St. Michael's Primary School ~ Term 4 Week 4

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we begin November, we embrace a month dedicated to remembrance.        Today, we celebrate All Saints' Day, and tomorrow is All Souls' Day. We take a moment to reflect on the lives of the saints and our loved ones who have passed away—those who shaped our lives, families and community. These days remind us of the courage and compassion we aspire to and the enduring connections we share with those who have gone before us. We honour their memories through our lives of love and service.

Last Friday, we celebrated World Teachers' Day. This was a perfect opportunity to express our gratitude for the incredible educators who inspire and guide our students every day. Their dedication and passion make a lasting impact, nurturing not only academic success but also the personal growth of our children. Thank you to our student leaders who made a very meaningful presentation to all of our teachers. 

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our Feast Day with our Grandparents' Mass, afternoon tea, and fun games and activities. This was a wonderful celebration of our community, and the love of the grandparents for their precious grandchildren was palpable, making the day so joyful and life-giving. Also, thank you to everyone for their generosity in supporting our Day for Daniel. The children participated in safety lessons in their classrooms and enjoyed the sausage sizzle. Thank you to Kelly for organising the event, Kyle Small for cooking the BBQ, and Mrs Moffat and the Year 5 & 6s for all their hard work. Together, we raised over £600 to support Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day.

Thank you to all in our community for being an essential part of our St Michael's family.

I would like to share with you part of Matthew’s Gospel for today’s All Saints’ Day - The Beatitudes:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Pope Francis, in his homily on All Saints’ Day, encourages us to draw inspiration from the saints as guides for living out the Beatitudes:

“On this solemn Feast of All Saints, the Church invites us to reflect on the great hope that is based on Christ’s Resurrection: Christ is risen, and we will also be with him. The Saints and Blesseds are the most authoritative witnesses of Christian hope, because they lived it fully in their lives, amidst joys and sufferings, putting into practice the Beatitudes that Jesus preached and which resound in the Liturgy today. The evangelical Beatitudes, in fact, are the path to holiness.”

Peace and blessings,

Lisa Hitchcock
Principal

Sacramental Programme
Please continue to pray for Luke and Ebony Furze, Macey and Tom Kirk as they prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Also for their families, as they support them on this continuing sacramental journey.

We invite you to attend the Sacramental Mass at St Michael’s Church, Tallangatta on Sunday 10 November at 11 am, to celebrate and support these students as they are Confirmed and receive their First Eucharist.

Thank you to Fr Andrew and Mrs Moffat for their great support of these children and families throughout the Sacramental Programme.

Reminder: Term 4 Pupil-free Days
Next Monday and Tuesday are pupil-free days.

• Monday 4 November - Report writing day
• Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
• Monday 25 November - 2025 Planning Day

2025 Magnify CES Ltd Pupil-free Days
Term 1
28-29 January - Staff Professional Learning Days
Term 2
22-24 April - Staff Professional Learning Days (The Neuroscience of Learning)
Term 3
13 August - CESL Staff Spirituality Day
Term 4
17-19 December - Staff Professional Learning Day & TIL Days

School Fees
School fee accounts have been sent out for Term 4. Please ensure accounts are paid before the end of the school year. If you would like to discuss school fee accounts, please contact Mrs Hitchcock. There are payment plans and school fee relief available at St Michael’s. If you have a new Health Care Card or have not presented it to the school, please do so as soon as possible. There is a 2024 rebate on school fees and a new fee system in 2025 available for Health Care Card holders.

Wearing Red for Daniel & World Teachers' Day Celebration

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

Sports Update - Ms Jo Hook

Cricket Clinics

This term, the students have been enjoying some cricket clinics run by Tallangatta Cricket Club. It has been great to see everyone practising their skills and working as a team. 

In Week 6, the Grades 3-5 students will also be participating in a cricket session run by Cricket Victoria. 

Upper Hume Division Athletics 

Congratulations to the following students who represented our school in the Upper Hume Division Athletics on October 11th: Lily Colclough, Oscar Wilson, Leon Turnbull, Tilly Piper, Ebony Furze.
Well done to Bridie Bowran and Elle Bryant who also qualified. 

Religious Education - Mrs Mez Moffat

During Term 4, we have celebrated some very special events in the Religious and spiritual life of our school community.

We purchased a set of new class bibles that have been utilised in the classroom during Religious Education lessons.  These stunning new Bibles were chosen as they are so colourful, friendly and inviting to read. We pray they will be well read and much is learnt from them. 

We held the St Michael’s Feast Day Mass with Father Adi presiding over our Mass where we were joined by our very special Grandparents and other special people from our families. Students were fully involved in all aspects of the Mass preparation and were extremely reverent in their roles as Readers, Offertory Procession bearers, bringing forth items of significance, tech/slide show assistants, singing and Communion/receiving a blessing. 

This special liturgical celebration was followed by afternoon tea and some special activities back at our school. A huge crowd of Nans, Pops, Grandpas, Grandmas, Nannies, Poppies and other treasured members of our wider community enjoyed the delicious cupcakes, warm sunshine and time with their Grandchild(ren). A magnificent event for all involved as the photos show.

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful efforts to make this whole day such a great memory. 

Currently, 4 of our students are eagerly preparing to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  We join with their families as we pray for Ebony and Luke Furze along with Macey and Tom Kirk.  Every Thursday after school we gather for an hour to learn the significance of these Sacraments within our Catholic faith. We extend a very warm invitation to everyone to attend this beautiful celebration which will be held on Sunday 10th November at 11:00 am at St Michael’s Church.  Please pray for Tom, Macey, Luke, Ebony and their families as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit and Communion. 

Faces Tea-Towel Fundraiser - Sneak Peak

The proof is back and the tea-towel is looking FABULOUS!!  Each student and staff member has beautifully drawn themselves, for a collaboration of all the St Michael's faces in one place. 

Orders close on 6 November.    Be sure to obtain yours and perhaps a few extras for Christmas gifts. 

The Tea-Towels are $15 each and can be purchased via cash dropped to reception or direct bank deposit;

St Michael's Primary School
BSB: 083 543
Acc: 124 683 165 

Monies raised will go towards the Cubby House and Sensory Garden project at the school. 

Boys to the Bush

Boys to the Bush was really good, there was lots of different sports to try. We also got a free sausage, we had lots of fun, there was even a DJ. We got to play footy, cricket, soccer, hockey and tug-a-war. My favourite activity was soccer, we played a match.   -  Lachlan Reid

Boys to the Bush was really fun, we got to meet lots of new people and it was a nice experience. We all had a great time, even if it was an activity we didn’t like, we all still enjoyed it. The guy that was running the day was super enthusiastic, where ever he went, it was just so fun and put a smile on everyone’s face.   - Bridie Bowran 

 There was lots of activities and different sports, they had prizes and dance battles. There was a big dance circle, Bridie and I won an award. The teachers then had a big dance battle and Ren won. We went with the kids from Sacred Heart in Corryong. My favourite part of the day was playing hockey.  Kayleigh Wood 

 We did lots of activities at Boys to the Bush, footy, soccer, a game called snatch, hockey and cricket. After lunch, we had a dance battle and I won a water bottle for dancing. We played Tug-a-war, my team won. My favourite part of the day was playing footy.  Chaz MacDonald 

CHATerBOX - Mr Joe Quinn

Part of my role as Mental Health Wellbeing Leader can be to help students by listening to their worries or concerns and by helping them to solve problems.  

I have introduced the ChatterBox system to facilitate this process if needed. 

How it works: 

• Students may want to talk about something that they need some help with to think through, or resolve.
• They place their name in the 'ChatterBox' in Reception if they would like to chat to me about something. 
• On Mondays and Tuesdays I can meet with the students to listen to their story and help them work through it. 
• Conversations will be confidential, unless I believe a child is not safe and I am obliged to talk to the principal and follow the Child Safe Policy guidelines. 
• I may not get to every student each week. 

Please note, this is not a counselling service, as I am not a qualified counsellor. I am providing the students with an option of another trusted adult in their lives, along with their parents, teachers and staff,  who can listen to them. 

Wodonga Catholic Parish News

What's On

Tallangatta Cricket Club

Neighbourhood House - Tallangatta

What’s new?

Big Sing

A fun and uplifting afternoon of singing for all voices, no experience necessary!  This annual event will be held at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 9 November at 1pm.  Last year around 60 people came along and sung their hearts out!  We will sing a great mix of classic songs that we all know and love plus quick and easy to learn short songs and rounds.  This is not a performance, it's just singing for the pure joy of it!  You don’t have to be an amazing singer, you just have to love to sing!  Bookings essential, see How to Book below.

 First Aid & CPR Training

Learn First Aid skills to provide support in an emergency.  Whether you’re looking to equip yourself with life-saving skills, needing a refresher or because it’s required by your workplace, first aid knowledge is a valuable benefit for yourself and your community.  The experienced team from Regional Emergency Training are coming to Tallangatta to deliver face-to-face training on Monday 18 November. Choose from the all-inclusive Provide First Aid from 9am to 11.30am or Provide CPR only from 1pm to 2pm.  *Online pre-course work is required to be completed before attending the training.  A link to the online training will be provided once registration is received on Eventbrite.  See How to Book below

Wet Felting - Scarves

Spend the afternoon with Mary G learning the techniques of wet felting – the process of combining wool fibres, soap and water using friction to create felt.  This versatile craft is both relaxing and affordable and the techniques you learn can be used to create a vast range of items.  In this workshop to be held on Wednesday 20 November at 1pm, you will apply felt to a silk scarf to make a beautiful and unique scarf to wear with pride.  See How to Book below.

Don’t forget!

• #stuff4teens – Halloween Movie Night – THIS Friday night! FREE movie, hotdogs, snacks and drinks and just for teens 13-17 - it’s not too late to join us!
• Tallangatta Trick or Treat – NEXT Thursday 31^st – register your address with us if you plan to give out treats
• Needle Felting – Teddy Bears – Friday 1 November – only two spots left!
• Games Night – Friday 1 November – Free and no need to book – first Friday of every month
• Uke Group – Monday 4 November – Free and no need to book – first Monday of every month
• Relax & Reset – Four weeks series starting Wed 6 November – book now!
• Know Your Gizmo – Wednesday 13 November – free help with your devices – bookings required!
• CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION – Friday 13 December – save the date for our annual Christmas Party, Santa visit & Carols!

HOW TO BOOK!

Book in for all Neighbourhood House activities on  Eventbrite https://tallangattaneighbourhoodhouse.eventbrite.com.au.  For help with bookings or more information: reply to this email, call us on 0408 573 474 or visit us at 5a Banool Rd from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 2.30pm. 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Debutante Ball

The Kurrajong CWA will be hosting a Debutante Ball on Friday 28 March 2025 at the Tallangatta Memorial Hall.  Current Year 10 students wishing to make their debut in 2025 should register their interest with Mary Aldrich on 6071 2544 or 0437 583 025.

Remembrance Day

A Remembrance Day service will be held at the Memorial Hall on Monday 11 November.  Please arrive from 10.30am for a 10.45am start.  If you would like to lay a wreath as an individual or on behalf of an organisation please let Rick Smith know on 0437 187 305.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Tallangatta Carer Connections – free lunch and workshop

*Please note this event date has changed from October to November.

Are you a carer for a person that needs extra support in day-to-day living? This may be a disability, illness or a chronic condition. Are you looking to connect with other carers in our local area and learn more about carer supports available?  Tallangatta Carer Connections is voluntary and run by carers for carers.   The next group gathering will be celebrating National Carers Week supported by Carers Victoria.  Connect with other carers and enjoy a free lunch and practical workshop designed to discover and focus on your goals and empower carers to care for themselves to be able to better care for loved ones.  The gathering will be held in the meeting room opposite the Library on Thursday 21 November with a cuppa from 9.30am and the workshop from 10am to 2pm including a free lunch.   Registrations are essential to Linda Goddard, Counsellor & Life Coach on 0438 577 212 or linda@ldconsulting.com.au.  All welcome.

Promote your Community group or event

As your Neighbourhood House we see it as our role to share information about all activities happening in Tallangatta that might be of interest or benefit to our community.  If you are involved in a local community group or organisation and want to let your community know about your groups regular activities or upcoming event, please email us the information.  There are currently around 650 individual subscribers receiving this email and we have 1.2k followers on Facebook, so it is a great way to spread the word!

 Katherine

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