News from the Principal

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Isabella Kathryn Nelson
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Our Vision: St Michael s is a catholic school community inspired by the life of Jesus. We are life-long learners and thinkers who have the courage to live our beliefs.

1 Our Vision: St Michael s is a catholic school community inspired by the life of Jesus. We are life-long learners and thinkers who have the courage to live our beliefs. Our Mission: St Michael s is a school called to serve the families of St Michael s Parish, Traralgon. We are committed to nurturing personal achievement in an environment where relationships are authentic and collaborative NEWSLETTER No. 38 DATE: 6 th December 2016 News from the Principal All St Michael s families and friends are warmly invited to join our whole school for the: End of School Year and Giving Mass Friday, 9 th December 2016 at 9.30am in the Church Following Mass we look forward to you joining us for a thank you morning tea, supplied by staff, in the hall. + St Michael s Parish Traralgon Christmas Mass Times 2016 Christmas Eve 6:00pm Mass, St Gerard s, Woodside 7:00pm Family Mass, St Michael s T gon All children of the parish and their families are warmly invited to attend our Christmas Eve Family Mass dressed in shepherd, wise men and angels costumes. 8:00pm Mass, St Columbkille s, Glengarry 8:00pm Family Mass, St Mary s, Yarram 10:30pm Carols singing, St Michael s 11:00pm Mass, St Michael s, Traralgon Christmas Day 9:30am Mass, St Michael s, Traralgon 10:00am Mass, St Mary s, Yarram School Captains for 2017 The role of School Captain is very important as these students represent all students at our school. Captains participate in our school assemblies and meet regularly with the Principal to represent the voice of our students. They also represent our school at some diocesan and community events. Grade 5 students who elected to apply for the role of School Captain in 2017 presented their speech to Grade 5/6 students and staff. Our Acting Principal, Acting Deputy Principal and Senior Teachers had a difficult job, as all the speeches were very well presented. They have selected the following students to be School Captains for 2017 and congratulate: Chelsea Elliott Georgia Said Harry Poole Cohen Campbell Well done, to all students who presented.

2 Advent A time of Preparation continued : Week Three & Four Week Three The Ritual Gather the family together around the Christmas tree. Explain that this is the third week of Advent. This week we rejoice in the knowledge that Christmas is near. We remember how the Wise Men (Magi) set off on their journey to find the newborn king. They followed a bright star, their light and guide, which eventually lead them to Jesus. Parent: Faithful God, when the wise men saw the bright star in the sky, they rejoiced because they knew this was the sign that the promised One had been born. We pray that you fill our lives with your light and that it will be our guide as it was for the magi so many years ago. Child Faithful God, as we rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord is at hand, we pray that that you will be the guiding light in our lives. Child Faithful God, as we rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord is at hand, help us to love and serve you so that we can always walk in your light. Child Faithful God, as we rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord is at hand, we pray that our hearts be open to your will always. Child Faithful God, as we rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord is at hand, help us to be a light of hope to those who live in darkness. All Amen. Sing or play appropriate song or reflective music The Christmas Lights This week add the Christmas lights to the tree. The lights illuminate the tree and give it its splendour. As we switch off the main lights to allow the tiny lights on the tree the glow brighter, they are a reminder that we are all called to be children of light, leading others to the light who is Jesus. As you add the tree lights to the tree, talk about how it would feel if we lived in darkness all the time. Talk about the difference light makes to our lives, especially in the night. After the lights have been added, switch them on and invite the family to stand around the now tree and pray: Parent Faithful God, Bless these lights that illuminate our tree. May their tiny glow be a symbol of your gentle guiding light for us. As we rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord is at hand, may these lights remind us that we are called to be beacons of light to those who seek you. All Amen. Conclude the ritual by singing We Three Kings. Week Four The Ritual Gather the family together around the Christmas tree. Explain that this is the fourth week of Advent. During this week we make our final preparations to welcome Jesus. At this time we remember Mary s great act of faith that enabled her to say yes to the call of God to be the mother of Jesus. Parent God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We pray that our hearts and mind have been open to truly welcome you into our home. All Come Lord, Jesus comes. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We thank you for the prophets who first told us of your promise to send your Son into the world. All Come Lord, Jesus comes. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We thank you for Mary s gift of faith that enabled you to carry forth your promise to the world. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We thank you for being with in everything we do. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We thank you for the time we have spent together growing more in our appreciation and understanding of the meaning of Christmas. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. Thank you for the hope and excitement that we share because we know that Jesus will come. Child God of love, when you come to us this Christmas, you will find us ready and waiting. We pray that our family will welcome Jesus with great joy. All Amen. The Christmas Presents This week add the Christmas presents under the tree. The presents are a sign of our love for one another. Child God our Father, Bless the gift we have placed under the tree a symbol of our love for one another. May they be a reminder of your everlasting love. All Amen. Parent The tree is now ready for Christmas as is our preparations. We are now ready to welcome Jesus with a new heart and a new understanding. Conclude the ritual with a sing along of the family s favourite Christmas songs.

3 Education News FAMILY MATHS Car number plates on Putt Putt Island consist of one letter followed by three digits. What is the maximum number of number plates that could be available. Plates beginning with A go from A000 to A999 so there are 1000 of them. There are 1000 plates for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet giving 26,000 plates in all. STUDENT OF THE WEEK 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. The award winners for Weeks 9 / Term 4 Aston Prince Pippa-Lilly Mason Milla Rayner Bolu Freeman Olivia Hurley Miley Affleck Aliana Krieger Seb Calabro Luca Paolemilio Zali Tripodi Tyrell Ason Ashlyn Murtagh Ben Alesi Zahrarose Beaty Charlie Hamilton Joel Wilbraham Will Murray Casey Porter Dell Lawrence Tess McDonald Jacob Colaciello END OF THE YEAR FINISHING TIME Please note: The children will be finishing school on: Friday, 16 th December 2016 at 3.20pm 2017 The first day of school for all students will be: Tuesday, 31 st January 2017 at 8.55am Country Buses The last day the Traralgon Country Network buses will be running for 2016 is Friday the 16th of December. The bus times will be the same as always, but will not be running after this date. The services will resume as normal on Tuesday the 31 st of January 2017 End of School Year and Giving Mass Friday, 9 th December am The whole school will be celebrating our School End of Year and Giving Mass in the Church. We welcome all families and friends to attend this Mass, it will be a great opportunity to thank God for all the blessings we have received during the year. The St Vincent de Paul, Assistance Centre, Traralgon would like to thank St Michael s School community for their continued support over many years, especially at Christmas time. Christmas is a time for giving and coming together with family and friends. For some people in our community it has been a difficult year. This is where St Vincent de Paul Society in Traralgon help many families at Christmas time with toys, gift vouchers and food hampers. Over the next few weeks each class will be collecting items for their hamper to present to the Traralgon St Vincent de Paul, Assistance Centre at the above Mass. If your family would like to offer support here are a few ideas: o Donate some festive food (non-perishable), o Donate a Gift Voucher (eg Kmart) these are used for year old children After Mass families and friends are invited to the school hall for morning tea.

Family Picnic & C hristmas C arols THURSDAY, 8 th December 2016 This is a family event, bring along your picnic dinner, sing-along to your favourite Christmas carols and Santa will be visiting.

4 Family Picnic & C hristmas C arols THURSDAY, 8 th December 2016 This is a family event, bring along your picnic dinner, sing-along to your favourite Christmas carols and Santa will be visiting. We will be gathering on the grass area and under the school shelter (for inclement weather it will be in the Hall). Time: 5.30pm Picnic Tea (bring your own picnic and chairs ) 6.30pm Christmas Carols (Christmas Carol sheets will be distributed) All classes have been rehearsing Christmas carols in readiness to lead family, friends and staff in a sing-a-long. Reminder: Bring your camera for photos with Santa. Can students guess how Santa will arrive? (It will not be with reindeers!!) All children are encouraged to wear Christmas clothing, colours or accessories if they have any. It would be great to see many families attend again this year and join in celebrating the festive season with their children and St Michael s staff.

5 Dates to Remember DECEMBER 8 th Thursday Carols & Family Picnic 5.30pm 9 th Friday End of Year & Giving Mass 9.30am 9 th Friday School Disco P&F 12 th Monday 9.00am Final Assembly for th Tuesday Yr 6 Graduation Mass 6.00pm 15 th Thursday School Fun Day 16 th Friday Last Day of Term for students 3.20pm 19 th Monday Staff Planning Day 20 th Tuesday Staff last day SCHOOL FEES REMINDER The 2016 school fees are now overdue. If you do not have in place an approved arrangement with the school, please pay your account in full. If you are experiencing financial difficulties please contact our Acting Principal, Jan Fitzpatrick to discuss payment options. We appreciate all fee payments that have been made to date, as this assists the school meet its financial commitments. SSV - tryouts for the big 4, Basketball, Netball, Australian Rules and Football (Soccer) Each school is only allowed a maximum of three (3) students for each sport mentioned above to attend these trials so it s important that as a school, we acknowledge the capacity and ability of these nominated students to be able to participate well in these trials. It needs to be emphasised that these trials form part of School Sport Victoria s Gifted and Talented program and are not come and try opportunities. Each child is trialing for a state team and as such we must attest to each child s athleticism, skill level and school behaviour. We invite you to register your child for selection to trial, if you so wish. Please be aware that registration costs $25 per sport. Please go to the following link to access the registration page and information Please be aware the Football (Soccer) and Basketball teams will participate at the same time at Pacific School Games so it is only possible to select one of these sports. The online registration system will be open on Dec and close on March Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the P&F! End of year letter from the president: As this was my first year of being president I would especially like to thank my P&F committee members for all your support, encouragement and hard work. As a prep mum, it s been a whirlwind of learning how the school works and getting to know you all and I m really thrilled with how we have all worked together and pulled off some great events. I d also like to thank all the teachers and parents for your support and participation in P&F events. I didn t realise what a big part the P&F plays in the school and how much P&F funds work towards making the school a better place for the children. This year we have achieved: re-asphalting, bought trees for the grounds, supplied new readers to the junior school, purchased Shade Shelters for sports days and bought new drinking taps and troughs. It s a great achievement. We wish all the Grade 6 students good luck starting secondary school, and thank families leaving St Michael s School for their support of P&F over the years. We look forward to welcoming the new preps and their families to St Michael s next year. We also look forward to another great year of fundraising for the school. Remember that we are always looking for new ideas, so if you have one please drop us an , or better yet, come along to our monthly meetings for a catch up! Bianca Mason St Michael s P&F President from the Parents & Friends Association Coming Up: School Disco this Friday 9 th Dec Parent and Friends Contacts P&F parentgroupp@gmail.com Bianca Mason (President) Deb Rowley (Treasurer) Teresa Potter Marianne Nightingale Melissa Joske Tracey Townsend

Latrobe City Library will once again host a summer holiday program. Summer Reading Club Free event Pick Up a book and get ready for Heroes and villains these holidays with the Summer Reading Club.

Pick up an entry form at your library and join in the fun at the library and online at www.summereadingclub.org.au.

6 Latrobe City Library will once again host a summer holiday program. Summer Reading Club Free event Pick Up a book and get ready for Heroes and villains these holidays with the Summer Reading Club. The Summer Reading Club is a free holiday program packed full with adventure themed activities, games, stories and prizes. This program is great for kids from pre-school to 16 years of age. Pick up an entry form at your library and join in the fun at the library and online at Open 1 December January 2017 Heroes & villains Storytime Come dressed in your favourite hero or villain costumes to a special Storytime at your local library. Morwell Library Tuesday 10 January at 11 am Churchill Library-Wednesday 11 January at am Traralgon Library-Thursday 12 at am or am Moe Library-Friday 13 January at 11 am Let s make it - craft activities free event Kids can enjoy free craft activities to take home. Morwell Library: Tuesday 17 January, 10 am to 12 pm Traralgon Library: Wednesday 18 January, 10 am to 12 pm Churchill Library: Thursday 19 January, 10 am to 12 pm Moe Library : Friday 20 January, 10 am to 12 pm Kite making Come to your local library and join Jo from Kites4Kids to make and decorate a diamond kite which you will get to take home. $6 per kite suitable for children 4-12 years. Tuesday 24 January Traralgon Library 10 am am Moe Library 2 pm pm from the Community Wednesday 25 January Churchill Library 10 am am Morwell Library 2 pm pm

News from the Principal

News from the Principal Dear Parents As a Catholic School, we are a community, which celebrates our Catholic Story and traditions and recognises Christ is at the centre of our lives. On the night before he died, Jesus celebrated