Dear Parents,

I am pleased to report that after three weeks at school, students and staff have all settled in beautifully to the new school year. There is a calmness in the school that has not existed since preCovid19 times. The optimism and goodwill is very evident in staff, students and families. Congratulations again on the way the students are arriving at school each day. 

On Friday 12 February, all students from Years 1-6 participated in a liturgy in the school hall and were joined by a number of families. All Year 6 students received their leadership badge, and specific students received badges for School Captain, Prefect or Colour Captain. The year has commenced very well for this group of Year 6 students and I know their leadership skills will continue to flourish as the year goes on. Parents of these Year 6 students should be very proud of the fine young people who have accepted the privilege of being a leader at St Michael’s school. We are going to have a great year!

Our Parents and Friends group met on Monday evening at 6pm this week. It was also the Annual General Meeting. I would like to formally thank the outgoing members of the executive committee, Sophie Pavlis, Kylie Plant, Rachelle Moore and Lisa Owens. These parents have worked tirelessly over the last few years, despite the challenges of COVID19 and continued to be your voice as well as provide funds for the school. Thank you especially to Sophie Pavlis who has been on the executive committee for the last nine years. Congratulations to the following office bearers for 2023.

This new committee will be meeting very soon to further a number of initiatives that were  raised during the meeting. It was also a Zoom meeting for four parents who chose this option. I encourage all parents to attend these meetings or Zoom in. Details of the next meeting will be shared with you soon. 

Today our first Primary Assembly was held. Congratulations to the students who received badges which were blessed by Father Joseph last week. These badges were presented to the new members of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Year 6 Mini Vinnies members and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The usual class awards were presented to various students in Years 3-6 and all students were thanked for a great start to the new school year. Assemblies will occur on Fridays: Primary students in even weeks and Infants students in odd weeks. There will be an Infants (Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2) assembly next Friday (Week 5). All families are invited to attend.

All students will learn about Shrove Tuesday (21 February) next week. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church. Shrove Tuesday is a reminder that Christians are entering a season of penance and was originally a solemn day. 

On Ash Wednesday (22 February) all students will receive ashes on their forehead to signify the start of Lent. Students in Kindergarten will have prayer in their classroom and receive ashes by their teachers. Years 5 and 6 will attend the Parish mass at 9am. Any parents may attend this 9am mass and receive the ashes. Students in Year 1-4 will have a liturgy in the hall led by the staff. They will receive the ashes from their teachers. During the next 7 weeks, the students will learn about Lent and the Easter Holy Week.

From Week 7, each grade will be on a roster to attend mass in St Michael's Church at 9am. Parents are invited to join their children at these grade masses in the Church. A Compass alert will be sent to all families informing them of when each grade mass will occur. Last year, many families joined the parishioners and students for these masses. 

Early next week, all families will receive through Compass a ‘Grade Newsletter’ which will give an overview of the term. On Tuesday 28 February from 3.15-5pm, students and parents will be invited to visit the classrooms to meet their teachers for 2023. This will be an informal gathering and families can drop in anytime between 3.15 and 5.00pm. These gatherings will not be a formal opportunity to have an indepth meeting with your child’s teacher, though you may wish to book an individual time to meet on another day. All of our teachers are excited to meet you. At any time during the year, requests for parent teacher meetings can be made through the school office. Thank you teachers for this informal opportunity. 

Next Wednesday the school will be hosting the POWER FM radio show under the COLA on the back playground. The show will commence at 6am, however students and families are welcome to attend from 7am. ‘Abby and Riley’ will be broadcasting live from the school and will be conducting interviews with students and others. Fruit will be provided as well as some games and fun. Students will move to classes when the usual bell goes at 8.40am. At 9am, the Year 5 and 6 students will attend mass in the Church. 

At the end of last year, Mrs Martine Mathieson, our Religious Education Coordinator (REC) and I were invited to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the Religious Congress in Los Angeles from 21-28 February 2023. Four other schools were also invited to attend. Mr Marshall (Principal) and Mr Comensoli (REC) from St John’s Nowra will be attending as well. Attending this Congress, which has been held since 1954, is a great privilege and a wonderful opportunity to witness what is happening in the teaching of Religious Education in other parts of the world. We are looking forward to representing the Wollongong Diocese and being immersed in the rich Spirituality of the Congress. We fly out next Tuesday morning and will both return to school in early March. While I am attending the congress, Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski will be Acting Principal. I thank Carolyn for accepting this role.

The dismissal from school each afternoon is going well. Just a reminder that school finishes at 3pm for all students, though those who catch buses leave the classrooms at 2.55pm. Teachers are not able to allow all other students to leave the classrooms until the 3pm bell, unless written permission is given by the Principal. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Christopher Paton

Principal

Next Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent, it is called Ash Wednesday. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Year 5 and Year 6 will be attending the Parish mass at 9am in the church.

Years 1-4 will take part in a Liturgy in the hall at 9.15am.

Parents are welcome to join with their child either at mass or the liturgy.

On Ash Wednesday we will be marked with a cross on our forehead. The tradition of marking the forehead with ash on Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the ancient Jewish action of dusting oneself with ash as a sign of repentance and mourning for wrongful actions. It was a public declaration of the acknowledgement of the wrong and the commitment to turn one’s life around and try not to make the same mistake again. It still remains a public declaration that during the period of Lent those who wear the cross of ash are going to attempt to turn around their lives and re-focus themselves more fully on God. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. 

Lent is a season consisting of forty days of fasting, prayer, penitence, and almsgiving. It concludes on Holy Thursday. The official liturgical colour for the season of Lent is violet. This Lent families will be asked to support Caritas’ Project Compassion in raising money for the needy in Australia, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Vietnam.

Mrs Martine Mathieson
Religious Education Coordinator

It is great to see students of St Michael’s making waves in the sporting world. On Wednesday the 15 February, Neveah Deaves, from Grade 6, represented St. Michael’s and the Wollongong Diocese in the MacKillop Touch trials in Yass. It was a very hot day and Neveah played in 4 tough and energy sapping games where she competed against other Dioceses from around New South Wales. She put in her best efforts throughout the day and she helped her team to 3 wins by scoring 2 tries over the games she played. She had a great time at the trials and went home exhausted and tired. 

Dean Osgood, in Year 5, was selected for the Southern NSW Futsal team last year and during the school holidays he competed in the National Club Futsal Championships in Sydney. Over the course of the week, he played in a number of games against some very talented players from around Australia. Dean played his best in all games and his efforts did not go unnoticed as he was selected to play in a friendly match against the Queensland Men's All Ability team. Dean enthusiastically participated in this game and thoroughly enjoyed playing on the bigger court and helping these men with various abilities take part in the game.

On 3 February, Finn Goddard and Mila Bozikov both in Grade 3, travelled to Griffith to compete in the Little Athletics Regional Carnival.

Finn participated in the 200m, 400m and 800m races. He showed amazing sportsmanship to his fellow competitors and came away with impressive results, all of which his PB's in all events.

1st in the 200m in a time of 32 seconds
1st in the 400m in a time of 1m 11sec
1^st in the 800m in a time of 2min 45sec

Finn will now compete in the State Carnival on the 18-19 March at Sydney Olympic Park. Well done Finn and best of luck the state carnival!

Mila, competed in 4 events and competed in the 100m, 400m, Long jump and 70 m Hurdles. Mila also came away from the carnival with some impressive results;

2^nd in the 400m

2^nd in the 100m

2^nd in the long jump final

2^nd in the 70m Hurdles

Well done and congratulations to Mila. She would have qualified to go straight to State, but she’s still young. 2024 will hopefully see her qualify.

Well done to Neveah, Dean, Finn and Mila on their outstanding performances.

The school Cross Country is coming up on Friday 10 March at Willandra for students in Year 3 to 6. The students will be running or walking 2km. Notes have been sent through Compass for parents/guardians to give consent for their child to attend. Also, if any parents are able to assist on the day can you please tick Yes on the form.    

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/

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/

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.

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:

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Years 3 – 6 School Cross Country Friday 10 March at Willandra 
• Diocesan South Coast Swimming Carnival Tuesday 7 March at Corrimal Pool

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

Regards,

Mr. Allmark 

Sports Co-ordinator

Come_and_try_portrait_01.jpg

Come_and_try_portrait_01 _jpg 2.63 MB

Shoalhaven Soccer Football Club

Shoalhaven Soccer Football Club 2.72 MB

SOCCER REGISTRATIONS

Soccer registrations are now open for the Winter season, accepting Active Kids Vouchers. The season kicks off late March through to September.

Follow the facebook page for updates ' Shoalhaven Football (Soccer) '

To register follow this link https://www.playfootball.com.au/ 

GO4FUN

Go4Fun is a free program for NSW children aged 7 to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Run by trained health and community professionals, it’s a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.For more information: https://go4fun.com.au/ 

 

Dear Staff, Parents and Students at St. Michael's,

My name is Shakira Sheean-Simpson and I am joining fellow School Counsellor, Kelly Cubis-Higgs, as a School Counsellor to support our community.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor registered with PACFA and have worked within my own Private Practice for the past four years as a Child and Family Therapist. Prior to that, I have worked for a Non-Government Organisation providing both Generalist Counselling and specialist Post-Separation Counselling. I am a trauma-informed Counsellor and love working with children to empower them to reach their full potential.

School Counselling is a great support option if your child is experiencing difficulties that may impact their wellbeing and experiences at School. We have School Counselling staff available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (Fortnightly) and Fridays.  

If you have any enquiries about School Counselling please be in touch and we'd be happy to assist!

Thanks,

Shakira Sheean-Simpson

KINDERGARTEN 2024 ENROLMENTS- NOW OPEN

We wish to advise that we are now accepting enrolments for Kindergarten 2024. Enrolment packages may be downloaded by clicking here or collected from our school office.

Please share this information with friends and family considering enrolling students in 2024. Important dates for the diary include;

• Thursday 9 March 2023: St Michael's Open Day (Times TBC)

• Friday 21 April 2023: Kindergarten 2024 Application Forms and supporting documents due to be returned to St Michael's.

• Saturday 6 May 2023: Kindergarten 2024 Enrolment Interviews with the School Principal and Leadership team.

• From Term 2, Week 9: Enrolment advice letter and offer of place, if successful.

• Term 4: Kindergarten 2024 Orientation.(Date to be advised)

SCHOOL CARPARK

NATIONAL APOLOGY DAY

NOWRA SHOW GARDEN ENTRY- YEAR ONE

Students in Year 1 enjoyed preparing a Wheelbarrow Garden entry for the Nowra Show. Mrs Renee Warnes and Ms Zali Lonesborough assisted students.

Thank you to our P & F Committee for donating the wheelbarrow, enabling our Year One students to produce the Winning Entry in the Junior Wheelbarrow Competition! Congratulations Year One!

NOWRA BRIDGE OPENING EVENT

Our school will be represented by Captains Eleanor Boyton and Yuin Hill to be involved in cutting the ribbon at the Nowra Bridge Opening and Community Walk event on Thursday 23 February 2023 from 5:30pm - 8pm.

Please feel free to join our leaders at this event!

 

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE AT ST MICHAEL'S

Aspire Before and After School Care are now established at St Michael's, based in our school hall.

Please see below instructions on how to enrol. Enquiries may also be directed to Jodie Hart from Aspire on 0438 358 118.

 

ASPIRE_BeforeAfterCare_How_to_enrol_St_Michaels.pdf

ASPIRE_BeforeAfterCare_How_to_enrol_St_Michaels _pdf 1.34 MB

 

SJE_Open_Night_2023_Brochure.pdf

SJE_Open_Night_2023_Brochure _pdf 3.70 MB

 

Lunchbox_Flyer.pdf

Lunchbox_Flyer _pdf 4.77 MB

 

 

SOUTH COAST WRITERS COMPETITION

South Coast Writer Very-Short-Story Competition closes on 24^th February. Works will be judged in three age categories: 9-12, 13-15, 16-18.

Maximum length for all age categories is 500 words.

Prizes are on offer and the winners and runners-up will have their stories published on the SCWC website.

At checkout, enter the code 'SCHOOL' for free entry. Click here to enter.