Dear SCA families,

Following our recent Registration process, which takes place every 5 years, I say thanks and congratulations to our staff and community.

It will still be a few weeks before we receive the written report, but the oral feedback, and the reading of the draft report, was positive and affirming.

The panel spoke repeatedly about our amazing hospitality, which was also a sign of the strong community and our effectiveness at working together.

A few commendations or affirmations I particularly noted were:

• Our school has an explicit improvement agenda and our staff are open to learning and change.
• We are a child centred school, with caring relationships across the community.
• Learning spaces and resources are of a high quality.
• We have a professional team of highly motivated staff.
• There is alignment between assessment and pedagogy, and teachers have a commitment to differentiated teaching.
• Parents are seen as partners, both by the school and the community.
• Parental engagement is effective and supportive.
• Pastoral care is a strong point of SCA, with the wellbeing of students at the centre of what we do.
• The signs and symbols of a true Catholic school are evident.
• The 4 pillars (Faith, Learning, Leadership and Community) are known and understood by students.
• The staff are committed to social justice, and Jesus is known, loved and lived.
• Our students appreciate the school and staff.
• We have positively embraced indigenous culture and perspectives.

Of course there are some recommendations, but no surprises among them. They will help to inform our next strategic plan (2023-2025), which we will begin writing, as a community, in 2022.

Thanks to all the staff for the work they did to ensure we were ready for, and welcoming to, the panel. Particular thanks to Val Ciuffetelli, Karen Haines, Belinda Breen and Jo Thomson for their work, behind and in front of the scenes, to make sure we presented ourselves in our best light. They did a great job.

Semester One Awards Assembly

Next Wednesday (23^rd June) we will hold our Awards Ceremony at which we recognise the efforts of students during this semester. These awards recognise achievement, school spirit, commitment to improvement and consistency of effort. Within each class there are four distinct awards that can be received by students:

• School Spirit - awarded to students who always: display manners and show respect to others; obey class and school rules; have a positive attitude towards school; willingly volunteer for extra duties; and try to do their best on most occasions.
• Academic Achievement - for exceptional achievement across all or specific areas of the curriculum.
• Effort - commitment to learning through excellent work habits and behaviour, and completing homework and set tasks to the best of their ability.
• Most Improved – for commitment to improving across all or specific areas of the curriculum.

Parents of award recipients have been advised and invited (according to COVID protocols) to attend.

School Fees

Term 2 fees are well overdue. Thank you to the parents who made time to come and meet with me if they are experiencing a problem financially. If you have not paid your Term 2 fees, please attend to this as a matter of urgency. We too have bills to pay– especially our expensive electricity and water bills.

Semester Reports

Individual reports were taken home by your child or children on Tuesday 15^th June.

When reviewing the report with your child you may wish to use the following language. Though the grade indicators are printed on the report, the following may be more meaningful to children.

An E is a starting point, rather than a fail. It means a child is working on the same tasks as everyone else, but is finding Everything in that area a challenge.

A child receiving a D is Developing skills but needs some more support and Direction.

The child who receives a C in a given area is Consistently Coping well with work he or she Can do by themself.

A B is Brilliant because he or she can do a superb job, all By themselves, all the time.

To get an A is Absolutely Amazing because a child’s work would have to be Awesome All the time.

I am sure that each child will be able to celebrate their successes as well as set goals for next term and beyond.

Term 3 Long Service Leave

After 30 years of marriage to Fran (which we celebrate in 13 days time), our kids are finally old enough for us to take a holiday away by ourselves. With that in mind, I will be on long service leave for the duration of Term 3. Though we had initially planned to travel to Portugal and Spain, it’s still wonderful that we can enjoy the beautiful NSW north coast and Qld Gold Coast.

I know that the school will be in good hands, with our acting principal, Erin Marmont (Please see the announcement later in this Newsletter.) and the rest of our Leadership Team (Val Ciuffetelli, Karen Haines, Belinda Breen and Jo Thomson) leading the charge while I am away.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

Thank you to those who have sponsored me so far for the Sleepout. Tomorrow night I’ll forsake my mattress and warm room for a sheet of cardboard and some shelter under a tree at the Arboretum.

If, before the end of the financial year, you were thinking of throwing a few dollars towards a great cause, now is your chance. www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/mattegan-richards

Term 3 Dates - Pupil Free Day

Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has declared Monday 12^th July as a pupil free day. Schools will use this day as a compulsory staff professional learning day.

School will resume, for all students at SCA, on Tuesday 13^th July. Term 3 will end on Friday 17^th September.

Vacation Care

Please remember that bookings for our excellent OSHC Holiday Program close this Friday.

Community Council Meeting

Our final Community Council Meeting for the term was held last night (Tuesday 15^th June). It had been delayed one week because of the clash with Confirmation. The following items were discussed:

• The recent School Registration and its successful outcome.
• School Finances.
• OSHC report and fees.
• 2021 Fete (Hopefully COVID allows this to go ahead).
• Open Meeting.
• Hall cleanliness.
• Bush Tucker Garden.
• School Lockdown.

If you would like to discuss any of the items, please speak with one of our Council members, or email council.scaconder@cg.catholic.edu.au

It was once said…

Ten Lessons to Instil in My Kids…

If you’re thankful, show it.

If you love someone, tell them.

If you’re wrong, fess up.

If you’re confused, ask questions.

If you learn something, teach others.

If you’re stuck, ask for help.

If you made a mistake, apologise.

If you trip, get back up.

If someone needs help, help them.

If you see wrong, take a stance.  unknown

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matthewer@cg.catholic.edu.au