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| Important Dates & Reminders | |
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Thursday 9 February |
Opening School Mass 9:30am, presentation of leadership badges for Year 6. St Michael's Church (All Welcome). Parent Information night 5:30pm |
| Wednesday 1 March- Thursday 2 March | St Michael’s School Registration |
| Monday 20- Friday 24 March | NAPLAN window |
| Friday 24 March | School Photos |
Dear Parents and Carers,
It’s been wonderful welcoming all our new and returning families to St Michael’s for the 2023 school year. I hope that you were able to spend some happy times together during the school break. Thank you so much for the way you have prepared your children for the start of this year. New beginnings can be challenging and I’m really proud of the way your children show courage and resilience in dealing with change and starting anew.
On behalf of our community, I extend a warm welcome to Father Mick MacAndrew, our new Parish Priest. Father Mick has already visited staff and students and has asked that we include some information from him for this newsletter. Also included in this newsletter is a thank you to our community from Vinnies, we have a proud and generous tradition supporting others and I know this will continue into the future.
Welcome also to new and returning staff at St Michael’s, Danielle Madsen (5/6M), Emily O’Rourke (3/4O), Robyn O’Rourke (Classroom Support Teacher) Cherie Kelly and Michael Washington (Teacher release). As you would be aware in communications sent via COMPASS on January 24th 2023, we are currently advertising for the REC position and Year 1/2 Classroom Teacher as Ms Meaghan Younger has accepted the Religious Education Coordinator Position at St Monica’s Evatt for 2023 (Temporary).
Our new Catholiccare Counsellor is Jo Samprathi (Some information is attached).
Teaching Staff List for 2023
KD Victoria De Mattia
1/2K Natasha Kapantais/Cherie Kelly
1/2Y Robyn O'Rourke/Michael Washington
3/4B Shannon Blakey
3/4O Emily O'Rourke
5/6H Jessica Hallahan/ Erin Hardwicke
5/6M Danielle Madsen/ Erin Hardwicke
5/6S Shianne Sahariv
Visual Art Teacher Jane McKeogh
Library Teacher Erin Hardwicke
Indonesian Teacher Jacqui Ramesh
Class Support Teacher Robyn O'Rourke
Classroom Support Assistants
Kylie Arena, Maria Sanchez-Worsnop, Rhys Mooney, Melissa Morella, Sharon Friend,
Sonja Vocisano, Unnati Shah, Victoria Davidson.
This year our school theme is “Live in Harmony”. I’m looking forward to a year where we truly embrace the example of Jesus to be people of harmony in our interactions and in our relationships. It's great to feel that we are finally moving forward after a difficult few years, and I know that there is an air of excitement, enthusiasm and hope for a wonderful 2023. I’m looking forward to meeting many parents at the Parent Information Evening and encourage everyone in our community to build strong partnerships, keep in touch and get involved.
Many Blessings,
Judy Egan
Principal
Term 1 Important Events
Thursday 9 February
- Opening School Mass 9:30am, presentation of leadership badges for Year 6
St Michael’s Church (All Welcome)
- Parent Information night 5:30pm
Wednesday 1 March, Thursday 2 March
- St Michael’s School Registration
Monday 20- Friday 24 March (Information for parents included in this newsletter)
Friday 24 March
- School Photos
St Michael’s Vinnies Conference thanks the St Michael’s, Kaleen, School Community
In November 2022, the St Michael’s Kaleen Vinnies Conference asked the school to show its support for the less well off in our community in a new way: we asked each class to contribute food and festive items from a list. The school responded most generously. The school classes filled 8 large baskets with the parish and Vinnies members filling 6 more. On the Wednesday before Christmas, the families, which Vinnies supports, each received one of these baskets. The Conference would particularly like to acknowledge the very effective support provided by the school staff, particularly Ms Natasha Kapantais. The generosity of the school community made a material difference to families for Christmas and the New Year. The response demonstrates the children’s commitment to the work of Mini Vinnies and work for social justice. The St Michael’s Vinnies Conference thanks the school for its Christian response to the needs of the Poor. With such a positive response, Vinnies will conduct a similar appeal for Christmas 2023.
LETTER OF WELCOME FROM ST MICHAEL’S PARISH
Dear Parents/Guardians,
St Michael’s School, Kaleen, is one of many thousands of Catholic Schools across the world.
Catholic Schools welcome any parent who wishes their child to receive a Catholic Education. A Catholic Education offers all academic preparation with a Catholic ethos. Our Catholic ethos is founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in remembrance of his sacrifice on the Cross for all people that they can experience the unconditional love of God.
At St Michael’s Primary your child will be schooled well in all areas of life, with the dedication of the Christian staff of the school. The Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, of which the school is an integral part can offer you and your family the opportunity to worship God and learn more about the Catholic faith.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if there is any way in which the Parish can be of assistance. My mobile phone number is 0419 010 870 and my email address is mick.macandrew@cg.org.au
God bless,
Fr Mick Mac Andrew
Parish Priest (Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
Parish Sacramental Program 2023
If you have a child in years 4- 6 in 2023, this may be a Sacramental year.
A Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening will be held on Thursday 16 February 2023 at 6pm in St Monica’s Church for the families of students in years 4-6 in 2023. You are very welcome to attend the information evening where all the relevant information will be available.
First Eucharist will be celebrated on the weekend of 17 and 18 June 2023.
Confirmation will be celebrated in September during term 3, 2023 (dates to be confirmed with the Bishop).
Reconciliation will be celebrated in term 1, 2024.
For further Information – 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
Welcome to the school year of 2023. It is with mixed feelings that I have taken a leave of absence from St Michael’s for the year to join the St Monica’s team at Evatt. Whilst very happy to join the team at St Monica’s, I am of course sad to be leaving St Michael’s for the year. I look forward to still keeping in touch with the St Michael’s community particularly through the sacramental program and initiatives within the parish this year. Please keep me in your prayers this year.
The St Michael’s theme for this year is Living in Harmony. We will explore throughout the year ways we can be more harmonious in our relationships in our classrooms, school, families and the wider community.
Opening School Year Mass
Everyone is warmly invited to share with the whole school our Opening School Year Mass on Thursday 9th February at 9:30am in the St Michael’s Church.
Information Evening for Sacraments
For families with children planning to take part in our parish sacramental program this year to prepare for and receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation or Reconciliation you, are invited to attend an information evening on Thursday 16th February at 6:00pm in the St Monica’s Church. That would traditionally be children in years 3, 4 and 6 planning to receive the sacraments. I look forward to seeing you all there and meeting with our new Parish Priest, Father Mick, and Sue Collins our Sacramental Coordinator.
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Student and Family Counsellor Profile: Jyothsna (Jo) Samprathi My name is Jo and I have been part of the CatholicCare Student and Family Counselling team since 2022. Prior to coming to your school, I have worked in some of our regional schools as a student and family counsellor. I have a psychology and counselling background and I have previously worked at headspace. I have a great passion in working with young people and I feel it is a great privilege to be able to support them with their growth, emotions, relationships, and any concerns they might be having. As the school counsellor feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school. I am at the school on a Tuesday every week. If you would like to make a referral, please use the link below to access the form – once the referral has been put through, I will be in touch as soon as possible. https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form I look forward to working with you and your school throughout 2023! |