The last couple of weeks has once again presented us with unprecedented times. I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank our community for the understanding and compassion throughout this challenging time. At all times the safety, health and wellbeing of all members of the community was paramount. 

In times of challenge or unrest, as Catholics, we lean into our faith and the teachings of Jesus. Fr Ken last weekend spoke in his homily about Hope. I would like to share with you some key messages from Fr Ken that are particularly pertinent to our community at this time.

As a faith filled community we are called upon to have hope. Hope is a trust that in some ways it will work out. Fr Ken invited and challenged us with the following:

Can we be people of faith;

Can we be people of hope;

Can we be people of sensibility.

This is particularly relevant as we use this time as an opportunity to learn, grow and teach our children how to have hope and compassion when there are hurdles in our journey. Fr Ken asked us and I invite you to consider and share with your family:

What do we want to look forward to? What kind of a world do we want to make it?

Thank you Fr Ken for bringing to our attention the importance of hope, the importance of our faith and how we can use the grace of God to walk through the difficult times and look forward with gratitude.

God Bless

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

Christmas Concert Cancellation 

Schools will rem​ain on Level 3 restrictions for the remainder of the year. Detailed in these level 3 restrictions it states that "other instruments that rely on breath or require a mask to be removed to be played, as well as singing and chanting, are not permitted in Term 4." Under these current conditions therefore unfortunately, it is not possible to hold a Christmas concert or workshop with Andrew Chin. Students will still engage with advent and Christmas activities in the classroom linked to the Religious Education and Creative Arts syllabus. 

 As a result we have booked Andrew Chinn to conduct an Easter workshop and concert on Friday May 6th 2022. We also booked Andrew for a Christmas Concert on Wednesday 6th of December 2023. We are looking forward to these fantastic opportunities for our students over the next two years.

2021 Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition

The Christmas Story Art Exhibition will be a virtual event premiering on 24th November from 7.00pm 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. 

 There will be four 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, 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, Director of CatholicCare Wollongong, to an entry that best reflects the sense of wonder and possibility of Christmas, inspiring positive action.
• The Packing Room Prize selected by CEO staff and presented by David Gearin, Education Officer (Social Justice) and Chair of the CEO’s Faith in Action Committee.

There will also be a number of Highly Commended certificates awarded to both Years 5 and 6 students.

Please find below link to the Premiere event streaming on 24 November from 7.00pm

Book Week 2021

Friday 19th November

The theme for Book Week 2021 is ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds’. St Michael's will be celebrating Book Week tomorrow, Friday 19th November. 

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 '’Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds”. 

Some ideas.. 

Old worlds.. flappers, hippies, Ancient Egypt, rock and roll, dinosaurs, victorian, biblical, gladiators 

New worlds.. space, futuristic, Aliens, astronauts  

Other worlds.. Witches, dragons, mermaids, monsters, unicorns, fairies

 *No props to be brought in during our book week celebration. 

The students will engage in book week competitions, activities and reading of short- listed books in their classrooms throughout the day. 

Year 6 Activate Fire 

Tuesday 23rd November 2021

As part of the Year 6 Religion Curriculum our Year 6 students will be involved in an Immersive Spiritual Experience based on the Year 6 unit Confirmation: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

This will be held on Tuesday 23rd November. The day will be facilitated by their teachers Emma Riolo and Madeline Negus.

Students are required to wear their sports uniform and bring their recess, lunch and water bottle on this day. 

Year 6 Graduation 2021 

Monday 6th December 

6:30pm Start 

This year, taking into consideration Public Health Orders (PHO) and in consultation with Fr Ken, the decision has been made to hold the Year 6 Graduation outdoors on our top playground. Having the graduation outside will allow both parents and siblings to attend. If PHO's change and we are able to hold it in the hall and still have both parents attend, this will occur.

Current Level 3 restrictions that are in place until the end of the year state that parents may attend the graduation if they are fully vaccinated. Parents will be required to sign in using the QR code at the entrance to the school and provide proof of vaccination status. Thank you for your understanding as staff request to view your vaccination certificate.

The Graduation Liturgy will be facilitated by Father Ken beginning at 6:30pm (adjusted start time from previously advertised) around the outdoor prayer space. Following this there will be some further celebrations as well as some light refreshments for those attending. 

In the event of inclement weather, including rain or strong winds parents will be notified via compass before 12:00pm and the graduation will take place in the hall. Under current indoor PHO restrictions, if this is the case students and ONE parent will be able to attend the graduation. 

These plans have been made with the best intentions to be able to have families involved in the celebrations.

Grandparent’s Day 

We usually have a special celebration for our grandparents and great people each year, however this year due to covid we are unable to do this. 

Instead, we thought that we would bring the beautiful children of St Michael’s into your hearts and homes this year. Each class has created a special video to acknowledge and bless all the beautiful grandparents and great people in our lives. These will be sent out on FRIDAY DECEMBER 3rd via compass.  

What children need most are what grandparents and greatpeople can provide in abundance. They provide unconditional love, patience, humour, kindness, comfort and lessons in life. 

Attention: Parents of Students in Year 2 

The Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion are celebrated in our Parish towards the end of 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

Whole School Liturgy 

Friday 10th December

On Friday 10th December we will be celebrating a whole school liturgy with Father Ken via zoom. 

Miss Emma Groves - Religious Education Coordinator

Exciting Upcoming Events

In the spirit of hope and looking forward to providing opportunities for our students to engage with their peers in a joyful way, there are some upcoming events that all students will be able to participate in.

Friday 19 November - Book Week Celebrations

Friday 26 November - Year 6 Fundraiser - Mufti and Trivia Day (further details below) - Gold coin or other donation

Friday 3 December  - P&F Christmas Mufti Day - Gold Coin donation

In Remembrance of Chris Loughrey

The school is organising a plaque to be placed on our sacred space in remembrance of Chris Loughrey. It is a lovely way to remember the care and compassion she showed to our community over many years.

Annual School Report Parent Survey

Each year the school is required to put together an Annual School Report. A part of the process is to report on student, staff and parent input on the school. If you could please take 5 minutes to complete the attached survey by the end of next week that would be greatly appreciated. It should take no longer than 5 minutes.

Fundraiser for Year 6 Gift to St Michael’s Thirroul

Every year the Year 6 cohort creates a fundraiser to raise money to present a gift to the school. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID, we are unable to hold a disco. 

Instead, Year 6 students will be hosting a trivia and mufti day! This will happen on Friday 26^th November (Week 8).

Students are required to bring a gold coin donation in order to participate in the trivia and mufti day. All donations will go towards the gift that Year 6 will present to the school at their graduation ceremony on Monday 6^th December (Week 10). 

We look forward to seeing everyone in their mufti on Friday 26^th November and hearing all the fun they have participating in the trivia activities created by Year 6! 

Miss Madeline Negus and Miss Emma Riolo

Canteen News

A reminder the canteen will be reopening for lunch online orders only, on a Friday, from Friday 19th November.

Student’s commitment and creativity certainly have continued to shine throughout Term 4.  Students have produced some fantastic work in the Visual Arts and Music strands of the Creative Arts. This week I’d like to showcase some of the work from our Stage 1 students.  

In Music students have created and played their own musical instruments out of recyclable materials, explored the musical element of pitch and have gone on a LOUD and SOFT sound scavenger hunt.  In Visual Arts students have gone on nature walks and collected leaves to create leaf rubbings using pencil and crayon, created drawings and artworks of creation, digitally created block and brick artworks and have created artworks inspired by the artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo.  Please see below just a sample of Stage 1’s amazing work

Christmas Story Art

I would like to congratulate the following students whose Christmas Story Artworks were selected as our St Michael’s finalists.

Year 5 Year 6

Ari C

Audrey M

Hamish M

Leon D

Evie T

Tyrah B

This year the judges were looking for artworks that reflected an understanding and interpretation of one of the scripture verses that also include authentic imagery from the time of Jesus.  

The top 39 artworks chosen from across the Diocese of Wollongong were works that were judged to best respond to the criteria and were exemplary of Stage 3 reflective writing and artistic skills.

Based on this criteria Audrey M and Leon D have had their artworks shortlisted and entered into the competition to be a part of the Virtual Exhibition. 

Congratulations to all students who took part.

Mrs Laura Aguilera - Creative Arts Teacher

The P&F Term 4 General Meeting will be held tonight Thursday 18th November at 7:00pm via zoom. The link has been sent out via Compass. 

Congratulations to the following students receiving awards:

Principal's Award:

• Oliver W
• Milla C
• Olive B
• Ayden D
• Talita W
• Oscar M
• Craig A
• Charlie S

Gold Award:

• Craig A
• Charlie S

St Michael's Blue:

• Charlie S