THE STORIES OF LOST THINGS FOUND
The Gospel from last Sunday Luke 15:1-32, could be referenced as the “Stories of Lost Things Found”. In it we hear Jesus tell three parables involving loss, reconciliation and joy.

The first parable was ‘The Lost Sheep’; the second parable, ‘The Lost Coin’; and the third parable, ‘The Lost Son’- often known as the ‘Prodigal Son’. All of these stories, though different in content, have the same main point. If Jesus told three different stories to get this point across, that tells us that this is a very important message.

In the Gospel, we heard a parable about a man going out to find one lost sheep from his flock and rejoicing when he found it; we heard a parable about a woman who lost a coin and rejoiced when she found it; and last we heard a story about a father who rejoiced when his lost son was found. In each story, someone loses something precious to them. When they find it, they celebrate!

This tells us something about God. God rejoices when people who are not following him, start to follow him. Before we follow God, we could be considered lost. When we choose to give our lives to God and love and follow him as best we can, it’s like being found. This makes God happy, as we see from these three stories. In verse seven of Luke 15 it says, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” In the next story, after the woman celebrates finding her lost coin, verse ten says “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

God loves us, and wants us all to believe in and follow him. What a wonderful message to ponder on today.

WALKATHON
This Friday is our St Michael’s Mittagong P&F Walkathon. We are all very excited about it and looking forward to the day. A couple of important notes about the day:

1. Clothing and Sunscreen
   Sports uniform, hats and own SUNSCREEN are essential. The students have been reminded that they will need to re-apply the sunscreen during the day. If students have the new two-coloured school hats, they can wear these showing their house colour.
2. Food and Water
   The students have been asked to bring their lunch in a plastic bag with their name clearly labelled on it. Prior to leaving school, the students will eat a snack, however, their main lunch will be eaten during the picnic time break, in the middle of the walkathon. Each child is to have their own water bottle with their name clearly marked and they will be walking around the circuit with their water bottle. We will be providing extra water at water stations on the track.
3. Lanyards
   Each child will be wearing a lanyard which has tally dots on it, that will be used to mark off the number of laps they do on the day. The House which has walked the most laps, will receive free play in Week 10. This is not a competition as such as the idea of the day, is to enjoy a community event and have fun doing so.
4. Family
   All family members are welcome to attend the Walkathon to watch the students and cheer them on. There will be a time that the students will be stopping for lunch and you are most welcome to share a picnic with your child/children. The students will need to sit though, in a designated area that will be clearly marked. There will be a coffee van for adults on site at the park. We ask that you do not purchase hot drinks for the students. The children have been told that the coffee van is for adults only, due to safety reasons of hot liquids present. Prices for the “Coffee by James” items are $3.50 for a small cup and $4:00 for a large cup. Cash and Eftpos are available.After the picnic lunch, the students will be provided with a Smooze ice block, before they commence the last of their laps.
5. Parent Helpers
   Parents who have offered to help on the day will be given a fluro vest to wear, so that the students know who is assisting. I thank all those parents who have volunteered to help in any way. We really appreciate your support.
6. Arrival Times
   The class groups will leave St Michael’s at approximately 10:30am and will be joining the school colour houses at the lake. Woolworths Mittagong has kindly donated some watermelon for the students to eat when they arrive at the lake, as a treat for them.
7. Return to School
   At the end of the Walkathon, approximately 1pm, the students will walk back to school with their class teacher. If you wish to collect your child from school once they have arrived back, that is ok. No child will be allowed to leave from Lake Alexandra Park.
8. Sponsorship cards and Go Fund Me Page
   Students are sponsored by a donation and not by the number of laps they walk. Everyone should have received a sponsorship card. You can use this card to collect cash donations or alternatively, there is an online Go Fund Me page- see link below.
   
   Go Fund Me St Michael's Mittagong
   All money collected along with the Sponsorship cards, need to be returned to the school office by this Friday (20^th September).
9. Raffle
   The P&F had some prizes donated to them and ran a raffle for these prizes, in conjunction with the Walkathon. All money raised from the selling of the raffle tickets will go towards the final Walkathon tally. If you have any raffle tickets at home, can they please be returned to school as soon as possible this week, as the raffle will be drawn on Friday at the walkathon.

INFORMATION ABOUT ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK
Due to the Walkathon, there will be no Friday afternoon assembly this week.

SOCCER GALA DAY
Congratulations to all those who participated in the Soccer Gala Day last Thursday. It was a wonderful day, filled with team spirit and positive engagement. Thank you to the many parents who either coached teams and / or provided transport to and from the venue. A big thank you to Mr Tuckwell and the office staff who organised the day so well, especially after it being postponed previously due to weather.

SURF EDUCATION INFORMATION AFTERNOON- MONDAY 23^RD SEPTEMBER-PARENTS WELCOME
Next term, years 4 to 6 will participate in a Surf Skills and Education program. The State Funded Water safety program is made up of two parts, an input session here at school outlining surf safety and this is followed up with a practical session at Sandon Beach in Wollongong. We have chosen to participate in this program as it has educational value especially leading into the summer vacation.

The practical session is a 3hr Surf Skills & Education program which caters for all swimming abilities and has been designed for Stage 2 & 3 students.  Students do not need any prior experience or swimming qualifications, and the courses cater for all fitness levels. All students are expected be able to participate equally.

The information session is on Monday 23^rd September 2019 at 1.40pm in our school hall. Parents are most welcome and are encouraged to attend this information session. 

This session provides valuable information on:

• Coastal studies -coastal geography & environment
• Surf zones – safe and dangerous areas
• Rip education – identification and easy escape methods
• Waves – negotiating and returning to the beach safely

We estimate the cost to families per child for Surf Education Program to be approximately $25. More details regarding the Surf Life Education program will be provided next term.

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal

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.

Dates to Remember: All welcome

Term 3

• Whole School Mass Thursday 26^th September at 9:30 am.  All are welcome. 

Term 4

• Parish Mass Saturday 9^th November 2019 at 5:30pm , St Michael’s Church, Mittagong
• First Holy Communion Sunday 24^th November, St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral
• End of Year Mass Tuesday 17^th of December 2019 at 9:30 am, St Michael’s Church, Mittagong

Last Thursday “Are you ok?” was the question being asked across the nation to remind Australians that every day is the day to meaningfully connect with those we care about and start a conversation that could change a life.

If you have a niggling feeling that someone you know or care about it isn’t behaving as they normally would? Perhaps they seem out of sorts? More agitated or withdrawn? Or they’re just not themselves. Trust that gut instinct and act on it.

 By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up. If they say they are not ok, you can follow our conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are ok, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

If you would like to read more please follow the link: https://www.ruok.org.au/education

Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC

P&F WALKATHON - FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
Not long now!

We hope you are all looking forward to the St Michael’s P&F walkathon. 

We are in need of a few more volunteers, if you are available on the day, please let us know.

Attached is a list of duties for those who have already volunteered to help.  Thank you for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

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.

Learn to Swim (Kinder, Years 1, 2 and 3)
Following on from the success of last year’s Learn to Swim program, this year students in Kinder, Years 1, 2 and 3 will have the opportunity to participate in a Learn to Swim Program in Term 4 from the 25th November - 5th December. This year the Learn to Swim program will be held at the Mittagong Swimming centre. The Learn to Swim program is a necessary life skill for all students. It was quite noticeable at this year’s swimming carnival, that the Learn to Swim program held last year was of great benefit to students not only from increased student participation but also with the confidence shown by students across the swimming events.

We estimate the cost to families per child for the 9 day intensive program to be approximately $85. 

More details for Learn to Swim will be provided next term.

Surf Education Program (Years 4, 5 and 6) 
Next term, years 4 to 6 will participate in a Surf Skills and Education program. The State Funded Water safety program is made up of two parts, an input session here at school outlining surf safety and this is followed up with a practical session at Sandon Beach in Wollongong. We have chosen to participate in this program as it has educational value especially leading into the summer vacation.

The practical session is a 3hr Surf Skills & Education program which caters for all swimming abilities and has been designed for Stage 2 & 3 students.  Students do not need any prior experience or swimming qualifications, and the courses cater for all fitness levels. All students are expected be able to participate equally.

We estimate the cost to families per child for Surf Education Program to be approximately $25. More details regarding the Surf Life Education program will be provided next term.

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

Oliver B, Isaac M, Jason Z, Georgie H, Jordyn M