Dear Parents & Carers

Welcome back to a brand new school year at St Michael’s Nowra, filled with excitement, growth, and learning! We are thrilled to have our students return to the classrooms, ready to embark on another year of academic achievement and personal development. The school staff have been diligently preparing to create a positive and enriching environment for your children, fostering a love for learning and nurturing their potential. As partners in your child's education journey, we look forward to working together to ensure a successful and rewarding academic year for each student. I warmly welcome all of the new students and their families. Here's to a year filled with exploration, collaboration, and memorable moments. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education; together, we will make this school year truly exceptional.

The school presently employs around 70 people each day as Teachers, School Support Officers (SSOs), Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) and Defence mentors.  The teaching staff for each grade at this stage include:

A number of these classes are also supported by leadership team members, additional teachers, SSOs and AEAs.

The Leadership team for 2024 includes:

On Wednesday 7 February, Kindergarten students experienced their first day at 'big school'.

The students settled well and teachers enjoyed getting to know each of the students.

We extend a warm welcome to all of the Kindergarten parents and carers. We look forward to partnering with you for the next seven years of primary education for your child.

NEW AND RETURNING STAFF

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning teachers for 2024: 

Jo Ilias, Jessica Rosskelly, Tonianne Seymour, Jack Richardson, Jacinta Markovski, Jaclyn Betts, Jason Harrison, Joshua Spain, Carroll Hatfield, Michelle Moulton and Daniela Mardones. We are certainly fortunate to have a strong team of teachers for 2024. Despite a number of changes to our teaching staff for 2024, grade teams of teachers are developing strong collaborative relationships and I believe we have a wonderful year ahead. 

PROFESSIONAL PLANNING TIME (PPT)

Each week the students participate in a number of specialist lessons in the areas of Physical Education (PE), Library and Creative Arts. While the students are receiving these specialist lessons, the teaching staff are given: ‘Professional Planning Time’ referred to as PPT. The students rotate through the various lessons according to the roster which has been shared with you.

PPT TIMETABLE TERM 1 2024

When participating in PE (Physical Education) with Mr Chris Bryant, the students are encouraged to wear their sports uniform. The students will participate in Library lessons with Mrs Barbara McKenna. This year Mrs Victoria Boyton will be teaching the four strands of Creative Arts, commencing with Visual Arts in Term 1. 

PARTNERSHIPS

As a school we are looking forward to working in partnership with all parents and caregivers to enable all students to reach their full potential. Each classroom teacher will shortly provide you with specific class related information for 2024. Most importantly, I encourage you to develop a positive relationship with your child’s teacher so that true partnership and collaboration can occur. In the next few weeks there will be an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher. As the year progresses after the first meeting with your teacher, I encourage all parents to formally arrange all parent meetings through the school office if required, for an educational or other matter. It is difficult to conduct important meetings when the students are lined up ready to go into the classrooms in the morning. I also encourage families to ensure each child comes to school with healthy food for recess and lunch. Each child will also require a healthy food option (fruit, vegetables) for daily ‘Munch n Crunch’. 

OPENING LITURGY

Yesterday the school conducted an Opening Liturgy for the new school year. Thank you to Mrs Rutkowski, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Dempsey and all involved staff for organising and running this liturgy. At 9.30am in the school hall, the students and a number of parents gathered to congratulate the new Student Leaders for 2024. In the Opening Liturgy all students were welcomed back and the Year 6 students were presented with their leadership badges. Congratulations to these students and their families. 

PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION MEETING

Tuesday 13 February 2024

This coming Tuesday in the school library, the Parents and Friends group will be gathering for the Annual General Meeting and elections for the 2024 executive. This group had a magnificent year in 2023 and has optimistic and high hopes for the 2024 school year. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend and assist this vital group achieve their objectives. Please join us from 6pm in person or via a Zoom link, to be shared with you next week.

BISHOP BRIAN MASCORD

The school has been notified by Father Joseph our Parish Priest, that Bishop Brian Mascord from the Diocese of Wollongong will be visiting the parish and school between Thursday and Sunday next week. Full details of his visit will be shared with families through Compass. Bishop Brian will visit some classrooms during his time in Nowra next week. 

Have a wonderful term everyone!