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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
It feels like we have just started the year and yet here we are with only a few days left of the 2020 school year and what a year it has been with two lots of remote learning occurring and all becoming very familiar with google meetings and participating in online events. We are lucky to have such a supportive parent body - without whom remote learning would not have been possible. For many of you balancing your own work while supporting your child provided many challenges but together we got through it. Thank you!
On Friday we farewelled our grade six students with a lovely Mass, lunch and the traditional hat toss. It was great that we were able to gather in the Church for the Mass and still include the parents via a live stream. A huge thank you to Steve Kimani for your assistance and time so that this could happen. As a cohort, the grade six students showed amazing resilience throughout the whole year and we are very proud of all of you. I also need to acknowledge the school captains, Marley, Shinn, Chloe and Phoebe who took their role seriously throughout the year and looked for any opportunity to help out. Well done!
For some families this year means the end of their time at St Michael’s. I would like to thank them for their involvement in their child’s education and being a part of the St Michael’s family. We hope you take away many wonderful memories of your time here.
Our staff have also worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep the learning needs of our students foremost in their minds. I commend them for the way they have embraced and explored different ways of teaching.
This year we are also saying farewell to Mr Farmer. We thank him for the many years of service to our school community. Miss Dash is also leaving us as an ESO to begin her teaching career at St Josephs’ Warragul and whilst Mrs Christensen is leaving us a class teacher, she will be back here during the year as a Replacement Teacher. On behalf of the school community, we wish all of you well.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and holy festive season, and we will see you all when students return to school on Thursday 28th January 2021.
Regards,
Jodie
Parish news
SMY@L YOUTH GROUPS NEWS:
Our thanks to Serenta Donchi, Scott Donchi, Rachel Dodd, Sally Kirstine, Leah Arbon and Louise Varsaci who have been enthusiastic leaders of the SMY@L group. May God bless them.
On November 26, 2020 they made the decision that it is now time for others to take up the reins as leaders of this energetic group. We ask all to spend time in prayer as we seek new leaders to join in this area of our Youth Ministry in 2021.
ATTENDING MASS:
Due to current COVID restrictions you are required to make a booking to attend Masses:
- To book through Trybooking.com for Masses on the weekends of Dec 20, 27 and Jan 03, 10 & 17 please go to https://www.trybooking.comn/BNIAG. Bookings for Masses on Dec 27 and Jan 03 close at 11:00am on Wednesday 24th December.
- To attend a Christmas Mass, please go to https://www.trybooking.com/BNNUV Bookings for Christmas Masses will open at 2:00pm on Tuesday 15th December.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 2020
Christmas Eve - Thursday Dec 24:
- 7:00 pm Mass at St Michael’s
- 11:00pm Mass at St Michael’s
Christmas Day - Friday December 25:
- 8:00am Mass at St Michael’s
- 10:00am Mass at St Michael’s
It is necessary to book to attend the Christmas Masses. (see above for booking information)
SACRAMENTS DATES FOR 2021
Now that we seem to be back on the road to ‘normal’, the Parish is excited to be able to have decided on dates for First Communion and Reconciliation in Term 1.
First Communion for 2021’s Year 5 students who were prepared to receive this sacrament in 2020 will be celebrated on Friday 5th February at 6:00pm, Saturday 6th February at 5:00pm Mass and Sunday 7th February at 10:30am Mass.
Reconciliation for students in Years 3 &4 in 2021 will be celebrated on Tuesday 16th March, Wednesday 17th March, Thursday 18th March and Friday 19th March. Further details will be available in the new year.
Covid restrictions, allowing, of course.
Each week students from each class are awarded Student of the Week certificates. These children are nominated for the example they have been within the school based on the School Wide Expectation focus for that week. The weekly focus will be from Wednesday until Tuesday the following week. Awards will be presented to students in class until assemblies can resume.
In Week 10 the School Wide Expectation focus was Honesty.
I always tell the truth.
I am honest when reflecting on my personal performance.
I take responsibility for my actions.
The award winners for week 10 were:
| Miles Blackford | Jaxon Nachorny | Elijah Nicolopoulos |
| Olivia Uren | Sebastian Goicoa | James Poursanidis |
| Emerson Hayes | Jonah Joseph | Amelie Harper |
| Braith McNeill | Savannah Frendo | Lily Ogg |
| Elsie Johnstone | Christopher Tsaikos | Mikealy Ross |
As we celebrate the third week of Advent we, like the prophet Isaiah, are called to care about the poor. Like John the Baptist, we are called to be a witness to our Lord Jesus. Jesus was the light that John heralded to the world. Darkness was swept aside by light. Advent is the perfect time of year to ask: How is the light of Jesus reflected in your life? What can we do with our children to help them see the light of Jesus at Christmas? Is Jesus the gift that we have under our Christmas tree to share?
May you and your family be filled with joy, peace and happiness at this special time of the year.
Last Friday we delivered over 650 items to St Vincent De Paul for their Christmas Appeal.
We are very blessed, at St Michael’s, with a generous and caring school community. The children brought along wrapping paper, party food, decorations and even some Santa Suits. Thank you to everyone for their generous heart at this time of year.
Answer from last week:
