over the last few weeks, however, that is not to say that these issues are not addressed at other times during the year. ‘Taking care of others’ is simply promoting this respectful behaviour through the relationships that we build on a daily basis. Building positive relationships is crucial for students to be able to engage in a learning environment that encourages students to expand their capacities and deepen their knowledge and understandings. If you feel that your child has some issues with peer relationships, please inform their class teacher.

Mrs Ronelle Peardon - Middle Leader 2 (acting)

NAIDOC WEEK

This week we are celebrating NAIDOC Week.

Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists. NAIDOC Week 2020 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story didn’t begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 with Captain James Cook, or in 1606 with the arrival of the Dutch on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula. The very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations people.

NAIDOC 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations. It’s about seeing, hearing and learning the First Nations’ 65,000-plus year history of this country - which is Australian history.

This week students are engaging in activities around this year's NAIDOC theme. On Friday afternoon students will come together over zoom, with each class sharing their learning from the week. 

 Miss Emma Riolo - Middle Leader 1 (acting)

Sports News

Congraulations to the following students who were successful in the recent sports trials.

Congratulations to the students who received the following awards:

Prinicpals Awards

• Baden Balding
• Charles Squires
• Eva Davies

Gold Awards:

• Eva Davies

St Michael's Blue Award:

• Eva Davies

P & F General Meeting

Please find the link below of the Minutes from last week's P & F General Meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zJE1tj0jO0YyvWgiZdUKeBrE3LZMnDOu/view?usp=sharing