Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulations to our Confirmation candidates and their families who received the Sacrament last night. We thank everyone involved including Father Luis, the Parish Sacramental Team, Meaghan Younger and our Year 5/6 teachers. Did you know that the Fruits of the Holy Spirit are Joy, Goodness, Peace, Self-control, Kindness, Gentleness, Patience, Love and Faithfulness? (Galatians 5:22-23) These are powerful ways of expressing our Christian care for those around us.  

National Day of Mourning

As per the announcement made by Prime Minister Albanese, Thursday 22 September has been gazetted as a one-off public holiday, a National Day of Mourning for the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  All CECG schools, including St Michael’s Kaleen and the Catholic Education Office will be closed on this day.  Business will return to normal for all CECG schools and the Catholic Education office Friday 23 September.

Collaboration across schools

On the 8 September 2022, St Michael’s Primary School hosted Matt Holdway, Principal of Monash Primary School, three staff including Executive and Intervention teachers and Speech Pathologist together with Todd McCoy, Deputy Principal of Mount Rogers Primary School. The team had heard about our Let’s Decode Programme and our collaboration and coaching with Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond AM, PhD, CF, Brooke Wardana and Jordan O’Sullivan. They are big fans of explicit instruction and the engaging way we are using our experiences with coaches to make a huge difference with our student learning.

They loved what they saw and are keen to continue a strong relationship with us. The experience tells us that the professional learning and pedagogical growth gained as part of the Catholic Education Catalyst Initiative is certainly having positive impacts both at St Michael’s and across the ACT Directorate. 

This week Jordan O’Sullivan from the Catalyst Perth Team visited us for coaching in Numeracy. I sincerely thank St Michael’s staff for their dedication to personal improvement in classroom teaching. We know that better teaching leads to improved learning outcomes for students and students are at the heart of all we do at St Michael’s.

Special Lunch Order Day

Next Wednesday 21^st September we are offering a special lunch order for all students via an online local business-Merchant’s Feast. We will send more details via COMPASS. It is an opt-in option for families and payments for the special lunch order are ONLY made via qkr (No cash payments). The lunches are delivered and we will transfer them to classrooms.

Team Colours

On the last Friday of this term, Friday 23 September, we will be having a "Wear your team colours" day as a fundraiser for Jariah Education Centre: https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/jariah-education-centre

Jariah is our Global Schools partner located in Kisii County, Kenya. For a gold coin donation students may wear their favourite team colours!

Rainbow Awards

At the end of each term class teachers present Rainbow Awards to students who have put in a great effort over the term. We are hoping to present Rainbow Awards at our morning assembly on Friday 23 September at 8:50am (weather permitting) Parents are welcome to attend in the courtyard.

Updates

Thank you to the many families who ordered pavers as part of our 40^th Anniversary celebrations. Please keep Saturday 19th November 11am-2pm free for our wonderful community event.

Sharing our Learning

Next Wednesday 21^st September 3:15pm- 5:30pm, come along for a relaxed visit after school to give your child 2 stars and a wish and look at all the wonderful learning that’s been happening at St Michael’s.

Thank you for your continued support,

Judy Egan

Principal

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 9. 

Well done!!   

Parish Sacramental Program 2022

Sacrament of Confirmation 
Congratulation to the 77 candidates who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation this week in our parish.

Please continue to keep these candidates in your prayers.

Sacrament of Reconciliation for eligible year 3 students (and students in years 4, 5 & 6 who have not yet celebrated the Sacrament), will be celebrated on:

• 8 November in St Michael’s Church
• 9 November in St Monica’s Church
• 10 November in St Monica’s Church

Registration
Registrations open on Monday 19 September and will close by Friday 14 October.
Registrations must be made via Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Qkr! App (NOT the school app).
No further registrations will be accepted after the closing date.

Commitment Masses – will be on the weekends of:

• 15 and 16 October; and
• 22 & 23 October

Candidates and parents must attend one of the weekend Masses at either St Monica’s Church (6pm Saturday or 10am Sunday) or St Michael’s Church (8am or 5.30pm Sunday) to make their commitment for the Sacrament.
There will be no additional commitment Masses beyond these dates.

Purchasing a Stole
Purchasing a stole is optional and is not compulsory – you can borrow one on the night.
If you do wish to purchase a stole, please make a payment of $20 through the Qkr! App at the time of registration.
The purchased stoles will be delivered to the schools for students to take home.

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

Congratulations to Josiah (5/6Y), Kobe (5/6Y) and Mahli (3/4L) on their amazing performances at the ACT Athletics Championships last week.

Mahli is the ACT Champion in both the 9 years girls 70m and 100m. Kobe placed 3^rd in the 12 years boys 100m and 200m and Josiah came 9^th in the 8-10 years boys 800m.

Well done to each of you on your achievements!

Congratulations to Seb (5/6S) who competed in the Australian Winter Walk Championships for race walking over the weekend.

Seb came 4^th in the under 12yrs, 2km race and came 1^st in the handicapped championship. Well done, Seb!