From The Principal Week 9
Dear SCA Families,
As we approach the final week of Term One, I thank each of our families for the wonderful start we’ve had to the 2025 school year. It has been a busy and positive term, filled with learning, growth and many special moments across all year levels.
Our students have settled beautifully into their classes, and I am grateful for the enthusiasm and support shown by our parent community. A very special thank you to our dedicated staff, who have worked so positively and with such commitment to ensure that every class began the year with confidence and care.
During the first week of the holidays, we will enter the solemn and sacred journey of Holy Week. As a school, next week we will mark this important time with liturgies that reflect the significance of Jesus’ final days. I warmly encourage families to continue their prayerful reflection and, where possible, take part in the Holy Week and Easter celebrations offered by the Parish during the school holidays.
While Easter Sunday falls during the term break, we look forward to celebrating the joy of the Resurrection together when we return for Term Two.
I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday break when it arrives, and look forward to welcoming you all back refreshed for Term 2.
The Future of Our School Fete – We Need Your Input
All families should have received a link yesterday to a survey regarding our Fete, and specifically, support for running it. You are encouraged to take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Please complete the survey by 8:00 am on Wednesday, 9th April.
Disco
We have received enquiries from several families about hosting an after-hours school disco, like those held before the COVID period. We appreciate the community's enthusiasm for bringing back these enjoyable events that create lasting memories for our students.
After careful consideration of the Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) new School Events and Activities Policy, our Community Council Executive has decided not to proceed with after-hours discos currently. Instead, our school staff have offered to run a disco during school hours later this year, potentially in conjunction with a meaningful event such as Purple Happy / RUOK Day.
Background to This Decision
The CECG policy classifies school discos as incursions that, when held outside of school hours, present elevated risks requiring specific mitigation strategies. Some key considerations from the policy include:
- Supervision responsibility and duty of care must rest with staff members, not volunteers or parents
- Teacher supervision ratios must be maintained at 1 staff member per 25 students
- Principals must assess and address child safeguarding risks
- Accommodations must be made for students with complex needs
- Supervising staff must be familiar with students' medical conditions and be prepared to respond appropriately
Additionally, the policy outlines significant responsibilities for the Teacher in Charge regarding medical and first aid preparedness, volunteer management, and ensuring all external participants have appropriate clearances.
Moving Forward
We believe that holding a disco during school hours will allow us to provide a similarly enjoyable experience for students while ensuring we can fully comply with all safety requirements and duty of care obligations as per the CECG policy. This approach will enable all students to participate in a secure environment with appropriate staff-to-student ratios and familiar support systems in place.
We value our parent volunteers tremendously and look forward to finding appropriate ways for community involvement in this and other school events throughout the year.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our school community. We remain committed to creating enjoyable experiences for our students while prioritising their safety, wellbeing and learning.
If you have any questions about this decision, please don't hesitate to contact me at school.
2026 Kinder Enrolments
2026 Enrolment Period is the month of May
SCA Open Days – every Thursday in May
Booking can be made through the school website: https://www.sca.act.edu.au/ please contact the front office if you require assistance.
Enrolment time will be on us again in a few weeks. If you have a little one ready for school in 2026 or know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, the enrolment packs will be ready for the beginning of the new term
Winter Uniform
It is time to get the winter uniforms out and dust them off. We will be wearing it when we return for Term 2 on Tuesday 29th April. We will have the usual few weeks of change over, but students are expected to wear correct winter uniform.
In keeping with Cancer Council recommendations, school hats are still to be worn during April and May.
Term Dates
Term One ends for students on Thursday 10th April, with Friday 11th April being a Staff Professional Learning Day. (Please note that, on Friday 11th April, our staff are gathering at an off-site venue. The front office will be closed.)
Term Two commences on Tuesday 29th April for students, and Monday 28th April for staff.
It was once said…
Lenten blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal