Dear Parents and Carers, 

Yesterday Year 6 students and their families gathered together in St Michael's Church for the ‘Graduation Mass’. Father Joseph led us in a beautiful liturgy which featured student participation in the readings, Offertory procession, singing, Communion and liturgical movement. The sermon by Father Joseph, based on the scripture readings,  gave all students and families useful lessons in how to lay a strong foundation for high school. Thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Father Joseph, Mrs Mathieson, Ms Callaghan and all staff who prepared and assisted with the mass. At 5pm next Tuesday 10 December, Year 6 students and families will gather in the school hall for the annual Year 6 Awards Presentation. 

On Friday 13 December 2024 at 9.15am, there will be a whole school assembly attended by all students to celebrate the Year 6 students and their achievements in 2024. The major Year 6 award winners from Tuesday night will be named again, and the special powerpoint of Year 6 student photos will be shared. The Year 6 students will then perform their farewell song and dance off. The assembly will conclude with the handover of student leadership from Year 6 to Year 5 students. At this assembly the school will also also acknowledge the staff members who will be leaving us at the end of the year.

The Year 6 students will finalise their time at St Michael’s with:

• A Pool day on Monday 16 December 2024
• Roxy Cinema on the morning of Wednesday 18 December 2024
• Final farewell walk of honour on Wednesday afternoon from 2.30pm. 

On Tuesday 17 December the school will come together for a Christmas concert at 9.30am, followed by the Mission Fair in the playground. 

During the next week there will be some Compass alerts regarding the upcoming events, teachers for 2025 and a final Principal message for 2024. Parents and Caregivers are urged to read all of these Compass alerts. 

STUDENT REPORTS

Semester 2 reports for all students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will be available on the Compass Parent Portal on Friday 13 December at 5pm. Parents/carers will be notified by email when these are available for viewing and download. For students on personalised plans, these will also be available at this time.

Year 6 Parents/Carers are advised to download all of their children's reports and personalised plans from Compass prior to 21 December 2024 as student files will not be available once the annual rollover takes place on this date.

ADVENT

Last Sunday 1 December 2024, our Catholic Church commenced the Season of Advent. This is a time of great joy and expectation. Throughout December, students at St Michael’s are learning what Christmas truly means and how we can prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. If you’re looking for ways to engage with your child during this special time, we’ve put together a few ideas. 

The Christmas decorations are starting to appear, carols are playing softly in the shops, and there's a buzz of excitement in the air. But before we get swept up in the festivities, the Catholic Church invites us to pause and enter into the season of Advent.

Advent, meaning "coming" in Latin, is the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. It's a special time of preparation where we not only anticipate the joyful celebration of Jesus' birth, but also reflect on his second coming. Think of it as a journey – a journey of hope, peace, joy, and love, leading us to the manger in Bethlehem.

At school, students will be learning about this journey through Scripture readings, prayers and activities. You can join your child on this adventure at home too. Click here for some simple ways to bring the spirit of Advent into your family life.

Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful Advent season.

Yours in faith & virtue

Chris Paton

School Principal