Vision: Inspired by Christ, we aspire to excellence in learning, living life fully in community
The mission at St Michael’s is to:

• be a vibrant catholic community where all feel safe, valued, loved and respected

• display understanding, compassion and care for others and all creation

• foster dynamic and diverse learning opportunities

What a wonderful fortnight we have had here at St Michael’s, Thirroul. It was terrific to see so many parents, grandparents, and carers join us for our Opening School Mass and picnic. I truly hope that St Michael’s is a place where all students, staff, and parents feel safe, valued, loved and respected. 

As stated in our School Vision, we are committed to ensuring that we aspire to excellence in all aspects of learning, living fully in the community. As a staff, we have engaged in rigorous collaborative processes that are informed by the needs of our school community to design targeted annual improvement priorities for 2023. Throughout the year, we aim to further engage the parent community to share and celebrate our improvement journey. Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletters for opportunities for parents to have an insight into the impact of our improvement priorities. 

Please see below an outline of our school priorities for 2023:

Goal 1: Formation in the Catholic Tradition Priority:

Our first priority is focused on deepening and igniting Staff’s relationship with Christ through targeted and ongoing Spiritual Formation experiences. To do this, we will be strategically mapping time and space to deepen our connection with God and become the best versions of ourselves. If we, as teachers, are at our best, we are better positioned to support our students throughout their faith and learning journey. 

Goal 2: Learning and Wellbeing priority: 

Although our school data in mathematics is sound, we as a school are committed to excellence in learning. As a staff, we have identified a focus on building further evidence-based practice to teach number, so that all students can use a range of methods to communicate their thinking. This involves a shift in the way mathematics is traditionally taught to ensure students learn through meaningful experiences and rich dialogue.

Goal 3: Learning and Wellbeing priority:
With the implementation of the new English syllabus in Kindergarten to Year 2, comes the perfect time to ensure we have consistent research- based practices. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers will be supported throughout the year to understand the research behind the new syllabus, identify student learning needs, and continue to build a repertoire of research- based teaching practices. 

Thank you to parents and carers who are following our afternoon pick up procedures so that students leave the school site in a safe manner. If you are new to afternoon pick up, please see below a reminder of our school procedures to ensure a flow of traffic, consistency for all and above all the safety of students.  

• Arrival to the car pick up zone is from 3.20pm 
• Please do not arrive earlier than this time as you will be exceeding the 2 minute limit and it causes traffic congestion in Station Street and Lawrence Hargrave Drive. If you do arrive earlier, please continue along station street and loop around  Raymond Road, to allow the traffic flow to continue. 

If you are collecting your children from parent pick up, please do not park in the car pick up zone. 

Mr James Bryce - Principal

Shrove Tuesday

Last Tuesday, Kindergarten to Year Four celebrated Shrove Tuesday, the beginning of preparing for our Lenten journey. Many thanks to Rebecca Hay for generously giving up her time to supply delicious pancakes that she prepared and served for all our students. It was so lovely seeing our students sharing in this special meal.

Caritas - Project Compassion 2023

Last week, the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each classroom will receive a Project Compassion box in which we encourage the students to give to those in need or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au

We would like to thank Alistair F and Grace B and their families for their wonderful time and efforts to  represent our school with My Bryce at the Caritas launch last Tuesday the 21st February. 

At assembly last Friday, we Launched Caritas project compassion for 2023 with our students. We shared the exciting news that on Thursday 23 March as a school we would like to support Caritas by students wearing their favourite sporting jersey and donating a gold coin. During lunch the students will have the opportunity to purchase a sundae for $3. More details about this special event will come over the next few weeks.

Ash Wednesday 

Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent - time to prepare ourselves for Easter. Ashes on our forehead mark us as Christians, as people who carry Christ’s message in the actions of our lives. It is a time for refocusing and renewing our lives so that we more closely reflect our Baptismal promises. 

On Wednesday 2nd March at 9:15 am, our Year Six students attended the Ash Wednesday Mass in our Parish Church. After Mass, the Year 6 students then visited each of the classrooms (K-5) and held an Ash Wednesday prayer service. Thank you to Mrs Peardon and Year Six for delivery these special Liturgies. 

Opening School Mass

Mass last Friday was a wonderful and meaningful celebration to begin our new school year. All the students displayed reverence throughout the Mass. As a school community, we are very blessed to have Fr Ken. We would like to thank him for his ongoing commitment and dedication to supporting the Catholic Life of our school. Congratulations to the school leaders who received their badges and blessings. We look forward to seeing you grow in your leadership roles this year. Just as Jesus “Welcomed the Children” - Matthew 19:14 Let the Little children come to me. Mr Bryce shared a special welcome to all those that are a part of our St Micheal's school community in 2023. Following Mass the school community shared in a picnic morning tea. It was heartwarming to see so many families gather together. 

A huge thank you to everyone for bringing in SO MANY non-perishable items for our opening school Mass. We had overflowing baskets from every class and these items will be distributed to people in need around the Illawarra. 

Year Three Grade Mass

Friday  March 3 at 9.30am 

Year Two and Four Buddy Grade Mass

Friday March 10 at 9.30am 

Living the Vision The St Michael’s Vision Leadership awards

Friday March 31 at 2.30pm

Mrs Steph Brown - Religious Education Co ordinator

Enrolments for 2024

Enrolment Applications for Kindergarten 2024 are now open. If you have a child attending Kindergarten next year or you know of anyone who is thinking of enrolling their child, please encourage them to visit our St Michael’s website or visit the school office for the Enrolment forms. There is also opportunities for new families to visit the school to have a tour and meet our new Principal Mr James Bryce. https://www.smtdow.catholic.edu.au

School Assembly Timetables

NAPLAN reminder 

A friendly reminder that Year 3 and Year 5 will sit the NAPLAN starting on Wednesday March 15 - 17. The following schedule of assessments will be administered:

Wednesday 15 March: Year 3 and Year 5 writing

Thursday 16 March: Year 3 and Year 5 Reading and Conventions of Language

Friday 17 March: Year 3 and Year 5 Numeracy

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. All assessments for Year 5 will be online. Year 3 will sit online assessments for reading, conventions of language and numeracy. Their writing assessment is a written paper based assessment. The students will have plenty of opportunities to familiarise themselves with the digital platform and the types of questions that may be in the tests.

The Public demonstration site provides sample tests for student familiarisation year-round. If you would like to see what the online assessment platform looks like or would like your child to practise some questions, please feel free to access the public demonstration site. For more information on NAPLAN, please read this document ​​NAPLAN information for parents and carers brochure (PDF 141 KB).

Curriculum notes as pdf (Amy) 

South Coast swimming carnival 

On Monday morning our Students representing St Michael’s at the South Coast swimming carnival will be receiving their brand new swimming caps. Parents, you are more than welcome to join us in congratulating and wishing these students well for their upcoming events. 

Giselle B, Milla B, Theo B, Georgia C, Annabel C, Edison C, Jemima C, Liam D, Darcy F, Alistair F, Oliver F, Tully H, Anna H, William H, Sofia L, Sophie L, Clancy M, Drew Mc, Harvey Mc, Jack Mc, Felix N, Hunter O, Callum R, Flynn S, Abigail S, Imogen V, Ethan Z

Rugby League Trials
On Friday, we have some of our students representing St Michael’s in our Rugby league trials. On Monday morning these students were presented with their brand new jerseys. We wish the following students all the best for the upcoming trial: 

Chayce S, Nate R, Will H

Cross country carnival

This week a compass alert went out to provide details on our upcoming cross country carnival on Friday 24 March. For the Carnival to run smoothly, we require as much parent support as possible. If you have time and space could you please respond via the form on the compass notification.

Section 4: Dates to remember in Term 1 

Week 8 March 15-17: NAPLAN Assessment Year 3 and Year 5

Week 9 March 23: Jersey and Ice cream Sundae Project Compassion Fundraiser

Week 9 March 24: Cross Country Carnival at Gibson Park

Week 10 March 31: Vision and Mission Awards Assembly at 2:30pm

Week 11 April 5: Easter Hat Parade and Last day of Term 1

A huge thank you to all of the parents who attended our first P&F Annual General Meeting and General Meeting. We truly appreciate you taking the time to represent the parent voice within our school community.

As a part of the Annual General Meeting we declared positions on the P&F Executive committee vacant, and called for volunteers to take on the important roles for 2023. The following positions have been filled:

President: Erin Matts

Vice President: position vacant 

Secretary: Alexa Marciano 

Treasurer: position vacant 

For the P&F to operate effectively, we require volunteers for the roles that have been left vacant. If you are interested in taking on the role of Secretary or Vice President, could you please email Alexa Marciano at  PnF_Thirroul.List@groups.dow.catholic.edu.au

I would like to thank both Rodney Bolton and Sarah Brennan for their support and contributions to our school community in their previous roles on the P&F Executive. 

Remaining meetings 

Term 2

Executive meeting - Thursday 11 May (2-3pm) Venue TBC

General Meeting - Thursday 18  May (6.30-8pm) Venue TBC

Term 3

Executive meeting - Thursday 3  August (2-3pm) Venue TBC

General Meeting - Thursday 10 August (6.30-8pm) Venue TBC

Term 4

Executive meeting - Thursday 26 October (2-3pm) Venue TBC

General Meeting - Thursday 2 November (6.30-8pm)

5 tips to keep your family safe online 

Miss Emma Riolo - Middle Leader 1 & Instructional Coach

The following students received awards at the last assembly:

Principal's Award:

• Ruby S
• Summer D
• Georgia C
• Lara Mc

Gold Award:

• Georgia C
• Summer D