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Dear Parents & Carers,
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 over the past two weeks include:
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public Speaking is a lifelong skill that we begin to develop from Kindergarten at St Michael’s. I am always so proud to see our students confidently participate in assemblies, speak before their peers and present their learning to others. For those parents and carers who attended or watched the K-2 G Day performances in Week 8, I’m sure you were impressed with the level of confidence and enthusiasm they displayed.
This term, our students in Year 5 and Year 6 were involved in the public speaking program as part of the Diocesan Public speaking competition. This is an empowering program that helps to develop the skills of preparation, posture, pace, voice projection, and performance. Representatives from those classes presented their speeches before the school community. I was so proud of our students, Layla Woodman and Esther Yap, who represented our school at the Diocesan Public Speaking Competition at Holy Family School in Ingleburn last week. They did a great job and presented their speeches with grace and enthusiasm.
DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS ART
It has been an exciting two weeks for students representing our school in the Diocesan Christmas Art Competition. From the six artworks that we entered into the Diocesan Christmas Story Competition, one of our students, Athena (Gabby) Arellano was chosen to have her work displayed in the Wollongong Art Gallery over the Term 3 holidays and Gabby’s entry is now part of the Diocesan Exhibition. 22 students from across all our Year 6 classes in the Diocese were chosen and 22 students from Year 5 were chosen. We are very proud of all our Stage 3 students and the reflective artwork they have created. We will put them on display closer to Christmas.
The Flight of Faith
By Gabby Year 6
The passage ‘The Flight to Egypt’, Matthew 2:13-15, tells us the story of how an Angel came to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to flee to Egypt, due to King Herod’s heartless plan of destroying Jesus, in fear of losing his place as king.
I was born in a third world country, with parents that struggled to provide. They worried about meals, bills, and the challenges uncertainty brings. My parents feared poverty, the same way Joseph and Mary feared King Herod. My father decided to leave the Philippines, my mother followed, leaving us behind. Their travel was challenging for all of us, but they knew they needed to do it. They sacrificed their lives for our family. They gave us more opportunities by seeking strength and putting their faith in God during their journey, just as Joseph and Mary placed their trust in God, when they saw what they had to do.
The lush tree in my artwork, represents the new memories they made in Egypt as Jesus grew stronger. In the scene, Egypt is represented as a sign of new beginnings. Emblazoned in the sky, the travelling rays of stars, symbolise God guiding them through their adventure, showing them how far they’ve come, and guiding them on their journey through their love for Jesus.
MACKILLOP ATHLETICS REPRESENTATION
Congratulations to Will for placing 5th in the 1500m and 4th in the 800m on Monday at the MacKillop Athletics Championships in Homebush. Will improved his personal best times by 1 second in the 800m and 7 seconds in the 1500m which is outstanding. We are so proud of Will for representing our diocese and school so impressively (in 35 degree heat). Well done Will.
CATHOLIC MISSION LAUNCH
Last Wednesday Sophia, Isabelle and I attended the launch of Catholic Mission Month at Holy Cross Catholic High School, Bellambi. Representatives from schools across the diocese joined Bishop Brian and the Catholic Mission team in a liturgy to learn more about the work being carried out in Timor-Leste. Our Year 6 Mission team are already planning great things to help support this important endeavour.
THANK YOU TO MRS FAAVAE
A big thank you to Mrs Kristie Faavae who has been doing a wonderful job here at St Michaels as our Senior School Support Officer (Office Manager). We are so blessed to have Kristie in our office supporting our school community.Kristie has decided to continue working in our office, however not in the full time position. We are currently looking for a new person to fulfil the role. If you know of anyone with senior administrative experience, can you direct them to the job advertisement on our Catholic Education Office Website- Positions Vacant Page. The link is here https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/employment/positions-vacant/
ST MICHAEL’S FEAST DAY MASS
This Friday we will be celebrating our St Michael’s Feast Day Mass in St Michael’s Church at 9:30am. All are welcome to attend. Mrs Mitchell has more details about St Michael in her RE News.
ASSEMBLY THIS FRIDAY
Assembly this Friday will commence at 2:15pm. We will show some of the Years 3-6 Grandparents Day acts as well as a video of our St Michael’s Primary Wakakirri performance.
All are welcome to attend
2024 ENROLMENTS
If you know that you may be moving out of the area, or your child/children will not be attending St Michaels next year, can you please let our office staff know via email. We are in the process of working out our classes for next year and we have had families ask if there is any availability for 2024 in some of the classes. We do have spaces available in a couple of classes. Enrolment applications can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LHwPLISl8HYk4CC0GxTGaY-NLKSiMeLb/view
FAREWELL
This Friday we say goodbye to Oscar Porter-Fernandez (Year 2) and his family, who are moving out of the area. We wish Oscar all the best for his new home and school.
I wish everyone a very special holiday and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4
Take care and God bless,
Mrs Katrina West
Principal
TERM 3
- 22nd September - St Michael's Feast Day Whole School
Mass 9:30 - All welcome
TERM 4
- 7th October - Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Day
- 20th October - Year 1 Crazy Sock Day fundraiser
- 24 October - Year 5 excursion to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney
- 1st November - All Saints Day
- 2nd November - All Souls Day
- 5th November - K-2 Combined School Parish Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral
- 19th November - 1 December - St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal.
- 21st November - Year 5 Mini-Fete
- 3rd December - End of the Year Combined School/Parish Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral
- 11 December- Christmas Concert and Workshops- Andrew Chinn
- 14th December - End of the year Liturgy
Hot Dog Day
On Wednesday 6th September, Year 6 raised money towards their end-of-the-year gift to the school. Thank you to everyone who ordered a Hot Dog. Year 6 appreciates your continued support in their fundraising efforts.
This Friday the 22nd September, 9:30 am at St Michael’s Church, we will celebrate the Patron Saint of our school, St Michael. As St Michael’s Feast Day is actually on the 29th September we will celebrate this feast before the holidays. It will be a lovely way to end Term 3 and all are welcome to attend.
St Michael’s Facts: Saint Michael the Archangel is an angel and the leader of all angels of the army of God. The title "Archangel" means that he is above all the others in rank.
St. Michael has many roles explained through Christian Tradition such as escorting the faithful to heaven in their hour of death; to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself and to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgement.
Parish News!
Weekend Mass times
Saturday Vigil 5.00pm
Sunday Morning 8.00am, 9.30am
Evening 5.00pm
Weekday Liturgies
St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral
Tuesday Mass 8.00am
Wednesday Mass 8.00am
Thursday Mass 8.00am
Friday Mass 8.00am
Parish Trivia Night
This year the Parish Trivia Night will be held on Friday 20th October in the Fr Glynn Centre (STA Bowral), 6.30pm for 7pm start. $10 per head. Bring your own food and drink. Great raffle prizes to be drawn on the night. To book, please contact the Parish Office. Come by yourself or be part of a table of ten.
Jamberoo Arts & Crafts Exhibition ‘By the Work of our Hands’
Come and join us for the Jamberoo Arts & Crafts Exhibition being held at the Old Fire Station Kiama. Date: 22 – 27 September 2023 Time: 10am- 3:30pm Save the date and bring your friends and family along and enjoy beautiful Kiama and discover the beauty ‘By the Work of our Hands’.
COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
CURSILLO THREE DAY WEEKEND
We have been asked to place this information in our newsletter. For those who don’t know about the group this is some information.
The Cursillo weekend is a great opportunity for women to take time for themselves - from the busyness we call life and it is in the school holidays.
- If mums, grandmothers, godparents, aunts are spiritually weary and in need of revitalising.
- If parents and colleagues are new Catholics and have participated in RCIA this is an excellent refresher of that preparation.
- If you are a mum/ carer and your child has recently completed a sacramental programme which has sparked your thirst for God.
- If parents have not had any updates of your religious education since leaving school
- If you are a teacher, catechist, mother or grandmother and give so much of yourself to younger people which leaves your reserves depleted.
Bishop Brian lived a Cursillo weekend whilst working as a teacher in the Newcastle/ Maitland Diocese. He served as a team member after the initial weekend. Bishop Brian remains very supportive of the movement and has been recommending this course to all at recent Diocesan Confirmations celebrations.
We are blessed to have our Spiritual Director Father Chris Roberts with us throughout. Fr. Chris offers daily Mass, reconciliation and spiritual guidance when requested.
MITTAGONG JUNIOR DISCO
Date : Saturday 30th 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
MITTAGONG SWIMMING CLUB