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- Important Dates & Events
- Principal's Page - Judy Egan
- Assistant Principal's Page - Damien Webb
- Active Streets for Schools Program
- Parish News
- Happy Birthday
- Harmony Awards
- RE News - Laura Frogley & Jessica Lewis
- Sport & Library News - Erin Hardwicke
- St Francis Xavier College - Enrolling Now
- Merici College - Enrolling Now
- Daramalan - Enrolling Now
- St Clare's College - Enrolling Now
- St John Paul II College - Enrolling Now
| Coming up | ||
| Thursday, 26 May | Belconnen Region Cross Country Carnival | |
| Wednesday, 8 June | Whole School Photo Day | |
| Thursday, 9 June | St Michael's Athletics Carnival | |
| Friday, 10 June | Week 7 Pupil Free Day | |
| Friday, 1 July | Week 10 Pupil Free Day | |
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Monday I communicated to you via Compass that this Friday, 27 May 2022, IEU members will be participating in a full day of protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage. As a result of this action Ross Fox has advised that St Michael’s will be closed for students on Friday. The closure is because there are insufficient staff available to safely supervise your children. Your children’s safety is paramount and we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the care of your children on Friday.
As Protected Industrial Action will be occurring this Friday, we will present our usual Harmony Awards next Friday 3rd June.
We will also be posting some activities on Seesaw to assist families with learning on Friday, these activities are not compulsory and teachers will not be marking them.
Teacher shortages
I want to express my gratitude to the community for their understanding during some difficult weeks. The shortage of teachers has been truly challenging and the way staff have helped in so many ways is testimony to the fact that we are a people of kindness, doing what is needed to put students at the centre of all we do. Teachers at St Michael’s continue to give their best to provide wonderful learning experiences for your children.
Visit from Monash Primary School Leadership and learning team
The research-based professional learning provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond AM, PhD, CF and Brooke Wardana, experienced educator is highly valued in Education circles and we are hosting a team from Monash Primary School, ACT, next week to demonstrate some of the skills we have gained. Across sectors the word is spreading that what we are doing in our Catalyst initiatives is making a difference! I thank our staff for their continued professionalism and dedication to quality teaching and instruction.
Tell them from me
This week we are inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Michael’s.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:
http://tellthemfromme.com/4st2g
School Fees
Thank you to the families who are continuing to support us by keeping up to date with fee payments. Fees have been sent home via the oldest student. If you have not received your fee statement please email Lynda at the front office. Please make an appointment to chat to me if you are having trouble managing fee payments. We encourage families to use the direct debit process to spread the payment of fees across school terms.
Enrolment Period for 2023 School Year
A reminder to all families that the CE enrolment period concludes this Friday 27 May. For families of students in Year 6 looking to enrol in Feeder High Schools and for families wishing to enrol students in Kindergarten at St Michael’s please ensure you complete the required enrolment forms. If you have family, friends or neighbours please let them know about St Michael’s and direct them to our website or encourage them to come and say hello as we are always looking to promote our wonderful school.
Representing St Michael’s
Congratulations to our Yr 2-6 students who are representing St Michael’s at the Belconnen Cross Country Carnival tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has been part of supporting our team and good luck and best wishes to all our runners!
A shout out to many families on the cold, flu, or COVID roundabout, we wish you all a speedy recovery. Thank you for keeping your children at home when they are unwell so that we can do our best to contain the spread of viruses at school.
Many Blessings
Judy Egan
Principal
YOUNG CHILDREN & DIGITAL DEVICES RESEARCH PROJECT
Young children and digital devices research project opportunity for families living in Australia with children K-2. As part of my PhD with Deakin University, I am looking for parents and children to participate in a research project. The project is researching young children’s usage of mobile digital devices such as iPads and Tablets.
The project is for PhD research titled, The Agential Practices of Young Children When Using Mobile Digital Devices.
This research is only applicable to families living in Australia and with children who attend primary school in grades K-2.
Please contact Kristen Swenson if you would like to be part of her research Project
KRISTEN SWENSON <swensonk@deakin.edu.au
ROSTRUM SPEECHES
Congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 students who presented their Rostrum Speeches this week. The speeches were of a very high standard and it made for a tough day for the judging team.
The finalists were; Elise Evans, Tom Pham, Ishika Gaire, Sierra Thomas, John Jayan, Stella Coghlan, Eden Lees, Caitlyn Hurtis, Cameron Charles and Chloe Wheeler.
The winner going to the next round to represent St Michael’s is Stella Coghlan and the runner up was John Jayan.
Well done to everyone!
Walking or riding to school is a great way for students to be physically active each morning and afternoon, while helping to reduce congestion around the school and limiting our environmental impact.
Our school is part of the Active Streets program, which is designed to drive culture change within school communities to make walking and riding to school the norm for Canberra students. Discussing riding or walking to school with your children may include:
- showing children the best route to and from school (in person and on a map – check out the Transport Canberra website)
- teaching children how to cross roads safely (utilise crossings and underpasses where possible)
- what to do in case of an emergency (key people to contact or where to go).
Walking or riding is a fun, safe and healthy way to get to school!
Parish Sacramental Program 2022
Sacrament of First Eucharist - will be celebrated on the weekend of 18 and 19 June 2022 (Corpus Christi Sunday) across the four Parish Sunday Masses.
Home Booklets – families should now be nearing the end of working through the home booklet with their child in preparation for their ‘retreat day’ on 2 June 2022.
Parent/Child Formation Evening – Thursday 2 June 2022 at 6pm at St Michael’s Church, Kaleen. Families will also require the completed home booklets for discussion at the child/parent formation evening.
Home booklets should then be returned to the school (with the last page ‘Parents’ Discernment of Readiness’ completed) following the evening and no later than Wednesday 8 June – the booklets will be signed and stamped with the ‘parish stamp’ and returned to the candidates at their First Eucharist celebration.
Confirmation will be celebrated in term 3, 2022 – Registrations will open on 27 June 2022.
Reconciliation will be celebrated in term 4, 2022 – Registrations will open on 19 September 2022.
For further Information regarding the Sacramental Program – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website for updates at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
Special wishes to those children who will celebrate their birthday this week:
Toby B, KK, Xanthia B, 3/4F, Zoe E, 1/2H, Ivy-Rose G, KK.
We hope you have a great day!!
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 5. Awards will be handed out to students during the day on Friday.
Well done!!
| KD | Bram S |
| KK | Xavier K |
| 1/2B | Milos Z |
| 1/2H | Dillilah A |
| 3/4F | Kye M |
| 3/4L | Liam B |
| 5/6H | Hugo H |
| 5/6S | Josh P |
| 5/6Y | Tom P |
Religious Education in the School
Mary Help of Christian Feast Day 24th May
Mary Help of Christians is one of the many names used to refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is referred to as the helper because of her closeness to Christ and her ability to intervene on behalf of others through prayer. The title ‘Mary Help of Christians’ was first introduced in 1571 by Pope Pius V after the Battle of Lepanto. It was at a time when the Ottoman army were invading Europe and threatening the Christian faith. Prior to the battle, Pope Pius V called on Catholics to pray to the Virgin Mother with their Rosaries and seek help. The battle victory was considered a direct result of Mary answering those prayers.
In 1844, Mary Help of Christians became the official patroness of Australia. The feast focusses on Mary’s help to those in need through her intercession to confront sin and to stand against anti-Christian forces.
A Prayer to Mary Help of Christians
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Please note, Mary Help of Christians Whole School Prayer Time run by Kindergarten has been moved to Tuesday 31st May at 2:30pm at St Michael’s Church. All are welcome to attend.
Religious Life of the School
Sunday’s G
ospel- Parents are always helping their children prepare for something, whether that consists of getting ready for school, preparing for an exam, or making preparations to go on vacation. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his Passion, death, and Resurrection. He promises his Holy Spirit, gives them the gift of his peace, and tells them not to be troubled.
As a family, talk about the kinds of events that you have prepared for together; surgeries, funerals, vacations, and first days of school are some examples. Talk about why it is important to prepare for important events in our lives. Then read aloud this Sunday's Gospel: John 14:23-29. Talk about how Jesus prepared his disciples for his Death and Resurrection and how he wanted them to be prepared for what would happen so that they would be able to believe.
Talk about how, as a family, you can prepare for Pentecost (only 2 weeks away), when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate.
First Communion
Just a few dates for the diary
- Thursday 2/6 Year 4 Retreat at St Michael’s
- Thursday 2/6 Parent Information evening 6pm at St Michael’s Church
- The sacrament of First Communion will be celebrated on the weekend of 18 and 19 June 2022 (Corpus Christi Sunday) across the four Parish Sunday Masses
5pm - 18 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt;
8am - 19 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen;
10am – 19 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt; and
5.30pm – 19 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen.
Jessica Lewis and Laura Frogley
St Michael’s Athletics Carnival
Our school athletics carnval will be held on Thursday the 9th June. We are looking forward to the carnival and the classes have started their athletics preparations during PE lessons. Please be advised that there will not be any canteen or sausage sizzle lunch.
We are in desperate need of volunteers to assist as time keepers on the day. Please contact Erin Hardwicke if you are able to help out.
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
Belconnen Region Cross Country Carnival
Good luck to all our students who will compete in the Belconnen Region Cross Country tomorrow. Run like the wind!
Today, with over 1 million other people, we had fun participating in National Simultaneous Storytime.
