WELCOME TO TERM THREE
Welcome back to all our students, staff and community members. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday, sharing many great moments with your family and friends. This week we welcome a new family to St Michaels- the Potter-Freckelton family. Kylah has joined our Year 1 class.  We wish you a wonderful experience at St Michael's. 

REFLECTION- GIVING THANKS TO GOD
Over this past weekend, people and church groups around the world, have been joining in celebration, to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Whilst I was reading about this historic event, I came across information about a very significant spiritual event that occurred on this same mission. One of the astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, took a moment after landing, to give thanks to God by taking communion. Buzz Aldrin said at the time, “I wondered if it might be possible to take communion on the moon, symbolising the thought that God was revealing Himself there, too, as man reached out into the universe”.

Prior to the launch, Buzz Aldrin had been given permission to take a communion host, wine and small chalice on board. In the stillness after the lunar landing, Buzz radioed back to Earth “This is the LM (Lunar Module) pilot. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever they may be and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way”.

Then, Buzz quietly read from St John’s Gospel 15:15, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me, will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing”. He then took communion, watched on by Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin has said of that moment, “At the time, I could think of no better way to acknowledge the Apollo 11 experience, than by giving thanks to God”.

Recognising the 50^th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, gives us an opportunity for prayer and reflection….  to think about the awesomeness and immensity of the universe….  and allow us to experience our own sense of wonder and awe of God’s creation. Space exploration has also enabled us to see the beauty and fragility of our earth.

Half a century on, from the first time man walked on the moon, people around the world are remembering this occasion through prayer and reflection. This special prayer, below, is one that has been shared for all to contemplate. God certainly does reveal Himself to us, through the beauty of our world and the beauty of the relationships we share within it. Let us each take many “small steps” to cherish this world created for us.

Staff Changes for Term 3 
As you would be aware by now, Mrs Petzer will be Relief Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Bowral for this term, whilst their principal, Mrs Lane is on leave. I will be Acting Principal for St Michael’s Mittagong and Mr Tuckwell will be Acting Assistant Principal whilst Mrs Petzer is supporting our other parish school at Bowral.  Mrs Campbell is on long service leave for this term and we welcome Mrs Maganja, who will be teaching the Year 2 class. Thank you to all the staff, students and parents for your support of these changes. 

Fortnite APP Factsheet
Please see attached “APP Facts” sheet on Fortnite.  Please take the time to read the fact sheet. 

I wish everyone a wonderful Term 3. I sincerely thank you for your continued support of our school community. Have a lovely week.

Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal.