Welcome to Week 3 everyone.

We are certainly moving extremely quickly through the final term of the year! It has been a fantastic start to the Term. We have seen lots of rain falling throughout this week and I think this is a pattern that may continue in the coming weeks. I thank the students for their behaviour of late, as it is often very hectic when we are unable to get outside for recess or lunch.  

Wellbeing

As we begin to move into the busyness of Term 4 it is critical that we ensure that student, parent and staff wellbeing is made a priority. The next few weeks are critical for teachers to assess the academic needs of students in order to make learning plans for the remainder of term and beyond, as well as finalise information for reports. This period does place extra demands and stress on all stakeholders within the school, so it is critical everyone looks after themselves and each other. We have certainly been faced with a challenging year, and we all have been put through extra stress and demands throughout the year.

We are blessed with a supportive, kind and warm environment surrounding St Michael’s Primary school and I am very thankful for the continued support that parents and families show the school. It is a privilege to help lead our school this term and it is wonderful to see that the connections between home and school are still very strong.

If anyone needs extra support during the coming weeks, as things get busy, please never hesitate to sing out.

2021 Student Leadership

Our current Year 5 students have been busy planning for their leadership roles in 2021. They will soon begin the process of writing a letter to me, in order to nominate for their desired leadership role in 2021. Over the past two years, St Michael’s Year 6 students have come to redefine the way that student leaders have a deep and meaningful impact on the school and I know that our current year 5 students will be able to take up this mantle.

Year 5 students are also in the process of designing their leadership shirts for 2021. We are looking forward to seeing which design is selected by staff and students to be worn in 2021.

Class Assemblies

Due to the situation with COVID19, we are still unable to gather for class assemblies, in order to showcase the diverse and rich learning that is happening within our school.

However, this term, all classes will be involved with filming assembly items to be sent out as St Michael’s learning showcase. All classes will have videos uploaded on the remote learning website on Friday the 13^th of November.

Student Pick ups

If you are looking to pick your children up throughout the day, it is best to avoid break times, as students can be difficult to track down. Recess is between 11:00 and 11:40 and lunch is 1:40 to 2:20pm. I totally understand if pick up does need to occur during these times, but either side of break times are best.

Thursday and Friday this week I will be off site for the CE Director’s Day and Principal Day in order to discuss new directives being put in place for 2021 and beyond. In my absence for the end of week, please see Meaghan Younger or Bridgette McCann if you need to make connect with the exec staff.

Many thanks for the continued support

Kind regards,

Damien Webb - Principal (Acting)

Religious Education Curriculum

Religious Education Curriculum

In Religion, Kindergarten have been learning about the life of Jesus. We know that Jesus is the son of God and Mary and Joseph. Jesus grew up in a Jewish family. We have loved exploring and learning about how Jesus was presented to God in the temple as a baby, and how Christians are baptised at Church and enter God’s family.

The Rosary Beads and their meaning

This past week each class has visited the church to observe the Balloon Rosary Beads that have been a focus in the church. Classes have reflected on their meaning and said some prayers.

The modern day rosary owes its origins to the early days of Christianity. Whether we are talking about the rosary that were used by the early 3rd century eastern monks, or the 13th century St. Dominic rosary (The Psalter of Jesus and Mary), we use a rosary, modern or old, to help us quietly reflect on our faith. This allows us to enter a state of meditation where we can focus on the events in the life of Jesus and that of his mother Mary. Reciting prayers on each bead not only helps us to keep track of the number of times a prayer is said, it also honours the Virgin Mary.

The students in Kindergarten were asked what they thought the balloon Rosary was and these were their thoughts!

It’s a wine glass

It’s a triangle

It’s leading up to Jesus’ birth

It’s a kite

It’s for Jesus

It’s a pattern

It’s Jesus’ cross

It’s the world

 

Religious Life of St Michael’s School Community

Catholic Mission

This is our last week of October Mission Month in the Catholic Church. We have been looking at the missionary work being done here in Australia as well as overseas, helping those in poverty. Catholic Mission works in countries all around the world helping with food, education, health services and evangelisation. Learn more about their wonderful work here: https://www.catholicmission.org.au/

Confirmation

How are you going with working through the Confirmation preparation book? This is the final week of preparation using the resource, Our Family Prepares. Please be sure to have completed all elements of the book (especially the last page where you as parents pledge to have completed your family preparation for Confirmation) and send it back to school by Friday 30th October as Fr Loi will need to finalise certificates.

The Retreat day will be held tomorrow, Thursday 29^th October from 9am – 2.55pm. Students are to wear casual clothing & recess and lunch will be provided.

All Confirmation candidates are to attend Reconciliation before they celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Fr Loi will be holding Reconciliation at St Monica’s on Saturday 31^st October from 4.30-5.30 pm and at St Michael’s on Sunday 1^st November from 4.30-5.15pm. No bookings are required. If your child cannot attend one of these sessions Reconciliation will be offered on Tuesday 27^th at school.

Parent / Child Formation Evening

Our Parent/Child Formation Evening for Confirmation will be tomorrow, Thursday 29^th October from 6:00pm. It will be held via Zoom. The link for this is: https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/94273514916

Please remember all candidates and a parent/sponsor must be present for this special part of the preparation for Confirmation. Your child’s artwork made during the Retreat day will be sent home on Thursday 29^th October to support your discussion.

Bridgette McCann (Acting REC)

Sacramental Program – Confirmation Liturgy 2020

The Sacrament of Confirmation is to be celebrated on:
Tuesday 10 November in St Michael’s Church at 6pm
Wednesday 11 November in St Monica’s Church at 6pm
Thursday 12 November in St Monica’s Church – 2 liturgies at 5.30pm and 7pm.

Please arrive at the church/liturgy that you have booked for, at least 15 minutes prior to commencement of the sacrament.

Purchasing a stole for Confirmation
Purchasing a stole is optional and is not compulsory. If you wish to purchase a stole, please make the payment of $20 through the Qkr! App and send an email to sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au Arrangements will then be made for delivery/pickup.
Parish stoles are available for loan on the night.

Parent/Child Formation Night
The parent/child formation night is compulsory and will be held on 29 October 2020 via zoom at https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/94273514916

Home Booklets
Families should now be working through the home booklets with their children in readiness for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The home booklets should be completed ready for the parent/child formation night on 29 October 2020 (this week). The completed booklets are then, to be returned to the school no later than Monday 2 November with the ‘Parent’s Discernment of Readiness’ (the last page of the booklet) completed and signed ready for Fr Loi to also sign. The booklets will then be returned to the candidates on the night of the Sacrament liturgy along with their certificates. .

For further information please contact the Sacramental Program coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au

New Cricket Equipment

Our new cricket equipment arrived this week and the students are super keen to test it out! Hopefully, the weather next week is better and the oval can dry out enough for some cricket lessons to take place. This new equipment will also be available for the students to use during recess and lunch. We now have 60 new bats, 11 sets of stumps, 84 balls and some great equipment bags to store everything in. Howzat!!

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

Jarrah K 5/6F

We hope you have a great day!!

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 3.  Awards will be presented at Friday morning's assembly (weather permitting).

Well done!!   

School photos will be taken on Friday 6 November (Week 4).  New envelopes have been sent home to those families that haven't already sent in an envelope.  All payments are now processed online and envelopes do not need to come back to the school unless there is cash enclosed.

Sibling envelopes are available from the Front Office and need to be returned to the school before photo day.

If your child has not ordered their photo's before photo day they will still have their photo taken and you will be able to order direct from MSP at an additional cost.

Any queries, please see Lisa in the Front Office.