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WELCOME BACK TO ST MICHAEL’S MITTAGONG
Dear Families,
Welcome back to St Michael’s Mittagong. We hope you have a wonderful 2022 school year. We have been very excited to see the students and they have all settled in well to their new classes. We wish all our students, teachers and families a very happy new year, filled with exciting learning experiences and happy community events.
NEW STAFF AND NEW FAMILIES
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new staff and families to our school. This year we have welcomed the following new students and staff to St Michael’s Mittagong:
STAFF
Mrs Janine Webb- Diverse Learning Needs Teacher and classroom support- Janine has worked for us over the past few years however we welcome her to this new role.
Mrs Amy Eggleston- Diverse Learning Needs Teacher and classroom support.
FAMILIES
Our Kindergarten students joined us yesterday. They were very happy to be at school and we had an absolutely fantastic day. The following families have joined our school community and have a child in Kindergarten this year:
- Arnold Family
- Brisbane Family
- Hogan Family
- James Family
- Kmet Family
- McCann Family
- McLoughlin Family
- Millbank Family
- Parker Family
- Shackleton Family
- Sivak Family
STAFF FOR 2022
|
Principal |
Mrs Katrina West |
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Assistant Principal |
Mr Richard Tuckwell |
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Religious Education Coordinator |
Mrs Rebecca Mitchell |
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Middle Leader |
Mr Nathan Sherry |
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Classroom Teachers |
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Year 6 |
Mrs Rebecca Mitchell; Mr Richard Tuckwell |
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Year 5 |
Mrs Kelly Anderson |
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Year 4 |
Mrs Alyssa Williamson |
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Year 3 |
Mr Andrew Nash |
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Year 2 |
Miss Louise Campbell |
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Year 1 |
Ms Christine Brogan |
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Kindergarten |
Mrs Bernadette Bourke-Nash/ Mrs Janine Webb |
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Instructional Coach |
Mr Nathan Sherry |
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Diverse Learning Needs |
Mr Nathan Sherry Mrs Janine Webb Mrs Amy Eggleston |
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Specialist Support |
Mr Richard Tuckwell - PE/Gifted Education |
|
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Mrs Janine Webb-PE |
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Mrs Amy Eggleston- Gifted Education |
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Creative Arts – Music |
Miss Keva Abotomey |
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PDHPE |
Mr Richard Tuckwell |
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Senior School Support Officer |
Mrs Rachell Berrell |
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School Support Officers |
Mrs Hilda Townsend Mrs Linda Sewell Mrs Jennine Toohey Mrs Carol Davies Ms Emma Storry Mrs Carola Murnane Mrs Kristie Faavae |
MESSAGE FROM DOMINIC PERROTTET, PREMIER OF NSW
COVID SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
ICAMHS are specialist mental health services for children and adolescents up to the age of 18yrs and their families. This organisation has produced some wonderful resources to support parents and children with issues surrounding Covid 19. The following are a couple of resources I thought may be helpful for you:
NCCD- 'NATIONALLY CONSISTENT COLLECTION OF DATA COMMUNICATION FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CARERS'.
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a yearly count of students by all Australian schools across the country. The aim of the NCCD is to provide the Australian Government with information about the number of students with disability in Australian schools and the type of adjustments they need in order to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.
For further information on the NCCD please see the following link:
ST MICHAEL’S PRIMARY FACEBOOK PAGE AND ST MICHAEL’S PRIMARY P&F FACEBOOK PAGE
A reminder that our school has two Facebook pages that we utilise to share information and photos of events held throughout the year. We encourage all our families to join these pages. A handy hint: You can invite the children’s grandparents to LIKE the page and then they will be able to see what has been going on at St Michaels.
We do not encourage comments on the page if possible. We are very happy if you “like” the posts- that is great.
Please see below links to both pages.
WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN 2022
Yesterday we welcomed our Kindergarten students and families to our school. The following gallery is a collection of photos from that day.
CLASS PHOTOS OF YEARS 1-6
Also in our gallery below are photos of our Year 1-6 classes. These photos were featured in our Assembly last week as well as our Facebook page.
ONLINE ASSEMBLY
Every week Mr Tuckwell very kindly puts together an online assembly, so we can share prayer and stories of what has happened during the week. We share this online assembly with all parents via three ways:
- Compass- you will get a COMPASS alert and email stating that the assembly is available to view
- FACEBOOK- our school Facebook Site has a post with the assembly. This is a great way for our parents and grandparents or special friends to see the assembly.
- SEESAW- some classes this year may set up SEESAW accounts. The assembly will be posted on that account for the students and their parents to view.
SPECIALIST LESSONS INFORMATION TERM 1 2022
SPORTS/PE
MUSIC
THURSDAY: Kinder, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
FRIDAY: Year 5 and Year 6
LIBRARY BORROWING DAY:
MONDAY: Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2
TUESDAY: Year 3 and Year 4
THURSDAY: Year 6 and Year 6.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our St Michael’s School Community. I am very excited about what we have planned for our 2022 year.
Best wishes,
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.
FEBRUARY 2022
| Monday 7th | Best Start Assessments continue for Kinder 2022 Healthy Harold (Years 1-6) |
| Friday 11th | Healthy Harold Virtual Visit (Years 2, 3 and 4) |
| Monday 14th | Healthy Harold Virtual Visit (Years 1, 5 and 6) |
| Thursday 17th | Swimming Carnival (Competitive Swimmers only) |
The link below will take you straight to the parent calendar.
A Student's Prayer for a New School Year
Lord Jesus,
I ask for Your help as I begin this new school year.
Allow me to experience Your presence
in the many blessings You put before me.
Open my eyes to the new challenges
and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings.
Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.
Give me a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with my studies
and courage to accept new opportunities.
Help me to be attentive to my teachers
and let me experience Your presence in my new friends.
Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year.
Amen
Thank You Year 6 2021
Year 6 2021 worked very hard to raise money to present the St Michael’s school community with a beautiful statue of Mary. This statue was presented at the end of the year Mass and Father Sean blessed her. Mary was lovingly placed in the garden over the Christmas break and will make a wonderful place for quiet reflection for students and staff.
National 'Apology Day' - 13th February 2022
National Apology Day is commemorated annually on 13th February and encourages remembrance. This commemoration differs from Sorry Day which is held annually on 26th May. As we walk together on the journey of healing, we bring our prayers and hopes to all Australians.
Reflection
Loving God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming, you who created all people in your image and likeness, may we listen with care to all people of this land and treat all with respect. Source of all creation and unity, bless us in our endeavours to live as one in Christ.
Corpus Christi Parish Mittagong-Bowral News
Mass Times
Weekend Masses
- Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm
- Sunday - 8:00am
- Sunday - 9:30am
- Sunday - 5:00pm
Weekday Masses
- Tuesday - 8:00am
- Wednesday - 8.00am
- Thursday - 8.00am
- Friday - 8:00am
Please make sure that you wear a mask and sign in with QR codes supplied at the entry to the church. Please remember that all Masses are being held at St Thomas Aquinas Church, Bowral.
2022 SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
School fees for 2022 have now been invoiced and statements will be issued by the end of Week Two with annual or first instalment payment due on 28 February 2022. You may view school fees in the Compass Parent Portal.
We would also like to advise you of the following important information in relation to school fees and the rollout of new administrative systems. All primary, secondary and K-12 schools have now been transferred to the package which includes Compass and Technology One. This has provided the Catholic Education Office with the ability to perform centralised functions relating to school fee accounts on behalf of our schools.
WHAT CENTRALISATION OF FUNCTIONS MEANS FOR FAMILIES
The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office. Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement.
Please note that if an adjustment is made to your school fee account eg your child changes subjects in a secondary school, etc., we will email a new school fee statement. If you are paying by instalments, they may need to be regenerated and a change may occur in your payments. If this is the case, a new schedule of payments and due dates will appear on the last page of your statement.
REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS
In 2021, the issue of reminders for late payment via email was introduced and in 2022 the ability to send SMS messages will be added to the system. These reminders are automatically generated by the software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office. For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention. Our intention is to manage the collection of school fee accounts with new technology and in so doing, alleviate some of the administrative work of our schools.
SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES
Please note, despite the centralisation of various functions, your school/s will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees. If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact your school office. The role of the Catholic Education Office is to action centralised tasks on behalf of schools.
IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY INSTALMENTS
Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to avail yourself of this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on your school’s website or at your school’s office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment, unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.
DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school in which your child/children are enrolled to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the administration office of each school. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances.
For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2021, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. If you wish to submit the application, please do so at your child’s school. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application.
For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on your school’s website.
The following forms were sent home last week for completion and return to school. Please note that the school must receive new signed consent/permission each year.
Consent for Use of Student's Works/Images
A new Consent for Use of Student's Works/Images Form is required to be signed by parents and returned to the School. It is important that this form, which was sent home last week, is completed, signed and returned to the school as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, if the form is not returned we are not able to display, publish, publically acknowledge or "use" any of your student's works or images. This includes but is not limited to our newsletter, social media, newspaper articles, or in school displays/Open Days/Showcases (eg SPLICED, Gday, Office Displays, assemblies), Diocesan publications or Catholic Education Office Publications.
Responsible Use of Technology Form
SWIMMING CARNIVAL NOMINATIONS (COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS ONLY)
A COMPASS event has been opened today to allow parents to nominate their child to attend the swimming carnival on
Thursday 17th 2022 at Bowral Pool.
The swimming carnival is OPEN to students in years 2-6, who can swim 50m competently and are turning 8 or above.
If you would like to nominate your child's participation in the competitve swimming carnival, please complete the event in COMPASS.
Please note that this form is to provide competitive nominations only. A separate event requiring consent and payment for the swimming carnival will be provided once nominations are received.
Due to current covid19 guidelines, parents will be required to transport their child to and from Bowral Pool.
Limited parent helpers will be needed on the day to assist with the races. If anyone is able to assist please answer the question when completing your nomination. Your help, as always, will be greatly appreciated.
Nominations will close Thursday 10th February.
MEDICAL INFORMATION FOR KINDER 2022
For any Kindergarten students who have listed anaphylaxis/Allergy or Asthma on their enrolment form, could parents please send to the school office the Action Plan and any prescribed medication as soon as possible.
If you require a copy of a blank 'Action Plan' please contact the school office.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
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 parents are encouraged whenever possible to avoid sending in peanut based products as part of their child’s lunch.
Severe allergies/medication
If your child suffers from a severe allergy/asthma or medical condition and you have not already notified the school please do so as a matter of urgency. If we hold any medication in the office for your child you will need to complete a Request to Administer Medication form.
Asthma
St Michael's is required to annually update our school records of children with asthma. All families with children who have asthma, are asked to complete an Asthma Management Plan with their doctor, signed by their doctor and returned to the office each year. Please also ensure that the school holds current ventolin and spacer for your child.
important to tell the school and provide a reason for your child’s absence. To explain
an absence, parents and carers may:
● Log into the Compass parent portal and enter an explanation
● send a note, email to the school
● telephone the school
● visit the school
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.
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Can students attend school if a member of their household has COVID-19? |
No. Students are not exempt from the household contact self-isolation requirements. They must self-isolate for seven days and get tested in accordance with NSW Health advice, and can only return to school once they have completed their isolation and they are free of COVID symptoms. |
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Do parents need to advise the school if their child has returned a positive RAT (or PCR)? |
Yes, the public health order makes it compulsory for parents to advise the school that their child has tested positive for COVID. |
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What do students need to do before they return to school after testing positive to COVID-19? |
Students can return to school once they have completed seven days of self-isolation (from the date of their positive test) and they are free of symptoms. They do not need to present a negative test to the school before returning. |
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Do students need to use RATs after recovering from COVID-19? |
No. They do not need to participate in RAT surveillance testing for 28 days following the completion of their seven-day self-isolation. During this 28-day period, they should only test again for COVID-19 if new symptoms develop. |
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If a student who tested positive is nearing the completion of their isolation period but someone in their household tests positive, can they return to school after day seven of their isolation? |
If a student has been released from isolation before other positive cases in their household, they will not need to self-isolate or test unless they develop new COVID-19 symptoms. However, if they come into contact with someone with COVID-19 more than 28 days after they left isolation, they will need to again test, self-isolate until receiving a negative result and follow NSW advice. |
Watch for symptoms
If your child is unwell – even with mild symptoms, you must keep them home and get them tested.
If children have any symptoms, they should take a PCR (nose and throat swab) test or rapid antigen test (RAT).
If symptoms continue your child should stay home and take another RAT or PCR test in 24 hours.
If that test is also negative, your child may return to school if another diagnosis is confirmed such as hay fever.
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Common COVID-19 symptoms |
Expanded COVID-19 symptoms |
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Fever Coughing Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing) Sore throat Loss of smell Loss of taste Runny nose |
Headache Muscle or joint pain Fatigue Nausea Vomiting or diarrhoea Loss of appetite Conjunctivitis |
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Your support in keeping our school healthy and safe is greatly appreciated.
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 refer to the Social Media Flyer and CEDoW Social Media Statement below.
Further information regarding the CEDoW Social Media policy can be found using the link below.
This Tuesday just past was “Safer Internet Day”, a day for teachers and parents to reflect on how we can help protect children from the very real dangers that do exist in using the internet. Probably the best intervention we can make is supervision. In meetings held over the past few years I have used the analogy of teaching a young person to drive. Over the 120 compulsory hours you sit beside the young learner driver in the front seats, it is an opportunity to guide them safely and calmly through the unpredictable hazards and dilemmas that present themselves. On a lot of drives, it is very pleasant and uneventful. And yet, there are other times with stormy weather, slippery roads, aggressive tailgaters, poorly lit surroundings and wrong turns into dangerous looking environments. Your advice and experienced guidance for the learner driver in these times is invaluable! In a similar way, children left alone to use the internet will almost certainly eventually encounter unpleasant or inappropriate situations and potentially, dangerous people. They simply do not have the skills or maturity to deal with these situations alone.
Supervised use of the internet, in a public area of the house (rather than in bedrooms) is a great starting point, and sitting side by side with your child as much as possible is even better! Through my role at school, I have seen the unpleasant results of allowing children to engage in unsupervised messaging groups. At times, the language used and concepts discussed have been quite concerning. If allowing your child to use messaging apps I would certainly highly recommend regular checking in. The government website esafety.gov.au is a wonderful resource with facts, ideas and suggestions for helping your child to use the internet and stay safe at the same time.
Mr Richard Tuckwell
Assistant Principal
LOOP - order online
LOOP is the Scholastic Book Club Linked Online Ordering & Payment platform for parents. It allows you to order and pay online via credit card, negating the need to return forms and cash to school. It also cuts out the middle man, so you can be assured that your order is exactly as you want it. No waiting for change or wondering if the order actually made it to the Book Club Organiser. You can order and pay for Scholastic Book Club by credit card by visiting the Scholastic website at https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent.aspx or on the go with the app (available in Google Play and the App Store). More information here http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/bookclub/assets/pdfs/toolkitpdfs/Loop%20registration.jpg
Returning members can jump straight into your login and order here https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx
