Dear SCA families,

As we rapidly approach the end of the year, I find it amazing to reflect on some of the many activities our wonderful staff provide for the children.

 I thank the outstanding staff who have work effectively and purposefully with your children this year. Teachers, office and support staff have all combined well to keep the school running smoothly, even with 580 energetic and vibrant children spending their active hours here through the year. On your behalf, I thank each of them for their efforts throughout the year. The staff here work well as a team, and I am proud to work with them.

It is a tremendous trust that parents place in the school when you send your children here. The partnership between school and parents has a telling impact on the quality of education of any school. I thank the many parents who continue to offer wonderful support to the school’s endeavours. There were literally hundreds of parents who assisted in a variety of ways. I particularly thank the School Community Council. On behalf of all the parents, this group works tirelessly and effectively all year. Thank you. We look forward to working with you again next year.

Staff News

In recent weeks we have been able to confirm the following staff changes for 2020.

The following staff are leaving, or have left, after having finished their contract or moving out of Canberra:

Evie Tjhia, Sophie Burgess, Kat Stella, Narelle O’Callaghan, Samantha Slocomb, Jeremy Watt, Lisa Brussow and Darren Firth.

I am very grateful to each of these staff members for their contributions to SCA. Each of them has enriched our school community. As a school we will farewell them at an assembly next Wednesday afternoon.

The following staff are joining (or re-joining) us:

Bianca Breen, Jo Thomson, Hannah Dewey, Brooke Coles and Amanda Ducker.

Meet the Teacher

Teacher placements for 2020 are being finalised. We will have our Meet the Teacher next Thursday afternoon, 18^th December, where children will be notified of their teacher where possible.

It is important to remember that in life, there are always going to be times when we have to work and communicate with people whom we may not always get along with so well. School is about learning for life and it is here that we also learn how to get on with others and negotiate experiences that are sometimes difficult. When this learning takes place, the children become resilient, stronger people and gain skills that will support them through life.

I ask you to understand that it is highly unlikely that any changes will be made to classes for 2020. If your child is feeling a little unsettled about their class placement and the year ahead, as parents you have the important role of being positive in reassuring them that making new friends and working with new teachers is an exciting experience and although it may be different to begin with, they will soon settle in for a good year.

2020 Fees

Attached to this newsletter is a two-page letter outlining the school fees for 2020. We encourage all families to use Bpay as the preferred method of payment. If you would like help to set up a regular payment, please feel free to contact Jo McCarthy in the Front Office.

This Friday

Please join us in our Hall on Friday 13^th December at 9.30am as we celebrate Mass to give thanks for all the blessings this year has brought.

Semester Two Reports

Reports will be sent home on Friday (13^th December). It is important to remember that a school report is not the definitive measure of your child’s abilities. It is only one measure amid a wide range of opportunities, experiences and activities. Setting a pattern of constructive support should help make report time a productive and positive experience that will help your child make progress at school. A few tips:

• Find the positive aspects of the report and praise your child;
• Take into consideration that the A-E grading scale is very different to the one you would have experienced;
• Discuss what your child found difficult. Look at work habits, homework routines, diet, sleep patterns, etc; and
• Discuss how things could be improved. Offer some constructive/criticism and attainable goals for next year.

Special thanks to the teachers for the many unpaid hours of work outside school time that go into marking assessments, preparing, editing and finalising the written reports.

Endings to Beginnings

Students finish this school year on Thursday 19 December, and start in 2020 on Monday 3 February. (Staff officially resume on Tuesday 28 January.)

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Please do all you can to support this appeal. It is a real and meaningful way to help fellow Canberrans who are doing it tough this Christmas. Please be generous.

It was once said…

“The best of all presents around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” ~ Burton Hills

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal