Last Saturday and Sunday, many of our Year 3 students and two Year 5 students received the Sacrament of Eucharist through their ‘First Holy Communion’. The students were fully prepared by their teachers and parents and the four masses were beautiful celebrations. The reverence, knowledge and respectful behaviour of the students was outstanding. Congratulations to these students, parents and staff. Thank you to our REC Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, Mrs Butler, Mrs Boyton, Mrs Chapman, Miss Milsom and Mrs Arnold and all staff for their preparation and support of the students. The parish hall was once again transformed into a beautiful mass setting. Thank you to our parents for presenting the students for their Sacraments this year despite the numerous challenges and restrictions experienced due to COVID-19. Finally, thank you to Father Joe, Father Ronan, Father Tiziano and Father Pat for leading these beautiful masses. 

The school is in the final process of determining teachers and classes for 2022. As this is the time when families may receive a posting to another state or might just decide on a change of schools, I would appreciate contact through the office if your child/children will not be at St Michael's Nowra in 2022. Thank you for any notifications we have already received. It will also be an opportunity for us to farewell your family appropriately if you are moving to another school, region or state. 

Student progress reports will be released through ‘Compass’ on Friday 10 December 2021. The format is similar to the reports from June 2020. COVID-19 has provided challenges to the students and staff but the reports will hopefully reflect student progress before, during and post remote learning. All of us are looking forward to a normalised 2022 school year. 

As we move into our final two and a half weeks of the 2021 school year, the usual lessons are occurring and learning in all classes is continuing. We are encouraging the students to remain focussed and are closely monitoring the behaviour of some students. The school appreciates your support in sending the students to school ready for learning and dressed in the correct school uniform including shoes. The staff remain focussed to finish the year with an optimistic outlook and grateful appreciation for the challenges that have been faced and overcome in 2021. 

This Sunday 28 November 2021 marks the beginning of Advent which is celebrated in today’s church as a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. The students will know the advent story very well by the time we conclude schooling for 2021 on Wednesday 15 December at 3pm. Each class will celebrate the end of the year in their own way, but there will be a whole school event which is in the final phases of planning. On Thursday 2 December 2021, there will be a twilight swimming carnival for students in Years 2-5 who can easily swim 50 metres. Mr Allmark and a team of staff are finalising the preparation for this carnival. 

Thank you for your ongoing support during a year like no other! 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton