Term 2 Week 8

FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI MASS
Last Wednesday 2nd June, we celebrated our first combined Corpus Christi Mass with the staff and students of St Thomas Aquinas school and our Parish Priest Fr Sean. It was a wonderful celebration, marking the first feast day of our newly formed Parish, Corpus Christi- Mittagong- Bowral. Thank you to all students from both schools, for representing their school with pride and participating in the Mass with wonderful singing and responses. Thank you to our wonderful staff, who prepared the students so well. 

Below is a slideshow of photos from our Mass. 

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
On Monday, our school celebrated a special World Environment Day liturgy, prepared by our REC, Mrs Mitchell along with the teachers and Year 6 support. 

In celebrating World Environment Day, we are reminded of our call to mission in the care of God’s creation, the care of our common home. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls us to remember:

 “that we do not abuse or take for granted that which God has gifted us. Rather, with contemplative action, we are called to care for the earth and are clear in our response to challenge those who would use and abuse the earth’s resources indiscriminately for power, financial gain, and self-serving purposes, and proactively work towards redressing climate issues which affect the health and well-being of our earth, its creatures, and its peoples.”

2020 was a tumultuous year of reckoning, facing multiple crises, including a global pandemic and the continued crises of climate, nature, and pollution. In 2021, we must try to take steps to move from crisis to healing: and in so doing, recognise  that the restoration of nature is imperative to our planet and the human race.

What can you reimagine? 

What are you able to recreate? 

What needs to be restored?

BISHOP BRIAN AND FR SEAN VISIT OUR SCHOOL AND CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
On Friday 28th May, Bishop Brian and Fr Sean visited our school as part of the parish visit. Bishop Brian visited Kindergarten and Year 6 and then had a chat with the whole school. On Saturday 29th May, Bishop Brian celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with the candidates from Year 6.

On behalf of our school, I would like to thank Bishop Brian and Fr Sean for all they do to support our parish school and community. I would also like to especially say thank you to the staff and parents who helped prepare the children for the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a special celebration and a memorable celebration for all. 

LIGHTING THE WAY: A HISTORY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLING IN THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG 1828-2020
The history of our diocesan story has recently been recorded in the pages of a new book by historian, Charles McGee. In a tribute to the women and men who served our diocese’s students and schools over the last two centuries, ‘Lighting the Way: A History of Catholic Schooling in the Diocese of Wollongong 1828-2020’, was officially launched at the National Mass for the Bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia. 

The front cover of the book features a photograph of our very own St Joseph's Convent and Boarding school which is where some of our early students lived whilst attending our school. This is the building that is located opposite our school on the corner of  Alice Street. Unfortunately, the building was damaged several years ago by a fire. 

You can read more about the history of our school and all the schools in the Diocese of Wollongong in the following link to the electronic version of the book. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the staff who have taught and worked in our school, since its beginning. One note I would like to make though, is that there was a typo error and it should read that our first lay principal was Mrs Anne La Spina, followed then by Mr Paul Maroney, Mrs Mary-Lynn Lane (Acting Principal), Mrs Kayleen Petzer and myself as current principal. I hope you enjoy reading about our school history. 

Click the link below to view and electronic version of the book

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP BRIAN MASCORD

Message from Bishop Brian Mascord - Future of Cemeteries NSW 

I am writing to ask for your assistance in petitioning the New South Wales Government to reverse a decision to exclude faith and charitable groups from cemetery management.

Please find below the following:

• A letter detailing the issue

• An opinion piece from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP on the matter published in The Australian on 27 May 2021

Save Our Graves Online Petition 

I give my support to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP who has recently launched a Save Our Graves online petition to put pressure on the NSW Government to reverse its decision to exclude faith and charitable groups from the management of cemeteries in NSW that operate on Crown land. This also has the support of other faith leaders from the Muslim and Jewish communities.

The government’s decision is a serious attack on religious freedom and raises significant questions as to the appropriateness of handing over the management of cemeteries to a bureaucracy that has no experience in providing comfort to grieving families or the management of burial grounds. Caring for the dead and those who love them is a spiritual mission, not secular. Our faith teaches that it is one of our “corporal works of mercy” and this underpins the way we look after our cemeteries, which we have been doing for over 150 years.

An online petition page has been established at www.saveourgraves.com.au and you are encouraged to sign this petition and circulate it to your family and friends in NSW.

Bishop Brian Mascord

 YEAR SIX HOT DOG FUNDRAISER
A big thank you to Year 6 and Mrs Mitchell, for providing an opportunity for our school to have hotdogs on Monday. What a wonderful way for Year 6 to show stewardship and care for their fellow students. Thank you to the parents and students who supported this initiative.

CHEVALIER COLLEGE SACRED HEART DAY AND 75TH ANNIVERSARY MASS
This Friday, representatives from Year 6 and I, will attend the Chevalier College 75th Anniversary Mass. We wish the staff and students of Chevalier a wonderful Sacred Heart Day celebration. 

SPLICED WORKSHOP AT ST THOMAS AQUINAS PRIMARY SCHOOL
On Monday, several students from Stage 2 and Stage 3 who are in the SPLICED program (Stretching Potential through Learning in Interactive Challenging Environments in the Diocese of Wollongong) attended St Thomas Aquinas Primary for a workshop with students from other schools. Thank you to Mr John Charadia (CEO Education Officer) and Mrs Laura Wilson (SMM Diverse Learning Needs Teacher) for coordinating the workshop for our students. The feedback I received from the students who attended was that they had “an amazing day”.  

NAIDOC WEEK 2021
Next week, our students will be acknowledging NAIDOC Week (which falls during the school holidays). The theme for NAIDOC Week 2021 is Heal Country.

We will be having a liturgy during the week, completing activities in class about NAIDOC Week  and on Friday 18th June, the whole school will take part in an incursion - SNAKETAILS,  conducted by Bob Withey. 

NETBALL GALA DAY
On Thursday 17th June, representatives from our school will be attending the Western Region Netball Gala Day.  We have entered a team in the 10-B, 11-B and 12-B age groups. The Gala Day is held at the Minto Netball Courts, Coronation Park, Minto (Redfern, Road). A reminder for those attending, that schools have been asked to assemble by 8:15 am. Mrs Williamson and Mrs Faavae will be supervising on the day. Thank you to Mr Tuckwell for organising the gala day. Thank you to our parents for helping to support the teams on the day and those who have offered to help with transport on the day. We wish all the students participating our very best wishes for a wonderful day of netball.  

130 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL FETE
Our next fete meeting will be held THIS FRIDAY in the library at 9am. If you have any fete ideas, please come along to the meeting or else send any ideas or ways you can support, via the fete note that was sent out to all families or contact the school office. 

If you have Facebook and would like to support the fete in any way, we have created a St Michael's Mittagong 2021 P&F Fete Group. 

Click this link below to go to the group page

Thank you for the wonderful support we have received so far. Keep a look out for further news regarding the fete in each of our school newsletters over the coming months. 

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE FETE
If you know of any groups that would like to perform at the fete such as dance schools, sporting groups etc, please contact Mrs Berrell at the school office. It would be lovely for the fete to be an avenue to showcase the talents of our local students. 

ART AND CRAFT STALL
This stall needs to be organised really early, so if you know of any friends, grandparents, aunts, uncles etc that could donate items for the stall, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have craft supplies such as wool, ribbon, scrapbook paper, material, craft items etc that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school office

GARDEN STALL
Now is the time to start planting seedlings and cuttings for our garden stall. If you are able to donate some plants in October, can you please let the school know so we can pass your details onto the stall co-ordinator. 

SPONSORSHIP
If you or someone you know is able to sponsor the fete, please see the attached note, for sponsorship details.

God bless
Mrs Katrina West
Principal