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Dear Parents and Carers,
During the last two weeks, the school has been engaged in numerous activities. In the area of sport, we have had students attend an AFL day - Paul Kelly Cup (girls only), Diocesan Rugby trials and a Netball Gala Day to name just a few. The school also had a liturgy to remember ‘Sorry Day’, a parent/carer reflection night for Confirmation students, a ‘Spirit’ day for Year 6 students, School Photos, Tour de Cure, representation at St John’s High School Nowra’s 30th birthday and an SRC fundraiser day selling iceblocks. A very busy 13 days! At the moment the teachers are completing student progress reports which will be released through the school portal on Thursday 17 June 2021. A number of students will continue to represent our school at representative sports events over the next couple of weeks.
For our Year 6 students who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, this week is a very important one. The two masses will occur on Saturday 5 June at 2pm and Sunday 6 June at 11:30am.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.
The Sacrament of Confirmation consists of the renewal of baptismal promises and the laying on of hands and anointing with the oil of Chrism. The anointing of the candidate is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit, and calling the candidates to use these gifts to become involved in the life and mission of the community.
When the candidate is Confirmed, Bishop Brian will place his hands on the head of the candidate and pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This ritualises the connection to Baptism and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit in our vocation to follow the way of Jesus. The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation recognises that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The bishop anoints the candidate’s forehead with the Oil of Chrism, saying ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’.
At the end of the rite, Bishop Brian will say, ‘Peace be with you’ and the candidate replies with ‘And with your spirit’, symbolising the candidate’s place within the Church community. There has been a huge amount of preparation put into preparing the students for receiving the sacrament. Thank you to Father Leo, Mrs Hart, Mrs Lenihan, Mr Allmark, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, Mr Fuller, Mrs Arnold, Mrs Mazzo and numerous staff for the enormous amount of time that they have all put into teaching the students, preparing the hall to become a sacred mass setting, the preparation of resources and the use of the cultural room. The preparation for Confirmation has been a true team effort.
To finalise the Confirmation journey for 2021, all students in Year 6 will attend a celebration day at Milton on Monday 7 June 2021. This day is run by the ‘Youth Team’ in the Wollongong Diocese and is called ACTIVATE. Please keep all of our Year 6 students and staff in your prayers over the next five days.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation for students in Year 2 will occur in Term 3. At this stage we are unable to give you a date for the first parent/student evening meeting which will most probably occur in the next month. As you are aware, our Parish Priest Father Leo Mifsud will be leaving our parish in June and the new parish administrator priest should be announced by Bishop Brian Mascord within the next week. Once this new appointment is confirmed a decision on parent sacramental meetings will be shared with us.
Parents may be aware through the media that we are now experiencing an Australia wide shortage of teachers. Up until this stage, we have only needed to split class groups a few times. As we head into the colder months, this may increase, but we will do everything to minimise disruption to the student learning in each class. Thank you for your patience.
Yours in Faith and Virtue,
Mr Christopher Paton
It has certainly been a busy past few weeks with sport, and there is still more to come.
The St Michael’s Year 5 and 6 AFL team travelled to Batemans Bay on the 21st April to compete in the South Coast Final of the AFL Paul Kelly Cup. The girls were up against other teams from the far South Coast. The girl's first match was an eye opener for them as a big score was kicked against them. The girls showed great resilience and came away with big wins in the next 2 games. Their hard work pushed them into the semi-finals. They were up against Milton Public School who were a competitive team. The girls played extremely well and went down by only a few points. The girls had an absolutely great day and many developed a love for the sport. A big thank you to Miss Scurr who trained and coached the girls on the day.
On Monday 24th May, Brodee Green, Noah Jamieson and Taj Goddard travelled to Woonona to take part in the Wollongong Diocesan Rugby Union trials. They were up against 40 talented players who are part of the Wollongong diocese. All three boys put in their best efforts to show off their skills to the coaches. Noah and Brodee were successful in making it onto the Wollongong team. Taj, who has great skill in the game, was trialled in a variety of positions, some of which he was not used to and was unfortunately not selected for the team this year. A big congratulations to Brodee and Noah and we wish them the best in the upcoming MacKillop trials.
The following day, the 25th May, boys and girls from Years 3 to 6 participated in the Netball Schools Cup at the Nowra Netball courts. The students played a number of games in a round robin format. All the students had a great time, especially the boys, who had their first taste of umpired netball. The students now get to participate in a Netball Gala Day on the 15th June at Berkeley. Notes for this event have gone home already.
The school’s athletics carnival is fast approaching. It will be held on the 21st June at Shoalhaven High School. Permission notes have gone home via Compass. On the day, the students will compete in the athletic events of 100m, 200m and 800m and other novelty events. The 200 and 800 metre events are nominations only for students wishing to represent St Michael's. A note has gone home and needs to be returned by the 14th June. To help students prepare for the day, teachers will be taking the students through the field events of high jump, long jump and shot put during their sport time. The finals of these will be run off at school and not at the carnival. The top place getters in these events will progress to a Diocese Athletics Carnival, where students will compete to represent Wollongong at the MacKillop trials.
Next Tuesday 8th June, four of our talented students will be competing at the MacKillop Cross Country event at Eastern Creek. To reach this elite level of competition, these four students have excelled at school and Diocesan level. An exceptional achievement. We wish the best of luck to Anna Duncan, Taj Goddard, Ella Walsh and Milla Cooper who will represent their families, our school and the Wollongong Diocese at this carnival. Good luck!!!!
Upcoming sporting dates for Term 2:
MacKillop Cross Country – 8th June
Netball Gala Day – 15th June
Athletics Carnival – 21st June
If you have any questions about sports or any events coming up please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Mr. Allmark
Sports Coordinator
Except for a Reconnector Session which will take place in Term 4, Seasons for Growth for Years 5 and 6 is completed. This week I am starting to run the Seasons for Growth Groups for Year 4.
In our Art Club we have been doing some beading over the past couple of weeks. Some students have made wind chimes, whilst other students have made some bracelets. Over the next couple of weeks I am going to start teaching the students how to use watercolour pencils.
Mrs Catriona Nielsen
The St Michael's P&F are creating a recipe book to be used as a fundraiser.
Please see the attached flyer for further information.
Mrs Natalie Hayes
Defence School Mentor
Our Year 6 boys Alex, Charlie, Rory, Eli, Isaac, Henry, Ashton and Jacob assisted moving the soil to the garden ready for Winter planting.
Thank you boys!
Mrs Dempsey
We are pleased and excited to announce that Oztag will be commencing in the Shoalhaven on Thursday October 14th 2021 for both seniors and juniors. Please see attached flyer for registration and competition dates and details.
We will also be holding an Oztag school holiday clinic for junior boys and girls aged 5-12 years on Monday 5th July at Lyrebird Park, Nowra. Flyer attached with further details.
If you require any further details please don't hesitate to send us an email or check out our website - shoalhaven.oztag.com.au or follow our Facebook Page Shoalhaven Oztag.
Shoalhaven Football will be hosting School Holiday Clinics for ages 5 – 13 years
Lighthouse Oval 29th & 30th June 9am – 12 noon
StGeorges Basin 5th & 6th July 9am – 12 noon
South Nowra 7th & 8th July 9am – 12 noon
Cost of the clinics is $75.00
To Register email coaching@shoalhavenfootball.com.au
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Term 2 |
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Week 7 |
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Friday 04.06.2021 |
Year 2 Mass 9:30am |
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Saturday 05.06.2021 |
Year 6 Confirmation 2pm |
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Sunday 06.06.2021 |
Year 6 Confirmation 11:30am |
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Week 8 |
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Monday 07.06.2021 |
Year 6 Activate Day at Milton |
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Tuesday 08.06.2021 |
Parents and Friends Meeting - 6pm - In the school hall |
| Friday 11.06.2021 |
Year 1 Mass 9:30am |
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Week 9 |
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Week 10 |
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Friday 25.06.2021 |
Last day of Term 2 |
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Term 3 |
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Monday 12.07.2021 |
First day of Term 3 |