Dear Parents and Carers,

Well it certainly has been an eventful time at St Michael’s. If you have seen the Facebook images you will know that our Mathematics Resource Room completely flooded during the week. Our flat roof together with the lack of downpipes and the sheer volume of water certainly contributed to a perfect storm! We are currently going through insurance inspections and claims to re-floor the space and replace resources that were destroyed. Thank you to our wonderful staff who spent hours removing equipment and pulling up sodden carpet squares, what a team!

Community Council

The Community Council has continued to meet throughout this year, despite the obstacles of face to face meetings.  Huge thanks to Emma Bickley, Chair of the Community Council and Gabriel Walsh, Finance Officer who are both stepping down this year. We will follow up any changes in 2022.

Assessment and Reporting

This week teachers have been meeting with parents/carers around student progress. Last week I provided information about reports and the focus areas in the newsletter. We will also provide additional information this Friday via Compass and a hard copy letter. Following the same procedures as Semester One, the reports will be published via the Compass Parent Portal. Reports will be published on Monday 6th December.

COMPASS Parent Portal

The transition to the COMPASS platform has provided ongoing challenges this year. We are sending home further guidance around accessing functions using the App and ensuring parents are supported when it comes to providing information to the school.

Vinnies Appeal

I commend the Vinnies appeal and know from experience how generous our Catholic School communities are around the Christmas season. Thank you to families who have already donated goods to be shared.

Staffing

Changes to our funding and staffing allocations have meant that we are fortunate to be able to employ extra Classroom Support Assistants for 2022 and we are currently advertising several positions. Any further changes to staffing will be advised in coming newsletters.

School Magazine

As advised earlier in the year, our school magazine will be in digital format this year. Next week we will be providing families with a link. Maria Papasidero has put in a huge amount of time organising pages and photos and we are very grateful for her expertise. 

I hope the start of Summer brings renewed positivity, warmth and joy to all our families,

Many Blessings

Judy Egan

Advent

Next week marks the second week of the season of Advent in our Church calendar. Children will have special Advent prayers in class on Monday, and in coming weeks. You may wish to share our second week of Advent with this small prayer: https://youtu.be/MiUCfnWIeC0 . In the second week of Advent we light a second purple candle, the candle of peace.

Archdiocesan Advent Program

Prepare reflectively for Christmas using the free online Walking Together Advent resource. Created by families for families, this home-grown Archdiocesan program will be made available in 4 instalments - one each week - including a 10 minute video and downloadable discussion/reflection questions. Use it whenever suits you, alone or in a small group. Or join a weekly zoom discussion group. 

Watch a 3 minute trailer: https://youtu.be/0eaQJFCNxLI

Explore the resource: www.cgcatholic.org.au/ADVENT

Join a zoom discussion group this Sunday 4pm or this Tuesday 10am

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96186839540

Meeting ID: 961 8683 9540

Enquiries lara.kirk@cg.org.au 0429 192 869

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal

Christmas is of course our season of giving. And what better way to share in the joy of Christmas than to brighten the life of someone with less than we have? In our own community of Kaleen our St Vincent de Paul chapter is seeking support to provide Christmas Hampers for those unable to buy their own special foods at Christmas. Can you please spare a box of chocolates, a tinned pudding, tinned ham, fancy biscuits or chips like you will enjoy in the season of Christmas? Baskets will be at the front of the school each morning for easy delivery, or your child can add your family donation of non-perishable food to a basket in their classroom. Thank you for your generous support of those in need this Christmas.

Graduation Liturgy & Celebrations

Next week we have the Year 6 Graduation Liturgy and Celebrations on Wednesday 8^th December. The liturgy will be in St Michael’s Church at 6:00pm followed by formalities. We look forward to gathering to celebrate 7 years of academic, social, community and sporting achievements.

Leadership Ceremony

The handing over of leadership from Year 6 to next year’s leaders will be on Thursday 9^th December. It will be held in the Church at 8.50am.

Sacramental Preparation 2022

For those families with children in Years 3, 4 and 6 next year these are the proposed dates for reception of the sacraments in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in 2022:

• Parish Sacramental Program Information Evening Thursday 17th February 6:00pm Zoom (All sacramental year families to attend this zoom)
• First Communion: 18/19 of June  (Weekend between weeks 8 & 9 Term 2)
• Confirmation: 13 & 14 September TBC with Bishop (Week 9 Term 3)
• First Reconciliation: 15, 16 & 17 November (Week 5 Term 4)

Sacramental Program 2022

If you will have a child in years 3,4 & 6 next year (2022) – this will be a Sacramental year.
Or if your child is in Y5 and they have previously missed the Sacraments of Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated in Term 2, 2022.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in Term 3, 2022.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in Term 4, 2022.

Further updates regarding the Sacraments will be provided in the 2022 school bulletins, the Church bulletin and on the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Further Information regarding the Sacramental Program – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth