We have had a very settled start to the term. I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. We move forward this term (small steps) to further ease restrictions in this 'COVID new normal'. At the moment in the ACT we have been paused from moving to Stage 3 of our Roadmap, which means we are still limited with some of the events/things that we can do. Whilst at this stage, Disco and Trivia Night would not be able to go ahead, we continue to do some draft planning in the hope that by the time those events come along, we will be at Stage 3 of Easing of Restrictions for ACT and therefore able to host them - watch this space!

I cannot express how thankful I am that everyone is following requests from us regarding drop off and pick ups etc. It is extremely hard for us because we are, normally, such a community school. We hope that by following the directives from ACT Health and CE, that we can progress as quickly and as safely back to doing more as a community. 

Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Meetings

A reminder to please book in for a Parent/Teacher/Student Meeting by Friday. Follow the link below. 

https://stmichaelskaleen.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/7

These meetings will be conducted via MSTeams (like we did during Remote Learning). We would ask that at least one parent is present along with your child. These meetings will be to check in, see how things are going and set a plan for Semester 2 with regard to your child's learning and development. 

Mathematician Day

Attitude towards Mathematics plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning process in Mathematics. Students' attitude towards math can affect their overall achievement. Value, self-confidence, enjoyment, motivation and anxiety surrounding math are all reflected in a student's attitude. Getting involved as early as possible and making Math fun, engaging and relevant is the best way to prevent long-lasting negative attitudes towards math.

To contribute to increasing and further developing positive attitude towards Mathematics, we will host a Mathematician Day on Wednesday 29 July (Week 2). Students are allowed to wear uniform free on this day and we encourage some Mathematics inspired outfits. Perhaps some pattern socks, number jerseys or create your own button shirt, number shirt or hat. Be creative and have fun with Maths.

During the day we will be visited by a Magician showing some amazing card tricks.  Students will also participate in different Math activities during the day focusing on fun and engaging experiences to promote Mathematical thinking. Any questions, please see Damien Webb. 

Take it easy. 

Kind regards, 

Pat Ellis

Principal

Religious Education Curriculum

With the whole school focus this term on ‘perspective’ this term, it is interesting to see how this will be reflected in our Religious Education Inquiries. Below are the Big Concepts being explored at each grade level. You can see how the RE Curriculum encourages deepening of the concepts over the years.

3/4FR

Students in Years 3 & 4 are investigating how their relationship with God is shaped by their images of God. To begin students in Miss Frogley’s class have begun to wonder about “Who is God?” and they have come up with these ideas:

Then they were asked what would they like to know about God? And this was their response:

I’m really looking forward to being a part of these conversations in 3/4 this term!

I wonder if these would be a fabulous dinner conversation?

- Who is God to you?

- What would you like to know about God?

Religious Life of St Michael’s School Community

Our celebrations of upcoming liturgical feasts will look a little different to usual due to COVID19 Restrictions. But that will not make them any less special or spectacular!

The next Whole School Prayer Time will be for the Feast of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross and will take place on Friday 7^th August. Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will be taking the lead in the celebration of this special feast day. All classes will simultaneously celebrate the feast day with song and prayer. At this stage we cannot invite families to join us in the classes but know that you will be with us in our hearts.

Reconciliation Preparation

A reminder that all who wish to be involved in this year’s Reconciliation preparation program need to attend our parent information and formation session on Thursday evening. This meeting will be via Zoom. The link is https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/98552849473

Notes to accompany Thursday’s meeting were sent home yesterday. All candidates will receive their preparation book upon registration through the parish QKR! (not the schools QKR). Don’t forget to book into a Mass for this coming weekend to make your family commitments. Bookings for Mass are made through the parish Facebook page or website.

Within this site, which can be accessed by student MSTeams account or via this direct link https://sites.google.com/cg.catholic.edu.au/remotelearningkaleenstmichaels/home

In this site there is a Home Learning button. Within this is each team's Scope and Sequence for the Term along with their Home Learning Tasks. These may consist of a whole grid for the term where students work at their own pace, it may be weekly, it may be assignment based work etc. Home Readers will start going home also for those students who require them (K-2 and any other student). Contact class teacher directly regarding home readers. 

Please note that the tasks set in the Home Learning Folder on our Remote Learning Site are not compulsory. These are additional tasks for students to consolidate learning or for an extra challenge. Home Learning is an opportunity for parents to become involved in the learning process. If you have other ideas/projects that students are working on with you at home as a family, that is fantastic. 

We would ask that some form of reading is occurring every night for every child. Whether that is listening to a story, reading out loud to a parent/sibling or reading quietly to themselves before bed. Reading opens doors to learning in general. If you have time for only one thing of an afternoon/night, always choose to read!

Any questions, please contact your child's teacher directly. 

Basketball Clinics

ACT Basketball has kindly offered to complete our clinics from last term. They will start next Tuesday and run for 3 weeks (Weeks 2, 3, & 4). 

Boorowa

We have had enough interest from the students to form Boorowa teams for 3/4 & 5/6 Touch Football and 3/4 & 5/6 Netball. Unfortunately, we are not able to enter a Year 2 Netball team. At this stage, we will proceed with our plans to attend. Given the ever changing restrictions, we will need to continue to monitor the situation and let you know of any changes. Thank you to the many parents who have volunteered in one way or another to assist on the day. Team and volunteer letters will come home next week. 

Sporting Schools Grant

We have been informed this morning that our grant for this term has been successful!  We will now be able to go ahead with organising golf clinics for the second half of the term. 

Lunchtime Sports Equipment

The sports tubs have been refreshed with new soccer, rugby and AFL balls for the students to use at recess and lunch! The table tennis equipment has also been replaced for the start of this term. A reminder that students are not to bring sports balls, with the exception of handballs, from home. Using the equipment here at school, rather than students personal balls from home, has made a positive impact on reducing tensions during playtime. Thank you for your ongoing support of this decision.

All the best to all our student's for this weekend's rounds of sporting competition. Have fun!

Library

Thank you to everyone for returning so many of our overdue library books. Next week each student will receive a list of any overdue books they may still have at home. If you are unable to locate a missing book please just make a note on the overdue slip and return the slip to school.

Well done to the may students who are making terrific progress with the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge. Keep up the great work!

For any students who may be interested, a reminder that the MS Read-a-Thon commences in August https://www.msreadathon.org.au/

Texture

Texture is one of the elements of Visual Arts that relates to how things look and feel. There are several kinds of texture– from actual texture in art where the artwork has a certain physical tactile surface, or it could be visual texture also called implied texture where texture is not

actually real but created through the manipulation of the media.

We will begin the term by exploring rubbings as texture and how different drawing/painting techniques represent implied texture.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 1.  Awards will be presented at Friday morning's assembly. Well done!!   

Special wishes to those children who celebrated their birthday in the holidays:

Bentley 3/4F, Vera 1/2B, Mitchell KL Dillilah KL, Hunter 1/2B, Isabella 3/4FR, Kitsab 1/2B, Toby 1/2W and Jayden 1/2B

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

Oscar 3/4A, Leo KL and Samuel 3/4F

We hope you have a great day!!

CHESS!!

Learn to be a chess champion! Coaching for students at St Michael's Primary School (Kaleen, ACT) is held on Tuesdays from 11:00am to 11:40am.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard,
puzzle solving and fun practice games. Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, you can collect an enrolment form from the school office, or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au for a copy. For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

The Commonwealth Bank school banking program will start back up again this week, banking days will be on a Thursday. Could we please ask that all books be left at the Front Office and if possible we ask that you don't bring in large quantities of small coins (ie. 5 and 10 cent pieces).

Thank you to Connie who has been volunteering with the banking.  Connie is now unable to volunteer and we are seeking another volunteer to join the team, you will not be required every week and training will be provided.  If you are keen, could you please let Lisa at the Front Office know of your availability.

Information to open accounts is available from the Front Office.

Sacramental Program—First Reconciliation 2020

Registration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is due by 23 July 2020 via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Qkr! App (not the school app). 

A reminder for the parents/carers of students in Year 3, wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this term, the Zoom Information Session will be held tomorrow (Thursday - 23 July) at 6pm.

All aspects of the Reconciliation Program will be outlined at this meeting.

The Zoom access for Thursday night is https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/98552849473

Below is a copy of the Housekeeping/Info note regarding the organisation of the Sacrament and a copy of the presentation for the night.

Housekeeping_2020.pdf

3_Worlds_of_the_Text_Sacrament_of_Reconciliation_2020.pptx.pdf

It would be a good idea to have these documents readily available in case there is any tech issues on the night (fingers crossed).

Commitment Masses

Students and parents must attend one of the Masses listed below to make their commitment.  Please remember to make a booking for the Mass in advance, through the parish website. http://cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July

Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August

Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday 8 September in St Michael’s Church

Wednesday 9 September in St Monica’s Church

Thursday 10 September in St Monica’s Church

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not available in 2020 for the School of Religion due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Regards

Sue Collins

Parish Sacramental Program Coordinator

0418 623 895

The Entertainment Book is back and is now all digital, there will no longer be books printed.

The digital book is now available for $69.99 and is regularly updated with new offers.

Help support our school and the local community!

Please click on the link below to order your 2020 Entertainment Book.

https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/232g38