READING IS OUR SECRET POWER
This week is Book Week. A fantastic time to celebrate and recognise the wonderful stories and illustrations presented to all of us over many generations. The theme for this year’s Book Week is Reading is my Secret Power and reading does indeed give us secret powers: the power to use our imaginations; the power to escape to other worlds; the power to walk in the shoes of others through their stories.

Book Week also is a time to focus on great storytellers. Jesus was a great storyteller and used the power of story, through his parables, to explain the messages he wanted us to experience and learn about. The Bible is a great book to be celebrated this week also, as we reflect upon the “power of words”. The bible tells us the message of God’s love for us and can guide us to honour those around us with love and respect. We can find out more about God, every time we read the bible; we get to know him better and better.

When we read the stories of the Old and New Testament with our children, we are helping them learn powerful lessons. We are helping them understand that the Bible is God’s book and it’s important. By reading the stories with the children, we can help them interpret what this story means for them, in the context of the world we live in now.

Reading certainly is our secret power!

BOOK WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Today the students of St Michael’s have had great fun celebrating Book Week. The children were able to wear a cape to school to represent the power within them as a learner and reader. They have participated in many STEAM (Science & Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities across the year groups, with creations made of Lego, construction materials, building frames, bridges, towers, cities etc. Throughout this week, as the activities conclude, we will upload photos to our website, for you to see the children’s great works of imagination.

A huge thankyou to Mrs Sewell, our SSO librarian for organising the activities and for the great support given by all the teachers and SSO’s (School Support Staff) in creating such a wonderful series of tasks for the children to participate with.

If you wish to see the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Book Week winners, please click on this link:

https://www.cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week

Happy Book Week everyone!

BOOK FAIR
Next week we will be holding a Book Fair in our Library from Wednesday 28th August to Friday 30th August. Books will be available to purchase: before school from 8am; during Library lessons; and during G’Day (before school; morning tea; lunchtime). Please see further details in this newsletter.

I encourage families and friends, to support our Book Fair. Money raised from the Book Fair helps provide resources for the school, therefore our students benefit from the many resources we can purchase for the Library and our STEAM programs. 

GDAY – FRIDAY 3OTH AUGUST
A reminder that G'Day is fast approaching so don't forget to invite your special guests for the day.  Parents and students will get to have a preview of the concert on Wednesday 28th August at 12noon.

Thank you to the families who have responded with providing lunch and/or morning tea for the day.  We are in need of more hot savoury dishes/lunch items, especially as the weather is quite cool at the moment.  If you are able to help out with providing food or are able to assist on the day, we ask that you please let the school know as soon as possible.

DIOCESAN ATHLETICS SELECTION TRIALS
We wish Karrwii and Sam our very best in their trials for the Diocesan Athletics team today. Thank you to their families who helped support them today. I know you will represent our school with pride and great enthusiasm.

YEAR 6 ACTIVATEfire
Yesterday our Year 6 students participated in the CEO Wollongong Diocesan lead event known as ACTIVATEfire at St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral. The ACTIVATEfire team presented a day filled with activities that promote team work, encouragement and positivity in faith.  It offered a full day reflection experience for our students.

The theme of this event centred on the Sacraments of Initiation with a focus on Confirmation. The day was based on the Year 6 unit Confirmation: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The day was facilitated by CYMW with the support of NET and the Youth Ministry Leaders. ACTIVATE fire is for all students in Year 6 who attend a Wollongong Diocesan systemic primary school. ACTIVATE fire is inclusive of all students regardless of their intention to receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Our students participated enthusiastically and really enjoyed the day. I thank Miss O’Brien who attended the day with the students and the many parents who helped transport our students to and from STA Bowral.

FACEBOOK APP FACTSHEET
Please see attached “APP Facts” sheet on Facebook.  Please take the time to read the fact sheet. 

• P&F Fathers’ Day stall Wednesday 28^th August;
• Concert dress rehearsal for G’day at 12:00 on Wednesday 28^th August;
• Book Fair starts on Wednesday 28th August through to Friday 30th August;
• Soccer Gala Day Thursday 29th August;
• G’Day on Friday 30th August.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.
Have a lovely week.

Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal.