Dear Parents and Carers,

Today you will be able to access your child’s interim progress report for the first semester. Attached to the newsletter is an explanation of the interim report, including why the format is different to the usual report. This letter, which is being sent to all families in the Wollongong Diocese, is co-signed by Noel Henry the Head of School Services. A second attachment describes the timeline for booking a telephone interview for students in Years 1-6. The attachment also explains the booking process for face to face interviews with parents of Kindergarten students. Interview times for all students will be available through Compass from 3pm today. These interviews will occur on Week 10 Term 2 and/or Week 1 Term 3.

Due to the COVID19 crisis, the bushfire impact on parents and students in the Shoalhaven region has possibly received less attention than required. When the students returned from the January school holidays, counselling and support was offered by our school and many agencies. We did have a number of families and staff directly affected by the bushfire emergency. If you or your child feel that counselling may now be a useful assistance, please consider accessing a free counselling service available through CatholicCare. The sessions are provided via the zoom platform at this stage but will eventually return to face to face meetings. Information is contained in the below attachment by CatholicCare.

School concludes for Term 2 on Friday 3 July 2020. The new school term will commence on Monday 20 July 2020.

Reminding everyone that tomorrow is 'Friday Funday' which will be a muftiday. Students can come to school in their favourite sports team colours or just mufti! Each grade will be doing a 'Friday Funday' activity.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

St Michaels school community usually honours and give thanks for all grandparents with a Grandparents’ Mass which is celebrated on 26 July the Feast of St Joachim and Anne the grandparents of Jesus. It is a day to honour them and all grandparents for their contribution to our lives.

Grandparents are treasured gifts whom we hold deep in our hearts. They bring much joy into the lives of their families and especially the lives of their grandchildren. Grandparents can bring a real sense of history to a family as they share many family stories. Our grandparents have a special place in our families, our society and our world. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to celebrate with a mass this year, but we still want this important tradition of recognising our grandparents to continue. An iMovie will be put together to share the love of our grandparents. Please upload a photo of your child/children with their grandparents or someone special to the following link.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mGjzfdpP5uRE12Eibx2bnAHuM_g1jYok?usp=sharing

If you have any problems uploading your photo please email Mrs Callaghan at callaghane03@dow.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Mathieson and Mrs Callaghan

Cutest Pet Competition

Good Luck to Stella Lane in 3W and Eli Lane in KR who have submitted their pet Peter Rabbit into the Cutest pet Competition!!

Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Nowra remains passionate about supporting local ADF members and their families. We will be running several virtual events and activities during COVID-19 restrictions to help us stay connected. Our virtual event for June is a ‘Cutest Pets' competition. Get creative and send us one photo of your cutest pet or pets, along with a short description (max 150 words) to let us know what you and your pet/s have been doing together in isolation!

There will be prizes for our three cutest entrants!

Entries open 15 June. Please send your entry to dco.canberra-nowra@defence.gov.au by Friday 26 June 2020.The judges’ decision will be final.

Please note: Images you send us may be published on our DCO social media or our magazine, Defence Family Matters. Ideally, images should be between 1MB and 4MB in size. Images over 4MB may not make it past the firewall. When registering, ensure your email address is accurate as you will receive a booking confirmation and further information by email.

July Virtual Event

ADF families in Nowra are invited to take part in our virtual event for July, ‘Create a Holiday'. Send a photo or drawing of you dressed in your holiday clothing along with a description of your ultimate holiday and why it’s important to you.

The most creative holidays will go in the draw for a chance to win a prize!

There is no need to register on Eventbrite for this activity, please send your entry to the DCO Nowra inbox: dco.canberra-nowra@defence.gov.au by Friday 31 July 2020.

The judges’ decision will be final.

Holidays are a great way for members and families to unwind and build new experiences. They are great for connecting with family, friends and the community and recharging our batteries.

DCO is supporting Defence members and their families and helping them to stay healthy and connected with the community during the COVID-19 outbreak. If you would like to talk with DCO about organisations and activities in your community, you can visit our website for information or call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

Please note: Images you send us may be published on our DCO social media channels and/or our website. Ideally, images should be between 1MB and 4MB in size. Images over 4MB may not make it past the Defence firewall.

NOTE: These events are only for Australian Defence Force members and their families.

Shoalhaven Defence Catch Ups

One of our St Michael's Mums has started a great group on Facebook titled Shoalhaven Defence Catch Ups.  Please feel free to join this group and get introduced to some other Defence families in the area.  This group is aimed to have regular catch ups socially with regular coffee and dinner events.The Shoalhaven Defence Catch Ups Group are having an event soon, dinner at 3 Gringo's Mexican Restaurant in Vincentia this Saturday.                           https://www.facebook.com/groups/1511429882356619/?ref=share

Thank you,

Mrs Wenban