Dear Parents and Caregivers,

During the last two weeks the school has continued to facilitate a number of meetings and gatherings. The Kindergarten 2024 Playgroups concluded with the 4th session this afternoon. Over the four sessions the number of students attending has been between 40-50 each day. What a wonderful opportunity for the teachers and staff to meet the new students and families. Thank you to the 2024 families who have attended as well as the staff and students who have facilitated the meetings. 2024 is going to be a great year. 

Year 1 has now concluded their annual swimming program. The school staff reported excellent gains over the five days of lessons. Again, thank you to all staff and families who assisted the Year 1 students in this activity. Year 2 had an incursion this week facilitated by 'Ranger Jamie Tours'. Students engaged in various interactive activities that were conducted outdoors. Activities included Bug Catching, Habitat Making, Waterworks, Building Bird Houses and Olympics. The playground was literally a beehive of activity and all involved enjoyed their incursion immensely. 

Year 6 students have commenced ‘Orientation’ to Year 7 at St John’s Nowra. There was a whole day orientation for our Year 6 Aboriginal students yesterday, and all Year 6 students enrolled at St John’s Nowra attended today. The next 6 weeks are a very special time for all of our Year 6 students and I wish them the very best as they conclude their time with us. 

On Wednesday 25 October 2023, the school celebrated the opening of the new Synthetic Grass area on the front playground. Sincere thanks and gratitude were extended to Veolia Mulwaree for their $22 000 grant, the St Michael’s Parents and Friends Association, the Catholic Education Office Wollongong and our builders, Jirgens Civil. In particular, the previous P&F Committee comprising Sophie Pavlis, Carina Beattie & Kylie Plant were acknowledged as well as the current P&F Committee of Carina Beattie, Catherine Montgomery, Tracey Vaughan, Lisa Webber and Caroline Stevenson. Numerous other parents and staff assisted in different ways over the last two years to raise the funds required to complete this project and a special thanks is extended to the students who gained sponsors for last year’s colour run. A wonderful community effort everyone. 

Last Thursday and Friday the Year 5 students and staff attended the Leadership Camp at Waterslea on the Shoalhaven River. Everyone gained something from participating in the camp. The staff were very impressed by the exceptional good behaviour of the students and most who attended the camp received some sleep! Parents and carers of the Year 5 students who attended the camp should be very proud of the way all students engaged in the various activities of the camp. Thank you to the staff who attended the camp and supported the students. A big effort to be on call for almost 32 hours. Congratulations to all students and staff.

During the next period of time, a number of staff will be taking Long Service Leave. Our best wishes and thoughts go with:

• Mrs Carolyn Rukowski who will be away from Week 5-8 inclusive
• Mrs Samantha Luxford who will be away for all of Week 5
• Mrs Oonagh Cameron who is on leave from 26 October to 7 November 2023
• Mrs Therese Bagnall who will be away from Week 5 until the end of the year.
• Mrs Lee-Ann De Rooy who is on leave from 2 November to 10 November 2023

Mrs Michelle Heffernan has graciously accepted the position of Acting Assistant Principal during Mrs Rutkowski's leave. 

At this time of the year we also prepare to farewell staff who are retiring, taking leave or embarking on new teaching adventures. It is always with very mixed feelings that I announce our teaching staff who will not be with us in 2024. Mrs Anne-Maree Berryman, Mrs Stephanie Jakimyszyn and Mrs Ingrid Holland will be retiring after exceptional careers, predominantly at St Michael’s Nowra. We will acknowledge these retirements appropriately towards the end of the year. Mr Dylan Anderson, Mrs Nicole Baran, Mrs Marian Crossley, Miss Hayley Milsom and Mr Harry Toole will all be embarking on new teaching adventures in various parts of Australia in 2024. We will also acknowledge these teachers appropriately towards the end of the year. Some of these teachers will hopefully be returning for 2025. The majority of the rest of our staff will be returning in either a full time or part time capacity for next year. The recruitment process for the 2024 school year is in progress at the moment and I look forward to announcing the new staff towards the end of the year. 

It is with great excitement that I announce the appointment of Mrs Karen Delany as the new Senior School Support Officer (SSSO) at St Michael’s Nowra. Our previous SSSO, Mrs Julie Vella finished at St Michael’s at the end of Week 1. In her time at St Michael's, Mrs Vella did an exceptional job and has been greatly missed by all staff. Mrs Delany is a very experienced administrator and will be warmly welcomed into our school. Mrs Delany will commence on Wednesday 8 November 2023. I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Janie Hamilton who has been doing the Acting SSSO role for the last three weeks. Janie has been fully supported in the office by Ms Sarah Farrugia and Mrs Marie McGregor. Thank you to these three ladies and a number of other staff who have assisted in the office during this transition period. 

Next Friday 10 November 2023, the Annual CDF Sports Awards will take place in Wollongong. This evening is always an outstanding showcase of talented sporting students in our Diocese. A number of students in our school have been nominated for sporting awards and I would like to congratulate them on this achievement. Mr Andrew Allmark and I will be attending the awards and look forward to seeing our students acknowledged for their achievements. Well done to these students and their families. 

ST MICHAEL'S PRODUCTION

WOW, what an amazing performance and remarkable success!

On Friday 20 & Saturday 21 October, the incredible efforts and countless hours invested into preparation and rehearsals by our outstanding team of dedicated school staff, supportive parents and talented students came to fruition, with three sold out performances of 'Lionel Bart's Oliver Junior'.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in this production. We have been inundated with positive feedback from both those involved in the performance as well as audience members, appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy this high quality production.

The many months of commitment, invested by so many, is a testament to the wonderful community we have at St Michael's. This production will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and I couldn't be more proud of the collective achievement.

During the week I received a lovely email, sharing the continued excitement and enthusiam our students have for the production;

'Thought you might like to see a couple of your Year 4 boys that performed in the ensemble for Oliver. Still enjoying their time they decided to dress up for last night's Halloween. 

Sam as Oliver & Charles as Dodger.

Yours in faith and virtue 

Christopher Paton 

School Principal