Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week all students, staff and some parents participated in an Ash Wednesday liturgy. For students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, the teachers led the liturgies which were age appropriate. Father Joseph Pothenparampil, our Parish Priest, led the students in Years 3-6. 

For those students and families new to the school, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a solemn season observed by Catholics worldwide. It falls forty days before Easter Sunday, excluding Sundays themselves. On this day, Catholics attend Masses or liturgies, where ashes are blessed and distributed on the foreheads of the children and adults in the shape of a cross, symbolising repentance and mortality. 

Lent is a period of reflection, fasting, and penance, mirroring Jesus Christ's forty days of fasting in the desert. It is a time for all members of our St Michael’s community to deepen their faith through prayer, fasting, and raising money for the poor through Project compassion. Lent is a time for all members of our community to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Many Catholics also choose to give up something or take on additional acts of charity during this season, aiming to grow closer to God and strengthen their commitment to living a life of love and service. During this term, all students in the school will learn about Lent as well as the significant events of Holy Week including Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

The Bishop of our Diocese of Wollongong, Bishop Brian Mascord, visited our parish and school last week for four days. Thursday and Friday were significant days for our school as Bishop Brian engaged with school leadership, staff, students and families. Bishop Brian led the 10am Friday mass in the church, attended by Year 6 students and parishioners. Bishop Brian asked me to convey his genuine thanks to the Year 6 students for their active participation in the mass, as well as all staff, students and families that he met. All students in Year 3 had a class session with Bishop Brian and this was especially significant as many of them will receive the Sacraments of Penance (Reconciliation) and Eucharist (First Holy Communion) this year. 

Last night some of the teachers and staff new to St Michael’s Nowra, joined me in attending a Diocesan ‘Welcome Dinner’ in Kembla Grange. Bishop Brian Mascord, our Director of Schools Mr Peter Hill, and other leaders of Catholic agencies in Wollongong welcomed new staff to the Diocese through prayer, blessings and hospitality. This is an annual event which provides information about the Diocese and an opportunity to meet the various heads of agencies which also include CatholicCare and the Catholic Development Fund (CDF). 

At a local level, this week on Tuesday many families attended the ’Meet the Teacher’ afternoon, which occurred between 3.15 - 5.15pm. This was an informal opportunity to have a look at the environment that your child engages in their learning every day, as well as put a face to the teacher your child talks about when they come home. St Michael’s staff highly value their role as co-educators with parents and caregivers and in 2024 look forward to ongoing positive and supportive interactions. The ‘Grade Newsletter’ was also distributed through Compass last Tuesday. I recommend families print this newsletter and attach it to the fridge or a cupboard for easy reference. The various hyperlinks in the document give specific information about various policies and school guidelines. 

On Tuesday, the students may have come home and let you know that they participated in an ‘Evacuation Drill’ and a ‘Lockdown Drill’. These essential drills occur at different times during the year so that students and staff are prepared in case of an emergency event. All students and staff responded appropriately when the drills occurred. 

Unfortunately our Parents and Friends (P&F) ‘Welcome Disco and BBQ’ in the back playground has been postponed due to possible thunderstorms. This important event will now occur on Friday 15 March 2024. Thank you to our wonderful P&F for their meticulous preparation for this event. 

On Friday 8 March 2024, students in Years 3-6 will participate in the school’s annual ‘Cross Country’ carnival in Wilandra. This is a fabulous day and all students participate though running or walking. All families are very welcome to join us for this event. 

This morning we held our first whole school assembly, with several students presented with leadership badges, including our Student Representative Council, Aboriginal Leaders and Mini Vinnies Leaders. We commend these students for committing to volunteer and help others, often sacrificing their playtime.

It was great to see so many parents and carers attend this presentation.

Our next assembly on Friday 1 March will include the presentation of Infants class awards and Swimming Awards from the 2023 Carnival.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS GUIDE- TREASURE HUNT COMPETITION

Families have done it tough over the past couple of years. That’s why Catholic Schools are offering one lucky family the prize of $2,000 worth of school fees! Runner-up prizes also include Roblox Robux vouchers.            

Every student attending a Catholic school in Australia is invited to enter this competition. Happy Treasure Hunting! 

To enter, visit catholicschoolsguide.com.au/competition. 

ILLAWARRA SHOALHAVEN LOCAL HEALTH INCENTIVE

Parents and Carers may sign up to receive 8 weeks of healthy lifestyle text messages (5 messages each week), with ideas on family activities and tips on healthy eating. Everyone who signs up receives a chance to win a $50 supermarket gift voucher.