Last Sunday was Trinity Sunday. On this feast we are invited to reflect on the central mystery of that faith, the mystery of who God is. We remember the Trinity often in prayer and each time we make the sign of the cross. But it is the parting message of Jesus to his apostles that is the most important. It is this message that concludes the gospel according to St. Matthew.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Jesus told his followers, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Two things stand out in this message: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Teaching the world, in other words, to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, to shelter the homeless. Teaching those “disciples of all nations” to “love one another as I have loved you.”

Also we are asked to baptise in the name of the Trinity. Those words stand as a powerful reminder of the vital work that we have to do. Every time we make the sign of the cross, we relive our baptism and our call. Each time this week as we make the sign of the cross perhaps we should try to think more about the gesture and what it means, a gesture so simple but with so much meaning!

Father,
You sent your Word to bring us truth
And your Spirit to make us holy.
Through them we come to know the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons,
By proclaiming and living our faith in you.

Athletics Carnival
The new date for the athletics carnival is Monday 24th June.  New permission notes have been sent home and need to be returned to the school.

Have a lovely week everyone,
Kayleen Petzer

Catholic Enrichment
Do you know anyone who might be interested in learning more about the Catholic faith?  Would you, or someone that you know, perhaps be interested in becoming a Catholic?   A gathering will be held on Wednesday 26 June, at 7.00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, Bowral to outline an instruction course that systematically unpacks our Catholic beliefs.  This course will also be open to anyone who would like a refresher in Catholic faith and practice.

Year 6
Early next term Year 6 students will gather together with students from other schools for two important events.  The first will be a Mass with Bishop Brian on 7th August at Moss Vale.  Then on 19th August the students will participate in a new youth event called “Activate Fire” at Bowral.  Both of these celebrations will give the students an opportunity to meet people their age and also deepen their faith.

Fundraiser
This Friday (21st June) Year 3 will hold a “Coin Trail” fund raiser for Maubara Orphanage in East Timor.  It would be great if every child could bring in a collection of coins (any denomination).  Year 3 children will collect the coins and make the longest trail possible across the playground!  As well as the fun of trying to beat the trail length from previous years it is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for the orphanage which Mrs Petzer visited last year.

Listed below are some important school dates.  The school calendar is updated regularly and can be accessed via the school website and Compass parent portal.

AUGUST

Kindergarten Parent/Teacher Interviews
Reminder for Kindy parents that parent teacher interviews will be held during week 9 of this term.

DON'T FORGET TO COLLECT YOUR
WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN STICKERS
PROMOTION FINISHES 25 JUNE 2019

Collect as many stickers as you can.  Stick them on the sticker sheets or drop your stickers in to the school office. The school office has sticker sheets if you need them.

There is a box in the office for you to put your completed sticker sheet.  You can also put your stickers in the box at Woolworths Mittagong.

We are grateful for your support.

Dear Parents,

In the past 5 years, St Michael's has integrated a Social Emotional Learning curriculum (SEL) into the class curriculum. This is known as 'The Best Me I Can Be' program. This decision follows current best practice in teaching around the world, based on research that Social Emotional wellbeing is very important to learning and later life outcomes. As parents we are shaping our children's social emotional development through every interaction we have with our child. Many teachers also nurture this in their students. However, it is nice to think that there is further support for teachers to do this work and that it is recognised as a key part of educating a little person to become a well-adjusted, happy and engaged member of society.

Throughout the year the following core SEL skills will be covered:

Self-Awareness building - being able to identify and label emotions, recognising strengths/ positive qualities

Self-Management skills - handling emotions in healthy ways, goal setting

Social Awareness - understanding thoughts and feelings of others, appreciating diversity

Relationship skills - assertive communication, making and keeping friends, negotiation skills, assertive refusal skills

Responsible Decision-making - skills in decision making and identifying possible outcomes of choices, personal responsibility for behaviour with teaching of ethical/ safe/ legal behaviours, respect for others through showing compassion and contributing to others, problem-solving skills

To support the work of the teachers in promoting social emotional development, I would like to offer a reflection for parents in the newsletter (as often as I get to it) with some thoughts, ideas, suggestion in line with the current SEL focus of the term.

Emotional awareness and the ability to pay attention to our emotions and name them, is the first step to learning how to cope with feelings in healthy ways. This week I encourage parents to model this to their children by noticing their own emotions and naming these emotions. For example, "I'm feeling so excited today, I booked our camping trip!" or "I'm a bit stressed right now, it's been a hard day at work." After all, kids learn most by watching us.

Warm Regards
Barbara Kirby
Year 6 parent
'Best Me I Can Be' Committee parent rep

OverDrive’s Chill Out & Read global reading program is designed to encourage your students to keep reading all year long. This 10-week program, running 6 June – 15 August, will be available to all students and staff in our schools. The collection includes 26 free and simultaneous use ebooks (with select audiobook and Read-Along options).   How it works:

• Students: launch Sora
• Tap/Click the Explore tab
• The first thing they will see is a new Collection called ‘Chill Out & Read’
• All the titles in this collection can be borrowed by all students and staff who use Overdrive in the world at the same time from today until 15th August!

This week's canteen specials:-

Cheese burger (meat, cheese and sauce) $4.50
Snack Nacho Cup $1.00

CANTEEN CLOSED MONDAYS/TUESDAYS

Happy birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week:

India M, Frankie B, Jacquie L.M, Charlise T and Daniel M.