A Message Of Thanks
Thank you to Fr Sean, the staff, students and parents of St Michael’s Primary, for all of the wonderful support that you have given to me over these past 18 months. I am truly blessed to be working with you all  as part of  this very special St Michael’s Catholic School community. 

Today it has been announced that I will be able to continue this journey with you and your children, in my role as Principal. I am very excited to see what 2021 will bring. Already this past week, we have welcomed  to our school, our new Kindergarten students and their families. The excitement they showed as they embarked on their first steps in their educational journey was certainly so beautiful to see. Watching them reminded me of a special note we gave to our current 2020 children’s parents at the beginning of this year and I thought I would share these thoughts with you, as this message reflects my feeling about learning at St Michaels. 

“I promise you every day

Your child will learn something

Some days they will bring it home in their hands

Some day they will bring it home in their heads 

And some days they will bring it home in their hearts".

My promise to the students of St Michaels, is that they will learn in a variety of ways, something new each day. My promise to the staff of St Michaels, is that I will help enable them to have the skills and opportunities for this learning to occur. And my promise to myself, is that I will be open to listen with my heart, create with my hands and mind and continue to grow as a lifelong learner.  Working together, with the guidance of our faith in God and in one another, we will continue to enable all of our community to flourish in this new world that has been created for us in 2020- embracing the past and looking forward to new beginnings. Please know that I am always here for you. 

Pope Francis relaunches the Global Compact on Education
Pope Francis recently relaunched the Global Compact on Education, appealing to every sector of society around the world to subscribe to, and provide, support. The Pope made the appeal in a video message during a virtual event at Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University.

The initiative promotes the values of care for others, peace, justice, goodness, beauty, acceptance and fraternity in order to build hope, solidarity and harmony everywhere. In his message, Pope Francis drew attention to the challenges and adverse effects of the COVID-19 crisis on educational systems worldwide.

He noted that online educational platforms have brought to light a marked disparity in educational and technological opportunities, forcing some 10 million children to leave school, apart from the already over 250 million school-age children excluded from all educational activities.

In a video message the Pope said that education is above all a matter of love and responsibility handed from one generation to the next. 

"Education is meant to be transformative," 

"To educate is always an act of hope, it should open up new horizons in which hospitality, intergenerational solidarity and the value of transcendence give birth to a new culture.”

"The education process should help respond to today’s challenges and problems and find solutions to the needs of every generation.

"This will help contribute to the flourishing of humanity now and in the future," Pope Francis said. 

He said the Global Compact on Education is "to ensure that everyone has access to a quality education consonant with the dignity of the human person and our common vocation to fraternity".

First Holy Communion
Congratulations to our students who made their First Holy Communion on Sunday as part of our Parish Sacramental Program. Both of the Masses were very special as they were a special celebration of love for one another. Love that the families show in coming together to celebrate an important moment in their child’s faith journey and the love that Jesus gives all of us, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Thank you in particular to Fr Sean, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Moroney and Miss Abotomey for preparing the children. A very special thanks to all the children who recorded their singing for both the Communion and Confirmation Masses. 

Advent
This coming weekend we commence the season of Advent. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year. It is the four weeks before Christmas. It is a time of preparation and waiting for Christmas and a time to help one another. At this present time, our school is collecting food items for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. If you can help by providing food, can these items be brought into school this week please. 

Welcome To Our School
This week we welcome another family to our school. Welcome to Faith in Year 1 and Vincenzo in Year 2. We were very excited to see you join our St Michael’s Primary School community. Thank you to our Year 1 and Year 2 students who have made Faith and Vincenzo’s start to our school, such a special one. 

Leaving Families
Please let us know if you are planning to move your child/children to a different school in 2021 as soon as possible, as we have had quite a few enquiries over the past weeks for new enrolments and we need to gauge an idea of class sizes for 2021.

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.

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

Year 5 Fete
Well done to Year 5 for another fantastic fete. Students enjoyed a variety of activities and games. The white elephant stall proved to be a popular attraction with a variety of toys and other exciting items. Congratulations to the students who won different prizes for competitions during the course of the fete.

The money raised from the fete ($921) will be donated between Sr Anna Warlow’s Good Samaritan Rural Outreach program and the Maubara Orphanage. If you would like to find out more about this Sr Anna Warlow's Good Samaritan program please click on the following link.

https://goodsamsfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SGSF-WINTER-2019-News-.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1R_S-cZT4zcQ0lSMNKLn90bHX8IQqSTmIe-I6KKLvAxJzTPCulnLZvH9Q

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On Sunday students from St Michael’s and St Thomas Aquinas made their First Holy Communion. It was a very special time for the students after a different preparation. A thank you to the parents for preparing the students so well. Thank you to Miss Abotomey and the Liturgy group from both schools for the beautiful music.

SPIRITUALITY DAY
On Friday 13^th November staff at St. Michael’s participated in a spirituality day. The day started with prayer and reflective meditation. The focus of the day was to finalise our school's vision  and mission statement.  Over the last 12 months we have had a collaborative process involving parent surveys and input from students.  has been a collaboration process. On this day, staff explored the current statement and how it links to the charism of Saint Mary MacKillop. The day concluded with a spiritual art activity of staff choosing a quote from St Mary MacKillop and letting the quote speak to them to design a piece of art work on a blank paver. These beautiful pieces of art will be included in the prayer space along with the stones that every student has painted. It was a wonderful reflective and spiritual day. A very big thank you to Mrs West and staff for your participations and engagement.

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper 2020

This week we started collecting donations of non-perishable food items to help St Vincent De Paul support people in our community who need help over the festive period.  These non-perishable food items will be donated to our local St Vincent De Paul Chapter to distribute to families in need within our local community.

Please see below an item list for each year group. There are some suggestions of items for each class but you are not limited to the items.

The Season of Advent
The season of Advent is a period of both repentance and celebration. Christians spend time in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Believers remember not only the Lord's first coming to earth as a human baby but also celebrate his continued presence with us today through the Holy Spirit. Advent is also a time for worshipers to anticipate his return at the Second Coming of Christ. 

The word "advent" comes from the Latin term "adventus" which means "arrival" or "coming," particularly the arrival of something or someone of great significance. 

This Sunday, the 29th November will be the first Sunday of Advent, and the first purple (or violet) candle will be lit. This is called the "Prophecy Candle" and recalls the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents hope or expectation of the coming Messiah.

PARISH NEWS

Be assured that in the Parish, every precaution is being observed to ensure the safety of those who come to Mass: distancing is clearly marked in the Church and maintained during Mass; all of the liturgical restrictions are followed (Communion in the hand and no singing); the Church is cleaned after each Mass; registration of those who attend is carefully recorded; sanitising is practiced by all who enter the Church.  So, please, if you are well and able do not be hesitant about coming to Mass.

Go to the website www.ccsh.org.au and press the link “Register Here” for Mass.

Please remember that all Masses will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, because of the social distancing requirements.

Weekend Masses​

• Saturday Vigil - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday - 8:00 a.m. 
• Sunday - 9:30 a.m.
• Sunday - 5:00 p.m.

Weekday Communion Services (23 November - 27 November, 2020)​

• Monday - 7.15 a.m. (The Hermitage, Mittagong)
• Tuesday - 8.00 a.m.
• Wednesday - 7.30 a.m.
• Thursday - 7.30 a.m.
• Friday - 8.00 a.m.

​Confession (Saturdays) 4:15 p.m.​ 

REMINDER: Christmas cards and Columban Calendars are available to purchase. Please place the money in the Poor Box.

​Please do not attend Mass if you have any coronavirus symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever or fatigue. 

Keep "Christ in Christmas"
Cards - packs of 8 @ $3.50 
Columban Calendars @ $9.00 each
Please put money in the Poor Box

PARISH FUNDRAISING
Tickets are still available to be purchased from the Parish website via https://www.raffletix.com.au/ccsh. Tickets are $10.00 per each and would make a great Christmas present, especially if they won. First prize is a HONDAJAZZ, valued at over $20,000 (supplied by Southern Highlands Motor Group).

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.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

Click here to access the Calendar

CONGRATULATIONS TO MRS WEST
On behalf of the school community, we extend our warmest congratulations to Mrs West on her official appointment as Principal of St Michael's Mittagong.  We wish you every success in your leadership role.  

SCHOOL FEES
All school fees need to be finalised by Friday 4th December 2020. 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.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL FOLLOWING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS
Students who have been sick with flu-like symptoms defined by NSW Health as:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• Sore Throat
• Loss of smell or taste

are required to present a negative COVID test result before returning to school. 

Please provide the school with a copy of COVID test results, as we are required to add this information to our school COVID testing register which is updated on a daily basis. Please note that your child will need to be symptom free and have a negative COVID test result before returning to school. 

• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomitting or diarrhoea
• Loss of Appetite

School Zone Safety remains paramount for the safe travel of students to and from school.  There have been a few near misses with car accidents recently, the most recent one being yesterday near Alfred Lane. 

RMS guidelines state that you must not stop your vehicle (that is, bring it to a stop and either stay with the vehicle or leave it parked):-  

• Within 10 metres of an intersecting road at an intersection without traffic lights unless:
• A sign allows you to park there or
• The intersection is a T-intersection without traffic lights, where you are permitted to stop along the continuous side of the continuing road

Below is the updated information from Wingecarribee Shire Council that outlines enforceable school zone parking arrangements and infringement information for parents, carers, and teachers.

We have some wonderful prizes that have been donated for our P&F Christmas Raffle.  We are still taking prize donations.  Please deliver your donations to the school office.

Thank you to the companies, organisations and individuals who have donated prizes for our raffle. Your generosity is much appreciated. 

Some of the prizes donated so far:

• 4 x $50 Mittagong RSL voucher
• $100 JB Hi Fi voucher
• $100 Bunnings voucher
• 2 x $50 Mitre 10 voucher
• 2 x Gumnut Patisserie gingerbread house
• Air Fryer
• Toys, sporting goods, beauty packs, candles, car packs and more!

Don't forget to sell your raffle tickets. Tickets are $2.00 each.  Please return tickets and money (including unsold tickets) to the school office by Friday 11th December. 

If you would like extra raffle ticket booklets, please contact the office.  

The raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 15th December.