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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Since the last newsletter, the school has celebrated Book Week with a special parade attended by many parents and friends. The imagination of parents, students and staff resulted in an excellent array of themed outfits. It was exciting to see so many families joining us on the playground. The following Monday numerous families joined us for the Father's Day prayer assembly. Senior students led the assembly and Year 2 completed the assembly with a reading and dramatisation of ‘My Dad’ by Anthony Browne. Thank you to the staff and students who participated so enthusiastically in both events.
Last Saturday many of the students in Year 6, along with other students in the parish, were ‘Confirmed in the Holy Spirit’. Bishop Brian Mascord led the two Confirmation liturgies which were celebrated in the school hall. Mrs Royston, Mrs Mathieson, Mr Anderson and numerous staff converted the school hall into a reverent mass setting. The students were well prepared for the sacrament through religious education lessons taught by the three Year 6 teachers, Ms Scurr, Mr Allmark and Mrs Boyton. ‘Saints’ assignments guided the students to choose a Confirmation name that was used by Bishop Brian when he sealed each candidate with the ‘Oil of Chrism’. Bishop Brian spoke in an engaging manner with the students and encouraged them to use the Holy Spirit to guide them in their everyday lives. It was wonderful to see the extended families back to celebrate this Sacrament. A special thank you is extended to Mrs Maree McMillan who arranged and provided lunch for the Bishop, staff and choir parishioners.
In the last week, students in Years 3 and 5 received their NAPLAN results. Many students received very pleasing NAPLAN results and the teachers will use these results to inform future teaching. This week students in Years 1-6 have also been engaged in Mathematics and Literacy assessments. Ipads have been used by all of these students to complete the assessments which will also guide future teaching. These assessments will be completed by early next week.
This term all students have been able to attend at least one class mass, along with their families and friends. These masses have been a welcomed return to celebrating the cornerstone of our Catholic faith. Father Joseph Pothenparampil, our Parish Priest, has given each class a very positive mass experience and the school looks forward to these masses continuing next term. A roster will be shared soon so that families can join these students at these masses.
The monthly Parents and Friends meeting will occur this Tuesday 20 September 2022. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this small but dedicated group has continued to serve our school community, using ingenuity and imagination. As the country emerges from COVID-19, parents and caregivers in the school are encouraged to attend this monthly meeting. There are some exciting future events planned and the more parents and caregivers involved, the better. Your involvement in the Parents and Friends group can assist your child in numerous ways. The meeting commences at 6.00pm in the school hall foyer and concludes by 7.30pm. Fundraising activities conducted this year will provide opportunities for enhancing playground facilities. Please join us and bring a parent friend with you!
As the term comes to an end, I would like to formally thank and acknowledge two of our teachers who took on new teaching roles at the commencement of Term 2. Due to COVID-19 and the current shortage of teachers, the school was unable to fill a teaching position in 4W, brought about by Mrs Michelle Warner’s Long Service Leave for Term 2 and 3 of this year.
Mrs Michelle Heffernan and Mrs Barbara McKenna accepted the teaching position and have worked incredibly hard together to provide an excellent education for the students in this class in Terms 2 and 3. Mrs Warner will commence back at St Michael’s Nowra for the commencement of Term 4 and will be warmly welcomed back by all students, staff and families. A big thank you is extended to Mrs Heffewrnan and Mrs McKenna for a ‘job, incredibly well done’.
The Public Holiday on Thursday 22 September 2022, will mean that many Australians will not attend work or school on this day. However, school concludes officially next Friday 23 September 2022 at 3.00pm. The term has seen a positive return to school excursions, parent participation and better health of students and staff. The new term will commence on Monday 10 October 2022. My hope is that all students, families and staff have a relaxing two week break.
Mr Christopher Paton
Principal
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Term 3 - Week 10 |
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| Monday 19 September |
Kindy Zoo Excursion |
| Tuesday 20 September |
Year 1 Walking Excursion, Shoalhaven River |
| Wednesday 21 September | |
| Thursday 22 September |
Public Holiday |
| Friday 23 September |
St Michael's Feast Day Liturgy, 9.30am, School Hall |
| Term 4 - Week 1 | |
| Monday 10 October |
First Day Term 4 - Students Return |
| Tuesday 11 October | |
| Wednesday 12 October | |
| Thursday 13 October | |
| Friday 14 October |
Confirmation
Last Saturday 10 September Bishop Brian Mascord joined the parish community of St Michael’s Nowra to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Both liturgies were a wonderful celebration of our faith. Thank you to the families, teachers and catechists who supported the candidates with their preparation for this important sacrament, the last one of initiation.
Congratulations to all our candidates.
First Holy Communion
The second meeting for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be held on Wednesday 19 October at 6.00pm in the hall - Signs and Symbols – Both parents and candidates to attend.
St Michael’s Feast Day
Next Friday 23 September we will be celebrating St Michael’s Feast Day with a whole school mass at 9.30am in the hall. This will be the first time we have come together as a school to celebrate the Eucharist in nearly three years. Please join us to celebrate the patron of our school, the archangel St Michael, the protector, whose feast day is 29 September.
Year 5 and 6 Christmas Art Competition
A BIG thank you to all our Year 5 and 6 students and teachers for the hard work they have put into the Christmas Story Art Competition. Fr Pat, Sr Sue, Mrs Sandrine Butler and Mrs Michelle Heffernan had the hard job of judging the amazing artworks and their reflections.
Congratulations to the following students whose artwork has been sent to the Catholic Education Office:
Year 5: Jazz Annan, Ayilah Taylor, Lily Farrugia
Year 6: Jazmine Tolhurst- Moon, Matilda Martin, Loralei Roles
Mrs Martine Mathieson
Religious Education Coordinator
Year 6 Canberra Excursion - PACER Grant
Year 6 students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government will be contributing funding of $30.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate will be paid directly to the school.
Summer Uniform
Summer uniform will be officially worn from the commencement of Term 4. The school has an abundance of second hand uniforms near the office area, please feel free to come and browse.
Lowes Uniform Price List
Please find the updated Lowes pricelist for 2022/23 below, these changes will be in effect from Term 4 this year.
The P&F has some amazing events coming up next term. The money raised from these events will be going towards several projects and these will be announced soon.
We will be having our general meeting on Tuesday 20 September at 6.00pm in the school hall foyer. Please come along. This is where we discuss the projects and make decisions on what the money raised goes towards. If you would like to contribute to this, you are more then welcome to come along.
If you are unable to attend but would like to bring something to our attention, please email us at stmichaelspnf@gmail.com.
The P&F are the voice for all parents and families so we would love to hear your thoughts and input.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
P&F Committee
Year 3-6 Sports Day
This year has been a difficult one to organise sport events due to the amount of rain we have experienced. As a result, not all students were able to participate in our Cross Country and Athletics carnivals. To make up for this, today Friday 16 September our Year 3-6 students have participated in a Sports Day rotating through a variety of sports. It has been a fun-filled day and our Year 6 students have done very well leading each sport. Well done!
Wollongong Athletics Team
We would like to wish Noah Jamieson, Ella Walsh, Finn Goddard and Sylas Murphy the best of luck next Wednesday 21 October, when they compete in the NSWCPS MacKillop Athletics Trials at Homebush. We know you'll do your best.
Rugby Union State Trials
On Friday 26 August Noah Jamieson travelled to Mudgee to represent MacKillop in the State trials for Rugby Union. After a week of training sessions, skills and drills, and game strategy, Noah's team competed against other representative teams from across the state. Noah played 4 games over two days in a variety of positions against some extremely talented and tall players. His contributions for his team were invaluable, scoring five tries and showing outstanding sportsmanship. This was a huge learning experience for Noah who enjoyed every minute of it! Well done Noah on your efforts.
Paul Kelly Cup
On Monday 12 September, our Year 6 Paul Kelly Cup team, led by Ms Scurr, travelled up to Homebush to compete in the State Finals. The boys were lucky enough to play on the GWS Giants home ground. They were playing against the best AFL teams in New South Wales. The boys played 3 games over the course of the day against some extremely talented teams. Unfortunately, they were unable to come away as champions but did finish 4th overall. Congratulations to the Year 6 boys and Ms Scurr on such a great achievement.
Wollongong Diocesan Team 2023 Trials
Nominations are now open for students in Years 4 and 5 who wish to trial for a Wollongong Diocesan team for 2023. Please be aware that we can only send a few students for each selected sport, the Catholic Education Office advise the following selection criteria:
- Schools are encouraged to nominate OUTSTANDING PLAYERS ONLY. Students should be representative players who play regularly in competitions.
- Students should be highly skilled athletes and familiar with the rules and skills associated with their nominated sport.
- Students who have participated at an elite level are encouraged to nominate.
Your child may not be successful in their nomination due to experience, skills or not meeting the CEO criteria. Students who have nominated for a sport will be informed if they have been successful or unsuccessful to attend the trials when the trial date is near. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Allmark.
To nominate your child for a sport please fill out the following form https://bit.ly/3xoWTZc. Please submit a separate form for each sport nomination.
Now that winter sports are coming to an end, we can start to look towards summer sports. There are a host of sports on offer for the students to participate in. I have listed a few below with a link or phone number for further details;
- Summer Soccer - http://summer.shoalhavenfootball.com.au/
- Cricket - https://www.playcricket.com.au/junior/cricketblast-juniorblasters-mycricket.cricket.com.au
- Baseball - https://www.shoalhavenbaseballassociation.com.au/
- Nippers - https://nowraculburraslsc.asn.au/
- Tennis - https://www.shoalhaventennis.com.au/
- Swimming lessons - Waterways Swim School ph. 4423 6798
- North Nowra Swim School ph. 4448 6299
- Donna’s Dolphins ph. 4422 4661
- Bay and Basin Leisure Centre
http://www.shoalhavenswimandfitness.com.au/Our-Centres/Bay-Basin
Mr Andrew Allmark
Sports Coodinator
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Minnamurra Rainforest are offering a Spring holiday program. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/kids-and-family-activities |
