Dear SCA Families,

There has been a fantastic buzz of activity, focus and learning around the school since we returned. Classes have settled into new routines, with children already working to demonstrate new learnings. Thank you to parents for having the children come to school ready to listen and learn, and thanks to all our staff for such a great start to the year.

While attending morning assembly, or dropping off your child, you may have seen the shortest (and cutest?!) member of our staff, Jasper.

Jasper is a 3 year old Cavoodle who supports our Classroom Support Team as a Therapy Dog. He works part-time, usually three days a week, and is warmly welcomed in every classroom he visits. You will find a little more information about Jasper, and the work he does, later in the newsletter.

Community Council

Our first Community Council meeting of the year was held at school last night. I am pleased to introduce to you the 2023 SCA Community Council:

On behalf of our community, I thank each person on the Council who will serve our community this year.

I also extend a sincere and significant vote of thanks to Crystal Tunningley and Heather Cochrane who both finish their terms on the Council this year. Both Crystal and Heather have been generous with their time and wisdom in various roles, significantly as Chair for 3 and 2 years respectively.

Reporting (Walking Together)  

We are determined, as a staff, to walk together with the parents of our students, to provide the best learning environment and opportunities possible. To facilitate an effective partnership, as well as being open to parent communication, we provide a structured program of feedback opportunities for parents.

Please take a run through your calendar, and lock in these dates for later in the year:

Term 1

Interim Reports (sent home on Wednesday Week 8, 22 March)

Parent Teacher Interviews (Week 9, 27-30 March)

Term 2

Learning Journey (Week 8, 13 June)

Reports (posted on Compass on Monday Week 10, 26 June)

Term 3

Three-Way Conferences (Week 2, 24-26 July)

Learning Journey (Week 8, 5 September)

Term 4

Learning Journeys (Week 6, 14 November)

Reports (posted on Compass on Monday Week 10, 11 December)

Year 6 Camp

Plans are being finalised for our Year 6 camp at Jindabyne next week. I am looking forward to attending the camp for two days (Wednesday and Thursday). While I am away at camp, Mrs Jo Reed will be in charge.

Welcome

We warmly welcome Ally and her family to SCA. Ally started in 1 Red on Monday.

Student Leaders

Our Year 6 students spent last Wednesday reflecting on what it means to be a leader, in particular, what lessons Jesus taught us about leadership.

This Friday we commission our Year 6 students as leaders in our school, and wish them every blessing for a wonderful final year of primary school.

Opening Mass

All parents are warmly invited to attend our Opening School Mass this Friday, in the school hall, at 9.30am. At the conclusion of Mass our Year 6 leaders will be commissioned in their important roles.

It was once said…

Smile, it enhances your face value.   

Dolly Parton in ‘Steel Magnolias’

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

InitiaLit comes alive at SCA

St Clare of Assisi has been on the CE Catalyst journey. Over the past 3 years we have worked with several highly experienced Educational Consultants including Dr Lorrainne Hammond and Toni Hatten Roberts. Last Friday we welcomed Jordan O’Sullivan back to SCA to continue to work with our Staff embedding High Impact Teaching Practice and Explicit Direct Instruction. 

Centered on improving learning outcomes, our High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP) approach is based on the Science of Learning and Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and will help us realise our goal of “high impact teaching practice is visible in every classroom”.

Mr O’Sullivan supported out staff in providing feedback on a number of teaching strategies and was able to demonstrate lessons and share his knowledge on the Science of Learning and Reading with all of us.

Part of the implementation of the CE Catalyst Program is to introduce targeted programs that continue to provide opportunities for our students to be the best they can possibly be in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy. 

This week our Staff from K-2 began the InitiaLit Program. InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundation to become successful readers and writers. InitiaLit is a three-year program, covering the first three years of school (Foundation to Year 2).

InitiaLit–Foundation focuses on two main components:

1. Phonics, to systematically and explicitly teach the basic alphabetic code in a set sequence. In addition to learning letter-sound correspondences and how these are applied to reading and spelling, children will be introduced to common morphemes and simple grammatical concepts.
2. Vocabulary, oral language and listening comprehension through quality children’s literature. Detailed lessons, including writing tasks, are provided for each of the storybook titles selected for use with the program.

Our students in Kinder are really enjoying the time to identify the letters and sounds this week.

InitiaLit–1 continues on from InitiaLit–Foundation in providing an explicit and effective model for teaching reading, spelling and related skills to children in their second year of school. As in InitiaLit–F, InitiaLit– Year 1 focuses on the two main components of:

1. Phonics, to systematically and explicitly teach the basic and advanced alphabetic code in a set sequence. In addition to learning letter-sound correspondences and how these are applied to reading and spelling, children will be introduced to common morphemes and simple grammatical concepts.
2. Vocabulary, oral language and listening comprehension through quality children’s literature. Detailed lessons, including writing tasks, are provided for each of the storybook titles selected for use with the program.

By Year 2, most children will be well on their way to reading independence. The program builds on the skills taught in InitiaLit–F and InitiaLit–1, with the focus shifting now to consolidating children’s reading and spelling skills, working specifically on reading comprehension, fluency, spelling and vocabulary.

 

InitiaLit– Year 2 has four main components:

 

1. This component reviews phoneme-grapheme correspondences and spelling concepts taught in InitiaLit–1 and teaches the remainder of the advanced alphabetic code systematically and explicitly. Children will also learn new spelling rules and morphological concepts.

1. Reading comprehension and fluency. In this component, children will be taught comprehension strategies explicitly and how to apply them to different types of text. They will also be given regular opportunities to work on reading fluency through echo, choral and paired reading.
2. Grammar. Children will be explicitly taught key grammatical features and how to apply them to a writing task.
3. Vocabulary, oral language and comprehension through children’s literature. Detailed lessons are provided for each of the 15 storybook titles selected for use with the program, including detailed writing tasks. Two novel studies are included for use towards the end of the year.

How can parents and carers can support the program?

For young readers, one of the most effective ways parents and carers can offer additional support at home is by spending as little as 10 minutes each day on supported book reading. In addition to sharing a wide range of books, in which you explore together the joy of reading – delving into imaginary worlds, exploring playful language, and investigating special topics of interest. Over the coming weeks your child will take home sequential decodable readers. These are books designed specifically to offer plenty of opportunity for children just starting to read to develop decoding and fluency skills. If you have any questions, your child’s teacher is the most valuable resource.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

 - Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

 

Jo Reed
Assistant Principal

Confirmation: If your child is in Year 6 this year and wishing to enrol in Confirmation, please ensure you visit the parish Qkr to complete this process. Key dates:

• Enrolments will close on Monday 6^th March.
• Parent formation sessions will be held on Wednesday 15 March 6-7pm or Thursday 16March 6-7pm at Holy Family Church
• Commitment Masses are being held on 18/19 March or 25/26 March.
• Confirmation dates are Tuesday 6^th June, Wednesday 7^th June or Thursday 8^th June. You are welcome to select any of these.

Opening School Mass: A reminder about our Opening School Mass this week, Friday 17^th February in the school hall. We will also commission our Year 6 leaders at this time. All parents are welcome to join us, and stay for a cuppa afterwards.

Shrove Tuesday: Next Tuesday, as a part of our preparation for the Lenten season, classes will participate in the sharing of pancakes and the tradition this holds within the faith. We will provide students with a pancake. Gluten free and vegan options will also be provided.

Ash Wednesday: Next Wednesday 22/2 is Ash Wednesday. We will hold our liturgy in the Hall after recess. As our Year 6 students will be on camp, they will hold a small liturgy on-site.

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at the 8.45am Friday Morning assembly

School fee statements for Term 1 2023 will be emailed to all families today. If an email address is not on the system a paper copy will be sent home through your child's bag tomorrow. If you don't receive your fee statement by email, please let us know so we can update your email address if required.

The SCA swimming carnival is on Thursday the 2^nd of March.  The carnival will be held at Queanbeyan Swimming Pool for Years 3-6.

The carnival caters for both swimmers and non swimmers, so if your child is keen to participate in races or just have fun at the water park they will be able to do so.

There will be races for every stroke in the 50 metres. 100 metres will have a freestyle race and the 200 metre individual medley will be swum first thing in the morning.  For those children not wishing to compete in the official races, there will be ample time provided for them to play at the water park.  The park will be supervised by SCA staff at all times. Swimming in races is not compulsory! 

If time permits, the children may have the opportunity of having a swim and a play in the shallow end of the pool.  If there is time for this, SCA staff members will be in the pool with the children along with several swimming aides, like pool noodles and kick boards. 

The children will be sitting on the hill on the grass under the shade.  They will have a chance to eat, go to the canteen and use the water park.  

So, please encourage your children to come along and have a fun day out with their friends.  The carnival caters for all swimmers and is lots of fun!

Please follow the instructions on Compass, giving your children permission to attend. 

As you can see we really need additional help in the canteen, even if just for an hour. Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Carers everybody is welcome. Babies in prams, toddlers and younger siblings are more than welcome!! 

If you are able to assist in the canteen please contact the Front office on 6294 1860 or email michelle.wood@cg.catholic.edu.au

Parish Secretary

People are invited to apply for the position of Parish Secretary for Corpus Christi Parish, South Tuggeranong. This is a permanent position and working days Monday to Friday.

Essential Requirements (Selection Criteria): 

·       Experience with financial & database packages.

·       Strong communication and liaison skills

·       Strong organisational skills

·       Ability to work on your own,  and as part of a wider team and take direction. 

·       Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching

·       Experience in an office environment. 

·       And a pastoral heart

Salary will be subject to Clerk Award Level 4/5 rates.  Please phone/email 6291 6688/tuggeranongsouth@cg.org.au for a copy of the duty statement. Applications addressing the Selection Criteria above together with resume needs to be addressed to the Parish Priest, Fr James T Antony CMI,  and must be received by 24^th February 2023.

Fr James T Antony CMI

Parish Priest