St Michael's Catholic Parish Primary School Nowra eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A very special welcome to the new school year is extended to all of our families, especially our brand new Kindergarten students who are in the process of coming into school to participate in a one hour ‘Best Start’ assessment. Kindergarten will officially commence next Tuesday, 7 February 2023.

This is the first of a regular fortnightly newsletter that families will receive. In between fortnightly newsletters most information for parents will be shared as a ‘Compass Alert’ directly to your mobile phone/device. Most grades in the school have been gifted with a small number of new students who have settled into new routines quite quickly. All of these new students to our school are very welcome. The first four days of school have been superb and I would like to congratulate all parents on having the students ready for the new year. I am pleased to report that the playground during all breaks has been very calm and student behaviour has been excellent.

The school presently employs around 60 people each day as teachers, School Support Officers (SSOs) and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) and Defence Mentors. With great excitement, I am pleased to announce that one of our AEAs, Mark Mongta will be returning to the school, commencing this Friday. The teaching staff for each grade at this stage include:

Keely Hayden	KW
Ashleigh Palmer	KR
Emma-Kate Callaghan	KB
Maree Hamilton	Kindergarten
Dylan Anderson	1W
Stephanie Jakimyszyn	1R
Anne-Maree Berryman	1B
Jessica Phelps	2W
Magdalena Van Eeden	2R
Hayley Millsom	2B
Melanie Firkin / Ashleigh Walker	3W
Martine Mathieson	3R
Sandrine Butler	3B
Michelle Warner	4W
Andrew Allmark	4R
Renee Roles	4B
Christine Hart	5W
Nicole Baran	5R
Pauline Scerri	5B
Anne Dempsey	6W
Victoria Boyton	6B
Cathy Palmer	6R

Good Samaritan Centre	Oonagh Cameron
Benedictine Centre	Samantha Luxford
Reading Recovery	Lee-Anne De Roo

A number of these classes are also supported by leadership team members, additional teachers, SSOs and AEAs.

The Leadership team for 2023 includes:

Principal	Christopher Paton
Assistant Principal	Carolyn Rutkowski
Religious Education Coordinator (REC)	Martine Mathieson
Middle Leader 2 - PB4L and Wellbeing	Patrick Douglas
Middle Leader 2 - Literacy Coach	Michelle Heffernan
Middle Leader 2 - Diverse Learning Needs	Emma-Kate Callaghan
Middle Leader 1 - Aboriginal Education	Anne Dempsey

As a school we are looking forward to working in partnership with all parents and caregivers to enable all students to reach their full potential. Each classroom teacher will provide you with specific class related information for 2023. Most importantly, I encourage you to develop a positive relationship with your child’s teacher so that true partnership and collaboration can occur. I encourage all parents to formally arrange a parent meeting through the school office if required, for an educational or other matter. It is difficult to conduct important meetings when the students are lined up ready to go into the classrooms in the morning. I also encourage families to ensure each child comes to school with healthy food for recess or lunch. Each child will also require a healthy food option (fruit, vegetables) for daily ‘Munch n Crunch’ as well.

Over the next week the school will inform parents of upcoming events or meeting opportunities, including ‘Parents and Friends’. The most immediate event coming up will be the Opening Liturgy for the year. Next Friday 10 February 2023, at 9.30am in the school hall, the students will gather in the hall to congratulate the new student leaders for 2023. Usually, just the parents of Year 6 students would attend this liturgy. It is not a mass, just a short prayer assembly welcoming the students back and presenting Year 6 students with their leadership badges. There will be whole school assemblies, masses and liturgies as the year progresses.

St Michael's Parish Sacramental News - Reconciliation

As I shared with you towards the end of last year, the students at St Michael's Nowra have always received the various Sacraments following comprehensive instruction in the classrooms. The celebrations of these Sacraments, especially Confirmation and Eucharist (First Holy Communion) have been coordinated by the school in conjunction with the Parish. Essentially, in the past the school has prepared St Michael’s students and the Parish has prepared the students in the State and Christian schools.

From 2023, a decision has been made by Father Joseph and the parish team for all Sacraments to be coordinated by the Parish using a different structure of preparation. All students in the Parish will receive the same Parent/Child booklet which will allow parents to be part of the preparation. Parent enrolment in the Sacramental Program will occur during one of the masses on specified weekends.

Last year, the Parish Newsletter provided details about the enrolment process for the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). For 2023, the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) will be offered to the present Year 3 (2023) or older students who have not yet received this Sacrament. This means that from this year onwards, students in Year 3 or older will receive the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation), not Year 2 students as has previously been the case.

All St Michael’s Nowra students in each of the Sacramental grades, Catholic and Non-Catholic, will continue to learn about the Sacraments as part of the school’s Religious Education program, ‘To Know, Worship and Love’. Information regarding enrolment in the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Eucharist (First Holy Communion) will be shared through the school newsletter and the parish newsletter in the term prior to receiving the Sacrament. The school has been officially informed that Bishop Brian Mascord will be leading the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 10 June, 2023. The Parish Office will be the first point of contact regarding the Sacraments, however the school will continue to support all families in any way.

Afternoon Pick Up Procedure

The procedure for afternoon pickup before and after 3pm is as follows.

A bell will be rung at 2.50pm to remind teachers to commence preparing to send students home.

From 2.55pm, the school gates will be opened and parents/caregivers can enter the playground and head towards the classrooms, to wait for the 3pm pick up bell.
At 2.55pm, students who catch buses will move to the two main line up areas - under the lower COLA or outside Kindergarten.
Students being collected by parents will not leave the classrooms until 3pm.
If a family wishes to pick up a student before 3pm, parents or caregivers must report to the school office. A phone call will be made to the classroom teacher and the child will meet the parent or caregiver outside the office. Under no circumstances are students to be collected directly from classrooms prior to the 3pm bell.

ASPIRE - Before and After School Care

I am pleased to announce and welcome the arrival of ASPIRE to our school. ASPIRE has commenced providing a quality service to our school community, following approval by Shoalhaven Council. If you are interested in enrolling your child with ASPIRE, please contact them directly on 0448 141 753, a flyer is attached.

Parents and Friends Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of our school's Parents and Friends group is scheduled for Monday 13 February 2023. This will be offered as an 'attend in person' and a Zoom meeting. We would love as many parents as possible to attend this very important meeting.

Professional Planning Time - Week 3 Commencing Tuesday 7 February

Each week the students participate in a number of specialist lessons in the areas of Physical Education (PE), Library (LARC) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). While the students are receiving these specialist lessons, the teaching staff are given ‘Professional Planning Time’ referred to as PPT. The students rotate through the various lessons according to the below roster. Please put this roster on the fridge or a cupboard door in a prominent position in the house. When doing PE (Physical Education), the students are encouraged to wear their sports uniform. I recommend printing off a copy and highlighting your child’s class so that you can keep up with what the students are doing each week. If you require a hard copy of the PPT roster, please contact the school office and the copy will be sent home.

Have an enjoyable weekend everyone.

Mr Christopher Paton
Principal

Term_1_2023_PPT_timetable.pdf

Term_1_2023_PPT_timetable _pdf 32.10 KB

Week 3
Monday 8 February
Tuesday 7 February	Kindergarten Commence, 9.15am-2.30pm
Wednesday 8 February	Kindergarten 9.15am-2.30pm
Thursday 9 February	Kindergarten 9.15am-2.30pm
Friday 10 February	Kindergarten 9.15am-2.30pm Opening Liturgy, 9.30am, School Hall
Week 4
Monday 13 February	Kindergarten Commence normal hours (8.45am-3.00pm) P&F Meeting (AGM), 6.00pm, School Hall Foyer

Tuesday 14 February
Wednesday 15 February
Thursday 16 February
Friday 17 February

Welcome to 2023!

After three years of COVID restrictions we are excited to be welcoming families and friends to our many celebrations in 2023. The first one will be the:

Whole School Opening Liturgy
Friday 10 February 2023
9.30am
School Hall

The focus for this liturgy will be our school history and the importance of our Good Samaritan heritage. Most of you would be aware that the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict arrived in Nowra in 1893 and taught here at St Michael’s until 1991. The women follow God and are committed to work for justice in our world. Sr Sue and Sr Beverly belong to our St Michael’s Parish and assist families in our community.

The Year 6 leaders will receive their badges and together read their pledge as the new leaders of our school for 2023.

Everyone is welcome to join us for this significant event where our whole school including Kindergarten will gather as a school community.

Our Good Samaritan Prayer hangs in the hall
Written by Sr Sue Barker
Illustrated by Mitchell Davis- Year 6 2017

I hope everyone has had a great first week back at school.

Mrs Martine Mathieson
Religious Education Coordinator

Welcome to our new and existing families to the 2023 school year. The P&F is an important part of the St Michael's school community representing parents and carers voices.

Our first meeting of the year will incorporate our AGM and will be held on Monday 13 February 2023 at 6.00pm in the School Hall Foyer.

We are looking for new members to come to our meetings and everyone is always welcome.

We are seeking a fresh start in 2023 with new executive members. If this is something that you are interested in then please reach out to the committee via email stmichaelspnf@gmail.com to find out what is involved. You can also read about each position attached.

Kind regards
St Michael's P&F Committee

Absentee SMS

A reminder that absentee messages are sent via SMS daily, please respond with your reason via the Compass App link to the Parent Portal. Telephone calls are not required to explain an absence unless there are extenuating circumstances or your child will be absent for a period of time. Reducing phone calls will assist with the running of the office. Thank you.

Consent for use of Student Image and/or Work

A digital form has been be shared with you as an event in Compass to provide your consent for images of your child to appear in various places (e.g. in school newsletters, social media and promotional material).

If you have not already done so, please read the details of the event carefully, discuss it with your child, and once you have made your decision, either provide your consent or decline to provide consent.

To ensure that no child misses out on having their photo taken as part of school life, we will occasionally send reminders to parents and carers who have yet to complete the event.

2023 School Fee Information

School fees for 2023 have now been invoiced and statements will be issued by the end of Week 2 with annual or first instalment payment due on 28 February 2023. You may also view your school fee account in the Compass Parent Portal.

Please note the following:

▪ The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office.

▪ Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement.

▪ If an amendment is made to your school fee account eg your child changes subjects in a secondary school, etc. you will be emailed a statement which will provide a new schedule of payments and due dates. Please review this schedule to make any changes to your payments that are necessary.

Reminders for Late Payments

SMS and email reminders are automatically generated by our accounting software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office. For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention. Our intention is to support the collection of school fee accounts centrally and in so doing, alleviate some of the administrative work of our schools.

School Fee Account Enquiries

Please note, despite the centralisation of various functions, our school will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees. If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact our school office. The role of the Catholic Education Office is to action centralised tasks on behalf of schools.

If you wish to pay by Instalments

Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to avail yourself of this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on our school website or at the office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit to the office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.

Difficulty with Payment

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the office to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application.

For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2022, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. You may also initiate an earlier review if you wish to do so by contacting our school office.

For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on our school website.

Nowra Coaches advise that the section of Plunkett Street between Princes Highway and Journal Street, East Nowra is currently closed for a period of 6 weeks from 23 January 2023.

This has resulted in some school services being interrupted. Students residing in the area who are registered to use Nowra Coaches service have been directly notified by email.

If you have not received an email and reside in the area noted on the attached map (highlighted in yellow) please contact Nowra Coaches on 4423 5244 to discuss your closest pickup and set down location.

Dear staff, families, carers, grandparents and students.

I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Sharlene Gelle and I am very excited and proud to be welcomed by you all in my new role as the pastoral support worker at St Michael’s Nowra. I have been very welcomed by students, staff, and families for 2023 and feel most grateful to be with you. My role is to support and empower the school community, with an approach to improve and foster an atmosphere for positive wellbeing and learning. I will be supporting the development of social skills and positive friendships which promote tolerance, resilience, fairness and equal opportunities for all. I will be a listening ear in times of challenges where I will let your voice be heard, valued and respected!

I will also provide individual students with pastoral support during times of grief and change. My role will allow me to welcome new families, as well as provide information workshops focusing on parenting education, skill building of support groups, positive self-development education, and support for families experiencing conflict after separation.

I will work closely with:

The school Middle Leader Mr Douglas and the area of ‘Wellbeing’
Defence Liaison Natalie Hayes
Counsellor Kelly
Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Mathieson
Middle Leader - Literacy Mrs Heffernan
Aboriginal Education Assistants, Vanessa, Zali, Mark and Aunty Christine

and work within the school team to support the wellbeing and safety of all students. I also will support the Mini Vinnies and assist Mrs Mathieson with liturgies, masses, fundraising events as well as the Winter and Christmas appeals.

I will also run the Season for Growth program for students who may have had loss and grief in their life. My location is upstairs next door to Year 6 Blue Classroom, unless I'm in a classroom supporting children. Please report to the school office if you wish to meet with me on Wednesdays or Fridays.

Next Term, I am hoping to commence a St Michael's Family Morning Tea to invite our whole community back into the school, with the aim of supporting families, parents, carers, grandparents, step-parents, and foster parents. Everyone who joins this group will be so welcomed and valued. Through meeting together I believe we can build further acceptance of our differences, diversity and develop respect for all. I hope we can build positive connections by listening and sharing stories over morning tea and craft.

My days at St Michael's are Wednesdays and Fridays.

Please Note! Keep an eye out for a flyer invitation coming soon with more details about our weekly Morning Teas.

My work email is : sharlenegcatholiccare.dow.org.au if you wish to contact me.

May God bless you all always.

Sharleen Gelle
Pastoral Support Worker

2022 Swimming Carnival

The St Michael’s annual swimming carnival was held last year on Friday 2 December, at Bomaderry Pool. Due to weather conditions, only our competitive swimmers attended, participating with great sportsmanship, and smiles all around. There were some very keen swimmers who competed in every event they were able. Well done to Amalie Ellerington, Grace Riepsamen, Havanah Flugler, Jack and Thomas Webber, Ava Edwards, Kate McIntosh and Olivia Seymour-Munn for this big achievement.

Congratulations also to all the students who swam in the carnival and tried their hardest.

A special mention must go to the top swimmers of each age group. The winners medals will be handed out this year at one of the first assemblies.

	Boys	Girls
Junior (8 – 10yrs)	Age Champion Jack Webber 2^nd – Mason Fulop 3^rd – Harry Fulop 4^th – Joey Jefferson	Age Champion Havanah Flugler 2^nd – Sophie Webber 3^rd – Ava Edwards 4^th – Amalie Ellerington
11yrs	Age Champion Morten Ellerington 2^nd – Mitchell Allmark 3^rd – Sachin Hill 4^th – Patrick Jacka	Age Champion Havana Miglionico 2^nd – Grace Sellar 3^rd – Taylah Webb 4^th – Maddalin Russell
Senior	Age Champion Thomas Webber 2^nd– Hendrix Blinksell 3^rd– Yuin Hill	Age Champion Kate McIntosh 2^nd – Olivia Seymour-Munn 3^rd – Milla Bowden 4^th – Stella Lane

Local Sporting Clubs

Being February, registrations for winter sports have already opened and teams will be looking at grading very soon. Here are some local sporting teams that your child is able to participate in during the winter months;

Netball teams
Saints: http://saintsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Rebels: http://rebelsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Jervis Bay: http://jervisbaync.nsw.netball.com.au/
North Nowra and Bomaderry: http://nnbnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Albatross: http://albatrossnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Lyrebird: https://www.facebook.com/LyrebirdNetballClub/
Worrigee: https://www.worrigeetigersnc.com/

For further information on different clubs, please follow this link for Shoalhaven Netball Association: http://sna.nsw.netball.com.au/

AFL
Nowra Giants: https://www.facebook.com/shoalhavengiants/
Bay and Basin: http://www.bombers.net.au/
Bomaderry: https://www.bomaderrytigersafl.com.au/

Rugby Union
Shoalhaven: https://www.facebook.com/weareshoals/

Rugby League
Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/Bomaderry-Swamp-Rats-270032815270/

Football
Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/BomaderrySoccerClub
Shoalhaven Heads/Berry: https://www.facebook.com/headsberryfc/

Active Kids Sport Voucher

Don’t forget to redeem your Active Kids Sport Voucher where you can claim two $100 vouchers that can be used towards your child’s sport each year.

Upcoming Events

The school calendar is slowly filling up with events for the students to participate in and where students will be trialling for representative honours in a variety of sports:

Years 3 – 6 School Cross Country Friday 10 March at Willandra

If you have any questions about sports or any events coming up please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mr Andrew Allmark
Sports Coordinator