Last week it was announced that I will be leaving St Michael’s at the end of the year and taking on the Principalship at Stella Maris Shellharbour. I wanted to say a sincere thank you for the well wishes and lovely messages of support and affirmation. I have truly been blessed to be a part of this community and have enjoyed getting to know all the wonderful families. I will save my final thoughts and goodbyes for the final newsletter of the year.  For the moment I am looking forward to enjoying my last few weeks with the St Michael’s community.

A HUGE thanks to the P&F and their team of helpers who supported the lead up and set up for the Trivia night last week. It was a massive success and it was great to have the opportunity to come together socially as a community again whilst raising some valuable funds for our school. There were many laughs and it was obvious that a tremendous amount of work had been put into the planning. Congratulations to all the winners!

God Bless

Mrs Belinda Hughes - Principal

October Mission Month 

This October, we celebrated World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of missionaries around the world. At St Michael's Thirroul students have been engaging in prayers and activities - Mission week (October 24- 28)

We walked hand-in-hand with the people of Ethiopia giving focus  towards how we can provide life-changing opportunities to those most in need.We need to hear their story, just as much as they require our economic support.

An important part of the week was our prayer service. We reflected on the efforts of mission partners around the world and prayed for them and the communities they serve.

“We gather as followers of Jesus called to life and mission.”

Through the week students were  invited on a journey of transformation of minds, hearts and hands.       

The journey entails 3 elements:

• Listen - and note the greatest need in the Ethiopia community;
• Pray - for God to give our neighbours strength to prevail and ourselves the strength to respond
• Act- on the lack of resources in this community to enable them to continue to live with the dignity they deserve.

On Friday October 28 students had the opportunity to wear  crazy socks and bring in a donation. The money raised will be sent to Catholic Mission in order to help empower children and, which provides vital care for those who would otherwise have limited opportunities or support to lead a fulfilling life. A big thank you to the St Michael's community we raised - $250.

On Wednesday 2 November we celebrated All Saints' Day, All Souls day with a liturgy, followed by a picnic lunch . We also took the time as a school community to recognise those wonderful Grandparents, and other special people in our lives, who share with their loved ones the gift of love and support.

The purpose behind celebrating Grandparents day on these special feast days is so that we all can be reminded of the fact that we can see the ‘saintly’ attributes in the face of those we interact with each and every day. The term 'Saint' can apply to each of us as we strive and stumble to imitate Jesus Christ in our lives. Fr Ken, during his blessing, reminded us all of how blessed we are to have wonderful grandparents and other special people who provide the example of sainthood through their qualities of generosity, kindness and unconditional love. 

As I looked out onto the hall and saw children, parents and grandparents, it brought a smile to my face and reminded all of us of the true sense of what it means to belong to the wonderful catholic community called St Michael’s.

 Sacrament of First Holy Communion

This week and next, our students commenced their preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (the second step in their initiation into the Catholic Faith). We continue to pray for these students and their parents. We pray that they will grow in goodness and faith as they come to know Jesus more.

Upcoming Dates:

Year Two and Four Buddy Grade Mass

Friday November 19th at 9.30am 

End of Year Whole School Mass / Living the Vision Leadership awards

Friday December 9th 9.30am

Mrs Steph Brown - Religious Education Co ordinator

Annual School Report

It is that time of year again where we gather your thoughts and insights into what we are doing well and what areas we could focus on. This will inform the parent feedback section of the Annual School Report.

If you could spare a couple of minutes to complete the survey that would be greatly appreciated.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Jkc__4euqXk4qPRwjMCcoWp-RQm2-BEmUXoPIVeUanY/edit

Laughter, cheers and an abundance of happiness filled our playground this afternoon as we watched some of our competitive basketball students verse the NBL Hawks in some nail biting games of basketball.    

Shooting, dribbling, defending, rebounding and passing were just some of the amazing abilities we witnessed today. 

Parents, friends and our students cheered on and created an atmosphere like no other as we watched in awe the skills undertaken to sink a basket. 

We are very grateful for the fun and support that the NBL Hawks have provided our school this year and wish them a very successful season. 

Mrs Chelsea McLeod - Year 4 Classroom Teacher

Spotlight on Technology 

Students in Years 3-6 were given the challenge to create a digital product or resource that addresses one of the following areas of your digital life: Social Media, Digital Citizenship, Staying Safe Online, Being Respectful Online, Digital footprints. Students then submitted this to the competition judged by CEODOW staff. 

Check out the winning entries here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N-XCdP-NqsxqC2zmDf-COhjoP9iPNaAgop3QdCTTEM0/present?slide=id.g17b300be9d5_0_0 

A big congratulations to Sebastian C in Year 5 who was the winner in the BEST USE OF TECHNICAL FEATURES category. 

Miss Emma Riolo - Middle Leader 2

Rugby Union- Touch 7s

Last week the students all began their Rugby Union- Touch 7’s coaching sessions, run by Gecko Sports. This has been a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn new sporting skills. The students have all been enjoying themselves and have already learnt a lot. 

If parents/carers can continue to remind your children to wear sports uniform on their classes Rugby session day that would be greatly appreciated. 

Rugby Union- Touch 7s Timetable

Diocese of Wollongong Representative Trials

Well done to all of the students who attended the Diocese of Wollongong Representative Trials. Flynn S attended the Basketball trials, well done for your effort on Tuesday. 

Congratulations to Oliver F and Eliza D who attended the Cricket trials and have been selected for the Wollongong Representative Cricket Teams. Well done. We wish you all the best, for when you represent Wollongong as a part of the Mackillop Cricket Trials in Wagga across Wednesday 30th November and Thursday 1st December 2022.

Lila H will attend the Touch Trials on the 24th November and we wish her all the best. 

Miss Emma Wragge - Sports Coordinator

Principal Awards:

• Annabel C
• Ella E
• Ethan Mc
• Iris F
• Chayce S
• Aiden G