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Term 2 Week 2
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday with their family and friends.
Uniforms
Thank you for the wonderful way the students have come prepared for school in their winter uniforms. I appreciate the patience shown by parents who are waiting for components of the winter uniform. We will let you know as soon as possible, when Whytes have the ties and winter dresses in.
Cars
I need to raise an area of concern and I hope you embrace this coming information in a space of care for our children. Over several weeks of last term, there were times when parents and staff have seen parents double parking to pick up their children or allowing children to enter the car on the road side of the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous in a school zone. As a community, we all would be so upset if one of our students were injured as they were getting into a car. I ask that if you cannot find a parking space near an exit gate when you first arrive at school, can you please either park further down the road or drive around the block again. All students need to enter and exit all cars on the pathway side of the car and not out onto the road. I have spoken to the students about this.
Apparently at the end of last term, a car came around the corner of Alice Street and nearly collected a child getting into a car that was parked too close to the corner. The child was entering the car on the road side of the car and without a parent assisting them. This is just one example of things that have been happening and it could have resulted in a child getting hurt.
Also, please be careful parking outside the school office. Parents have been booked in the past, parking too close to the corner of Alfred and Alice Street. A reminder that the gate on Alfred Street is only for bus children to exit in the afternoon. It is not opened in the morning and is not a car pick up gate. This is for the safety of our students around buses.
Thank you for your understanding with these matters.
200 Years Young
The Australian Catholic Bishops released a pastoral letter for school leaders, staff, students and families to mark the 200th anniversary of Catholic education in Australia. The letter, 200 Years Young, details the development and expansion of Catholic schools over the past two centuries, and recognises the contribution of religious, clergy and lay people to the foundation of Catholic education. It also acknowledges the distinctive role Catholic schools play in educating and forming young people of faith and service in their communities.
For those who would like to read details about the history of our Catholic Schools in Australia, you can click onto this link to the pastoral letter:
130 Years Young- St Michael’s School Fete
Our school at St Michael’s Mittagong is also celebrating a milestone year of education. We are 130 Years Young! To celebrate, we are planning a few events throughout the year. Our major celebration though, will be the St Michael’s School 130 Years Anniversary Fete. Our wonderful Parents and Friends Association is leading this initiative. We plan to celebrate the Fete in Term 4. At this week's P&F meeting, we will be seeking ideas for the fete. If you wish to run a particular stall, can you please let us know.
Lismore Diocese Flood Appeal- Mufti-Day
The floods in March around the Lismore area have devastated many people. Bishop Homeming (Bishop of Lismore) and Bishop Brian (Bishop of Wollongong) have asked all schools in the Wollongong Diocese if they could help fundraise to support people affected by the floods in the Diocese of Lismore.
Our school will be holding a Mufti-Day next Tuesday 4th May to raise money for the Flood Appeal. Our students can wear mufti clothes on the day and bring in a monetary donation. Any amount including a gold coin, is gratefully appreciated.
Parents and Friends Meeting- This Friday 30th April
Our second Parents and Friends meeting for this year, will be held in the school Library this Friday commencing at 9am. Please come along to meet others in the P&F and share your ideas for our fundraising and social events. If you have a toddler, they are welcome to sit in the library with you. We want all families to feel very welcome to attend.
Mothers Day Stall- Friday 7th May
Next Friday, 7th May, our P&F will be holding the Mother’s Day Stall. Students are invited to purchase presents for their mothers or significant mother figure. It is suggested that the students bring a plastic bag with their name on it to store the item they purchase.
Expression of Interest- P&F President
We are currently looking for a person to take on the role of the P&F President. Our P&F have a great team of coordinators who will support you in this role, along with other members of the P&F. If you are interested in this position please contact Katrina West. During the P&F meeting, this position will be open to be filled.
Currently the P&F Coordinators are:
President: position vacant
Treasurer: Yasmine Gospel / Linda Francis
Secretary: Melissa Bartolo
P&F Class Coordinators
Kinder: Helen Saunders / Melissa Bartolo/Chantelle Richards
Year 1: Katrina Bartone / Jess Schembri
Year 2: Krystle Kearney / Melissa Bartolo/Chantelle Richards
Year 3: Beth McIntyre
Year 4: Liz Martinovic / Vanessa Tasker
Year 5: Linda Francis / Vanessa Tasker
Year 6: Liz Martinovic / Linda Francis
Parish Trivia Night
This Friday 30 April is the Parish Trivia night. Tickets are still available from the parish office. Come along and enjoy a great night out.
DON’T FORGET THIS IS THE NIGHT THE RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN
First prize a Hyundai Venue valued at $24,000
Tickets on sale via Parish Webpage https://www.ccsh.org.au
or from the Parish Office, the School Office or on the night.
St Michael’s Cross Country Carnival Presentation
On Monday, our school held the presentation for our Cross Country Carnival. Congratulations to all our students who participated on the day. We were very proud of the wonderful sportsmanship displayed throughout the event.
The House results for the carnival were:
1st: Gibraltar House (Blue) 165 points
2nd: Oxley House (Red) 131 points
3rd: Jellore House (Yellow) 109 points
4th: Alexandra House (Green) 97 points
Diocesan Cross Country
Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Diocesan Cross Country in Nowra yesterday. We are very pleased to hear that they tried their best, had fun participating and were excellent representatives of our school. Thank you to the parents and Mr Sherry, for supporting the students on the day.
Year 5 and Year 6 Canberra Excursion
This Friday, our students from Stage 3, Mr Tuckwell, Mrs Williamson, Mrs Campbell and Mrs Townsend will be travelling to Canberra to visit Parliament House, the Electoral Education Centre, the War Memorial and the Australian Mint.
Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
We hope they have a fantastic day learning about our Australian history and Government. Thank you to our parents and staff for supporting the students.
The National Theatre for Children Mind Masters
On Wednesday 5th May, all students K-6 will be participating in the Mind Masters program, produced by the National Theatre For Children. This is a livestream incursion, supporting positive mental health and wellness.
An outline of the program follows:
“The Mind Masters” is a 3 stage multi-platform intervention, which will utilise different modes of communication and teaching over an 18 month period. It is curriculum aligned, and provided at no cost to the school.
The 3-visit program will kick-off with a Livestream event on May 5th, followed by an in-school performance in Term 4, and the first semester of 2022. This will also be accompanied by hands-on classroom breakout kits and team building games, and additional classroom resources.
We believe that this is an essential program given the current health crisis and how your students will engage with the world in the future. Our central theme for “The Mind Masters” is “Healthy Kids Make Better Learners”, and that this program will assist your teachers in their classroom teaching.”
This program supports our current Social Emotional Learning program called- Be the Best Me I Can Be and is part of our school review and improvement plan (SRI) on pastoral care and wellbeing.
Welcome
This term we welcome the Solomon family (Mia Year 5 and Will in Year 3) to St Michael's.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
God bless
Mrs Katrina West
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.
| Friday 30th | Year 5/6 Canberra Excursion P&F Meeting 9am School Library Parish Trivia Night |
MAY
| Monday 3rd | Confirmation Classes |
| Tuesday 4th | Fundraiser for Flood Victims - Mufti Day |
| Wednesday 5th | Mind Masters program |
| Friday 7th | P&F Mother's Day Stall |
| Sunday 9th | Mother's Day |
| Monday 10th | Confirmation Classes |
| Tuesday 11th | Kinder 2022 Interviews - New Families |
| Tuesday 11th | Naplan Year 3 and Year 5 - commences |
| Wednesday 12th | Kinder 2022 Interviews - Siblings |
| Monday 17th | Confirmation Classes |
| Wednesday 19th | Kinder 2022 Interviews - Siblings |
| Friday 21st |
Naplan concludes |
| Tuesday 25th | Kinder 2022 Interviews - New Families Brainstorm "Buddies" Incursion |
| Saturday 29th | Confirmation |
JUNE
| Monday 14th | Queens Birthday Public Holiday |
| Thursday 17th | Netball Gala Day |
| Friday 18th | "Snaketails" Naidoc performance |
| Friday 25th June | Last Day of Term 2 |
The link below will take you straight to the parent calendar.
Tuesday 4th May Fundraiser for Flood Victims
Friday 21st May Year 4 Maubara Orphanage Fundraiser
Monday 24th May Mary Help of Christians Feast Day
Saturday 29th May Confirmation
Thursday 3rd June Feast Day of Corpus Christi
Thursday 10th June Year 3 Maubara Orphanage Fund Raiser
ANZAC DAY
Anzac Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Many services were held on Sunday the 25th of April.
On Monday 26th April students and staff at St Michael’s gathered for a liturgy to commemorate this very special day. Thank you to those who have served and continue to serve and protect us.
Let us pause and say a prayer for the all those who served to keep us safe.
Gracious and loving God,
the cross of Christ is the sign of your desire for justice and peace for all.
Open our minds to your vision
as we remember all who suffered through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Grant all servicepersons who sacrificed health and life for the good of all,
the gift of your deep peace.
May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought
become instruments of your peace in our homes, workplaces and world.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel at Mass always draws on the on image of the Good Shepherd. It also is the World Day of Prayers for Vocations. We keep all those have taken vocations and those who are discerning their vocation to make God’s dream for them come true.
CONFIRMATION
There are many children who are in Year 6 or older who have begun preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep all of these candidates in your prayers over the coming weeks.
The Sacrament of confirmation will be celebrated by Bishop Brian at
St Thomas Aquinas Church Bowral on May 29.
PARISH NEWS
From next weekend (1st /2nd May) it will be no longer necessary to register online or through the office for Mass. However, it is most important that you remember when you arrive at Church, you will still be required to either scan the QR code with your phone or write your name and contact details on the sheet at the entrance to the Church. Monitors will assist. This is a regulation of the government and the parish is responsible for making sure information is available on request.
There are five weekends in May, and for the first four, we are participating in a National Mass Attendance count. This is nothing new, but this year, more information is being asked for: the gender or attendees and their age group.
This year, the parish will be celebrating of the feast of Corpus Christi, our parish feast day, on 6th June. The main Mass that day will be celebrated at 11am, concluding with Benediction, followed by lunch. Cost for the lunch is only $10. For catering purposes, bookings are essential. Contact the parish office. More details to come.
This is the first opportunity we will have to celebrate the new Parish of Corpus Christi, Mittagong/Bowral. All are welcome to attend.
Please remember that all Masses will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, because of the social distancing requirements.
Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm
Sunday - 8:00am
Sunday - 9:30am
Sunday - 5:00pm
Weekday Masses
Tuesday - 8:00am
Wednesday - 7:30am
Thursday - 7:30am
Friday - 8:00am
Trivia Night
A Trivia Night will be held this Friday 30 April, 2021 in the Fr Glynn Centre from 6.00 p.m. Tickets $10.00 per head. Tables of 10 or come as an individual. Bookings available via the Parish office.
THE CAR RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN ON FRIDAY 30 APRIL, 2021 AND THE FIRST PRIZE IS A HYUNDAI VENUE! GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO HAVE PURCHASED TICKETS!
THE HERMITAGE
The Hermitage has a wonderful range of events that are open to the public. Ii you wish to attend any of the following please telephone beforehand as bookings are essential.
MID WEEK ROAST DINNER
Wednesday 5th May
This is a wonderful 2 course meal (Main & Dessert) $35 from 5:30 pm – 8 pm
SUNDAY MORNING TEA/BRUNCH/LUNCH
The Hermitage is welcoming back their Sunday Morning Tea ($15), and Brunch ($25) and their new 2 course Roast Lunch ($35) from Sunday May 2nd.
Morning Tea & Brunch are available from 10:30. – Midday.
The two course Lunch (main/dessert) is available from 2pm.
All meals include Tea and Coffee
‘LISTEN TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD’
Twilight Retreat 4pm – 6pm Thursday 29th April 2021
Cost $10 per person
To book please call 02 4872 1911 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday to Friday or email at reception@thehermitage.org.au to book.
It is imperative that if your child has cold or flu like symptoms they must remain at home for their own wellbeing as well as the good of the community. Also, if you have been in any declared 'hot spots' please follow NSW Department of Health advice.
Any child who is sent home from school due to COVID symptoms e.g. temperature, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, NSW Health recommends that you have your child tested for COVID 19 and the school must sight your negative result before your child has clearance to come back to school.
Parents are also reminded that if your child has been sent for a COVID test they are to remain at home until test results are received. Parents must email the test results to school email info@smmdow.catholic.edu.au
Parents must log their child absences via Compass School Manager App on the morning of the absence prior to 9am. Parents will be emailed throughout the term to remind you to clear any unexplained absences.
If you are unsure about how to enter your child's attendances please read the instructions below.
Any questions please contact the school office and we thank you for your ongoing support.
Thank you to our parent volunteers who helped wrap gifts for the upcoming Mother's Day Stall.
