TERM 2 WEEK 10 NEWSLETTER
GOSPEL REFLECTION AND NAIDOC WEEK

This Sunday’s Gospel Mark 5:21-43 reports two stories of healing. One story tells us about a father’s great love for his dying daughter. The other story tells us about a desperate woman who risks much as she seeks healing from Jesus. In each story, the request for healing is itself a courageous act of faith, and yet very different circumstances are represented by the lives of each suffering person.

The theme of the gospel links in a way with the theme of NAIDOC week, which is Heal Country, heal our nation.  The message through this theme is “embracing First Nation's cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians.”.. the seeking of healing. 

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. It is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.

This past week, we have held two special events to recognise NAIDOC Week. Mrs Mitchell prepared a special prayer service for the staff and students and secondly, the whole school heard about the importance of looking after our country, our environment and our animals through the incursion Snaketails. The children were in awe of the many stories told by Bob and the variety of lizards and snakes that he showcased. The overall message was one of caring for life. 

Click on this link to see Year 5's prayer incorporating the Aboriginal's Lord's Prayer 

Aboriginal Lord’s Prayer.

You are our Father, You live in Heaven

We talk to You, Father, You are good.

We believe Your Word, Father, we Your children.

Give us bread today.

We have done wrong, we are sorry.

Help us Father, not to sin again.

Others have done wrong, to us

And we are sorry for them, Father today.

Stop us from doing wrong, Father.

Save us all from the evil one.

You are our Father, You live in Heaven.

We talk to You, Father, You are good.

REPORTS
On Monday, our Semester One Interim reports went out on COMPASS. I thank the teachers and Mrs Berrell, for the work that went into these reports. If you wish to discuss your child’s report with their class teacher, please contact the school office during this week. 

ST MICHAEL’S MINI OLYMPICS DAY- WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY 
Next term, in conjunction with the P&F, we will be holding a “Mini Olympics Day”. All are welcome to attend (COVID restrictions though, will apply if required). The aim of the day is for the students to participate in various activities that reflect the spirit of the Olympic Games. All activities will involve team participation. Further details on the outline of the day will be given next term.

The Mini Olympics  is going to be a fundraising event to raise funds for a smart tv. Our Year 2 and Year 5 classes are functioning with older versions of Smartboards and they really would benefit from the Smart Tv’s, like we have been able to place in the other classrooms via fundraising and Catholic Education Office assistance. Our Music Room has no interactive technology to use in the demountable classroom, so overall we require three televisions. We also need to update the iPads in Kindergarten, Stage 1 and Stage 2, so our long term  plan is to gradually raise funds through days like the Mini Olympics and the Fete, to support the IT needs of the students.

MINI OLYMPICS SPONSORSHIP
Today, your child will bring home a sponsorship form for the St Michael’s Olympics Day. During the holidays, it would be great if the children could gather sponsors from your family and friends. Sponsorship can be completed two ways-  an amount per event or a flat amount. See form example below. Sponsorship money will be returned to the P&F via the school after the event.

P&F FETE MEETING

On Friday we will be holding a Fete Meeting in the Library at 9am- 

All welcome to attend.

NETBALL GALA DAY
Congratulations to our Netball Gala Day teams and to the staff and parents who attended the day. I received such wonderful commendations of how the girls represented our school with great pride, sportsmanship and very importantly, kindness to others. Well done girls and thank you to Mrs Williamson, Mrs Favaee, Mrs Tasker and Mr Grech for coaching on the day.

HOLIDAYS
At the end of this week, we begin our Term 2 school holidays. I would like to thank all of our students and staff for the wonderful way they have responded to the many events and new learning that this term has brought us. I wish all our families a relaxing holiday and I hope that you have the opportunity to get outside and experience winter in the Southern Highlands and surrounds. I hope everyone stays safe and remains well.

Thank you for all the support you have given our school.

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.

Sisters of St Paul de Chartres
Last Wednesday Mrs West and Mrs Mitchell were invited to attend a beautiful Mass to celebrate the 325^th Foundation Anniversary of the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres. The Mass was celebrated at St Paul’s International College, Moss Vale with Bishop Brian Mascord and Bishop Peter in attendance. Many other priests and nuns from within the diocese also joined in the Sisters’ celebrations. It was a lovely event and we were very blessed to be invited.

Year 3 Fundraiser for Maubara Orphanage East Timor: “Saints and Heroes”
Thank you to Year 3 for a fantastic Day filled with Saints and Heroes. It was a wonderful way to raise money for the Maubara Orphanage, East Timor. Year 3 raised approximately $245.40  that will be greatly appreciated by all at the orphanage.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
Each year during winter the St Vincent de Paul Society work tirelessly to collect donations that help people who are struggling in our local community with food, clothes and blankets.

Here at St Michael’s we help support the St Vincent de Paul Society by holding a non-perishable food drive. Next term from Week 1 through to the end of Week 2 (12 -23 July) we will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items to donate.

Each class has been allocated items, but are not limited to these items. This is a wonderful way to help support our local community and the St Vincent de Paul Society is grateful for your support.

Knit for Need
This year the Catholic Education Office is collecting hand-knitted winter hats, scarves and beanies for people who need them during winter. Catholic Education staff will then deliver these to the Vinnies Van for the winter appeal in Wollongong and Campbelltown.

If you wish to knit a winter hat, scarf or beanie please have this returned to school before the 25^th July so that we have time to deliver it in time.

If you are time poor you may also give a donation of a new beanie, scarf or socks.

NAIDOC Celebrations
NAIDOC week will officially be held this year between 4- 11 July. It enables diverse activities and events to help celebrate and recognise the rich cultural history that makes Australia unique. As these dates are in the school holidays St Michael’s held our special liturgy and celebrations before the holidays. The celebrations commenced with a liturgy. Each of the classes listened to Australia’s First People’s stories, created art works and heard about the different ways indigenous people have contributed to society. On Friday all grades attended the SNAKETAILS production and learnt how and why reptiles are so important to the indigenous culture. Students also had the opportunity to touch a snake. It was a wonderful week.

PARISH NEWS
It is not necessary to register online to attend Mass anymore or through the Parish office. However, you will be required to scan the QR code on entry or use the sign on sheet at the entrance. This a government regulation and it is the parish is responsible for ensuring this information is available if requested.

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

THE HERMITAGE

This year we will be celebrating Children’s Book Week on Wednesday 25^th August. The theme for Book Week is ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’. We were hoping the children could come dressed up on that day to support that theme. Some ideas I have discussed with the children is: Prehistoric World (dinosaurs etc), Underwater World (octopus, shark, fish etc), Ancient Worlds (mummies, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome etc), Animal World (monkey, elephant, dog, zebra etc) Fairytale Worlds (princess, Rapunzel, Jack and the beanstalk, giant etc), Outer Space World (spaceman etc). Further information on this day will be forwarded to you closer to the day.

Linda Sewell

• 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.
• When entering an medical absence into COMPASS, we ask parents to kindly also provide a description of the absence: eg; tonsilitis, medical appointment, stomach bug, cough etc.  As a condition of our Covid Plan, we are required to check the reasons daily to ensure the safety of all.  If your child has had a COVID test you are required to send a copy of the result (screen shot is acceptable) prior to your child returning to school.  This data is added to a CEO database to assist with contact tracing.

NSW HEALTH: FLU VACCINATION
NSW Health is seeking the support of schools to encourage parents and carers to vaccinate their children against flu this winter and has provided the following advice.

Premiers' Reading Challenge 
Remember to keep reading for the PRC. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. 

Its been a long stretch since the last disco which was in February 2020.

Venue: Mittagong RSL – Bessemer Street

Date : Saturday 26^th June    

Times : 4pm to 6.00pm

Cost : $5.00

Please note all money raised goes back to the children in the Southern Highlands community.