Dear Parents/Carers,

It is hard to believe the school has reached the halfway mark of the school year. As Term 2 concludes, there is much to reflect on and celebrate. Each fortnight the newsletter highlights through words and photos, the ongoing happenings of the school. This newsletter is always prepared so beautifully by Janie Hamilton in the school office and we are so fortunate to have such a high calibre celebration of the students, families and staff in our school. 

Highlights of the last fortnight include:

• Confirmation
• Completion of the gymnastics program
• School Musical preparation
• The support of St John’s Nowra Year 10 Work Experience students in Week 10
• Diocesan sporting events, including the Netball Gala Day and the Rugby Knockout Carnival. 

Today our school celebrated NAIDOC Week 2025 with a vibrant program highlighting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The celebration commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country and a traditional Dhurga welcoming, setting a respectful tone for the day. Students performed dances like the "Show Off" and "Pipi Dance," illustrating cultural practices and storytelling through movement. The "Black Cockatoo" dance powerfully narrated a local Dreamtime story explaining the origin of Nowra's name, connecting the audience to the land's history. The school choir performed "This is Me," and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students united for the "Red Black and Yellow Dance," celebrating the Aboriginal flag's colours and their significance. 

Throughout the event, various stories and speeches emphasised the 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," acknowledging Elders and inspiring future leaders. The celebration reiterated the importance of passing on cultural knowledge through performance, narrative, video and song. Congratulations to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and all of our staff who organised the day, especially Vanessa Longbottom, Zali Lonesborough, Ky Nolan, Mya Ellis, Anne Dempsey, Marian Crossley, Jessica Rosskelly and Shari Cook. We also farewelled Aunty Chris Finney who has retired from teaching at St Michael's Nowra but will continue working at St John’s Nowra. We thanked Aunty Chris for her love and support for the students, staff and families in our school. 

Following the NAIDOC celebration, our wonderful P&F Committee hosted morning tea for our visiting parents/carers and guests. We would like to thank ALI Civil Pty Ltd for sponsoring the morning tea, and Blak Cede Cafe Nowra for catering this event. Thank you to our P&F team for organising this wonderful service. We're extremely grateful for everything you do to support our school community.

Yesterday all families were given access through Compass to their child’s Student Progress Report for Semester 1, 2025. I urge parents to take time to read these reports with your child and note the areas for growth recommended by the classroom teachers. If families would like to follow up any aspects of the report with their child’s teacher, they are urged to make an appointment early in Term 3. Access to the Compass Parent portal ceases when students graduate or relocate from St Michael's, therefore we recommend for parents/carers to download and retain electronic and printed forms of all student reports, personalised plans and NAPLAN results.

Numerous staff and families have asked about the progress with finding a new Principal for 2026. This process is fully coordinated by the Catholic Education Office Wollongong (CEDoW). The original advertisements for the position were initiated at the commencement of Term 2. In the first round of discernment, it was decided by CEDoW to advertise a second time this week. The process for selecting the substantive Principal position at St Michael’s Nowra is a vital one to ensure the right person is selected. It is expected that further interviews will occur early in Term 3. 

School resumes for Term 3 on Tuesday 22 July 2025. All staff will return to school on the previous day to attend a Staff Development Day. Thank you parents for assisting the school by keeping your children at home on this day. 

As we come to the end of the school term, I wish all families, students and staff the very best for a safe and restful holiday. To all of our staff, I extend a gracious thank you for all you do every day. The school is fortunate to have all of you.