Term 2 Week 4

MOTHER’S DAY 
Last  weekend’s reading from John’s Gospel (John 15: 9-17) focuses on ways to be the face of Jesus to others and see Christ in them. Jesus reminds us that we are in relationship with others and with God and that our relationship is based on love. This was an especially important message on the day we remember and celebrate the love we have for our mothers and the love they give to us in return. On Mother’s Day, families celebrate the wonderful gift which is motherhood.  

Pope Francis has reflected upon this passage from John’s Gospel and tells us that Christ’s love is real and that it is “fulfilled in everyday life, in attitudes, in deeds.”  He continues that “this love cannot be reserved for exceptional moments, but must be constant in our lives. God’s love, lived out through Jesus Christ and Mary, gives us a wonderful model of motherhood and we celebrate this love, revealed by our own mothers, and those women who are like mothers in our lives. Not just on 9th May, 2021, but every day.“ 

I hope everyone was able to spend time reflecting on the special people that are so important in their lives, whether it be their own mother or a person who has been a mother figure in their lives.

Thank you to our wonderful P&F parents who supported our students through providing the Mother’s Day stall last Friday and to our staff, who prepared lessons and time for students to make cards and other items. I am sure there were many happy mothers and grandmothers receiving beautiful gifts and cards on Sunday. 

KINDERGARTEN 2022
This week, we have commenced our interviews with the Kindergarten 2022 applicant families. It has been wonderful to see the children so eager to come to “big school”. Thank you to all the families who have applied for positions at our school for next year. We have had an amazing number of applications this year and the overwhelming response as to why parents would like to have their child attend St Michaels, is the caring Catholic School community and rich educational experiences that they have heard about, from others in the community. That is a wonderful insight  and commendation of all you do as parents to support your children and the wonderful staff we have here at St Michaels. Thank you for your continued support and kindness. 

PARENTS AND FRIENDS FETE COMMITTEE MEETING - 9AM THIS FRIDAY 14TH MAY IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

PARENTS AND FRIENDS BBQ FUNDRAISER- THIS FRIDAY 14TH MAY
This Friday, our P&F are organising a sausage sizzle for our students as a mini fundraiser. Thank you to the committee who have organised this. You have received a flyer with ordering details. If any of your children would prefer a Fish Finger or a vegie pattie sandwich instead of the sausage, that option is also available at the same price. 

If you are able to help with the preparation of the sandwiches etc on Friday, please contact Mrs Berrell at the school office. Thank you. 

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME- NEXT WEDNESDAY 19TH MAY

Schools across the country will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime next week. 

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

For this year's event, the children will be listening to astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station read the book ‘Give Me Some Space’ by Philip Bunting. If you were wishing to read the book at home, all you need to do is go to the following link (https://www.alia.org.au/nss) and the organisation will send you the resources to listen to the book read as well. I am sure this will be a wonderful experience for the students. 

POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT THE HERMITAGE MITTAGONG- MARIST BROTHERS
Br Bill asked if I could let you all know that there are some work positions available at The Hermitage in Mittagong. Some of these jobs are in school hours, so ideal for people who may want to work and still be home for after school hours. 

Please see the details below.

RECEPTIONIST
Part time/casual position for Wednesdays 8:30-2:30pm. Extra shifts may be available from time to time.

KITCHEN HAND
Casual positions available. Shifts are normally 7:30-2pm and 5-8pm. An ability to work days, nights and some weekends would be essential.

CLEANERS
Casual position available. An ability to work mornings and afternoons is essential. There could be the occasional weekend shift from time to time. 

Please forward your resume to:

The Director, Br Bill Sullivan at bill.sullivan@marists.org.au

Applications close Friday May 14th, 2021.

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.

To celebrate National Families Week CatholicCare is running a five-part webinar series to celebrate family and make the most out of family life. Each webinar will have a different focus. 

Family Resilience
Understand what a resilient person and family looks like, and how you can build resilience within yourself and your family.

Family Values
Understand what values are and why they are important. By identifying our family values we can better understand and connect.

Family Connection
With our lives so busy we can struggle to keep connections within our family, learn why connection is important and how to sustain or build family connections

Family Self-Care
Learn why self-care is so important and how looking after ourselves, has a flow-on effect on the whole family.

Family Mindfulness
Learn what mindfulness is and the benefits it provides, not just for ourselves, but also the benefit it has on our family.

See the link here to register: https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/webinar/register/6016202622065/WN_GZrZMh1VQJaNNlkTsRaBOA

• Keeping your child home when they are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
• Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing, and informing the school of the result as soon as possible.  The school must sight your negative result before your child has clearance to come back to school.
• 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.

Catholic all girls school in Wollongong.  Enrolment Information Afternoon Thursday 27th May between 4pm and 5pm at Gibraltar House Bowral.

If you are interested in attending the information session, please contact Marie Pulford at the College on 0242228 6011.

Premiers' Reading Challenge 

SCHOOL BANKING DAY IS TUESDAY.