Dear Parents,

Last Friday night I attended the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Sports Awards for students in the Diocese of Wollongong. This is always a great night celebrating participation in sport by our students. Four of our students received awards for sporting accomplishments during the year. Congratulations again to Aysha Sanchez, Jalen Rees and Jett Goddard who received the Sports Council Medallion, and to Thomas Duncan who received the Red Sports Council Award for their Diocesan sporting accomplishments. To have four students recognised at this awards ceremony is quite an achievement. Congratulations to these students and their families.

On Monday, many of our Year 6 students attended the St John’s ‘Orientation Day’. The students described the day as informative and useful! It is hard to believe that in four weeks  this Year 6 cohort will leave us to head to high school. These students arrived in Kindergarten the same year I commenced at the school and it is always a privilege to see your first Kindergarten students graduate to high school. Please keep these students in your thoughts and prayers over the next four weeks.

Our next orientation day for Kindergarten 2020 will be on Thursday 28 November 2019 from 9:15am to 10:30am. Our first orientation day last week was very successful, assisted I believe by the 8 sessions of ‘Transition to School Through Playgroup’ that a number of the children attended in the first four weeks of Term 4.

This weekend is an important one for the students in our parish who will make their First Holy Communion. Our Year 3 teachers, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Callaghan, Miss Karas, Mrs Lenihan, our Religious Education Co-ordinator Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, Mrs Fairs, Father Pat, Father Leo and staff have all combined to make this a meaningful experience for the students in our parish. The two masses on Sunday are at 9.30am and 12 noon. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the third sacrament that most Catholics receive. The origin of this sacrament is the ‘Last Supper’ when Jesus said the first mass and turned bread and wine into his own Body and Blood. Thank you to all staff, parishioners, Father Pat, Father Leo, choirs, musicians and students who will assist at the masses.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

The library will be closed for borrowing from 28 November onwards.  All books are due back 30th November. 

Students are asked to place returns in their class library basket.

UNSW Global – ICAS Assessments

This year students from Year 3 to Year 6 participated in the online ICAS Assessments, with outstanding performers receiving certificates of Merit, Credit, Distinction and High Distinction. 

Developed for students in primary and secondary school years, ICAS assesses the higher order thinking and problem-solving skills needed for success in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Every year thousands of schools participate in ICAS in over 20 countries. ICAS independently evaluates students’ skills and knowledge in core learning areas and provides insight into students’ understanding.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved outstanding results. Certificates will be presented to these students at the next primary assembly on Monday 25 November at 2:00pm.

Digital Technologies

Year 3

Aela Stephenson (Credit)

Year 4

Cody Chater (Credit)

Marshall Avery (Credit)

Year 5

Callum Lockeridge (Credit)

Spelling Bee

Year 4

Cody Chater (Credit)

Year 5

Wade McKenzie (Merit)

Evie Wood (Credit)

Year 6

Nicholas McGill (Merit)

Daniel Rajeev (Credit)

Caitlin McLean (Credit)

Chelsea Duncan (Credit)

Mathematics

Year 3

Aela Stephenson (Merit)

Alaina Wood (Merit)

Taj Goddard (Credit)

Trae Yenne (Credit)

Harrison Wenban (Distinction)

Year 4

Marshall Avery (Credit)

Lexie Cooper (Credit)

Benjamin Dillon (Credit)

Year 5

Callum Lockeridge (Credit)

Darcy O’Sullivan (Credit)

Wade McKenzie (Credit)

Liam Johnstone (Distinction)

Cordell Yenne (Distinction)

Year 6

Chelsea Duncan (Credit)

English

Year 3

Aela Stephenson (Merit)

Year 4

Clayton Whitby (Merit)

Year 5

Anya Ellerington (Merit)

Eamonn Stephenson (Credit)

Cordell Yenne (Credit)

Evie Wood (High Distinction)

Year 6

Daniel Rajeev (Merit)

Chelsea Duncan (Credit)

Science

Year 3

Harrison Wenban (Distinction)

Year 5

Callum Lockeridge (Credit)

Year 6

Ella Campbell (Credit)

Writing

Year 3

Jaide Sutherland (Credit)

Tanisha Vella (Credit)

Year 4

Henrik Schaeffer (Credit)

Clayton Whitby (Credit)

Year 5

Oscar Spence (Merit)

Anya Ellerington (Credit)

Eamonn Stephenson (Credit)

Miriam Hutchison (Distinction)

Evie Wood (Distinction)

Year 6

Chelsea Duncan (Merit)

Daniel Rajeev (Credit)

Just a reminder that there is NO assembly this Friday.

The Primary assembly will be held on Monday 25th November at 2pm.

A big congratulations is extended to Evie Wood in Year 5 for her excellent contribution to the CEO Spliced Program. When interviewed at the launch of the book, "The Good, The Beautiful, The True: Student Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking.  Evie said, “I thoroughly believe that creativity can be harnessed through seeing the goodness, feeling the beauty and knowing the truth of an accomplished life.” Evie who produced the work, 'Putting the Life into Story'. A link to Evie's work is provided below. Congratulations to Evie and her family. 

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/the-good-the-beautiful-the-true-student-critical-creative-and-reflective-thinking/

Family Day at Kookaburra Retreat this Saturday the 23rd from 3pm to 6pm.

Kookaburra Retreat is inviting Defence members, families and the entire Shoalhaven community to join them for a no-fuss family fun afternoon.

This will be a great chance to meet other Defence members and families.  You will be able to talk with SDFA members and learn what the Shoalhaven Defence Families Association can offer you in the way of weekly activities, events, training, craft workshops and good old-fashioned support and companionship.  The Kookaburra Retreat welcomes all members of the community, even if you are not Defence you are welcome to come along to this great day out.

Entry: $2 per family and includes a ticket into the lucky door prize.

Petting Zoo- Sponsored by Navy Health

Jumping Castle- Sponsored by Defence Health

Playground

Food and Drinks

Face Painting and so much more!

A HUGE Thank you again, to all of our volunteers, sponsors, School staff and families leading up to, and on the day of our School Fair. It was a huge success! The numbers are in, and together, we've raised a whopping $13, 923.69!!! This money will directly go towards improvements and enrichment of our School and our student's experiences.

P&F Christmas Thank You Party

Each year, the P&F host a Christmas Party to thank our volunteers that have assisted in some way, be it big or small- through out the year. 

This year, we invite anyone who has been able to contribute and volunteer in any capacity, to join us in a job well done, and end of year celebration! Please leave the kids at home, and it will be buy your own drinks. 

When: Tuesday the 10th of December at 6pm
Where: The Macaw's Nest Cafe at Shoalhaven Zoo

2019 Year Book

Year Books are now avaible to pre-purchase ready for deliver in January 2020! Year Books are $25 each, please ensure payment is in by the 6th of December.
The production of our annual Year Book is well under way, if you have any exciting news, or extracurricular achievements of your child that you’d like to share, please email them through to yearbookstmichaels@gmail.com

CONTACT US:

Got any suggestions? Can you assist us? You can contact the P & F any time.

St Michael’s Parents & Friends Events 

P & F Mailbox is located in the school office.

Parents and Friends Executive Committee contact numbers:

Lyrebird Preschool - Enrolling now for 2020, limited positions available for 4 year olds.  Please contact us on 4421 4604 or email admin@lyrebirdpreschool.com.au

The PCYC will be holding a Blue Light Disco on Friday 13th December.

What is a Blue Light Disco?

Blue Light events are held in partnership with Police Officers in an effort to reduce crime related activities by creating trust between young people and Police. It’s about relationship building in a positive and fun environment as we believe in the long term benefits that enhanced relationships between young people and Police can bring.

Tickets are cheap and a non-member tickets includes a years membership for all NSW PCYC’s!

What will we have?

• Disco
• Food and drink
• SANTA
• Police and staff supervision and interaction
• Activities
• Christmas raffle
• FUN!

We are hoping to have a great turn out of kids to enjoy the fun activities we have planned.