This week we welcome Wendy Rix. Wendy is a Yuwaalaraay woman from North West NSW. Wendy is a Visual Artist who has been working with all classes to create Indigenous Inspired Art. Wendy has also worked in a small group with our Aboriginal students. As part of Wendy's Artist in Residence, we commissioned her to create two artworks titled, 'Harmony and Challenge' (pictured left) and a cross (below). Whilst Wendy is at St Michael's, she will be painting two murals. A rainbow design on the white wall heading into B Block and a tree design on the green wall in the tuckshop area. This art program is in line with our Reconciliation Action Plan development.

Before School Care

It is great to see our Before School Care program run by YMCA slowly growing. We now have 6 students regularly accessing the service. In order to keep the service in the future (which will assist with attracting enrolments), we need the community support. Perhaps you need one morning a week where you can head into work early, head to the gym before work or enjoy a longer breakfast to recharge the batteries. Please consider the Before School Care program. To apply or receive further details and support please phone YMCA Canberra on (02) 6242 4040 (ask for Nadine or Jenny) or email them at cs.canberra@ymca.org.au  

Sprinkler System

I am pleased to let you know (after a very long process), that our sprinkler system is now repaired. The installation of this system originally made it difficult for repairs to take place. I have since engaged a new company to assist with our repairs and maintenance. 

Key for Learning - Create

The last fortnight we have been introducing our 'Keys for Learning' focusing on Collaborate and Persevere. It has been pleasing to see this in action across all classes. This week we have been introducing our third key 'Create'. In order for learning to take place, students need to be active in the process. This means we expect students to be engaged, asking questions, inquiring, exploring, challenging thinking and using the imagination. 

Swimming Carnival

A note came home yesterday regarding the final reminders for the swimming carnival which is occurring on Tuesday. Please note, all students will be required to participate in the swim test if they would like to enter into the water. Regardless whether they are swimming in races or just novelty events, all students wanting to go in the water must attempt the testing. Information was provided on the note that went home including the three levels of tagging that will occur. This is to ensure the safety of all students in the water and is set by the trained professionals at the pool. Their decision is final regarding what tag students receive. 

Special Lunch Day

Orders have now closed for our first Special Lunch occurring on Friday. Pasta Bake and a drink will be served on Friday to those students who have ordered a special lunch. Our Year 6 leaders will be helping in the set up and clean up. 

Recess sales will occur, so please bring some money (50c to $1) to purchase some items including muffins, cookies, hash browns, yoghurt cups with fruit and ice blocks. 

A huge thank you to the Parent Canteen Committee for your planning and preparation behind the scene to ensure these events can run. 

Community Council

Tonight we will hold our first Community Council meeting for 2020. I thank the members of council for the attendance tonight and their commitment to working collaboratively for continued success of St Michael's. We will advise next week the roles each council member will hold for 2020 along with some plans for events and fundraising based on parent feedback obtained last year. 

Enjoy the week ahead. 

Kind regards,

Pat Ellis

Principal

Religious Education Curriculum

Godly Play

To help children understand Scripture better we often use a variation of ‘Godly Play’ to tell Scripture stories. This involves using figures and basic props to retell Scripture. We pause at key points through the Scripture to consider who is speaking, how they might be feeling, who isn’t heard and where we would see ourselves if we could be present in the story. Children are then encouraged to use the figures at a later time to retell the story for themselves. This method of bringing Scripture to life could be done in the home very simply as well. Peg or plain wooden figures can be used to represent key characters in each piece of Scripture.

Some more elaborate retellings have been recorded and may be helpful if you are looking for a way to help your children understand the Bible stories better. https://www.pinterest.com.au/ccombsbaker/godly-play-videos/

Religious Life of St Michael’s School Community

Knowing & Growing in the Spirit

Our Spirituality Theme for 2020 is Knowing & Growing as Stewards of God’s Creation. The Staff have contributed their own tree to our RE Inquiry area at the entrance to the courtyard on the C Block side. Take a wander and consider some of the questions ‘planted’ around this image.

Prayer Bags

Last year we began the practice of sending home prayer bags to support family prayer time. I have received very positive feedback from all who had the opportunity to take part in this and am looking forward to this being an ongoing element of prayer life at St Michael’s. Unfortunately at the end of last year we did not receive all of the bags back to school and are missing 3 of them still.  If you had one of the prayer bags during December could I please ask you to have another look around home and see if it is hiding somewhere? I’d love to begin sending them home in each class from the start of next week if possible.

Shrove Tuesday – helpers needed!

As a school we celebrate the Feast of Shrove Tuesday with feasting on pancakes before the ritual fasting and penance associated with Lent. This year as our Swimming Carnival is on Shrove Tuesday we will be celebrating on Monday 24^th February. I’m still looking for some more parents to organise the preparation and cooking of pancakes for the school community. Please contact me on meaghan.younger@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are available to help with these delicious celebrations.

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Lent begins this year on 26^th February with Ash Wednesday. As a school community we will celebrate Mass and be marked with ashes from 11:45 on Wednesday 26^th February. All families are warmly invited to join with us on this solemn day of our liturgical year. 

Building students’ capacity by increasing physical regulation of the stress response, de-escalation and focus.

At St Michael's, we are focusing on 'body' through Meditation, mindful breaks, safety plans, ready to learn check ins and de-escalation activities. 

Relationship

Nurturing on-task learning through relational classroom management strategies.

At St Michael's, we are focusing on 'relationship' through positive praise, circle time, brain breaks and morning greetings. 

Stamina

Creating a culture of academic persistence by nurturing resilience, emotional intelligence and a growth mindset.

At St Michael's, we are focusing on 'stamina' through Keys for Learning, Growth Mindset activities and positive self talk, affirmation experiences and reflective circles.

Engagement

Motivating students with strategies that increase their willingness to learn.

At St Michael's, we are focusing on 'engagement' through humour, fun, movement breaks and inquiry.

Character

At St Michael's, we are focusing on 'character' through prayer, values and character strengths.

Swimming Carnival

We are looking forward to our carnival next Tuesday.  Thank you to all the families who have returned their permission and nomination forms. A note with reminders came home with all students who are attending this year's carnival with some last minute reminders. Please take the time to read the information relating to the swim test. Gungahlin pool have a different classification system. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions related to the swim test or carnival generally. The bus will leave school at 9:15 so please make sure you arrive at school before this time as the bus will not be able to wait!

Thanks again to the parents who have volunteered to assist on the day. Looking forward to a great carnival with you all.

K-2 Water Fun Day

Next Tuesday the students in the younger years will enjoy a Water Fun Day and special recess here at school.  If you are yet to return your permission note and order form please do so as soon as possible. Students who have not returned a permission note will not be able to take part in the activities for safety reasons. Thank you to the three wonderful parents who have volunteered to prepare the morning tea. Fingers crossed for warm weather on the day!

Basketball Gala Day

Yesterday notes were sent home with students in Years 5/6 who are interested in participating in a basketball gala day on Wednesday the 4^th March. If we are to enter a team we require permission notes and payment by no later than 26^th February. Thanks you for your understanding of the tight turn around time.

SORA Library App

If you haven’t already downloaded the SORA App, we encourage you to do so. It allows students to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from our school's digital library collection. When in the App, it will ask for the school name, please select 'ACEN Member Collection' (this is for various CE schools). If your child logs in from home, student login details are required. Your child's login details are as per the student login used at school. If your child has forgotten their login details please see their classroom teacher.

New Titles in 2020

Over the next few weeks we will have over 200 new books available for students to borrow. The new titles span across picture books, novels and non-fiction. Many of the popular authors have recently released new titles and we will soon have many of these available for our students. If you are willing to assist us with covering books we will have a 'Coffee, Chat and Contact' day on Wednesday 26th February (Week 4) between 9-11am. Any help you are able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Red Gum Book Fair  - Save the date!

10th -14th March

Our first Book Fair for 2020 will take place in Week 6. The Book Fair will be open before and after school each day from 8:20-8:50am and 3:00-4:00pm. We would love your support as this is the major fundraiser for our library and allows us to purchase new material throughout the course of the year. 

Update from the Sustainability

Action Group

Have you been in to the Greenhouse lately?  We have been busy making some minor improvements to the Greenhouse and doing a bit of a tidy up over the holidays.

The fish are looking happy and healthy after the fish tank had another clean, the rock bubblers have been replaced and new hydropots have been set up to allow for more larger/climbing plants to grow such as tomatoes, capsicum and cucumbers.  The clay balls and troughs have also been cleaned. And the germination ovens are full of seeds, ready to be transferred to the hydroponics as seedlings!

We are also making plans for the rejuvenation of the garden beds in the courtyard so keep your eye out for further information shortly.

If you're interested in joining the Sustainability Action Group please contact council.stmichaelsps@cg.catholic.edu.au 

We will be participating in Clean Up Australia Day on Friday the 28 February. We will be aiming to clean up our school grounds and the surrounding area of Kaleen. Parents and visitors are welcomed to join us from 2:20pm that afternoon to help clean up. This event marries up with the school’s culture of Sustainability and our 2020 School Theme. Students are very welcome to bring in gardening gloves from home, in order to avoid us using disposable gloves for the event.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Many thanks,

Mr Webb

Damien.webb@cg.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved a Harmony Award in Week 3 and will receive their award this Friday at morning gathering (weather permitting).  

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

Ada 5/6F, Lucas 1/2W, Ari 5/6F & Zavier 5/6F

We hope you have a great day!!

Lunch orders have now closed.

We have enough volunteers for our first week, but welcome more volunteers for other weeks.  Please email council.stmichaelsps@cg.catholic.edu.au for more information. 

Recess Canteen Sales still available on the day (50c to $1). Muffins, cookies, ice blocks, yoghurt and fruit cups and hash browns. 

Looking forward to a successful first lunch day and your continued support!

Canteen Committee 

Grace-Lenten Program 2020

The parish will be offering Lenten Groups again during Lent.  The program we will use is called GRACE and is published by the Diocese of Wollongong.  It is perfect for both group or individual reflection.  The daily reflections and Gospel reading (Ash Wednesday 26 February to Easter Sunday 12 April) are accompanied by beautiful artworks.  We hope to offer two evenings (one at Kaleen and one at Evatt) in the parish meeting rooms.  The room at St Monica’s is available on Wednesday night only.  Everyone is welcome to join a group.  Sign-On sheets, indicating your preference, have been placed in the foyer of both churches.  The booklet cost is $5.00 and may be purchased from the church.

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 (NO CLASSES FOR TERM 1)

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

DRAMA  -  Drama classes are being held on Wednesdays at lunchtime, please contact Elizabeth McIntosh if you are interested on 0408 620 899

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

REDGUM Book Club -  Redgum Book club runs four times a year.  If you have any queries, contact Mrs Monro or Mrs Hardwicke.

Changes to School Sport ACT

From the commencement of 2019 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