TERM 2 WEEK 10 NEWSLETTER
GOSPEL REFLECTION AND NAIDOC WEEK

This Sunday’s Gospel Mark 5:21-43 reports two stories of healing. One story tells us about a father’s great love for his dying daughter. The other story tells us about a desperate woman who risks much as she seeks healing from Jesus. In each story, the request for healing is itself a courageous act of faith, and yet very different circumstances are represented by the lives of each suffering person.

The theme of the gospel links in a way with the theme of NAIDOC week, which is Heal Country, heal our nation.  The message through this theme is “embracing First Nation's cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians.”.. the seeking of healing. 

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. It is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.

This past week, we have held two special events to recognise NAIDOC Week. Mrs Mitchell prepared a special prayer service for the staff and students and secondly, the whole school heard about the importance of looking after our country, our environment and our animals through the incursion Snaketails. The children were in awe of the many stories told by Bob and the variety of lizards and snakes that he showcased. The overall message was one of caring for life. 

Click on this link to see Year 5's prayer incorporating the Aboriginal's Lord's Prayer 

Aboriginal Lord’s Prayer.

You are our Father, You live in Heaven

We talk to You, Father, You are good.

We believe Your Word, Father, we Your children.

Give us bread today.

We have done wrong, we are sorry.

Help us Father, not to sin again.

Others have done wrong, to us

And we are sorry for them, Father today.

Stop us from doing wrong, Father.

Save us all from the evil one.

You are our Father, You live in Heaven.

We talk to You, Father, You are good.

REPORTS
On Monday, our Semester One Interim reports went out on COMPASS. I thank the teachers and Mrs Berrell, for the work that went into these reports. If you wish to discuss your child’s report with their class teacher, please contact the school office during this week. 

ST MICHAEL’S MINI OLYMPICS DAY- WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY 
Next term, in conjunction with the P&F, we will be holding a “Mini Olympics Day”. All are welcome to attend (COVID restrictions though, will apply if required). The aim of the day is for the students to participate in various activities that reflect the spirit of the Olympic Games. All activities will involve team participation. Further details on the outline of the day will be given next term.

The Mini Olympics  is going to be a fundraising event to raise funds for a smart tv. Our Year 2 and Year 5 classes are functioning with older versions of Smartboards and they really would benefit from the Smart Tv’s, like we have been able to place in the other classrooms via fundraising and Catholic Education Office assistance. Our Music Room has no interactive technology to use in the demountable classroom, so overall we require three televisions. We also need to update the iPads in Kindergarten, Stage 1 and Stage 2, so our long term  plan is to gradually raise funds through days like the Mini Olympics and the Fete, to support the IT needs of the students.

MINI OLYMPICS SPONSORSHIP
Today, your child will bring home a sponsorship form for the St Michael’s Olympics Day. During the holidays, it would be great if the children could gather sponsors from your family and friends. Sponsorship can be completed two ways-  an amount per event or a flat amount. See form example below. Sponsorship money will be returned to the P&F via the school after the event.

P&F FETE MEETING

On Friday we will be holding a Fete Meeting in the Library at 9am- 

All welcome to attend.

NETBALL GALA DAY
Congratulations to our Netball Gala Day teams and to the staff and parents who attended the day. I received such wonderful commendations of how the girls represented our school with great pride, sportsmanship and very importantly, kindness to others. Well done girls and thank you to Mrs Williamson, Mrs Favaee, Mrs Tasker and Mr Grech for coaching on the day.

HOLIDAYS
At the end of this week, we begin our Term 2 school holidays. I would like to thank all of our students and staff for the wonderful way they have responded to the many events and new learning that this term has brought us. I wish all our families a relaxing holiday and I hope that you have the opportunity to get outside and experience winter in the Southern Highlands and surrounds. I hope everyone stays safe and remains well.

Thank you for all the support you have given our school.

God bless
Mrs Katrina West
Principal