Filter Content
The P&F AGM, General Meeting and Welcome Picnic this evening.
We would love to see exisiting and new families join us. Please bring a picnic to share with your family. A movie will be on in the hall for children whilst the P&F General Meeting and AGM are being held in the Year 5 classroom. Picnic from 5pm, Movie from 5.45pm, General Meeting at 6pm, Finish by 7.30pm. Hope to see you there!
Important Reminders
Our morning and afternoon procedures are designed to ensure that students arrive and leave school safely. See below important information about Car Pick Up. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these procedures.
- Students should enter the car from the kerbside. It is not safe for students to enter vehicles on the driver’s side as passing cars are very close
- Ensure that your surname sign is on display when pulling up at the kerb
- If there is no room to enter the pick up zone drivers must do a lap around the block and return
- Please do not use this area for parking
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2019
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have officially begun the season of Lent, as we begin this journey I would like to take this opportunity to share an excerpt from the Pope’s Lenten message for 2019 for your own prayer and reflection.
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)
Dear brothers and sisters, the “lenten” period of forty days spent by the Son of God in the desert of creation had the goal of making it once more that garden of communion with God that it was before original sin (cf. Mk 1:12-13; Is 51:3). May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be “set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21).
Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming power to all of creation.
Thank you
At St Michael’s we celebrated CSW with an assembly and visits to classrooms to showcase student learning. Thanks to the parents and friends who were able to attend our Catholic Schools Week celebration last Friday. Thank you to teachers for preparing the students and to the Leaders of Living the Faith Team led by Miss Groves for planning and organizing our celebration.
God Bless
Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal
Thank you for joining our Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools across the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands, and Catholic school communities across NSW, in celebrating Catholic Schools Week for 2019. It's been a wonderful week of open days, activities, masses, liturgies and other special events - including the Diocesan Education Mass, which was a significant highlight of CSW. Read more about the Mass and listen to Director of Schools, Peter Turner's speech here.
Catholic Schools Week has showcased some of the fantastic things happening in our schools every day, and has very much highlighted our local Catholic schools - including yours! - as vibrant places of learning, faith, hope and opportunity. Thank you for your involvement.
We'd like to share with you our small Catholic Schools Week video that has been promoted throughout last week. Can you spot the students from your school in this video?
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred by Bishop Brian on Wednesday(26/6) & Thursday (27/6) 2019 to Year 6 (or older) students.
Enrolment Forms for the Sacrament of Confirmation close on 13, May 2019. To download an enrolment form go to the St Michael’s Parish website (thirroul@dow.org.au) and return it to the Parish Office.
Catholic Schools Week
Thank you everyone for all your help, assistance and involvement during Catholic Schools Week. It is an important celebration for all who have a stake in our schools and we were able to focus on strengthening relationships and sharing in the joy of the unique and distinctive character of our Catholic School, St Michael’s.
Diocesan Education Mass
One of the key events of Catholic Schools Week is our Diocesan Education Mass. Last Thursday night the staff of St Michael’s joined Bishop Brian at the Annual Diocesan Education Mass at Fairy Meadow.
During the Mass we celebrated the service and dedication of staff to the learning and faith formation of the students and young people in our care.
It was a very special night for our newly appointed principal Belinda Hughes, who was formally appointed to the role of Principal by the Director of Schools, Peter Turner and the Bishop of Wollongong Diocese, Bishop Brian Mascord. This was an extremely special night for Belinda and she was surrounded by the love and support of her family and the St Michael’s staff. We congratulate and wish Belinda all the best with this significant appointment.
Caritas Guest Speaker
The students got to listen to Monica Ward-McCann from Caritas Australia. She spoke to Years 2 - 6 about Project Compassion and how we can make a difference to our neighbours. The students learnt about where the money would go from our water relay.
Water Relay for Project Compassion
During our water relay we were able to raise awareness and funds for the thousands of children, women and men around the world who have to cover many kilometres each day for basic necessities like food, water, education or healthcare.
Thank you to everyone who brought in a donation on this day! We raised $506.75 which is enough to provide educational resources and teacher assistance for a child in Vietnam living with a disability so they can attend school for a year.
Thank you to staff, St Michael’s families and the living the faith student team for their support. What a generous and thoughtful school community!
On Friday March 8 St Michael’s celebrated our love of learning. Thank you to the parents, families, and parishioners who came to spend the afternoon with us as we hosted our Celebration of Learning.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 6th March Year 6 students attended Ash Wednesday Mass in our Parish Church. They later administered the ashes to each class during a special Liturgy. Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent - time to prepare ourselves for Easter. During Lent we are encouraged to pray, fast and give alms (money, food or clothing) to those in need. As we all know, Jesus retreated into the desert for forty days to prepare for his ministry.
Peace Poster - Year 5 and 6
The Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest has been conducted since 1988 in local schools by encouraging young people of the ages 11, 12 and 13 years to artistically express their visions of peace.
A variety of mediums including charcoal, crayon, pencil and paint can be used to create a unique work that expresses the young artist’s life experiences and culture and spark their imagination around a common theme of Peace. This year’s theme is “JOURNEY OF PEACE“.
Each school selects their top 10 School finalists. The School finalists will be on Public Exhibition at King St Thirroul on Saturday, 7th April, from 9.30 to 4.30pm. Judging will take place on Saturday, 6th April, before the Display is opened to the public. A PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD will be voted on during the Saturday public exhibition. The overall winner and the People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Seaside Festival on Sunday, 7th April. All winning posters will be on display on the Sunday of the festival.
Students from Year 5 and 6 are currently undergoing this artistic process, which will be finalised on March 27th.
Come see our RE Art Display Wall - The brilliant 6 Blue
Upcoming liturgies
- St Joseph's Day Liturgy - Year 5 Liturgy - St Joseph's Day - 2:30pm
- On Tuesday April Tuesday 9th (Week 11) from 2:00-3:00pm we will be acknowledging Holy Week
Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator
Skype interview with author Cressida Cowell
On Friday the 8th of March year 6 watched a video recording of Author Cressida Cowell. She has written and Illustrated the series ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘Wizard of once’. In her interview, she explained how she wrote her books and how she developed her characters. We learnt tips on how to create an engaging and detailed story, and how to create meaningful characters. Some of the tips were;
- Draw a map to start your story
- Base characters on people you know
- Write about things that interest you
- Draw and describe characters on your senses
- Have a hidden meaning in your text
- Base where your story is on holidays you’ve been on and places that you’ve seen.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed this interview and found it helpful and informative. Year six are now developing detailed and interesting narratives based on this interview we watched. Cressida Cowell gave great inspiration. If you would like to watch her interview this is the link:
How to train your dragon https://education.microsoft.com/dragon
Maya Ryan
SPLICED
Our SPLICED students have been working hard, critically thinking about their topic of choice and reflecting and planning on how they will produce their SPLICED project. The students have all engaged in a brainstorming workshop to refine their topics and discussed how they will express the ‘Goodness, Beauty and Truth’ within their topic.
This Thursday a number of our SPLICED students will be attending the first off-site SPLICED workshop at St John’s Primary School, Dapto. This workshop will be run by Mr John Charadia and other specialist tutors to assist the students with their brainstorming, planning, research and commencement of their projects. Then next Thursday the 21st of March all SPLICED students will be involved in a two-hour workshop at St Michael’s, with Mr John Charadia where they will continue working on their projects.
Throughout the term, these students will be given in school opportunities to work with Miss Treble to ask questions or seek guidance on their projects. We look forward to following the development of critical thinking, reflecting and production of work from these students.
Sophie Lyon, Oliver Forte, John Stuart, Darius Hamod, Sophia Lemberger, Daniel Morozov, Lachlan Ferguson, Leon Do, Oscar Lamberger, Daisy Brungs, Audrey Mackey, Arabella Barr, Zoe McNamara, Anabel Gveric, Ciaran Stuart, Harrison Herrman, Charlotte McLeod, Alice Smith, Dylan Lopes De Oliveria, Charlie Lamberger, Sam Garvey-Oakes
Miss Eliza Treble - Middle Leader 2
As many of our families are already aware, we were advised by the arborist last year that the Waiting Tree would need to be removed in the near future so it didn’t become a risk to student or staff safety.
The tree will be removed during Term 1 and will be replaced by a more appropriate tree as part of our Stage One external works project. The tree will be removed on a weekend to avoid any disruption to student learning.
The Waiting Tree holds great significance for our school and in response to suggestions from our community we will be giving the wood to the Thirroul Men’s Shed who will make something special for our sacred space. Not only does recycling the wood from the tree fit with our environmental responsibilities as part of our Sustainable Environment Management Plan (SEMP), it also creates a meaningful memento for our children and staff to enjoy in the years to come.
Another way in which we will commemorate the Waiting Tree, will be by photographing the entire school around the tree prior to its removal. This photo will be framed and kept on display in the school.
Tendering for our Stage One works is being finalised and we will be commencing works in the coming months. I know this project has taken a bit longer than anticipated, but we needed to get more detailed plans developed from our architects for the tendering process. The Catholic Education Office is supporting us to finalise the tendering process and we thank them for their support.
Work for Stage One will be scheduled to ensure the least disruption to the school community and we will advise you prior to the commencement of these works.
If you have any questions about the Waiting Tree please contact the school office.
2020 Kindergartern Enrolments
We are now taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2020. Enrolment interviews are usually held in May. You will receive a letter or phone call during April informing you of a time for you and your child to come in and meet with Mrs Hughes. Written offers of placement will follow at the end of Term 2 (usually in June).
Collaborative Leadership Improving Learning - Professional Learning
This week Miss Treble and I attended the next 2 days in the comprehensive professional learning initiative from the Diocese with a focus on leadership and literacy learning. The 2 days were facilitated by Lyn Sharratt, a world leader in leadership and literacy from Ontario Canada. It was a great opportunity to bring new learnings to the already great things happening at St Michael’s with learning intentions and success criteria.
Parenting Tips Workshop - Term 2
This year we will hold a parenting tips workshop in Term 2 and Term 4. The term 2 workshop will focus on how to help your child navigate friendship issues and conflicts in a way that builds resilience and equips your child with positive strategies that will help them beyond primary school. It will be held on Wednesday 22 May at 2pm. We hope you can join us.
NAPLAN - For Yr 3 & Yr 5 Parents
There will be parent information about the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) sent home to families with students in Yr 3 and Yr 5 in the coming weeks. This year is the first year it will be an online assessment (except for writing in Year 3). The students are participating in guided sessions to familiarise themselves with the new format. Please contact the school if you require further information.
National Day of Action Against Bullying
Friday 15th March is the National Day of Action Against Bullying. It is an opportunity to nationally recognise the things that are being done in schools to counter bullying. The website is a great resource for students, parents and schools. At St Michael’s we will be re-visiting some practical strategies to assist students in making positive choices that help to create a safe environment for all. https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/NationalDay
St. Michael’s Clean Up Day / Clean Up Australia Day
On Monday March 4th, our school community got involved in St. Michael’s Clean Up Day as part of Clean Up Australia Day.
As a part of St Michael’s commitment to Laudato Si, which is an appeal from Pope Francis addressed to "every person living on this planet", we are contributing positively in shaping the future of our planet by caring for our environment.
While the main aim of our clean up was about picking up rubbish in our school it was also a time where students were reminded to pick up rubbish wherever they are, at parks, beaches, rivers and lakes. Every class also took the time to go through our updated visual timetable and bin posters outlining the roles and responsibilities for emptying our 4 coloured bins. The coloured posters in each classroom were revised and discussions were had on what items go in each coloured bin.
Thank you to all staff and students for your enthusiastic involvement in the Clean Up Day.
Also, thank you to staff, students and families for your continual support with all the environmental initiatives at St Michael’s.
Mrs Katie Kelly (WEN – Wollongong Environmental Network Contact)
Exciting Environmental News
At the end of last year we applied for a CEDoW Environmental Education Grant for this year.
We are pleased to let the school community know that our application was successful and we have received $2000.
The purpose of the grant is to support our school community in its journey of ecological conversion, assisting us in specific environmental projects in 2019 that have been strategically planned for and connected to our school’s SEMP (School Environment Management Plan).
In 2019 we would like to focus on:
- streamlining the management of waste in the school canteen area, staffroom and kitchen area at the back of the hall.
- creating a portable garden and managing our compost from our outside compost bins by using it in our garden area.
Mrs Katie Kelly and Miss Emma Groves
Premier's Reading Challenge
This year St Michael's will be involved in the Premier's Reading Challenge again. As in previous years, students in K-2 will participate in the Challenge using their classroom readers. If students in Years 3-6 would like to participate they will need to log on to the website and use their log in details from last year. Usernames and passwords for Year 3 students will be sent home soon. If you have any questions about your log in details please contact Mr Bryce. The challenge runs from Monday, 4 March 2019 and closes for students Friday, 30 August 2019. https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
K-2 Literacy Support
Last Thursday and Friday I attended a two day professional development workshop in MiniLit. MiniLit is a practical, evidence based early literacy program, designed to support young struggling readers through a range of hands on, explicitly taught and teacher supported activities. This intervention program is recommended by the Diocese of Wollongong as an effective approach to supporting young readers.
As part of my role as K-2 Literacy Support teacher this year, I will be working with students to enhance their reading and phonemic awareness skills, by using the structured lessons outlined in the MiniLit program.
MiniLit intervention will be delivered in small group experiences on a needs basis, with consultation with classroom teachers. At the conclusion of the lessons, I will also be supporting teachers by providing additional ideas and learning experiences to assist their students in the classroom.
The support provided through the administration of the MiniLit program will provide alternative reading intervention to the Reading Recovery program used in previous years.
This is an exciting initiative that will aim to arm struggling readers with the skills and strategies to enhance their reading skills.
Amie Dutaillis - Middle Leader 1
Swimming News - Regional Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the St Michael’s swim team who represented our school with pride, great sportsmanship and displayed wonderful school spirit at the Regional Swimming carnival. Overall St Michael’s did very well. Please find the results below:
St Michael’s School - Fourth overall
Zoe Wilson - 3rd Junior Girls Champion
William Egan-Brown - 3rd 11 Years Boys Champion
Seamus Wood - 1st 12 Years Boys Champion
Male Overall Point Score Champions
Swimming Selection Trials
On Monday, successful swimmers from the South Coast carnival faced up against the Western regional schools and what a super job they did.
Congratulations to the following students who competed in the winning relay teams:
Junior Girls Relay Team: Henrietta Mayers, Zoe Wilson, Amelia McNamara, Sophia Lamberger
Junior Boys Relay Team: Josh Beaumont, Darius Hamod, Riley Saville, Oscar Lamberger
Senior Boys Relay Team: Will Egan-Brown, Riley McEvoy, Charlie Lamberger, Seamus Wood
Congratulations to Senior Boys Relay Team and Seamus Wood for their outstanding performance on the day.
Boys Senior Relay Team - 1st
Seamus Wood - 50m Breastroke 12 Years 2nd
Seamus Wood - 50m Butterfly 12 years 1st
Seamus Wood - 200m Medley 12 Years 2nd
Seamus Wood - 100m Freestyle 12 Years 1st
Cross country
The school Cross Country Carnival will take place at Gibson Park on Friday, 29th March (Week 8). Students have begun training sessions within their PE time.
Diocesan Trials
Trials took place last week for our elite sports persons in Soccer, Netball and Rugby League. With 29 Catholic schools (a huge pool of athletes to draw from) these talented students were selected for Mackillop teams. Congratulations to the following students.
Football (soccer)
Girls - Amelie Kelly
Boys - Will Egan Brown
Cross Country 29th of March, 2019
I hope all the students have brushed off their runners and stretched their ‘hammies’ in preparation of what will be a great cross country carnival!
So that all students can participate at a level that is inclusive to all, we will have two events: one for non-competitive runners and the other for competitive runners.
Non - competitive runners will be encouraged to approach the event as a fun run type event where placings will not be recorded. Students who want to be considered for representing at Diocesan level must run in the competitive event. All competitive runners, from 8/9 years up to 12/13 years, in both boys and girls categories, will run a distance of 2km (this is the distance run at Diocesan level). The top three placegetters on the day will proceed to the Diocesan Cross Country Championships. Fourth place will only be invited to attend the championship in the event of injury or illness to the top three runners.
It is expected that all students take part in the carnival.
We would love to see as many of our parents (grandparents, uncles, aunties) as we can helping on the day. It is a great opportunity to be involved in school life and the students love seeing you helping on the day. If you are able to assist, please reply to the note that was sent home last Friday and return it to school by 22nd of March 2019.
Mrs Ronelle Peardon - Cross Country Convenor
AFL Gala Day
On Tuesday March 6, 43 students, 3 teams from Years 5 – 6 participated in the South Coast AFL Gala Day.
They had a fantastic day and every student represented our school with pride and enjoyed playing AFL. Congratulations to each one of you on your brilliant sportspersonship and respectful attitude! Our senior girls team were undefeated until the semi final where they came up against difficult opposition. Our senior boys team 1 had a win, a loss and a draw, our senior boys team 2 made it to the finals and won! They will now be going on to the next level of competition in Term 2.
Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who came to help cheer on the teams. A special thank you to Mr Smith, Mr Rossignol and Mr McEvoy who volunteered to be team managers on the day. Your assistance is very much appreciated. Thank you again to everyone for their support on this day.
We looked very professional at the gala day with our own special jerseys. The jerseys were provided by the Northern Districts Tigers Junior Australian Football Club NDTJAFC.
Thank you to Mrs Hamod and Mrs Body for providing shade shelters for us on the day.
Thank you also to Mrs Mayo for attending the day with the students.
Mr Jason Novak - Sport Coordinator
Awards
Principal's Awards presented at the next assembly:
- Nate Rutledge
- Kyran Paxton
- Kalani Paxton
- Clancy Mayers
- Oscar Noble
- Lara McEntee
- Ella Foran
GOLD Awards presented at the next assembly
- Oscar Noble
