Dear SCA Families,

I have been informed by Catholic Education that Mrs Jo Reed, who has been with us for the first four weeks of term, will continue as Acting Assistant Principal for the remainder of Term One.

As I am presently at Jindabyne, on camp with Year 6, Mrs Reed has written this week’s newsletter in my place.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

Dear SCA Families,

It was wonderful to finally gather as a community to celebrate our Opening School Mass and Leaders Induction on Friday 17^th February. This year we launched the new Archdiocese theme ‘Walking Together.’  It is integral to our Catholic identity that we celebrate the Eucharist together as one, in the presence of God. We prayed for a blessed 2023 for our school community and for the global community as we ‘Walk Together’ in Faith and in Learning. Fr James and Fr Namora spoke wonderfully about the importance of family and education helping us grow into the best people we can be.

We are extremely proud of our Student Leaders in Year 6 who received their bands and recited their Leadership Pledge to the SCA community. Our Year 6 students have been supporting our Kindergarten students on the playground and keeping a general eye out for all students. We look forward to seeing many examples of leadership in our community as the year progresses.

Thank you to Fr James, Fr Namora, Mrs Rachel Kennedy, Mrs Anne Gowen and our Year 6 Teachers for all their efforts to prepare the Opening Mass and Leadership Ceremony.  

We began our Lenten journey today as the students and community of SCA received the Ashes at our school Liturgy. Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It’s one of the most important times of year for many Christians around the world. Our Year 6 students are blessed to receive the Ashes at a special outdoor Liturgy at Camp.

Lent is a time for praying, giving, fasting, or giving something up. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding, or birthday, Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death, and body resurrection.

Next week, we begin the SCA Project Compassion. This year’s theme is ‘A future for all generations.’ Rachel Kennedy our REC will share information on how as a school we are going to say yes. This year, the theme asks us to think about the great yes that Mary spoke when the angel told her she was to become the mother of Jesus. She freely accepted God’s invitation to take up a unique place in the history of the human family. 

The prayer Mary shared with her cousin Elizabeth says, “all generations will call me blessed”. Her yes is for all future generations. May ours be too!

Blue Cards

Many students have already received “Blue Card Awards.” These are given to students throughout the day and require a visit to the office for an executive member signature and to receive a big high 5! Students may receive this for demonstrating leadership, initiative, positive behaviour/s and being great SCA citizens.

White Card Awards and Presentations

Every Friday morning at our Assemblies, students receive “White Card Awards.” These are for academic achievement and participation in learning. The students work very hard to receive these awards and with such a positive start to the year from all our students, we know we will see you there soon.

Car Pick-Up on Heidelberg Street

Afternoon Pick-Up

Drivers collecting students on Heidelberg St are asked to move to fill the front spaces, with children proceeding to then get in the car. For safety and traffic flow reasons, students are not permitted to get in cars near the bus stop (at the back of the pick-up zone).

Please let Grandparents and Carers know so that we can continue to keep our children safe.

Parent Network

As mentioned in last weeks’ newsletter there are several vacancies to fill as Parent Liaisons for the following classes KB, KG. 1R, 2B, 3G, 4R, 4G, 5B and 5R. If you are interested and have a little bit of time to volunteer, can you please reach out to our Parent Network Coordinator, Fay Holden on scaparentnetwork@outlook.com.au

Year 6 Camp

An early start, Our Year 6 teachers and students were very excited this morning as they arrived with their luggage ready for a big few days ahead.  After a few hugs and kisses, they waved goodbye to their parents and piled into the buses; there were smiles all round.  

They have safely arrived at ‘Jindy,’ have settled into their rooms, found the lay of the land, eaten a hearty lunch and now off to enjoy games, archery, canoeing and survival skills. Mr Egan-Richards, will be with the Year 6 Campers on Wednesday and Thursday and Mrs Reed will join them on Thursday and return with them on Friday afternoon.

Swimming Carnival for Years 3 – 6 

Friendly reminder: With our Swimming Carnival only a week away, if you have not returned the permission slip and also nominated for events via COMPASS please do so at your earliest convenience. Currently there are several staff who are working hard to place students into their nominated races and event. It will be a great day in the water.

Canteen Capers!

Calling all Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Friends. Our canteen needs your support.  For the canteen to reopen for counter sales at recess and lunch we desperately need help from our SCA Families and friends. In addition, if you have an hour or two to help us prepare lunches one day a week (or  fortnight) please contact Michelle at the Canteen or email on michelle.wood@cg.catholic.edu.au Your support would be fantastic.

Yours in Faith

Jo Reed
Assistant Principal

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

This week at OSHC we celebrated Valentine’s Day by creating a yummy breakfast for our families and our wider community. On offer we had brownies, cupcakes, chocolate coated strawberries, fresh grapes, croissants, cookies, juice, and lots of other yummy treats.

On our regular menu for afternoon tea, we have a fresh fruit platter, seaweed chips, savory platter and dips, assorted sandwiches, cold meats platter, and either, freshly made dumplings, sushi, stir fry, chicken wings and roast chicken.  These change daily.

Our week 3 program consists of S.T.E.M activities such as:

• Rainbow unicorn toothpaste
• Create an airplane out of paddle pop sticks and balloons
• Build your own metal robot
• Valentine’s bingo

Lego master:

• Build a tower with Lego

Art attack:

• Plastic cup key chains
• Candle and water colour rainbow hearts
• Robot art
• Paper plate 3D creations

Super sports:

• Netball
• Oz tag
• Obstacle course
• Hopscotch
• Dance for kids! West African
• Sewing creations

OSHC also celebrated Multicultural Week and made different foods from around the world.  The children enjoyed helping in the kitchen. A big hit was Krensky and Sauerkraut from Germany and Chorizo pasta from Spain. In our week 4 Program we have a vast variety of activities such as imbedding the children’s thoughts on how they would like to celebrate at the Canberra Show and celebrating Shrove Tuesday. We have a Canberra Show Competition (in house) that the children can use their creativity and imagination to have on display in the OSHC room. For Shrove Tuesday the children enjoyed some delicious pancakes for afternoon tea.

The Year 3 and 5 Students have been logged into the NAPLAN platform and are becoming familiar with the online tests as part of readiness activities.

Schools across Australia are participating in practice tests so the students feel confident with the process, and we can locally troubleshoot for any IT issues. NAPLAN Assessments begin on Wednesday 15^th March and conclude on Thursday 23^rd March. There will be a number of opportunities for students to make-up assessment if they are absent on the day. If you have any queries about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

School fee statements for Term 1 2023 were emailed to all families last week. If an email address is not on the system a paper copy was sent home through your child's bag. 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. All children from Years 3 - 6 will participate in some form, however, swimming in races is not compulsory! 

If time permits, the children may have the opportunity for 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. 

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

Please follow the instructions on Compass, giving your children permission to attend.    The cost will be $12.00 per child to pay for buses & pool entry. For those students making their own way to and from the pool the price for admission only is $5.50. Payment is to be made through Qkr.

Race nominations and permission forms are due this Friday 24th February.

We still require a number of volunteers, please fill out the volunteer form on Compass and a reminder you will need your WWVP card with you on the day. No WWVP? Please contact the Front Office and we will organise a statutory declaration for you to fill out so you can assist.

Spectatators are more than welcome, if you are coming to watch please consider volunteering, many hands make light work! 

Parents and carers who read aloud with children in a secure, safe and comfortable context motivate their children to read. 

Parents’ perceptions, values, attitudes, and expectations play an important role in influencing their children’s attitudes toward reading, and subsequent literacy development. When children share a book with someone who makes them feel special, the attitude that reading is pleasurable is transferred to other reading encounters. 

Relationship building 

At the core of reading is a relationship and it is the bond between children and parents that is enhanced through reading together. It only takes ten minutes a day to build this relationship. 

Children’s reading improves 

The research is conclusive: When parents successfully support their children’s literacy learning from an early age, everyone benefits. When teachers and parents work together to support children’s reading and academic success, learning outcomes for all children improve. 

Children read more 

Students who read with their parents are better prepared for school. They begin school with knowledge of book language and familiarity with concepts of print. They understand how books work and have many more exposures to text types and vocabulary. 

Children’s self-esteem improves 

Knowing someone cares enough to take time out of a busy schedule to give you undivided attention around a book makes a significant difference to how students perceive themselves as learners and readers. When parents show an interest in their children’s learning, children respond positively. 

Document taken from PETAA

Katherine Austin

Teacher/Librarian

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