Dear Parents and Carers,

During the last two weeks a copy of each grade’s information newsletter has been sent home to all families through Compass. If you did not receive the grade newsletter, please contact the office and your email details will be checked and updated if required. If you wish to make an appointment with your child’s teacher, follow the guide in the grade information newsletter. 

Numerous students have participated in sport events and trials in the last two weeks. Mr Allmark has provided an excellent summary in this newsletter. Congratulations to the students named and all those who have participated in the recent Paul Kelly Australian Rules tournaments. There are a number of trials in various sports to be completed early next term. It is refreshing to welcome parents back to outside sporting events. 

A Compass alert was shared with parents regarding our school ‘Cross Country’. This has now been postponed due to bad weather.

Last night a number of Year 6 families attended the first parent evening for students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2021.  Thank you to Father Leo, Mrs Mathieson, our Year 6 teachers (Mrs Lenihan, Mr Allmark and Mrs Hart) and Mrs Rutkowski for supporting parents/carers at this meeting. Attendance at these meetings provides parents with important information about how the sacrament is taught and how families can be involved in the preparation. 

This week is a special one for Saints in the Catholic Church. On Wednesday we celebrated St Patrick’s Day and tomorrow we will celebrate St Joseph’s Day. 

St. Patrick was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland and later served as bishop there. He is credited with bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland and was probably partly responsible for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. He is one of the patron saints of Ireland. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick's message. Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. He died at Saul, where he had built the first Irish church. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. His grave was marked in 1990 with a granite stone.

St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. We know he was a carpenter and a working man. He wasn't rich but despite his humble work and means, Joseph came from a royal lineage. St Luke and St Matthew in their Gospels both mark his descent from David, the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). The angel who first tells Joseph about Jesus greets him as "son of David," a royal title used also for Jesus.

We know Joseph was a compassionate, caring man and we know Joseph loved Jesus. His one concern was for the safety of this child entrusted to him. Not only did he leave his home to protect Jesus, but upon his return settled in the obscure town of Nazareth out of fear for his life. When Jesus stayed in the Temple we are told Joseph (along with Mary) searched with great anxiety for three days for him (Luke 2:48). We also know that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son evidenced by the people of Nazareth who said of Jesus, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" (Luke 4:22) Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph probably had died before Jesus entered public ministry. Pope Francis has decreed 2021 to be the Year of St Joseph. 

Finally,

The safety of our students and families before and after school continues to worry us. The carpark opposite the church continues to be a source of concern due to driving behaviours which include:

• Parents/carers driving too fast into and through the carpark
• Parking in the wrong area or not following the parking map shared through the newsletter
• Remaining in the car and not escorting the children to the pedestrian crossing.

Another concern is the driving behaviour of the general public near the pedestrian crossing in Osborne St. The school is awaiting the appointment of a crossing supervisor which will occur sometime in Term 2, 2021. Staff members have been supervising this crossing for a period of time but have been directed by council that stepping on to the road to stop traffic is too dangerous and not covered by insurance in the event of an injury. A staff member will continue to supervise the crossing on Osborne St, but will no longer be stopping traffic. Parents will be required to walk their child across the road. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and care of our students. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

Thank you to everyone who bought pretzels and donated a gold coin on mufti day.

The students raised $384 from the pretzel day and another $653 on mufti day, resulting in a grand total of $1037 raised for Project Compassion.

Project Compassion boxes will remain in the classes until Week 10 for anyone who would still like to donate.

Thank you.

Mrs Martine Mathieson

Religious Education Co-Ordinator

After last year's lull in sports due to COVID, it is great to see so many students from St Michael’s representing the school in a variety of sports.

On the 5^th March, 50 students represented St. Michael’s School in the Paul Kelly Cup at Nowra Showground. The students played in a round robin event against teams from other local surrounding schools. Playing the game proved a challenge at first for some of the students as this was their first time playing AFL and they had to get used to the 360° of play, tackling and the rules. The students soon adapted and played hard and fair. The students got into the spirit of the day and had a great time learning new skills and an appreciation for the game. All teams played extremely well and a number of teams progressed through to the next stage of the competition. The girl's team was successful in progressing through to the next round to be played in Moruya on the 21^st of May. Well done to all students for their participation and good luck to the Year 5 and 6 students representing St Michael’s School in the next round.

We also had a number of students trialling for selection for a Diocesan team in Soccer, Netball, Rugby League and Hockey. In these trials the students competed against up to 60 other talented players from schools across the diocese in their chosen sport. The talent was exceptional and competition was extremely high in trying to make it onto the Wollongong Diocesan team. Congratulations to Brodee Green, Noah Jamieson, Taj Goddard and Luke Keating in making the Wollongong League Team, Anna Duncan for making the Netball team and Zahli Schellnegger for making the Soccer team. We wish these students the best of luck in their representative duties and look forward to hearing how the next level of competition goes.

On the 8^th of March, Nash Norton participated in the Diocesan Swimming Trials, looking to make it on the Wollongong Swim team. Nash competed in the 50m Butterfly and Breaststroke. Swimming against other talented and competitive swimmers Nash did the school and himself proud, only just missing out of the top three in both events. Well done to Nash for his fine efforts.

Yesterday, students from Years 3 and 4, participated in the AFL Gala Day. Like the Paul Kelly Cup, the students participated in a round robin of games against other local schools. For many students this was their first time playing such an exciting and dynamic game. The students had an absolute blast and it was great that the weather held off, for the most part, so they could all participate. From all reports from the teachers, the students were well behaved and showed great sportsmanship.

Unfortunately, the Cross Country planned for tomorrow has had to be postponed. With the forecast of rain and previous rain, we had to make the regrettable decision of postponing the event. Due to the high demand for the Willandra course, we will be unable to reschedule the Cross Country there. More than likely it will be held at the park next to the hospital in the foreseeable future. Alerts will be sent out through compass to confirm the day it will be held.

Attention all Year 5 and 6 Rugby League and Union players. On the 3^rd May, there is a knockout Rugby Union Tournament in Woonona. St. Michael’s School is looking to put a team together. If you are interested, please see Mr Allmark regarding more details.

School Cross Country - 19^th March - POSTPONED

Diocesan Cross Country -  27^th April

Rugby Gala Day (Yr 5 and 6) – 7^th Math

AFL Paul Kelly Cup – 26^th May

If you have any questions about sports or any events coming up please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Mr. Allmark

Sports Co-Ordinator

With Anzac Day quickly approaching, the students in Defence Club have been creating some wonderful Anzac Day craft which will be going on display in the school library. Defence club is a great way for students to have some fun and meet some new friends. Students will receive notes next week advising them of when Defence Club is on for their grade. I look forward to seeing you all there!

For this year's Clean Up Australia Day our students from Year 5 took on board the challenge of "Step Up To Clean Up". Pictured below are students Luke Keating, Jack Meagher, Jazmine Tolhurst-Moon, Aela Stephenson, Remm McKenzie,Tadhg Crangle,Michael Mazzo, Kai Delaney, Jacob Maxwell, Isabella Beckett.

Lyrebird Netball Club would like to announce that registrations for the 2021 season are still open. Lyrebird Netball Club is a friendly and inclusive club, welcoming players of all abilities to participate in netball for fun, fitness and friendship. 

Further information about Lyrebird Netball Club can be found at https://www.facebook.com/LyrebirdNetballClub/

Please see attached flyer for further information.

Some of our students will be appearing in the upcoming musical Moana Jr. 

Please see the attached flyer for further information.