REFLECTION
Each week, either Mrs Petzer or I, begin the newsletter with a reflection, usually based around the readings from the weekend Masses or a theme that is relevant to our school. When I was thinking about the reflection I would write this week, I immediately knew what I wanted to share with you- a poem about friendship.  This beautiful poem, written by one of our talented staff members, was recited at the G Day concert last Friday by Kindergarten. The words of this poem, reflect everything we hold dear to us about being a friend, here at St Michaels. These words too are reflected in the interactions we see between our students, our staff and our parents. We are so blessed to have such strong friendships in our lives and it is so important to value these friendships.

So take a moment to read this wonderful poem and the message our Kinder students have told us about the importance of being a friend.

What is a Friend?
What is a friend? I heard someone say
As I was on my way out to play

That little question made me think
But I had the answer, quick as a wink

A friend is someone who makes you smile
Who’ll stop and chat and play for a while

A friend will listen and help and share
A friend will always show you they care 

A friend will know if you’re feeling sad
They’ll cheer you up and make you feel glad

A friend will help you learn something new
But more than that and this is so true

A friend will love you for just being you!

BBN

G DAY GRATITUDE
Last Friday was a special day to remember. It was our “G Day” celebration and celebrating with gratitude was definitely abundant that day.

The day commenced with a very moving liturgy, blessing the special people in our students lives. A highlight of the liturgy was the video reflection by the students about their grandparents. Thank you to Mrs Mitchell for preparing the Grandparents liturgy and to the students, staff and visitors, who participated wholeheartedly throughout.

Following the liturgy, was a fantastic morning tea. Thank you to all the wonderful parents who sent in food items for both morning tea and lunch and to the parents who helped on the day, preparing the morning tea and lunch and cleaning up afterwards. We greatly appreciate your kindness and support.

 The highlight of our day was our G Day concert:

• Year 6 and Miss O made us laugh, with their take on preparing for drumming…… The drumming to “My Island Home” by the way, was magnificent!
• Year 1 made us smile, with their “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” songs.
• Year 4 sang a beautiful song called “A Million Dreams” and creatively danced the “Best Time of my Life”.
• Kindergarten were as special as ever, reciting an original poem titled “What is a Friend?”, which was written by a very talented staff member and sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
• Year 5 showed off their fantastic technology skills by creating a wonderful video presentation of “Macarena/Nutbush” whilst dancing on stage as well as a mixed dance and Song combo of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” and “Shotgun”. Very creative Year 5!!
• Year 3 made us all want to get up and jive to the “Universal Slide”. They completed their item with a beautiful song called “Lighthouse.”
• Year 2 definitely entertained the audience with their fun Jailhouse Rock song and dance.
• Our concert concluded with the St Michael’s Liturgy Group singing a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace-My Chains have Gone”.

To our amazing St Michael's staff – thank you for the time and effort put in to organising the GDay liturgy, events, Book Fair and concert.

To our St Michael’s Mittagong parents – thank you for providing a wonderful morning tea and lunch for our Grandparents and for all your help in setting and cleaning up. It is truly appreciated.

To our students- what a wonderful concert performance you put on for our special visitors.  Everyone enjoyed the classroom visits and there was a lot of wonderful interaction with our special guests.

To our Grandparents and special guests- we hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did. Thank you for the very positive feedback and wonderful comments you have given about the day. It is such a pleasure to have you visit our school.

FATHERS DAY
I hope that all our dads, uncles and grandfathers had a special day on Sunday, celebrating Fathers day. It is such a lovely time for families to remember the special people in their lives, as well as those who may no longer be with us.

A big thank you to the P&F for the wonderful Father’s Day stall they held last week. I’m sure the dads enjoyed opening the lovely gifts the students purchased. 

EXCELLENCE IN BEHAVIOUR AWARD
Kindergarten were so excited this week to receive a special award from the Australian Botanical Gardens.

The award stated:

“Dear students of St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Mittagong,

We would like to thank you for your outstanding behaviour during your excursion to the Australian Botanical Gardens on Tuesday 16^th August 2019.

Our guides Megan and Jess noted that you asked interesting question, were engaged all day and respected the environment.

Well Done!”

Signed J O’Brien.

I was so excited to hear about this award Kindergarten. We are all so very proud of you and the way you represented our school on your very first excursion. Congratulations!

WALKATHON
Time is getting closer to the big day, as we prepare for our Walkathon on Friday 20^th of September. Thank you to all of those parents who have already helped their children gather sponsors for the day. There are two ways you can collect sponsorship- either the paper card and collecting of money or online via the Go Fund Me Page. Please see further details in the P&F section of our newsletter.

RAFFLE
In conjunction with the Walkathon, the P&F are holding a raffle. The prizes are:

5 x 2 gold event cinema tickets, 4 x children hampers from Bowral Sweets and Treats and 1 adult hamper from the Mittagong Information Centre! 10 prizes in total. 

 Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5.

Raffle ticket books are available at the office, if you would like to take some to sell. If you would like some raffle tickets, please fill in the form at the end of the newsletter. 

BOOK FAIR
A big thank you to Mrs Linda Sewell for organising the Book Fair last week. There is a lot of organisation involved in running a Book Fair. I greatly appreciate Mrs Sewell’s enthusiasm shown towards this wonderful event and thank you also to the other staff members who supported Mrs Sewell with is. There was such a great range of books that the children could purchase. Thank you to our students, parents and grandparents who supported the Book Fair.

STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY
A reminder that NEXT MONDAY 9^TH SEPTEMBER, is our Staff Spirituality Day. This is a pupil free day for the students. As all staff will be involved in the retreat, the office will be closed on that day.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.
Have a lovely week.

Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal

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Tear off form- P&F Raffle tickets

Prizes: 5 x 2 gold event cinema tickets, 4 x children hampers from Bowral Sweets and Treats and 1 adult hamper from the Mittagong Information Centre! 10 prizes in total. 

 Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5.

Tickets will be available NOW from the school office up until the Walkathon day and on the day at the Walkathon. Prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the Walkathon and winners notified by phone.

The proceeds of the raffle will form part of the Walkathon funds raised and will be used for educational resources for the benefit of students of St Michael’s School.

Raffle tickets (sold and unsold) and money needs to be returned to the school office before the Walkathon.  

I would like to take _________ books of raffle tickets to sell.

Signed ________________

Eldest child’s name and class  ______________________

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.

Last Friday we celebrated Grandparents and great people in the lives of our students. A very big thankyou to all Grandparents and great people who attended the liturgy and the amazing concert.

On Monday the 2^nd September we celebrated the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation with a whole school Liturgy. It is a season dedicated to prayer for the protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable life styles running from 1 September to the 4 of October (the feast of St Francis of Assisi). Pope Francis calls us all to celebrate this moment to “reaffirm our personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork that he has entrusted to our care, and to ask his help for the protection of creation, as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live”. During this time as followers of God, we need look at how we interact with our environment and think about ways we can reduce our own carbon footprint.

Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC

P&F WALKATHON - FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
It’s time to get excited! Just under 4 weeks until our Walkathon Fundraiser.

Have you started fundraising?  A reminder that you can raise funds traditionally (cash donations) or via the online Go Fund Me Page. Money raised through cash donations can be recorded in the sponsorship form and handed into the front office. 

Donations can also be made online via the Go Fund Me P&F Event fundraising page, broadening the reach of your child’s fundraising efforts.

This year we have the created an online platform for those families who wish to seek donations from family, relatives and friends who may not live local but would like to donate.  Please head to https://www.gofundme.com Search 'St Michael's P&F Walkathon Fundraiser'.  Feel free to share the go fund me link with your friends and family.  

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Thank you for your support and happy fundraising!!!

On behalf of the P&F we sincerely thank you for supporting the fundraiser.  Our events wouldn't be as fun without the support from our local community of sponsors and volunteers.  It really is a pleasure being a part of such a great team. Thank you to all who have offered their help.  It is very much appreciated!

RAFFLE

Prizes: 5 x 2 gold event cinema tickets, 4 x children hampers from Bowral Sweets and Treats and 1 adult hamper from the Mittagong Information Centre! 10 prizes in total. 

 Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5.

Tickets will be available NOW from the school office up until the Walkathon day and on the day at the Walkathon. Prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the Walkathon and winners notified by phone.

The proceeds of the raffle will form part of the Walkathon funds raised and will be used for educational resources for the benefit of students of St Michael’s School.

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

Liam G, Olivia D, Harry D and Deeks S