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Dear Families,
Welcome to our Term 2 Week 8 Newsletter. To begin, we have received some wonderful news about Emeritus Bishop Peter Ingham. Bishop Peter has been honoured in the Queen's Birthday 2022 Honours List. Please read the message below from our Diocesan Office.
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
We are so proud of our dear Emeritus Bishop Peter Ingham on being named today a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Catholic Church in today's Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
As Marilyn Rodrigues writes in the Catholic Weekly:
Emeritus Bishop Peter said he was “so surprised” to receive the honour and wanted to dedicate it to the people of the Diocese of Wollongong.
“I usually think of myself as a very ordinary horse in this human race, I didn’t see that I did anything spectacular but I’ve basically just tried to be there for people,” he said, adding that a lot of his work as a bishop was “loitering with intent”.
“The loitering is the hanging around after Masses and school functions, Confirmations and whatever. And the intent is the witness to the Gospel; getting to know people and mixing with them and treating them as equals so that when they did have something they wanted to talk to you about they didn’t have an inhibition about approaching you.
“Basically what I’ve tried to do is to put ‘fresh heart’ into people and to encourage them to persevere in their faith in Jesus Christ and the consequent goodness then that flows from that so as to make a positive social contribution to the common good of everybody.
“If we have positive values to live by we strengthen the moral fabric of our nation. Particularly among our Catholic people if they really try to live our faith they’re a great force for good in the community.”
“There’s an old French proverb that says’ Gratitude is the memory of the heart’ and in a sense I’m grateful for the goodness of so many people across the Illawarra, the Shoalhaven, the Macarthur, in the parishes, schools, CatholicCare, our Bishop Brian Mascord and clergy, religious congregations and the wonderful volunteers and co-workers.”
We are so proud of you Bishop Peter!
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS
This Friday, 17 June is the Staff Development Day for Term 2. This is a pupil free day. The staff will be participating in a Spiritual Development Day on Pope Francis' Laudato Si', conducted at The Hermitage, Mittagong. There will be no staff onsite at the school that day.
TERM 3 DATES
The first student day for Term 3 will be Tuesday 19th July.
On Monday 18th July the staff are participating in a Staff Development Day on the PDHPE curriculum. This will be the only Staff Development Day for Term 3.
ONGOING ILLNESS
Recently, we have had a number of students across the school who have needed to go home because they are unwell. We have had ongoing flu, colds and some covid cases. If your child is unwell please remember that they will recover more quickly with rest. Some children are being sent to school unwell which only leads to further school absence and loss of learning. I appreciate all the support you have been giving our staff and students in relation to this. Take care everyone x
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
Last year reporting on the A-E scale was suspended due to COVID-19 remote learning and the reduced load of the curriculum. This year reports will return to the A-E scale and reporting will occur on the full curriculum across the two semesters.
Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Friday 24 June via COMPASS.
Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English,Mathematics and Science.Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale.
Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:
It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents.These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA). Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale, a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.
Some features of the report include:
Overall grades
Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next.
The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.
Common Grade Scale:
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A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
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B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
|
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Effort Descriptors:
This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used to describe student effort is included on the front of the report.
Strands:
The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.
Comments:
There are three kinds of comments on the report:
Learning Gains –These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period
Areas for Growth –These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path
Final Comment –The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas
Positive Behaviours for Learning Descriptors: This section of the report focuses on the student as a community member and as a learner. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.
Absences for the Semester:
This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.
As all parents have had the opportunity to meet with class teachers during this semester, therefore there will not be formal parent teacher conferences at the end of this term. If however, you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher about your child’s report, can you please contact the school office and the ladies there will be most happy to assist you to make an appointment with the class teacher in Week 10.
NEWSLETTER READERSHIP
It is very important that all parents allocate some time to read our school newsletter, as it is the main source of information about events happening in the school. I have looked at the readership data over the past month and the results are below.
If only 59.31 % of parents opened the newsletter, then that means that 38.96 % of parents, do not know what is going on at school over the two week period between newsletters etc
We are trying to be environmentally friendly by sending the newsletter via email/COMPASS. If though, you need a paper copy to be able to access the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us via the school office and that can be arranged.
KINDERGARTEN 2023 INTERVIEWS
Over the past three weeks, Mrs Bernadette Bourke-Nash and I have been meeting with our prospective Kindergarten 2023 families. It has been our absolute pleasure to welcome them to our school. The feedback we are getting from our families and new families in particular, is that St Michaels Primary is really well regarded in our community. It is a school that people feel welcome and a part of and that is really wonderful feedback for you all, as members of our school comunity. Thank you for everything that you do to support our students, families and staff. I really appreicate it.
May you have a wonderful week ahead.
Take care and God Bless,
Mrs Katrina West
Principal
Term 2
- 16th June Corpus Christi Feast Day Combined Schools Mass
- 17th June Staff Spirituality Day
- 19th June Parish Celebration: Corpus Christi Feast Day
- 29th June Year 4 Maubara Fund Raiser
- 27th June Jolly Bops Science show with an Indigenous Perspective
- 28th June NAIDOC Week Liturgy
- 3rd – 10 July NAIDOC Week (first week of the school holidays)
YEAR 3 Maubara Orphanage Fundraiser
On Thursday 9th June, Year 3 held a Shiny Shoes and Happy Hair fundraiser to raise money for Maubara Orphanage in East Timor. It was a great day. Students acted upon taking pride in their uniform whilst raising money to help others. Well done to Mr Nash and Year 3 for a wonderful fun fundraiser.
World Environment Day
Last Monday, the 6th of June, our school community participated in a liturgy to remind us that we need to take care of our world. It was a wonderful liturgy led by Mr Tuckwell. Thank you to all who participated.
Feast Day of Corpus Christi
This Thursday, 16th of June, our two Corpus Christi Parish schools, being St Michael’s Mittagong and St Thomas Aquinas Bowral, will join together to celebrate Mass for the Feast Day of Corpus Christi. It will be a wonderful celebration. Parents are welcome to attend. Mass commences at 9:30am at St Thomas Aquinas Church.
Following Mass, the students and staff from both schools will go back to St Thomas Aquinas School for morning tea and playtime. Thank you to the staff of STA and Woolworths for providing a healthy morning tea for us all.
Year 4 Maubara Fundraiser
Wednesday 29th July (Week 10) Year 4 will entertain our school with different dances at lunchtime to raise money for the Maubara Orphanage. We can’t wait to see the dances that Year 4 have created themselves. So, bring a gold coin to donate to a dance act!
SAVE THE DATE!
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.
At St Michael’s we help support our local St Vincent de Paul Society by holding a non-perishable food drive.
Next term from Week 1 through to the end of Week 2 (18 - 29 July) we will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items to donate.
Each class will be 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.
Parish News!
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
Reconciliation
Please contact the Parish office for times
Corpus Christi Parish Feast Day
Corpus Christi Feast Day is the 19th of June this year. On this date the Parish will celebrate with a lunch. The cost is $20 per person all inclusive ($10 for children under 12). To book, please visit the Parish or confirm your booking (with payment and contact details) in an envelope and place in the collection plate at Mass.
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.
JUNE
| Wednesday 15th | Kinder 2023 Enrolment Interview - Siblings |
| Thursday 16th | Corpus Christi combined school Mass at Bowral |
| Friday 17th June | Staff Spirituality Day (pupil free day) |
| Wednesday 29 June | Year 4 Maubara Gold Coin Fundraiser- Dances |
| Monday 27th | Jolly Bops Incursion - Naidoc |
| Tuesday 28th | Naidoc Liturgy |
JULY
| Friday 1st |
Olympian visit to the school Last day of Term 2 |
| Monday 18th | Staff Development Day (pupil free day) |
| Tuesday 19th | First day of Term 3 for students |
| Wednesday 27th | Year 6 Bishop Mass Camden |
Please find attached a tip sheet to support your children with their writing. The tip sheet provides practical ideas that you may wish to try at home. We are most appreciative of your support and appreciate the time that you spend with your children to consolidate what they are learning at school.
P&F MEETING
Our next P&F meeting will be held in the school library on Friday 22nd July at 9 am. All welcome to come along for a cuppa and chat. We will be discussing our Term 3 fundraising activities. If you have any item for the agenda, please email our school office at info@smmdow.catholic.edu.au
A MESSAGE FROM MELISSA WIYA
Hello everyone,
Please find attached Wingecarribee Shire Council 2022 NAIDOC week flyer explaining activites that will be held for NAIDOC Week and the information flyer regarding the Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! Art Exhibition.
All events are FREE and open to everyone.
Kind Regards,
Mel
Melissa Wiya Aboriginal Community Development Officer
P/T 8.30am – 4.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Wingecarribee Shire Council
