St Michael's Primary School - Kaleen eNewsletter

Principal's Page - Pat Ellis

Sacrament of Reconciliation
What a beautiful afternoon/evening yesterday, with some of our Year 3 students receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. This was a little different this year being the First Rite of Reconciliation, however, it most definitely did not take away from the prayerful and reflective way in which our students and their parents enter into this special moment. A huge thank you to the class teachers, Sarah, Laura and Nadia for supporting students on this journey and to Meaghan for her leadership and preparation.

K-2 Swimming Cancelled for 2020
I am writing to inform you that, following advice from the Catholic Education Office, unfortunately, we have made the decision to cancel next term’s swimming lessons. Whilst the swimming program wasn’t planned until Week 8 & 9, you can imagine the amount of pre-planning that needs to occur and so a decision was needed to be made this term. This will also ensure no families are billed for swimming on their fees in Term 4. Given the current advice, in consultation with CE and the Community Council, the decision was made after careful consideration of the risks associated with daily bus travel, potential contact with the General Public and close contact with Swimming Instructors.

Staff Wellbeing
This week, we had a wellbeing focus on Wednesday in staff teams. This was important to stop, take stock and reflect on how each teaching team is travelling and how we are travelling as a whole group. Continued conversation will occur throughout the year.

Last Community Council Meeting
Tonight, I will officially have my last Community Council meeting. I would like to thank Esther, Emma, Gabriel, Evan, Serae, Damien, Jess and Fr Loi (current Council) for their partnership, their support, their challenge and for their continued focus on school improvement. I would also like to thank past members over my Principalship, Fiona, Anna, Stuart, Jeremy and Claire. It has been a real pleasure getting to know you all and working together to lead the school community to be the best they can be.

School Executive Dinner
On Monday, both the Executive at St Monica's and St Michael's Schools, including Fr Loi, will join together for an end of term dinner, this being the last time I will meet with them collectively. Over the last few years, Carmel, Fr Loi and myself, along with both Executive teams, have worked collaboratively to support the Amalgamation into what is now, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, North Belconnen. This journey presented many challenges along the way, but as a team, we worked effectively to resolve issues as they were arising and strengthen as one Parish. I would like to thank Fr Loi, along with Carmel M, Luke, Liz, Ryan, Haley (current executive team at St Monica's), Carmel R, Amanda, Val (past members of their executive team) and of course, the team here of Damien and Meaghan, for their dedication to working as one team.

Year 5/6 Writing Workshop
Tomorrow, Year 5/6 students will be joined by Harry Laing the Author, who will work with them on their creative writing and poetry. He will also work with the 5/6 teachers with their planning for continued writing success in 5/6.

Term 4 - Changes to Events
5/6 Camp - unfortunately this has been cancelled. Information went out yesterday explaining in further detail. We are busy planning 3 fun Leadership Days at school for our Year 5/6 students

K-2 Swimming Program - cancelled, as mentioned above.

Kinder Orientation - we are hoping can still go ahead. We are aiming for one session, where parents drop off their child and go. More information and advice is to follow to schools about this from CE in the coming week.

Year 6 Graduation - we are going ahead, with a modified approach. Given our Year 6 cohort this year is our smallest in the school (only 19), we are fortunate to be able to go ahead and ensure we are under the 100 people mark and can space accordingly. Further details will come out at the start of next term about it.

Assemblies - we did have planned class assemblies for next term. instead, each class will put together something that will be shared via Seesaw for parents.

Carols - similar to our assemblies - filmed versions will occur.

Year 6 Final Assembly - will be incorporated into the Year 6 Graduation, so we just have the one event.

Passing the Light and End of Year Mass - should be able to go ahead, following appropriate Church guidelines regarding restrictions at that time. Further detail will come out closer.

As I have said to the students over the term, we don't have control over many things at the moment. We must follow advice and guidelines to ensure we can still attend school, weekend sports etc. The year of 2020, we just make it work! We continued to be so thankful for your support and care as we navigate the 'Covid Normal'.

Social Media

You may be aware of a recent social media incident where inappropriate and distressing content was shared, from outside of Australia, on various platforms including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.

The Australian Office of the eSafety Commissioner is working closely with the social media companies to have this content removed; however, at this stage the content is still widespread on some platforms.

Your children may be able to access this distressing material through their personal devices, should they actively look for it or if it is shared by a friend.

We would urge extreme caution in how you raise this issue with your child if they have not already heard or been exposed to this video. Drawing undue attention to the issue may cause unnecessary worry or distress and increase its exposure. If you do wish to discuss the matter with your child, please emphasise the significant distress that may be caused when accessing such material.

If your child has inadvertently viewed this content, please support your child’s wellbeing by:

Reporting this content to the social media platform that it has been viewed on, or to eSafety at esafety.gov.au/report/illegal-harmful-content.
Seeking support:
Calling 000 in life threatening circumstances.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 - phone support all day every day and online support from 8am-midnight every day (AEST).
eHeadspace 1800 650 890 - open 9am-1am daily (AEST).
Lifeline 13 11 14 - phone support all day, every day and online support 7pm-4am daily (AEST).
Beyondblue 1300 22 4636 - phone support all day, every day and online support 3pm-midnight every day.
Suicide Call-back Service 1300 659 467 - phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has resources available to help children, young people and their families navigate the online world. The following links may be useful to support your conversations with your child.

Feast of the Triumph of the Cross - Monday 14 September
Next week, as a staff group, we will be centring ourselves and reflecting upon the cross. The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary, which mark the site of the Crucifixion.

We often make the Sign of the Cross over ourselves. We make it before prayer to help fix our minds and hearts on God. We make it after prayer, hoping to stay close to God. In trials and temptations, the cross is a sign of strength and protection. The cross is the sign of the fullness of life that is ours. At Baptism, too, the Sign of the Cross is used; the priest, parents, and godparents make the sign on the forehead of the child. A sign made on the forehead is a sign of belonging. By the Sign of the Cross in Baptism, Jesus takes us as his own in a unique way. This week, let us look to the cross often. Let us make the Sign of the Cross and realise we bring our whole selves to God—our minds, souls, bodies, thoughts, hearts—everything we are and will become.

Enjoy the week ahead and take care.

Pat Ellis
Principal