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| Important Dates & Reminders | |
| 24 August | Book Week Parade & Dress Up Day |
| 22 - 25 August | Scholastic Book Fair |
| 31 August | Confirmation Retreat Day & Parent/Child Formation Meeting |
| 1 September | Father's Day Liturgy |
| 5 September | Confirmation @ St Michael's |
| 22 September | St Michael's Feast Day |
Dear Parents and Carers,
Research tells us that one of the most important things you can do to help yo
ur child’s future educational outcomes is to enjoy reading with them. If you struggle with reading, or just don’t enjoy books, take the opportunity to listen to audio books with your child. Visit ACT Libraries to check out their resources.
Some other tips include:
- talking about books and sharing book recommendations with your child, keeping reading for pleasure in focus rather than academic testing.
- having access to books in the home- joining Canberra libraries is free.
- sharing quality reading aloud experiences.
- having parents or guardians who actively model a love of reading, and expect their children to devote some regular time to reading.
- Magazines, newspapers, card games, board games can
all be opportunities to read and have fun together. - Set up a comfortable space to read with your child, establish routines e.g., ‘book before bed’.
- Ask your child what they are reading about, you read a page, they read a page- this works for all ages.
- Share jokes with your child, write jokes and get them to illustrate, humour goes a long way to helping children engage in literacy.
- It’s been great watching our students enjoy reading in the library before school, parents are always welcome.
(Reference/ideas: Empowering parents to encourage children to read beyond the early years Margaret K. Merga Saiyidi Mat Roni Edith Cowan University).
In this Book Week 2023, why not make a pledge to read more often with your child- the long term benefits are extraordinary,
Here’s a good Book Week joke: What did the chicken say to the librarian?
‘Book, book”
Belconnen Region Athletics Carnival
A big cheer to our students who represented us at Belconnen Athletics!
Did you know we are 6th in Canberra for our results- not bad for a small school.
Congratulations everyone! Shout out to Mahli Gafa who is representing the ACT this Saturday at the National Cross Country Championships.
Many blessings,
Judy Egan
Volunteers needed
Do you have any time to help organise our clothing pool? If you have a spare hour here or there please let Lynda know.
Absence Notes
Thank you to our families who are returning absence notes, this is a legal responsibility for families and the school to follow up. Reminder systems are now in place, so please assist us by logging absences via Compass. We are very happy to assist if you need any support.
A great opportunity to listen to Andrew Fuller- Clinical Psychologist.
Registrations can be done at Eventbrite
For those unable to travel to Canberra to attend in-person, there is a live streaming registration option.
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Harmony Award this week.
Well done!!
| KD | Gabriella C |
| 1/2K | Anthia D |
| 1/2T | Stephanie P |
| 3/4B | Luca W |
| 3/4O | Annika S |
| 5/6H | Eden L |
| 5/6M | Nick S |
| 5/6S | Eliane W |
Winter Woolies Day 2023
On Tuesday, we held our Winter Woolies Day in support of the Vinnies Winter Appeal. The day began by celebrating Mass as a whole school. We heard the Gospel message from Matthew 25:35-36 to put our faith into action, helping those in need. Mass was followed by social justice workshops increasing the students’ awareness of needs in our community and how SVdP provides a hand up to those who need it most. A huge thank you to all families for their generous donations, tubs were overflowing! What a kind, compassionate community we have at St Michael’s. Below are some reflections and insights from students about the day:
“We need to look after everyone and make sure they have food.” Valentina (Kindergarten)
“I didn’t know the SVdP helped with the bushfire relief and are still helping people in need.” Suraya (Year 6)
“I learnt that Vinnies have social programs for kids whose families can’t afford things like going to the movies.” Maya (Year 6)
“I learnt that not all heroes wear capes.” Valentina (Year 3)
“I learnt that you should be grateful for what you have.” Zoe E (Year 2)
“I learnt that we need to look after people who don’t have shelter and warm clothes.” Dominic (Kindergarten)
If you would like more information about the Saint Vincent dePaul Society and how they support the community, please see website link below:
Schools Newsletter (vinnies.org.au)
Year 6 Confirmation Retreat
On the 31st of August all Year 6 students will participate in a Confirmation Retreat Day. The day is a part of our Religious Education Program and also supports the Parish Sacramental Program. The day will involve celebrating Mass and group participation in activities to enrich the understanding of the Holy Spirit. Part of the day will be a reflection on the personal growth of students and future possibilities. They will be presented with a letter of affirmation to them from either their sponsor and/or parent and write a response. If your child is in Year 6 and you are yet to write a letter, please do so ASAP and send in to school with your child’s name. A reminder that recess and lunch is being provided on the day and students wear warm comfortable clothes (non uniform).
In the evening Confirmation candidates will attend a formation evening with their parents as part of their preparation to receive the Sacrament. Please keep candidates and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Key Dates RE for Term 3
|
31 August |
Confirmation Retreat and Parent/Child Formation Evening |
|
1 September |
Father’s Day Liturgy |
|
5 September |
Sacrament of Confirmation |
|
22 September |
Celebration of St Michael’s Feast Day |
For all Religious Education enquiries please email Erika Tokich at:
erika.tokich@cg.catholic.edu.au
Parish Sacramental Program 2023
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on:
Tuesday 5 September 2023 at 6pm in St Michael’s Church, Kaleen;
Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 6pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt; and
Thursday 7 September 2023at 6pm in St Monica’s Church, Evatt.
Home Booklets – Parents should now be working through the home booklet with their child in preparation for the Sacrament. The booklets will need to be completed ready for retreat day and the child/parent formation night on 31 August 2023.
Home booklets can be either handed back to the school or handed at the end of the child/parent formation evening, so that they can be signed with the parish stamp and then be available with certificates at the liturgy celebration.
Child/Parent Formation evening – will be held in St Monica’s Church at 6pm on Thursday 31 August 2023 – please bring your completed home booklet to the evening.
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
We have entered 3/4 netball, 5/6 netball, 3/4 touch football and 5/6 touch football teams! Thank you all those who have volunteered to assist as coaches, managers and umpires. We are still looking to fill a few of these rolls. If you are able to assist, please get in touch.
If you would still like your child to participate please return the permission note via Compass.
Please note that on some occasions we are unable to enter teams due to not having a sufficient number of players. It is a requirement of the organisers that each team is able to provide a coach, umpire/referee and manager. We are dependent on parent volunteers for these roles and your time is very much appreciated.
Parents need to arrange their own transport/car pooling to and from Boorowa. It is 1.5-2hr drive from Canberra.
ACT Athletics Carnival - Congratulations
