REFLECTION
Last Sunday’s Second Reading was from 2 Timothy 4:6-8 16-18. The context of this passage is, that St Paul is sitting in prison in Rome knowing that he will probably soon be killed and writing to his young friend Timothy, whom he helped get started as a minister. 

^“6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

A comparison to this scriptural passage can be made to one of our students’ favourite stories “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White. Charlotte the spider, speaks shortly before her death, to Wilbur whom she mentored, very much like Paul, who spoke to Timothy in this scripture passage.  She speaks about why such relationships are important. 

Charlotte said “I’ve always been rather quiet.”

“Yes, but you seem ‘specially so today.  Do you feel all right?” (Wilbur replied)

“A little tired, perhaps.  But I feel peaceful.  Your success in the ring this morning was, to a small degree, my success.  Your future is assured.  You will live, secure and safe, Wilbur.  Nothing can harm you now.”….

“Why did you do this for me?” he asked.  I don’t deserve it.  I’ve never done anything for you.”

“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte.  “That in itself is a tremendous thing.  I wove my webs for you because I like you.  After all, what’s a life, anyway?  We’re born, we live a little while, we die.  A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies.  By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle.  Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”

Let us all be reminded of the special times friends can support each other, even when things feel helpless. Sometimes, what seems a sad time can actually bring out the best in all people.

VISIT FROM STATE MEMBER OF GOVERNMENT, MR NATHANIEL SMITH
Today we are eagerly anticipating a visit from the Member for Wollondilly, Mr Nathaniel Smith, who is visiting St Michael’s School, to talk with us about the concerns we have with overcrowding on bus routes in this area, especially the buses going to Colo Vale and Hilltop.  We gratefully appreciate this opportunity, provided by Nathaniel Smith MP, for student and staff representatives to speak with him about this ongoing problem.

NORTH-WESTERN DIOCESAN PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
Last Wednesday, it was my absolute pleasure to listen to, Charlise Ticchio and Dani Tarabay, present their speeches along with representatives of fifteen schools, at the North Western Public Speaking Competition at St Mary’s Eaglevale.

The girls did a fantastic presentation and should be very proud of their efforts.

Charlise spoke about “Sometimes you will never see the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” and Dani spoke about “What makes an Australian”

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY LAUNCH

This Friday Nov 1^st, we will be holding a Diocesan Social Media Policy Launch for parents in the library. At this meeting, 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.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY
Last Friday St Michael's celebrated World Teachers Day by providing morning tea for our wonderful staff and to say thank you for all that you do. 

ICEBLOCKS
Starting next week, 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 this 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. I am sure that you will make the new families feel very welcome if you see them in the School.

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.

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.

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.

Shoe Tying Workshop
Last Thursday, Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed a visit from Paul and Natasha from Athlete's Foot who held their 'Tying Laces Will Take You Places' shoe lace tying workshop with the students and provided some tips on how to tie shoelaces.  

Responsible Pet Ownership 
The Living Safely with Pets program is delivered to primary schools throughout NSW and targets students in Grades K to 2.  The Program teaches students about how to stay safe around dogs and what it means to be a responsible pet owner in the home and wider community including:

- when dogs should be left alone;
- things we should not do to dogs;
- how can you tell if a dog is happy, frightened or angry;
- a safe way to approach and greet a dog; and
- what to do if approached by an unknown or aggressive dog.

We thank Vicki and her lovely dog Cobie who visited St Michael's.  

Children can also engage with the program at home by visiting the interactive Victor and Victoria’s Pet Town online by clicking the link below.

Further information regarding the NSW Government Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership can be found by clicking the following link:-

Sports Polo Shirt Order 
The P&F will shortly be placing an order for sports polo shirts.  If you wish to purchase, please download, print, complete and return the order form below.  Alternatively, please contact the school and request an order form be sent home.  Sports polo shirts cost $25 and payable by cash only. 

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

Skye H and Nadine S.

Term 4

• All Saints’ Day 1 November
• All Souls’ Day 2 November
• School/Parish Mass Saturday 9^th November 2019 at 5:30pm, St Michael’s Church, Mittagong
• Remembrance Day 11^th November 2019, School Liturgy 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

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
All Saints’ Day is celebrated every year on 1st November, and is a holy day in the Catholic Church. It is a day when we celebrate all the saints of the church as well as those saints who have not yet been recognized by the church. Pope Boniface IV created All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in 609 AD.

All Souls’ Day is celebrated the day after All Saints’ Day, which is on 2nd November every year. It is a day when we honour the dead, and pray for those who have died and not yet reached heaven.

Thank you
to everyone who donated to Year 1 CRAZY SOCK DAY to support the Catholic Missions. The money raised will go towards helping Sister Stan and the children with disability that are in her care in Ghana. Year 1 raised $222.60 with the support of all our wonderful students and family.

Parish/School Mass
Please keep in mind our Parish/School Mass on Saturday the 9^th of November at 5.30pm. It would be lovely to have a large attendance of St Michael’s Families in attendance. The Liturgy group will lead the singing so it will be a joyous occasion.

Catholic Enrichment Programme
This Wednesday night (30^th October, 2019) in the Parish Hall at Bowral at 7:15 pm, there will be a Catholic Enrichment evening where different aspects of our faith will be discussed. This week’s topic will be “The ineffable mystery of God”. All are welcome to attend.

Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC

Thank you to those parents who have kindly returned the P&F Feedback form.  If you have not already done so, we ask that you pease return the feedback form to assist us with planning for 2020.