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This week we sadly lost a very valued and significant member of staff, Mrs Chris Loughrey. Chris lost her long battle with illness on Monday 18 October.
Chris had been at St Michael’s for over 25 years and in her time here at the school worked with many generations often in the one family. She always had the students at the heart of what she did, nothing was ever too much of an ask. Chris deeply cared for the children of St Michael’s and often did many things that went unannounced all just because she cared. There was always food in the fridge that was just for the children and she particularly enjoyed assisting and organising the Principal's lunch. Most times there was always a home made goodie for the kids added to the menu.
It has been a very difficult week for the staff and community of St Michael’s. I would like to thank the community for the heartfelt emails and phone calls of sympathy for the staff and for Chris’ family. They have truly been appreciated. This has all been passed on to her family. We will continue to cherish the memories of Chris and we have found ourselves often laughing at her sayings or rude jokes this week. As one staff member said, she will be up there sorting them out and most importantly looking after the kids!
We hold Chris in our hearts and pray that her family will walk with God during this difficult time.
God Bless
Belinda Hughes - Principal
Attention: Parents of Students in Year 2
The Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion are celebrated in our Parish towards the end of the Year 2 as by then most students are at least seven years old. Enrolments were due to close on 14 September. However, with the lockdown – continuing for our churches until at least the end of October – it has been resolved that the preparation for and celebration of these Sacraments will now take place early in 2022 – health regulations permitting.
However, if you have not enrolled your daughter or son for these Sacraments, please enrol now so that you will be able to be kept informed of when the preparation and celebrations will take place.
To enrol, download the enrolment form from the Parish website by clicking here
Parent Spirituality
Ripples
PODCAST LINKS:
LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au
APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808
Mission Month / Socktober
In October students are encouraged to learn what life is like for children from Thailand, specifically those from slum areas in Bangkok, the bustling capital. Thailand exhibits staggering wealth inequality - around 7% of the Thai population of 69,480,520 people live under the poverty line.
The Good Shepherd Sisters have been supporting communities in need in Thailand for over 55 years. The Sisters run many services, including a kindergarten, which offers two life‑changing services for both local women and their children: firstly, the Sisters provide a loving education in a safe place, catering for essential needs; and secondly, this allows the parents to freely work and earn a living for their families without fear for their children’s safety.
The students will be engaging in a Liturgy for Mission Month this week, which explores the work of the The Good Shepherd Sisters.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
On Thursday 11th November our school will be participating in a zoom Remembrance service from 10:30am -11am. Students from Years K to 6 will be involved in the service.
Our Lady of the Rosary
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
The word Rosary comes from the Latin word rosarius, which translates as ‘garland’ or ‘bouquet of flowers’. We could say therefore that the prayer of the Rosary is a bouquet of prayers offered to God.
The Rosary is a prayer loved by countless saints and people all over the world. Today we will reflect on some wisdom from the apostolic letter by Saint John Paul II Rosarium Virginis Mariae on the Most Holy Rosary.
No one has ever devoted themselves more to the contemplation of Christ as faithfully as Mary who lived with her eyes and heart always fixed on Christ.
The Rosary is Mary’s memories of various moments of her son’s life. In this way, Mary constantly shares with the Church the ‘mysteries’ of her Son. When reciting the Rosary, we join in Mary’s contemplation of her memories with our eyes and hearts fixed on Christ.
In contemplating Christ, we open our hearts and minds to receiving the mystery of God’s perfect love, in doing so we are being changed into Christ’s likeness.
Reflection questions:
Are you able to find some time this month to sit with Mary and pray the Rosary?
Has there been a time in your life when God has spoken to you through the Rosary? What did God say?
How can I reach out to Mary during this month of the Holy Rosary?
Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Co ordinator
Welcome Back!
What a delight it has been to hear the voices of children in a full class. The Kindergarten and Year 1 students have exceeded all expectations. They have returned with enthusiasm and a love of school and learning. They may be leaving school a little more tired than usual this week, but they have stepped right back into school routine. It has been a joy to see them each and every day
Uniform Expectations
Focus: Hair
As we all exit out of lockdown, we are all racing to the hair dressers and barbers for that very long awaited cut. It is timely to revisit the school’s uniform expectations in regards to hair as we prepare for the return to school.
Please note below the school expectations for hair:
- Hair that is below the shoulders or falls in the face must be tied back
- No hair colour or dye
- Hair should be neat and tidy, not to invite comment.
- This means no mullets, mohawks or extreme hair styles
Thank you for your cooperation with the school rules and expectations in regards to uniform and hair.
Drop Off and Pick up Procedures
Car drop off and pick up is the preferred method of arriving and leaving the school in the current restrictions that we are required to follow. Please read the procedures of car drop off and pick up that will keep everyone safe and the pick up running smoothly without holding up traffic. It is important that parents remain in the car for pick up and drop off, the area is only zoned as a drop off zone, not a parking zone.
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St Michael’s Thirroul Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up Procedures |
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CAR drop off and pick up is the preferred method |
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Morning Drop Off - (8.30am - 9.00am) |
Afternoon Pick Up - (3.00pm - 3.30pm) |
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If there is no space available at the drop off or pick up zone, parents must drive around the block and return to the drop off or pick up zone. |
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- Students in Tenison and MacKillop House will be picked up between 3.00pm and 3.15pm (preferably using car pick up)
- Students in Penola and Fitzroy House will be picked up between 3.15pm and 3.30pm (preferably using car pick up)
- Students catching the bus, walking home or accessing Big Fat Smiles after school care will remain in their class cohort and leave as usual, ie 3.15pm dismissal
Raymond Road Works - 1st November - 2 weeks
We have been advised by council that they will be completing major works on Raymond Road for 2 weeks from 1 November. This means that there will be NO parking available for the duration of the work. If we receive any other information or there are any other changes to school procedures we will communicate via Compass.
Term Dates and Already Allocated Pupil Free Days 2022
All Catholic schools from 2022 onwards will have the beginning and end of school year pupil free days aligned to the Department of Education Model for 2022 onwards. All schools CEO and Department schools are to determine at their discretion the timing of pupil free days in Terms 2 & 3.
Term 1, 2022
- 28 January - Staff Return Pupil Free Day (Friday)
- 31 January - Staff at School Pupil Free Day (Monday)
- 1 February - Students return; Years 1-6 (Tuesday)
- 8 February - Kindergarten Students Return (Tuesday)
- 8 April - Last day of Term 1 (Friday)
Term 2, 2022
- Pupil Free Day - TBC
- 25 April - First day of Term 2 (Monday)
- 1 July - Last day of Term 2 (Friday)
Term 3, 2022
- Pupil Free Day - TBC
- 18 July - First day of Term 3 (Monday)
- 23 September - Last day of Term 3 (Friday)
Term 4, 2022
- 10 October - First day of Term 4 (Monday)
- 19 December - Last day of Term 4 (Monday)
- 20 December - Pupil Free Day (Tuesday)
Sport Days and Sport Uniform Days
Please find below a reminder of the days your children will need to wear their sports uniform.
- Kindergarten: Tuesday & Friday
- Year 1: Tuesday & Friday
- Year 2: Tuesday & Friday
- Year 3: Monday & Friday
- Year 4: Monday & Friday
- Year 5: Wednesday & Friday
- Year 6B: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- Year 6W: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Second Hand Uniforms
Contacting Teachers
There are times when you may need to contact your child’s teacher for a variety of reasons. Please ensure that you send all messages via email through to the office email address; info@smtdow.catholic.edu.au Please do not contact teachers or members of the leadership team directly. All enquiries will be responded to during work hours.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Holiday Leave
A reminder if you are taking any holiday leave, even one day, there are specific forms that must be completed and then the application is considered for approval by the Principal. Please contact the school office via email or phone and they can be emailed.
Creative Arts
Student’s commitment and creativity certainly shone throughout our period of Remote Learning. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 participated and produced some fantastic work in the Visual Arts, Dance and Music strands of the Creative Arts. This week I’d like to showcase some of the work from our Stage 2 students. In Music students have appreciated the works of composer & conductor John Williams, created and played music on the digital ‘boomwhackers’ and explored the musical element of tempo. In Visual Arts students have created digital pixel art, collaged leaf art and digitally created comics. Please see below just a sample of Stage 2’s amazing work.
Principal Awards:
- Xavier K
- Imogen
- Melanie M
- Finn G
- Oscar N
- Josh B
- Matilda R
- Joanna L
- Taj T
- Maddis O
Gold Award
- Oscar N
- Finn G
- Imogen V