Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This is the first of a regular fortnightly newsletter that you will receive. Most information for parents will be shared as a 'Compass Alert' directly to your mobile phone/device. For example, yesterday afternoon all families received two notifications regarding a positive case of COVID19 as well as information regarding the collection of the RAT kits over the next two days. If you are not receiving these regular ‘Compass Alerts’ call the school office for assistance with downloading the appropriate App. 

A very special welcome to the new school year is extended to all of our families, especially our brand new Kindergarten students who commenced on Tuesday this week. Despite the ominous presence of COVID19 within our Shoalhaven community, the new Kindergarten students have arrived very calm and settled. Welcome to all families, especially our new ones. Each grade in the school has been gifted with a small number of new students who have settled into new routines quite quickly. All new students to our school are very welcome. 

To keep our students and staff safe from the spread of COVID19, there is a strong emphasis on restricting our students to grade cohorts when on the playground, learning and using the toilets. All students have designated play areas before school and during recess and lunch. Students in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 have a different recess and lunch to the students in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. I am pleased to report that the playground during all breaks is very calm and student behaviour has been excellent. 

In line with the NSW Public Health Order, access to the school is restricted, and unfortunately at this stage, parents are still unable to come on to the school premises unless they need to physically visit the school office. All school Principals look forward to the day when access to parents and caregivers returns. Except for new enrolment interviews, most parent/teacher interviews will continue to occur by phone or Zoom. Your patience with this type of interview is appreciated. 

The school presently employs around 60 people each day as teachers, School Support Officers (SSOs) and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs). With great excitement, I am pleased to announce that a new AEA has been appointed and will commence at our school on 16  February 2022. Congratulations to Miss Zali Lonesborough who will commence full time employment with us. The teaching staff for each grade at this stage include:

A number of these classes are also supported by leadership team members, additional teachers, SSOs and AEAs. Each fortnight I will introduce our various other staff members to you. 

All families are invited to participate in a survey focussing on parent participation in the school: past, present and future. St Michael’s Nowra has a long and rich tradition of parent participation within the school. Through this survey, the school and the ‘Parents and Friends Association’ wish to discover how we can reimagine parent involvement after COVID19 diminishes. Parents are valued within our school and your views will be welcomed. This survey will be sent to you through a Compass alert. 

At the end of last year the students in Year 5 and 6 participated in the Christmas Art competition. As some students finished a few days early at the end of last year, I would like to congratulate once again the following students, 

CONGRATULATIONS

Year 6 - Taya Sanchez, Kieran Kochaniewicz, Mylan Brunton

Year 5 - Alannah Oke, Lucy Bacales, James Fielding