TERM 3 WEEK 10 

Dear Families,

Welcome to our last newsletter of this term. What an amazing term we have had! Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and special friends who participated in the many activities throughout the term.

Highlights of our term have included: 

FANTASTIC STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 

NAIDOC SCHOOL INITIATIVE ART PRIZE

This year as part of NAIDOC Week, our school participated in an art competition run by the NAIDOC School Initiatives Team. The aim of the program is to help students gain a greater understanding and awareness on the importance and respect of NAIDOC Week, Indigenous Culture and Reconciliation. 

We are so excited to announce that one of our Kindergarten students- Thomas M, won a NAIDOC Medallion, one of only 25 presented across NSW. We are very proud of you Thomas and your wonderful artistic talents. 

​DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS ART COMPETITION 

Each year students across Catholic schools from the Diocese of Wollongong are invited to take part in The Christmas Story - a visual arts exhibition and competition for children in Stage Three. This is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney to celebrate and explore children’s creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story.

Initially we send three entries from Year 6 and three entries from Year 5 to be judged at the Wollongong Catholic Education Office by their RE and Creative Arts team. Students chosen from St Michaels were:

Year 6

Emily King, Liam Gospel and Ruby Francis

Year 5

Olivia Lewis, Darcy Haynes and Isaac Compagnoni

On Wednesday we were informed that two of our student’s artworks and writing were selected for the next level of judging. Congratulations to Emily in Year 6 and Darcy in Year 5 who have been chosen to display their artworks in the Wollongong Art Gallery over the next few weeks. If you happen to be in Wollongong over the school holidays, pop into the Art Gallery and you will be able to see amazing artwork from the Stage 3 students across our Diocese.

Emily’s Entry

Guardian Angel 

Emily King 

Year 6 St Michael’s Primary School

Luke 1:26-36 The Annunciation 

My family are my guardian angels, they guide me through tough times, support my decisions, are proud of me and love me. Angel Gabriel is Mary’s guardian Angel, continually helping and guiding her. 

The tree symbolises Mary’s self growth and depicts how she becomes stronger in her journey. The branches demonstrate the many directions of life and faithfulness in God. The tree is yet to bloom, as the best and happiest times are still to come in Mary’s life. 

The vase represents strength, holding itself together while  symbolising how fragile life can be. The wavy lines represent Mary’s journey - both the hard and joyous moments in life.The circle detail symbolises no beginning and no end… love, compassion, strength and support forever. The woven basket symbolises Mary’s tight connections and love with her family.

The vivid colours of the sunset represent Mary’s beauty and emotions she felt throughout her journey. The shadows represent the bravery Mary showed on the outside, but inside there is fear and anxiety.  

I chose watercolour pencils and paint because they have a soft quality and shade well. All the strokes represent the many emotions Mary felt when Angel Gabriel came to share the news.  

May the guardians of your life give you strength. 

Darcy’s Entry

THE STAR OF HOPE

Darcy Haynes

Year 5 

St Michael’s Primary School, Mittagong

As I gaze down upon my artwork, it reminds me of when I travelled to the United States of America and explored unknown and new places. I felt unsure of myself, but a sense of hope for what was about to occur. I wonder if that is what Mary and Joseph were feeling, leading up to the birth of Jesus and the Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:9-12).

I chose my favourite art style of using Copic Sketch and Copic Ciao to express a modern tone to witnessing the miracle of Jesus. I chose the copics because I received my first copic texta in the USA, so I felt like it connected me with the journey.  

I was inspired by the professional artist VEXX.  He uses doodles like the USA building doodles I have drawn. I created the creatures and doodles to blend in with each other, representing blending with the Spirit of God, ending with the face of Jesus on his journey. Mary and Joseph are ready for a new beginning and the start of the world's biggest miracle. 

The star and sky of glittering silver and gold, emphasises light and hope, representing to us that Jesus is the hope of the world. 

MACKILLOP ATHLETICS TRIALS

This week Cianna and Ruby from Year 6 participated in the MacKillop Athletics Trials at Sydney Olympic Park. Cianna and Ruby represented the Wollongong Diocese having qualified to do so earlier this term through  further carnivals. Cianna’s shot put distance was an amazing 7.46 metres, a personal best. Ruby’s time for the 800 m was an incredible 2 mins 50 seconds. We are so proud of Cianna and Ruby, and congratulate them for their outstanding performances in athletics this year.

BJELKE-PETERSEN PHYSICAL CULTURE

Congratulations to Esther Yap on placing fourth in the Annual Championship Competitions. Esther will now be participating in the National Championships later this year. 

FAREWELL

Today we farewell one of our students, Xavier (Year 5) who is moving out of the area. Thank you for being a wonderful student and we wish you every happiness in your new school.

P&F MEETING

Our next P&F meeting will be held on Friday 14 Oct at 9am in the Library. All parents welcome. Young children are also welcome. At this meeting we will be planning the P&F events for Term 4 and 2023. 

FRIDAY ASSEMBLY

Due to a few families being away today, the scheduled Year 4 and Year 5 G Day performance has needed to be postponed. We will showcase these class performances on the first Friday of Term 1 assembly- Fri Oct 14.

Consequently the Year 6 and Liturgy Group performances will now be conducted on Friday 28 October (Week 3) as some of these students will be on an excursion in Week 2. 

We will still be having an afternoon assembly today commencing at 2:20pm.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS TERM 4

As the weather can be potentially cold still at the beginning of Term 4, the students will be able to wear their winter uniform for the first two weeks. You can gauge whether you would like your child to wear their winter or summer uniform according to the temperature each day. We will aim to wear full summer uniform by Week 3. Students do need to wear either full winter or full summer uniforms, not a mixture of both. I hope this helps with coping with the unpredictable weather at this time of the year. 

Have a wonderful holiday everyone. Enjoy your time together. 

Take care and God bless.

Mrs Katrina West

Principal

Wed 12 Oct  Christmas Exhibition Evening

Thur 13  Oct  Maubara Fundraiser Kindergarten

Mon 17 Oct First Holy Communion classes commence 

Tue 25 Oct Yr 5 / 6 Mary MacKillop Excursion

Fri 11 Nov Remembrance Day

Sun 20 Nov First Holy Communion

Mon 21 Nov - Fri 2nd December  St Vincent De Paul Christmas Food Appeal 

St Michael’s Feast Day Mass

Today we celebrated the Feast Day of St Michael. The students participated so well in the Mass and Fr Sean praised them for their beautiful singing. Thank you to the parents who attended. It was a wonderful way to end Term 3. Mrs West arranged a special treat of yummy donuts for the students and staff at afternoon tea. 

St Michael’s Facts: Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. The title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank.

St. Michael has four primary responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.

• The first is to combat Satan.
• The second is to escort the faithful to heaven in their hour of death.
• The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
• And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.

Parish News!

Weekend Masses

​Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm

Sunday - 8:00 am 

Sunday - 9:30 am

Sunday - 5:00 pm 

Weekday Masses

Tuesday - 8:00am

Wednesday - 8.00 am

Thursday - 8.00 am 

Friday - 8:00am​

​

Reconciliation​​

​Please contact the parish office

Trivia Night

Friday night, 21 October is the Parish Trivia night. Tickets will be on sale next week, $10 per person. Raffle tickets will also be on sale from next week, to be drawn at the Trivia night. We would love to be able to get a couple of tables together to represent our St Michael's School Community. If you are interested please contact our school office.

If a student is found to have a gel gun they can be arrested and charged for possession of a firearm (under Section 36 (1) of the NSW Firearms Act 1996).

In the interest of community safety and student welfare, NSW police have requested all education sectors disseminate the attached information.

Regards

Danielle Cronin

Director, Education Policy

NSW Police has requested that schools disseminate the attached flyer and letter to their school communities as soon as possible.

Please see flyer attached

A MESSAGE FROM THE WINGECARRIBEE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY OFFICER 

Aunty Val’s celebration of life has been rescheduled, please see the following statement from her family:

Celebration of life for Aunty Mun has been rescheduled due to the weather forecast over the next few days, please see new date below.

 When: Saturday 15 October 2022

Time: 10am – 2pm

Where: Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre

           1a Rainbow Rd, Mittagong

MITTAGONG JUNIOR DISCO - MITTAGONG RSL 

Date : Saturday 24th September

Times : 4pm to 6pm

Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street, Mittagong

Cost : $5

Ages : 0-14

Please note: This is a CASH ONLY event.

Also an alcohol free event.

All money raised goes back to the children in the Southern Highlands community.  

We hope to see you there .Thank you as always for your ongoing support. Chris and Sandra Roberson - and the amazing committee of the Mittagong Junior Disco.

Chris Ph - 0412 321 555