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| Important Dates & Reminders | |
Dear Parents/Guardians,
What a busy week for the school community – May already – and Easter celebrations and Anzac commemorations, along with our Cross – Country Carnival all occurring in quick time.
Many thanks to Erin Hardwicke for organising the Cross-Country and to all the parent volunteers who helped make the morning a success. Congratulations to all competitors and participants who ran the course to represent their House. Awards will be given to acknowledge those who gave their competitive best to place in the front end of each age group. Some students will move on the compete at zone carnivals in coming weeks – standby for those exciting announcements.
I commenced at St Michael’s just last week – in a temporary role until May 19th – and last week omitted to welcome Mrs Erika Tokich, who commences her role here as the Religious Education Coordinator and classroom teacher in an ongoing senior role.
Erika is a highly regarded educator and has a professional educational history of high energy, dynamic staff leadership and creative enterprise. We welcome Erika and look forward to the blessings that she will bring to our catholic community now and in the future.
We also thank and farewell Rhys Mooney – a student teacher, who leaves us this week as he prepares to broaden his educational journey with new experiences. Thank you and good luck Rhys.
I have been struck by the welcome and beautiful behaviour and manners of the children each day at St Michael’s. Their care and concern for one another and their exemplary behaviour is a credit to parents and staff who nurture them in a shared and supportive way.
As the trees change colour and we find our woolly warms to bring on the Canberra climes – let us remember those less fortunate and give where we can by donating to Project Compassion as a worthy cause.
Dear Parents,
I am delighted to be at St Michael’s until 19 May to act as Principal on behalf of Judy Egan and the school community.
This term begins as we reflect on the message of Easter – and as we commemorate the Anzac story on April 25th.
The sacrifice of Jesus and his life of love and of hope is intertwined with the love and service – as well as sacrifice of so many Australians who served their country in all wars across the globe.
We, all Australians, owe a sacred debt of gratitude to all service personnel and especially remember those who have shown ‘no greater love than to lay down their lives so that we may live' and be free.
The Gospel message of love over hatred, and peace over war is imbedded in our schools’ Vision –‘ to strive to foster hearts of compassion, kindness and forgiveness inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus.’
May we pray for one another to bring joy and peace to each of our families, to our relationships with one another and to build a community of faith which invariably strengthens and builds community and country in a positive way.
Lest We Forget.
I look forward to seeing many parents in coming weeks and look forward to being a steward for peace and harmony as your children learn in this beautiful community environment.
Warmest regards,
Tim Cleary
Principal
Parish Sacramental Program 2023
Sacrament of First Eucharist - will be celebrated across the four Sunday Parish Masses:
5pm - 17 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt;
8am - 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen;
10am – 18 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt; and
5.30pm – 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen.
Registrations will close this Friday 28 April 2023.
Registration for the Sacrament must be made via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Qkr! App (NOT the school app).
If you are registering more than 1 child you will need to fully complete and pay for each separate registration.
No late registrations will be accepted after the closing date.
Parent Formation Meeting for the Sacrament of First Eucharist– 6-7pm this Thursday 27 April 2023 via MS Teams – address is:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3a67706884b03b47ea973689481e9d2367%40thread.skype/1681969741474?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%229ba8c2d6-be27-4583-a686-5c6f5c4a9e97%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22bb949535-9d39-4203-b664-93d90c050e23%22%7d
At least 1 parent and the child should be in attendance.
Commitment Masses
Students and parents must attend one of the weekend Masses at either St Monica’s Church (5pm Saturday or 10am Sunday) or St Michael’s Church (8am or 5.30pm Sunday) on one of the dates listed below to make their commitment for the Sacrament.
Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May
There will be no additional commitment masses beyond these dates.
Purchasing a stole for First Eucharist
Purchasing a stole is optional and is not compulsory (you can borrow one on the day).
If you wish to purchase a stole, please make a payment of $20 through the Qkr! with the registration and the stole will be delivered to the schools and the School of Religion (SOR).
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on 5, 6 & 7 September 2023.
Sacrament of 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 at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
Whole School Focus: Live in Harmony
This year our whole school focus is ‘Live in Harmony’. This term our focus in ‘Harmony in my School’. To help break open the focus for students, we are exploring the theme of change, the values of courage and gratitude and the keys for learning exploring and perseverance. Each week the theme, values and keys for learning will be the focus for our Harmony Awards.
This Friday our award focus is the theme of change. Our new term came with many changes including new routines, students and teachers. We will acknowledge students who have transitioned into the new term smoothly with all the challenges that have come with change.
Easter Scripture
Jesus said, ‘Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you… I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.’ (John 14:1-12)
If we believe in Jesus, He promises us a place in heaven with him. This means being open to the Holy Spirit, breathing in the life of grace that empowers us to follow Jesus and live our lives according to His teachings.
Key Dates for Term 2
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May 6/7 |
First Eucharist commitment masses |
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May 12 |
Year 3/4 Mother’s Day Liturgy 9am |
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June 8 |
Feast of Corpus Christi/Eucharist Retreat Day/Eucharist Parent and Child Formation Evening |
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June 17/18 |
First Eucharist Masses |
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June 27 |
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Feast Day |
For all Religious Education Inquiries please email Erika Tokich at:
erika.tokich@cg.catholic.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
I would like to introduce myself, Danielle Madsen, as the Aboriginal Contact Teacher at St Michael’s. This role aims to:
- support students within the classroom and the broader school setting as we continue our commitment in Closing the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the St Michael’s community.
- Support teachers and school staff to embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures in the school.
- Facilitate celebrations for significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events.
- Collaborate with teachers at St Michael’s to celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
Last term, our 5/6 students were privileged to listen to a talk from the Aboriginal Rangers at Birrigai Camp. They learnt about the history and significance of Birrigai as a meeting place for Aboriginal people and were shown several Aboriginal artefacts, including an ancient axe head that was found in the area.
To continue to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures, all students at St Michael’s will attend a performance KADUL with Ryka Ali on Thursday 18th May. The performance will include participatory dances with students and explorations of various instruments, artefacts, costumes and ‘painting up’ with ochre (along with student volunteers). As well as performing and teaching dances with audience participation, Ryka will demonstrate playing the didgeridoo.
Also, students will be participating in activities for National Sorry Day (Friday 26th May) and Reconciliation Week (27th May – 3rd June). If you would like to find out more about St Michael’s vision and commitment to Reconciliation, please read the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), attached below.
If you have any questions regarding Aboriginal Education at St Michael’s, please contact me using the following email. danielle.madsen@cg.catholic.edu.au
Our carnival will be held next Tuesday 2nd May (Week 2). The carnival will commence at 9:30 and conclude at 11:00am. We will begin with the 12 years and move through the program to finish with our youngest students.
Students may wear house colours or their sports uniform. Please remember to send a water bottle and hat to school, and sunscreen is recommended.
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Year Born |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015/2016 |
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Age |
12/13yrs |
11yrs |
10yrs |
9yrs |
8/7yrs |
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Distance |
3000m |
3000m |
2000m |
1500m |
1000m |
If you are able to assist as a course marshal we would love a few extra volunteers. Volunteers would be required for approximately 2hrs from 9-11am. Please contact Erin Hardwicke or Lynda Logan if you are able to assist. We require a current WWVP Card to be provided to Lynda.
Belconnen Region Cross Country will be held on Thursday 25th May and we look forward to seeing who will represent our school this year!
Please contact me via email if you have any questions, feedback or are able to offer your assistance at any of our sporting events throughout the year.
Erin Hardwicke
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
Touch Football Clinics
We are grateful to ACT Touch Football who will come and run 2 free clinics for our students. We also look forward to entering 3/4 and 5/6 teams in this year's touch football gala day to be held this term. If you haven't provided permission via Compass for your child to participate, please do so by this Friday 28th April.
SCHOOL SPORT ACT TRIALS – Please keep an eye on the School Sport ACT website www.schoolsportact.asn.au for upcoming ACT trials. The process for registering can be found below. If you need any assistance registering your child please feel free to ask for assistance.
How to register your child with School Sport ACT
School Sport ACT now collects all registration information online – this is to prevent the movement to and fro of a paper note and have all information readily available to officials prior to the trial. As this process incurs a fee for data storage, system maintenance and admin, a small $5 fee payment via credit card will be required.
- Go to the School Sport ACT website – www.schoolsportact.asn.au
- Click Register (top right corner of homepage) for an Account – enter parent details and password
- A confirmation email will be sent to your chosen email that will contain a link that you must click on to verify the email account.
- Click Log In (top right hand corner of home page) enter password then click on top tab My Profile
- You will see a ‘dashboard’ of your information, click green box to Add Student – enter student and medical details and save.
- Go to the Sports Tab – choose your specific sport, click on Trial Information box then click on the Register to Trial link.
- Select your child’s name from the dropdown box and then enter the optional fields for Playing History, Preferred Position (if applicable) and Representative Experience. If you are already in the system, ensure your child’s school is up to date in your profile – have they moved onto High School?