Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we complete Week 6 of Term 3, there have been a number of excursions and events in the last two weeks. One of these was the Book Week parade, organised by Mrs. McKenna. This was a vibrant celebration of literature and creativity.

Students and teachers alike eagerly participated in the event, donning costumes that brought beloved book characters to life. The parade featured a colourful procession under the back COLA, captivating the attention of onlookers with its diverse range of characters and imaginative outfits.

Mrs. McKenna's meticulous planning and dedication to fostering a love for reading were evident in the joyful atmosphere that enveloped the parade. This event not only promoted a sense of community within the school but also emphasised the importance of literature in sparking young minds. Thank you to Mrs McKenna, all staff and parents who assisted to organise the students’ costumes. 

On Tuesday this week, the Year 3 students attended the Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley, Wollongong.

Outcomes from the Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)  & Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PD, H & PE) curriculums were covered during this excursion, which numerous St Michael's students have attended over the years.

Stand out learnings included cultural diversity and wellbeing, two important areas promoted by the school in recent times. The students represented St Michael's beautifully. Thank you to the staff and parents who assisted with this excursion. 

For the last two days, I have been in Canberra on the annual Year 6 overnight excursion. During this time, the students, staff and I visited the Parliament House, National Electoral Education Center, Questacon Science Centre, Commonwealth Place, National Museum of Australia, National Arboretum, and had a drive past the Consulates and Embassies. The behaviour and leadership of the Year 6 students was outstanding as usual. We look forward to sharing photos of this excellent excursion with you. 

A short while ago, our Defence School Mentor (DSM) Mrs Natalie Hayes, was offered the opportunity to teach at St John's Nowra until the end of the year. Mrs Hayes has been a wonderful supporter of students, staff and families over the last couple of years in her role as DSM. Our school ceremonies for ANZAC day and Remembrance day have always been incredibly memorable. Towards the end of last year, Mrs Hayes used her teaching skills to assist the Year 6 students to create a beautiful Defence mural on the back playground. As a parent at St Michael's, Mrs Hayes will continue to be a presence within our school and we are very grateful for all that Mrs Hayes has achieved in her time as DSM. In the near future the school will advertise and hopefully appoint a new DSM until the end of the calendar year. Thank you Mrs Hayes. 

Last week the school conducted interviews for the specialised role of part-time teacher in the

Benedictine Centre (BC). I am pleased to announce and congratulate Mrs Tonianne Seymour on being offered the position. Mrs Seymour taught full time at our school a few years back, prior to having two children. Mrs Seymour has been teaching at our school for the last couple of years in a casual capacity and we wish her the very best in this appointment. 

Next Friday 1 September 2023, the Parents & Friends and the school will be hosting a sausage sizzle breakfast and liturgy. The sausage sizzle is being sponsored by Jirgens Civil and will be followed by a short liturgy at 8.45am. There will be one sausage sandwich available for each child and parent who attends (Gold coin donations requested). Further details are in the P&F newsletter article. Thank you to the Jirgens family for sponsoring this event. Thank you Mrs Mathieson, our Religious Education Coordinator for organising the short liturgy on the playground. Kindergarten will attend their Shoalhaven Zoo excursion after the liturgy. What an exciting day for all students and families. 

It is at this time of the year that schools commence recruitment for teaching staff in 2024. If you have friends or family who are trained teachers, including graduates, please ask them to look out for these advertisements on the Catholic Education Office Wollongong website. There will be some permanent and temporary positions available. Interviewing will commence in three weeks. Please spread the word. 

The parish will be accepting enrolments for the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Holy Communion) for baptised Catholic students in Year 3 and above very soon. Please read the information which I have repeated from the last newsletter.

In Term 4, the students in Year 3 will commence learning about the Sacrament of Eucharist during their daily religion lessons. The Year 3 teachers love teaching the students about this important Sacrament which Catholic students receive during their ‘First Holy Communion’. To be able to receive their ‘First Holy Communion’, students in St Michael’s school and other schools in the local area, enrol in the Parish Sacramental program in one of the local churches within the Parish. Enrolment can occur by attending one of the local weekend masses and/or contacting the Catechist Coordinator – Madira Arnold 0473 360 183 or madira.arnold@dow.org.au  

The timeline for the First Holy Communion program will be distributed in the various Parish churches on the weekend of 9/10 September. The program will include an evening of Prayer Assessment on 13/14 September in which the children will be asked to recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Act of Contrition. There will be a support session on every Sunday just before the 10.45am Mass for the children and parents who need further help with the Holy Communion Program. This year the Parish will be introducing a new component within the program. It will be called ‘Rosary Night’ which will provide an opportunity to have a special devotion to Mother Mary. First Holy Communion Masses will occur on the weekend of 25/26 November.

The spirit of St Michael's and the nation was on show last Wednesday, with a flourish of green and gold in support of the Matilda's Australian Womens' World Cup soccer campaign. It was a remarkable result for Australia to place fourth in the world, particularly as a less populated country with around 26.4million residents, in comparison to tournament winners, Spain (47.54million) and runners-up England (56.53million), boasting in excess of double our population. The impact of the Matilda's team in promoting women in sport is extraordinary. 

Our students showed high levels of enthusiasm to practice their soccer skills last week, with several hoping to follow in the footpath of their idols to one day represent our country.