Dear Parents and Carers,

Mr Paton has been away from school for the last 10 school days and has asked me to pass this message on to you.

Dear Families, 

A week and a half ago, my mother Margaret Paton, was diagnosed with the need for immediate bowel surgery. With the health limitations of a 94 year old and an extended and unknown period of difficult rehabilitation following surgery, my mother elected to not have surgery and entered Palliative Care. During this time my brother and his wife and one of their children arrived from Canada, and my sister arrived from Perth to have our last days together with our mother. Last Monday morning at 9.10am, my mum passed into eternal life with our God and my father John. Mum had a very strong Catholic faith and her life was celebrated in St Mark's Catholic Church, Drummoyne today.

I would like to thank parents for your support of Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski, Acting Principal, the school leadership team and staff. I ask that you say a prayer for my mother Margaret when you have a moment.

My mother is now resting in peace. 

Regards,

Mr Paton

It is hard to believe we have reached the midpoint of Term 3. Term 3 is always a busy term of learning and includes many exciting events and excursions. 

Last Monday the school community celebrated Book Week with a Book Parade. It was an exciting occasion for students to be dressed as their favourite book characters. Book Week provides opportunities to celebrate quality literature that can spark imagination, inspire and create a lifelong love and curiosity in reading. 

Reading to and with your child daily as part of their homework routine has many benefits.  It provides exposure to new vocabulary and allows students to share, practise and consolidate the reading skills and knowledge taught at school. Engaging with literature develops critical thinking and comprehension skills and assists with developing reading fluency and confidence.

From the beginning of Week 7 the school will continue to celebrate reading with a Book Fair held in the school library. As the book fair draws near, Mrs McKenna will share information about the fair and explain how students can purchase books to read at home.

On Friday last week, our students from Years 3 and 4 and some students from Years 5 and 6 attended the Soccer Gala Day at South Nowra. From all reports our student's behaviour was exceptional and they displayed a high level of sportsmanship and effort in each game of soccer played. I am proud of our students and how they represented St Michael’s within the broader community. It is a credit to our teachers, parents and carers who share, educate and guide the values and behaviour we expect of our students at St Michael’s.

A special thank you is also extended to the Parents and Friends Association for their generosity and community spirit in assisting with the canteen on the day. Your time and effort are always appreciated!

I have been fortunate to join Year 6 on their overnight excursion to Canberra. We have had a great time engaging in the wonderful cultural and educational experiences offered by Canberra. Photos and stories will be shared in our next fortnightly newsletter. I would like to thank the teachers for their time, organisation and commitment to the experience offered to our students. Thank you, Mrs Dempsey, Mr Spain, Mr Harrison, Mrs Luxford, Mrs McKenna and our School Support Officers, Mrs Cox, Mrs Nicholls and Miss Cook!  

To ensure the ongoing safety of our students at afternoon dismissal, I wish to remind parents and carers to use the crossing on either North Street or Osborne Street. Crossing near the buses is unsafe and stressful for drivers navigating traffic and pedestrians.

I would like to extend a very Happy Father’s Day to all of our students dads, grandfathers and significant males. I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday. We would like to show our gratitude and celebrate your important role as a father by inviting you to our Father’s Day breakfast and prayer celebration on Monday 2nd September from 7am to 9:30 am. If joining us for this celebration, normal supervision of students will begin from 8:15am so I ask fathers and carers needing to attend work before the liturgy at 8:45am to remain with their child until teacher supervision at 8:15am.