Dear SCA Families,

When my youngest son was 11 years old, he was in love: he loved the Harry Potter series of books and he loved his then 20 year old sister who read to him most nights of the week. I loved Harry Potter, but I really loved watching two of my kids, separated by 9 years and their different gender, bonding so beautifully over a book (or 6!).

Since the invention of the printing press, books have long provided entertainment and escape for people of all ages. They have also provided information, but for most people that’s no-where near as much fun. Books also, as in the case of my son and daughter, allow people to share in the journey of a new story.

Our Library offers this to children all year. So, during Book Week, I thank Mrs Katherine Austin, Mrs Maria Singleton and Mrs Robyn Jolly for the work they each do to ensure the Library is a special place in our school.

Special Event this Friday 

This Friday is Dress Up day for Book Week. I am looking forward to some creative costumes and even have mine (mostly) ready.

Tuesday Afternoon

It was lovely to see so many families shown around the school by our children after school yesterday. Our Learning Journeys are a great way for families to share in and celebrate the learning of our children.

Thanks to the teachers for staying back to provide this opportunity.

Emergency Meals 

As always our community is ready to offer support for those in need. We have a supply of frozen meals for families who may need a little extra help for a night or two. If you know of anyone who could do with a pre-cooked meal, please let Karen Snowball, in the Office, know.

If you can help by cooking an extra meal for storing our freezer, it would be greatly appreciated. Please see Karen in the Front Office for details.

Social Media

It’s not unusual to hear of children across the country who have been involved in disturbing social media events. As a school, we will continue to look at ways in which we educate our students to use digital resources wisely and appropriately.

Most children access social media when they are not at school. (Social networking describes a variety of services like Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, World of Warcraft, Moshi Monsters, Twitter, Skype, Minecraft and many others.) As a parent it may be useful to refer to the Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner website (https://esafety.gov.au/) — it has excellent information on a wide range of topics including protecting personal information; cyberbullying; balancing online time; photos, videos and social media; offensive and illegal content; sexting; and social networking. The site also lists a variety of trusted partners and online safety websites to help guide young people towards safe and enjoyable experiences online.

Our expectations of students in relation to the use of ICT at school for educational purposes is very clear and all students are required to adhere to the acceptable use of IT policy. Any breach of this must be reported immediately.

As Migrant and Refuge Sunday is this coming weekend (25 August) I leave you with the following prayer.

Lord, during Your life amongst us you taught us to love one another, especially those who are most in need. Help each of us to become people of reconciliation where migrants, refugees and all people on the move may find Australia a nation of welcome and of unity.

Prayers Please

Please keep Jaxon, Jeremy and Jaimee and their family in your prayers. Our condolences also go to all who were friends, and there were many, of Julia. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Jason and his family.

May perpetual light shine upon Julia, may she rest in peace

It was once said…

“In every political activity, in every programme, in every pastoral action we must always put the person at the centre… And this applies to all people, whose fundamental equality must be recognised.” ~ Pope Francis

Congratulations to the children in our Parish who received Holy Communion for the first time last weekend, and to those who will do this this weekend. May they always be so welcoming of Jesus’ presence in their lives.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

Fathers Day Celebrations

All dads, grand-dads and father figures are invited to join us for breakfast and a social gathering, on Friday, 30^th August, between 7.30am and 8.30am in the school Hall.

Will you please help!

The Fathers Day breakfast is on at school on Friday 30^th August, from 7.30am. If you are able to help prepare, serve or clean up between 7.00am and 8.30am (even just for half an hour), please send an email to let us know. (sca@cg.catholic.edu.au)

Future of ACT Catholic School Soccer and Netball Carnivals

Regretfully, this year is the final year for the ACT Catholic School Soccer and Netball Carnivals.

This decision was carefully considered and was made unanimously at the recent ACT Catholic Primary Principals’ Meeting.

Although these are great community days and have been going for many years, the huge workload on staff, increasing costs, complexity of indemnity and insurance and a lack of volunteers to assist has necessitated the decision to no longer host these events.

Schools are rostered on to coordinate, run and volunteer these events and are run, entirely, by the host school, irrespective of the school size. Parents volunteer on the day and staff work all weekend on these events. In the past few years, some executive staff have worked nearly full-time in the lead-up to pull off these carnivals, along with many staff who commit their time to support the planning and preparation, all of which is impacting on the teaching and learning agenda of the host school. 

ACT Principals acknowledge that there may be some parents and students disappointed by this decision, however, we have agreed that the future of hosting and leading an event such as this is untenable.

This year, Holy Rosary Watson will host the final ACT Catholic Schools’ Netball Carnival.

ACT Primary Principals