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- Important Dates & Events
- Principal's Page - Judy Egan
- Year 5/6 Camp to Birrigai!
- Happy Birthday
- Harmony Awards
- Parish News
- Religious Education News
- Sport & Library News
- Holiday Activities!
- Holiday Happenings!
- Merici- Enrolling for 2024
- SFX Enrolment Information Evening for 2024
- Parentline!
- SCHOOL SPORT ACT TRIALS !
| Important Dates & Reminders | |
| Thursday 6 April | Last day of Term 1 |
| Friday 7 April | Good Friday |
| Monday 24 April | Pupil Free Day |
| Tuesday 25 April | Anzac Day |
| Wednesday 26 April | First day of Term 2 |
Dear Parents and Carers,
I’m sure you will be looking forward to the Easter break and I hope you are getting some benefit from the end of daylight savings.
You will have received information via COMPASS this week notifying the community of my intended leave for the first 4 weeks of next term. I am fortunate to be accessing Catholic Education Principal Support to attend a short pilgrimage with a group of Principals from our system. My thanks to Tim Cleary who will be Acting Principal joining Bridgette McCann and Erika Tokich as your Leadership Team. Tim is an experienced leader and educator and originally from Canberra, completing his training at ACU, he is excited to be taking on the role. I have re-attached the communication from Catholic Education around his qualifications and appointment.
Other Staffing News
We have been advertising for a suitable candidate to fulfil the position of Welfare Officer at St Michael’s. I am happy to announce that Madison Mills will be joining us in Term 2. Madison is currently completing a Bachelor of Social Work at ACU and will be with us for 20 hours per fortnight. She has excellent experience working with students and is thrilled to be taking on the role.
We have recently employed 2 additional Classroom Support Assistants (CSAs) to cater for staff on leave and staff moving into other roles. Heather Qail and Madeleine Widdeson have joined the Classroom Support Team under the leadership of Robyn O’Rourke our Classroom Support Teacher. We have had a seamless transition with new staff who are a wonderful asset to our staff team.
Health alert for Families around Prime Energy Drinks
We recently received advice from CE around the use of Prime Energy Drinks.
We have become aware that some students are consuming ‘Prime Energy Drinks’. Like all drinks containing stimulants such as Red bull or Mother, children’s health can be seriously harmed if consumed.
We are aware that some versions don’t contain stimulants, however, St Michael’s does not allow energy drinks of any kind, it is a much healthier and sensible option to bring water to school. We will not be showing this clip to the students, however it gives you a sense of the advertising and the marketing for these items.
Easter Prayer times and Religious Education Coordinator
Thank you to the teachers of various classes for preparing our Holy Week Prayer sessions each morning this week 9am Tuesday-Thursday. A huge welcome to Mrs Erika Tokich who will be joining us as our Acting Religious Education Coordinator (REC) next term for the remainder of the school year. Erika joins us from Good Shepherd at Amaroo and brings a wealth of experience in the role.
St Michael’s Community Council
The Community Council met last week and Evan our Chair has included some reflections to share. If you have any feedback for the team please contact Evan via office.stmichaelsps@cg.catholic.edu.au
The Community Council met for the second time this year on 29 March 2023. The meeting discussed the recent Registration Panel which visited the school over the previous two weeks, interviewing teachers, the executive, parents and me as Chair of the Council. The verbal feedback from the interviews has been positive, the final report will be provided to the school in the next few weeks, with the main points circulated to the community. We also discussed a grant which the school is applying for to improve equipment in the library hub, the upcoming hot cross buns for Easter, maintenance of the greenhouse, dates for a proposed social for the kids, school finances (which are healthy), enrolments and the new sports sheds. Some of the latter points will be discussed again at the next meeting. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. Judy also informed the council that she was undertaking a religious sabbatical during the upcoming holidays and four weeks into Term 2. Tim Cleary, who was a previous student of St Michaels and now an experienced Principal will act in Judy's position. The Council wished Judy a safe and rewarding trip.
Cheers Evan
Start of Next term
A reminder that Term 2 begins for students on Wednesday 26 April. With the start of Term 2 it will be time to transition into full winter uniform.
https://stmichaelskaleen.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/1749/uniform_policy.pdf
Our main uniform suppliers are Lowes at Westfield Belconnen. We also have a good supply of second hand uniforms available including school bags for gold coin donations. Please see Lynda if you would like to purchase some items.
Enrolment Period
Just a reminder that the enrolment period for 2024 begins next term. Parents wanting to enrol students for Kinder 2024 will need to submit an online application form. Please let family, friends and any families you know interested in enrolling that they will need to apply. Catholic Education have advised that Kindergarten classes at St Michael's will be capped at 28. Our Open Mornings will be May 10, May 11 and we have an Open evening from 4pm-6pm. Please call us if you would like any further information.
Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Easter with families and friends.
I am privileged to be able to journey to the Holy Land this Easter season and have you all in my thoughts and prayers as I walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Many Blessings,
Judy Egan
Principal
Trip to Birrigai
Going to Camp at the start of the year was an amazing experience for all of us!
We engaged in different activities that were based around the Australian Gold Rush that happened in the 1800s as this was our history unit for this term. The activities included being prospectors by looking for gold in creeks, experiencing a classroom set in the 1860s, escaping Birrigai using teamwork, and finally learning how tough the conditions were during the Gold Rush. The meals were delicious, and we enjoyed the trivia and movie night. Overall, we had a fantastic trip, and we are grateful to our Principal, teachers and Birrigai staff for giving us a memorable experience. Caitlyn H
On Camp I learnt that girls in the 1860s were treated terribly and were basically on a lower ranking than the boys. What challenged me on Camp was being in the rain and running into rocks during the Gold Simulation to help my group earn money. Vanessa C
My favourite activity was the Goldfields Simulation. I loved it because I enjoyed finding gold, trading it for money, buying things and pretending to be a character from our Keepsake Box. Isabella P
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award in Week 9 and 10.
Well done!!
| KD | Olivia C & Patrick F |
| 1/2K | Aaliyah J & Xavier K |
| 1/2Y | Larisa I & Ruhani K |
| 3/4B | Allegra B & Dominic K |
| 3/4O | Valentina C & Andrew M |
| 5/6H | Nate B & Sebastian R |
| 5/6M | Nicole S & Vanessa C |
| 5/6S | Toby M & Luca F |
Parish Sacramental Program 2023
If you have a child that has been baptized and is in years 4- 6 in 2023, this may be a Sacramental year for your family.
Sacrament of First Eucharist - will be celebrated across the four Parish Sunday Masses:
5pm - 17 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt;
8am - 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen;
10am – 18 June at St Monica’s Church – Evatt; and
5.30pm – 18 June at St Michael’s Church – Kaleen.
Registrations opened on 3 April and will close by Friday 28 April 2023.
Registration for the Sacrament must be made via the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Qkr! App (NOT the school app).
If you are registering more than 1 child you will need to fully complete and pay for each separate registration.
No late registrations will be accepted after the closing date.
Commitment Masses
Students and parents must attend one of the weekend Masses at either St Monica’s Church (5pm Saturday or 10am Sunday) or St Michael’s Church (8am or 5.30pm Sunday) on one of the dates listed below to make their commitment for the Sacrament.
Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May
There will be no additional commitment masses beyond these dates.
Purchasing a stole for First Eucharist
Purchasing a stole is optional and is not compulsory (you can borrow one on the day).
If you wish to purchase a stole, please make a payment of $20 through the Qkr! with the registration and the stole will be delivered to the schools and the School of Religion (SOR).
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on 5, 6 & 7 September 2023.
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in term 1, 2024.
For further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or check the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth
Religious Education
Holy Week Prayer Reflections
All parents and carers are invited to join with us as we reflect on the events of Holy Week. All reflections will be held at 9am in the courtyard.
Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday
Thursday 6th April
Year 5/6 will reflect on the events which happened in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Good Friday.
Please return your Project Compassion boxes to the school in Week 1 after the holidays.
Our carnival will be held next term on Tuesday 2nd May (Week 2). If you are able to assist as a course marshal we would be very grateful. Volunteers would be required for approximately 2hrs from 9-11am. Please contact Erin Hardwicke or Lynda Logan if you are able to assist.
Covering New Books
If you are able to help out with covering new books please get in touch. I am happy to show you how it is done and your contribution means we can get our new books onto the shelves quicker and into the hands of eager readers.
Please contact me via email if you have any questions, feedback or are able to offer your assistance at any of our sporting events throughout the year.
Erin Hardwicke
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au
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.
- Go to the School Sport ACT website – www.schoolsportact.asn.au
- Click Register (top right corner of homepage) for an Account – enter parent details and password
- 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.
- Click Log In (top right hand corner of home page) enter password then click on top tab My Profile
- You will see a ‘dashboard’ of your information, click green box to Add Student – enter student and medical details and save.
- Go to the Sports Tab – choose your specific sport, click on Trial Information box then click on the Register to Trial link.
- 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?