FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear SCA families,
I have noticed many changes since I started teaching in country NSW. One change has affected family and school life more than might initially appear the case. I think it is fair to say that children nowadays look to be entertained, rather than look to entertain themselves.
Holiday resorts cater for families with entire programs to entertain the kids; tourist attractions plan holiday activities for peak times; and all blockbuster movies come out during school holidays.
I think many children go to school looking for the same thing; entertainment. In fact, one child told me yesterday he didn’t know he was at school to learn. (I hope he had his tongue firmly in cheek at the time.) Of course, the teachers at SCA are an entertaining bunch, but, they are rightly more interested in what the children are learning and doing.
The same could be said for going to Mass. I sometimes hear children lament that Mass is not entertaining!
Might I suggest that finding Mass to be not entertaining, could be a good thing. While watching a great TV show, or enjoying the fireworks, or while being engrossed in a spellbinding novel, it’s easy to be “taken away from it all”. Entertainment removes us from our daily reality.
Lent is a time in which we can reflect on and reassess what is important in our lives; to more deeply ground ourselves in our reality. By concentrating less on entertainment and just a little more on helping others and praying (at Mass or elsewhere) we give ourselves the opportunity to do just that.
My prayer for us in Lent is that we all find some small way of coming closer to God. After all, that’s just what God wants.
Coronavirus - Covid-19
To ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community, the following update is provided in relation to COVID-19 (previously referred to as Novel Coronavirus). This information has been provided by Catholic Schools NSW in consultation with NSW Departments of Education and Health. The following recommendations are to be followed in all ACT Catholic schools.
Effective 1 March 2020 the Federal Government has issued a travel ban on foreigners coming to Australia from Iran. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents coming from Iran will be allowed entry to Australia and from 1 March they are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days after departing Iran consistent with the restrictions for those entering from China. Additionally, Australians have been advised NOT to travel to Iran. The updated advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff is:
- Any student or staff member who has been in, or transited through, mainland China (not just Hubei province) or has been in Iran is excluded from work, school or child care services for 14 days from the date they left mainland China or Iran (as the COVID-19 incubation period can be as long as two weeks).
- Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.
- Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
- Students and staff who have returned to Australia from mainland China or Iran more than 14 days ago and have shown no symptoms are able to return to school.
How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- Practising good hand hygiene and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses:
- wash hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
- cover coughs and sneezes, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- and if unwell, avoid contact with others (touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact).
We’re all in this together
The school year has been underway for just over a month, and already a great number of parents have rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help around our school. Volunteers have supported the school at the Community Council, cooking at the Welcome BBQ, on the Fete Committee, in the Canteen, on the Parent Network, managing our pile of Lost Property, providing Care Meals, covering Library Books, and running our School Banking. I extend a sincere thanks to each one of these parents. Many hands make light work.
Swimming Carnival and Water Fun Day
Congratulations to all of the students who participated so enthusiastically during our Swimming Carnival. We were blessed with magnificent weather, matched only by the positive behaviour displayed by each and every child. A huge thanks must go out to all of the parent helpers who assisted on the day. Without your ongoing support these days would not be possible.
Progress Reports and Three Way Conferences
Progress Reports and 3 Way Conferences are coming up. Progress reports will be sent home on Wednesday 11th March and then 3 Way Conferences are scheduled for Week 2 of Term 2. Our school based Progress Reports and 3 Way Conferences provide you with ‘early year’ assessment and feedback on your child’s progress, social skills, work habits and effort which is not in the semester reports.
Who’s at the Front Door?
Most of us would expect visitors to our home to let us know they were there. It’s even more important here that we know at any given time who is in the school. For that reason, ALL visitors are expected to sign in at the front office before going to the classroom and sign out again when leaving. The extra few minutes it takes you helps us to ensure the safety of each child.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
We love your help
All volunteers at SCA (over the age of 16) are required to hold Working with Vulnerable People Registration (WWVP), which is obtained through the Office of Regulatory Services. Volunteering areas include:
- Sporting – coaches, managers, umpires, officials, other roles
- Tuckshop
- Classroom and Library assistance
- Excursion and Carnival assistance
- Other school sanctioned activities that involve the
Though the school will keep a copy, you are legally required to have your WWVP card on you when you are volunteering.
Registration is free for volunteers. Please click here to access the forms and further details.
We are always grateful for the generous support, assistance and work of our volunteers.
It was once said…
“I don’t care what people think of me. At least mosquitoes find me attractive." – unknown
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal