Welcome to Term 3. I hope all of our families are coping with the current COVID-19 restrictions. As Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Shellharbour remain in a very strict lockdown for an additional two weeks, our ability to remain open as a school is a gift in many ways. Many of my colleagues in other parts of the Diocese of Wollongong are negotiating daily the challenges of remote learning and we are certainly very fortunate to still be open each day. This allows our families to still earn an income and know that all possible safety measures are in place to keep staff, students and families safe. 

I would like to acknowledge our wonderful staff who have taken on the latest COVID-19 directives and are turning up to school each day ready to teach and guide our students. I would particularly like to thank our office staff who are the first point of contact with parents and often need to make the difficult phone calls if a student needs to be collected due to exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. These staff are strictly following NSW Health directives and it is a mandatory requirement that students are collected and taken for a COVID-19 test if exhibiting symptoms. Proof of a negative result must be provided to school before the student can return. This week, a number of students have been collected and negative results have been provided. We are aware that this can be an inconvenience to parents but the expectation going forward is that these phone calls are received respectfully and students are collected promptly. The alternative to not following NSW Health directives is that our school could be the one that closes down the Shoalhaven region and we do not wish that to happen. 

I would like to thank parents and caregivers for their assistance with:

• Leaving their child at the front gates each morning
• Wearing masks when they walk on to the school and church grounds
• Maintaining social distancing when dropping off or picking up students
• Signing in using the Service NSW QR code as well as the CEDoW ipad in the office if needing to come on to school grounds
• Keeping a child at home if they have even the slightest symptoms
• Respecting school staff and the front line service they are providing to our families in St Michael’s Nowra. 

We have wonderful families. Thank you for your respectful response to the COVID-19 measures we have in place to keep all of us safe. 

While we remain in COVID-19 times, if it rains at pickup time, the following guidelines will be followed

1. Parents will need to have a mask on when they enter the school gates to walk to the classrooms 
2. It will be necessary for parents to sign in at the gate using the QR code
3. Social distancing is to be maintained when near the classrooms
4. Students in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 may be collected from 2.45pm. If there is a sibling in Year 4, 5 and 6, they can then be collected on the way out. 
5. All other students in Years 4, 5 and 6 cannot be collected until 3pm and parents of these senior students are asked not to arrive before this time
6. Umbrellas are highly recommended! 
7. There will be a staff member at the gate to assist with the process.

Last Sunday evening I shared with parents and caregivers the sad news that Rosie Brkic had passed away on Saturday afternoon at 5.30pm. We were fortunate to have Rosie (Rosalie) in our school since she commenced Kindergarten. Rosie attended our Benedictine Centre which gave her great support with her Autism and numerous other medical conditions. Thank you for keeping Rosie's parents and extended family in your prayers as well as all of her St Michael's teachers and school support staff. Rosie was loved by all of us and possessed a beautiful personality! The passing of a young one into eternal life with our God is always a difficult situation to understand as we are never aware of the big plan for all of us. For a child who has battled extraordinary health challenges since birth, her move from a beautiful and caring home environment to peace with our God is a comforting thought. The staff and I gathered early this week to remember Rosie in prayer. 

Our main way of communication and informing parents and caregivers about school events, absences, COVID-19 updates, the fortnightly newsletter, Sacramental programs, Athletic carnivals and basically everything is through the Compass portal. Could all parents please check that you have downloaded the Compass School Manager App so that you receive alerts when something is shared with you. We have moved towards a paperless environment and hard copy letters will only be sent home on rare occasions. Please contact the office if you need assistance with accessing the portal.

This Monday 19 July 2021, the school will be running the annual athletics carnival at Shoalhaven High. Students will be transported by bus to and from the venue. Unfortunately parents are unable to attend unless they have an official helper role. These parents have been contacted by Mr Allmark. Students will need to take their own food and water to the carnival. Thank you to Mr Allmark, Mr Anderson and all staff and parents who have assisted with the organisation of the carnival. 

Next Wednesday 21 July 2021 at 6:30pm the first meeting for parents of students wishing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist through receiving their ‘First Holy Communion’, will be held in the school hall. It is necessary to attend this meeting if you wish your child to participate in this program. This sacrament will be received by students at masses on Sunday 17th October. 

Thank you for your ongoing assistance with everything.