Dear SCA Families,

On Saturday (24 May), we celebrated the Feast of Mary Help of Christians. You may know that Mary Help of Christians is the patron saint of Australia. This week, we pray to Mary to guide us in our journey of healing and new beginnings.

Mary is a powerful symbol of Jesus’ call to unity. Jesus invites us to acknowledge our wrongs and seek forgiveness—and just as importantly, to forgive those who have hurt us. Reconciliation is about exactly that: recognising harm, seeking and offering forgiveness, and moving forward together. This is the challenge for all Australians as we continue the journey toward National Reconciliation. With God’s presence among us, this journey is not only possible, it is essential. As Saint Paul reminds us, we are ‘one body’ in Christ.

In the ACT, Reconciliation Day is next Monday (2 June). Let’s take this time to pray for the grace to be people of generous and forgiving hearts, people who bring reconciliation into our families and communities. 

Extraordinary Ambassadors

I’ve been incredibly proud of our Year 6 students over the past few weeks. Our Student Leadership Team has been guiding visitors on our weekly Open Days, even staying back until 5:30pm on two evenings to proudly show off their school.

They were polite, friendly, and received well-deserved praise from our guests. Well done, Year 6!

Dogs at School

Under the Domestic Animals Act 2000, domestic animals aren’t allowed on school grounds without the principal’s permission. So why do you often see a dog at SCA?

We’ve carefully selected a dog to support the wellbeing of our students and staff. Jasper, our three-year-old Cavoodle, is a much-loved member of the SCA family.

Jasper is a non-moulting dog who has been with us for three years. He is always under the supervision of a responsible adult who is aware of students who may be nervous around dogs. Jasper is fully vaccinated, well-groomed, trained, and responsive to commands.

Having a dog in a primary school offers many benefits:

• Emotional support: Dogs can reduce anxiety, stress, and loneliness, especially for students facing challenges.
• Social and communication skills: Interacting with a dog can build empathy, teamwork, and respect.
• Motivation and engagement: A dog can make learning more enjoyable and encourage participation.
• Responsibility and empathy: Caring for a dog teaches kindness and compassion.
• Staff wellbeing: Jasper also helps create a calm, positive environment for staff.

Jasper is here with my full permission, and we’re proud of the positive impact he’s had. If you’d like to know more or see Jasper in action, please contact (tracy.mowlam@cg.catholic.edu.au) or myself.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout – Thursday 19 June

I’m once again taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society. For one cold night, I’ll be sleeping outside to raise awareness and support Australians in need.

Don’t wait; click on CEO Sleepout - Mr E and turn your good intentions into action. Your support means a lot!

Year 5 Camp

Congratulations to our Year 5 students for your participation, cooperation, and teamwork at camp at Birrigai last week. It was a pleasure to spend time with you.

A big thank you to Miss White, Mrs Thomson, Mr Brnabic, Mrs Riley, and Mr Wells for giving their time to make the camp such a success.

Professional Boundaries and Social Media

At SCA, we deeply value our partnerships with families; a relationship built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to our students’ wellbeing.

In today’s digital world, social media is a common way to stay connected. However, to maintain professional boundaries, our staff follow the Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) policy on digital communication:

“If there are reasons for workers to communicate with students or their families using digital devices, applications or networks for reasons other than educational/school purposes, workers must discuss this with their Principal or manager beforehand.”

In line with this, staff are expected to respectfully decline friend or follow requests from parents or carers on personal social media. This isn’t personal; it’s a professional standard that protects everyone and ensures communication remains appropriate and transparent.

We understand that in a close-knit community like ours, some staff and parents may already be connected on social media due to existing friendships or family ties. These are recognised as exceptions, and staff are encouraged to discuss them with school leadership.

Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sunsafe – means no hats in June and July

The Cancer Council ACT does not recommend sun protection in Canberra during June and July. So from Monday (2 June), our “no hat, no play” rule will be paused for two months. Time to soak up some Vitamin D!

Enrolments – Close on 30^th May

We’re proud of our great school; the wonderful kids, dedicated staff, and supportive families. Please spread the word to friends and family with preschoolers: enrolments close Friday 30 May.

Public Holidays

• Monday 2 June (Week 6) – Reconciliation Day
• Monday 9 June (Week 7) – King’s Birthday

SCA will be closed on both days.

It was once said…

Easter blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matt.egan-richards@cg.catholic.edu.au

National Volunteers Week

Last week was National Volunteers Week - a perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact our volunteers have on our school community. We are truly fortunate to have such generous and dedicated individuals who give their time, skills, and energy. A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers and staff, your ongoing support helps create enriching experiences for our children.

Thank You

A special thank you goes to our Assistant Principal, Nikki Dwyer, whose energy and leadership made both the Election Day BBQ and the recent Mother’s Day Breakfast such memorable events. The breakfast was especially lovely, bringing together parents, carers, and students in a warm celebration of the important women in our lives. Events like these highlight the strength and spirit of our community.

New Staff Coaching Program

At our latest Community Council meeting, Nikki also shared an exciting update on a new staff coaching program being introduced at the school. While more details will be shared soon, we were all inspired by the thoughtfulness of the initiative and the passion of our teachers, who continue to find new ways to support every child’s growth and learning. It’s truly uplifting to see such dedication to our children’s education.

School Fete

Another key topic discussed was the school fete. Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent survey, your feedback was invaluable. One clear message was the challenge of volunteer fatigue, with many families concerned about the same people carrying much of the load each year. In response, the Community Council has decided to move the school fete to a biennial schedule. This means there will be no fete in 2025.

Instead, we’re excited to introduce a series of smaller community events throughout the year to keep the spirit of connection alive. Plans are already underway for an adults’ trivia night (details coming soon) and an end-of-year movie night where families can enjoy a picnic, watch a film, and celebrate the festive season together.

We know this change may bring some disappointment, but our goal is to create inclusive, joyful events that bring our community together without placing too much pressure on a small group of volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has already offered to help with these new initiatives - we’re looking forward to bringing them to life with you.

Thank you again for your continued support. Our community is what makes our school so special.

Warm regards,

Karen Walsh

Chair, School Community Council

Semester 1 Reporting Update – 2025

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn has introduced updated reporting guidelines for 2025. As part of these changes, Semester 1 reports will no longer include general comments. Instead, there will be a strong focus on Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family.

These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to:

• Discuss your child’s academic progress
• Celebrate strengths and achievements
• Address any challenges
• Set goals for future learning

Semester 1 reports will still include:

• A–E achievement grades
• Work habits
• Attendance

What This Means at Our School

• Kindergarten to Year 2: Families will be invited to meet with their child’s teacher.
• Years 3 to 6: Students will participate in a three-way conference with their parent/carer and teacher.

This format encourages meaningful conversations and supports student ownership of their learning journey.

Looking Ahead to Semester 2

Semester 2 reports will include:

• A general comment summarising the year
• A–E grades
• Work habits
• Attendance

We encourage all families to stay actively involved in their child’s learning and to maintain regular communication with classroom teachers.

Nikki Dwyer

Assistant Principal

This week White Cards will be presented at Friday Morning Assembly at 8.45am. Parents and Carers are very welcome to attend. Congratulations to the following children.

As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, students are invited to participate in the 2025 NAIDOC Week School Initiatives competitions. This year’s theme is “RESPECT – Everyone has a culture, and it must be respected.”

Students in Years K–2 can enter a colouring-in competition, while students in Years 3–6 are encouraged to write a poem on the theme of respect. Fantastic prizes are up for grabs, including movie passes, gift cards, and more!

All entries are due by Friday 27th June 2025. Entry forms and full details are available from your classroom teacher or the attached flyer. 

Let’s celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through creativity and respect.

Dear Families,

Self-esteem is the foundation of a child’s emotional well-being. It shapes how they view themselves, interact with others, and approach challenges in and out of the classroom. At the primary school level, children are forming core beliefs about who they are—and we, as the adults around them, play a key role in nurturing a strong and positive self-image.

Why Does Self-Esteem Matter?

Children with healthy self-esteem:

• Are more willing to try new things
• Handle setbacks with more resilience
• Interact confidently with peers and adults
• Feel proud of what they can do and who they are

The good news is, self-esteem is something we can build together every day.

Simple Techniques to Boost Self-Esteem in the Home and Classroom:

Catch the Good - Make a habit of pointing out effort, kindness, and progress.

• “I noticed how you helped your friend with their bag. That was really thoughtful.”
• Praise should be specific and focus on effort over outcomes.

Let Them Take the Lead - Offer children chances to make small choices.

• “Would you like to read this book or that one?” or “Do you want to set the table or feed the pet tonight?”
• Making decisions builds a sense of control and responsibility.

Talk About Mistakes as Learning - Normalise mistakes as part of learning. Share your own small setbacks and how you handled them.

• “I forgot my keys today—so I made a list to help me remember next time!”
• This helps children understand that failing doesn’t mean ‘I’m bad’—it means ‘I’m growing.’

Set Achievable Goals - Support your child in setting small, reachable goals:

• “This week I’m going to practice tying my shoes.”
• Celebrate effort and progress, no matter how small.

Model Positive Self-Talk - Children learn how to speak to themselves by listening to the adults around them. Try to avoid harsh self-criticism in front of them, and instead model kindness.

• “That was tricky—but I’m proud I didn’t give up.”

Create a Safe Space to Talk - Ask open-ended questions that invite reflection.

• “What made you feel proud today?” or “Was there anything that felt tricky?”
• Just being heard can make a child feel valued and understood.

Building self-esteem is not about giving constant praise or protecting children from every difficulty—it’s about helping them believe they are capable, worthy, and loved just as they are. Let’s keep working together to create an environment where every child can thrive.

Warmly,
Amelie Nicholson
Student and Family Counsellor

A heartfelt thank you to the following mums for your incredible support in the canteen during the athletics carnival. Your time and effort helped make the day a great success!

On the 15th May our school community came together for the highly anticipated SCA Athletics Carnival, and what a fantastic day it was! With beautiful weather on our side, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, energy, and school spirit.

The students showed incredible enthusiasm as they competed in various events, from sprints to shot put, discus and long jump, and demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship throughout the day. It was a true pleasure to witness the determination and joy on their faces as they gave it their all.

A massive congratulations to all students for their efforts—whether you came first or simply gave your best, you all played a vital part in making the day so memorable.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the dedicated parent volunteers who helped with the smooth running of the day. Your support made everything run effortlessly and ensured that every event was enjoyed by all. A huge thanks to the students from MacKillop, whose help on the day was invaluable in ensuring the success of the carnival. We couldn’t have done it without you all!

Katherine Austin