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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the third school term of 2024. Following the release of student progress reports at the conclusion of Term 2, this term is usually one of productive and uninterrupted student learning. It is anticipated that after two terms, the students are fully aware of the learning expectations within the classroom and are working accordingly. From a teacher’s perspective, this is the term which will combine new learning with consolidated learning. If there are any aspects of the Semester 1 student progress report that you wish to clarify, please take the opportunity to call the school office and arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher.
Term 3 will also provide exceptional excursion opportunities for the students including:
- Kindergarten Shoalhaven Zoo
- Year 3 Nan Tien Temple
- Year 5 Overnight Leadership camp at Watersleigh
- Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian Mascord at Dapto
- Year 6 Overnight annual Canberra excursion
A big thankyou is extended to Mr Allmark, staff, parents and students who participated in the Years 3-6 Athletics carnival last Friday. Due to previous threatening weather conditions, this was the third attempt to run the carnival. Mr Allmark and his team of enthusiastic staff and parents conducted a great carnival, enjoyed by all. Congratulations to all students, particularly those who have won selection to the next carnival which will occur on 13 August 2024.
Next Friday evening, 9 August 2024, a number of students from Year 6 will participate in the annual Mini Vinnies Winter sleepout in the school hall. These students will be supported by Mrs Mathieson and a number of staff. The students will be sponsored by family and friends to raise money for the homeless of our local region. To further support this fundraising, the school will have a mufti day next Wednesday 7 August 2024. Students are invited to wear ‘green and gold’ mufti and donate a gold coin on this day. The green and gold mufti will honour the Australian athletes who are presently competing in the Olympic games. Their individual and team performances have been outstanding and include the following former students of some of our high schools:
- Blake Govers (St Joseph’s, Albion Park) in Hockey
- Ellen Perez (Corpus Christi, Oak Flats) in Tennis
- Kieran Woolley (Corpus Christi, Oak Flats) in Skateboarding (Park)
- Tyler Wright (St John's, Nowra) in Surfing
- Natalie Van Coevorden (John Therry, Rosemeadow) in Triathlon
Tonight is the Winter disco for students who attend St Michael’s school. The Parents and Friends (P&F) group have arranged a fun night for the students. The infants disco will commence at 5pm and conclude at 6:15pm. The primary disco will commence at 6:30pm and finish at 8pm. This is a parent supervised disco and only students from the school will be able to attend. Please do not bring neighbours, cousins or students from other schools. The next P&F meeting will occur on Tuesday 13 August 2024 at 6pm. This is a very productive P&F and your participation within this group would be very much appreciated.
Next Monday 5 August 2024, the students in Year 4 will participate in the Religious Literacy Assessment (RLA) test using their iPads. These students had a practice run last week. Best wishes to these students and a big thank you to their teachers who have been providing quality Religious Education this year.
Yours in faith and virtue
Christopher Paton
School Principal
ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL
MUFTI DAY- WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST
ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP
AUSTRALIA'S FIRST SAINT
Feast Day Thursday 8 August
TERM 3 GRADE MASS
Please find the following dates for our Term 3 2024 Grade Mass. Each service will commence at 10am in the church.
Year 5: Friday 2 August
Kindergarten: Friday 9 August
Year 1: Friday 16 August
Year 6: Friday 23 August
Year 4: Friday 30 August
Year 3: Friday 6 September
Year 2: Friday 13 September
Please join us to celebrate mass at 10am on Fridays. All welcome.
YEAR 4 RELIGIOUS LITERACY ASSESSMENT
MONDAY 5 AUGUST
YEAR 6 MASS WITH BISHOP BRIAN
TUESDAY 6 AUGUST
GRANDPARENTS LITURGY
SAVE THE DATE Thursday 5 September. 9:30am
Looking forward to a wonderful term where we have many opportunities to celebrate our faith.
Father Joseph Pothenparampil
Nowra Parish Priest
WEEK 3
Monday 5 August |
Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment |
Tuesday 6 August | Year 6 Mass with the Bishop |
Wednesday 7 August |
Vinnies Winter Appeal Mufti Day (Gold coin donation) |
Thursday 8 August | |
Friday 9 August |
Kindergarten Grade Mass 10am (Church) Year 6 Mini Vinnies Sleepout 6pm Infants Award Assembly 8:45am |
Saturday 10 August |
POSTPONED -St Michael's Working Bee 8am-2pm |
Monday 12 August | |
Tuesday 13 August |
School Canteen Closed today. South Coast Athletics (Selected Yr 3-6 students only) P&F Meeting 6pm (Library & Zoom)- Everyone welcome |
Wednesday 14 August | |
Thursday 15 August | |
Friday 16 August |
Year 1 Grade Mass (10am in the church) Primary Awards Assembly 8:45am |
UPCOMING DATES FOR THE DIARY
Monday 19 August |
Bookweek Parade 9am beneath COLA |
Friday 23 August |
Year 6 Grade Mass (10am in the church) Yr 3 & 4 Soccer Gala Day |
Friday 30 August |
Year 4 Grade Mass (10am in the church) |
Thursday 29 - Friday 30 August |
Year 6 Canberra Overnight Excursion |
Monday 2 September |
P&F Father's Day BBQ Breakfast & Liturgy 7am-9:30am |
Thursday 5 September |
Grandparents Liturgy (9:30am) |
Friday 6 September |
Year 3 Grade Mass (10am in the church) Kindergarten Shoalhaven Zoo Excursion |
Saturday 7 September |
St Michael's Working Bee (TBC) 8am - 2pm |
Tuesday 10 September |
P&F Meeting 6pm -7:30pm |
Wednesday 11 September |
SMN Public Speaking Finals Kindergarten 2025 Parent Information Session 6pm |
Friday 13 September |
Year 2 Grade Mass (10am in the church) |
Thursday 19-Friday 20 September |
Year 5 Leadership Camp Waterslea |
Thursday 19 September |
Year 3 & 4 Basketball Gala Day (Nominating students) |
Friday 20 September |
Year 6 Basketball Gala Day (Nominating students) |
Monday 4 November |
Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Day (9:15am-10:30am) |
Wednesday 6 November |
Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Day (9:15am-10:30am) |
On the sunny morning of July 26, our highly anticipated annual Athletics Carnival was held at Sanctuary Point Oval, bringing together students from Years 3 to 6 for a day of excitement and sportsmanship.
Students showcased their impressive speed, endurance and skills in a variety of track and field events, including 100, 200 and 800 metre races and long jump. Representing their colour house teams, students also enjoyed tug of war and relay races in a friendly competition.
The spirit of the school was evident as students encouraged one another, celebrated each other's successes, and displayed exemplary behaviour.
A big thank you to our staff, parent volunteers Mrs Goddard, Mrs Bozikov, Mrs Ellerington and Mrs Allmark for their assistance at the start and finish line and parents/carers and family who attended to support their child and the event.
Congratulations to the following students for their impressive results, excelling in both the track and field events.
Once medals are received from the engravers, they will be presented during our Friday morning assembly. Parents/carers of award recipients will be notified via the Compass Parent Portal once the date is confirmed.
The following students have qualified to represent St Michael’s at the South Coast Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park on Tuesday 13 August.
Female Squad
Treesa Alex, Ella-Marie Anonuevo, Savannah Atfield, Mila Bozikov, Bridget Gonzaga, Matilda Harrison, Ivy Horwood, Elina Kottackal, Ahvoka Leismann, Maryann McGee, Ava Porteous, Grace Regan, Annabelle Seymour-Munn, Amarlie Ward and Sophie Webber.
Male Squad
Ezekiel Blinksell, Fox Clark, Lachlan Cunningham, Morten Ellerington, Harry Fulop, Finn Goddard, Sam Green, Sylas Murphy, Nate Taylor, Hunter Waller and Jagger Wright.
We wish these students the best of luck!
CONGRATULATIONS FINN
On Tuesday 23 July, Finn Goodard represented MacKillop at the State Cross Country Trials at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. Finn was exposed to a new level of competition with the best runners from all over New South Wales. Finn found this experience challenging due to the competitive nature of the run, providing a good training opportunity for Finn's upcoming national competition in Tasmania at the end of the month. We wish Finn all the best for this event.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday 13 August – South Coast Athletics Carnival (Selected students only)
Friday 23 August – Year 3 & 4 Soccer Gala Day (All students)
Friday 23rd August – Year 5 & 6 Soccer Gala Day (selected students)
If you have any questions about sports or any events coming up, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Mr Andrew Allmark
Sports Co-ordinator
OLYMPICS
BOOKWEEK
Welcome to Term 3!
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful holiday and spent quality time with family.
I was lucky to spend two days training on Seasons for Growth last week. It was an extraordinary course that used the imagery of the seasons to illustrate to young people the experience of change, loss, and grief. I am looking forward to sharing what I have learnt with students.
I have been busy updating all our Defence resources at school, and I'm looking forward to starting small groups with all years this term. I have a lot planned, and I am very excited.
Last week, I caught up with Year One Defence students Cooper Firkin, Cameron Peters, Rhyland Short and Theia Walz. They were very excited about our Defence Space and can't wait for the groups to begin.
Year 12 students from St John's will attend the service and lay a wreath. We invite all families to participate in this Commemoration.
Please email me if you have any questions at lawrencej01@dow.catholic.edu.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE POSITIONS VACANT
Our P&F Committee currently have two Executive Positions available;
Assistant Vice President
This role supports the President and Vice President for all official business and steps in if either are unavailable. eg. chair P&F meetings, award ceremonies, etc.
Grants Officer
This position is ideal for someone who is eager to help identify and apply for grants to support various school projects. The role involves collaborating with the P&F and the school to secure funding for identified projects.
If you are interested and able to assist, please send your expression of interest by completing the Google form: https://forms.gle/1Q878XBh4th9eAj1A
If you have any questions please email stmichaelspnf@gmail.com.
Grants Officer Nomination Form
WORKING BEE – POSTPONED
Our School Working Bee planned for Saturday 10 August, from 8am to 2pm has been postponed. We hope to hold this event on Saturday 7 September, with the date soon to be confirmed.
More information about the event will be shared shortly, along with a link to register your interest.
Let's join forces to make a positive impact for our children!
For any questions, please contact us via email stmichaelspnf@gmail.com
IT'S TIME TO CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN CUPBOARDS!
The P&F has allocated funds from the Easter Raffle fundraiser for the purchase of Sandpit toys and storage options for the toys. After a discussion with the School Leaders and gaining feedback from the students, it has been determined that old kitchen items are the preferred sandpit toys.
So, with this in mind, we are looking for donations of the following:
- Small lightweight saucepans or pans
- Silicone cake tins
- Jelly moulds
If you have any of these items that are taking up space in your kitchen and you no longer need them, please bring to the office.
Once we have collected donated items, the P&F will look at what is still needed and will use the funds allocated to add to this equipment. The more we have donated, the more funds we will have available to purchase better quality storage options for this equipment.
PARENT HELPERS NEEDED – YEAR 3 & 4 SOCCER GALA DAY
The Year 3 & 4 Soccer Gala Day is fast approaching on Friday 23 August 2024. We are looking for parent volunteers to assist on the day. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Please email your availability to stmichaelspnf@gmail.com.
Warm regards,
St Michael's P&F Committee
Our school canteen is available for ordering four days per week (Tuesday-Friday). I would like to remind parents/carers wishing to place lunch orders for their children for Friday to please place their order online prior to 2pm Thursday.
The link for ordering online may be found on our school website;
https://smndow.catholic.edu.au/parents/canteen/
The canteen will be closed on Tuesday 13 August. Please ensure your child brings recess and lunch to school on this day.