TERM 4 WEEK 5 NEWSLETTER

Dear parents and carers,

Can you believe that we are halfway through our term! We have had some wonderful events already this term and we are looking forward to the many special events planned for the next few weeks. This newsletter will contain information on those events and we will continue to send notifications via COMPASS News Feed on individual items as the event arises. 

PRAYERS

Please keep in you prayers those who are unwell in our community, especially our wonderful Mrs Townsend who is on sick leave at the moment and getting better every day. We miss you Hilda- Take care xxx

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Today our school will participate in a Remembrance Day prayer service. We honour and pray for all those who have served our country both in the past and present day. 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them. 

Lest we forget

ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT 2022

We are currently completing our Annual School Report for 2022. As part of this report the Diocese of Wollongong schools conduct a parent survey. The link for our St Michael’s Parent Survey is below. It is multiple choice and will only take a few moments. I appreciate you helping us with this survey. This survey will close on Friday 18th November. 

SMM ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT PARENT SURVEY 2022

LEAVING FAMILIES

Please let us know if you are planning to move your child/children to a different school in 2023 as soon as possible, as we have had quite a few enquiries over the past weeks for new enrolments and we need to gauge an idea of class sizes for 2023. 

KINDERGARTEN 2023 COHORT- PLAYGROUP

We have commenced our Kindergarten 2023 Playgoups. It has been so wonderful to see all our new future students and their families. A big thank you to Mrs Bourke-Nash for all her preparation of these groups.

A reminder that we have our Orientation Meeting for all families with Kindergarten students 2023 next Tuesday 15th November in the school hall. Details regarding that morning have been emailed to those families. 

CDF SPORTS AWARDS

Tonight is the Annual Catholic Development Fund Sports Awards in Wollongong. We have two students from Year 6, Cianna and Emily, that have been nominated to attend the awards ceremony for their contribution to athletics, netball and cross country. Congratulations girls, we are very proud of you. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

DISCO

St Michael’s Primary P&F - FLURO Theme Disco 

Students: Come and join us for a night of fun with your friends! 

 When: Friday 18th November 

Where: School Hall 

Time: 5:30-7pm 

Cost: $8 includes entry, glow sticks & lolly bag. 

No additional money needed on the night. Come dressed in your favourite FLURO outfit and enjoy some fun and games on the night. 

Please return your acceptance slip with money in an envelope by Wednesday 16th November. 

YEAR 5 FETE

Every year, Year 5 organises a Fete which raises money to support Maubara Orphanage (East Timor) as well as Sr Anna Warlow’s Indigenous Outreach Mission in Western Australia.  For many children, this is one of the highlights of the school year. The Year 5 students are in the process of organising some fun and varied activities and games for the fete which we hope to take place on Wednesday 23rd November (Week 7) between 11.30 am and 1:10 pm.

As we have in the past, we are asking for some help with the ‘White elephant’ stall.  It would be appreciated if children across the school could donate to Year 5 any toys, games, books, dolls etc that you have at home and no longer really use or need.  If they are in a reasonably good condition we can sell them for a small cost (silver coins) to other children in the school.  Your child as well may be then able to buy something fun to bring home!  

A plastic tub has been placed in each classroom for donations.  We would really appreciate your help!  A successful stall will not only provide a lot of enjoyment for our children at St Michael’s, but also raise money for people who really need our help.

Thank you from Year 5

EXCURSIONS

YEARS 3 AND 4 BIKE EDUCATION CENTRE- TAKE 3!!

Year 3 and Year 4 have unfortunately had their Bike Education Centre excursion postponed twice due to weather!!

We have rebooked the excursion for the 7th of December. Further details will follow in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed that the weather will be beautiful for them this time. 

YEARS 5 AND 6 MARY MACKILLOP PLACE EXCURSION

Year 5 and Year 6 had a lovely excursion to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. At the centre they were able to see where Mary MacKillop lays in rest in the chapel and all of the exhibitions about her life and the work of the Sisters of St Joseph. As a school founded by the Sisters of St Joseph, this is a very important excursion that we run every year. A big thank you to the P&F who pay for the bus for this excursion each year, through their fundraising efforts. 

YEAR 6 CAMP

In the first week of December, Year 6 will attend camp at the Berry Recreational Camp. This is something they are very excited about and we are so grateful that covid restrictions for camps have been lifted so our students can have this experience. 

YEAR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY

Each year, Year 5 have a leadership day with Cameron Brown who runs a program called Explore Discover Act. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn a little more about themselves and the role they can play in our school community. Information about this day will be available to the Year 5 students and parents in the coming weeks. For more information about this program click on this link https://www.explorediscoveract.com.au/primary-school-programs

SMM CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Our Christmas Concert will be held in our school playing field on Tuesday 13th December with food stalls available from 5pm. All families are welcome to attend, including grandparents and other family members. At the concert the children from K-6 will be telling the Nativity Story through drama and song and then we will have some fun Christmas songs. The P&F will be holding a BBQ and Christmas Raffle.  Details will be coming in future weeks. On the night, it is advisable to bring along a picnic blanket and foldable chairs. It is going to be a very special evening for our community. 

HEAD LICE

We have been notified of cases of head lice within the school.  Head lice transfer from child to child when their hair is in close contact eg; while playing or doing schoolwork. For this reason, we ask that parents kindly check their child’s hair and commence treatment if necessary.   

Further information can be found at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/Pages/default.aspx

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

May you have a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,

Mrs Katrina West

Principal

Fri 11 Nov Remembrance Day

20 Nov First Holy Communion

21 Nov - 2nd Dec St Vincent De Paul Christmas Food Appeal 

27 Nov First Sunday of Advent

30 Nov Year 1 Maubara Fundraiser

28 Nov Liturgy Group singing for Uniting Church

15 Dec End of year Mass/Graduation Mass 

Gracious God, on this day of remembrance. We pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and lives with your strength and peace. May people of goodwill in every nation answer the call to work for peace and justice, ending violence and conflict around the globe. 

AMEN

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 

First Holy Communion preparation has commenced and students from Year 3 within our parish are preparing to receive the Eucharist for the first time. Each week, students complete various activities with their parents to understand the importance of the Eucharist. On Sunday, the 20th of November there will be a  special Mass, at 11 am for students to receive the Eucharist.    

Please keep all of these students in your prayers and thoughts over the coming weeks.

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper 2022

From Monday the 21st of November to Friday the 2nd of December (Weeks 7 and 8), our school will start our annual St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. This is such a special time of the year and many families struggle to be able to feed their families over this time. These donations of non-perishable food items help St Vincent De Paul support people in our community who need help over the festive period.

Please see below an item list for each Year. There are some suggestions of items for each class but you are not limited to the items. 

Parish News!

Weekend Masses

​Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm

Sunday - 8:00 am 

Sunday - 9:30 am

Sunday - 5:00 pm 

Weekday Masses

Tuesday - 8:00 am

Wednesday - 8.00 am

Thursday - 8.00 am 

Friday - 8:00am​

​Reconciliation​​

Please contact the parish office

REMINDER: Christmas cards and Columban Calendars are available to purchase from the front of the Church. Please place the money in the Poor Box.

Keep "Christ in Christmas"

Cards - packs of 8 @ $3.00 

Columban Calendars @ $10.00 each

Please put money in the Poor Box

PARKING AROUND THE SCHOOL

We have been advised that some of our local residents have had difficulty with cars being parked on their driveways and in the alleyway next to the school. We realise it is only for a short period of time, however can we all be mindful of parking, especially where it may block the sight of oncoming traffic. School Zones are regularly checked by council staff and police. 

DROP OFF ZONE

Thank you to all the parents who are using the drop off zone to quickly pick up or drop off their children. We ask that no one parks in the drop off zone during Friday Afternoon Assembly as sometimes cars are parked in the drop off zone and parents that did not attend the assembly are waiting to pick up thier child.

Thank you for you help with both of these safety matters.

SCHOOL FEES

All school fees need to be finalised by the end of November. 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 FEES INFORMATION FOR EXISTING FAMILIES WITH OR WITHOUT INSTALMENTS FOR 2023

EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS

If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly

EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS

If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2023 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. 

Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2023 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.

IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.

BOOK CLUB

Book Club orders are due on Wednesday 16th November.

Thank you for supporting Book Club this year.

Mrs Sewell.

DISCO

As previously mentioned in our newsletter, we will be holding a P&F Disco on Friday 18th November from 5:30pm. The theme is Fluro!

Thank you to Vanessa Tasker and her helpers for organising this disco for our students. Please send in your notes and money to the committee via the school office. Thank you. 

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

The P&F are currently running a Christmas Raffle to support the school with resources for 2023. Details regarding the Christmas Raffle are below. We thank those parents who have already sent in prizes for the raffle and encourage anyone who might be able to donate vouchers or gift cards from businesses, to get in touch with our P&F committee or our school office.

We are looking for parents on the night of the Christmas carols to help with the BBQ and drinks stalls. If you can help, please contact Melissa Bartolo or Linda Francis via the school office. This is a great way to meet other parents in our school in a fun, community minded way.

P&F Minutes from meeting this term.