Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This is the first of a regular fortnightly newsletter that you will receive. Most information for parents will be shared as a 'Compass Alert' directly to your mobile phone/device. For example, yesterday afternoon all families received two notifications regarding a positive case of COVID19 as well as information regarding the collection of the RAT kits over the next two days. If you are not receiving these regular ‘Compass Alerts’ call the school office for assistance with downloading the appropriate App. 

A very special welcome to the new school year is extended to all of our families, especially our brand new Kindergarten students who commenced on Tuesday this week. Despite the ominous presence of COVID19 within our Shoalhaven community, the new Kindergarten students have arrived very calm and settled. Welcome to all families, especially our new ones. Each grade in the school has been gifted with a small number of new students who have settled into new routines quite quickly. All new students to our school are very welcome. 

To keep our students and staff safe from the spread of COVID19, there is a strong emphasis on restricting our students to grade cohorts when on the playground, learning and using the toilets. All students have designated play areas before school and during recess and lunch. Students in Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 have a different recess and lunch to the students in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. I am pleased to report that the playground during all breaks is very calm and student behaviour has been excellent. 

In line with the NSW Public Health Order, access to the school is restricted, and unfortunately at this stage, parents are still unable to come on to the school premises unless they need to physically visit the school office. All school Principals look forward to the day when access to parents and caregivers returns. Except for new enrolment interviews, most parent/teacher interviews will continue to occur by phone or Zoom. Your patience with this type of interview is appreciated. 

The school presently employs around 60 people each day as teachers, School Support Officers (SSOs) and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs). With great excitement, I am pleased to announce that a new AEA has been appointed and will commence at our school on 16  February 2022. Congratulations to Miss Zali Lonesborough who will commence full time employment with us. The teaching staff for each grade at this stage include:

A number of these classes are also supported by leadership team members, additional teachers, SSOs and AEAs. Each fortnight I will introduce our various other staff members to you. 

All families are invited to participate in a survey focussing on parent participation in the school: past, present and future. St Michael’s Nowra has a long and rich tradition of parent participation within the school. Through this survey, the school and the ‘Parents and Friends Association’ wish to discover how we can reimagine parent involvement after COVID19 diminishes. Parents are valued within our school and your views will be welcomed. This survey will be sent to you through a Compass alert. 

At the end of last year the students in Year 5 and 6 participated in the Christmas Art competition. As some students finished a few days early at the end of last year, I would like to congratulate once again the following students, 

CONGRATULATIONS

Year 6 - Taya Sanchez, Kieran Kochaniewicz, Mylan Brunton

Year 5 - Alannah Oke, Lucy Bacales, James Fielding

Welcome back to another year at St. Michael’s. I’m looking forward to encouraging and seeing our students
participate and perform across a variety of sports this year.
Last week and this week we have had some students trial for a Wollongong Representative team. Last Friday, Noah
Jamieson and Taj Goddard trialled for the Touch Football competition. They were up against 46 students from
around the diocese. The trial was held at Fairy Meadows where it rained in the morning then the weather started to
heat up. The boys reported that their trials games were played at a fast pace against highly skilled players. Only 12
students were selected for the team. Unfortunately, Noah just missed out on the making the team. Congratulations
to Taj who was selected on the team and will represent both St. Michael’s and Wollongong at the NSW MacKillop
Trails on the 18 th March.
This week, Diesel Romeo and Declan Field trialled for the Wollongong Representative Basketball team. The boys
competed against 28 other students from around the diocese. They both commented on the talent of the other
students at the trials and had to really show their skills in order to make the team. Congratulations to both Diesel and
Declan made the team and will represent both St. Michael’s and Wollongong at the NSW MacKillop Trails on the 25 th
February.
Being February, registrations for winter sports have already opened and teams will be looking at grading very soon.
Here are some local sporting teams that your child is able to participate in during the winter months;
Netball teams
Saints: http://saintsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Rebels: http://rebelsnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Jervis Bay: http://jervisbaync.nsw.netball.com.au/
North Nowra and Bomaderry: http://nnbnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Albatross: http://albatrossnc.nsw.netball.com.au/
Lyrebird: https://www.facebook.com/LyrebirdNetballClub/
Worrigee: https://www.worrigeetigersnc.com/
For further information on different clubs, please follow this link for Shoalhaven Netball Association:
http://sna.nsw.netball.com.au/

AFL
Nowra Giants: https://www.facebook.com/shoalhavengiants/
Bay and Basin: http://www.bombers.net.au/
Bomaderry: https://www.bomaderrytigersafl.com.au/

Rugby Union
Shoalhaven: https://www.facebook.com/weareshoals/

League
Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/Bomaderry-Swamp-Rats-270032815270/
Football
Bomaderry: https://www.facebook.com/BomaderrySoccerClub
Shoalhaven Heads/Berry: https://www.facebook.com/headsberryfc/

Don’t forget to redeem your Active Kids Sport Voucher where you can claim two $100 vouchers that can be used
towards your child’s sport each year.
The school calendar is slowly filling up with events for the students to participate in and where students will be
trialling for representative honours in a variety of sports.
The school Cross Country will occur on 11th March. 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

In Lunch Club we have been having a great time doing craft and getting our garden underway for the year.  Some of our year two students had a great time this week planting sunflowers, lavender and watermelon plants.  No doubt this beautiful weather will give a great start to our planting efforts.  If you are looking to meet with other Defence families, Kookaburra Retreat at Nowra Hill has started the year with enthusiasm and has some great activities available  including playgroup, craft days and exercise classes.  They have also introduced a range of after hours activities for those who find the evenings more convenient.  You can find them on facebook at Shoalhaven Defence Families - Kookaburra Retreat.  Have a wonderful week.

Thank you.

Mrs Natalie Hayes

Defence School Mentor

Shoalhaven City Council has provided the P & F with support from the school, a banner that will be displayed several
times a year on the corner of North Street. This is an initiative of the local council to promote road safety around schools.
We would like to Thank Kym Snow from Council for providing us with the opportunity to be involved. If you have any
feedback about this sign, please direct it to stmichaelspnf@gmail.com or at the office.

Congratulations Year 5B!

Their entry in the Nowra Show for the Wheelbarrow Garden won first prize.