Dear Parents, 

The last term of the school year has started well. I trust everyone had a relaxing break. On the last day of Term 3, the school celebrated the Feast day of our patron, Saint Michael. It was a beautiful mass and the engagement by the students was outstanding.

Thank you for sending the students back to school in their full summer uniform. They are wearing it with pride. 

On Tuesday 15 October 2019, 12 of the Year 5 and 6 students participated in the annual ‘Public speaking’ competition in the school hall. All students who participated were very well prepared. I would like to congratulate all of the following Stage 3 students who participated on Tuesday:

• Liam Johnstone (5R), Imannjot Bahangu (5R), Oscar Spence (5B), Anya Ellerington (5B), Evie Wood (5W), Madison Campbell (5W), Abby Griffis (6B), Ben Speer (6B), Ashleigh Innes (6R), Abbey Poulton (6R), Elijah Guyatt (6W) and Chelsea Duncan (6W).

Ashleigh Innes (Year 6) and Evie Wood (Year 5) were selected to represent St Michael’s Nowra at the Regional Public Speaking Competition at St Joseph’s Bulli on Wednesday 23 October 2019. We wish both girls the best of luck.  

We have a number of big events coming up this term. These include:

• Mark Taylor Cricket Shield for selected students and Mr Hunt on Wednesday 23 October 2019
• Kindergarten Orientation Evening for 2020 students on Thursday 24 October 2019
• Mission Mass - for all students on Friday 25 October 2019
• Year 5 Overnight Camp on 31 October 2019 and 1 November 2019
• Year 5 High School Workshop on Tuesday 5 November at St John’s Nowra
• School Fair - for our whole community on Sunday 10 November 2019
• First Holy Communion - for students on Sunday 24 November 2019 at 9.30am and 12 noon
• Numerous excursions

This is not a complete list! On Sunday week 27 October 2019, the school and parish will celebrate the regular “Mass with A Difference” which occurs a few times a year. The mass is at 6pm, usually on the God’s Grass area opposite the Year 4 and Year 2 classrooms. This is always a beautiful and lively mass. Please feel welcome to join us for the mass.

This week our school commenced a ‘Transition to School Through Playgroup’ for our new 2020 Kindergarten students. Both the Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning sessions were well attended and provided an opportunity for parents to engage in play with their children and for everyone to get to know each other. This is a great initiative supported by the Catholic Education Office Wollongong. Thank you to all staff who are involved in this initiative. The playgroup will continue on a Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning for the next three weeks. 

Have a great term everyone.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton