From The Principal Week 8
Dear SCA Families,
I vividly remember my own Confirmation on a mild, Canberra Winter evening. Unfortunately, I remember more the events following Mass than the ceremony itself. Running around on the vacant block next to the school hall after Mass (What else do 12 year old boys want to do after sitting quietly for 2 hours?) I came to a sudden and violent halt. A waist high strand of fencing wire had been placed across the block to stop cars from driving on the school oval. It certainly stopped me! I remember to this day the feeling of acute pain across my abdomen while wondering why I was suddenly flying backwards as fast as I had been running forwards.
If Confirmation is a sign, then I must have needed a more obvious one than the rest of my friends.
Tonight, many of our Year 6 children celebrate their Confirmation at Holy Family Church.
Confirmation is a time for young people to renew their Baptismal faith and for the local Church to witness and accept that commitment in furthering the mission of the Church. We pray that the children gain an understanding that Confirmation is an expression of God’s commitment to us, and our commitment to God, in their process of becoming full members of the Christian community.
We pray this week for all the young people in our Archdiocese who will Confirm their membership of the Christian community this year.
Sharing the Journey
It was wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents visiting the school yesterday afternoon. Our children showed obvious pride in their school and their learning, and our family members looked so pleased to see all that was taking place.
Thanks to everyone for turning up, to the children for sharing their learning journey, and to the teachers for doing all they do to lead that journey.
One night isn't a lot, but it can make a whole lot of difference
Every night, thousands of Australians experience homelessness. But it doesn't have to be that way. This year I can’t take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society, but one of our SCA parents is. Tomorrow night, Brendan Rocha will be sleeping outside as part of an eye-opening experience to raise awareness and bring home the realities of homelessness.
To help break the devastating cycle of homelessness, please give your support. Donations of any size will be gratefully accepted at https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/s/9957/57335/e
Time Machine?
Imagine if, at the end of the year, you were “given” a whole extra week of school?
A child who is 7 minutes late to class each day (dropped off 5 minutes late, 1 minute walk to the classroom, 1 minute to unpack) will have missed more than 23 hours of schooling in the year!
When late, children miss important announcements, social interactions and vital learning time. It also disrupts the entire class, as the teacher needs to stop what they are doing to welcome the child and repeat directions.
We know that unexpected delays can happen. A road accident, a sick pet, or even a broken dishwasher can all cause us to be late. Please though, try to do the best by your child, and the others in the class, by having children at school before 8.45am each day.
Our “warning bell” starts ringing at 8.43am, which allows students and teachers to move to classrooms, ready to begin at 8.45. On a practical note, the busiest time in the school driveway each morning is at 8.43 – 8.50am.
Community Council Meeting
Our fourth Community Council Meeting for the year was held last night (Tuesday 18th June). The following items were discussed:
- OSHC report,
- 2024 Fete,
- 30th Anniversary Plans,
- Parental Engagement,
- Advocating for an ELC at SCA.
If you would like to discuss any of the items, please speak with one of our Council members, or email council.scaconder@cg.catholic.edu.au
Your Voice Is Important
Corpus Christi Parish is undertaking a renewal to shape the future of our parish and we have created a short, anonymous survey to assist with this endeavour. We are interested in hearing from everyone, not just churchgoers. We would greatly appreciate you taking it so that we can hear your voice. (If you have already taken the survey, please ignore this request and thankyou.)
Please click on this link to the survey: https://forms.gle/Kkj3t48GnpmR5f3UA
School Fees
Thank you to everyone who has paid their school fees. Term 2 School fees are now overdue. Prompt payment would be appreciated and can be made by cash, credit card, eftpos or Bpay. Please see me if you are experiencing difficulty with payment to save embarrassment all round.
Two Attentive Students in Class This Week
Term Three Starting Date – Tuesday 23rd July
Monday 22nd July is a pupil free day in all Catholic Primary Schools in Canberra. Teachers will be working together to enhance our planning and teaching strategies. All students will commence Term Three on Tuesday 23rd July.
It was once said…
The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. unknown
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal