Dear Parents,

It is very exciting to share with you our final newsletter for 2023. The last two weeks have continued to be action packed with numerous activities and events occurring. Despite physically moving classrooms and resources, the students have remained very settled. Learning, along with Christmas craft and preparing for the Christmas Concert, has continued to be a focus. Last week the ‘Student Progress Reports' became available through Compass and a number of follow up parent - teacher interviews have occurred this week. 

During this last fortnight, the following events have occurred:

• Year 6 Pool and Slide day
• The Graduation Mass and Awards for Year 6 students attended by staff, parents and extended families
• Year 1’s excursion to Hyams Beach - set amongst the picturesque setting of the Jervis Bay National Park
• Promotions day for students to see their new classrooms and discover their teacher for 2024. These gatherings went well and classes are now set for 2024. 
• A whole school assembly where Year 6 celebrated their time at the school with final presentations, a slideshow, dance and transfer of specific leadership roles from Year 6 to Year 5.
• The Year 6 family celebration party in the hall
• Year 6’s attendance at Roxy Cinema Nowra
• St Michael’s Fun Day and Colour Run
• Christmas Nativity Concert

I would like to especially acknowledge the preparation and exceptional planning that went into the St Michael’s Fun Day and Colour Run. I would like to recognise the input of Mr Dylan Anderson, staff and the Parents and Friends Committee who all worked tirelessly to plan and implement the St Michael’s Fun Day and Colour Run. Mr Anderson was fully supported by all staff and the commitment of the Parents and Friends Committee was extraordinary. To all of our financial supporters for the day, thank you. To all students, staff and families who participated in this amazing day, thank you. One of the Kindergarten students exclaimed at the end of the day, “It was the bestest day ever!”

I believe this day will continue to be an annual event on our school calendar. In addition to the enormous fun that everyone had, an amount of $33,010 profit was raised. This will be used to support playground enhancement. I do ask all parents to consider joining our Parents and Friends group who have been amazing in every way this year, ably led by President Carina Beattie and strongly supported by an incredible team. 

The Christmas nativity concert was a heartwarming spectacle that brought together the spirit of the season with our students dressed in Christmas colours, bringing the story of the Nativity to life.

The final week of school has been a very special one for our Year 6 students. We officially farewelled these students this afternoon at 2.30pm. On Tuesday night in Week 9 at the Graduation Mass and Awards, our two School Captains, Eleanor Boyton and Yuin Hill gave a wonderful farewell speech on behalf of Year 6, reflecting on their years of education at St Michael’s Nowra. Eleanor, Yuin, the prefects, colour captains and all Year 6 students have displayed wonderful leadership during this year. A special thank you to Year 6 students for their gift of tear drop banners to be used at carnivals involving our colour house teams. Thank you as well to our Year 6 staff who worked tirelessly with the students this year. 

I would like to express a special thank you to Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski, our Assistant Principal, for her loyalty and support during the year. I am thankful for the support of Mrs Martine Mathieson for leading the religious dimension of the school. To all of our leadership team: Mrs Karen Delany, Mrs Michelle Heffernan, Mrs Anne Dempsey, Mrs Emma-Kate Callaghan, Mr Dylan Anderson and Mrs Sam Luxford, may I thank you for what you have done for our students and staff in 2023. To all of our staff, you have been magnificent in every way and the St Michael’s community is lucky to have you. 

As we conclude the 2023 school year, we say farewell to a significant number of staff members who are retiring, taking leave or just embarking on new adventures. I would like to acknowledge the following staff and thank them for their gift of presence at our school:

• Mrs Anne-Maree Berryman will be retiring after teaching at our school for 38 years.  Her passion for teaching, her kindness and her ability to ignite curiosity within the students will always be remembered. Mrs Berryman’s retirement marks the end of an incredible era in education, and her reputation as an exceptional educator will endure for generations to come.
• Mrs Stephanie Jakimyszyn will be retiring after teaching at St Michael’s for 28 years, in a career spanning at least three decades. Her dedication to ensuring each student's success, has truly enriched the lives of the students in her care. Mrs Jakimyszyn’s wisdom, patience, and enthusiasm for learning have always been admired within the St Michael’s school community and will always be remembered.
• Mrs Ingrid Holland, our Physical Education teacher, will be retiring after teaching for 38 years. Her boundless energy, innovative approach to fitness, and genuine care for each student under her guidance have been the hallmark of her impactful career. Mrs Holland’s commitment to instilling not only a love of PE, but also values of teamwork, perseverance, and a lifelong love for a healthy lifestyle has left a profound mark on generations of students. You will be missed Mrs Holland.
• Mr Patrick Douglas, our Pastoral Care and PB4L Middle Leader has been appointed to a permanent role within the Catholic Education Office Wollongong and is presently working in the ‘Child Protection Unit’. For the last three and a half years, Mr Douglas has worked tirelessly to support the wellbeing and behaviour of many students in our school as well as support parents and staff. Mr Douglas is highly respected and his presence within the school has had a profound effect on the culture within the school. I wish Mr Douglas the very best for the future.  
• Mr Dylan Anderson has worked at St Michael's for the last four years and has quickly built the reputation as a caring and committed teacher, willing to lead and be involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. As a former school captain at St Michael’s, Mr Anderson has always displayed his love of the school through his community outreach and willingness to be a part of the daily life of the school. Mr Anderson has resigned his teaching position and will be heading on an adventurous Australian teaching adventure. 
• Miss Hayley Millsom has been a teacher at our school for the last two and a half years and has shown great service and commitment to the students at St Michael’s. Her involvement in extracurricular activities such as ‘Oliver Jr’ and ‘Mini Vinnies Winter Sleep Out’, demonstrates Miss Millsom’s commitment to the students, staff and families. Miss Millsom has resigned her teaching position and will be heading on an adventurous Australian teaching adventure. 
• Mrs Nicole Baran will be on 12 months leave while she also heads on an adventurous Australian teaching adventure with her husband. We look forward to Mrs Baran’s return to St Michael’s in 2025. 
• Mr Harry Toole has been working at our school for the last two years. While intending to head to Sydney at the start of 2023, Mr Toole answered our plea for assistance and has taught Kindergarten this year. Mr Toole has built a beautiful rapport with students, staff and families, and heads to Sydney to further his teaching experience.
• Mrs Pauline Scerri has taught a Year 5 class at St Michael's for the 2023 school year and has displayed a strong commitment to all students in her care. Mrs Scerri is heading down the coast to continue her teaching career. Mrs Scerri’s presence within the school will be missed and we wish her the very best. 
• Mrs Maree Hamilton will remain on leave for the 2024 school year, following surgery earlier this year. Mrs Hamilton embodies the spirit of St Michael’s school community and will be returning for the 2025 school year. We wish Mrs Hamilton the very best as she continues to gain strength and mobility. 

Our main classroom teaching staff for 2024 include:

All other teaching and support staff will be shared with families at the commencement of the 2024 school year as some appointments are still being finalised. 

At this time of the year we also say farewell to a number of families who have been part of St Michael’s School for many years. Some of these families have seen three or more students attend St Michael’s Nowra during their time at the school and their assistance, loyalty and support has been most appreciated. All of our leaving families are always welcome back at St Michael’s at any time. Thank you for your support over the years.

Finally, I am praying that Christmas will be a wonderful time of celebration for all families. We have much to thank our God for. I am hoping Christmas will be a time for renewing friendships, making peace, simply enjoying one another’s company, sharing love and appreciation for each other with the exchange of good wishes and gifts.

School recommences for all students in Years 1-6 on Thursday 1 February 2024.  

Yours in faith and virtue 

Christopher Paton 

School Principal