Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have now moved into the second half of our final term for 2023. During the last two weeks the school has experienced a number of exciting milestones. Our new Senior School Support Officer (Office Manager), Mrs Karen Delany, has commenced at our school. Mrs Delany has made a strong impact in her first week and a half, and St Michael’s is very fortunate to have her expertise in all things administrative. Supported by Ms Janie Hamilton and other staff in the office, we have a very competent and professional office team. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful presentation of our school newsletter which is prepared each fortnight by Ms Hamilton. The use of photos, graphics and general imaginative layout has resulted each fortnight in a beautifully presented newsletter. Thank you Ms Hamilton. One of office SSOs, Ms Sarah Farrugia, will be taking maternity leave from today, in preparation for the arrival of her baby. Such wonderful times. Best wishes to Sarah and her family. 

Another very exciting event last week was the Annual CDF Sports Awards which occurred in Wollongong. This evening was an outstanding showcase of the talented sporting students in our Diocese. At the awards, three St Michael’s Nowra students, Adam Wisniewski (Year 5), Morten Ellerington (Year 5) and Cooper Green (Year 6) were nominated for awards. Adam and Morten received a Primary Sports Council Medallion for their representation of the Wollongong Diocese in numerous events. Cooper was the Major Award recipient, earning the Boys’ Primary School Sportsman of the Year for his skill across a wide variety of sports. This is the most prestigious award for Primary school students and was last won by St Michael’s Nowra students in 1998 - Mitchell Ison and 2010 - James Jagot. Congratulations to Adam, Morten, Cooper and their families. 

 The excitement of our recent Oliver School Musical continues to be celebrated within our community. Last week we received a lovely letter from a guest in the audience commending the efforts of everyone involved. 

A number of grades and their families have been participating at Grade masses in our Parish Church this term. Beautiful masses have been celebrated by Years 1, 2, 3 and 5. From December 2023 some of the grades will commence attending the Friday Parish Mass at 10am. Year 5 attended the Parish Mass yesterday and the parishioners were very excited to have the students with them. At the Parish Masses, the students are one with the parishioners and are not involved in the readings or singing. Families are invited to attend the Parish Masses. The school will send a Compass alert to the families of grades attending the Friday Parish Mass. 

During Term 4, all students in Year 3 have been participating in daily Religious Education lessons, centered on learning about the Sacrament of the Eucharist. During this term, a number of these Year 3 students enrolled in the Parish Sacramental program to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist during their First Holy Communion. This special mass will occur at 11am on Saturday 25 November 2023. Our thoughts and prayers will be with these students and their families. 

Last week our Year 1 students and their teachers had a whole day dedicated to Science. This exciting learning occurred in the school hall. This week our Year 3 students attended the Science Centre in Wollongong for an excursion. By all accounts the students in both Year 1 and Year 3 have experienced the wonder of Science in many ways. Well done students for your active participation.  

This week, the school hosted a night for the families of Kindergarten 2024 students. Ms Emma-Kate Callaghan, Mrs Michelle Heffernan, Miss Keely Hayden and Miss Ashley Palmer assisted with this welcome evening. There was a genuine spirit of excitement evident throughout the evening and I always feel privileged to commence the 7 year partnership with these families. As a school, we are starting to know our new families through their attendance at the four playgroup opportunities this term as well as transition opportunities for some students. This coming Monday and Wednesday the new Kindergarten students will attend the school for two morning sessions. We are very excited to welcome these students and their parents into our school family. 

I would also like to extend our gratitude to the P&F Executive team for their assistance in presenting our school uniform to the K2024 parents and their generous donation of five Lowes $50 Gift Vouchers to raffle on the evening. Winners of these Vouchers include K2024 students;

This week our Parents and Friends group held their monthly meeting. This was an excellent meeting where we discussed important matters, including the successful fundraising in 2023 as well as upcoming events. As you know, the Colour Run promotion has begun. This is the major fundraiser for 2023 and has the potential to raise in excess of $30 000. This energetic and professional P&F Committee has meticulously planned this event to ensure that all money donated will go directly towards playground enhancement. Teachers have been asked to actively promote the Colour Run.

Today the class with the most profiles (the registration of students by parents) were awarded with an ice block for each student. Congratulations to KW, victorious in this challenge with 18 profiles created!

I have suggested to teachers to urge students to ask parents, friends, grandparents, God parents, uncles, aunts, local businesses, etc to donate to each child. It is only once a year that the students ask these groups of people to sponsor them. All money raised by the students is complete profit due to the majority of prizes being donated by financial assistance from local businesses. Thank you for your anticipated support everyone. 

We are extremely fortunate to have an outstanding group of Volunteers running our P&F. Their tireless efforts continue to improve the learning opportunities and environment for all students. This week the P&F gifted each class their own bag filled with sports equipment for students to use during playtime. Students are really enjoying this wonderful gift!

Today a number of St Michael’s staff and I attended the funeral of one our loved former students, Curtis Gilkes. The service at Worrigee was truly a beautiful celebration of Curtis’ short life of 19 years. The eulogies and photos painted a vivid memory of a much loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and student at St Michael’s and St John’s. Curtis lived an extraordinarily active life and was supported in every possible way by his loving family Matt, Jane, Maddie and Hunter. Our memories of Curtis at St Michael’s will always remain with us. He is now at peace with our God and will no doubt be expressing his mischievous smile and laugh at every opportunity. Father Duane Fenandez expressed a beautiful prayer and blessing during the funeral. Please keep the Gilkes family in your prayers. 

Just a reminder regarding the procedures of notifying the office of any changes to the collection and travel arrangements for students. These must be communicated to the office prior to 2:20pm to enable students to receive messages through the Daily Communication in Class Tubs.

Due to an increase in the number of unscheduled early pickups impacting class learning and the end of day procedures for office staff, the office will not be signing children out after 2:45pm. If you do need to collect your child between 2:45pm and 3pm, this must be arranged prior to 2:20pm with the office including a justified reason such as evidence of a Medical Appointment. This is a legal requirement.

Have a great final four weeks of learning everyone. 

Yours in faith and virtue 

Christopher Paton 

School Principal