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Vision: Inspired by Christ, we aspire to excellence in learning, living life fully in community
The mission at St Michael’s is to:
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be a vibrant catholic community where all feel safe, valued, loved and respected
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display understanding, compassion and care for others and all creation
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foster dynamic and diverse learning opportunities
Being the best version of ourselves
On my first day as Principal I walked into my empty office. As I sat down with a sense of nervousness, I started to think about what I stood for and hoped to bring to this beautiful little school community. As my busy mind was racing, a quote from Kobe Bryant somehow made its way to the forefront of my mind, “A constant quest to be the best version of yourself.” It was simple, but clear. This is what I wanted for our school community. I envisioned a school where every person who walked through the gates felt a sense of belonging and had a depth of understanding of how their unique gifts and talents contribute to a loving and compassionate world. As a staff, we will be exploring how our individual gifts and talents contribute to our shared mission. We will be using this quote as a lens to ensure our school provides the culture and opportunities to empower every single student to become the best version of themselves. As a reminder of this ongoing quest, I have finally received my framed artwork that will proudly be going into my office. It is a reminder for me personally, but also our whole school community, to stay true to who we are and empower others to thrive. Below is the artwork that I will be sharing with the school community before finally hanging it up on my wall.
Morning and afternoon drop off procedures
At St Michael's we have set morning drop off and dismissal procedures to ensure the safety of all children. Please see below some reminders of the expectations for both morning and afternoon.
Morning drop off
- Supervision will commence from 8.30am. Please do not drop off your children prior to this time.
- Please ensure you do not park your car in the drop off zone to allow traffic flow and reduce the chance of congestion.
Afternoon car pick up
- Please do not park and leave your car in the pick up zone.
- The car pick up zone will commence at 3.20 pm.
- If there is no space in the car pick up zone, please loop around station street.
- Please ensure your family name is clearly displayed at the front of your car.
Mr Bryce - Principal
The Ascension of the Lord Liturgy
I would also like to express my appreciation for Mrs McLeod who prepared our students for this beautiful liturgy. Her efforts were evident in the meaningful participation of the Year Three students during the liturgy.
May the Ascension of the Lord continue to inspire us to be compassionate, loving, and faithful people, making a positive difference in our school, families, and communities.
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Week, which took place from May 27th to June 3rd. This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 was Be A Voice for Future Generations. The students participated in a Yarning Circle. Yarning circles have been used by our First Nations People for centuries. Yarning Circles encourage participants to learn from a collective group, build respectful relationships, and to preserve and pass on cultural knowledge.
Thank you to our Year Six leaders on the Inspired By Christ team and Mrs Mayo for the time and effort in preparing this special tradition.
Pentecost
Thank you to our Year Six students and Mrs Peardon who dedicated their time and efforts to prepare and participate in the liturgy. Through the sharing of prayer, readings and music we experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit within our school community.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and inspire us as we carry the message of love, unity, and compassion into our daily lives.
Mini Vinnies
Let's come together this winter as a school community to support Vinnies' Winter Appeal and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Together, we can help bring warmth, comfort, and hope during this winter season.
An example of this was when our Mini Vinnies team recently distributed "Snack Packs".
Confirmation
The St Michael’s school community is invited to join the candidates and their families in prayerful support of all involved in preparing the young people for this major step in their faith lives as they prepare to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please keep the students, their families and those preparing them in your prayers.
Classes One and Two Tuesdays, 13 and 20 June, 3:45pm to 5pm
Confirmation Practice Wednesday, 28 June, 7:00pm
Sacrament of Confirmation Thursday, 29 June , 7.00pm
Upcoming Dates
Friday, June 9th
Buddy Mass Kindergarten and Year Five at 9.30am
Friday, June 16th
Buddy Mass Year Three and Year Four at 9.30am
Friday June, 16th at 2.30pm
World Environment Prayer Service
Thursday, 29th June , 7.00pm
Sacrament of Confirmation
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
Term 2 Sport Uniform Days
Please see the table below indicating sports days for each class for Term 2. Students are to wear their full sports uniforms on these days.
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Class |
Sports Days |
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Kindergarten |
Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 1 |
Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 2 |
Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 3 |
Monday and Thursday |
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Year 4 |
Monday and Thursday |
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Year 5 |
Tuesday and Friday |
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Year 6 |
Tuesday and Friday |
Update on new sensory equipment
Our new brain break sensory playground equipment has arrived and will be ready to use next week. We are pleased to inform you that in the grass area behind Year 6, there is a great variety of sensory equipment to be used for brain breaks and during recess and lunch. Thank you to our wonderful P and F for approving the purchase of this equipment for our students.
School Photos Reminder
This year our school photo day will be held on Wednesday 14 June. Students are to wear their full winter uniform with their hair neat and tidy. Envelopes have gone home with students. If you require a sibling photo, sibling envelopes are available at the office.
Please note that all envelopes are to be brought in on (or before) the actual day of photography, this assists in the smooth operation of the pre-payment system.
WASTE FREE WEDNESDAY (update)
We are well underway with our Waste Free Wednesday initiative. Thank you for supporting our goal to be plastic and packaging free every Wednesday. The Living Fully in Community Year 6 team are leading this initiative very well and showing students what waste free lunch boxes look like. Here are the results for Week 5 and Week 6
Week 5
- Year 1: 57%
- Year 2: 92%
- Year 3: 91%
- Year 4: 57%
- Year 5: 62%
- Year 6: 78%
- Kindergarten: 100%
Week 6
- Year 1: 55%
- Year 2: 75%
- Year 3: 66%
- Year 4: 52%
- Year 5: 33%
- Year 6: 75%
- Kindergarten: 100%
Congratulations Kindergarten, you have won the St Michael’s Peace lily for the 3rd week in a row. Which class will knock Kinder off pole position and be the waste warriors next?
Mrs Amy Sammut - Assistant Principal
Humpty Dumpty Crime is Solved
The Humpty Dumpty crime has finally been solved. Kindergarten and Year 5 went to the trial of Humpty V St Michael’s on Monday and after the witnesses and suspects pledge an oath of truth, 3 suspects were identified from a line up of 6 suspects. These suspects were questioned intensely and they admitted that it was Mr Bryce who commissioned them to take Humpty Dumpty from kindergarten on Thursday 4 May at 3:15 pm. WHY you ask? Well because Mr Bryce, who is a baker in his spare time, wanted the giant yolk from Humpty to bake 51 cupcakes for every student in Kindergarten and Year 5. Lucky we had some very skilled constables and detectives in Kindergarten to help solve this crime. Mr Bryce has promised to put Humpty back together again and Kindergarten have set up a hospital to work on Humpty and fix him once and for all. So the Humpty Dumpty crime is solved, case closed.
WINTER WONDERLAND P and F MUFTI DAY
On Thursday 29 May, we are having a winter wonderland mufti day. Students and staff will come to school in their winter woollies on this day - scarves, beanies, gloves, ugg boots, jackets and jumpers for a gold coin donation. This money will go towards raising money for our school through the P and F. Canteen Kat has also organised a winter wonderland menu for this day so get your orders in nice and early. There will be warm cheese toasties, hot chocolates with marshmallows, brownies, snowman’s noses, chicken noodles, warm pastries, warm custard topped with stewed apple and cinnamon and much more. We are asking for families to donate any blankets, beansies, jumpers and scarves to St Vincent De Paul on this day too to support people in need this winter.
Mrs Amy Sammut - Assistant Principal
St Michael’s School Social Media
With so much going on at school, a great way to follow any up and coming events and read about the great things that are happening, please follow us on:
Instagram-stmichaels.thirroul or Facebook-St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Thirroul
School Assembly Timetables
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Week |
Focus |
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7 |
Awards and Waste Free Wednesday update |
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9 |
St Michael’s Vision and Mission Awards |
A message from Fr Ken
“Postcards to the Front” in Ukraine.
“Postcards to the Front” has a mission is to solicit postcards from Australians with messages of encouragement and support to Defenders of Ukraine on the front lines. We – “Postcards to the Front” – send postcards in bulk to our Founder Tamara Levit in Zaporizhia, Ukraine. The cards are added to care packages which are hand delivered to the front lines.
How to Participate:
Obtain one or more Australian postcards: try your local post office shop. Address your message to “Defender of Ukraine”. The frontline defenders may be soldiers (both men & women), nurses, doctors, civilians etc. Write in either English or Ukrainian. Use the entire back of the card to write your message. No need for a stamp on the postcard as we send them in bulk, and they are hand delivered in Ukraine. Please do not use the word PEACE.
This word has acquired a new meaning in Ukraine. When the Russians invaded, they told people they were doing this for peace. The word now conjures up images of people being killed, and property being destroyed. Please don’t use the words “Russia, Russians or Putin”.
Mention you are from Australia, this really cheers people up. Remind them that the world hasn’t forgotten them. Don’t forget to write at least your first name on the card. That makes for a personal connection. No need for a return address on the card. Defenders are being shelled and shot at.
They haven’t got time to write back. Place your postcard(s) in a sealed envelope and address it to “Postcards to the Front” and put them on a collection plate or deliver them to the Parish Office. On the outside of the envelope, please include your name and email address so we can let you know that they have arrived.
Wollongong Diocese Cross Country Carnival and NSWCPS Cross Country Championships
After the Diocese Cross Country Carnival being postponed due to rain earlier in the term, our 24 very talented representatives attended the Wollongong Diocese Cross Country Carnival at Nowra on Tuesday 23rd May. All our representatives displayed wonderful enthusiasm and sportsmanship on the day, making us all very proud of each one of them. Each student tried their best on the day and were very proud of their results and effort on the day.
Five of our representative Cross Country runners, Abby S, Annabel C, Milla B, Lila H and Giselle B placed in the top 8 in their Age Division and have represented St Michael’s at the NSWCPS Cross Country Championships held on Tuesday 13th June, 2023 at the Equestrian Centre in Horsley Park.
NETBALL GALA DAY
The Netball Gala Day will be held on Tuesday 20th June, 2023 at Fred Finch Park, Hooka Creek Road, Berkeley. The nominations have now closed and 4 teams have been nominated to attend. This includes 1 junior team (Year 3 & 4 girls), 3 senior teams (2 Year 5 & 6 girls teams and 1 all boys team). The draw will be sent out via Compass to the families of students attending closer to the date to allow for any last minute changes to the draw.
Ms Shea and Mrs Maloney will be attending the Gala Day to supervise students. We would like to request the support of two parent helpers to assist us in supervising two teams on the day. Also, we are required to provide our own Netball Umpires for the day, however we don’t have any to date. If you are interested in supporting a Netball team or know of any Netball Umpires please let Ms Shea know as soon as possible please.
SOCCER GALA DAY
Nominations have been sent out via Compass to all students from 3-6, both boys and girls, to nominate to play at the Soccer Gala Day, which will be held Friday 28th July, 2023. There are two venues for the Gala Day:
NORTH REGION
Ocean Park, Woonona Unanderra Park, Unanderra
(Junior boys and girls - Yr 3 & 4) (Senior boys and girls - Yr 5 & 6)
Nominations close next Friday 9th June, 2023.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
St Michael’s Thirroul - Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 28th June, 2023 (Week 10)
St Michael’s Thirroul Athletics Carnival, will be held at Kerryn McCann Athletics Track, Beaton Park, commencing at 9.30am and finishing at 12:30pm on Wednesday 28th, June 2023. (Note: this is only a half day carnival). Nominations for the Athletics Carnival have been sent out via Compass on Monday 5th June, 2023 to all SMT families, as this is a whole school event. Again, we are requesting the support of our St Michael’s Thirroul families to support us on the day. Without your continued support these days are not possible. If you’re able to support us with the organisation of the carnival could you please let me know via the Compass notice that has been sent out. More information will follow as we get closer to the date.
Nominations close Monday 19th June, 2023.
Maria Shea - Sports Convenor
Upcoming sporting events and nominations
Term 2 - 2023
June 20 - Netball South Coast Netball Gala Day
June 28th - St Michael’s Thirroul Athletics Carnival
Term 3 - 2023
July 28 - Soccer 2023 South Coast Gala Day
August 8 - Athletics 2023 South Coast
September 14-15 - Basketball 2023 South Coast (BERKELEY ONLY)
September 14-15 Basketball 2023 South Coast Junior and Senior
Term 4 - 2023
October 12 - Cricket Gala Day (Yrs 5 & 6) 2023
October 27 - Softball - Boys and Girls - Selection trials (2024) - Paper Trial ONLY
November 14 - Basketball - Boys and Girls - Selection Trials (2024)
If you are interested in nominating your child for any of the above trials, please login to https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/events-primary/ to find out further details about the events, how to nominate your child and the closing date. It is the responsibility of the parents to individually nominate their child.
If you require any further information about sporting events at St Michael’s please contact Ms Maria Shea.
Ms Maria Shea -Sports Co ordinator
Dates to remember in Term 2
Wednesday 14 June: School Photo Day
Wednesday 28 June: Athletics carnival at Beaton Park
Mrs Amy Sammut - Assistant Principal
Mufti Day
We are looking forward to Term 2 Mufti Day - Week 10 – July 29, 2023. This term our Mufti Day theme is Winter Wonderland! Kids are to come dressed in their cosiest outfits… ugg boots, beanies, gloves and warm jumpers. It’s winter wonderland theme at St Michael’s! All students are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation which goes towards the P&F.
Parent Night Out – 2023
A reminder to those who missed the memo.. the 2023 SMT Parent fundraising Event is happening on Friday the 17th of November, and we are excited to host another great night for you all! Although we won’t be challenging you with trivia questions, we still promise a great night ahead.
Please click on the link below to cast your vote towards the theme for the night
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWXGM3W
P&F General Meeting
This term we held our P&F General Meeting off site at the Beaches hotel. We were very grateful for the number of parents who came to share their perspective at this meeting. Please find below an overview of the Principal’s report.
Remaining meetings
Term 3
Executive meeting - Thursday 3 August (2-3pm)
General Meeting - Thursday 10 August (6.30-8pm) Venue Beaches
Term 4
Executive meeting - Thursday 26 October (2-3pm) Venue TBC
General Meeting - Thursday 2 November (6.30-8pm)
Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the last assembly.
Principals Award
- Lucy B
- Eisley C
- Victoria F
- Molly H
Gold Award
- Liam D
- Sophia L
- Maggie L
- Charli C
- Hugo R
St Michael's Blue
- Maggie L
Everyone is capable of learning mathematics (Source: Numeracy Guide)
As parents we want to help our children become numerate citizens but are not sure how best to do this. Being numerate involves using some mathematics. Not everyone is confident with mathematics, or believes that they can do mathematics. One of the best ways we can help our children is to promote positive attitudes towards mathematics. For example, avoid making statements such as, ‘I was never any good at maths either’.
There is no such thing as a ‘maths brain’. Everyone (with a few exceptions who have severe learning difficulties) has the capacity to learn mathematics. Many believe that intelligence is unchangeable. But if you have a ‘growth mindset’ (Dweck, 2012) then you believe that you can achieve. You don’t give up when the work is challenging, or when you make mistakes. Mistakes are essential for learning and result in brain growth (Boaler, 2016).
View the TEDx Talk by Professor Jo Boaler (below) for more about mathematical mindsets and potential.
How you can be good at math, and other surprising facts about learning | Jo Boaler | TEDxStanford
Supporting Maths Learning at Home
Playing games with family members is a fun and enjoyable way to explore mathematical concepts, strategies, engage in logical thought, and problem-solve. Games teach collaboration and help students and their families develop perseverance. Families who experience the games played in school at home with their children witness first-hand the utility of games as a vehicle for promoting mathematical thinking.
Families can play strategy games, such as, Connect 4, Junior Monopoly, Monopoly, Pass the Pigs, noughts and crosses, Mastermind, Guess Who, battleships, checkers, and chess, Mancala, card games and dice games (eg: Yahtzee).
Some example games can be found in this PDF:
Miss Emma Riolo - Instructional Coach (Numeracy)
