Catholic Recognition Awards

I am delighted to share the great news that Laura Frogley will be receiving an award at the upcoming CE Recognition Awards Ceremony at St Christopher's Cathedral on Thursday 29 August. Laura will be receiving a service award for her tireless dedication to inclusive education. Laura has been and continues to be a strong advocate for inclusive practices at St Michael's and ensuring all students are welcomed, accepted and affirmed no matter their difference. We are truly blessed to have an educator such as Laura at our school. On behalf of St Michael's, I congratulate Laura on her hard work and passion!

St Michael's Feast and Fitness Fun Day

We are excited to be hosting our first St Michael’s Feast and Fitness Fun Day. This will take place on Thursday 26 September to coincide with St Michael's Feast Day (which is celebrated on 29 September). This will replace our normal Walkathon this year.

Staff and Community Council have decided to hold the walkathon sponsorship fundraiser every second year, and instead this year, we will be giving our Year 6 student leaders the chance to coordinate and run a fun event for the rest of the school. The colour run was a huge hit with the students last year, so that will be returning as a part of this year’s celebration.

The cost of the day will be $10 per student. This cost will cover the purchasing of holi powder for the day, BBQ lunch and other special treats for the day. The school will be putting any extra funds raised into purchasing new garden games for our tuckshop play area such as connect four and jenga. 

We are very excited to see what our Year 6 leaders have planned for the day and invite families to join us for the afternoon fitness activities, beginning at 1:30pm. Please ensure that the permission slip is signed and money is returned to school by Friday 30 August. The day will start with the St Michael's Feast Day Mass at 9.30am, followed by a movie and treat in the middle session, a BBQ for lunch and then finish the day with the Colour Fitness Fun Event. If you are able to help with the running of the day, please send Damien an email damien.webb@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Father's Day Breakfast & Mass

On Thursday 29 August, we will celebrate Fathers and all the special men in our lives by hosting a Father's Day Breakfast between 7.30-8.30am. Please RSVP by this Friday for catering purposes via the below link. 

https://stmichaelskaleen.schoolzineplus.com/form/16 

We will hold a Father's Day Mass at St Michael's Church at 9.30am. All most welcome to attend both events. 

Global School Partners Event 

We are excited to annouce that we will be hosting a 'Jump Fest' in partnership with Canberra Jumping Castles. On Sunday 27 October Canberra Jumping Castles will set up their 10 jumping castles at school for a day of jumping fun. Cost will be $20 which gets you a jump on all 10 jumping castles. There will be some small stalls led by Community Council (BBQ, Cake Stall etc) to raise much needed funds for Jariah Education Centre in Kenya, our Global School Partner. We are aiming to raise $2500 for them to purchase a water tank for their students to use at school.

That means we need to sell 125 tickets to the event. Tickets will be available to purchase on the day before you jump. We will also be incorporating the Greenhouse to be opened and promote what is happening in that space (and to celebrate Spring). More information will follow in coming weeks, but please save the date and tell your friends. This is for a very good cause. This is not just a school event, but will be advertised more widely throughout Canberra. A huge thank you to the Aird Family for their idea and for partnering with us to raise these funds. Watch this space!

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A message from the ACT Catholic Primary Principal Association.

Future of ACT Catholic School Soccer and Netball Carnivals

Regretfully, this year is the final year for the ACT Catholic School Soccer and Netball Carnivals.

This decision was carefully considered and was made unanimously at the recent ACT Catholic Primary Principals Meeting.

Although these are great community days and have been going for many years, the huge workload on staff, increasing costs, complexity of indemnity and insurance and a lack of volunteers to assist has necessitated the decision to no longer host these events.

Schools are rostered on to coordinate, run and volunteer these events and are run, entirely, by the host school, irrespective of the school size. Parents volunteer on the day and staff work all weekend on these events. In the past few years, some executive staff have worked nearly fulltime in the lead-up to pull off these events, along with many staff who commit their time to support the planning and preparation, all of which is impacting on the teaching and learning agenda of the host school. 

ACT Principals acknowledge that there may be some parents and students disappointed by this decision, however, we have agreed that the future of hosting and leading an event such as this is untenable.

This year, Holy Rosary Watson will host the final ACT Catholic Schools Netball Carnival.

ACT Primary Principals

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Annual Satisfaction Survey

Over the last few weeks, emails were sent out and a link provided in the newsletter asking for parents and carers to complete our Annual Satisfacation Survey. A report has been generated by an external company and provided to the school. This assists us with our Improvement Agenda. Staff, students (Years 3-6) and parents were all surveyed and reports for each group were provided. 

I am very pleased with the feedback we have received. Overall, the feedback received by parents was extremely positive. I am pleased that the parent community are supportive of my leadership and the direction we are heading as a school. Of course, I can't do anything without the support of yourselves and the staff and students at school. I have a very strong group of staff members who support, challenge and assist me everyday - very fortunate! Below is the summary page from the parent report. As you will see, all areas are green, which is excellent. Please know we won't rest there, within each area there are certain things that we will continue to focus on and push ourselves to maintain a high expectation for all.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Pat Ellis

Principal

Confirmation

A reminder that our Parent / Child evening is tomorrow, Thursday, 22August. All Confirmation candidates and at least one parent (or sponsor) must take part in this special evening of preparation. We will be in C Block here at St Michael’s. The evening starts at 6pm and should conclude by 7pm. If it is not in yet please bring the white card information note tomorrow evening. If you have any further questions please contact me at meaghan.younger@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Masses

Thank you 3/4AK for your prayerful leadership of our special Mass last week celebrating the Feast of the Assumption.

Next week on Thursday 29 August we will share Mass together again as we celebrate the gift of our fathers. 1/2M are very excited to be preparing this Mass for the whole school. Mass in St Michael’s Church will begin at 9:30am. All families, especially fathers, uncles, grandfathers and all special men in our lives are warmly invited to join us at this liturgical celebration.

Whole School Prayer Time

3/4YM will led WSPT this Friday at 2.25pm where they will explore how we can support and be supported as we grow our faith lives.

Global School Partners

This Friday at 12:30 Simon from Global School Partners will be visiting our school to give us an update on our partner school, Jariah Education Centre, Kenya. Here is some more information on this wonderful local charity https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-28/canberra-couple-help-students-through-global-school-partners/11353332

The app of the week is Google Expeditions. This teaching and learning tool allows children to go on virtual reality trips and explore augmented reality objects along the way. Visit the vast library to explore historical landmarks and fabulous natural wonders. This is a free app so enjoy the experience.

Belconnen Region Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to the 24 students who competed at the Belconnen Region Athletics Carnival on Monday. Despite the freezing conditions the students had a wonderful day and achieved many personal bests. Students who have made it the ACT carnival will be notified as soon as the full results are made available. 

Thanks to Jo Krippner and Sarah Anderson who accompanied the team. Our thanks also to Pauline (Tamika 5/6B) who volunteered as our schools representative. 

Congratulations to Josh (5/6B)

Our congratulations to Josh who set a new track record for the Belconnen Region 200 metre sprint in a time of 27.83. An amazing result and we wish you all the best for the ACT carnival. 

School Sport Australia U12 Girls Football Championships

We wish Alisa (5/6B), Pearl (5/6B) and Liana (5/6FW) all the best as they compete next week as part of the ACT Girls Football team. 

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival

Friday 25th October (Term 4 - Week 2)

We are excited to be entering a 3/4 and 5/6 touch football team as well as a 3/4 and 5/6 netball team. Unfortunately, we are unable to take a Year 2 netball team due to not having enough players this year. 

Team notes will come home in Week 6. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to coach, manage or umpire on the day. 

If there is anyone who would be able to assist with transport of the marquee to Boorowa, we would love to hear from you.  

Catholic Schools' Netball Carnival 

At this stage we do not have enough interest to enter any teams in this years carnival. If you would like to be involved, please return the permission note no later than this Friday 23rd August. We would love to have a team from St Michael’s. 

ACT Trials Information

Please check the School Sport ACT website https://www.schoolsportact.asn.au/ for information about current and upcoming trials. The process for registration can be found in the School Sport Section below.

Book Week Dress Up Day

Yesterday’s parade was lots of fun with wonderful costumes on display!

Great Book Swap

Today in library lessons each student had the opportunity to choose a new book to take home from the book swap. We thank you for your support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the work they do. 

Friday 30th August – Big Dreams Performance

Our whole school will come together for the ‘Big Dreams’ performance in the Hall at 9:10. The performance links together the themes of the CBCA shortlisted books for this year.  

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Only one month to go on the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge will conclude on Friday 13 September. Please ensure all completed forms are returned to school by this date. Keep up the great reading over the next month!

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved a Harmony Award in Week 5 and will receive their award this Friday at morning gathering (weather permitting).

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

Aidan 1/2M, Alana 5/6FW, Clarisse 3/4AK and Aveline KL

We hope you have a great day!!

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

The canteen still require assistance on Fridays 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.  

Please feel free to contact Empire Catering on 0408 200 481 for queries with lunch orders or any constructive feedback you have regarding menu items.  

Playgroup is held on Wednesdays in Weeks 2 to 9 from 9am til 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. 

DANCECORE -  Dance classes are held on Wednesday’s at recess in the school hall, forms are available at the Front Office. 
Contact Cassie 0417 442 750 

CHESS -  Chess classes are held in C Block on Tuesday’s at recess, forms are available at the Front Office.  Contact Sydney Academy of Chess 9745 1170

GUITAR - Guitar lessons with Sam on Thursday's, please contact
Sam on 0408 196 855

PIANO - Piano Lessons with Mary-Liz on Mondays & Tuesdays,
please contact Mary-Liz on 0413 425 753

SPEECH & DRAMA  -  Drama classes are being held on Tuesday’s at lunchtime, please contact Elizabeth McIntosh if you are interested on 6255 9054

SCHOOL BANKING  -  Banking day is Thursday, please leave your books at the Front Office.

BOOKCLUB -  Scholastic Bookclub running 8 times a year, there will be two issues each Term.  If you have any queries, contact Mrs Monro or Mrs Arena. 

FREE FILM SCREENING AT ST MONICA’S, EVATT, 23^RD AUGUST

‘The Sexual Revolution, 50 years since Humanae Vitae’

This film will have its inaugural screening in this Archdiocese on Friday, 23^rd August, at 7pm in St Monica’s Meeting Room, Evatt.

It covers the ‘free-love’ experimental ideas of the 60s along-side the encyclical of Pope Paul VI ‘Humanae Vitae’ about love, sex and marriage.

The film is for all adult parishioners and clergy as it addresses many aspects so relevant in Theology of the Body.

Changes to School Sport ACT

From the commencement of this year there will no longer be Belconnen Region level trials for specific sports. To replace the regional level completion, many sports are holding gala days for schools to attend. We will enter teams in these gala days where there is student interest. The pathway for selection to an ACT sporting team is through trials offered in the same way as they have been previously. Please see the information below in relation to the process of registering your child for ACT trials on the School Sport ACT website.

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.

1. Go to the School Sport ACT website – schoolsportact.asn.au
2. Click Register (top right corner of homepage) for an Account – enter parent details and password
3. 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.
4. Click Log In (top right hand corner of home page) enter password then click on top tab My Profile
5. You will see a ‘dashboard’ of your information, click green box to Add Student – enter student and medical details and save.
6. Go to the Sports Tab – choose your specific sport, click on Trial Information box then click on the Register to Trial link.
7. 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?
8. Make the $5 credit card payment then click to register.
9. An automated email will then be sent to your Principal/School Approver for their approval to trial (no need to take anything to school for the Principal to sign).
10. You will be able to see the process has been complete back in My Profile – once your Principal/School Approver has completed the approval process your child’s information will be collated onto a list for the Team Manager and Coach prior to trial.
11. Note the registration process closes two days before the first trial date to allow sufficient time for approval and sharing of collated information.

Looking forward to another big year of sporting participation,

Erin Hardwicke
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au

ONLY 3 BOOKS LEFT - LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE

The 2019/20 Entertainment Book is still 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.

Westfield Belconnen Junior Summer Sport Expo

Looking to sign up for summer sports but not sure what to pick? Join us for an all in one info night with a host of local sporting clubs!

They’ll have all the information and sign up processes ready go so when the temps warm up you’re ready to get out onto the field.

Date: Friday 23^rd August

Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Westfield Belconnen Level 1, centre court

Find out more :  http://bit.ly/WB-SportsExpo19

To St Michael’s Primary School Community,

I have requested to be a part of the Little Oak Sanctuary Canberra wheat biscuits challenge, and getting our school involved. It is a good opportunity for our school to donate some wheat biscuits (Weet-Bix) to an animal sanctuary (that myself is in touch with) for the wonderful, loving animals there.

Little Oak Sanctuary is a not-for-profit animal sanctuary for rescued farm animals. They have 180 animals at the sanctuary, including cows, sheep, poultry and chickens, goats and pigs, who love wheat biscuits. By donating a box of wheat biscuits, you'll be helping to look after Little Oak Sanctuary rescued farm animals. And by contributing to this challenge you will brighten the day for many of the happy residents at Little Oak.

I wish all farmed animals could be treated compassionately, and by taking part in Little Oak’s Canberra’s wheat biscuit challenge, you will have the opportunity to extend your compassion for all animals!

I trust that by us participating in Little Oak Sanctuary’s Canberra wheat biscuit challenge, it will inspire you to recognise that compassion actions create a kind, caring world. And so everyone can contribute to reach this goal.

Mischa Warwick

5/6B Student

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Mischa’s words are very inspiring and it is great to see one of our students supporting such a great cause. There will be a box placed in the front office, where you will be able to drop off wheat biscuits (Weet-Bix) in order to support this wonderful project. We will aim to collect all of the donations on Wednesday the 28^th of August.

Many thanks

Mr Webb