Welcome to our Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter

A PRAYER FOR CREATION
During the past week, Year 3 have been talking about God’s creation and ways we can care for the environment that we have today and into the future. I was reading their prayers and I was really amazed at the deep thought and special regard the children have for our environment and the way they can succinctly put into words, their message for all of us. 

Thank you Year 3 for sharing your prayers with us and being good stewards of God’s Creation. 

Oliver’s Prayer

Dear God,
I am praying to you
Because people always pollute.
I want to stop pollution
And I want you to help me
Because I can’t do it on my own.
So thank you for listening to my prayer.

Amen

Esther’s Prayer

Dear God,
Help me and other people
not to be mean to one another
Or mean to your creation.
Always help me to be a good steward to people.
Don’t let us cut down trees.
Thank you for all you have given to me.

Amen

NATIONAL LAUNCH - BICENTENARY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION 
This year we celebrate 200 years of Catholic schooling in Australia. The National Catholic Education Commission will broadcast a virtual national launch on Thursday 18 February, at 10:00 am & 2:00 pm AEDT, for educators, leaders, students and their families in Catholic schools and education offices. The link for the launch and other information about our Bicentenary of Catholic Education can be found here: 

https://200years.catholic.edu.au/

YEAR SIX LEADERS
Last week our Year 6 students were commissioned with their leadership roles. I congratulate all our Year Six students on the way they have already undertaken their roles with enthusiasm. 

MISSION TEAM

SOCIAL TEAM

ENVIRONMENT TEAM

SPORT

MEET AND GREET
Next Wednesday night, we will be having our St Michael’s Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet night. This is an opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom and meet their teacher. The teachers will give a general overview of  the school year and various important information pertaining to your child’s class activities and routines. We are fortunate to be able to do this provided we adhere to the COVID 19 hygiene and social distancing procedures. 

I ask that all adults entering the school site, please scan the QR code that will be present on the entry gate near the hall and then proceed to the classroom for the meeting. At the entrance of the classroom, will be some hand sanitizer, which is to be applied upon entry please. This is not an individual parent/teacher meeting. It is a general meeting for all student’s parents and the class teachers. Please also keep to social distancing whilst in the classroom and walking to and from the school buildings. Children are encouraged to not attend as this year, we are unable to supervise them in the hall due to covid restrictions. We currently have health department  restrictions on children mixing in different stage groups and with adults in a school site. I appreciate your support in this matter. 

If you are unable to attend this evening, we will have a handout for each class that your child can bring home with them. This handout will have the main facts presented. 

Meet and Greet Times for each class 

Year 1 and Year 2:     5:30-6:00pm
Year 3 and Year 4:     6:00pm-6:30pm
Year 5 and Year 6:     6:30pm-7:00pm

NCCD
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. The NCCD is a collection that counts: 

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or help due to disability 
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students. Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This assistance allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities.

The information collected by the NCCD helps teachers, principals, education authorities and governments to better support students with disability at school. 

To assist schools in communicating key information about the 2021 NCCD, a fact sheet and resources for parents, guardians and carers are available on the NCCD portal.

PARENT FACT SHEET ABOUT THE NCCD

https://www.nccd.edu.au/sites/default/files/fact%20sheet%20for%20parents%20guardians%20and%20carers.pdf

ENROLMENTS
We are currently taking enrolments for our Kindergarten 2022 class. If you know of anyone who is considering St Michael’s Mittagong for Kindergarten next year, please pass on this information. Enrolment packages can be found on our school website or by contacting our school office. I am very excited to share with you our fantastic  enrolment advertisement  photos that were taken last week. Thank you to the students in Year 1 and Year 3 who helped with this promotion.

Best wishes,
Mrs Katrina West
Principal

Term 1 2021

• Caritas Launch 16^th February
• Shrove Tuesday 16^th February
• Wednesday 17^th February – Ash Wednesday Liturgy
• Monday 1^st – 5^th March – Catholic Schools Week
• Friday 5^th March – World Day of Prayer
• St Patricks Day 17^th March – Year 2 Maubara Fundraiser.  Students can wear green on this day.
• Friday 19^th March – St Joseph’s Day
• Thursday 1^st April – Holy Thursday
• Friday 2^nd April – Good Friday

SCHOOL MASS
Last Friday (12^th February) we had our first school Mass for the year. It was a wonderful celebration for our school community, and although not everyone could attend, Mass was filmed for each class to watch this week. Year 6 were commissioned into their leadership roles as part of the Mission Group, Environment group, Sport group and Social group. Thank you to Father Sean and all of our wonderful staff for making this a lovely way to start our school year.

SHROVE TUESDAY
“Shrove” comes from the word shrive and refers to the absolution of a penitent’s sins. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is sometimes called “Shrove Tuesday” because of a Catholic custom of going to confession on that day in preparation for Lent. Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

ASH WEDNESDAY
Today our students attended a Liturgy for Ash Wednesday in the school Hall. Ash Wednesday Masses will also be held at St Thomas Aquinas Parish at Bowral. Mass times are at 7am and 7pm. All are welcome to attend but please register via the parish website. If you would like more information on Lenten obligations please visit https://www.ccsh.org.au/lent

Corpus Christi Parish Mittagong-Bowral News

MASS
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.

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

First Prize is a HYUNDAI VENUE, valued at over $24,000 (supplied by Southern Highlands Motor Group). Tickets on sale now, $10.00 per ticket.

Raffle will be drawn on Friday the 30^th April, 2021

Ticket can be purchased online from the Parish website https://www.ccsh.org.au/

If parishioners collected tickets from the church at last weekend masses please remember to return tickets to as soon as possible.

Thursday Night Roast at the Hermitage

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.

MEDICAL INFORMATION FOR KINDER AND NEW STUDENTS IN 2021
For any Kindergarten or new students who have anaphylaxis/Allergy or Asthma, could parents please send to the school office the Action Plan and any prescirbed medication as soon as possible.

If you require a copy of a blank 'Action Plan' please contact the school office.

COLD/FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS - GUIDELINES CONTINUE FOR 2021
If your child has cold or flu like symptoms they must remian at home for their own wellbeing as well as the good of the community.

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

Anaphylaxis awareness
From time to time some children in our school may suffer the life threatening condition of anaphylaxis. Essentially anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction which is caused as a result of an intolerance to some food products. As well as this we do have a number of children in the school who may suffer anaphylactic reactions when exposed to nuts and nut products, eggs, seafood and sesame seeds. In order to respond to this situation and provide safe, fair and responsible procedures for all in the school community the following practices are in place:-

1. There will be no peanut butter sandwiches, peanut-based products or egg sandwiches available in the school canteen.
2. Parents are encouraged whenever possible to avoid sending in peanut based products as part of their child’s lunch.

All absences must be explained to the school. Schools are legally required to keep an accurate record of attendance. The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities may take further action in cases where children of compulsory school age have recurring numbers of unjustified absences from school.

In addition, all unexplained absences must be explained by parents by the end of each school term. 

Enrolments are now open for Kindergarten 2022.  Application forms can be accessed:-

• from our school website;
• downloaded using the link below;
• collected from the school office; or 
• mailed to you.

Please make sure the entire enrolment package has been read and all sections completed.  Please ensure that you provide photocopies of the additional documentation listed under section 22.

Each fortnight the newsletter is distributed via the Schoolzine platform and Compass Parent Portal. Reading our school newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with what is happening at St Michael’s.

Did you know that when you click on the newsletter link and are directed to the online newsletter you then have the option to:-

• Visit the school website
• View previous newsletters
• Subscribe to the newsletter. This is a great way for relatives and community members to keep up to date with the wonderful things happening at St Michael’s school.
• Like us on Facebook
• View the newsletter in different languages.
• View the school calendar.
• Print a hard copy of the newsletter.

Please take the time to use the tabs and links to explore features available.  The advantages of this mode of communication is we can include many more photos, videos, pdf flyers, links to the school calendar and a direct link to our school website.

Our School Newsletter and Compass Parent Portal are the most important forms of regular communication with parents and families. Our school Facebook page is regularly updated with photos and updated information regarding events. 

Please be reminded that our drop off zone near the Year Six/Hall gate is only for dropping off or picking up students.  You are unable to park in this area.  Last week a couple of parents lteft their cars parkied there and it caused problems for other parents trying to drop off students.  We appreciate your support of this Drop Off Area.

The 40km/h school speed zones operate across NSW at all school sites on gazetted school days (including school development days). Motorists should drive no faster than 40 km/h through school zones. Most school zones operate from 8 to 9.30am and from 2.30 to 4pm on gazetted school days. Visit  for more information.

Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay extra attention and be patient around school as there are more cars, buses and cyclists on the road and young pedestrians crossing the streets.

Is your child experiencing back to school anxiety? There can be many anxiety causing triggers for students at this time of year.  To help parents and carers support their child (and themselves) CatholicCare and CEDoW have put together some strategies which may help. Find information here to support self-care and student wellbeing as the new school year begins:-