Since the last newsletter, the school has experienced a week filled with a Kindergarten 2023 meeting, two First Holy Communion practices and two beautiful masses last Sunday, celebrating the Year 3 students receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Congratulations to all of the Year 3 students who received the Sacrament of Eucharist during their First Holy Communion. The reverence of all students and families was outstanding and all aspects of the celebration mass were led beautifully by Father Joseph. The celebration occurred in the school hall which was transformed into a beautiful mass setting by Mrs Royston and staff. Thank you to everyone involved, especially the Year 3 teachers, Mrs Butler, Mrs Hart, Miss Palmer, Mrs Walker, and Mrs Firkin. A gracious thank you is extended to Mrs Mathieson and Mrs Royston for their assistance with the First Holy Communion. This week all Year 3 students attended a morning mass with Father Joseph, their teachers and some families.

The Kindergarten Orientation process has successfully welcomed our new students for 2023 and their families into our school. Following the parent evening last week, we met again with parents and carers on Tuesday morning while the students attended their first session in the Kindergarten classrooms. Students returned on Thursday morning for another formal orientation session. Following the eight ‘playgroup’ sessions that we had with many of these students earlier this term, along with extended transition visits by some of the new students, the school has gained a valuable insight into our new cohort of students. There was a healthy optimism amongst staff, parents and students. Our school is privileged to commence this seven year journey with these new students and looks forward to an excellent partnership with the families. Thank you to our present Kindergarten staff and everyone who assisted with the orientations in any way. The Year 5 and 6 students and their teachers had a valuable role to play, working with the present Kindergarten students and welcoming the new ones. Well done everyone. 

For a period of time, all teachers have been working on preparing student reports for Semester 2, 2022. The school leadership team is in the process of reviewing specific grade reports prior to my final read of all reports during Week 8. Our intention is to share reports with parents on Thursday in Week 9. These reports take an incredibly long amount of time to write, read, reread and ensure a consistency across all grades. The reports can be accessed through Compass after this time. Thank you to all of our teachers for completing these reports and ensuring they accurately reflect the progress attained by students this year. 

Teachers are in the process of developing class lists for 2023 and we are working to have this finalised by next week. This is an important process to ensure that each classroom has an equal gender balance and a compatible blend of students in each room. When putting these class lists together, teachers are aware of the various different learning needs and personalities of students in each grade and attempt to create classes where all students will feel safe and supported. This is an important time for parents to inform the school office if their child will not be attending St Michael’s Nowra in 2023. 

During the next two weeks the following will occur:

• The Year 2 performance of The Gruffalo in Week 8. These students have been preparing the play this term and look forward to their performances. Students in the infants classes will watch the play on Monday 28 November 2022 and families are invited to see the play on Thursday 1 December commencing at 5.30pm. Congratulations to all staff and students involved in this performance.  
• The School Swimming Carnival on Friday 2 December for students in Years 2-6. Mr Allmark has been working tirelessly to organise a carnival which will cater for all levels of swimming ability with a strong emphasis on students enjoying their day. All information has been shared with parents and carers of these students. Thank you to Mr Allmark and all staff involved. 

This weekend, the liturgical season of Advent commences. In our church calendar, Advent is the period leading up to Christmas. It starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November and ends on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. The word 'advent' means 'coming'. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. All classes are learning about the season of Advent and will no doubt be excited about Christmas day where we celebrate the birth of Jesus. All families are invited to join us on the back playground for the Christmas Concert on Monday 12 December 2022 at midday. Each grade will perform a Christmas themed song and all students will be involved.

A special congratulations is extended to one of our Middle Leaders, Mr Patrick Douglas who received a ‘Lighting The Way’ award from the Catholic Education Office Wollongong Director, Mr Peter Hill earlier this week. This award recognised Mr Douglas’ innovative approach and commitment to Pastoral Care, Social & Emotional Learning and Behaviour Support within our school over the last three years. Along with all staff, Mr Douglas is very committed to supporting students, families and staff and is well known to many in our school community. This is a prestigious and well deserved award, congratulations Mr Douglas.

Christopher Paton
Principal