Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As previously advertised, a Staff Development Day with literacy expert Dr Tessa Daffern will be held on Monday 24 June 2024. Dr Daffern’s current projects include:

• NESA NSW English Syllabus Reform: Writer, K-6 English Syllabus
• School-based Professional Learning Pathways (tailored workshop series)

Dr Daffern will work with St Michael's staff on 'Spelling'. The school is fortunate to have been able to employ Dr Daffern to assist with unpacking the new spelling curriculum. This is a Pupil Free Staff Development Day. 

STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS-SEMESTER 1

Teachers are in the final stages of preparing the Student Progress Reports for Semester 1, 2024. Every child in Kindergarten to Year 6 will receive a formal report which will be released through Compass in Week 10. A description of the changes is expressed in more detail in the newsletter. 

K-2 PARENT INFORMATION MEETINGS (READING)

Last week the school provided two Kindergarten to Year 2 Parent Information Meetings on reading. It is necessary for a parent from each Kindergarten to Year 2 family to attend one of these meetings so that assistance can be provided by the school for parents to learn about the 'Decodable Texts’. Thank you to the 70 families who have attended the first two meetings. We are looking forward to making contact with the families who were unable to attend and excited to be working closely with all families of students in Kindergarten to Year 2. Thank you to Mrs Heffernan and all staff who attended and led the meetings. 

SPIRIT DAY

Yesterday the students in Year 6 attended the annual ‘Spirit Day’ at the Nowra Showground. Through prayer and structured activities,the students put into action the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’. A special thank you is extended to Mrs Martine Mathieson, Mrs Bernie Royston, the Year 6 teachers, School Support Officers and Aboriginal Education Assistants for organising and running such a great day. 

CONFIRMATION

For our Year 6 students who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation next weekend, this coming week is a very important one. Our Parish Priest Father Joseph Pothenparampil will confirm the students in the two masses which will occur on Saturday 29 June at 5pm and Sunday 30 June at 11am. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

The Sacrament of Confirmation consists of the renewal of baptismal promises and the laying on of hands and anointing with the oil of Chrism. The anointing of the candidate is a sign of confirming the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’, and calling the candidates to use these gifts to become involved in the life and mission of the community.

When the candidate is Confirmed, Father Joseph will place his hands on the head of the candidate and pray for the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’. This ritualises the connection to Baptism and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit in our vocation to follow the way of Jesus. The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation recognises that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Father Joseph will anoint the candidate’s forehead with the Oil of Chrism saying, ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’.

At the end of the rite, Father Joseph will say, ‘Peace be with you’ and the candidate replies with, ‘And with your spirit’, symbolising the candidate’s place within the Church community. There has been a huge amount of preparation put into preparing the students for receiving the sacrament. Thank you to Father Joseph, Mrs Madeira Arnold and members of the Parish Sacramental Team, and the Year 6 teachers who have taught the students about Confirmation in their regular religion lessons. Congratulations to the students and their parents who have supported them during the parish sacramental program. The preparation for Confirmation has been a true team effort. 

NEW KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

Following a recent period of recruitment for the Kindergarten position, I am pleased to announce that Ms Daniela Mardones Rivadeneira has been appointed as Kindergarten White teacher until the end of the year. Ms Mardones has worked within our school during 2023 and 2024 and is a teacher with 6 years experience. Ms Mardones will be supported by members of the school leadership team and other teaching staff during the period ahead to ensure it is a smooth adjustment for the students and their learning journey. The Kindergarten students have had Ms Mardones teach them on numerous occasions this year. The change of teacher in the middle of a school year can sometimes be an adjustment for the students, however with Ms Mardones’ familiarity with the Kindergarten White class, I believe this will be minimised. I sincerely thank parents, students and staff for their patience during the recent period of recruitment.