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THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone in our St Michael’s School community, for a wonderful 2019. It has been a memorable year filled with great success, happiness, special moments and personal gains. A snapshot of some of the events of 2019 can be seen here below:
- Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation
- Parish Masses and liturgies
- Beginning of the School Year Mass
- Catholic Schools Week
- Ash Wednesday Mass
- St Joseph’s Feast Day Mass
- Easter
- St Michael’s Feast Day Mass
- St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day
- End of the School Year Mass
- Holy Week
- Harmony Day
- ANZAC Day March
- National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week
- NAIDOC WEEK presenter Larry Brand
- ANZAC Day
- Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
- Grandparents’ Day (G Day)
- All Saints’ Day
- Remembrance Day
- Year 6 Mass with Bishop
- Year 6 Southern Highland Schools ‘Activate the Fire’
- Farewell Mass for Peter Turner
- Christmas sing-a-long at the local Uniting Church
- Fundraising for Caritas, Australian Catholic Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society, St Therese Orphanage in Maubara, Sr Anna Warlow’s Indigenous Outreach in Western Australia and the Leukaemia Foundation
- Welcome to new Kindergarten students, new students Years 1-6 and families
- Mother’s Day Stall
- Father’s Day Stall
- Walkathon
- PJ Movie Night
- Disco
- Year 6 visiting the Abbey nursing home
- Environmental Awareness Day conducted by Wingecarribee Shire Council at Lake Alexandra
- “The Good, The Beautiful, The True: Student Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking Expo”
- SPLICED EXPO
- West Tigers NRL (whole school)
- Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 went to a Responsible Pet incursion;
- Book Week- STEAM experiences based on the theme of “Reading is my Secret Power”.
- Kindergarten had a day at Mount Annan Botanical Gardens
- Year One and Year Two went to Fitzroy Falls Education Centre
- Year 3 and Year 4 went to the State Library and NSW Art Gallery in Sydney
- Year 5 went to the Mary MacKillop Centre in North Sydney
- Year 5 attended the Wingecarribee Environmental Day held at Lake Alexandra
- Year 6 attended a three day camp at Berry Sports and Recreation Centre
- Year 5 and 6 visited Canberra
- Year 5 visited Chevalier College for a day
- Year 5 and 6 attended a musical at Chevalier College
- Year 5 Fete
- Year 4 Busking Day
- End of year Talent Quest
- Premier’s Reading Challenge
- NAIDOC Medal of Excellence awarded to a Kindergarten child
- “Name the Crane” competition for Bowral Hospital -Year 6 winner and other students won prizes
- Sporting experiences at carnivals for athletics, cross country and swimming
- Gala days for netball, soccer, touch football and AFL
- Some students were able to progress to representation at Regional and Diocesan Carnivals for athletics, cross country and swimming
- Year 5 and Year 6 participated in Public Speaking
- K-3, participated in a nine day swimming program conducted by AUSTswim
- Years 4-6 attended a Surf Lifesaving Water Skills day at Sandon Beach
- ‘The Best Me I Can Be’ program
- The Environment Group harvested potatoes!
- “O” Day for Miss O
- Christmas Concert
- Kinder buddies
- Year 1 buddies
- Annual Talent Quest
Just to name a few ……
Our school could not be the great St Michael's Mittagong that it is, without the generous support we receive from our parents and wider community. Thank you for the honour you bestow, in providing our staff with the opportunity to guide and teach your children. Each day is a special day at St Michaels because of this.
I wish all families a wonderful Christmas shared with family and friends. May 2020, bring an abundance of happy moments and special times with family, friends and our school community.
Merry Christmas everyone.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
“May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
The kindness of Joseph,
The joy of the angels,
The eagerness of the shepherds,
The determination of the Magi,
The peace of the Christ child
And may almighty God, Father and Son
Bless you now and forever”
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
What a fantastic time we had at our Christmas concert last night. It was so great to see so many families and friends attend. The children really enjoyed learning their items and by the look on their faces, they had a wonderful time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Whipp and Mrs Mitchell for the great preparation and organisation of the choreography and for making many of the costumes. Thank you to all staff and students for a wonderful night.
NAIDOC MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
Congratulations to Tom B from Kindergarten who won a NAIDOC Medal of Excellence for his entry in the NAIDOC Week Art Competition. Last Friday we invited Mrs Sharynne Freeman, Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer from our Wollongong Catholic Education Office to present this very special award. We are so proud of you Tom.
FAREWELL MISS O
It is with a great deal of sadness that we farewell our wonderful Miss Shan O’Brien (Miss O). Last night at our concert, the whole school community had a final opportunity to say thank you to Shan for 34 years of special moments shared as a teacher to so many. We wish Miss O every blessing as she embarks on the next stage of her journey. We will still see Miss O here next year as a casual teacher, after she has “travelled the world” as part of the exciting adventures she has planned.
THANK YOU TO MRS THOMAS
Thank you to Mrs Thomas who has been working full time at St Michael's this semester.
PETER TURNER’S FAREWELL MASS
Thank you to Mrs Mitchell, Mrs King and the Year 5 students who attended Mr Peter Turner’s Farewell Mass with me last Thursday. I especially would like to thank Ava L for reading so beautifully at Mass. It was a special ceremony.
END OF YEAR MASS
Today we celebrated our End of Year Mass. This Mass recognised especially our leaving students and families, our Year 6 Class and our retiring teacher Miss O. Mrs Petzer was able to attend which was very special for all. Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students and their families.
During the Mass, some of our students were awarded special awards:
- Principal’s Award for Outstanding Service to the School: Max Gardiner
- Fr Sean’s Award for Parish Involvement: Andelayne Bramble
- The Country Women’s Association Award: Jacqueline Loubry-Muddle
- The Catholic Women’s League Award for Christian Attitude: Mannat Kaur
- St Joseph Award for Application to School Life: Dylan O’Brien
- The Mary MacKillop Award for Leadership: Anika Kirby
WELCOME TO OUR STAFF FOR 2020
We welcome to our staff for 2020, Mr Nathan Sherry as our new Acting Middle Leader and Year 5 teacher; Mrs Janine Webb as our REC release teacher on Year 6 (one day per week) and Mrs Emma Storry as our new School Support Officer (two days per week). We look forward to working with them and welcoming them in the new year.
STAFFING FOR 2020
| Katrina West | Acting Principal |
| Richard Tuckwell | Acting Assistant Principal PDHPE/Sports Teacher 1 day |
| Rebecca Mitchell | Year 6 class teacher Acting Religious Education Coordinator |
| Janine Webb | Year 6 class teacher - REC Release |
| Nathan Sherry | Year 5 class teacher Acting Middle Leader 2 |
| Andrew Nash | Year 4 class teacher |
| Anmarie Moroney | Year 3 class teacher |
| Louise Campbell | Year 2 class teacher |
| Christine Brogan | Year 1 class teacher |
| Bernadette Bourke-Nash | Kinder class teacher |
| Kelly Anderson | Diverse Learning Needs Teacher Classroom Support Year 5 |
| Suzanne Adams | Literacy Support |
| Erin Whipp | Creative Arts Teacher - Dance/Drama |
| Keva Abotomey | Creative Arts - Music |
| SUPPORT STAFF | |
| Rachell Berrell | SSSO/School Secretary |
| Hilda Townsend | SSO classroom/office |
| Carol Davies | SSO classroom/office alternate Wednesday |
| Linda Sewell | SSO library/classroom alternate Wednesday |
| Jennine Toohey | SSO classroom/library |
| Emma Storry | SSO school support |
SCHOOL DATES
School concludes for all students on Wednesday 18 December and resumes for students in Year 1 to Year 6 on Wednesday 29 January 2020. Kindergarten 2020 students will attend their individual Best Start dates and then start together on Thursday 6 February.
Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated for Student of the Week
Kinder - Maggie Steele
Year 1 – Mia Lewis
Year 2 – Archie Putland
Year 3 – Zoe Lamour
Year 4 – Skye Alexander
Year 5 – Karrwii Fair-Townsend
The trophies were presented to Mia and Skye.
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.
DECEMBER
| Wednesday 18th | Last day of School for 2019 for students and staff |
| Thursday 19th | Closed |
| Friday 20th | Closed |
JANUARY 2020
| Tuesday 28th | Staff return |
| Wednesday 29th | Years 1-6 commence Kindergarten Best Start Assessments commence |
| Thursday 30th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
| Friday 31st | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
FEBRUARY
| Monday 3rd | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue Healthy Harold (Years 1-6) |
| Tuesday 4th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue Healthy Harold (Year 1-6) |
| Wednesday 5th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue Healthy Harold (Years 1-6) |
| Thursday 6th | Kindergarten commence full day |
| Wednesday 12th | Swimming Carnival (Years 2-6) |
The link below will take you straight to the parent calendar.
Today we celebrated a lovely Mass to end our school year and farewell students and families who are moving on. I would especially like to thank all the children from the Liturgy Group for their participation in all of the Masses and liturgies throughout the year. Thank you, Father Sean, for your support and guidance once again in 2019.
The money that was raised from Miss O day, $187.25, has been donated to the Leukemia Foundation. This is a worthy cause and is close to Miss O’s heart, especially as one of our previous students has been fighting Leukemia over the past year.
PARISH NEWS
Friday the 20th December, 6pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church at Bowral the Second Rite of Reconciliation will be available for all who wish attend. Father Sean has organised for 5 or 6 priests to administer this rite.
It begins with a reading and brief homily. The priests then will move to different locations around the church and individuals choose a priest to speak to. Whilst no restriction is placed on the individual’s confession, usually it is a shorter conversation than the First Rite.
The Second Rite is a great way for children and adults to prepare spiritually for the season of Christmas.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Vigil Mass Christmas Eve
6.00PM Bowral
8.00PM Mittagong
11.00pm Bowral
Christmas Morning Mass
7.30am Mittagong
9.00am Bowral
A HUMBLE CHRISTMAS PRAYER
God, our Creator, we offer this humble prayer on Christmas Day. We come to worship with a song of thanks in our hearts—a song of redemption, a song of hope and renewal. We pray for joy in our hearts, hope in our God, love to forgive, and peace upon the earth. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray your blessings on all people. May there be bread for the hungry, love for the unlovable, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth. We pray for the forgiveness of sinners and abundant life in Christ. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love and power. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
–Rev. Lia Icaza Willetts
Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC
The Catholic Education Office and its system of Schools are in the process of a business transformation. Part of this transformation involves a new administration and accounting package being rolled out to schools. As you would be aware our school has been introducing Compass as our administration system over a period of time. It is now fully functioning together with a new web based accounting system called Technology One.
This will allow for School Fees in 2020 to be invoiced centrally by the Catholic Education Office under advice from schools. Additionally, families will still be offered the opportunity of paying their school fees by regular payments over the school year as is the existing practice. However, the new system also allows for instalments to be calculated and advised to families with a Schedule of Payments and the date that they are due. This replaces our current process of School Fee Agreements and the necessity for families to calculate their own payments.
With the introduction of the new system, we now have the ability to generate system reminders for late payments. Should you default in your payments, reminders will be issued for each payment missed and they will continue to be issued until your account is brought up to date.
You will also have the opportunity to contact the school, if necessary in these circumstances, to provide explanation and make a further arrangement for payment.
Please note that fees can be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly. If payments commence on 30 January 2020 the weekly payments will be made over 44 weeks; the fortnightly payments will be over 22 fortnights and the monthly payments will be over 11 months. This will ensure that fees are finalised by 4 December 2020.
If you are paying by CDF Direct Debit or BPay please ensure that the amount you are currently paying will be sufficient to cover your commitment for 2020.
If you need to alter your Direct Debit please contact the school office to have a CDF Direct Debit Alteration form sent home for completion.
DIOCESAN REQUEST TO PAY SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT FORM
A copy of the Diocesan Request to Pay School Fees by Instalment form for 2020 is attached for your reference.
If you wish to pay your 2020 Fees by instalments please complete this form and email it to: instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au for processing by the Finance Team at CEDoW.
HAIRSTYLES AND UNIFORM
During the holidays, children will undoubtedly have haircuts in preparation for the school year ahead. A reminder to parents that hairstyles for the school term should not attract attention. Hair for both boys and girls should be neat and tidy and of natural colour. Rat tails, shaved indents and hair covering eyes etc, are not permitted.
Please also be aware of the School’s Uniform Policy especially in regards to sport shoes, which are to be predominantly WHITE in colour.
WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN
We have been advised that majority of our resources ordered with the Earn and Learn points this year are on back order and are not due to arrive until next year.
2020 CLASS RESOURCE LIST
A copy of the 2020 Resource List has been distributed to all students. The link below has a list of all class grade requirements.
In 2020, a new Consent for Use of Student's Works/Images Form is required to be signed by parents and returned to the School. It is important that this form, when sent home early in the new year, is completed, signed and returned to the school as soon as possible.
It is now required that the school must receive permission on an annual basis.
Unfortunately, if the form is not returned we are not able to display, publish, publically acknowledge or "use" any of your student's works or images. This includes but is not limited to our newsletter, social media, newspaper articles, or in school displays/Open Days/Showcases (eg SPLICED, Gday, Office Displays, assemblies), Diocesan publications or Catholic Education Office Publications.
A copy of this form is below.
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week:
Jacob H, Lincoln L, Alivia D, Harry P and Chase R
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday during the school holidays:
Sienna D, Xavier G, Thomas B, Beau B, Oliver M, Codie R, Karrwii F.T, Corin M, Emily P, Sophie J, Mason P, Nicholas N, Chloe M
