WORLD TEACHERS DAY
During our school holidays on October 5^th, was World Teachers’ Day. On this day, people around the world celebrate and honour the profession of teaching and the importance of teachers to their students’ lives. The theme this year, was “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession.” The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, to take stock of achievements, and to address some of the issues central for attracting and keeping the brightest minds and young talents in the profession.

We are very blessed here at St Michael’s, with the wonderful teachers we have on staff, as well as the great casual staff that come to support our staff and students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff for the professional and caring way they support our students …. making a difference to every child.

Heart of A Teacher
by Paula J. Fox

The child arrives like a mystery box…
with puzzle pieces inside,
some of the pieces are broken or missing…
and others just seem to hide.

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out…
and help the child to see,
the potential for greatness he has within…
a picture of what he can be.

Their goal isn’t just to teach knowledge…
by filling the box with more parts,
it’s putting the pieces together…
to create a work of art.

The process is painfully slow at times…
some need more help than others,
each child is a work in progress…
with assorted shapes and colours.

First they create a classroom…
where the child can feel safe in school,
where she never feels threatened or afraid to try…
and kindness is always the rule.

They know that a child can achieve
much more when he feels secure inside,
when he’s valued and loved…and believes in himself …
and he has a sense of pride.

They model and teach good character…
and respect for one another,
how to focus on strengths…not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other.

They give the child the freedom he needs…
to make choices on his own,
so he learns to become more responsible…
and is able to stand alone.

He’s taught to be strong and think for himself…
as his soul and spirit heal,
and the puzzle that’s taking shape inside…
has a much more positive feel.

The child discovers the joy that comes…
from learning something new…

and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things he can do.

A picture is formed as more pieces fit…
an image of the child within,
with greater strength and confidence…
and a belief that he can win!

All because a hero was there…
in the HEART of a teacher who cared,
enabling the child to become much more…
than he ever imagined…or dared.

A teacher with a HEART for their children…
knows what teaching is all about,
they may not have all the answers…
but on this…they have no doubt.

When asked which subjects they loved to teach,
they answered this way and smiled…
“It’s not the subjects that matter…

It’s all about teaching the CHILD.”

Happy World Teachers Day, to not only our wonderful teachers and support staff, but to all who play a part in educating a child in their own unique and special way.

ICEBLOCKS
Starting in Week 4, the Year 6 Social Group will be selling ice blocks at the afternoon tea break on Mondays and Tuesdays for 30 cents each until the end of Term.

KINDER 2020 Playgroup and Orientation
Our new Kindergarten class for 2020 will begin their transition to school with the Kinder playgroup on Friday 1st November at 2.20pm. The children enrolled at St Michael's for next year and their families are invited to come along for a play and to make some new friends. This program will run for 4 Friday afternoons in November.

On Tuesday 19 November, at 9am there will be a more formal Kinder Orientation meeting for the children and families to find out about life at St Michael's’ in readiness for 2020.

Thank you to the current Kinder parents who have returned notes offering to provide something for Morning Tea on the 19^th November.   If you are able to donate or provide something for morning tea and have not yet returned your note, please contact the office.

We are need of parents to help with the setting up, serving and cleaning on the day.  Please contact the school if you are able to assist.

BUSHFIRE  
Due to a warm, dry winter in many parts of NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service has brought forward the declaration of the Bushfire Danger Period (BDP), commonly known as the Bushfire Season, in most council areas in NSW, particularly along the coast.  We felt it was important that all parents are aware of our School Bushfire Procedure.

Bush Fire Emergency Procedures
In the event of a Bush Fire two options for action are available to the ‘Person in Charge’. The implementation of these options will be dependent on the predicted weather conditions such as the temperature, humidity and wind conditions as well as advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service. At all times the students, staff and parents/visitors safety will be paramount.

1. School Closure Procedure
School Closure Procedures will be invoked upon notification from the CEO. A decision to close the school is likely to occur outside of school hours and so it is important that parents/carers and staff listen to the local ABC radio and check www.nswrfs.gov.au

If a decision is taken to pre-emptively close a school because of an emergency situation, it is vital that communication with families is effective and timely, so they can make arrangements for their children to be supervised by an adult if they are not able to be at school. Please ensure that your emergency contact details are up to date via Compass.

2. Bushfire Evacuation Procedure
If conditions prevent staff, students and visitors leaving the school site safely due to insufficient time or unsafe conditions the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’ procedures will be invoked. Bushfire Evacuation procedures will be invoked if there is an immediate level of risk as a result of a Bush Fire alert. In this instance, all students, staff and visitors will be located to a central and relatively fire-safe building in the school premises to increase ease of protection. This will be known as the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’.

At St Michael’s School Mittagong the ‘Bushfire Evacuation’ is the current School Hall.

As part of our procedures, a "bushfire drill" was held last Thursday.

DIOCESAN PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
Tomorrow, Charlise (Year 6) and Dani (Year 5) will be representing our school at the North West Primary Cluster CDF Regional Public Speaking Competition held at Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Eagle Vale. The girls will be competing against 15 other speakers in each division from 15 schools in the Macarthur Area and Southern Highlands areas. We wish the girls every success.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Mannat and Max who received awards at the recent Diocesan Christmas Story Art Competition. Mannat was awarded Highly Commended and Max was announced as one of the Year 6 Winners, whose work will now go to be judged with winners from the Sydney Diocese and the Bathurst Diocese at Notre Dame University in Sydney. We are very proud of Mannat and Max’s fantastic artworks. 

Congratulations to Kalea in Year 6 for her fantastic results in the Southern Highlands Christian School Interschools Equestrian Competition on the weekend. She had a great day competing against other local Year 6 students.

STUDENT PHONE REMINDER
Please be aware that any child who brings a phone to school, must hand the phone into the class teacher for safe keeping, at the beginning of the day. The phones will be stored securely. As there are many children with phones in the senior grades, we are quite concerned with them being left unattended. Phones are very costly to repair or replace. The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

Phones should have a name on them, if possible, to identify them, as many are locked with a passcode and some at times, have been left at the school, with no way for the staff to know who has left it behind. Phones should not be left in bags as they could get broken.

A reminder also, to not send any text messages or iMessages to your child, via their phones or ipads during school time. All messages should be directed to the school office and they will definitely be passed onto the students.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY LAUNCH
On Friday Nov 1^st, we will be holding a Social Media Policy Launch for parents in the library, where additional information about technology and the Diocesan Social Media Policy, will be explained further. All parents are welcome to attend this launch. To make this easier for parents, we have timetabled it whilst the School Disco is on. This meeting will commence at 5:45pm.

Have a lovely week.

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.

Term 4

• First Holy Communion classes start from Sunday 20^th October 2019
• Year 1 Fundraiser 25^th October 2019, Crazy Sock Day Catholic Mission Fundraiser
• School/Parish Mass Saturday 9^th November 2019 at 5:30pm, St Michael’s Church, Mittagong
• Remembrance Day Liturgy 9th November 2019 at 9.30am
• Year 5 Mini Fete, Maubara Fundraiser, 22nd November 2019
• First Holy Communion Sunday 24^th November, St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral
• St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal Christmas Hampers collection 18^th November 2019
• End of Year Mass Tuesday 17^th of December 2019 at 9:30 am, St Michael’s Church, Mittagong

It was lovely to see everyone who came for the Catholic Mission Liturgy on Friday the 18^th October, 2019. The Year 6 Mission Group are to commended for the reverence they presented at the Liturgy.

We will be raising some needed funds for Sister Stan and the children at The Nazareth Home for Gods Children (Catholic Missions) this Friday. Children are able to wear CRAZY SOCKS with their NORMAL SCHOOL UNIFORM. If each student can bring in a GOLD coin to donate towards helping Sister Stan look after the children in Ghana with disabilities. 

Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC

Save the Date: 'St Michael's Mittagong Parent Information Night -
CEO Social Media Policy'  Friday 1st November 6pm

In our Term 2 Week 6 newsletter we advised of the recently launched Catholic Education Office new Social Media Policy. 

To provide parents with details regarding the policy and to help parents navigate complexities of this area of student and school life we will be holding a parent information session on Friday 1st November at 6pm.  

This session will be held on the same night as the P&F Disco.  Whilst students are at the disco, parents are invited to attend the information session which will be held in the library.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Parents are invited to read over the policy that is available on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Website (click the link >) Social Media Information for Parents

As part of social media awareness, we have throughout the year via the newsletter, provided 'App Fact Sheets' on various apps that are used today.  Please click the link below to access these fact sheets.

School Fees
Please ensure that your school fee payments are up to date to have your school fees paid by Friday 6th December.  Payment of school fees are part of your enrolment obligation and receiving these are imperative for the running of the school.  If you are having trouble paying your school fees, please contact the school office to make an appointment to see Mrs West.

Bus Pass Applications for 2020
Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019.

 Students progressing to year 3 no longer need to re-apply if they:

• are continuing at the same school
• are residing at the same address
• have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Any students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Shoe Tying Workshop
Ascent Footwear in partnership with The Athlete’s Foot will be visiting St Michael's Mittagong on 24th October 2019 to host their Lace Tying Lessons for students in Kinder, 1 and 2.

St Michael's Parents and Friends Association (P&F) plays a vital part in supporting the school community. It is a forum for parents to contribute suggestions and ideas that assist the principal's role of building a welcoming and supportive community.

These events would not happen without the help of volunteers. Every family at the school is automatically a part of the P&F and is invited to attend meetings, events and help where possible. The level of involvement in the P&F is up to the individual and can range from being a committee member, class coordinator, attending meetings, or helping out when there is an event on.

Every P&F fundraiser is run entirely by volunteers - from the big jobs of organising events, right down to baking cupcakes or manning a sausage sizzle for an hour. No amount of support is too great or small.
In recent years, money raised by P&F has been used to purchase library resources, update technology (ipads in 2018 and 2019), contributing towards the cost of buses for:-

• Year 5 Mary MacKillop excursion,
• bus for Year 6 camp; and
• bus to 2019 Surf Education.  

The assistance with the cost of buses, greatly helps make the cost of these excursions affordable.

The P&F would like to take this opportunity thank you for your donations & support, and would like to seek your feedback on fundraising efforts.

Accompanying this newsletter is a P&F Feedback form which we ask that all families complete and return.  We understand that family life can get very busy, it should not take long to complete the survey.    We ask that the form is returned to the School by Monday 28th October.

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

Bridget R and Dallas T.