Dear Families,

6 years ago my son joined the Army. In the same year at the Australian War Memorial on ANZAC Day, I had the privilege of listening to Curtis McGrath deliver an address at the Dawn Service. Curtis is an Australian para-canoeist who took up canoeing competitively after having both legs amputated as a result of a mine blast whilst serving in the Australian Army in Afghanistan.

He spoke with passion about the way in which soldiers support each other, especially in times of hardship and significant injury. Having myself walked the Kokoda Track, I took note when, early in his address, Curtis said, “Seventy-five years ago, Australia braced for impact, from the ever-encroaching conflict of World War II, as it made its way south through the Pacific. At a desperate low in the Kokoda campaign, stretcher-bearers lugged wounded Australian soldiers for days through strangling, unyielding jungle to reach medical help.”

Curtis is a person who has shown great strength in himself recovering from horrific injury, However, as he said, “Self-reliance matters, but it's not nearly enough”.

“On this Anzac Day, we look back on a century of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. We honour those who have died and suffered through the old and the new wars. And we thank them for all they have engrained in our nation's heart and way of life.

And, may we as a nation continue to provide those men and women who have served us with the care they need. Dedicated, unhesitating, service, to our fighting force.”

During this season of Easter may we focus on the needs of others. As Curtis spoke about, and Jesus taught, serving others is a sure way to ensure the world becomes a better place.

God of peace you call us to peace,

Peace within and peace without

Peace before us and peace behind us

Peace on our right and peace on our left.

Christ of Peace you call us to peace,

Peace with our brother and with our sister,

Peace with our neighbour and with the stranger

Peace with friends and with foes

Spirit of peace you call us to peace,

Peace in work and in play

Peace in thought and in deed

Peace in word and action

Grant us peace, O God of peace. 

Notes and Newsletters – All via Compass

During the holidays every family should have received a written letter, via Compass, from me. You would also be aware (I really hope) that the school newsletter is published EVERY Wednesday of the school year. Please also note that the school calendar is on our website.

During the holidays, I spoke with two parents (from different families) who were not aware of the weekly newsletter. If you find yourself speaking with a parent who is not aware of the newsletter, or events taking place at school, please ask them to contact the front office. When they do, the friendly team will support them to set up Compass so they receive all the notes they should.

Community Council Secretary

We thank our outgoing Community Council Secretary, Emma Phelan, who, after 5 years of service to the Council, is stepping aside. We especially thank her for her three years as Treasurer prior to taking on the Secretary role.

In light of this, we are seeking nominations from the community for a new Council member who is willing to serve as the Council Secretary. According to our constitution, the role of the Secretary is:

The Secretary will record accurately the minutes of the meeting, filing one (1) copy with the school and one (1) on the Council file.  The Secretary, in collaboration with the Chair and the Principal, will prepare a brief report of each meeting for the school newsletter.  The Secretary assists the Chair and the Principal in the preparation of the agenda and ensures that agenda items are advertised prior to the meeting.  The Secretary will handle all correspondence as directed by the meeting. 

Persons interested are asked to email their expression of interest to sca@cg.catholic.edu.au by Friday 5 May. For further information about the role, please contact me at school.

2024 Enrolments

Enrolment time for 2024 is now upon us. If you have a little one ready for school in 2024, or you know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, enrolment packs are now available. Our Open Days will be:

Mothers Day Celebrations

All mums, grandmums and mother figures are invited to join us for breakfast and a social gathering, Friday, 12^th May, between 7.30am and 8.30am in the school Hall.

C’mon gents, give a hand!

It’s our turn gentlemen! The Mothers Day breakfast is on at school on Friday 12^th May, from 7.30am. If you are able to help prepare, serve or clean up between 7.00am and 8.30am (even just for half an hour), please send me an email to let me know matthewer@cg.catholic.edu.au or scaparentnetwork@outlook.com.au . Don’t let the team down. ☺

School Uniform

Out come the long pants, jumpers, shirts, skirts and ties! Thank you to the many families that make that extra effort to ensure that children are wearing correct winter uniform. All children should be wearing their winter school uniform from Week 3. A few reminders:

• Formal black leather shoes must be worn with the school uniform. No Lynx shoes, black runners or canvas shoes.
• A note of explanation from the parent must be provided if your child deviates from the expected uniform for a short period of time while correct uniform is being sourced.
• Jewellery, rubber charity bands and bracelets must not be worn to school. The only jewellery items which may be worn to school are a watch and plain small stud or sleepers. (No hoops, loops, dangles or sparkly earrings).
• Navy gloves, scarves and coats during winter.

A uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their appearance, instills recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school. Our school uniform is available from Lowes Tuggeranong or Working Gear Fyshwick.

It was once said…

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matthewer@cg.catholic.edu.au

Dr Lorraine Hammond visits SCA!

Dr Lorraine Hammond continues to provide professional learning for our system schools and will provide coaching sessions for our SCA Teachers next Monday 1^st to focus on High Impact Teaching Strategies in classrooms and Tuesday 2^nd with a Parent Session in the Hall, sharing how parents can help at home with reading.

Dr Lorraine Hammond is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University in WA, working and researching in the area of early literacy, high impact instructional strategies, including explicit teaching and learning difficulties. Lorraine completed her Masters and PhD on the prevention of reading and spelling difficulties and in 2002 was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. In 2016, Lorraine was recognised by the Australian Government with a University Teaching Award for outstanding tertiary teaching and in 2017 the Australian Council for Educational Leadership recognised her work in schools promoting high impact instruction. Lorraine is the President of Learning Difficulties Australia and the Chair, Deputy Chair and Board Member of three high-performing WA schools. She has developed and presented professional learning on evidence-based literacy strategies for the Kimberley Schools Project since 2017. In 2021, she commenced work in a similar project with Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Lorraine received an Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contribution to tertiary education and the community. 

The teaching approach, High Impact Teaching Practice, guides the way in which our teachers plan, deliver and support learning for every student at SCA. The approach has been developed and designed based on national and global research into how children learn, known as the Science of Learning. High Impact Teaching Practice involves embedding evidence-based pedagogy in all classrooms, informed by Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, supported by high-quality curriculum resources.

You are invited to join Dr Lorraine as she presents to our Parent Community about

How the Brain learns to read, The best way we can teach it and more importantly How you can help at home.

See the flyer further in the newsletter.

God bless.

Jo Reed

Assistant Principal

This weekend, our Sunday Gospel is from Johns' Gospel. It is the story of the Good Shepherd, a familiar story for many. The image of a shepherd draws parallels with many different roles in society. A good shepherd:

• Gathers and protects
• Listens
• Leads
• Sacrifices
• Follows Christ the Good Shepherd 

Through this Gospel, we pray that we are empowered to continue to guide our flock, in whatever space or capacity that may be, and that the Holy Spirit works within us to lead us back to our home in Christ.

Chapel

Our new Chapel will begin to be utilised this week. This space is also for our community to use, so please feel welcome to drop in for prayer at any time. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Rachel Kennedy.

Class Masses

This term we are joining different grade classes together to celebrate Mass. Masses will be held in our new Chapel space, up next door to the Star Centre at 12:15pm on a Thursday. Parents and carers are most welcome to join us for these each week. A roster for class masses is below:

Confirmation: Our students participating in the Confirmation program will begin their sessions soon. Please keep these students in your prayers.

ANZAC Liturgy: Thank you to those who came along for our ANZAC Liturgy today

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

2023 TERM 2

WEEK 2 (1st May to 5th May)

Tuesday 2nd May  - Cross Country Carnival

Tuesday 2nd May - Lorraine Hammond Workshop 5:30pm

Thursday 4th May - Kinder 2024 Open Day 9:30 to 11:00

WEEK 3 (8th May to 12th May)

Tuesday 9th May  - Resilience Night

Friday 12th May - Mother's Day Breakfast 

WEEK 4 (15th May to 19th May)

Monday 15th May  - Athletics Carnival - Woden Park Athletics, Ainsworth Street Phillip

Thursday 18th May - Kinder 2024 Open Day 4pm to 5:30pm

Friday 19th May - National Walk Safely to School Day - more information to follow

WEEK 6 (29th May to 2nd June)

Monday 29th May  - Australian Reconciliation Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 2^nd May.

Please ensure you check Compass for updates.

We look forward to a great day for all involved!