As we draw to the end of Term 1, I would like to thank, the school community for your continued support for all that we do at St Michael's. The start of the year saw one of the most calm and smooth starts to the year that I have ever experienced in my career. This provided an ease straight into learning and an opportunity for us to move some key learning agenda items forward such as SoundsWrite, Berry Street Education Model, new Wellbeing and Art lessons, Sustainability lessons and our classroom support structure, to name a few. We also saw a great community event in our Autumn Fete occur, which provided opportunity for us to connect together as a school community along with our parish and wider communities. A great Term 1!

Recently, we have purchased 30 new Chromebooks for students to use. These chromebooks provide opportunities for students to still learn the importance of typing on a keyboard and will reinforce their publishing skills, researching skills and provide other coding opportunities that ipads can't provide. These are another effective tool for learning that students have access to moving forward. 

Congratulations to the 3 teams who competed in the Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival. A great display of teamwork and having a go. Thanks to Erin Hardwicke for your coordination and to the parents who volunteered their time as coach or manager. 

Thank you to those families who have approached Lisa in the Front Office regarding picking up more flyers to drop into letterboxes. Lisa has kindly put together packs for most families and we really appreciate the help and support. Last year, many houses were missed through a company we sourced. This year we are asking for everyone to help to make sure the word is out regarding our great little school. If you haven't already, please contact Lisa if you could do a few extra streets. The break is a great opportunity to go for a walk with your child/ren and deliver.

We have a few staffing updates regarding Term 2. Firstly, I would like to say thank you for everyone's continued support regarding staffing arrangements. As you can imagine, it can be a difficult task to ensure we cover all classes when teachers are absent, ensuring we continue to have a smooth and focused day of learning each and everyday. I am sure you would have heard through your own contacts, however, many other schools in Canberra over the last few weeks have been splitting classes everyday, sometimes multiple classes on the same day and continuing on for a few days. We have been very fortunate in ensuring this hasn't occurred at St Michael's, which has been avoided due to careful forward planning.

Yvette Whalan will return in Term 2 in a part-time capacity. Yvette will share 1/2W with Nastasha Kapantais, who has been mainly teaching in there for the last 5 weeks. Yvette will be on class two days a week with Natasha taking the other three days. Natasha will continue to teach her Wednesdays on 3/4AK and will be helping in the classroom support team on a Monday. 

Meaghan Younger will return to her class teacher and REC role from the start of the term. Jane McKeough will continue to take 3/4YM each Thursday. Jane will also be working every Tuesday in Term 2 supporting in the 3/4 area along with her continuing Wednesday as Art teacher. 

Maria Papasidero will extend her leave into Term 2 by taking some long service leave. Kylie Arena will assist in the Office on Wednesdays and Fridays after recess. 

Unnati Shah has joined our Classroom Support Team as a Classroom Support Assistant. She will be working three days supporting classes and students across the school. 

We are excited about Term 2 and feel we have a strong team to continue to move each class and student forward.

We hope that every student has a restful, enjoyable and safe two week break.

Happy Easter to everyone and may this time allow us all to stop, to pray, to reflect and to spend time with our loved ones. 

Don't forget to RSVP for the Catholic Schools Week Community Breakfast by Friday. Please flick an email over to Lisa letting her know how many will be attending for catering purposes. 

Save the Dates for Term 2. School Disco on Friday 31 May and TV Themed Adult Trivia Night on Friday 28 June. More information to come in coming weeks. 

Enjoy the week ahead.

Be Kind.

Regards,

Pat Ellis

Principal

Whole School Prayer Time

This Friday 12 April at 2.20pm, 3/4YM will lead us in Whole School Prayer in St Michael's Church, focusing on Holy Week. 1/2F will lead us in Whole School Prayer on Friday 3 May at 2.20pm, where we will celebrate Easter. All most welcome to attend. 

Project Compassion

Thank you to everyone who has already returned their money. If you have not done so please return the boxes by the end of the week so we can finalise payment of your donations to Caritas. 

Nguyet is a teenager living with a disability in a small town in Vietnam. She lived the first 14 years of her life isolated at home. Her disability restricted her movements and any chance of going to school.

Read all about how Caritas has helped her.  https://lent.caritas.org.au/page/week-6

First Communion- Save the dates

It is that time of the year where students in Year 4 can take the next step on their Sacramental Journey by preparing to receive their First Communion. There will be a parent information night on Thursday 2^nd May in St Michael’s Church. This information session is for all members of our Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It will begin at 6:00pm and should be concluded within the hour. Children preparing to receive their First Holy Communion will need to be at a commitment Mass on either Saturday 4^th May or Sunday 5^th May. Their commitment may be made at any of the four parish masses over that weekend.

Easter Egg Raffle

The Year 6 Harmony Leaders and the Mini Vinnies will still be selling raffle tickets tomorrow at recess for our Easter Raffle. All money raised will go towards our partner school Jariah Education Centre in Kenya. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.  The raffle will be drawn at Friday morning gathering. 

Lent and Holy Week Ceremonies

As Anzac Day falls in the holidays, we will stop to pause, reflect and prayer as a school community on the first day next term (Monday 29 April) at 2.25pm in St Michael's Church. All most welcome to attend. 

Catholic Schools' Soccer Carnival

Our 3 teams had a fantastic day on Sunday. It was great to see everyone being encouraged by their teammates and so many students having fun. It is certainly one of the draw cards of the carnival that it is open to students of all playing abilities to get in there and have a go. 

On behalf of the students and their families, I would like to thank the coaches and managers for volunteering to assist our teams. 

Cross Country

Ribbons were presented yesterday at morning assembly and the winning house announced. Well done to the Blue Tongue Lizards who retain the trophy for another year. The Red Kangaroos came second followed by the Gold Dingoes and Green Crocodiles. 

The top 5 boys and girls aged 8-12 years are eligible to compete at the Belconnen Region Carnival on 30th May. Permission notes will come home with these students at the beginning of next term. Thanks to the parents who volunteered as course marshals for our carnival. 

St Michael’s Athletics Carnival 

Save the date - Tuesday 4th June

The app of the week is Quiver. A nice augmented reality app for the holidays where children can colour in a picture and make it jump off the page! This is a great way to engage children in a range of topics including History, Geography and Science.

Please support businesses that support our school.

All lost property has been placed on a table near the sliding doors and is 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 table, any unclaimed items will be disposed of this Friday.

Special wishes to those children who celebrated their birthday in the holidays:

Liana 5/6FW, Alexander 1/2W, Connor 3/4AK, Kai 1/2F, Stella 3/4YM, Avi 1/2F & Maggie KL

We hope you had a great day!!

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

Cooper 5/6B, Brodie 5/6FW, Sebastian 1/2M, Trisha 1/2M, Isabella 1/2F, Phoenix 1/2W & Samara 5/6F

We hope you have a great day!!

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved a Harmony Award in Week 10 and will receive their award this Friday at morning gathering.

Lunch Orders are to be placed by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday nights. 

The canteen still require assistance on Friday's from approximately 12.30-1.45 to help pack lunch orders, if you can assist in anyway, please contact Lisa in the Front Office.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Helpers are urgently required for Term 2.

The 2019/20 Entertainment Book is now available to purchase.  Books can be purchased at the Front Office for $60 or digital copies can be ordered through the following link.  Please see Lisa in the Front Office for more information.