Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Mr Paton has been away from school for the last 10 school days and has asked me to pass this message on to you.

Dear Families, 

A week and a half ago, my mother Margaret Paton, was diagnosed with the need for immediate bowel surgery. With the health limitations of a 94 year old and an extended and unknown period of difficult rehabilitation following surgery, my mother elected to not have surgery and entered Palliative Care. During this time my brother and his wife and one of their children arrived from Canada, and my sister arrived from Perth to have our last days together with our mother. Last Monday morning at 9.10am, my mum passed into eternal life with our God and my father John. Mum had a very strong Catholic faith and her life was celebrated in St Mark's Catholic Church, Drummoyne today.

I would like to thank parents for your support of Mrs Carolyn Rutkowski, Acting Principal, the school leadership team and staff. I ask that you say a prayer for my mother Margaret when you have a moment.

My mother is now resting in peace. 

Regards,

Mr Paton

It is hard to believe we have reached the midpoint of Term 3. Term 3 is always a busy term of learning and includes many exciting events and excursions. 

 

Last Monday the school community celebrated Book Week with a Book Parade. It was an exciting occasion for students to be dressed as their favourite book characters. Book Week provides opportunities to celebrate quality literature that can spark imagination, inspire and create a lifelong love and curiosity in reading. 

 

Reading to and with your child daily as part of their homework routine has many benefits.  It provides exposure to new vocabulary and allows students to share, practise and consolidate the reading skills and knowledge taught at school. Engaging with literature develops critical thinking and comprehension skills and assists with developing reading fluency and confidence.

 

From the beginning of Week 7 the school will continue to celebrate reading with a Book Fair held in the school library. As the book fair draws near, Mrs McKenna will share information about the fair and explain how students can purchase books to read at home.

 

On Friday last week, our students from Years 3 and 4 and some students from Years 5 and 6 attended the Soccer Gala Day at South Nowra. From all reports our student's behaviour was exceptional and they displayed a high level of sportsmanship and effort in each game of soccer played. I am proud of our students and how they represented St Michael’s within the broader community. It is a credit to our teachers, parents and carers who share, educate and guide the values and behaviour we expect of our students at St Michael’s.

 

A special thank you is also extended to the Parents and Friends Association for their generosity and community spirit in assisting with the canteen on the day. Your time and effort are always appreciated!

 

I have been fortunate to join Year 6 on their overnight excursion to Canberra. We have had a great time engaging in the wonderful cultural and educational experiences offered by Canberra. Photos and stories will be shared in our next fortnightly newsletter. I would like to thank the teachers for their time, organisation and commitment to the experience offered to our students. Thank you, Mrs Dempsey, Mr Spain, Mr Harrison, Mrs Luxford, Mrs McKenna and our School Support Officers, Mrs Cox, Mrs Nicholls and Miss Cook!  

 

To ensure the ongoing safety of our students at afternoon dismissal, I wish to remind parents and carers to use the crossing on either North Street or Osborne Street. Crossing near the buses is unsafe and stressful for drivers navigating traffic and pedestrians.

 

I would like to extend a very Happy Father’s Day to all of our students dads, grandfathers and significant males. I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday. We would like to show our gratitude and celebrate your important role as a father by inviting you to our Father’s Day breakfast and prayer celebration on Monday 2nd September from 7am to 9:30 am. If joining us for this celebration, normal supervision of students will begin from 8:15am so I ask fathers and carers needing to attend work before the liturgy at 8:45am to remain with their child until teacher supervision at 8:15am.

 

Yours in faith and virtue 

Carolyn Rutkowski 

Assistant Principal

FATHER'S DAY- SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

Please join us on Monday 2nd September to celebrate the Dad and Father figures in our lives.

7am - 9am on the Back Playground at St Michael's Nowra.

Sausage sandwiches and Bacon and Egg Rolls for Breakfast! 

Followed by a short Liturgy at the assembly area on the front playground.

GRANDPARENT'S LITURGY

CLASS MASSES
Please join us at 10am in the church to celebrate mass on the following dates;

• Thursday 12 September 10am - Year 6
• Friday 20 September 10am - Year 3

ST MICHAEL'S FEAST DAY CELEBRATION

SOUTH COAST NETBALL CHAMPIONS

On Wednesday 28 August, St Michael’s proudly sent a team to compete in the South Coast Division of the Schools Cup Netball Final. The team, composing of Jack Butler, Allison Edwards, Morten Ellerington, Havanah Flugler, Juanna Mariayam-Mathew, Grace Regan, Grace Riepsamen, Will Rundle, Ella Walsh, and Anais Wynn, showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament.

Their exceptional teamwork and strategy shone throughout the four intense games. With a defence that could only be described as impenetrable, they conceded just four goals during the tournament, a testament to their focus and discipline.

The team continued their dominant form in the quarter finals, overcoming their opponents with ease to progress to the Grand Final. 

In a closely contested Grand Final match with formidable opponent, Berry, St Michael’s attack and defence once again proved too strong, leading them to a well-deserved victory and the title of South Coast Champions. Their outstanding performance now paves the way for the team to compete in the State Finals at Sydney Olympic Park in November.

Congratulations to the students for their incredible effort, and a special thank you to Mrs Roles for her organisation and to Sharon Edwards for her coaching. We look forward to cheering the team on as they represent our school at the state level.

PRIMARY SOCCER GALA DAY

It was heartwarming to see all students, regardless of their ability or knowledge of the game, participating in the recent Soccer Gala Day with enthusiasm. Their positive attitudes and behaviour were commendable. A big thank you to the teachers and parents who assisted, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

ATHLETICS

Having qualified by finishing in the top four at the South Coast Athletics Carnival, ten students from St Michael’s travelled to Beaton Park in Wollongong to compete in the Wollongong Athletics Trials on Tuesday 13 August. Students performed exceptionally well with the following impressive results;

Special congratulations to Morten Ellerington and Finn Goddard, each earning selection on the Wollongong Athletics team by finishing in the top two of their events. Morten and Finn will now advance to the MacKillop Trials at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre on 25 September. We wish them the best of luck!

NSW ALLSCHOOLS BOYS NETBALL

On 15 & 16 August, Will Rundle and Morten Ellerington represented the South Coast team at the NSW Allschools Primary Boys Netball State Championships 2024. Over the course of two days, the boys competed against teams from all over New South Wales, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship.

Both Will and Morten excelled, earning selection in the NSW Boys Team to represent at the School Sport Australia Netball Boys Championships in Victoria from September 7th to 13th. We are incredibly proud and wish Will and Morten the best of luck at the National Championships!

Now that Winter sports are coming to an end, we can start to look towards Summer sports. There are a host of sports on offer for the students to participate in. I have listed a few below;

• Summer Soccer - http://summer.shoalhavenfootball.com.au/
• Cricket - https://www.playcricket.com.au/junior/cricketblast-juniorblasters

              - mycricket.cricket.com.au

• Baseball - https://www.shoalhavenbaseballassociation.com.au/
• Little Athletics - https://lansw.com.au/find-your-closest-centre/
• Nowra Athletics Club http://www.nowraathletics.org.au/
• Nippers - https://nowraculburraslsc.asn.au/
• Tennis - https://www.shoalhaventennis.com.au/

Swimming lessons

• Waterways Swim School ph. 4423 6798
• North Nowra Swim School ph. 4448 6299
• Donna’s Dolphins ph. 4422 4661
• Bay and Basin Leisure Centre                                            http://www.shoalhavenswimandfitness.com.au/Our-Centres/Bay-Basin

Upcoming Events;

19 September – Yr 3 & 4 Basketball Gala Day (Selected nominated students)

20 September – Yr 6 Basketball Gala Day (Selected nominated students)

If you have any questions about sports or any events coming up, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

NORTH NOWRA GUIDES FUNDRAISING EVENT

North Nowra Guides invites you to join us in a magical experience discovering how to care for magical creatures, decorate your own wand, craft a wand box, prepare a magic potion and practice your favourite spells. Your participation will support our Guides fundraising for the 2025 Australian Jamboree. All witches and wizards aged 7+ are welcome.

NDIS INFO HUBS - Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Uniting has launched all-day Info Hubs in its Illawarra and Shoalhaven offices to ensure community members can easily access information about the NDIS and other resources. No bookings required! Potential NDIS participants will:

• Learn more about the NDIS and how to apply
• Understand your options if you do not meet NDIS eligibility criteria
• Discover how to use your NDIS plan to its full potential
• Speak with an industry expert about your NDIS or Disability-related questions

Here’s when and where to find the Info Hubs in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven:

• Where? 1/1 Burra Place, Shellharbour City Centre
• When? Every first Tuesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
  
  
• Where? 35 Kenny Street, Wollongong
• When? Every third Wednesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
  
  
• Where? Level 2b, 57 Graham Street, Nowra
• When? Every second Tuesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Uniting has also produced several practical resources, see these here.