Happy Catholic Schools Week! How fortunate we are to belong to such an amazing Catholic school community. I would like to thank everyone who attended our open classrooms on Monday. It was great to see so many people. 

Thank you to the Community Council for hosting our annual Catholic Schools Week Community Breakfast. I know many of the political leaders and CE staff look forward to visiting our school every year to celebrate with us. A big thank you to Lisa and Damien for your help and support with organising this event and for the staff for assisting with running of the breakfast.

This term, Damien Webb, Laura Frogley and myself will be participating in the ACT for Peace 'Ration Challenge' during Refugee Week (16-23 June). This is an important issue to raise awareness and ensure as a Catholic school, we are promoting an understanding for our students the issues that refugees, right around the world, face each and every day. It is important to instill in our students the understanding that everyone has basic human rights and they should be based on dignity, equality and mutual respect – regardless of our nationality, our religion or our beliefs. We also have the right to be treated fairly and treat others fairly, and have the ability to make choices about our own lives.

During this week (16-23 June), we want to bring the spotlight onto the importance of looking out for those in need and raise some money. Damien, Laura and I will live on rations (similar to refugee rations in Syria) for 7 days. No coffee, alcohol, meat and other items we take for granted. We will have a small amount of rice, flour, lentils, chickpeas, beans, fish and oil. We would appreciate if people were in a position to sponsor us. The money raised will help support Syrian refugees living in camps in Jordan, having fled eight years of conflict and violence in their own country. The funds will also be used to help tackle injustice around the world through Act for Peace’s emergency response, long-term development and advocacy programs.

Did you know, that over 11 million Syrian people – nearly half the country’s population – have been displaced because of war. They are some of the world’s most vulnerable people; mothers and fathers struggling to feed their children; sons and daughters missing out on an education; people dying for want of basic medical care that we take for granted in Australia; and families who, after losing everything, are not getting the support they deserve to rebuild their lives.

Please help us to help them. Every day during refugee week (16-23 June) Damien, Laura and I will keep the school community updated with how we are going and bring awareness to each class throughout the week to help develop a deeper understanding of the refugee crisis. Thank you in advance for your support. To sponsor us, please follow the link https://my.rationchallenge.org.au/stmichaelsstaff

Today we opened up the school to the community for our Enrolment Open Day. It is always a special day for a Principal as you see Year 6 leaders walking families around the school and showcasing the great learning experiences that occur. We will be still accepting enrolments throughout the year, so please spread the good news about St Michael's. A huge selling point for us and feedback from new families is the facilities we have, Miss Jordan's Garden, STEM/Coding experiences, smaller school, our classroom support program and the great reputation we have.

Tomorrow we will celebrate our Mums and the special women in our lives with Mass at 9.30am. We will host afternoon tea between 3-4pm in the school library with an activitiy in both of the block areas for mums to do with their child/ren. Hope to see you there.

Thank you to all the amazing women who love and cherish all our students. Happy Mother's Day for Sunday!

Enjoy the week ahead.

Regards,

Pat Ellis

Principal

Whole School Prayer Time

Thank you to 1/2F and Miss Frogley for their wonderful Easter Whole School Prayer Time last Friday. 

First Communion

Thank you to those parents who attended the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Information Evening last Thursday evening. If you did not attend this important information session and wish your child to prepare for First Communion this year please contact Ms Younger ASAP at school. Remember if you were unable to be at a parish Mass last weekend simply let Fr Loi (or Fr Johny) know at the start of the next Mass you attend. Commitment cards are in the sacristy of each church over the coming weeks. 

Mothers’ Day Mass

1/2W are busy preparing to lead us in a Mass to celebrate Mary, mothers and all those special women tomorrow, Thursday 9May. Mass will begin at 9:30am in St Michael’s Church. All families, especially mothers, grandmothers and aunties are warmly invited to join us in this Eucharistic celebration. The St Michael’s community wishes all mothers a very special Mothers’ Day this coming Sunday.

NAPLAN 2019

Over the next two weeks our Year 3 and 5 students will be undertaking the NAPLAN assessments. We are aiming to make this a low key and hassle free experience for the students. These assessments are only a snapshot into the learning of our students and we are hoping that it is positive experience for all.

Our timetable is as follows

Writing – Tuesday 14 May (Yr 3 at 9:00am & Yr 5 at 10:00 am)

Reading –Wednesday 15May (Yr 3 at 9:00am & Yr 5 at 10:00 am)

Week 1 NAPLAN Catch ups – Thursday 16 May – all students at 9:00am

Language Conventions – Monday 20 May (Yr 3 at 9:00am & Yr 5 at 10:00 am)

Numeracy - Wednesday 22 May (Yr 3 at 9:00am & Yr 5 at 10:00 am)

Week 2 NAPLAN Catch ups – Thursday 23 May – all students at 9:00am

All of our students have been busy preparing for NAPLAN over the last few weeks and are ready to give it their best.

If you need any more information please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Many thanks

Mr Webb

Damien.webb@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Library

Our theme for this term in the library is 'Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover' We will unpack what this means in a variety of contexts over the coming weeks. If your child brings home an unusual book choice, they may have been tempted to try something new.

Please feel free to stop and make use of our parent reading space and the new comfy couch! As the weather becomes colder over the coming months, the library is a warm space to spend a few minutes reading while waiting to collect your children at the end of the day. You are most welcome to take a book from the shelf and when you have finished reading it place it in the returns. 

New Books

We have recently put over 100 new titles on the shelves for our students to borrow. There are 287 (thanks to Max for counting them) that are waiting to be accessioned and then covered ready to made available for our students to read and borrow during library lessons.

Chief Minister's Reading Challenge

In library lessons today, each class was informed about the Chief Minster's Reading Challenge that is currently underway.  It was terrific to see so many students who were keen to get involved. Students interested in participating need to read 30 books before the 13th September. Completed forms can be returned to Mrs Hardwicke at any time prior to the above date. If your child would like to be involved, and did not bring home the recording sheet, please visit the display in the library.  

Printing 

Stamping is the easiest printmaking skill.

This week we will create artworks with found objects, fruit and vegetables.

The app of the week is Unfold. This fabulous app brings the geometry of 3D solids to life on your iPad or iPhone.

A beautiful way to explore spatial awareness and visualisation with children by flipping, turning and dismantling.

This app costs $0.99 in the App Store and is well worth the price.

Belconnen Region Cross Country - 30 May, 2019

Many thanks to the families who have already returned their permission notes and paid your $10. If your child is not going to attend the carnival, could the permission note be returned to let us know this is the case.

Training will be provided at school at 8.30am each Wednesday of Weeks 3, 4 and 5. This training session will be held around the school grounds and students are asked to meet Mrs Hardwicke at the oval gates. Please ensure runners are brought to school for the training session.

St Michael’s Athletics Carnival  - Tuesday 4 June

Notes came home with each child yesterday. Please note that a special recess and lunch is available on the day for $4. Permission notes and special recess/lunch orders are due back by Monday 20^th May.

If you are able to assist at the carnival, we would appreciate your support.

ACT Sports Trials
There are a number of ACT trials coming up very shortly. Football (soccer), golf, touch football, rugby league, tennis, softball and hockey are just a few sports up on the School Sport ACT website. Please see the School Sports ACT section of the newsletter for further information about how to register for these trials.

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St Michael’s we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation,

divorce or related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering an education program called Seasons for Growth. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self- esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.

Seasons for Growth runs for eight weeks and each weekly session is 40-50 minutes. The program concludes with a “Celebration” session.

If there is an interest for Seasons for Growth we hope to commence this term, facilitated by Jo Krippner who has received special training in the use of this program. If you think your child would benefit from Seasons for Growth we would encourage you to talk to them about this. Should they decide to participate please email Jo at jo.krippner@cg.catholic.edu.au

St Michael’s is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved a Harmony Award in Week 2 and will receive their award this Friday at morning gathering (weather permitting).

Special wishes to those children who celebrate their birthday this week:

Akito 1/2M, Santo 3/4YM, Jackson 3/4YM, Matthew 3/4YM & Liam 1/2W

We hope you have a great day!!

Lunch Orders are to be placed by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday nights. 

The canteen still require assistance on Friday's from approximately 12.30-1.45 to help pack lunch orders, if you can assist in anyway, please contact Lisa in the Front Office.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  

Playgroup is held on Wednesdays in Weeks 2 to 9 from 9am till 10.30am in the School hall.

It is for children ages 0-5 and their parents/carers.  Please contact Kylie Arena or Lisa Monro on 62414022 for any enquires.

The Woolies Earn and Learn program is back running from 1 May till 25 June.  For every $10 spent at a Woolworths store you will be given a sticker, the stickers can then be placed on a sticker sheet (available from the Front Office) or on the posters displayed near sickbay.  The stickers will then be redeemed for resources from Modern Teaching Aids.  Start collecting today to enable us to receive some great resources.

The 2019/20 Entertainment Book is now available to purchase.  Books can be purchased at the Front Office for $60 or digital copies can be ordered through the following link.  Please see Lisa in the Front Office for more information.