Science Week

Over the last week we have been celebrating Science Week. This year's theme Destination Moon: more missions, more science is a way for teachers and students to discover past missions to the Moon and space programs that have solved some of the seemingly unsolvable problems—and current and future space programs, operations and missions. Many of these use big picture thinking in science to solve problems, and technology, engineering and mathematics to design new solutions. This will help forge our future paths in the areas of space operations, space science, Earth observations, positioning systems and communication.

We have passionate teachers in the Science area at St Michael's and many different projects on the go at the moment. We were lucky enough to have a visit on Friday by JollyBops. This was a Science Show for all classes with an Aboriginal Perspective. Our Year 5/6 RoboCup team are busily preparing during lunch times and after school to compete in the upcoming RoboCup championships. All our Year 5/6 students will be preparing for and entering in the 'Robots in Space' competition, a STEM initiative for ACT Primary Schools. Lots happening to engage and promote problem solving and creative thinking at St Michael's. 

Staffing

As we move through the second half of the year, we begin to plan for 2020. I would like to annouce that Jo Krippner will be officially stepping down from her role as Assistant Principal at the end of the year. As you would be aware, Damien Webb is currently in this role and has been temporarily acting in the role in Jo's absence. Jo will remain with us as Classroom Support Teacher moving forward. The permanent position of Assistant Principal has recently been advertised and we will confirm the news of the successful applicant in due time. 

As the community would be aware, Yvette Whalan has continued on leave this term from her classroom teacher role in 1/2W. Yvette wil continue her leave in Term 4 to continue to recover and recharge. Nastaha Kapantais will continue as the classroom teacher in 1/2W. Natasha is a passionate and dedicated teacher and we are fortunate to have Natasha continue with us to ensure consistency and a smooth end of the year for the students in that class. 

Book Week

Next week we will celebrate Book Week. A fun week planned. Thanks to Erin Hardwicke for your preparation behind the scenes. I wonder what staff will wear on Tuesday for the Dress Up. 

Giant Book Swap

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is an organisation close to my heart. I have been an Ambassador for them in the past and published my book 'Ready for School' through them a few years back. An amazing organisation who work tirelessly to support Indigenous children right around the country. Having worked in an Aboriginal community for 6 years, I have seen firsthand the work this organisation does to improve literacy levels in young children. Please support the Giant Book Swap by dropping off an 'in good condition' book and bring a gold coin to donate. 

SFX Performance of Grease

On Wednesday, Year 5/6 students have been invited to attend the Saint Francis Xavier Performance of Grease. This will be a great opportunity to see a quality student performance. Next year, we will again look into a musical performance for our students to participate in. 

Belconnen Athletics

I wish all the students well who will be competing in the Belconnen Athletics on Monday. I am sure you will do yourself and the school proud. 

Family Move Night

Don't forget to come along to our Family Movie Night this Friday night. A great community event to connect with someone new. 

Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This image 'Feast Day of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary'. 2008 by Stephen B. Whatley, really captures for me this special occassion. The colours, calmness and peace displayed through this artwork, reflects my image of Mary. A special day of prayer. As a school community we will join the Parish community at St Michael's at Mass on Thursday. 

Enjoy the week ahead.

Regards,

Pat Ellis 

Principal

Over the next term, we will be reviewing our Home Learning guidelines and procedures. Each year we look at and revise our Home Learning to ensure it is meeting the needs of current learners at St Michael's. 

If you could please complete this short survey, that would be appreciated. 

Also, we will be forming a small parent committee to review current research and practice in this area and discuss possible ideas moving forward. If you would be interested in being a part of this committee, please email me directly damien.webb@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Here are some articles that may ignite some discussion points. 

https://www.kidzworld.com/article/29686-the-pros-and-cons-of-homework

https://www.goodschools.com.au/insights/student-experience/pros-and-cons-of-homework

Thank you!

School Council Meeting – 13 August 2019

Our meeting commenced with a prayer and Mr Ellis providing a summary of last meeting’s brainstorm on our council roles.

Events

School Movie Night is this Friday and we confirmed that food and logistics are all sorted. The 5/6 movie and games night is also progressing well and notes have now gone out.

A weekend event in spring highlighting the greenhouse is on the agenda with the goal of fundraising to buy a water tank for the school we are connected with in Kenya. Council felt this would be a great community event and tied in with our commitment to sustainability.

We are also looking at options for our December Christmas carols event which was roundly enjoyed last year. Considering cheaper options for food to avoid incurring great expenses.

Other 

New fencing was installed around the school with an impressively quick turnaround. This initiative was supported by council to keep children safe.

Currently we also only have a winter option for our school’s representative sport uniforms so we have decided to purchase an appropriate summer weight option for the children. Council will purchase these uniforms with funds raised this year. 

Position of Assistant Principal has been advertised and applications close next week. Council acknowledged the work done by Jo Krippner in the AP role in the past. 

Home learning policy is currently being reviewed and a parent survey has gone out in the newsletter. Teachers are reviewing research on the pros and cons of homework and are keen for input from the school community.

St Michael’s Feast Day Fitness Afternoon will see Year 6 students being given ownership to plan and drive the event which will include the colour powder, as this was a popular feature last year. This will replace the Walkathon which will become an every second year event. 

Finance

Trivia night did very well and Council is happy to report that it has funds in the bank but continues to be cautious with spending this year to build up funds to be in a better position to purchase bigger ticket items down the track. Garden game items will be looked at to purchase to provide another play experience for students at recess and lunch. 

Enrolments are looking good for 2020.

Thanks! Please feel free to email council at any stage on council.stmichaelsps@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Please RSVP via this link https://docs.google.com/document/d/155aPgqLJRC8Rxzus9ApYfwocQxV6ky5Y_XTawyjlMv4/edit?usp=sharing

We hope to see you all there!

Confirmation

Year Six enjoyed our Retreat last week and are congratulated on their mature participation in all activities.

I look forward to working with all candidates and their parents again at the Parent / Child evening next Thursday, 22^nd August, which will be held in C Block here at St Michael’s.

Paperwork to return at present:

• the registration form,
• white card information
• Outstanding payments

If you have any further questions please contact me at meaghan.younger@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Whole School Prayer Time

Thank you to Kindergarten for your beautiful Whole School Prayer Time last week, celebrating St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Next week, 3/4YM will lead us in prayer exploring how we can support each other and be supported as we grow in our faith lives. Whole School Prayer Time next week will be on Friday 23^rd August at 2:25pm in St Michael’s Church. All families are welcome to join us for this special prayer time.

Feast of the Assumption

Tomorrow, Thursday 15^th August, is the Feast of the Assumption. This Feast Day is one of Australia’s few remaining days of holy obligation, meaning all Catholics are required to celebrate this day with Mass. As a school we will attend Mass at 9:30 in St Michael’s Church. 3/4AK are very excited to be leading us in this Feast Day Mass. All families are warmly invited to join with us for Mass.

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival

Save the Date:  Friday 25th October

Thanks you to all those who have returned their notes already. We have had a terrific response and are excited be able to take teams again to this year’s carnival. Permission notes are due back today. If you wish for your child to be involved, and have not returned the note, please return the note by Friday, as we need to enter teams very soon.

K-2 Swimming Program

Notes were due back last Friday. If you are yet to return your note indicating if your child is swimming or not, please do so at your earliest convenience as we need to know final numbers.

Catholic Schools' Netball Carnival 

Please save the date: Saturday 19th October.  Notes came home with all interested students last week. Permission notes are due back by next Friday.

ACT Trials Information

Please check the School Sport ACT website https://www.schoolsportact.asn.au/ for information about current and upcoming trials. The process for registration can be found in the School Sport Section below.

If you have any of the following items could you please send them in with your child. They can be left outside the 1/2M classroom in the boxes provided. We are making and designing musical instruments.

• Cardboard tubes from alfoil, cling wrap or paper towel
• Cereal boxes
• Muesli bar boxes – none containing nuts please
• Margarine containers
• Ice-cream containers
• Any other materials

Thanks,

Laura Frogley, Bridgette McCann and Tash Kapantais (Year 1/2 Team)

Scholastic Book Fair

Thank you for your wonderful support of our Book Fair.  We are excited to be able to purchase new resources for the library due to the incentives we have received from Scholastic.  We now have an additional $1200 to spend on new books.  Thank you once again.

Celebrating Book Week

We are excited that Book Week will kick off next week.  Below is a summary of the events we will be holding over the next two weeks.

Tuesday 20th August - Book Week Dress Up Day

Students can come to school dressed as their favourite character. Our parade will take place in the Hall immediatley following morning gathering. Parents are very welcome to attend.

Wednesday 21st August – Great Book Swap

WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF BOOKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL CAUSE!!

Please drop any donated books to school by next Monday.

We will be showing our support for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation by holding a ‘Giant Book Swap’ during library lessons on Wednesday. For a gold coin donation students can choose a book to take home from a selection of donated books.

To support this important cause, we are calling for donations of pre-loved (but still in good condition) books. These books will then form part of the Giant Book Swap. We are hoping to receive 200 books so there are enough books for each child to take part in the swap. If you are able to donate a book, or maybe even two, books can be left in the tub behind the library desk or dropped to the Front Office. 

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation aims to raise enough funds to gift over 35,000 books to remote communities in 2020. We would love to show our support and assist in addressing the literacy gap in Indigenous communities.  

Friday 30th August – Big Dreams Performance

Our whole school will come together for the ‘Big Dreams’ performance in the Hall at 9:10. The performance links together the themes of the CBCA shortlisted books for this year.  

Chief Minister's Reading Challenge

Only one month to go on the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge will conclude on Friday 13 September. Please ensure all completed forms are returned to school by this date. Keep up the great reading over the next month!

https://stmichaelskaleen.schoolzineplus.com/form/15

The Appetizer

The app of the week is Crazy Gears. This is a problem solving app aimed at developing children’s critical thinking skills. This is accomplished by asking the user to develop a series of solutions aimed at finding out how objects work together to achieve a goal. The cost of this app is $4.49.

To St Michael’s Primary School Community,

I have requested to be a part of the Little Oak Sanctuary Canberra wheat biscuits challenge, and getting our school involved. It is a good opportunity for our school to donate some wheat biscuits to an animal sanctuary (that myself is in touch with) for the wonderful, loving animals there.

Little Oak Sanctuary is a not-for-profit animal sanctuary for rescued farm animals. They have 180 animals at the sanctuary, including cows, sheep, poultry and chickens, goats and pigs, who love wheat biscuits. By donating a box of wheat biscuits, you'll be helping to look after Little Oak Sanctuary rescued farm animals. And by contributing to this challenge you will brighten the day for many of the happy residents at Little Oak.

I wish all farmed animals could be treated compassionately, and by taking part in Little Oak’s Canberra’s wheat biscuit challenge, you will have the opportunity to extend your compassion for all animals!

I trust that by us participating in Little Oak Sanctuary’s Canberra wheat biscuit challenge, it will inspire you to recognise that compassion actions create a kind, caring world. And so everyone can contribute to reach this goal.

Mischa Warwick

5/6B Student

--------------------------- 

Mischa’s words are very inspiring and it is great to see one of our students supporting such a great cause. There will be a box placed in the front office, where you will be able to drop off wheat biscuits in order to support this wonderful project. We will aim to collect all of the donations on Wednesday the 28^th of August, so we have 2 weeks to donate.

Many thanks

Mr Webb

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved a Harmony Award in Week 4 and will receive their award this Friday at morning gathering (weather permitting).

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

Lucy KL, Finley 3/4YM & Oliver 5/6B

We hope you have a great day!!

DANCECORE -  Dance classes will be held on Wednesday’s at recess in the school hall, forms are available at the Front Office. 
Contact Cassie 0417 442 750 

CHESS -  Chess classes are held in C Block on Tuesday’s at recess, forms are available at the Front Office.  Contact Sydney Academy of Chess 9745 1170

GUITAR - Guitar lessons with Sam on Thursday's, please contact
Sam on 0408 196 855

PIANO - Piano Lessons with Mary-Liz on Mondays & Tuesdays,
please contact Mary-Liz on 0413 425 753

SPEECH & DRAMA  -  Drama classes are being held on Tuesday’s at lunchtime, please contact Elizabeth McIntosh if you are interested on 6255 9054

SCHOOL BANKING  -  Banking day is Thursday, please leave your books at the Front Office.

BOOKCLUB -  Scholastic Bookclub running 8 times a year, there will be two issues each Term.  If you have any queries, contact Mrs Monro or Mrs Arena. 

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

The canteen still require assistance on Fridays 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.  

Please feel free to contact Empire Catering on 0408 200 481 for queries with lunch orders or any constructive feedback you have regarding menu items.  

Playgroup is held on Wednesdays in Weeks 2 to 9 from 9am til 10.30am in the School Hall. It is for children ages 0-5 and their parents/carers.  Please contact Kylie Arena or Lisa Monro on 62414022 for any enquires. 

FREE FILM SCREENING AT ST MONICA’S, EVATT, 23^RD AUGUST

‘The Sexual Revolution, 50 years since Humanae Vitae’

This film will have its inaugural screening in this Archdiocese on Friday, 23^rd August, at 7pm in St Monica’s Meeting Room, Evatt.

It covers the ‘free-love’ experimental ideas of the 60s along-side the encyclical of Pope Paul VI ‘Humanae Vitae’ about love, sex and marriage.

The film is for all adult parishioners and clergy as it addresses many aspects so relevant in Theology of the Body.

Westfield Belconnen Junior Summer Sport Expo

Looking to sign up for summer sports but not sure what to pick? Join us for an all in one info night with a host of local sporting clubs!

They’ll have all the information and sign up processes ready go so when the temps warm up you’re ready to get out onto the field.

Date: Friday 23^rd August

Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Westfield Belconnen Level 1, centre court

Find out more :  http://bit.ly/WB-SportsExpo19

Changes to School Sport ACT

From the commencement of this year there will no longer be Belconnen Region level trials for specific sports. To replace the regional level completion, many sports are holding gala days for schools to attend. We will enter teams in these gala days where there is student interest. The pathway for selection to an ACT sporting team is through trials offered in the same way as they have been previously. Please see the information below in relation to the process of registering your child for ACT trials on the School Sport ACT website.

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.

1. Go to the School Sport ACT website – schoolsportact.asn.au
2. Click Register (top right corner of homepage) for an Account – enter parent details and password
3. 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.
4. Click Log In (top right hand corner of home page) enter password then click on top tab My Profile
5. You will see a ‘dashboard’ of your information, click green box to Add Student – enter student and medical details and save.
6. Go to the Sports Tab – choose your specific sport, click on Trial Information box then click on the Register to Trial link.
7. 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?
8. Make the $5 credit card payment then click to register.
9. An automated email will then be sent to your Principal/School Approver for their approval to trial (no need to take anything to school for the Principal to sign).
10. You will be able to see the process has been complete back in My Profile – once your Principal/School Approver has completed the approval process your child’s information will be collated onto a list for the Team Manager and Coach prior to trial.
11. Note the registration process closes two days before the first trial date to allow sufficient time for approval and sharing of collated information.

Looking forward to another big year of sporting participation,

Erin Hardwicke
erin.hardwicke@cg.catholic.edu.au

ONLY 3 BOOKS LEFT - LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE

The 2019/20 Entertainment Book is still 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.