Filter Content
- Important Dates & Events
- Principal's Page - Judy Egan
- NAPLAN - 2024
- Happy Birthday
- Harmony Awards
- Parish News
- Religious Education News - Erika Tokich
- Library & Sport News - Erin Hardwicke
- Treasure hunt competition for families!
- John Paul College II Open Events
- Merici Open Days
- SFX Open Day
- School Counsellor News
- Out of School Hours Care Provider for St Michael’s in 2024
- School Sport ACT - ACT Teams Selection - 2024
- Sporting Clubs
- BelNorth Soccer!
- Parentline
- School Hats For Sale
| Important Dates & Reminders | Time | Event |
| Friday 15 March | 2:15pm | 3/4 Orange Assembly & Swimming Ribbons Presentation |
| Friday 22 March | School Photos | |
| Friday 22 March | 2:15pm | Palm Sunday Liturgy K-2 |
| Wednsday 27 March | 11:40am | Holy Thursday Liturgy |
| Thursday 28 March | 2:15pm | Good Friday Liturgy |
| Friday 29 March | Good Friday | |
| Monday 1 April | Easter Monday Public Holiday | |
| Tuesday 9 April | Cross Country Carnival | |
| Friday 12 April | Term 1 Ends |
Please see the attached order form for our Hot Cross Bun drive to help raise money for our amazing school. Orders can be placed on the Qkr! app or by cash at the front office by this Friday, 15 March.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last week, I was privileged to spend some time listening to Father Timothy Radcliffe, OP who is a Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), has travelled to every continent (bar Antarctica), and whose books have been translated into 24 languages.
Father Timothy had a way of connecting with everyone in the room, his stories and down-to-earth theology were greatly appreciated. Everyone that I spoke to came away with a little nugget of wisdom shared by this humble man. If you would like to hear him, Father Timothy is speaking in Canberra at Merici College this Thursday 14 March 5:30pm-7.00pm.
School Fees
All families should have received their school fee statements. CECG have made changes to the fee structure applicable to all schools in 2024. We have sent out information yesterday explaining the fee structure and school fee schedule at St Michael’s. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Parent resources
Connecting Parenting Founder, Gen Muir has recently released a go-to parenting book: Little People Big Feelings (Macmillan, 2024), well worth a read if you appreciate good parenting tips. We have purchased several copies and are setting up some resources for parent borrowing. I’m a big believer in sharing great resources rather than buying new copies, please touch base with Erin Hardwicke in the library if you know of some helpful material.
Easter Buns and hats
Information about the purchase of Hot Cross Buns and making an Easter hat over the holidays has been sent out to families.
Thank you for your continued support.
Many blessings,
Judy Egan
Principal
Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 14 and 25 March 2024. Students need to be on time as Year 3 will sit tests at 9 am and Year 5 at 10am. Please try not to schedule appointments during these times and dates. If your child is unwell keep them home and we will conduct a make up test if they return to school during the testing period.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.
Read the NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers. To see the format of the tests, visit the public demonstration site.
Tailored Tests are used in NAPLAN
Key features of a tailored test
- Your child will be doing NAPLAN. NAPLAN is an online test. One of the main features of NAPLAN is that it is a tailored (or adaptive) test.
- This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can demonstrate what they know and can do.
- Tailored tests provide more precise results. Trials of the tailored test design show students are more engaged with tests that adapt to their test performance.
- Students should not be concerned if they think that the questions are more difficult than expected or they have previously experienced – this may simply mean that they are taking a more challenging but more appropriate pathway. Harder questions receive a greater weighting so there is no disadvantage in scoring.
- This tailored testing approach means that a wider range of student abilities can be tested (compared with the paper approach, where all students answer exactly the same questions).
- Further information about tailored testing is on the NAP website.
NAPLAN is for everyone: help for students with disability sitting NAPLAN
NAPLAN is for everyone. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is committed to an inclusive testing process that allows all students to participate in the National Assessment Program. ACARA has released a series of videos where students, parents, carers and teachers talk about the sense of belonging and achievement students get from participating in NAPLAN with their peers.
NAPLAN’s disability adjustments enable an equivalent learner experience for students during testing and include, for example, magnification, alternative questions, keyboard accessibility, extra time, rest breaks and tailored testing.
Students, parents and carers can also get hands-on experience with the format and adjustments of the test on the NAPLAN public demonstration site. The Guide for schools to assist students with disability to access NAPLAN provides an overview of the process that teachers, in consultation with parents and carers, follow to assist students with disability.
NAPLAN results can assist teachers by providing additional information to support their professional judgement about students’ levels of literacy and to monitor their students' progress over time against the national measure.
Special wishes to those children who will celebrate their birthday this week:
| Sophie V | KYellow |
| Olivia S | 5/6 Pink |
| Max F | 5/6 Pink |
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award this week.
Well done!!
| KYellow | Calvin S |
| 1/2Blue | Awaish A |
| 1/2Red | Ivy-Rose G |
| 3/4Green | Aryan G |
| 3/4Orange | Dante B |
| 5/6Indigo | Xanthia B |
| 5/6Pink | Anthony A |
Parish Sacramental Program 2024
2024 Parish Sacramental Program – for students who are baptised and in years 4-6 in 2024.
Sacrament of Reconciliation – will be celebrated during term 1 on:
Tuesday 2 April in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;
Wednesday 3 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and
Thursday 4 April in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.
Registrations are now closed and No Late Registrations can be accepted.
Trybooking – to book a 5 minute spot for your child to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Trybooking links will open on Monday 18 March and the links will be on the Parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
Commitment Masses – Sacrament of Reconciliation – LAST WEEKEND
Students 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) on one of the dates listed below to make their commitment for the Sacrament.
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March
There will be no additional commitment masses beyond this date.
Sacrament of First Communion - will be celebrated across the four Sunday Parish Masses 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
Holy Week
As we approach the end of Lent the students are preparing to retell the events of Holy week. On Friday the 22nd of March the K-2 students will present a Palm Sunday Liturgy. This liturgy will recount Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem where he was greeted as a King and Saviour. On Wednesday the 27th of March the 3-4 students will present the Holy Thursday Liturgy. This liturgy will recount the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. Finally, on Thursday the 28th of March the 5-6 students will lead the Good Friday Liturgy where we will reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus. These liturgies are an important part of the students’ preparation in what is the most important week in the church. Families are most welcome to join us in the hall for these events.
Easter
When we return after the Easter break, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with an Easter Hat Parade. Students are invited to get creative and design/make an Easter Hat that reflects the joy of the resurrection and new life. Teachers will provide templates to students if they require some guidance.
Project Compassion
We are now just over half way through the Project Compassion Appeal. I have been humbled by the efforts of students at St Michael’s who are using Lent as a time to help others and lead positive change. Thank you to the students and the generosity of the St Michael’s community who have contributed to almost $500 to date! For the remainder of this term you can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes or online by visiting our school fundraising page:
https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/o/st-michaels-primary-school-kaleen
Reconciliation
On Thursday the 21st of March all Year 4 students will participate in a Reconciliation Retreat Day. This day will consist of a liturgy and activities around the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is also part of the preparation for students who will celebrate the Sacrament. More details to come soon via Compass. Please continue to keep our Reconciliation candidates in your thoughts and prayers.
Library
If you can assist with covering books, we are still trying to cover new InitiaLit resources for our K-2 literacy program. We would really appreciate any help with this task.
Please see Mrs Hardwicke if you are able to help.
Sport News
Swimming Carnival Results
Our carnival last Thursday was a great day of competition and fun. Congratulations to all our competitors with special mention to Mahli (5/6P), Alex (5/6I), Annika (5/6P), Lucy (5/6P), Eli (5/6I), Felix (3/4O) and Zoe M (3/4O) who have qualified to represent our school at the Belconnen Region Swimming Competition at the AIS on 26 March.
A big shout out to the volunteers who assisted at the carnival. We all greatly appreciate your time and support.
Ribbons will be presentated on Friday 15 March at 2:15pm in the Hall, prior to the 3/4O assembly. Parents are welcome to attend.
Belconnen Region Swimming Championships
The Belconnen Region Swimming Competition will be held on 26 March at the AIS. If your child has qualified, please see the Compass event to provide consent. All competitors have also received a note today with event details.
Cross Country –Tuesday 9 April
Information regarding this year's carnival was sent out via Compass yesterday. We are excited about our second carnival of the term.
We would love as many parent volunteers as possible to assist as course marshals on the day. If you are able to assist please contact Erin Hardwicke via email erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
If you are part of the parent sports volunteer committee please confirm with Erin Hardwicke via email if you are available to assist.
Gymnastics Clinics
We are looking forward to Clinics starting tomorrow. Watch this space for some photos!
Erin Hardwicke
For Information
Catholic school families are invited to enter a treasure hunt competition being run by Catholic Schools Guide. The winner will receive $2000 worth of school fees, and runners up will receive Roblox vouchers.
We invite families to enter -
Details: catholicschoolsguide.com.au/competition
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
|
Emily Richardson Operations Director – Early Childhood Education and Care Head Office: 1800 960 938 PO Box 7, Narrabundah ACT 2604 |
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?
