St. Michael's Primary School ~ Term 1 Week 8

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we near the end of term one, I am reminded in this last newsletter edition prior to the holidays of all of the events and activities we have planned and undertaken thus far. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly each term and year flies, that's why it is important we all try to make the best out of each and every day!

It was lovely seeing all the students participating in National Ride to School Day this Friday - with many riding, scooting and walking to school for an active and healthy alternative. Many thanks to our Sports Leader Ms. Hook for organising this event for our students and for all the teachers who assisted in making this a reality.

We will conclude this term by finalising our softball clinics and with one of the most anticipated events of the year - our school photos. School photos will be taken next Tuesday 26th April. If you haven’t already done so, please ensure your money is enclosed in the envelope and returned to school next Monday.

Additionally, we will have our Liturgy & Easter Parade on the last day Thursday 28th March at 9:30 am. Not only will you get to see all the students' amazing Easter hat designs, but we will also be drawing our annual Easter raffle prizes. We cannot wait to see you all there! A special thank you to our Religious Education & Pastoral Care Leader Mrs. Moffatt for creating this special day for us.

Lastly, I am reminded of the incredible support our parent body gives back to the school with our School Advisory Council meeting next Tuesday 26th March and our brand-new Parent Representative Group (PRG) meeting on the last day of school Thursday 28th March. The school and home partnership is something we pride ourselves on at St Michael's and we wouldn’t be the community we are without our generous parents.

I leave you with a beautiful poem about gratitude and wish you all a wonderful and safe Easter and holiday period. We look forward to seeing you next term -  Monday 15th April.

Yours Faithfully,

Charlene Fenton

Principal

From Mrs Mez Moffatt - Class 5 & 6  

Term 1 has started with a gallop and the Yr. 5/6 class have enjoyed so many wonderful learning experiences already.  Highlights have been outlined below with images and notes from students sharing their learning.

Visit to Bolga Court Nursing Home for Exercise Activity session.

Going to Bolga Court - By Lachlan Ried. 

On Thursday 22rd of February we went to do some Exercise and activities with all of the elderly people at Bolga court. We helped out with getting them some exercise and to be active as well as getting fit. It is always good to see some new people and learn about them.  By Lachlan Ried. 

Visit to Bolga Court - By Jye Vogel.

Mark was doing dancing.  We were dancing with the pool noodles.
We were hitting the balloons with Mark.
It was so funny.  It was fun with Mark. It was funny and happy. - By Jye Vogel.

Visit to Bolga Court

Bolga Court Visit - By Ryda Moran

We went to Bolga court and did exercises with the elderly people there; it was very fun. We went to the Tallangatta library to borrow some books for our school classroom. I liked the visit because we got lots of good books.

Things we have learnt in Term 1 - By Eloise Hicks

David Williams came on the 12th of March on a Tuesday and he taught our 5/6 class what Makey Makey is. It is a game you can play on your device and is very cool. You can purchase little Makey Makey tools and you can connect them up to your device and play cool tunes as you tap on your friends who are holding the other side.  You make your wire and then high-five them you can tap their arm, their fingernail, their leg, even the eye- don’t ask how I figured that out.

We visited Bolga Court on the 22nd of February on a magical Thursday. Our amazing 5/6 class went to Bolga Court at the retirement village to do some exercise with the elderly people. We stood in a circle as the residents sat on the chairs around us. We danced dances in circles around and around until we fell over as we got so dizzy. There was this really funny man named Mark who loves to do Jumping jacks and have lots of energy. - By Eloise Hicks 

Library Visit -  By Kayleigh Wood.

On Thursday 22nd February 2024 we went to the library and we all read some books to see if we wanted to borrow it or not. Then, once we had found a book we liked, we borrowed it.  All of us borrowed at least 1 book; some of us got 2 books. Some people even got a new library card that day so they can borrow books whenever they want to. Some people returned books so they could borrow another one. We all had a good time at the library. It was very fun. We hope that if you go, that you will have a good time like we did and maybe even borrow a book. - By Kayleigh Wood.

Class Happenings - By Tilly Piper.

On Tuesday 12 th March, David Williams came to visit our class, he taught us how to use keynote for all different types of slideshows and movies.
On Thursday 22 nd February our class went to visit Bolga court to visit the elderly, we had an amazing time doing exercise with them.
Once again on the 22 nd of February 5/6 went to the Tallangatta library and borrowed books, some of us became members and read. By Tilly Piper.

Grade 5 &6 Adventures - By Macey Kirk.

David Williams taught the 5/6 class about Makey Makey the incredible website and all about the hidden treasures on keynote an app where you can make some presentations with Makey Makey. He got us to get playdough and some wires and a device. Then you plug all the wires into the plug end, then plug into an iPad and get your friend to hold the wire then stick a wire into the playdough and touch then high-five your friend and a note from a digital piano.

Grade 5 &6 Adventures  - By Carla Barnes.

On Tuesday 12 th of March David Williams came to our school and taught the 5/6 class about keynote and Makey Makey. On key note he taught us how to make words have an image on them and to make words have video in them. Also how to outline your writing and how to put a different image on a computer screen in a photo. On Makey Makey we learnt how to control things with an earth wire and more wire you can make noises and control your keyboard. By Carla Barnes.

Out and About with 5&6 - By Leala Campbell.

On Thursday the 22 nd my class and I went to Bolga Court to celebrate Mrs Moffat’s Birthday. It was great. I saw my Pa and we did some exercise and we played “Keepy upy” with the balloons over all - it was great.
On Thursday 22 nd my class and I went to the library and there were thousands of amazing books that I loved and enjoyed. A lot of us borrowed books and enjoyed them. Overall, we loved it. By Leala Campbell.

Science & Making Games - By Leon Turnbull.

Makey Makey is a fun project that requires earth and electrical. You can make fun games like throwing, balling, boxing, arm resets and sounds on an instrument. David Williams also taught a bit about keynote which is a writing app. By Leon Turnbull.

Class Highlights - By Luke Furze.

I loved the Makey Makey because I liked how it used kinetic energy. By Luke Furze.

Mini Vinnies 

Mini Vinnies has been launched in conjunction with St Vincent De Paul.  Several students from Grade 5 & 6 will begin action-based 'Faith IN Action' through events such as Ks for CARITAS, a Winter Appeal for blankets&beanies and food hampers to name a few of their ideas. Please support these keen students as they work to help others. Details will follow as each event approaches.

Catholic Education Week

We celebrated Catholic Education Week with many whole school Liturgies to celebrate St Michael’s School Values of Courage, Compassion and Community.  We made some beautiful cards to send to the Bolga Court Retirement Village residents to let them know we care about them. We learnt a new song called “Light The Way” – ask your son or daughter to sing the chorus to you.  God bless everyone in Catholic Education and beyond and may God help us all to be shining His love beyond our ‘spirit-filled’ school. 

Kitchen Garden, Performing Arts and Health Report 

It’s been an extremely busy term so far in our special classes! Our students have learned many new skills in our kitchen garden, cooking, music and RRRR.

Garden

After the holidays and a great deal of hot weather, our garden needed lots of love!  The students have raked up debris for the compost, weeded the plant beds and added compost and sugar cane mulch. Grades 1 and 2, and 3 and 4 made recycled newspaper pots and planted broad bean and pea seeds into them.

Grades 5 and 6 then planted the seedlings more deeply into the raised bed so that they continue to grow for harvest. They also planted wombok, pak choi, basil, spinach, lettuce, celery and silverbeet seedlings which are all growing well. Thanks to Leon in 5-6, who brought in some Aloe Vera plants for our garden.

Together, we have cooked tomato bruschetta, a mixed leaf salad and a watermelon and feta salad. The students are learning how to read a recipe and cooperate with their group members, use kitchen and garden equipment safely and responsibly, dish presentation and cleaning up. 

Health/RRRR classes

This term’s activities have focussed on emotions and feelings, and how to recognise them in others.   We have discussed, demonstrated and performed role plays to help students understand and develop their emotional regulation and awareness.  Our current focus is on personal strengths, which is worth some conversation with your children at home.

Performing Arts - Music

We have been learning about pulse and rhythm, how to keep in time to the beat, long and short notes and rests - using body percussion, “garage band” and online activities.  We have learned to sing new songs, and are working on our Easter songs for next Thursday’s mini concert!

Jo Hilliard - Specialist Teacher

National Ride2School Day

This morning students met at the Tallangatta Triangles and accompanied by teachers and parents, rode, walked and skated to school.

 This initative aims to support student engagement in active ways of travelling and there were high levels of energy and enthusiasium.

It was lovely to see the families mingling and supporting the staff to the front door of the school. Thank you for the community and parent support and to Ms Jo Hook for coordinating and the Towong Shire for their donation of bananas. 

CARITAS Annual Easter Raffle Fundraiser

Its that time of year again... Donations are now open for our Annual Caritas Fundraiser.
Chocolates, arts & crafts, anything Easter related... (no live bunnies thanks)
Raffle tickets will be sent home in the coming days. Thank you for your support!

St. Michael’s Primary School is committed to child safety and the inclusion of all children.

S C H O O L ~ P H O T O ~ D A Y

26th March 2024

Full school uniform & black shoes please

Grade 6 Students - Year 6 Top, Green shorts & black shoes please.

In line with our school policy - No excessive jewelry, no hair colour or makeup please.

Hair accessories to be kept to a minimum please.

New email address - Office Staff 

With the change in office days for staff, a new email address has been created for all office related school communications at:

office@smtallangatta.catholic.edu.au

Principal and teacher emails are still to be addressed directly to the staff member.

Lunch Order  List 2024

What's On...

Wodonga Catholic Parish News

Hello Everyone,  

How lovely it is to have some cooler mornings, which makes it much easier to go for a walk. 

This weekend marks the beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday. The name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honour Jesus as he entered the city,  perhaps a reminder for us to welcome Jesus into our hearts.

Please find attached the Bulletin and  Lenten Prayer Leaflet in Pdf, for this weekend, I have also included the link for both publications for your convenience.

Neighbourhood House - Tallangatta

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE ACTIVITIES

Sewing Machine Classes for Kids

In this introduction to sewing children will learn everything they need to know to be able to use a sewing machine. Retired home economics teacher and CWA member, Mary Grant, will then help them apply their newly acquired skills to make a unique and colourful wall hanging.

The workshop will take place over two weeks on Monday 18 & 25 March from 4pm to 6pm.   There are only 5 places available so book quickly! If you miss out please put your name on the Eventbrite waiting list as we may be able to run additional workshops.   The cost is $25 and covers both sessions. All materials, sewing machines and after school snacks will be provided. This workshop is for children aged 8+ unless accompanied by an adult.  See How to Book below.

Easter Treats Community Afternoon Tea

Put this one in your calendars!  Hop along to the Neighbourhood House on Wednesday 27 March between 2.30pm and 4pm and join us for some Easter feasting!  A great chance to enjoy a cuppa, hot cross bun or a sweet treat for the cost of a gold coin donation.  Our community food events are designed to bring our community members together.  Stay for a little or a long while and make a new friend or meet up with an old one!  All welcome, no need to book, just come along. Really hope to see you!

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Tallangatta & District Astronomy Club (TADAC)

Did you know you can gaze upon the wonders of the night sky at the Tallangatta & District Astronomy Club (TADAC) observatory?  At TADAC’s public viewings you can use the powerful telescopes to view deep sky objects including nebulae, star clusters and galaxies and find out more about astronomy from TADAC members.   The next public viewing night is Saturday 23 March at 8.30pm.    The cost is free however a gold coin donation is appreciated if you are able.  The aim is to do the viewing in moon-free skies so the dates and times do change throughout the year and are also weather dependent.   If you would like to know more about how to get involved contact Zachary West on 0438 863 739, email tallangattaastronomyclub@gmail.com , visit www.tadac.info or https://www.facebook.com/groups/353336408686606