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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Last week I returned to St Michael’s Nowra, following a period of Long Service Leave which included attending a wedding 120 miles north of London. I am pleased to be back in Nowra and would like to extend my gratitude to Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski, the school leadership team and all staff for their exceptional efforts in managing the school during my extended period of leave. Their dedication and commitment to maintaining the school's operations and fostering a positive learning environment have been truly commendable. I am grateful for their hard work, which allowed me to take this time for personal rejuvenation, knowing that the school was in capable hands. Their support reflects the strong sense of teamwork and unity that defines our school. Thank you once again for your invaluable contributions.
Schools are busy places and numerous events and activities occurred during my absence. Term 3 is usually highly productive, with an emphasis on strong consolidation of what has been learnt in the preceding two terms. Aided by data from Naplan and numerous other sources including the ‘Writing Assessment Tool’, teachers work diligently to help students reach their potential. The students have a productive further six weeks of learning ahead of them this term. This learning will include some excursions, including the Year 6 overnight educational tour to Canberra.
I would like to offer my congratulations to Martine Mathieson, our REC, Mrs Bern Royston, our dedicated staff, and the wonderful students for orchestrating a truly heartwarming grandparents' liturgy last Friday. The event was a testament to their collective hard work, creativity, and commitment to fostering a sense of community within our school. The touching and memorable liturgy showcased the students' talents and conveyed a beautiful message of love and respect for our elders. The efforts of our staff and students not only brought joy to the grandparents but also strengthened the bonds that make our school special. Well done and thank you for a truly remarkable event.
Such a memorable day was capped off with the Parents and Friends (P&F) Disco in the hall on Friday night. The P&F Committee and numerous parent helpers provided an exciting night of dancing and fun. The majority of students in the school attended and it was a great success. A special thank you to Stella Studioz for providing the music, dancing and fun activities. All students that I have spoken with during the week loved the Disco. Thanks to everyone who assisted.
Last week, the Year 4 students participated in the Religious Literacy tests conducted by the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong. This week, all students attended the School Photos and next week is the annual Book Week parade. Representative sport opportunities are presently being contested by a number of our students, please read Mr Allmark's section for a full summary. Congratulations to all of these students.
In Term 4, the students in Year 3 will commence learning about the Sacrament of Eucharist during their daily religion lessons. The Year 3 teachers love teaching the students about this important Sacrament which Catholic students receive during their ‘First Holy Communion’. To be able to receive their ‘First Holy Communion’, students in St Michael’s school and other schools in the local area, enrol in the Parish Sacramental program in one of the local churches within the Parish. Enrolment can occur by attending one of the local weekend masses and/or contacting the Catechist Coordinator – Madira Arnold 0473 360 183 or madira.arnold@dow.org.au
The timeline for the First Holy Communion program will be distributed in the various Parish churches on the weekend of 9/10 September. The program will include an evening of Prayer Assessment on 13/14 September in which the children will be asked to recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Act of Contrition. There will be a support session on every Sunday just before the 10.45am Mass for the children and parents who need further help with the Holy Communion Program. This year the Parish will be introducing a new component within the program. It will be called ‘Rosary Night’ which will provide an opportunity to have a special devotion to Mother Mary. First Holy Communion Masses will occur on the weekend of 25/26 November.
Finally, we wish Father Joseph a safe trip to India to visit his mother. Father Joseph will leave Nowra on 15 August 2023 and return on 2 September 2023.
Yours in Faith and Virtue,
Mr Christopher Paton
School Principal
CHANGE TO AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES-PARENT/ CARER PICK UP
We have continued to review the afternoon pick-up procedures following safety concerns for students at the crossing and waiting for parents at the brick wall. From Monday 14 August (Week 5), parents/ carers arriving for a 3pm pick-up continue as per the current procedure of meeting their child in front of the classroom. Remaining students who have not been picked up by a parent/carer at 3pm, will stay inside the school gates, supervised by staff at the flag pole. Parents/ carers are required to come into the school grounds for pick up.
INFLUENZA A & CHICKEN POX
Our school has recently been advised of several students becoming unwell, contracting the Influenza A virus. This virus is highly contagious. Please see the following fact sheet for details and be vigilant in monitoring your family for symptoms. In order to protect our community, please do not send your children to school if they are unwell.
Additionally, we are aware of several cases of Chicken Pox within our local community.
Our office are inundated with phone calls and busy tending to students, therefore if your child is absent from school, please advise our office by entering an attendance note in the Compass Parent Portal or responding to the SMS absentee text rather than phoning our school. We thank you for your support.
Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski
Assistant Principal
| Week 5 |
|
| Monday 14 August | Rugby Union Knockout - selected Year 5 & 6 students |
| Tuesday 15 August | |
| Wednesday 16 August | Oliver School Production Rehearsals 3:15pm - 5pm Hall |
| Thursday 17 August | |
| Friday 18 August | K-6 Bookweek Parade 9:15am |
| Friday 18 August | |
| Friday 18 August | Primary Assembly in Hall 2:20pm |
| Week 6 | |
| Monday 21 August | |
| Tuesday 22 August |
Year 3 Nan Tien Temple excursion |
| Wednesday 23 August |
Oliver School Production Rehearsals 3:15pm - 5pm Hall |
| Thursday 24 August |
Year 6 Canberra Overnight Excursion |
| Friday 25 August |
Infants Assembly in Hall 2:20pm |
| Friday 25 August |
St Michael's Family Weekly Morning Tea |
DATES FOR THE DIARY
| Mon 28 August - Friday 1 September | Father's Day Stall |
| Friday 1 September | Father's Day BBQ |
| Tuesday 5 September | Kindergarten Mass 9am-10am |
| Thursday 7 September | Year 1 Mass 9am-10am |
| Friday 8 September | Working Bee- P&F Storage Area 3pm - 6pm |
| Tuesday 12 September | P&F Meeting 6pm- All Welcome |
| Saturday 16 September | SMN Working Bee- Spring Clean 8am-11:30am |
An amazing effort by Year 6 with preparation and organisation of the day. Year 6 were very happy with the response from our school community eagerly snapping up yummy cakes and cookies.Thank you parents for assisting with the supply of the cakes, slices and biscuits. All money raised will go towards a Year 6 gift to the school to be presented at the Year 6 Graduation Term 4.
BOOK WEEK DRESS UP PARADE
Friday 18 August
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
What a wonderful day last Friday. We were truly blessed to have so many members of our school community gathered together to help celebrate such significant people who play a major role in all our lives, our grandparents. Beginning with an outdoor liturgy to give thanks for all our wonderful grandparents and then celebrating with morning tea and classroom visits, we were blessed with beautiful weather.
Grandparents’ Day is by far one of the biggest days on our school calendar but one we all very much treasure. Don’t forget to tell Nan and Pop ‘thanks’ and ‘I love you!’
ST MARY OF THE CROSS (MARY MACKILLOP) FEAST
8TH AUGUST
August 8 marks the anniversary of the death of Mary MacKillop and the Feast Day of Australia's first Saint. Mary MacKillop was canonised by Pope John Paul II on 17th October 2010. Although her death occurred more than a century ago, she continues to inspire men, women and children whether Catholic or non-Catholic.
Her Feast Day is a time to contemplate her remarkable life, her sense of social justice and her enormous contribution to education and as a champion of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized. The co-founder of the Josephites, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, she was a tireless advocate of education and schools. At just 24 she established a school for children of the poor and underprivileged in Penola, SA, and under her guidance, her Order went on to establish schools not only across South Australia but also in Victoria, New South Wales and eventually New Zealand.
With her strength of faith in God, her vision of a better world for all, with patience, a forgiving heart and trust in God, she managed to overcome whatever obstacles were put her way.
Our Year 4 students attended the Parish mass on the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
All students K- 6 will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, on Tuesday 15th August with a grade liturgy.
The Assumption marks the end of Mary’s earthly life as she is taken to heaven, body and soul.
Finally, a BIG thank you to everyone for their generous donations for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, especially our Mini Vinnies students who slept out in the hall. St Michael’s Catholic Primary School donated $2300 to the Nowra Conference.
Absolutely Amazing!!!
Thank you
Martine Mathieson
Religious Education Coordinator
On Friday 28th July, Years 3 and 4 participated in the South Coast Soccer Gala Day at Lyrebird Oval in East Nowra. It was a great day to be outdoors and active.
Students enjoyed a fantastic day, playing 4 x 20 minute games. It was great to see all students get involved, regardless of their ability and knowledge of the game. The students were extremely well behaved, showed impeccable sportsmanship and left the day with a smile on their face. Thankyou to all teachers and parents who helped out on the day.
On Tuesday, we had over 30 students represent St. Michael’s at the South Coast Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park in Wollongong. Our athletes were competing against students from 16 other schools, across 58 events.
It was an early start with students required to be at the venue for the 8:30am commencement. Students displayed a mixture of excitedness and nervousness as they dug in deep to put in an astounding effort, especially considering the quality and experience of some of their competitors. The sportsmanship and behaviour were exemplary and the students were a credit to St. Michael’s.
The following students excelled in their events and will return to Beaton Park, trialling for the Wollongong team on Tuesday 15 August.
In addition to these great results, we received more pleasing news with several students placing for Age Champion, as follows;
St Michael’s achieved an outstanding result of 3rd place in the school overall point score, proving how well all of our students performed. A massive congratulations to every student who participated on the day!
On Monday 14th August, selected Year 5 & 6 boys will be travelling to Sydney to compete in the Chris Gangemi Cup, a 10 a side Rugby knockout competition. The boys will be taking on the best Catholic Schools from all Diocese around New South Wales. Thank you to Cohen Jirgens who has been supporting the boys with skills and drills at school to prepare for the day. We wish the boys the best of luck for Monday.
I am also pleased to announce that Brayden Luxford has been called up to the MacKillop Diocesan Soccer team. He will be competing at the NSWPSSA Football Championships in Nelson Bay next week. We wish Brayden all the best for these championships.
If you have any questions about sport or upcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Mr. Andrew Allmark
Sports Co-ordinator
Teachers in their line of work understand deeply, the psychological progression and natural cognitive functions of children according to their age. There is a definitive link between a child's cognitive function and the impacts that social media can have on a child's developing brain. Social media has the ability to expose the students to circumstances, material and opportunities that are considered far beyond the comprehension and the cognitive load a child can take on and process. This is why we have seen a natural increase in friendship issues and conflicts that occur online. Unlike us, the children of today are growing up in a time where the world is at their fingertips. As adults and educators, we have a duty of care to ensure our students are equipped to handle these challenges effectively and appropriately according to their age.
Over the coming weeks, we will provide you with some helpful resources for you to explore as parents and caregivers. Our hope is that we can provide you with ample research based resources to ensure you are prepared to have conversations around the students participating positively in our digital world.
Our first article for you to have a look at is called 'How Much is "Too Much" Monitoring Social Media Use in Children and Adolescents?'. This article will provide you with a deeper understanding of the link between child psychology and cognitive functioning and the use of social media.
COLOUR RUN
YEAR 3-4 SOCCER GALA DAY
WINTER DISCO
FATHER'S DAY STALL AND RAFFLE
- Free advertising within the school newsletter
- The P&F will share your business page on their events page.
- Before school from 8:15-8:45am and
- After school 2:30pm-3:15pm.
FATHER'S DAY BBQ
St Michael's P&F Committee
