Filter Content
- Important Dates & Events
- Principal's Page - Judy Egan
- Happy Birthday
- Harmony Awards
- Parish News
- Religious Education News - Erika Tokich
- Indigenous News - Danielle Madsen
- Library & Sport News - Erin Hardwicke
- School Sport ACT - ACT Teams Selection - 2024
- School Counsellor News
- Out of School Hours Care Provider for St Michael’s in 2024
- School Hats For Sale
| Important Dates & Reminders | Time | Event |
| Friday 9 February | 2.15pm | School Assembly- Presentation of Year 6 Leadership Badges, Harmony Awards and Birthday Certificates in school hall |
| Thursday 8 February | 6.00pm | Sacrament Information Evening @ St Michael's Church |
| Tuesday 13 February | 5.30pm | Family Meet n Greet BBQ |
| Wednesday 14 February | 12 Midday | Whole School/ Parish Mass - Ash Wednesday @ St Michael's Church |
| Tuesday 20 February | 9.30am | Whole School Opening Mass @ Church |
| 28 Feb- 1 March | Year 5/6 Camp | |
| Friday 22 March | School Photos |
Dear Parents and Carers,
A warm welcome to 2024, especially to our new families, we are excited to have you join us. I firstly offer sincere thanks and gratitude to Bridgette McCann, who finished a very busy 2023 in the Principal role. Bridgette, Erika Tokich and all staff were a wonderful support while I was on unexpected sick leave.
In the past 2 weeks we have revisited our Vision and Values to allow everyone in our community to make strong connections and build a positive culture. We have linked our Vision to our Bs and our Keys. The beautiful new posts at drive-through contain our 5Bs- living values.
Our Vision
To live and learn in harmony with others
Inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus
Our Values
Our Living Values
(expressed in our 5 Bs)
be safe, be respectful, be responsible, be a learner, be a leader
Our Learning Values
(expressed in the Keys for Learning)
collaborate, persevere, create, question, and explore
In a nutshell, we want our students to grow as learners and to follow the example of Jesus to treat others as they wish to be treated.
Successful Grants
I’m also thrilled to let you know that after receiving 2 successful grants in 2023 we will be introducing The Resilience Project https://theresilienceproject.com.au/ and refreshing the library space for increased parent engagement.
Family meet n greet BBQ - 13 February
Please reply to our Compass invite for next Tuesday evening 13 February. This will be our Family meet n greet BBQ from 5:30pm and an opportunity for families to be part of our wonderful Community Council. You can support us in many ways so please come along to meet other families and build important relationships that benefit your child. Looking forward to a wonderful 2024 and catching up with everyone at this family event.
A reminder, we will gather in the Hall at 2.15pm, this Friday 9 February for our first assembly, where our Year 6 leaders will receive their leadership badges. Harmony Awards and birthday certificates will also be presented. Everyone is welcome!
Many blessings,
Judy Egan
Principal
Special wishes to those children who will celebrate their birthday in Week 1 & 2 and in the holidays:
| Freiya R | 1/2Red |
| Zaine N | 1/2Red |
| Layla M | 1/2Blue |
| Alana Z | 3/4Green |
| Andi M | KYellow |
| Valentina E | 1/2Blue |
| Norbu Y | 5/6Indigo |
| Lesina K | 3/4Orange |
| Grace S | 3/4Green |
| Maria C | 3/4Orange |
| Chiara C | 5/6Pink |
| Callum H | KYellow |
| Eden P | 3/4Orange |
| Nicole S | 5/6Pink |
| Mai M | 1/2Red |
| Adeline B | 5/6Pink |
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award this week.
Well done!!
| KYellow | Hamish M |
| 1/2Blue | Samuel W |
| 1/2Red | Amelie L |
| 3/4Green | Ellis L |
| 3/4Orange | Carol G |
| 5/6Indigo | Hunter H |
| 5/6Pink | Lydia W |
Parish Sacramental Program 2024
2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in years 4-6 in 2024.
A Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening will be held THIS Thursday 8 February 2024 at 6pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen for the families of students who are baptised and are in years 4-6 this year and wish to celebrate the Sacraments.
You are very welcome to attend the information evening where all the relevant information will be available. If you are unable to attend, please check the school newsletters or the parish website for relevant dates regarding the Sacramental Program.
Sacraments to be celebrated in 2024
Sacrament of Reconciliation – will be celebrated during term 1, with registrations opening on 19 February via the parish Qkr! app (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) not the school app.
Sacrament of First Communion - will be celebrated on the weekend of 15 and 16 June.
Sacrament of Confirmation – will be celebrated on 17, 18, and 19 September.
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
Term One Week One
Welcome to the new school year of 2024! Last year I was warmly welcomed to the staff of St Michael’s and I feel very blessed to be part of the community for another year. In the newsletter each week I will be posting updates about the Religious Education news, the Liturgical calendar and Sacramental news. Please feel free to contact me if needed via my email: erika.tokich@cg.catholic.edu.au
Whole School Focus
St Michael’s theme for this year is Come Holy Spirit. This is aligned with the Year of the Holy Spirit. Last week the whole staff participated in a Holy Spirit themed Spirituality Day. Staff had the opportunity to use readings and scripture to deepen their understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and deepen their connection to the Spirit. They also reflected on how the Spirit can be our advocate and help navigate the challenges and decisions in our lives. Throughout this year students will use scripture to explore who the Holy Spirit is, symbols of the Spirit and how the gifts and fruits of the Spirit can assist us.
Christian Meditation
Christian Meditation is a type of contemplative prayer. It involves stillness and silence, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Last week the staff were involved in some professional learning and this week, Helen Bramanathan, the Religious Education & Faith Formation Officer from Catholic Education will be coming to speak to each class about the prayer and lead them though the process. Christian Meditation, in a Catholic school is always part of our prayer life. Recent research has shown that when we pray in this way, as well as growing spiritually, there are benefits related to our social/emotional wellbeing including reducing stress and anxiety and helping increase focus. This year at St Michael’s we will be embedding Christian Meditation into our prayer routine.
Opening School Year Mass
Everyone is warmly invited to come along to our Whole School Mass on Tuesday the 20th February at 9:30am in the St Michael’s Church. During the mass there will be a blessing for the Year 6 student leaders and staff of 2024.
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 8th February at 6:00pm at the St Michael’s Church. This is for children in years 4 and 6 planning to receive the sacraments. I look forward to seeing you all there and meeting with Parish Priest, Father Mick, and Sue Collins our Sacramental Coordinator.
Aboriginal Education
I would like to introduce myself, Danielle Madsen, as the Aboriginal Contact Teacher at St Michael’s for 2024. This role aims to:
- support students within the classroom as we continue our commitment in Closing the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in our school community.
- provide opportunities for all students to deepen their knowledge of Australia’s First Nations Peoples and the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
- collaborate and support our teaching staff to embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.
Later this term, Katrina Cambridge, the Aboriginal Education Officer from CE, will be visiting our classes to speak about Aboriginal spirituality and to do a creative activity with the students.
Students will also be attending an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performance ‘Kadul’ with Ryka Ali on Thursday 4th April (Week 10). Ryka will be presenting the legends of his family clans through song, dance, didgeridoo and a smoking ceremony.
In Term 2, students will be participating in activities for National Sorry Day (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
Tuesday – Kinder, 3/4O and 3/4G
Wednesday – 5/6P, 5/6I, 1/2R, 1/2B
Please remember to send a library bag to school on your child’s library day.
Chief Minister’s Reading Competition
The Chief Minister’s reading competition has started! The time frame has been reduced this year and will conclude on the last day of Term 2. All classes will be participating with the aim of reading 30 books before 5 July. More information will be given to students during library lessons next week.
Volunteers Needed
If there are any parents who can assist with covering library books, we would love to hear from you. We have over 500 new books that are ready to be covered so as they can be added to the library collection for students to borrow. Please see Mrs Hardwicke if you are able to help.
Swimming Carnival - 2024
Our swimming carnival will be held on Thursday 7 March at Stromlo Leisure Centre. Information was sent home via Compass on Monday. Please accept or decline your child attendance by the due date. To nominate your child to their events please complete the questions on the Compass event. We are looking for assistance on the day from parents who are able to assist as time keepers or supervision at the splash park. We would greatly appreciate your help as we cannot run our carnivals without assistance from our families.
Gymnastics Clinics
We will be running gymnastics clinics for all classes from K-6 in weeks 7, 8, 9 & 10.
Cross Country – Save the date
Our Cross Country will be held on Tuesday 9 April. We were fortunate to receive a Sporting Schools grant for this term and this will be used to cover the costs of the program. Looking forward to seeing the students learning some new skills and having fun with the coaches from Canberra City Gymnastics Club.
Erin Hardwicke
School Sport ACT - ACT Teams Selection - Important Information
Please see the School Sport ACT webpage http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/stateterritory-school-sport-offices/school-sport-act/ or Facebook page for the most up to date information.
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 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?
My name is Jo, and I am happy to be back as the School Counsellor at St Michaels in 2024.
I have a psychology and counselling background and I have a great passion in working with young people. I feel it is a great privilege to be able to support them with their growth, emotions, relationships, and any other concerns they might be experiencing.
The school counselling program is a first port of call in supporting your child’s mental wellbeing within the school environment. I am able to provide short-term counselling intervention sessions over a few weeks and provide support and guidance in accessing external services if required. Feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school, happy to chat through the program and the support I can offer in this role. I am at the school on a Monday each week.
If you would like to make a referral for your child, 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 2024!
Community Services #1 are pleased to announce that we will be the Out of School Hours Care Provider for St Michael’s in 2024.
Information about our service
Daily session fees and opening hours:
Before School Care: 7.00am-8.45am - $27.00 per session * - includes breakfast
After School Care: 3.00pm-6.00pm - $41.00 per session * – includes afternoon tea and a late snack after 5pm
* Session fees are calculated before the Child Care Subsidy is applied.
Program:
Children have access to a wide range of resources such as sports equipment, board games, construction, art and craft, books, small world, dramatic play and loose parts. Experiences planned by and with the children are run each session as well as spontaneous experiences based on children’s interests on the day.
Expressions of interest and more information
If you would like to submit an expression of interest for care in 2024 or have any questions, please email stmichaels@communityservices1.org and you will be sent through information regarding enrolment.
We look forward to meeting you next year.
Regards,
Emily
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Emily Richardson Operations Director – Early Childhood Education and Care Head Office: 1800 960 938 PO Box 7, Narrabundah ACT 2604 |
