Welcome to Week 9!!

Where has the Term gone? It has been such a pleasure helping to lead the school during this term and I cannot thank everyone enough for the constant support. We are very lucky to have Judy Egan joining us next year and helping our wonderful school to continue to grow and flourish. I have had the pleasure of working with Judy in a previous school and am very excited that our school will be guided by her leadership and wisdom.  

Community Council Nomination

Earlier this week forms went home to nominate for the St Michael’s Community Council. This is a fantastic opportunity to get more involved in the school and help to continue to build our wonderful school community. If you are interested in joining a dynamic and fantastic group, them please get your nomination forms in.   

Step Up

On Friday the 18^th December, which is the final school day of the year, students will participate in Step Up. Students will be given the opportunity to spend an hour with their new teacher for 2021 and their new classmates. We are in the process of finalising the class lists to help make this transition seamless for all of our students. Teachers are very excited about preparing for this.

For those students and families, who will be away on the final day of year, an email will be send out on the Friday afternoon indicating the class teacher. We will not be sending home class list with students. Please re-visit last week’s newsletter to be reminded of what grade teachers will be teaching in 2021.

School Reports

I wanted to say thank you to the school community about their positive feedback around the new format for writing comments in the Semester reports. Parents have enjoyed the clearer and more precise nature of these comments and the clear feedback on where all students need to move next, to further enhance their learning. 

Continue to be kind to yourselves and each other. The holiday break is nearly here!

Kind regards,

Damien Webb - Principal (Acting)

Religious Education Curriculum

In 3/4 we have been learning about the Advent wreath and its meaning. Advent

wreaths are circular, representing God's infinite love, and are usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ".  Many Advent wreaths also have a white candle in the centre to which is known as the "Christ candle." This is lit on Christmas day.

Religious Life of St Michael’s School Community

Advent

In the Church’s Liturgical Year we are in the season of Advent. We are preparing for the coming of baby Jesus at Christmas. Thank you to 1/2W for your beautiful liturgy on Monday morning. We look forward to 1/2B leading us next Monday following morning Assembly. K-2 will lead us as a group in our final Advent Liturgy on Friday 18 December.     

                                                                                        

First Eucharist

Please remember to register your child (Year 4 2020 only) for First Eucharist next February. Please start your child’s family preparation book to support your child in this special time of preparation.

Giving Mass

Thank you to all who so generously donated to our St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. Many people in need in our community will have a happier Christmas through your kindness. Congratulations to the students and teachers who contributed to preparing our whole school Mass and for your prayerful leadership.

Graduation Liturgy

We congratulate Year 6 on the upcoming Graduation Liturgy. Parents and students will gather in St Michael’s Church for a liturgy from 5:30pm next Tuesday 15^th December. There will be a brief Awards Ceremony following the liturgy, this will take place in the school library.

Leadership Blessing Ceremony

On Thursday 17^th December we will hold a leadership blessing ceremony to bless our outgoing 2020 leaders and commission our 2021 Leaders. This liturgy will take place in the school courtyard at 9:00. Parents of Years 5 & 6 students are welcome to join us for this special event, but please remember to maintain social distancing within the courtyard.

Amen.

Bridgette McCann (Acting REC)

Sacramental Program 2021 – First Eucharist for catch-up students from 2020

The Sacrament of First Eucharist for the students currently in Year 4 in 2020 will be celebrated in Term 1 of 2021 on the following dates:

• Tuesday 23 February at 6pm in St Michael’s Church
• Wednesday 24 February at 6pm in St Monica’s Church
• Thursday 25 February at 6pm in St Monica’s Church

Registration for the Sacrament of First Eucharist is open with registration made via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Qkr! App. Registrations will close by Friday 11 December 2020 and no further registration will be accepted.

Commitment Masses
Students and parents must attend one of the remaining commitment Masses listed below to make their commitment for the sacrament. 

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December 2020

There will be no additional commitment masses beyond these dates.

The Sacrament is available in 2021 for the School of Religion. Any queries can be made to sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au

For further information regarding the Sacramental Program for 2021 please contact the Sacramental Program coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au

During the school holidays – updates regarding the sacramental program will be on the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Special wishes to those children who celebrate their birthday this week:

Landon 3/4A, Ryan 3/4FR, Natasha 5/6F & Nate 1/2W

We hope you have a great day!!

Thank you to Fiona, Cheri & Kylie for your assistance with the Commonwealth Bank School Banking service this year.  This is the last week for banking for 2020, please remember to claim any tokens, as this will be your last chance.

We will review this service early next year as there are new legislations with Commonwealth Bank and it may not be viable for us to offer this service. More information will come out early next year.

All lost property for this term is on display outside the Front Office, please remind your children to check for any misplaced items.  Any unclaimed items will be placed in the 2nd hand clothing pool at the end of Term.

Please also remember to label all clothing and lunch boxes/drink bottles.  Could you please also double check your children's clothing to ensure they have bought home the correct uniform item.  I have a lot of parents still looking for named items.  Your help with this would be greatly appreciated.