Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 6.  It is amazing how quickly our term has gone by, with lots of exciting things happening. Today we celebrated a wonderful opportunity for our parents to visit our school and participate in our students' Mathematics lessons. We hope you enjoyed the experience and the opportunity especially to meet with other parents and our staff. I will share more insights about the day in our next newsletter. Thank you for all the arrangements you would have needed to make to be here. We greatly appreciate your support. 

THANK YOU TO OUR PARENT HELPERS AND YEAR 6 HELPERS

A huge thank you to the parents who helped out today with providing food for the picnic, cooking the bbq, preparing the sausage rolls and organising the disco. Our students and staff are very grateful. Thank you to our wonderful Year 6 students who prepared hot dogs for the students. You did an amazing job.

We have also had some amazing parents who have helped us over the past week install significant items into our school. Thank you to:

• The Horder, the Whipp family and the Bartolo family for constructing our new garden shed. This shed will house our students' environment tools as well as toy equipment.
• The Rigoli family who dug the long jump pit for us
• The Bartolo family who provided the sand for the long jump pit
• The Flocco family who provided sand for the sandpit. 
• The P&F committee who have had lots of events to plan for over the last few weeks.   

(This is very apt for the theme of our day today)

Dear God,

May we, through your blessings,

add goodness to the world,

subtract sadness from our lives,

multiply Your good news,

and divide Your gifts and share them with others.

Amen

ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN- MATHEMATICS

Each year, schools across our diocese develop plans to improve areas in the curriculum in order to support our students. Last year we focused on writing skills. This year, our focus is on Mathematics, in particular number and problem solving. Today, you would have seen examples across the school of strategies used by the students to solve mathematical problems and calculations. 

Our smart goal for 2023 is for all students to improve in the area of number and problem solving. 

Our staff development day this term was based on this area and we continue to develop as a staff, our skills and understandings, particularly with the new K-2 Mathematics curriculum that commenced this year. 

Our other major goal for this year is for the students to improve in Religious Literacy.

CHANGES TO GOING HOME ARRANGEMENTS

This week we have had a couple of instances of children attempting to change their going home arrangements for the afternoon, such as catching a different bus or leaving with the parents of a friend. Pre-arranged/organised changes are fine but with younger children particularly, it would be appreciated if the classroom teacher was made aware of the change. Please remember that unplanned / last minute changes to going home arrangements have the potential to cause great stress for parents and staff, and therefore that is why we ask that this does not happen. Thank you. 

CONFIRMATION

Last Saturday, students from Year 6 at St Michael's joined together with other members of the Corpus Christi Parish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  During the ceremony Bishop Brian called on the Holy Spirit to develop in each person many gifts and fruits that will help them follow the example set for us by Jesus so many years ago. 

We are very appreciative of the children from the Liturgy Group who attended the ceremony to lead the singing and to Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Prentice for all the preparation that they put into the program and Mass. 

CANBERRA EXCURSION THANK YOU

Recently on Friday 12th May, Year 5 and Year 6 travelled to Canberra. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. We visited the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Electoral Education Centre, Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government contributed funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program towards these costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. This contribution was very much appreciated.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENT 

Our Kindergarten Enrolment meetings have commenced for all of the families who have applied to St Michael’s for Kindergarten 2024. Our Year 6 leaders have been wonderful representatives of our school, showing our families around our beautiful school.  We do have a lot of applications again this year, which is wonderful to see.

CALENDAR EVENTS THIS WEEK

TONIGHT

Tonight is the P&F Disco. Students are to arrive at 5:30pm with a parent. Parents will need to sign their child in AND out of the disco. Can all students please bring a water bottle with them. Thank you to the Year 6 parent helpers who are helping with the disco tonight. 

4TH JUNE- STAGE TWO MASS AT STA CHURCH- 5 PM

All students and their families, especially from stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) are invited to attend Mass on Sunday night. This is a combined schools Mass. 

8TH JUNE- CORPUS CHRISTI FEAST DAY MASS

This Thursday, 16th of June, our two Corpus Christi Parish schools, being St Michael’s Mittagong and St Thomas Aquinas Bowral, will join together to celebrate Mass for the Feast Day of Corpus Christi. It will be a wonderful celebration. Mass commences at 9:30am at St Thomas Aquinas Church.

​​Following Mass, the students and staff from both schools will go back to St Thomas Aquinas School for morning tea and playtime. Thank you to the staff of STA for providing a healthy morning tea for us all.

12TH JUNE- KING'S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

 No school on this day

22ND JUNE- NETBALL GALA DAY

We have entered teams in the Western Region Netball Gala Day taking place this term on Thursday 22nd June (Week 9).  We have entered a team in the 10-B and 12-B age groups. 

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

This week Caleb (Year 6) has been representing St Michaels and MacKillop in the NSWPSSA Hockey Championship at Tamworth. Games were played throughout this week. Caleb’s team were playing in the Grand Final today. We wish him well. From the games we have been able to watch live streamed, the team has been playing really well.  

ONGOING ILLNESS 

Recently, we have had a number of students across the school who have needed to go home because they are unwell. We have had ongoing flu, colds and some covid cases. If your child is unwell please remember that they will recover more quickly with rest. Some children are being sent to school unwell which only leads to further school absence and loss of learning. I appreciate all the support you have been giving our staff and students in relation to this. Take care everyone x

CROSS COUNTRY SINGLETS

A few children who participated in the Diocesan Cross Country on Tuesday 23rd May are yet to return the school running singlet that they used on the day. It would be appreciated if these singlets could be returned by Monday of next week so that we have a full set to use next year.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. It was so wonderful to see you all today.

Have a lovely weekend.

God bless.

Katrina West

Principal

St Michael’s Mittagong 

• • 27th May – 3 June. Reconciliation Week

  • 5th June World Environment Day

  • 4th June Stage 2 Combined School Mass 5 pm

  • 8th June Corpus Christi Feast Day Combined Schools Mass

  • 11th June (Sunday) Parish Celebration: Corpus Christi Feast DaY

  • 28th June NAIDOC Week Liturgy

  • 3rd – 10 July NAIDOC Week (first week of the school holidays)

 Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

Each year our country celebrates Sorry Day, 26TH May and National Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week is from the 27th May to 3rd June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

2023 marks a significant year for the reconciliation movement, and this year’s theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. The 2023 theme calls on all Australians to act today.

On Friday  26th May, St Michael’s school community recognised these events with a whole school liturgy led by Year 6.

World Environment Day

Each year on the 5th June we celebrate World Environment Day. This day is a United Nations Environment-led global event and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide. Since it began in 1972, it has grown to become a global platform for people to voice their concerns for our planet and encourage others to help. Most of all, World Environment Day is a day for everyone around the world to take ownership of their environment and to actively engage in the protection of our earth.

St Michael’s will gather on Monday the 5th of June and participate in a liturgy.

Stage 2 Combined Schools Mass

This Sunday we celebrate the Holy Trinity. As part of our Parish celebration Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4) will participate in a variety of roles from reading, offertory to leading the singing with our combined schools liturgy group. It will be a wonderful celebration, and all are welcome to attend.

Feast Day of Corpus Christi

On the 8th of June, as a combined Parish, the two Parish schools will join to celebrate as one the Feast Day of Corpus Christi. It will be a wonderful celebration, and all are welcome to attend.

Parish News!

Weekend Masses

• Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm
• Sunday - 8:00am 
• Sunday - 9:30am
• Sunday - 5:00pm 

Weekday Masses

​​

• Tuesday - 8:00am
• Wednesday - 8.00am
• Thursday - 8.00am 
• Friday - 8:00am​

​Reconciliation​​

​Friday 2nd June 11 am

Corpus Christi Parish Feast Day Lunch

 Corpus Christi Parish Feast Day Lunch Bookings close on Friday 2nd June. Come and celebrate our feast day with a meal together - $25 per head all inclusive! Please contact the Parish Office before Friday if you would like to come

The Hermitage

The Hermitage gift store is open each weekday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. They have spiritual books, journals, greeting cards, religious items and a great variety of gifts for sale. Spend $50 or more in our shop and go into the draw for a stay at Crowne Plaza Coogee. The prize is drawn at the end of June 2023.

All are welcome to join the Marist community for morning prayer in the chapel each weekday from 7.30am or come to walk the Labyrinth, pray the Stations of the Cross or take some quiet time in our beautiful chapel.

Petition to Save Calvary Hospital

Please use the link below to access The Catholic Voice petition to Save Calvary Hospital in Canberra which the ACT Government is trying to forcibly acquire. Bishop Brian has asked for your support, so please sign this petition and share with friends to let the ACT Government know that we want our Catholic hospitals to stay Catholic. https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/petition-to-save-calvary-hospital-bruce/

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR ST VINCENT DE PAUL (VINNIES) 

A MESSAGE FROM THEIR SPOKESPERSON- MR DORIS

Attention all parents! Vinnies in Mittagong, Bowral, and Moss Vale needs your help.  Vinnies is seeking volunteers in their retail stores to make a meaningful impact in our community. Join them today and be a part of something extraordinary!

Please contact Philippe on 0404 786 187 or philippe.baier@vinnies.org.au

BOOK CLUB DUE WEDNESDAY 7TH JUNE

Just a reminder that Book Club orders are due back by the 7th June.

TRIVIA NIGHT

Today all students will bring home a flyer for the P&F Trivia night which will be held on Saturday 12 August at Mittagong RSL. We are encouraging all parents to join us for this event. You can purchase single tickets for $25 or book a table of 10 for $250. All tickets and donations go through  our TRY BOOKING link.  Just go to the TryBooking website and search for St Michaels P & F Trivia Night or go to https://www.TryBooking.com/CIJXD. 

Today’s Parent Day and disco night, would be a wonderful opportunity to organise tables with other parents. The TryBooking website is available today and you can nominate who you would like to sit with on TryBooking.  

This is an 18 plus evening…. so just for the adults in our community. You can invite other family members and friends to the Trivia Night. So come along and have lots of fun!!!

 We have also sent home a letter that can be given to businesses to help with donations. If you or someone you know, have a business or would be interested in donating to our fundraiser, can you please pass on this letter to them. Many businesses at this time of the financial year, are looking for ways they can help support organisations.

Thank you to everyone who has already helped with the organisation of this event. It is going to be a fantastic night!