THE PARABLES OF JOY

Last Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 13:44-52 talks about the Kingdom of God. Jesus told his disciples stories of the Kingdom through three parables: The Parable of the Hidden treasure; The Parable of the Pearl and the Parable of the Drag Net.

These parables are known as the parables of joy.

44“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

45“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl are both parables of discovery, joy, and action. The merchant is actively looking for pearls, while the other man just stumbles onto treasure in a field. Both men, however, recognize the overwhelming value of their discovery, and sell everything so that they might buy it. They are overwhelmed with the joy of discovery and the prospect of possessing such treasure. They are like the disciples, who left everything to follow Jesus.

Jesus’ message to all of us through this Gospel story, is to value the “treasure” we have today… not the physical treasure that can be lost or taken away, but the “treasure” that is the love of our families and friends and the caring community that we strive to be. May we always be reminded to find the “treasure” in our lives each day. In that way, we are truly blessed.

GDAY CELEBRATIONS
Each year, we celebrate GDAY on the Friday before Father’s Day. It is a time to recognise the “Great People” in the students’ lives, such as their grandparents or carers. This year, due to COVID 19 restrictions, we will not be able to have our “Great People” onsite, however we have plans underway, to create an online celebration, that all the students families can watch.

Last week, I asked if you could email photos of the children’s grandparents or great people. The photo can either be the grandparents by themselves or with the children/family. It is very important that we get these photos by the end of Week 3. Thank you to the families who have already sent these to us. We need many more photos though.

FAMILY WALL
Our School Family wall in the office, is really looking great, and we have had such lovely compliments by visitors, especially our new Kinder families, as well as our students. It is a special way to showcase our St Michael’s community. If you still haven’t sent in a photo, it is not too late to do so. Please email it to our office or else, send in a photo and we can scan it and return it to you.

“OLDEN DAY” CLOTHES
Just a reminder that the children will be dressing up in “olden day” clothes as part of our celebrations for Mary MacKillop Feast day on Friday 7^th August (Week 3). Please do not go to any expense with this. Our school was built in 1891, so clothes similar to what the children would have worn then, would be appropriate. Just items that you would already have at home.

Here are a couple of photos of what school children have worn on these types of dress up days in the past.

Have a wonderful week everyone,
Take care and God Bless
Katrina West

This term we are continuing our Friday assemblies online.  You can view the assemblies either via your child's SeeSaw page or via our St Michael's Facebook page.

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.

A reminder that the gymnastics program will start this Thursday for all students.

The sessions will run every Thursday in Term 3. 

A catch up date for last Thursday has been organised for the 14th August 2020.

The Gymnastrix program will be run by qualified gymnastics teachers and held in the school hall.  All Gymnastrix staff deliver programs with student's health and safety in mind, including all the guidelines set out in AHPPC Guidelines and Advice from NSW Health.

Gymnastrix at Schools program helps to improve children's dominant movement patters, physical abilities, brain development and compliments our PDHPE pgroam.

Part of the cost of the gymnastics program has been included in your 2020 excursion levy.  We have applied for funding from the Australian Government Schools Program to cover the remainder of the cost involved.  There will be no further cost to you.

Further information can be found on the Gymnastrix website: www.gymnastrix.com.au

If for some reason, you do NOT want your child to participate, we ask that you telephone the school immediately.

Due to the gymnastics program, for Term 3 we ask that all students wear their SPORTS UNIFORM on Wednesdays and Thursdays only this term.

Christmas Story Art Competition will continue to be conducted in 2020.  Years 5 and 6, Stage 3 students will once again be offered the opportunity to participate in this competition. As per previous years, successful entries from students of the Wollongong Diocese will be selected for display at the Sydney Christmas Art Competition and Exhibition. The format of this competition and exhibition may be modified to comply with government requirements and systemic guidelines that will be in force at the time of the competition.

If you have a student in Year 5 or Year 6 and they wish to do their artwork on a canvas, there is a compulsory size range for the canvas. Minimum size must be 30cm x 40cm; Maximum size is 80cm x120 cm. If you are purchasing a canvas for your child, can they please be at school by next Monday, 3^rd August. Thank you.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel some of our events. Other events we still hope to conduct albeit in an altered or amended capacity (dependent on current advice/restrictions).  Moving forward, the P&F will continue our work to provide St Michael's with opportunities that promote a sense of community whilst raising much needed funds for our school.  What is most important now is that we continue to look after each other, with love, compassion, generosity and to support the school community in whatever way we can. 

P&F Meeting
As adult gatherings are still not possible on the school site due to current COVID19 restrictions, the P&F would like to hold their next "virtual" meeting via Zoom.  The meeting will be held on Friday 14th August at 1.00pm.   All parents and carers welcome.  We are hoping that by holding the meeting via Zoom it will allow more people to connect and ‘attend’ the meeting.

Please email info@smmdow.catholic.edu.au for the zoom meeting details

Thank you for your continued support of the St Michael's P&F Association.

Diocesan Sporting events updated of suspended events

Please be advised of the following cancellations in early term 3.

• 31/7 - Soccer gala days
• 6/8 - West Region Athletics

Further information can be found on our CEO website -

Please see link below and if you have any questions please contact the office.

Students showing signs of being unwell must be sent home ASAP (and if unwell with respiratory illness, they must stay home until symptoms resolve and seek advice from a medical practitioner).

Mrs Sewell

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

Lucy H