Dear SCA Families,

With 6 children in my family it’s hardly a surprise they aren’t always the best of friends with each other. At times there may be a fight or disagreement between two or more of them. As a parent, this is hard to watch. I love each of my kids, and I want them to be the best mates with their siblings. I can’t though, force them to see the good in each other, or to forgive the ill-advised word. As their parent, I cry for them, and hope they will listen, and let love be their guiding principle.

In Israel (and too many other parts of the world) people are struggling to live peacefully.

We are all children of God. Every human, of every race, colour or gender is a child of God. I can only imagine how much weeping there is in heaven as God watches her children use their free will to spread hatred, intolerance, violence and fear.

On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Spirit to the followers of Jesus. After this the disciples went out and enthusiastically proclaimed the Good News of Jesus. These frightened disciples were transformed into bold preachers by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Good News is that to live a full life, all we need to do is to love, and to love fully. The Holy Spirit, should we allow it, can work through us to be beacons of light, reminding all that love is a powerful, life changing force that brings about all that is good.

Our Year 6 children are preparing to celebrate their own Pentecost, through the Sacrament of Confirmation. May they, and each of us, act always with love this week. Peace, which comes from love, must start somewhere. Let it be from us.

Student Survey for Years 4, 5 and 6

As part of our focus on school effectiveness, SCA will be participating in an online survey for students – Tell Them From Me^® (TTFM^®). The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve.

During the next few weeks all students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during school hours. Students will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses, which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined together – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.

The survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Your child will not take part if either you or your child do not wish to. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable answering any question, he/she should leave it blank and move on to the next one. Your child can stop the survey at any time.

If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, let me know, via email, by Tuesday 1 June.

School Fees

School fees are now due. To help us pay our bills, please pay yours. Thanks to those families who are up to date. As always, if you are facing difficulties in meeting your fee commitments, please arrange a time to meet with me.

Sunsafe – means no hats in June and July

Because the Cancer Council ACT does not recommend sun protection in Canberra during June and July, SCA does not enforce the wearing of hats during this time. From next week, the “no hat, no play” rule is shelved for the next two months. Bring on that Vitamin D!

“The End of May is Hats OFF Day”

Leaving SCA?

Don’t forget to let us know if you are planning to leave St Clare of Assisi at the end of the year. (Year 6 exempt of course!) Please use the link below.  We will soon commence the process of planning enrolments and class numbers for next year. 

https://stclareconder.schoolzineplus.com/form/10

Reconciliation Day Public Holiday

Next Monday, 31 May, the ACT will celebrate Reconciliation Day with a public holiday. As it is a public holiday, all schools in the ACT will be closed on that day.

It was once said…

A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.

-unknown

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal