Dear Parents/Carers,

We have almost completed our third week of Term 3 and I am pleased to report that the students are engaged and working well. Despite the uncertainty and challenges being presented by Covid19 in other parts of Australia, here in the Shoalhaven we are doing well. The rigorous cleaning schedule within the school has continued and I am very thankful to the Henderson family, our cleaning contractors, for their commitment to keeping our school Covid safe. The combination of enhanced cleaning, social distancing and the regular use of hand sanitiser has assisted everyone in our school to remain safe. The support of families in collecting possibly unwell students from school when called, has demonstrated a commitment to the song by Ben Lee, “We’re all in this together”. Thank you parents for your support with all the school is doing.

This week the school introduced more stringent “pick up and drop off” procedures, in line with Catholic Education Office Wollongong (CeDow) directives. The new afternoon procedure was observed by a representative from CeDow yesterday afternoon and was given the tick of approval. I am thankful to students, staff and parents/carers for accepting these new procedures. Rain is expected on Friday and the usual procedure for picking up students has been approved by CeDow. In summary:

Wet Weather Procedure:

Morning:

All students will be dropped off at the school gates and walk to the classrooms on their own.

Afternoon:

From 2.50pm, the gates will be opened and parents/carers will walk to their child’s class and collect them. Social distancing from the classroom doors will be required from parents/carers. School staff will allow the students to join the parents/carers as they approach the classrooms. Please ensure you have an umbrella ready for Friday as there will not be much shelter outside the classrooms and outside the school gates.

Carpark Procedures.

Last week I sent home to all families a revised map of where and how to park in the designated carpark opposite the Church. Improvements have occurred, but there are a couple of areas that the school will target from next week to keep the students safe. The main areas for improvement by parents/carers include:

1. The carpark cannot be used as a drop off zone. Parents/carers are to park their cars as per the procedure attached to the newsletter. To keep all students safe there can be no exceptions.
2. Cars parking nearest to North St are to reverse park up to the fence. Cars parking in the middle zone are to drive forward towards toward North St. Cars parking at the northern end of the carpark (near the houses) are also to reverse park.
3. Cars parking in the middle zone are to leave the last 20 metres free for vehicles to exit safely.

Some school staff and I will be in the carpark from next Tuesday to assist parents/carers with understanding these procedures. It should only take one or two days to assist parents/carers with these safety measures.

Sacramental News

Due to Covid19, many aspects of our regular school life have changed, and our ability to gather and celebrate mass and Sacraments has been greatly affected. It is expected that the students will still receive the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Penance - Reconciliation (Year 2), Eucharist – First Holy Communion (Year 3) and Confirmation (Year 6) this year. This term, Catholic students in Year 2 will be invited to receive the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). The usual Parish program of gathering with students and their families for a number of meetings has been changed to fit within social distancing guidelines provided by the NSW Government. This term there will only be one gathering for Year 2 families in the school hall. Numbers will be strictly limited to meet the 4 square metres per adult guideline that governs all gatherings in NSW. Three gatherings of no more than 16 families in each will occur and cleaning after each meeting will be completed. Further information about the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist will be shared with you when approved by Bishop Brian Mascord.

Feast of St Mary MacKillop

On the 8 August 2020 we celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. St Mary is our first saint recognised by the Catholic Church in Rome. Our Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Martine Mathieson has organised the video recording of a liturgy for St Mary and the link will be shared via Compass tomorrow. In short, this is the story of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne. On 8 August 1909, she died, having suffered a disabling stroke in 1902. Inspired by a meeting with Fr. Julian Tenison-Woods, Mary MacKillop took her vows at the age of twenty five, and the religious name, “Mary of the Cross”. In doing so, she founded the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. Soon after taking her religious vows, Mary MacKillop founded several schools. Within five years of taking her vows and founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary had established over thirty schools in South Australia. By that time, more than one hundred women had joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Mary MacKillop was very conscious of the plight of the poor and needy. She worked with families that lived in isolated areas of Australia. As a result, Mary MacKillop pioneered a new form of religious life in Australia, and commenced a “system” of “Josephite” schools that would provide education, especially for the children of the poor. In 1873, Pope Pius IX gave Papal approval for the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Even today, many Australians can say that they too have felt the impact of the enormous work started by St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), having been educated or cared for, by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. She was noted for her trust in the providence of God and miracles of healing have been attributed to her. She was declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI on the 17th October 2010. In January 2013, St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) was declared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, to be the Second Patron Saint of Australia. This means that Australia now has two Patron Saints: Mary Help of Christians and St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop).

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

Last Friday St Michael’s school community held a mufti day for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. It was great to see everyone rugged up in their Winter woolies. Students brought in a gold coin donation and/or beanies, scarves and socks for the appeal. The school raised $1000 and filled five large baskets with beanies and scarves to donate to Vinnies. Our Year 6 Mini Vinnies students wrapped many of the garments and added a gift card with a lovely message for a vulnerable person this winter. A big thank you to our St Michael’s Parish community who also assisted in knitting for a need.

That night around 20 Mini Vinnies students slept out at home to raise awareness and funds for the Vinnies Appeal. Many decided to sleep out at one another's house to share this wonderful experience. The students collected sponsorship money which will go towards supporting the homeless and vulnerable in the Shoalhaven this Winter. To date they have raised $500.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope for others.

Well done St Michael’s Community in supporting the needs of others.

Martine Mathieson

REC

On Monday 24th August, all staff will be involved in Professional Development. This is a 'pupil free' day and all students will need to remain home or minded elsewhere. The teaching staff will be working on Mathematics with one of Australia's leading Mathematics specialists, Anita Chinn. Thank you for your support with making alternative arrangements for your child on this day.

Mr Paton

Here are some photos of our recent bollards display for NAIDOC week.

Kookaburra Kids offers a range of programs to support families experiencing mental illness

The Kookaburra Connect program is travelling really well now and has received a great response from the young people and their families. Kookaburra Kids are hopeful that they will be able to return to some face to face programs next month but they are closely monitoring state restrictions and will follow government guidance. Kookaburra Kids have spent a great deal of time planning the return to service with new procedures on physical distancing, group sizes, hand washing, and cleaning, to ensure everyone’s safety. 

In the meantime, referrals are still open. The Kookaburra Connect program is now open to everyone, even those who reside outside our catchment areas. 

Attached is the most recent Kookaburra Kids flyer.

Please contact me with any questions,

Mrs Wenban