From the Principal
Dear SCA Families,
It may seem strange to write a reflection on Lent as it comes to a close, with Holy Week commencing this Sunday. However, for many of us the last few days may be the only time we can or do stop and reflect on this seminal season.
Lent is a time when we push to the side things that are not so important. It’s a time for a change of heart. It’s a time to recognise what is in our heart. Our orientation is not for one person or one interest group but for all people. We are free to push to the side what doesn’t really matter, it’s our choice.
Our leader Pope Francis seeks a return to the notion of Community. He reminds us that we are our best when we are in a Community. In life, where there is danger there is also opportunity. Often, we can be risk averse. But risk is part of life. During his life he has faced times of risk which turned into times of growth for him.
Recently he travelled to Iraq. Wow! that’s a risk in itself. There is no doubt that vulnerability leaves us open to growth and reflection. Pope Francis encourages us to dare to dream. At SCA we always dare to dream. Times of calamity can be times to dream even bigger. COVID gives a lie to the myth of self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency in itself is a threat to community. Rather we should trust and rely on one another.
Even in Australia where the impact of COVID has not been so great, we have been in a zone of liminality. That means we are not in one state or another. We are left working out who we are and what we really value. Our experiences with COVID have given us antibodies to indifference and lead us back into the service of others. The challenge is to lose ourselves to indifference.
We are called away from individualism and called towards the true meaning of what it means to be a “disciple of Jesus” and true to service of our own God. We are called to be experts in the human condition and to ask, what we can do to help the common good? What is our position on those in the world most at risk and in need: Rohingyas? Black lives Matter? Climate Change? Uighur's minorities in China?
We have the Scriptures to guide us in matters of coping with change. For example, St Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus in which he had a “turn around “experience. Let us take up the challenge to turn around our own mindset!
Term 2 and Winter Uniform
A reminder that, when Term 2 commences on Tuesday 20th April, winter uniform should be worn by all students.
Parking on the Netball Courts
The Netball courts near the Infants Playground is a dedicated “play space” that is also used for overflow parking. If you do park on the courts, to ensure it is available for school and after-school sport, please remove your car by 9.00am in the mornings and 3.20pm in the afternoons.
Parking Infringement Notices
Please be aware that some of our parents have been booked for stopping in the bus zone in front of the school on Heidelberg St. According to the ACT Parking Infringements Guide, “A motorist who is not operating a public bus must not stop in a bus zone.”
Three Way Conferences / Oral Reporting
In Week Two of next term (27 – 29 April) teachers will be available for Three-way Conferences at which your child’s progress can be discussed. Teachers are looking forward to meeting with the parents of every child in their class. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher should you feel a longer interview or an alternative time may be required.
In 2020 Three Way Conferences were conducted via Zoom. Our Community Council has asked that this option again be available, as it is often easier for parents to be present via technology than in person at the school.
To enable this, teachers will send an invitation, via email, to families in Week 1 of next term. The email will provide a link for you to join the Zoom meeting with your child’s teacher. The teacher will admit you at the scheduled time, so all that you have to do is log in a couple of minutes, from home or work, before your time. More details regarding this will also be sent home next term.
Families wishing to meet at the school may still do so. You will be required to sign in and out, confirming that you are well. If you wish to come to the classroom, please let your child’s teacher know when they send home the Zoom invitation.
Please see details later in this newsletter regarding the process for making a booking.
Where?
Tomorrow (25 March) is nine months until Christmas. Not surprisingly then, it is also the feast of the Annunciation; celebrating the day Mary came to be pregnant with Jesus. On this day we are grateful to Mary for saying yes. Because God always gives us a choice.
God calls us to choose love, to choose to share and choose to do all we can to make the world a better place.
Maybe something we can all do with our kids today is to write a list of all the good things people in their lives do, and write a list of good things that they will do for others in the coming week.
Term Dates
Term 1 ends next Thursday, 1 April as Friday is a public holiday (Good Friday). Catholic Education has declared Monday 19th April as a pupil free day for all Catholic schools in Canberra. Students will commence Term 2 on Tuesday 20th April.
It was once said…
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. ~
Saint (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal