Dear Parents and carers,

You are invited to join us for our first Working Bee of the year this Saturday 15 March 2025, as we come together to tidy up our school grounds. The focus will be on gardening, so please bring your own tools, including powered whipper snippers, pruners, rakes, and trailers—every bit of help makes a difference! Your time and effort are truly appreciated as we work to create a welcoming environment for our students. Thank you to those who have already offered to assist—we look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you to our parents who attended this week’s Parents and Friends meeting. Your support and involvement is valued. We discussed several important matters, including back playground enhancements, the Easter raffle, and the success of our recent ‘Welcome Disco and BBQ’. Additionally, we reviewed plans for the upcoming Diocesan Cross Country and South Coast Catholic Schools Soccer Gala day. Your dedication helps make our school community stronger. 

This  week Mr Allmark, our dedicated staff, supportive families and enthusiastic students combined to make our annual School Cross Country event a great success! It was wonderful to see student determination, strong colour house spirit, and outstanding sportsmanship on full display. The beautiful Willandra location provided the perfect backdrop for an exciting and memorable event. Well done to everyone involved and a special thank you is extended to the Gibb family who own the beautiful farm where the cross country track is located.

Please keep our Year 3 and Year 5 students in your prayers as they continue their participation in the annual NAPLAN assessment. NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is a nationwide test in Australia that evaluates students' skills in reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. It provides valuable insights for educators, parents and policymakers to support student learning and development. Thank you to all staff who have organised and supported the students, especially Mrs Rutkowski, Mrs Callaghan, Miss Cook, Year 3 and 5 teachers and additional staff assisting in many ways. 

During this next week, class teachers will begin sending parents a compass alert if areas of the school uniform require attention. The initial focus will be on correct shoes, socks and hairstyles. Please read the previous newsletter for school uniform areas to be targeted. Thank you for your support. 

The school has received a number of calls about the date for the annual Grandparents' Liturgy. Unfortunately the date for Grandparents' Day will not be decided until our new Parish Priest arrives after Easter. We apologize to families who are eager to know the date and appreciate your patience. We will share the details as soon as they are confirmed. Thank you for your understanding.

School closes for Term 1 in four weeks time. The last day for Term 1 is Friday 11 April 2025. School will resume in Term 2 for all students on Tuesday 29 April 2025. All staff will return for a Pupil Free Staff Spirituality Day on Monday 28 April 2025.  

Yours in faith & virtue

Christopher Paton

School Principal

Grades will be attending the Parish Mass at 10am on the following dates:

We welcome parents, carers, family and friends to join us and celebrate Mass with your child.

PROJECT COMPASSION LAUNCH

Lent is a special time of year. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, a time to be the good news for the poor. 

Caritas Australia invites us to put our compassion into action this Lent. As individuals we can help others, but when we come together through Project Compassion, our good becomes great. Our combined kindness grows. When we unite together we can create BIG lasting change.

This LENT we encourage our students;

• to do something for someone at home and in return receive a small coin to place in the Project Compassion boxes in their classroom,
• to give something up... like spending less time on their device and in return receive a small coin to place in the Project Compassion boxes,
• think of those less fortunate and donate some of their pocket money/canteen money towards Project Compassion.

Together let's all unite against poverty! There is no time like 2025!

MINI VINNIES CAFE - SHROVE TUESDAY

Martine Mathieson

Religious Education Coordinator

At St Michael's this year we have introduced the 'morning circle' into our daily routine. The first 5 minutes of class are critical for setting the tone for the day of learning, and are a key strategy for consistently embedding strengths as well as tending to the body's emotional regulation.

This routine of forming a circle with our students to review key values, expectations and celebrate any announcements and successes, serves as a connection between the outside world and the complex task of learning. It allows students to ground themselves, co-regulate and establish a common rhythm for the learning day. When we take the time to check in and connect with our students, we are not only setting them up to get more out of the learning, but we are providing an opportunity for us, as educators, to get on the front foot of any potential issues that may present as speed bumps for learning.

Outlined below are the key components of our morning circle routine, each serving a critical function in preparing students for a productive and successful day of learning.

PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY

On Monday 10 May, our Year 3-6 students traveled to the Willandra Course in Tapitallee to participate in our annual Cross Country Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with determination, resilience, and great sportsmanship.

Students in the younger age groups tackled the 2km circuit, while older students had the choice of running either the 2km course or the more challenging 3km competitive event. Regardless of the distance, we were incredibly proud of every student who completed the course, giving their best effort on the day.

A special congratulations to our top three placegetters in each age group. These students have now qualified to represent our school at the upcoming Diocesan Cross Country event on Tuesday 6 May. Permission notes for these students will be available via Compass Events by the end of next week.

A huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered on the day. Your support ensured that the event ran smoothly, and we truly appreciate your time and effort.

The presentation assembly will be held when the medallions arrive. Parents and carers of the award recipients will be notified via Compass once a date is confirmed.

Well done to all participants for their fantastic efforts!

SOUTH COAST DIOCESAN SWIMMING

On Tuesday 4 March, St Michael’s Swim Team showcased exceptional skill and determination at the South Coast Swimming Carnival, competing against some of the region's finest swimmers. Their dedication was evident as they delivered strong performances across multiple events.

A special congratulations to Sophie Webber and Taylor Dennis, who qualified for the Diocesan Swimming Selection Trials. At these trials, Sophie secured 5th place in the 50m Breaststroke (11 years girls) with a time of 54.01 seconds, while Taylor finished 5th in the 50m Breaststroke (Junior Girls) with a time of 56.78 seconds. We are immensely proud of their performances.

DIOCESAN NETBALL TRIALS

On Thursday 6 March, a group of students—Grace Riepsamen, Havanah Flugler, Gabrielle Milla, Ivy Horwood, Courtney Wallace, Sophie Webber, Annabelle Seymour-Munn, Mykie Bond, Madeleine Tipping, and Chloe Webb participated in the Diocesan Netball Trials held in Berkeley. Throughout the event, they engaged in four round-robin games, providing convenors with ample opportunity to assess their skills.

Havanah, Annabelle, and Ivy consistently demonstrated exceptional netball abilities, earning selections for the 'probables and possibles' team. Havanah further excelled by securing a spot to represent the Wollongong Netball Team in the NSW MacKillop Trials, scheduled for May 9 in Canberra. All the girls should be very proud of their outstanding performances, and we wish Havanah all the best at the MacKillop Trials.

AFL SKILLS 

On Wednesday 5 March, St Michael's School hosted an engaging AFL skills session for our Kindergarten to Year 2 students. With the enthusiastic support of our Year 6 leaders, our younger students delved into the fundamentals of Australian Football, including hand-eye coordination, kicking, catching, and passing techniques. The collaborative effort between the Year 6 leaders and the visiting AFL coaches ensured that all students had a memorable and enjoyable experience, fostering both skill development and school spirit.

ISAAC EXCELLING IN ON THE BASEBALL FIELD

Congratulations to Isaac Dunphy (Year 5), on his recent outstanding achievements in Baseball.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Year 3 and 4 AFL Gala Day – Tuesday 25 March (Nowra Showground) 

If you have any questions about sport or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

 Kind regards

Andrew Allmark

Sports Coordinator

Year 6 were super excited to meet their Kindergarten buddies last week. Students read stories, exchanged cards and drawings, and made lots of new friendships to last a lifetime!

We would like to invite parents/carers of Kindergarten 2026 students and families considering enrolment at St Michael's to attend our upcoming Open Night on Tuesday 18 March (6pm - 7:30pm).

Applications for Kindergarten 2026 enrolment are now being accepted on the following link, due by Monday 7 April 2025.

Enrol for Kindergarten 2026

This link is also available on our school website. 

Kindergarten 2026 enrolment interviews will be held on Saturday 3 May 2025. During mid-late April, applicants will be sent an email with an invitation to book an interview time. Invitations will only be sent to applicants who have completed the form, providing all necessary information and signatures. 

If you know anyone considering enrolment for their child, we ask that you please share this information.

THANK YOU FOR AN INCREDIBLE WELCOME DISCO!

What an unforgettable evening! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came along to our Welcome Disco. Despite the heat, the turnout was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many students, families, and staff members having a blast on the dance floor.

The night was filled with glowing dance moves, plenty of laughter, and great music — a perfect way to kickstart the school year with our amazing community.

Thanks to your incredible support, we’re thrilled to announce that we raised an amazing $2,060.47 for our school. A wonderful achievement that wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity.

A big THANK YOU also goes out to our incredible team of staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the night a success:

Rebecca Want, Kristopher Onate, Sebastian Tauni, Alexandria von Prott, Margaret & Ash Gasseling, Peter Gallop, and Jason Bliss.

We hope everyone had a fantastic evening, and we can’t wait to see you at our next school event!

EASTER EGG RAFFLE

Our next exciting fundraiser is our Easter Egg Raffle, and we’re calling on the generosity of our wonderful school community to help us create some fantastic prize hampers.

We kindly ask for contributions of the following:

• Easter eggs – Any size, big or small, is welcome! Chocolate bunnies, mini eggs, and novelty treats are all great additions.
• Easter-themed crafts – Easter decorations, DIY craft kits, or even handmade creations to add a special touch to our hampers.
• Wrapping materials – Clear cellophane, baskets, ribbons, and gift bags are all appreciated to help us beautifully present our prizes.
• Small toys or games – Little surprises that add variety and excitement to our hampers.
• Books or activity packs – Easter-themed stories, colouring books, or puzzle packs are great additions for families to enjoy.
• Cash donations – Any cash received will be used to purchase gift vouchers to add extra value to our hampers.

Donations will be accepted from Monday 17 March.

Volunteers Needed for Hamper Wrapping!

In addition to donations, we’ll also be asking for volunteers to help us wrap our hampers. If you have some time to spare and a knack for creative presentation, we’d love your help!

Keep an eye out on our social media pages and Compass for details on how you can assist.

SAVE THE DATES- UPCOMING P&F MEETINGS

Our Parents & Friends (P&F) meetings are a fantastic opportunity for parents and carers to get involved, share ideas, and help make a positive impact on our school community.

• Tuesday 8 April – 6pm
• Tuesday 13 May – 6pm

Pencil these dates in your diary — we'd love to see you there! Whether you're a seasoned attendee or joining us for the first time, we encourage you to come along. The P&F plays a vital role in organising school events, fundraisers, and community initiatives — and we’d love your input!

Your ideas, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives are always welcome.

WORKING BEE - SATURDAY 15 MARCH

Our school playground and gardens are in need of some TLC, and we’re calling on parents, grandparents and friends to lend a hand at our upcoming Working Bee.

When: Saturday 15th March
Where: St Michael’s Primary School
Time: Starting at 8:00am

Why Come Along?

• Help create a safe and beautiful space: Our playground and gardens are key spaces for our students to play, learn, and connect — let’s make them shine!
• Meet other parents and families: The Working Bee is a great chance to connect with other parents, make new friends, and strengthen our school community.
• Feel a sense of accomplishment: Whether you’re planting flowers, raking leaves, or giving playground equipment a fresh coat of paint — every bit of effort will have a lasting impact.

A sausage sizzle will be provided because hard work deserves a reward.

Please bring along gloves, gardening tools (if you have them), and a positive attitude! Even if you can only spare an hour, your help will be invaluable.

We look forward to seeing you there — together we can make St Michael’s shine!

STAY CONNECTED - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Want to stay in the loop with everything happening at St Michael’s? Make sure to follow our Parents & Friends Association on social media!

• Facebook: P&F Events Page
• Instagram: St Michael’s P&F Association

By following our pages, you’ll receive;

• Reminders for upcoming school events and fundraisers
• Important school community news
• Fun photos and highlights from our activities

We’d love for you to join us online — together we can build a stronger, more engaged school community!

Thank you once again for your incredible support — we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

St Michael’s P&F Association
stmichaelspnf@gmail.com

Thank you to Meagan's Kitchen for providing our wonderful canteen service.

Our school canteen is managed by Meagan's Kitchen, operating four days per week (Tuesday-Friday).

Lunch orders may be placed by online through 'My School Connect' on the following link. (Also available beneath the parent tab on our school website). A reminder for parents/carers, lunch orders for Fridays are to be placed by 1pm Thursday.

School Canteen Online Orders

Our dedicated staff members are highly trained and passionate about providing quality care. They ensure that each child feels valued and encouraged to explore their interests. The program includes homework assistance, recreational activities, and nutritious snacks, all within a structured and supportive setting.

For more information or to enrol your child, please contact Simone Danby at Aspire on 0438 358 118. Simone is available to answer any questions and provide further details about our program offerings.

We look forward to welcoming your child to Aspire Before and After School Care at St Michael's.

WINTER SPORTS

Registrations for Winter sports have commenced. Some local sporting clubs your child may be interested in joining include;

Netball teams

Saints: http://saintsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/ 

Rebels: http://rebelsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/

Jervis Bay: http://jervisbaync.nsw.netball.com.au/

North Nowra and Bomaderry: http://nnbnc.nsw.netball.com.au/

Albatross: http://albatrossnc.nsw.netball.com.au/

Lyrebird: https://www.facebook.com/LyrebirdNetballClub/

Worrigee:  https://www.worrigeetigersnc.com/

For further information on different clubs, please follow this link for Shoalhaven Netball Association: http://sna.nsw.netball.com.au/

AFL

Nowra Giants: https://www.facebook.com/shoalhavengiants/

Bay and Basin: http://www.bombers.net.au/

Bomaderry: https://www.bomaderrytigersafl.com.au/

Rugby Union

Shoalhaven: https://www.facebook.com/weareshoals/

Rugby League

Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/Bomaderry-Swamp-Rats-270032815270/

Berry Rugby League

Berry Rugby League are in need of Under 10 & Under 11 players boys and girls. If your child is interested, please contact the Club President,  Matthew Lawther on 0412 724 380 or register online though or instagram page berrjnrmagpies.

Football

Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/BomaderrySoccerClub

Shoalhaven Heads/Berry: https://www.facebook.com/headsberryfc/

Martial Arts

Karate - South Coast Shotokan - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057307314479