On the 31st October and 1st November Father Leo confirmed many of our Year 6 students and parishioners The masses were just beautiful and the students and families were incredibly respectful. Due to COVID directives,these celebrations had only immediate family and the sponsor present. While it was a different celebration, the mass was very sacred and the students were ‘Confirmed in the Spirit’. Thank you again to Fr Leo, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, Mrs Collins, Mrs Dempsey, Mrs Luxford, Mrs McKenna, Mr Zamroz and all staff who attended or assisted in any way. 

On Monday our students participated in the annual school photo day. The company, MSP Photography, worked strictly within the COVID directives and were able to do class groups as well as individual photos and family ones! Group photos were not permitted in the period leading up to the photo day. The company was astounded by the respectfulness and good manners shown by the students!! Well done parents! 

Yesterday our school honoured Remembrance Day with a classroom focus, using a video put together by Mrs Wenban. Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day are highly important days in our school year due to St Michael’s connection with the Defence Forces. The students observed the one minute silence in the classroom prior to going out to recess. Mrs Wenban was assisted by Mrs Callaghan and other staff in the preparation of the video. Thank you Mrs Wenban. 

Teaching staff are in the midst of preparing the Student Progress Reports for the second semester of 2020. These are academic reports similar to what the students received in 2019 and previous years. Attitude to learning and effort to complete studies is also reflected in the report. Student Reports will shared with parents through the Compass Portal on Thursday 10 December in Week 9. 

Today our Year 6 students who will be attending St John’s Nowra from 2021, travelled to and from the school by bus to attend an orientation day. I am sure they had a great learning day! Due to COVID directives, parents were unable to attend.  I look forward to hearing their stories on Friday. 

On the weekend of 21/22 November 2020, many of our students in Year 3 as well as some parishioners will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist during their ‘First Holy Communion’. This is a day that no person ever forgets. I still remember receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist during ‘First Holy Communion’ 56 years ago in St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wangaratta, Victoria. The Year 3 teachers, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Koczka, Mrs Robinson and Mrs King-Gee are currently teaching final lessons of preparation. This is a most special day for our young people and their families. Please keep them in your prayers. 

Finally, Please continue to note that Monday 23 November 2020 is a pupil free day. The staff will be experiencing a Spirituality day, based on the writings of Pope Francis. A hard copy reminder will be sent home to families in the next couple of days. 

This week our students have been learning about our rich and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Excellent resources have been shared with students. We are lucky to have Ms Vanessa, Jody Myers, Mark Mongta, Anne Dempsey and Marian Crossley guiding our learning.

Next week we have Taya Sanchez, Jaide Sutherland, Henrik Schaefer and Diesel Romeo heading to Wollongong to trial for the Diocese of Wollongong Tennis and Basketball teams. We wish these students the best of luck at the trials.

I have also met with students in Grades 4 and 5 to see if there are any students eligible to trial for a Wollongong Diocesan team for 2021 for the following sports; AFL, rugby league, touch, netball, hockey, football (soccer) and rugby union. Notes went to students who met the criteria of being an experienced and talented representative player at their chosen sport. If they are successful during these trials, they will go on to represent the Diocese of Wollongong at MacKillop Level Trials and might advance to represent at a State Level if they are successful. Nomination forms will be going to students who meet the criteria for their chosen sport and will need to be returned to me. Students who have nominated for a sport will be informed if they have been successful or unsuccessful to attend the trials when the trial date is near. If you have any questions, please see me.

Notes have gone home for the upcoming St. Michael’s Twilight Swimming Carnival to be held at Nowra Pool on Wednesday 2^nd December. Years 2 to 5 are invited to participate as well as the current Year 1 students that will be turning 8 next year. In order to participate in the carnival, students must be able to swim 50 metres easily and make a commitment to representing St. Michael’s at the Diocesan level. There will be restrictions around the event which will be in line with our Covid Safety Plan. Unfortunately, no parents will be able to enter the swimming pool unless they are essential to the running of the carnival. This means that no spectators will be allowed in on the night. The students will be under the supervision of teachers until they are picked up by their parents. Unfortunately, we will not be able to give an exact time of when races will start and/or finish.

Dave from the South Coast AFL is continuing an AFL program with the students of St. Michael’s. The students are having a great time learning all the kicking, passing, defensive and attacking skills of this great game, as well as the physical fitness, improved hand-eye coordination and communication skills required when playing as a team.

Extra good AFL news. The Shoalhaven Giants are offering free registration for any player for the 2021 season. This is a great opportunity to further develop your child’s skills and improve their overall wellbeing and fitness. For more information email shoalhavengiants@gmail.com