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WELCOME TO TERM THREE
Welcome back to all our students, staff and community members. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday, sharing many great moments with your family and friends. This week we welcome a new family to St Michaels- the Potter-Freckelton family. Kylah has joined our Year 1 class. We wish you a wonderful experience at St Michael's.
REFLECTION- GIVING THANKS TO GOD
Over this past weekend, people and church groups around the world, have been joining in celebration, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Whilst I was reading about this historic event, I came across information about a very significant spiritual event that occurred on this same mission. One of the astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, took a moment after landing, to give thanks to God by taking communion. Buzz Aldrin said at the time, “I wondered if it might be possible to take communion on the moon, symbolising the thought that God was revealing Himself there, too, as man reached out into the universe”.
Prior to the launch, Buzz Aldrin had been given permission to take a communion host, wine and small chalice on board. In the stillness after the lunar landing, Buzz radioed back to Earth “This is the LM (Lunar Module) pilot. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever they may be and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way”.
Then, Buzz quietly read from St John’s Gospel 15:15, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me, will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing”. He then took communion, watched on by Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin has said of that moment, “At the time, I could think of no better way to acknowledge the Apollo 11 experience, than by giving thanks to God”.
Recognising the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, gives us an opportunity for prayer and reflection…. to think about the awesomeness and immensity of the universe…. and allow us to experience our own sense of wonder and awe of God’s creation. Space exploration has also enabled us to see the beauty and fragility of our earth.
Half a century on, from the first time man walked on the moon, people around the world are remembering this occasion through prayer and reflection. This special prayer, below, is one that has been shared for all to contemplate. God certainly does reveal Himself to us, through the beauty of our world and the beauty of the relationships we share within it. Let us each take many “small steps” to cherish this world created for us.
Staff Changes for Term 3
As you would be aware by now, Mrs Petzer will be Relief Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Bowral for this term, whilst their principal, Mrs Lane is on leave. I will be Acting Principal for St Michael’s Mittagong and Mr Tuckwell will be Acting Assistant Principal whilst Mrs Petzer is supporting our other parish school at Bowral. Mrs Campbell is on long service leave for this term and we welcome Mrs Maganja, who will be teaching the Year 2 class. Thank you to all the staff, students and parents for your support of these changes.
Fortnite APP Factsheet
Please see attached “APP Facts” sheet on Fortnite. Please take the time to read the fact sheet.
Languages Survey
Last term, a Language survey form was sent home. If you have not already done so, we ask that you please complete and return to the school by Friday 26th July. The Catholic Education Office is currently trying to get a clear picture of the different language backgrounds of all of the families in the Diocese in order to put in place supports to best meet student needs.
I wish everyone a wonderful Term 3. I sincerely thank you for your continued support of our school community. Have a lovely week.
Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal.
Father Sean is celebrating a special anniversary this year; 35 years since his ordination! We congratulate Fr Sean and express our gratitude for his continuing guidance and support.
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
(By John Cardinal O'Connor, 1995)
Lord Jesus, we your people pray to you for our priests.
You have given them to us for our needs.
We pray for them in their needs.
We know that you have made them priests
in the likeness of your own priesthood.
You have consecrated them,
set them aside, anointed them,
filled them with the Holy Spirit,
appointed them to teach,
to preach, to minister,
to console, to forgive,
and to feed us with your Body and Blood.
Yet we know, too, that they are one with us
and share our human weaknesses.
We know too that they are tempted to sin and discouragement as are we,
needing to be ministered to, as do we,
to be consoled and forgiven, as do we.
Indeed, we thank you for choosing them from among us,
so that they understand us as we understand them,
suffer with us and rejoice with us,
worry with us and trust with us,
share our beings, our lives, our faith.
We ask that you give them this day the gift
You gave your chosen ones on the way to Emmaus:
Your presence in their hearts,
Your holiness in their souls,
Your joy in their spirits.
And let them see you face to face
in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread.
We pray to you, O Lord,
through Mary the mother of all priests,
for your priests and for ours.
Richard Tuckwell, REC
Thank You to the P&F
A big thank you to the P&F for their contribution contribution of 10 new ipads for the school which were received at the end of last term. The P&F also purchased 6 larger sized AFL/Rugby League jersey sets. Thank you for your support.
Don't forget to return your school photo envelopes. Sibling photo order envelopes are available from the school office.
Hair Styles
A reminder to parents that hairstyles for the School Term should be ones which do not attract attention. Towards the end of last term, a number of boys had very long hair on top of their heads and quite short or shaved backs of their heads. Shaved indents etc are not permitted. Hair for both boys and girls should be neat, tidy and of natural colour. Girls hair that is longer than shoulder length needs to be tied back.
Sports Uniform for Kinder, Year 1 and 2
For this term students in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to wear their sports uniform on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Woolworths Earn and Learn
Thank you to our community for participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn Program. The end tally was 536 fully completed sticker sheets, with a total of 32,160 points. We have ordered some wonderful resources including:-
- STEM building and engineering;
- STEM literacy;
- Natures art and craft; and
- Flexible seating kit
We expect to receive the items in Term 4. Thank you again for your support
School Website
A reminder that our school website is updated with photos throughout the year.
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated for Student of the Week:
Kinder - Halle Whipp
Year 1 – Lincoln Loxley
Year 2 – Bobbiijo Veenstra
Year 3 – Matilda Cornwell
Year 4 – Patrick Cornwell
Year 5 – Aimee Joseph
Year 6 – Charlise Ticchio
The trophies were presented to Matilda and Charlise
Keep up the good work!
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.
JULY
| Tuesday 30th | School Photo Day |
AUGUST
| Wednesday 7th | Year 6 Mass with Bishop (at Moss Vale) |
| Thursday 8th | Mary MacKillop Feast Day (Year 6 Maubara Orphanage Fundraiser) NED Yoyo show |
| Friday 9th | Western Region Diocesan Athletics |
| Friday 16th | SHIPs Athletics Carnival |
| Monday 19th | ACTIVATEfire for Year 6 at STA |
| Tuesday 20th | Book Week Celebration children to wear mufti and a cape to school |
| Wednesday 28th | P&F Father's Day Stall |
| Thursday 29th August | Book Fair |
| Friday 30th August | Book Fair G Day (Grandparents Day) |
SEPTEMBER
| Monday 9th | Staff Spirituality Day (Pupil free day) |
CANTEEN IS CLOSED FIRST WEEK OF TERM 3
Library News – Celebrating Children’s Book Week
17th August – 23rd August
Each year across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week. The theme for book week changes each year. This year’s theme is ‘Reading is my Secret Power’.
We will be celebrating Book Week on Tuesday 20th August 2019. We are asking the children to come to school wearing a cape, which your child can create and make at home or buy if you wish. Please do not go to any expense in costume dress up.
Children are allowed to wear mufti clothes to school on that day. Activities are planned for the middle session of the day.
Thanks
Mrs Sewell
