Dear SCA families and carers,

There has been significant sorrow in our staff room this week following the news that Mary-Anne McGrath, an SCA founding teacher, passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.

Since 1994, Mary-Anne was a vibrant, passionate and caring member of staff until ill health forced her resignation in 2019. All who knew Mary-Anne admired her passion for learning, her sense of community and family, and her strong faith. “Grazie” as she was known by her SCA friends, was held in great affection. She will be missed by all, and her friends at SCA in particular.

Our deepest sympathy is for Mary-Anne’s family, her husband, Paddy, and children, as well as her extended family. Her son, Joseph McGrath, is a much-loved Classroom Support Assistant at our school. Please keep Mary-Anne and her family in your prayers and thoughts during this very sad time and in the coming weeks.

Eternal rest grant unto Mary-Anne,

O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

Learning in the Classroom

Yesterday I shared morning prayer with one of our Year 6 classes. The students led prayer, and their reflection song was My Lighthouse by Rend Collective.

The first verse reminds us of both the reason we can move forward after sorrow or tragedy, and the importance of not giving in after failure. This ties in beautifully with our 2020 theme, “Shine your light before others”.

In my wrestling and in my doubts

In my failures You won't walk out

Your great love will lead me through

You are the peace in my troubled sea

You are the peace in my troubled sea

Parent Network

SCA has a network of parents who liaise together to establish and strengthen relationships amongst parents, families and the school. The network is a friendly, informal group who recognise that it is not easy to find time to volunteer, so they keep the focus on sharing small tasks in an understanding ‘no pressure’ atmosphere.

If you would to help, or simply want more information, please contact our Parent Network Coordinator, Anne Scollen on 0414 433 710 or email scaparentnetwork@outlook.com.au.

Let’s Make it Work (safely)

Please, please, please ........The safety of our children is paramount and we need your assistance in regards to our drop off and pick up procedures.

• Morning Donut Drop Off - This is a drop off area only. Please do not park your car as it inconveniences other parents and disrupts the flow of traffic.
• Afternoon Donut and Heidelberg St Pick Up – The afternoons are pick up only. Parents should not get out of their car or park in these areas. Staff are there to assist your children. If you need to get out of your car, please park in the carparks and walk over to collect your children.

• When you are leaving the school carpark between 8.45 - 9.15am and 2.45 -3.15pm you MUST turn left. When you sit there and wait for a break to turn right, you add to the congestion of the traffic. Please do not be selfish. Please set a good example to your children. We have had many phone calls of complaint so please do the right thing.

• The speed limit in the carpark is 10km.
• The Pedestrian crossing goes right across the carpark. Please be vigilant.
• Parking near the Crossing (Box Hill Ave)- It is illegal to park near a crossing and it is also unsafe for the children. Please use the donut and front pick up as they are supervised areas. We have also had numerous complaints about illegally parked cars on Box Hill Avenue and parents with children walking on the road.

All of the children are supervised until they are picked up.

If we all follow the rules it makes it easier and much safer for everyone!

E Safety Night for Parents

All parents, especially those with children from Years 3 and up, 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.

Bushfire Appeal

Thank you for your generosity, when I know many families will have already donated towards various Bush Fire appeals. Our students brought in $1342, which will be fully given to the Vinnies Bush Fire appeal. They have promised to use 100% of the funds raised for support of victims of the fires.

Staff Are Learners Too – Sounds-Write

Last year we commenced the implementation of Sounds-Write, a proven approach to the systemic teaching of phonics from Kindergarten to Year 2. All of our Infants teachers have or are presently participating in an intensive training course, which included two full days of their holiday period. I thank them for their interest, enthusiasm and commitment.

Uniform

Thank you for ensuring the children started the year dressed well. It helps develop a sense of pride in self and the school when children take the time to present themselves neatly in their uniform.

Meet and Greet / Parent Information Night

It was great to see so many families meeting the teachers and mingling with other SCA families at last night’s event. We hope the new format, with dedicated classroom information sessions, met your needs. Please let me know via email, or feel free to speak with me in person.

Thanks to the staff for being present for a long day and to the Community Council and staff for cooking up a feast.

School Fees

School Fees statements will soon be emailed to families. Fees are due by Friday 5 March. If you would like to set up direct debit arrangements, please contact the office. Please contact me if there are going to be any difficulties in meeting this expense. We have a Fee Assistance Policy in place to help families who find themselves either in short term or long term financial difficulties.

Tuckshop Help

Our tuckshop does a great job of feeding many, however, we are seeking the help of more volunteers. It’s a great way of getting involved in the school, so if you are able to help, please complete the attached form and return to school as soon as possible.

Opening Mass

We’d love to see you at our Opening Mass, this Friday (14^th February) in the School Hall, at 9.30am.

Email Contact

Staff are always happy to receive parent emails and will endeavour to answer them as swiftly as possible. Please note though, that, as we work face-to-face with the children, staff will usually not read their emails until the afternoon or the following morning.

My email address is matthew.egan-richards@cg.catholic.edu.au. (Yep, it’s a long one!)

It was once said…

Mistakes are a great educator when one is honest enough to admit them and willing to learn from them.   

- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal