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A Prayer for a new school year!
Dear God,
As we start this new school year, we ask for your blessings and guidance.
Help us to be kind to one another, to make new friends, and to learn new things.
We pray that you will give us the strength and courage to face any challenges that come our way.
Please help us to be respectful to our teachers and to listen to their instructions.
We also pray for the safety of all students and teachers.
May this school year be filled with joy, laughter, and learning.
Amen.
Dear parents and carers
So, 2025 is off to a great start and in true Far North Queensland style, we’re in for a soggy beginning with plenty of rain to keep us on our toes this wet season! Hopefully things will settle a bit once these weather systems pass us by.
Please note there is still more rain forecast over the coming days, which may result in some road closures and local flooding. Please stay updated of your local conditions and consider whether it is safe to travel to school. We know that families living in the Goldsborough Valley are often cut off and unable to get through to school. Please remember, “If it’s flooded, forget it”.
In the meantime, school has begun for 2025 with lots of excitement as our students return from the long break. Our new Preps have settled in very well, albeit being a little tired at the end of each day. The teachers tell me they have been very busy making new friends and getting to know their surroundings.
2025 Seniors
Our Year 6 Senior Student Leaders have begun their year with enthusiasm, wearing their new senior shirts with pride. Last year, our Year 5s worked on the senior shirt design and are very proud of the result.
Instrumental Music
We are pleased to announce that our new Instrumental Music teachers have begun lessons this week. Our two new teachers are Mr Sanjay, who will be teaching drums, piano/keyboard and guitar; and Mr Johnstone who will be teaching violin.
Children from Years 2 to 6 are very welcome to join the lessons and are invited to contact St Mary’s directly to make arrangements.
Please scroll down to the end of this newsletter to access the application form. Please give us a call if you have any questions.
Mr Johnstone and Mr Sanjay
Year at a Glance
- Attached to this newsletter is our 2025 ‘Year at a Glance’ calendar which gives you an overview of all the events and activities for the year.
- Please note that there may be times that it is necessary to alter the dates, and we will let you know if anything changes.
Have a wonderful two weeks!
Jacquie
St Michael's school photos are taking place on Monday 24th February 2025. Full formal uniform must be worn.
Orders can be place online via the following link: NQ Photography Order Online
Please use code 3E3RVQP4
Sibling forms can be collected from reception, however they can also be ordered online, any time before photo day. Sibling photos will only be photographed if ordered.
Prep A
Class 1A
1A students did a wonderful job starting to adapt to their new year level, classroom, teacher, classmates and the wet weather which came with it. It will be lovely to see how we grow together over the coming weeks.
Class 2A
Class 3A
After a long holiday, the 3A students resumed their school routine like champs, ready to tackle new challenges. Their impressive comeback not only showcased their resilience but also set a vibrant tone for the rest of the term.
Class 4A
In 4B this term we are reading and analysing the quest novel Rowan of Rin. Students are learning to understand and explain how language features, images and vocabulary are used by authors to engage the interest of the audience.
Class 5A
The year has started smoothly and the students are adapting to the new expectations and demands of Year 5. The students have shown excellent attitudes from Day 1 and this is expected to develop as we progress through the year. Year 5 as a cohort have shown their maturity around wet play as the weather continues which has been wonderful to see so early in the year.
Mr Mafua
Class 6A
2025, let’s go! The school year has begun with the Year 6 students proudly displaying their new, self-designed senior shirts. Year 6A students welcomed new St Michael student Rikarli to the team and celebrated a couple of early birthdays in the first week and a half. As a class, we reinforced our whole school behaviour expectations and explored the range of topics we will be diving into this term. Leadership meetings have begun and assembly practice underway ready or this Friday. It’s going to be an exciting and busy 2025 for our Seniors!
Student birthdays 1st January - 9th February 2025
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Jan |
Harvey Munro |
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James Vang |
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Michael Barry |
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Oaklan Williams |
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Spencer Metcalf |
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Oliver Calcagno |
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Kanan Dougherty |
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Koen De Busch |
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Archie Gower |
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Hunter Pettersen |
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Azailea Galeano |
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Lewis Greenwood |
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Leyton Horwood |
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Kahleirah Kynuna |
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Gareth Nerot |
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Seth Schembri |
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Tayda Castini |
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Toby Toohey |
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Kyla Clarke |
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Feb |
Dixie Hubbard |
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Stella Hussey |
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Keira Thomas |
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Axl Caesar |
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Nate Pritchard |
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Eddie Nerot |
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Eli Bekkers |
Instrumental Music Information 2025
We are pleased to announce that an Instrument Trial for Semester 1, 2025 will be offered through the St. Mary’s Instrumental Program. Next year’s grade 2s and 3s will be offered the violin, and grades 4, 5 & 6 will be offered brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments. Please see the office or email kjepson@cns.catholic.
Hi everyone! I’m Chandell, Tuckshop Convenor. I’m all about making our tuckshop a lively, fun-filled place, and I’d love for you to be part of it!
How You Can Get Involved:
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Volunteer: Whether you’ve got an hour or two to spare, or just want to pop in for a quick hello, your help is gold to us! No need to let us know in advance—just swing by and join the fun. Don't forget to complete your volunteer induction first!
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Bake for Us: If volunteering isn’t your thing, we’d love your support through baked goodies. Sweet or savory, your treats make our tuckshop extra special!
Come for the laughs, stay for the community, and help us keep our tuckshop the heart of the school. We can’t wait to see you there!
Valentine's Day
Cupcake donations would be greatly appreciated.
Parents can see all of our current Tuckshop items in the Flexischools app.
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Volunteers always welcome in the tuckshop!
tuckshop.gordonvale@cns.catholic.edu.au
Fees, Levies & Discounts
Tuition Fees
Our school is part of an independent school system. The need to charge fees arises from the policy of governments to deliver significantly lower per capita grants to non-government schools than to state schools. Whilst this necessitates tuition fees and levies, it also ensures we can maintain some independence as a school system and achieve the ideals of the Catholic Church in our school organisation.
The schedule of tuition fees is set by Catholic Education Services.
The current schedule is at the link below.
CES 2025 Tuition FeesLevies
School Levies are set and reviewed annually.
- Capital Levy (buildings and maintenance)
- P&F Fundraising Levy
- Resource Levy
- Activities Levy
Please contact accounts.gordonvale@cns.catholic.edu.au the school accounts department for current levies.
Discounts
Every attempt is made to make an education at St Michael’s affordable so that no Catholic child is denied a Catholic education because of financial difficulties. Parents are often pleasantly surprised at the affordability of Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese, especially when compared with other non-government schools (private/independent), or Catholic schools in capital cities.
A sibling discount applies to families where more than one child is attending one or more Catholic schools in the Cairns Diocese.
Holders of a current means-tested Australian government health care or pensioner concession cards receive an automatic 70% discount on tuition fees (does not apply to school levies).
Families who are not concession card holders yet are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to make a confidential request to the principal for special consideration. Please contact the school’s Finance Officer to arrange an appointment.
Unless prior arrangements have been put in place, failure to follow school policy and procedures may result in the engagement of a Debt Recovery Agency.
Justine Hind | Finance/HR Officer
accounts.gordonvale@cns.catholic.edu.au
Can you help? Are you able to offer your talents?
Commentator, Reader, Choir, Musician, PowerPoint Operator, Altar Server, Church Cleaning, Trimming Hedge, Helping with Sacramental Program, Hospitality -helping with morning teas after Anointing Mass, Setting up for coffee/tea after Sunday 8am Mass, Assist on Wednesdays with Free coffee/tea Norman Park 3.30-5.30pm.
Contact Rita in the Parish Office 4046 5215 / 4046 5216 / 0409 054 401.
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Saturday |
Vigil Mass 6.00 pm, St Michael's Church |
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Sunday |
Mass 8.00 am, St Michael's Church Mass 10.00 am, St Therese's Church Mass 5.00pm, St Therese's Church |
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Tuesday |
7.00 am St Anthony Devotion & Rosary, St Michael's Church 8.00 am Mass & Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Holy hour, Benediction, St Therese's Church |
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Wednesday |
8.00 am Mass, St Michael's Church (except for the 1st Wednesday of the month: 9.30am Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing, followed by morning tea in the hall) 3.30 - 5.30 pm Cuppa in Park, Norman Park |
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Thursday |
8.00 am Mass, St Therese's Church 10.00 am Cenacle (Rosary) Norman Park, 40 Sheppard St, Gordonvale |
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Friday |
8.00 am Mass & Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Holy hour, Benediction, St Michael's Church 5.00 pm Stations of the Cross & Rosary, St Michael's Church |
Wednesday 12th February, there will be Mass 10am at the Pyramid Residential Care Centre.
Parish Newsletter
Cherish Life Qld & Catholic Theology
CHERISH LIFE QLD. Cairns Branch AGM will be held on Wednesday 26th February at 7.30pm at the meeting room of The Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Collins Ave, Edge Hill. All interested supporters are welcome.
For information contact Anne Coyle, 0428183708 or coyleanne25@gmail.com
Explore Catholic Theology in Context
10-week course. When: Starting 3rd February, Monday nights, 7–9 pm Where: Bishop’s House, Cairns (with an online option available for remote participants)
Cost: $100.
Presented by the Brisbane Archdiocesan Centre for Catholic Formation.
Register now at cairns.catholic.org.au.
For more information, contact: Anne anne.chellingworth@cairns.catholic.org.au | 4046 5118.
See you in Church!
Fr Sabu
Parish Priest
St Monica's College
Government Funded Back to School Support
What is Saver Plus?
Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about bolstering their financial skills, so they can develop (and keep) good savings habits. Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 62,000 people to start saving.
It’s helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And it’s set them up for a brighter future.
What are the eligible savings goals?
Eligible savings goals are education related products or services that:
- Assist a primary or secondary school student’s education;
