Each day at 11am, our state of NSW tunes into the daily COVID19 update. For those in the most affected suburbs and cities, it is an anxious wait for better news which presently evades them. How fortunate for those of us lucky enough to live and work in the Shoalhaven region. While there is still a level of anxiety amongst some of our students, staff and families, it is no comparison to what other schools in the Diocese of Wollongong and the Greater Sydney region are experiencing. Our students and staff are able to attend school at the same time each day with a lower level of restrictions, allowing many of our families to continue to work. 

The majority of our families have continued to support the greater good by keeping sick students at home, even if they have mild symptoms. I have encouraged staff to get tested and remain at home if they have the mildest symptoms and so far our school community has remained well. While it is an inconvenience to have to pick students up from school when they exhibit mild COVID19 symptoms, it is a NSW Health decision and must be followed by all of us. Thank you parents and caregivers for following these mandated directives and respectfully acknowledging the front line workers (office staff, teachers, school support officers, Aboriginal Education Assistants and all other staff) who look after your children in good faith each day. We will get through this once in a lifetime pandemic if we continue to look after each other. Unlike our northern and western families who are not allowed to work and are doing remote learning in their homes, our freedom is still mainly intact. We have much to be grateful for. Continue to look after each other. 

Last week was a challenging one for the school following the funeral of our Year 3 student, Rosie Brkic and the passing of Mrs Marie Barnard, the mother of our Year 4 teacher Mrs Maree Hamilton and grandmother of our Kindergarten teacher Mrs Emma-Kate Callaghan. The funeral for Rosie was a beautiful celebration of her life and focussed strongly on her loving personality, the amazing family support and her time at St Michael's Nowra. Rosie will live on in our hearts and memories. On Tuesday Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Callaghan and their families said farewell in a moving liturgy in the church led by Father Pat Faherty. Mrs Barnard will be very missed by all of her family and I ask you to keep Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Callaghan and their families in your prayers. 

Last week the school had its annual athletics carnival. Mr Allmark and the school staff were supported on the day by a small group of parent volunteers and St John’s students. The feedback from the students was that they had a wonderful day, blessed by good weather. A special thank you is extended to everyone who contributed to make the day a success. 

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) has been actively fundraising this year to pay for improvements to the handball courts on the front playground. Supported by Miss Scurr and other staff members, this group of representative students from Years 3-6 have met regularly and come up with new ideas to enhance our school. This Friday, students are permitted to wear ‘Mufti clothes’ to school - based on the green and gold Olympic colours. Each child will give a gold coin donation towards SRC fundraising. Well done to these students! 

This week Mr Paul Brodie returned to St Michael’s school to provide targeted teaching through the COVID19 tutoring program. Mr Brodie has taught at St Michael’s within the Good Samaritan Centre and most recently Year 3. Mr Brodie is an excellent teacher and will provide excellent support to a number of targeted students. 

On Friday 13 August 2021, the school will be having its annual NAIDOC remembrance assembly. It will be on the back playground in the open air and unfortunately limited to staff and students due to COVID19 restrictions. Best wishes to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team and students as they prepare to celebrate our 60 000 year old culture.