LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM 
Unfortunately due to the current Covid19 situation we have had to cancel the Learn to Swim Program For Kinder - Year 3 for 2020.  

This decision wasn’t taken lightly.  We had hoped to be able to hold this program in term 4.  One Covid Safe requirement was to have exclusive use of the pool to run the program.  However the additional cost for the exclusive use of the pool for the 9 day program was at a cost of almost $1,900 that we could not justify nor ask parents to further contribute to during what has been a difficult year.

For those families who have paid monies for the excursions, a refund credit will be applied to your school fees.   The Catholic Education Office will process the refund credit and these will appear on you fee statements over the next couple of weeks.

We thank you for your understanding.

PARENT SURVEY
Each year we seek parent, staff and student input in order to prepare aspects of the Annual School Report. This year all parents have the opportunity, via an anonymous online survey, to provide input into areas affecting the education of their children and the general functioning of the school. In 2020 we have faced many challenges and disruptions to our normal operations and in many ways we have been unable to operate as we normally would have. In the midst of our current circumstances we are keen to gauge parent input in regard to our future directions but also what we have learned from the experience of COVID.

All feedback is greatly valued and will assist in contributing not only to the preparation of the Annual School Report but also to future directions and in planning for school improvement.

The survey can be accessed by clicking the link below.

If you would prefer to complete this survey as a hard copy these will be available through the Office. The survey will be online until Friday 6th November.

SEMESTER TWO REPORTS
Our teachers are currenty working on student Semester 2 Reports.  These reports are different to the Interim Reports distributed in Semester 1 and slightly different again to the regular Sesmester Reports.  Below is a rationale for these changes presented by the Wollongong Catholic education Office.  The Semester 2 Reports will be published via Compass in Week 9 (11th December). 

Semester Reports are no longer printed by the School. (except for Year 5 and Year 6).  For those unable to download or print a copy of the school report, please notify the school in writing and a copy will be printed for you.

A reminder that a student profile exists on Compass only for the period of their enrolment at St Michael’s. When a student leave St Michael's, their profile and semester reports will not be accessible. As students' academic reports are provided to families via Compass, it is important that parents of leaving students download and save the reports before the student leaves St Michael’s so that it remains accessible in the future (eg for high school application). 

SCHOOL FEES
All school fees need to be finalised by Friday 4th December 2020. Payment of school fees are part of your enrolment obligation and receiving these are imperative for the running of the school.  If you are having trouble paying your school fees, please contact the school office to make an appointment to see Mrs West.

SCHOOL TRAVEL (OPAL CARDS) FOR 2021

Applications for student travel in 2021 opened on Monday 12 October 2020.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should reapply or update their details. 

Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address.Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL FOLLOWING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS
Students who have been sick with flu-like symptoms defined by NSW Health as:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• Sore Throat
• Loss of smell or taste

are required to present a negative COVID test result before returning to school. 

Please provide the school with a copy of COVID test results, as we are required to add this information to our school COVID testing register which is updated on a daily basis. Please note that your child will need to be symptom free and have a negative COVID test result before returning to school. 

• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomitting or diarrhoea
• Loss of Appetite

WATER BOTTLES

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the bubblers have been turned off.  Therefore it is important that students come prepared to school with their own water bottle.

STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN 2021
If parents are already aware that their child/ren will not be returning to St Michael's  in 2021, we request that this information be provided to Mrs Berrell in the School Office as soon as possible. This information will assist us with accommodating both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list.