Principal's Message
WORLD TEACHERS DAY
During our school holidays on October 5th, was World Teachers’ Day. On this day, people around the world celebrate and honour the profession of teaching and the importance of teachers to their students’ lives. The theme this year, was “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession.” The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, to take stock of achievements, and to address some of the issues central for attracting and keeping the brightest minds and young talents in the profession.
We are very blessed here at St Michael’s, with the wonderful teachers we have on staff, as well as the great casual staff that come to support our staff and students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff for the professional and caring way they support our students …. making a difference to every child.
Heart of A Teacher
by Paula J. Fox
The child arrives like a mystery box…
with puzzle pieces inside,
some of the pieces are broken or missing…
and others just seem to hide.
But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out…
and help the child to see,
the potential for greatness he has within…
a picture of what he can be.
Their goal isn’t just to teach knowledge…
by filling the box with more parts,
it’s putting the pieces together…
to create a work of art.
The process is painfully slow at times…
some need more help than others,
each child is a work in progress…
with assorted shapes and colours.
First they create a classroom…
where the child can feel safe in school,
where she never feels threatened or afraid to try…
and kindness is always the rule.
They know that a child can achieve
much more when he feels secure inside,
when he’s valued and loved…and believes in himself …
and he has a sense of pride.
They model and teach good character…
and respect for one another,
how to focus on strengths…not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other.
They give the child the freedom he needs…
to make choices on his own,
so he learns to become more responsible…
and is able to stand alone.
He’s taught to be strong and think for himself…
as his soul and spirit heal,
and the puzzle that’s taking shape inside…
has a much more positive feel.
The child discovers the joy that comes…
from learning something new…
and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things he can do.
A picture is formed as more pieces fit…
an image of the child within,
with greater strength and confidence…
and a belief that he can win!
All because a hero was there…
in the HEART of a teacher who cared,
enabling the child to become much more…
than he ever imagined…or dared.
A teacher with a HEART for their children…
knows what teaching is all about,
they may not have all the answers…
but on this…they have no doubt.
When asked which subjects they loved to teach,
they answered this way and smiled…
“It’s not the subjects that matter…
It’s all about teaching the CHILD.”
Happy World Teachers Day, to not only our wonderful teachers and support staff, but to all who play a part in educating a child in their own unique and special way.
ICEBLOCKS
Starting in Week 4, the Year 6 Social Group will be selling ice blocks at the afternoon tea break on Mondays and Tuesdays for 30 cents each until the end of Term.
KINDER 2020 Playgroup and Orientation
Our new Kindergarten class for 2020 will begin their transition to school with the Kinder playgroup on Friday 1st November at 2.20pm. The children enrolled at St Michael's for next year and their families are invited to come along for a play and to make some new friends. This program will run for 4 Friday afternoons in November.
On Tuesday 19 November, at 9am there will be a more formal Kinder Orientation meeting for the children and families to find out about life at St Michael's’ in readiness for 2020.
Thank you to the current Kinder parents who have returned notes offering to provide something for Morning Tea on the 19th November. If you are able to donate or provide something for morning tea and have not yet returned your note, please contact the office.
We are need of parents to help with the setting up, serving and cleaning on the day. Please contact the school if you are able to assist.
BUSHFIRE
Due to a warm, dry winter in many parts of NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service has brought forward the declaration of the Bushfire Danger Period (BDP), commonly known as the Bushfire Season, in most council areas in NSW, particularly along the coast. We felt it was important that all parents are aware of our School Bushfire Procedure.
Bush Fire Emergency Procedures
In the event of a Bush Fire two options for action are available to the ‘Person in Charge’. The implementation of these options will be dependent on the predicted weather conditions such as the temperature, humidity and wind conditions as well as advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service. At all times the students, staff and parents/visitors safety will be paramount.
1. School Closure Procedure
School Closure Procedures will be invoked upon notification from the CEO. A decision to close the school is likely to occur outside of school hours and so it is important that parents/carers and staff listen to the local ABC radio and check www.nswrfs.gov.au
If a decision is taken to pre-emptively close a school because of an emergency situation, it is vital that communication with families is effective and timely, so they can make arrangements for their children to be supervised by an adult if they are not able to be at school. Please ensure that your emergency contact details are up to date via Compass.
2. Bushfire Evacuation Procedure
If conditions prevent staff, students and visitors leaving the school site safely due to insufficient time or unsafe conditions the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’ procedures will be invoked. Bushfire Evacuation procedures will be invoked if there is an immediate level of risk as a result of a Bush Fire alert. In this instance, all students, staff and visitors will be located to a central and relatively fire-safe building in the school premises to increase ease of protection. This will be known as the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’.
At St Michael’s School Mittagong the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’ is the current School Hall.
As part of our procedures, a "bushfire drill" was held last Thursday.
DIOCESAN PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
Tomorrow, Charlise (Year 6) and Dani (Year 5) will be representing our school at the North West Primary Cluster CDF Regional Public Speaking Competition held at Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Eagle Vale. The girls will be competing against 15 other speakers in each division from 15 schools in the Macarthur Area and Southern Highlands areas. We wish the girls every success.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Mannat and Max who received awards at the recent Diocesan Christmas Story Art Competition. Mannat was awarded Highly Commended and Max was announced as one of the Year 6 Winners, whose work will now go to be judged with winners from the Sydney Diocese and the Bathurst Diocese at Notre Dame University in Sydney. We are very proud of Mannat and Max’s fantastic artworks.
Congratulations to Kalea in Year 6 for her fantastic results in the Southern Highlands Christian School Interschools Equestrian Competition on the weekend. She had a great day competing against other local Year 6 students.
STUDENT PHONE REMINDER
Please be aware that any child who brings a phone to school, must hand the phone into the class teacher for safe keeping, at the beginning of the day. The phones will be stored securely. As there are many children with phones in the senior grades, we are quite concerned with them being left unattended. Phones are very costly to repair or replace. The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.
Phones should have a name on them, if possible, to identify them, as many are locked with a passcode and some at times, have been left at the school, with no way for the staff to know who has left it behind. Phones should not be left in bags as they could get broken.
A reminder also, to not send any text messages or iMessages to your child, via their phones or ipads during school time. All messages should be directed to the school office and they will definitely be passed onto the students.
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY LAUNCH
On Friday Nov 1st, we will be holding a Social Media Policy Launch for parents in the library, where additional information about technology and the Diocesan Social Media Policy, will be explained further. All parents are welcome to attend this launch. To make this easier for parents, we have timetabled it whilst the School Disco is on. This meeting will commence at 5:45pm.
Have a lovely week.
Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal