Dear Parents/Carers,

Another week full of fun and learning. As we move to the second half of Term 4, I would like to thank all staff at St Michael's for their continued dedication and passion for what they do. As well as planning for 2019, staff are busy assessing students, writing reports, preparing items for the Christmas night, supporting new students with transitions, finalising personalised plans to handover, along with engaging students in learning experiences and dealing with little incidents that tend to pop up at this time of year as children become tired, hot and exhausted. Working at a school is a committment and many of the tasks asked of staff are completed outside of the 'normal' work hours. Not just the physical act of 'doing work', but when we constantly think about a particular child or situation, and how best we can support and help, which often goes late into the night and weekends. The time taken away from our own families can be massive at times. Please take the time to say thanks! Staff at St Michael's are truly dedicated individuals who can be here long before school starts and/or long after school finishes. 

Peer Support

Next week, we draw to a close our Peer Support program for 2018. A big thank you to Simone Brennan for her leadership with this program and to our senior students for preparing and leading these sessions. There has been a constant buzz across the school every Wednesday when Peer Support is occurring. Our intention is for all students at St Michael's to begin building great leadership skills which will assist them not only at school but in life in general. 

Siloam - Principal's Spirituality Retreat

Next week I will be away from school for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. I will be attending Siloam at Galong with other Principals. This is a overnight retreat for Principals which occurs three times a year. It is our opportunity to connect as Catholic leaders and have time away from the school setting to reflect on the influence and impact we have on our school communities. In my absence, please contact Damien Webb.

Reconciliation Retreat

Tomorrow our Year 3 students will travel over to St Monica's to join their Year 3 students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation Retreat Day. This is a special time for our students as they deepen their understanding of what Reconciliation means linking to the Gospel of 'The Prodical Son'. Thank you to Meaghan Younger and Yvette Whalan for supporting students through this journey and to the parents and families involved for your support. 

Fete Committee Meeting

On Monday (19 November) at 5.30pm, we will hold our next fete committee meeting in the library. The committee formed last month and have already been very busy sourcing sponsorship, ideas and support. You will note in last week's newsletter and this week's newsletter, along with an email from your PRN, that on Friday 30 November we are holding a uniform free day. On this day, we are asking students to bring in an item to donate for our silent auction for the fete. Each class has been given a theme for donations. Thank you in advance for supporting this. 

Don't forget to rsvp for our upcoming Christmas night. It is going to be a great night!  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19zNlpFgU0MBf3_y2saFDc_4b_EmAzn4QpjBEeQ6Db2M/edit?usp=sharing

Staffing

As mentioned previously, Cathy Holland begins her long service leave next week until the end of the year. Cathy will also finish up at the end of the year. If you see Cathy around tomorrow, please say farewell and thank you. Cathy has dedicated 19 years at St Michael's and has educated many as classroom teacher and teacher librarian. We will miss Cathy's gentle nature and sense of humour. We will officially farewell Cathy as a school at the end of the term. 

We congratulate Brendan Hague on his appointment at St Monica's Primary School in Evatt. Over the course of this year at St Michael's, Brendan has developed good relationships with staff, students and parents. He has led our STEM approach, supporting staff and students in their understanding and skills. Brendan's calm nature will be missed at the school. Still being part of the same Parish, we will surely see Brendan around in the future. We thank and wish Brendan all the best as he moves forward in his career. 

School Banking Coordinator for 2019

We are still seeking a volunteer to assisting with the school banking for 2019.  Fiona Scadden has kindly volunteered, however having a second volunteer will assist greatly as she is not always available every week.  Please let Lisa in the Front Office know if you can assist in any way.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Kind regards,

Pat Ellis

Principal

Congratulations to the following students who are being awarded the 'Star Reading Award' from Scholastic at tomorrow's assembly.

Isabella KL, Hannah KL, Oscar 1/2M, Chloe 1/2F, Orla 3/4W, Emma 3/4W, Jarrah 3/4W and Elizabeth 3/4W.

Congratulations to the following children who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 5 and will receive their award at tomorrow's assembly.

Reconciliation

Retreat Day for all children in Year 3 will be on this Friday 16^th November at St Monica’s School Hall. St Michael’s Year 3 children will travel by bus to and from this retreat. Our bus will leave St Michael’s at approximately 9:15am. Children will be engaged in Retreat activities until 1:00pm and then return in time for lunch back at St Michael’s. All students will need to take their morning tea and water bottle in a small bag with their name on it. The canteen at St Monica’s will be available for children to purchase something for morning tea if they wish. We will be back at St Michael’s for lunchtime so normal canteen can be used for this.

A reminder that the $20 fee for Reconciliation is now due to the Front Office. Anyone who purchased a personal stole may also pay the additional $20 for those at the Front Office or on QKR.

First Reconciliation

We keep in our prayers the students preparing for their First Reconciliation next week. The Second Rite of Reconciliation celebrations will be at St Monica’s Church on Wednesday 21^st November and St Michael’s Church on Thursday 22^nd November. Both liturgies will begin at 6:00pm.

Whole School Prayer Time

Thank you to Miss Frogley and 1/2F for their Whole School Prayer Time last Friday. It was a beautiful way to pause and honour all soldiers who have died in the service of their country.

We look forward to Kindergarten’s Whole School Prayer Time on Friday 23^rd November. All families are welcome to join us for this celebration from 2:15 in St Michael’s Church.

Catechist Award for Sr Kate

We congratulate Sr Kate on receiving the Archbishop Eris O'Brien Award for 50 years of service as a Catechist in our Archdiocese.  Thank you, Sr Kate, for your commitment and dedication in the teaching of the Catholic faith to our children.

K-2 SWIMMING

Reminder that swimming lessons for K-2 start in Week 7 .  If you have any queries, please contact your class teacher or Mrs Hardwicke.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2019 - SAVE THE DATE

Next years swimming carnival will be held at Queanbeyan Pool on the 12th March.  The carnival will be for all students 8 years and up.  The younger students will remain at school for a Water Fun Day.

ORIENTEERING

The students have been thoroughly enjoying the Orienteering sessions that have been held this Term.

Hello everyone, 

Our St Michael's Primary School Autumn Fete is on Saturday 16 March 2019, from 10am-2pm. We will have awesome rides, entertainment, stalls and food. 

One of the big successes at the St Michael’s Fair in 2017 was the Silent Auction, raising over $2000 in profit. This Silent Auction was predominantly comprised of themed goods donated by families and carers in the School Community.

In 2019, we are looking to replicate this success and are again asking the School Community for great donations for the Silent Auction.

What is a Silent Auction and how does it work? 

A Silent Auction is basically an auction that occurs on paper, where individuals bid for prizes and the highest bid wins.

What are we asking for in terms of donations, when and why before the end of 2018?

We are asking for parents and family members with children in each class to donate items along particular themes. These donations will be bundled up and used to create Silent Auction baskets or boxes, that can be bid for during the 2019 Fete.

To celebrate the donation day, St Michael’s will hold a casual dress day for students on Friday 30th November.

On this day, we ask parents, carers and children to bring in goods related to their class theme. These can be left at the Front Office and will be stored safely until the 2019 Fete.

Last year, some parents and carers had ideas for larger prizes and chipped in together for bigger items (eg coffee machine/frother/coffee pods, gourmet teas/chocolates packs). So, if you have an idea for a larger prize within your class, chat to your fellow parents or message via the PRN and organise larger prizes.  

All donations made need to be within date for the Autumn Fete timing and newly purchased (ie not white elephant stall type goods).

The class themes for the Silent Auction for the 2019 Autumn Fete are:

KL - Sports theme. eg tennis racquets, tennis balls, soccer balls, totem tennis set, skipping ropes, drink bottles.

1/2F Games Pack - eg board games, puzzles, card games, chess or checker sets, for kids and adults.   

1/2M Tea/Coffee - eg fancy tea cups, coffee machine, milk frother, coffee pods, gourmet teas, biscuits, chocolates.  

3/4YM Arts and Crafts - eg art supplies, quality pencils, sketching paper, clay, play dough.

3/4W Garden – eg secateurs, gardening gloves, watering can, nursery voucher, wheelbarrow, seed packets, Bunnings voucher, worm farm.

5/6R Cooking -  eg recipe books, measuring cups, bowls, spatulas, icing sets, baking trays/tins, hand mixer.  

5/6B Gourmet - eg biscuits, chocolates, dessert wine.

5/6H Pamper Pack – items for both males and females. Eg candles, face masks, foot products, chocolates, massage voucher, facial voucher.

In terms of why we are seeking donations now for a 2019 Fete, we reasoned that this is one of many tasks that could be completed prior to the end of 2018. The 2019 Autumn Fete will occur in Week 6 of Term 1, 2019 and there will be many other Fete related tasks to complete closer to the day.

Many thanks,

Serae Love and Fiona Scherl

Week 7

This week we further develop the range of strategies we can use in challenging situations. This session focuses on step 3 of the model, Proceed. In order to learn from situations and move forward children need to go beyond thinking of strategies and action them. Children recognise despite the use of a range of strategies, sometimes they cannot change the situation. At these times, it is important to accept the situation and move forward with a positive outlook. Encourage your child to follow through with strategies they have discussed and planned to use. It is important to then help them evaluate if this has worked or if they need to try a different strategy.

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.

Friday 23rd November (Week 6)

9-11.30        YMCA

12.30-1.30   Jared

Friday 30th November (Week 7)

9-11.30       YMCA

12.30-1.30  Jane

Thank you for your assistance, all help is greatly appreciated.

Special wishes to those children who celebrate their birthday 

this week:  

Garang 1/2F, Grace 3/4W, Hugo 1/2M & Sienna3/4W

We hope you have a great day!!

The final issue of Scholastic Bookclub for 2018 has come home today. 

Thank you for your support throughout the year.   

For every purchase you have made the school has earned points, these points have enabled us to receive new books for the library.  

The bins near the sliding doors are filling up very quickly with unnamed clothing and lunchboxes/drink bottles.

Please ensure that your children's belongings are clearly labelled.  If you are missing an item, please remember to check the bins, any unclaimed items at the end of Term will be disposed of.

All families are welcome to come along to the festival this Saturday, seven of our Year 3/4 girls will be performing a dance at the festival.