From the Principal Week 10
Dear SCA Families,
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
It was cold, but it could have been colder. There was a chilling breeze, but at least there was no frost and no rain. And at least it was just one night. It’s tough enough to do it one night year. I can’t imagine living this way every night.
We did it to raise funds to support the battlers in our city. And with your help, just over one million dollars been raised locally, with all of it earmarked towards items, programs and other forms of assistance for people regularly sleeping rough. Thanks to my supporters for helping me to contribute $7129 towards this figure.
We also experienced a small fraction of the privations of homelessness, making the exercise not only practical but experiential.
Poverty and homelessness sadly weren’t eradicated and there remains much to do, but they were assisted.
Term 3 Long Service Leave
The first half of this year has been, fortunately, much different to last year. No fires or smoke, and a more stable COVID normal. That being said, it’s still been action packed and rewarding.
Thanks to all of our great dedicated and caring staff for a good semester in which we passed our quinquennial registration process. Though I am looking forward to a break next term, I also look forward to returning in Term 4 to hear of the great happenings while I was away.
Semester Awards
Congratulations to the students who were presented with an award at our end of semester ceremonies today. These are significant awards, and parents should be justifiably proud of their children.
Uniform
Most children are coming to school every day wearing the correct school uniform. There is, though, an increasing number of children wearing non-uniform school shoes. Please remember that our policy is for black leather school shoes to be worn with the school uniform.
I ask that all families use the holiday period to ensure all children have all they need to wear the correct uniform to school when we resume on Tuesday 13th July.
Grandparents Day
We will celebrate the “grand-folk” in our children’s lives on Friday 23rd July, which is the second Friday of next term. With COVID restrictions we won’t be able to invite them into the school as normal. We do, however, hope to provide an alternative of some sort. More details will be provided in the first week of next term.
Term 3 Dates - Pupil Free Day
Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has declared Monday 12th July as a pupil free day. Schools will use this day as a compulsory staff professional learning day.
SCA Staff will not be at school on Monday 12th July. All staff will be attending a full day at Yarramundi Cultural Centre. Please note, therefore, that the Front Office will not be open, nor will any staff be at the school on Monday 12th July.
School will resume, for all students at SCA, on Tuesday 13th July. Term 3 will end on Friday 17th September.
School Banking Care
For a number of years school banking has operated here at St Clare of Assisi Primary School. In December 2020 the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) Review of School Banking Programs Report was released. Following the report findings, the ACT Legislative Assembly earlier this year passed a motion to discontinue school banking programs in ACT Public Schools from 30th June 2021.
The ASIC Review recommended that schools participating in school banking programs work through some suggested Questions for Consideration. The questions were designed to assist school communities to assess the appropriateness of their participation in school banking programs.
Our Community Council dutifully considered these questions and the role that school banking has at SCA. Following this review, we will, in line with government schools across the country, discontinue the school banking program at St Clare of Assisi at the end of Term 2. Our last day of school banking, therefore, will be Friday 25th June 2021.
We thank all the parents who have volunteered to administer this program, particularly our most recent coordinator, Renee Hockley.
It was once said…
Holidays, any holiday, are such a great opportunity to focus on bringing the family together.
Lidia Bastianich
Thank you for all that you have done for your child and SCA so far this year. I look forward to seeing you again following my leave. Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal