From the Principal
Dear SCA Families and Carers,
I love the start of the school year. It was great to see everyone back on Monday, refreshed and ready for all this year will bring. The staff have been here for nearly two weeks now, working hard to ensure every student has many great learning experiences.
I offer a warm welcome to all of our new staff, students and families. It’s great to have you as a member of our St Clare’s family. I hope your time with us is rewarding and enjoyable.
Whether you are a student or parent, guardian or grandparent, a new family or returning one, I look forward to the contribution you will each make this year. I also offer you my full support and invite you to contact me should you wish to discuss any matter.
Annual Improvement Plan
You may be interested in our strategic priorities for 2020. Staff will continue to work hard in all areas, however, we will especially focus on three priorities this year:
Our Vision is to Be the Light.
Our Mission is to be leaders in faith, learning, community and leadership, so that every person in our school is able to do the best they can to contribute to the growth and wellbeing of students.
Key Improvement Goals
- Improve student engagement and achievement in literacy
- Improve student engagement and achievement in numeracy
- Build student learning self-efficacy.
Staff Are Learners Too…
I would like to acknowledge the dedication of all staff during the last couple of weeks. There have been endless hours of planning programs, updating information and preparing classrooms to ensure that your children have a smooth start to the 2020 school year. Staff have also been involved in professional learning, reflection and dialogue, and we are looking forward to implementing some great new initiatives.
2020 Staff
Attached to the Newsletter is a full staff list for 2020.
Welcome to Hannah Dewey, Amanda Ducker, Brooke Coles, and Pam Villatobas who join our staff this year.
Parent Information Night and Meet and Greet – For all families
All families are encouraged to join us next Tuesday 11th February. We are trialling a different format this year to ensure parents have the opportunity to formally hear from their child’s class teacher.
5.00 – 6.00pm Sausage Sizzle under the Hayshed
6.00 – 6.25pm Classroom Information (session 1)
6.30 – 7.00pm Classroom Information (session 2)
Following the sausage sizzle, each classroom teacher will present an overview of their classroom and the significant events and happenings for 2020. To cater for parents with more than one child, teachers will repeat the session at 6.30. (For families with more than two children it may not be possible, unless two parents split up, to attend a session for each class. Please feel free to contact the teacher with any questions or concerns you may have.)
This is a great way to meet your child’s teacher and get to know other families. All welcome. If any parents can assist with cooking sausages, it would be greatly appreciated, please contact the Front Office on 6294 1860.
E Safety Night for Parents
All parents, especially those with children from Years 3-6, are invited to attend a special presentation from the AFP on Cyber Safety for Children. The Think U Know Parent Presentation will be on Tuesday 18 February at 6.00pm.
Calendar
A reminder that the calendar is available online through the School App and Website (https://www.sca.act.edu.au/) .
We are on Facebook. Search for @scaconder on Facebook.
Newsletter every Wednesday!
The newsletter will come to you via the School Zine app (SZapp) each Wednesday. I encourage all families to install the School Zine app on your smart phone or Tablet. Please update your preferences to ensure you receive messages for the correct year level.
Safety Plans
Our school’s safety plans rely on us having correct and up to date contact and medical details for every child. Please ensure you inform the school of any updated personal information as a matter of priority.
Evacuation Drill
Please note that on Thursday this week we will conduct our first evacuation drill for the year. Teachers will assure the students of their safety, and that it is just a drill. To help alleviate any potential anxiety, I encourage parents to speak with children about to positive aspects of a drill before Thursday.
School Fees and Remissions
School fee invoices will be sent home shortly. Parents facing real difficulties paying are encouraged to apply for fee remissions. Any applications for fee relief must be made annually. Forms are available from the front office.
Janitor
Our Janitor/Groundsman, Darren, moved back to Queensland with his family in January. We are presently advertising the position, but not receiving many applications. If you know of someone who may be interested, please point them towards https://careers.cg.catholic.edu.au/en/job/496069/janitorgroundsperson-st-clare-of-assisi-primary-school-conder-act for further details.
Holiday Works
As always, some significant works took place during the January holiday period. This included: painting 5 classrooms, new gutters for Year 2 classrooms and repairs to Infants playground guttering, multiple leaking taps repaired or replaced, a sewer blockage removed, broken door locks repaired, maintenance of fire alarm system.
Finally, I thank you for your efforts in preparing your children so well for what has been a smooth start to the year. We look forward to the year ahead and I wholeheartedly offer my support to you as we work together in the education of your child.
It was once said…
The secret of life it to fall seven times, and get up eight times. Unknown
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal