Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Within the challenging times of staff shortages and student/staff sickness, school is continuing for the majority of students. It appears that a number of students are experiencing symptoms related to either the flu or COVID19 and parents are keeping them at home if necessary. It is highly recommended that students receive a flu shot and it appears these will be provided for free for a period of time. The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday:

"Influenza vaccines will be free to people across NSW as early as next week in a bid to curb a massive rise in flu infections that have soared to almost 12,000 this month. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has warned that influenza season has “hit the state harder and earlier than it has for many years”. He urged people to get the flu jab amid enormous pressure on the health system, with thousands of people presenting to emergency departments with influenza-like illness and 380 hospitalised with the virus this year."

Thank you for your support with keeping your children at home if unwell. 

As parents are aware through Compass alerts and the media, tomorrow (Friday 27 May 2022) will be a day of ‘Protected Industrial Action’. What this means is numerous staff from Catholic schools in NSW are exercising their democratic right to attend rallies in Wollongong and Sydney. How will this affect St Michael’s Nowra:

• Limited supervision will be provided at school, but classes will not run as normal. 
• You may wish to keep your child at home. 
• Any absence from school on this day will not impact your child's attendance record.

As there will be no formal teaching tomorrow, if your child is able to remain at home for the day, it would be appreciated. Thank you for your understanding. A link to Digital Learning Packs for the students to do at home tomorrow can be accessed:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home/2022-digital-learning-packs

This coming Monday 30 May 2022 is ‘School Photo Day’. Families have received all the information from MSP and most have paid online for the various packs. The students are required to wear their full winter uniform this Monday, for their individual, class and family photos. There is an option for family photos to be taken from 7.45am in the school hall, should parents wish to bring and supervise their children in the hall. Alternatively children will be called down for sibling photos throughout the day.

Congratulations to the students who have recently represented our school at the Diocesan Cross Country and the Netball Gala day. From all reports the students displayed exceptional ability combined with great sportsmanship behaviour. A good summary is provided in the newsletter. Well done students, and a big thank you to families for transporting the students. 

Next Wednesday 1 June 2022, students from Year 2 preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation will meet in the hall from 6.30-7.30pm. It is necessary for at least one parent from each family to attend these meetings. If there is a difficulty, please make contact with our Parish Priest Father Joseph. 

Safety concerns before and after school:

I have received two calls from parents in the last week with concerns about the drop off zone out the front of the school. Parents are dropping off students in the marked zone, but some parents and students are crossing the road at the same place. All students and families are asked to use the crossing near the church. There is a designated council employee who is there each morning and afternoon and does an amazing job to keep us all safe. 

Like most schools around the country at the moment, St Michael’s Nowra is experiencing difficulties employing casual teachers when staff members are ill or need to look after their own sick children at home. Every effort is being made by all of us, including Catholic Education Office staff, to have a teacher in front of your child. In the extreme case, a class may need to be split and work within another classroom. This has happened a few times this year and is the last resort. I apologise for the inconvenience this causes the students, but their learning is continuing within whatever classroom they are in. Thank you for your patience. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Christopher Paton

Principal