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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The final term for 2022 has commenced calmly, with a strong feeling of optimism and positivity. Thank you for the way the students have returned to school in their correct school uniform and ready to learn. For teachers and all staff, the 4th term is always a favourite one due to the strong relationships that have been built between students and staff as the year has progressed. It is always a busy term, characterised by high learning expectations and focused teaching. There are always a number of celebrations towards the end of the term.
This term will include at least four very important events:
- The Sacrament of Eucharist (First Holy Communion) will occur on Sunday 20 November 2022. This is such an important day for the Year 3 students who will make their First Holy Communion. Next Wednesday 19 October 2022, there will be a meeting for these students and their parents in the school hall, from 6.00 - 7.00pm.
- The School Fun Run - Colour Run. This is the first major fundraising event for almost three years. The event has the potential to fundraise much needed funds to put towards outdoor facilities. It replaces the old ‘WALKATHON’ as an opportunity to involve all students, families, extended family and friends. The information regarding the School Fun Run - Colour Run has been introduced to the students and families this week. Please encourage your child to give this fundraiser their best shot!! It will be a fun day.
- Year 5 Overnight Camp at Waterslea will occur on Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October 2022. This will be the first overnight camp for these students. The theme for the two days is firmly ‘leadership’.
- Grandparents Mass at 9.30am on Friday 4 November 2022. Please put the word out and invite the grandparents to attend this special mass.
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup has commenced today, Friday 14 October 2022. These playgroup sessions will occur on Fridays and Mondays for the first four weeks of term. Parents of these new Kindergarten students will attend the playgroup with their child. Thank you to the staff who are planning for the playgroups as well as the transition visits that a number of the new Kindergarten students will attend.
Student Progress Reports will be compiled during the term and released through Compass towards the end of Week 9. The teachers will be reporting on student achievement during Term 3 and 4.
The arrangements for recess and lunch play times have been adjusted to allow all students to be on the playground at the same time. The same level of supervision and playtime will be provided for the students. In effect, the school has returned to ‘pre-COVID19’ arrangements. Recess will commence for all students at 10.45am and lunch will begin at 1.00pm.
Parents are reminded that the school gates are opened for all students at 8.15am. For the safety of students, parents are encouraged to wait with their child until the gate opens at 8.15am and formal supervision commences. Please remind all students to sit quietly prior to 8.15am. The end of play bell is rung at 8.40am and students move into class at 8.45am. There are a number of students who arrive late each day. As the main focus from 8.45am is literacy, could all parents ensure that the children are at school each morning by 8.40am.
The final day of school for students in 2022 is Friday 16 December. Staff will continue to work until Tuesday 20 December 2022.
Have a great start to the new term and do not hesitate to make contact with your child’s teacher if you wish clarification on anything planned for this term.
Mr Christopher Paton
Principal
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Term 4 - Week 2 |
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| Monday 17 October | |
| Tuesday 18 October | |
| Wednesday 19 October | First Holy Communion Meeting, 6.00pm, School Hall |
| Thursday 20 October | Crazy Sock Day |
| Friday 21 October | Assembly, Primary, 2pm, School Hall |
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Week 2 |
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| Monday 24 October | Year 1 Swimming |
| Tuesday 25 October | Year 1 Swimming |
| Wednesday 26 October | Year 1 Swimming |
| Thursday 27 October | Year 1 Swimming Year 5 Retreat, Waterslea (Overnight) |
| Friday 28 October | Year 1 Swimming Year 5 Retreat, Waterslead (Return) |
First Holy Communion
The second meeting for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be held on Wednesday 19 October 6pm in the hall - Signs and Symbols – Both parents and candidates to attend.
Classes Masses
Classes Masses will resume once Fr Joseph returns from leave in Week 4.
Tuesday 1 Nov 5B
Wednesday 2 Nov 5R
Thursday 3 Nov 5W
Tuesday 8 Nov 4B
Wednesday 9 Nov 4R
Thursday 10 Nov 4W
Wednesday 16 Nov 2R
Thursday 17 Nov 2W
Tuesday 22 Nov 3B
Wednesday 23 Nov 3R
Thursday 24 Nov 3W
Tuesday 29 Nov 1B
Wednesday 30 Nov 1R
Thursday 1 Nov 1W
Tuesday 6 Dec KR
Thursday 8 Dec KW
Friday 9 Dec KB and BC- TBC
Year 5 and 6 Christmas Art Competition
Congratulations to Lily Farrugia - Highly Commended
Catholic Mission
On Thursday 20 October we will be holding a CRAZY SOCK DAY to raise money for Catholic Mission. In 2022, students and their families across Australia will raise funds to support families in Ethiopia facing malnutrition and food insecurity. Catholic Mission projects on the ground will help sustain and enrich the lives of vulnerable children who need our support.
| Students are to come dressed in their school/sports uniform and a pair of CRAZY socks. Please bring a donation to help keep these projects running in Ethiopia. Your support is greatly appreciated. |
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Grandparent’s Mass
All of St Michael’s community, especially our grandparents are invited to join us for mass on Friday 4 November at 9.30am in the hall.
Graduation Mass
Year 6 students and their families are invited to the Graduation Mass to be held on Tuesday 6 December at 6pm in the church.
Martine Mathieson
Religious Education Coordinator
SunSmart Policy
As the warmer months approach we remind families that the school is not permitted to provide/apply sunscreen due to possible reaction/allergies and therefore we encourage parents to apply sunscreen to students each morning. We suggest providing additional supplies in student school bags for their use during the day.
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.
We’re holding the School Fun Run as a major fundraising event this year! The event will be held on Thursday 10 November. We are really hoping to raise $40,000 which will help pay for Outdoor Learning Spaces.
You should have already received the sponsorship forms which were sent home earlier this week. Once you have the form, please sign up for a Student Profile Page at schoolfunrun.com.au. You’ll be able to access online fundraising and can win a $20,000 Ultimate Family Package! The class with the most profiles set up in K-2 & 3-6 will win icy poles for the WHOLE class.
We also have other milestones throughout the next few weeks that the children can aim to achieve and these will be announced in time.
Students who raise $10 or more will receive a reward, and the more money you raise the better the reward, and the more you help the school!
We’re looking for all students to participate and we’re organising a great day for our community, so we’d love everyone to come down to support the kids.
If you have any questions about the Fun Run please contact the School Fun Run Coordinator - Carina Beattie on 0402909157 or stmichaelspnf@gmail.com or call the School Fun Run Office on 1800 FUN RUN.
We are also looking for Volunteers to assist on the day and in the planning of the event leading up. If you can assist please reach out. Thank you to those families who have already kindly offered their time.
Thanks for supporting the school and we hope to see you at the event!
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.
Representative Athletics
At the end of last term, on Wednesday 21September, Noah Jamieson, Ella Walsh, Finn Goddard and Sylas Murphy travelled to Homebush to compete in the NSWCPS Mackillop Athletics Trials representing the Wollongong Diocese. These 4 students put in exceptional performances considering the early morning and nerves that they had to overcome. The students advised they enjoyed the experience, and although the competition was tough they were happy with their efforts and results:
- Noah competed in the Under 12’s Long Jump coming in 14th jumping 4.17m
- Sylas competed in the Under 10’s High Jump finishing 10th jumping 1.10m
- Finn competed in the 8-10 Years 200 metres coming 15th with a time of 32.74sec
- Ella competed in the 8-10 Years 800 metres coming in 13th with a time of 3m 01s
Well done and congratulations to Noah, Finn, Sylas and Ella on reaching this stage of representation.
Upcoming Sport Dates for Term 4
- Sport Nominations for Cricket, Basketball, Softball and Tennis nominations due (Year 4 and 5 only) - 24 October 2022.
- Sport Nominations for AFL, League, Netball, Hockey, Touch, Rugby Nominations due (Year 4 and 5 only) – 14 November 2022.
- St Michael’s Swimming Carnival (Grade 2 – 6) – 2 December 2022
If you have any questions about sports or any upcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr Andrew Allmark
Sports Coodinator
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HMAS Albatross is having their open day on Saturday 22 October 2022. Natalie Hayes |
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It is with great excitement and joy that Shoalhaven City Council announced the winners of the 2022 Threatened Species Artwork Competition! This year saw over two hundred entries of creative works from primary school aged children.
The theme of ‘Wonderous Waterways’ was incorporated into the entries. Shoalhaven City Council thanks all students for their participation in this event and for helping to educate and create awareness to the upcoming generations about threatened species in our region and how we can help to protect them and the environment we all call home!
Congratulations to our St Michael's winners:
Stage 3 (Yrs 5/6)
- Jazz Annan (5R) St Michael’s School- Painted terracotta pot featuring Glossy Black Cockatoos, Blue-billed ducks, Koalas and a water scene
- St Michael’s School (5B - Mrs Dempsey)- Glossy Black Cockatoos featuring the Shoalhaven River and the Nowra Bridge
Stage 2 (Yrs 3/4)
- Jade Annan (4R) St Michael’s School- Diorama box featuring a turtle in a waterway, a Glossy black cockatoo and koalas
Highly Commended Artworks:
- Allison Edwards (4W) St Michaels School- Green Turtle watercolour
- Zane Hantis (4R) St Michael’s School- Brush-tailed rock Wallaby drawing
- Gabriel Ackland (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- Hendrix Blinksell (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- James Jirgens (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- Hayden Peters (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- Lorne Brunton (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- Zane Farrugia (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider drawing
- Laylah Grace (5W) St Michael’s School- Yellow-bellied Glider sculpture on wood
- Oliver Weaver (4W) St Michael’s School- Great White Shark drawing
- Violet Scanlon (4R) St Michael’s School- Pink Robin sequin art
 Bookmark Design Competition This year as part of our membership campaign we want you to design a bookmark with the theme Shoalhaven Libraries - it's your library. |
 Sunday 30 October marks NSW Grandparents Day 2022. Grandparents Day celebrates the contributions grandparents, grand-friends, kin and seniors who take on the role of a grandparent, make to their families and communities. The annual day of celebration encourages people to spend time with older loved ones and connect across generations. It recognises the diversity of grandparent relationships across age groups, cultural backgrounds and geographical locations. In fact, it has been proven that regular social connections help seniors age well and live longer and better. A key element of every NSW Grandparents Day are the NSW Local Grandparents Day Awards. The awards are an opportunity for me, as your NSW Member of Parliament, to award and honour grandparents and grand friends in their electorate. To send in a nomination for a NSW Local Grandparents Day Award, please complete the attached form and email to my office at southcoast@parliament.nsw.gov.au Celebrate Grandparents Day this year by sharing time with older loved ones – in person or over a call – with a morning tea, some gardening, arts and crafts or by reading together. Go to www.nsw.gov.au/grandparents-day to find out how you can celebrate this year. Regards |
 Friday 21 October 2022 Event timeline: 6:20pm: Navy parade step off at the Nowra Showground. Over 800 military personnel from HMAS Albatross, HMAS Creswell and the Fleet Air Arm will march from Nowra Showground to the Freedom of Entry Challenge Point at Rauch Park, Junction Street. 6:30pm: Freedom of Entry Challenge: The parade will be stopped by NSW Police and Local Indigenous elders at Rauch Park on Junction Street. Local Indigenous Elders will welcome the Navy to Country and conduct a smoking ceremony. NSW Police will request the Royal Australian Navy provide proof of the right and privilege to enter Nowra. The Navy will present to NSW Police a signed ‘scroll’ from the Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council, granting freedom of entry. 6:50pm: Flypast of Naval Helicopters over the Nowra CBD. 7pm: The parade will finish at the intersection of Junction Street and Kinghorne Street. 7:10pm: Family friendly street party: The community is invited to join Royal Australian Navy personnel for a family friendly street party. Live music will be provided by the Navy Band and food and drinks will be available for purchase from local cafes, restaurants and food vans. Power FM Breakfast Radio Presenter Abby Hopkins will be your MC. 8pm: The Navy Ceremonial Sunset will commence at the intersection of Junction Street and Kinghorne Street. 8:30pm: The event concludes, and streets will begin to reopen to traffic from 10pm. * Times are approximate and may vary slightly. For more information, including event times and road closure information, visit Council's website. |