Dear SCA Families,

May is traditionally, in the Catholic Church, known as Mary’s Month. Some years ago, when my son was 16, he spoke to a group of primary school students about Mary. I think what he had to say is a good reminder to each of us as we travel through May:

Today, let's chat about someone pretty special - Mary, the Mother of God. Mary's story isn't just ancient history. She's got some serious wisdom and guidance that still rings true today.

First off, Mary wasn't just any ordinary woman. She's often called the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus. Now, that's a big deal, right? But Mary's awesomeness goes beyond just being a mum. She's a real human symbol of strength, compassion, and faith.

Think about it - Mary was just a teenager when she found out she was going to have a baby, and not just any baby, but the Son of God. That's a lot of responsibility for anyone, let alone a teenager! But instead of freaking out or running away, Mary embraced her role with courage and grace. She said yes to something that would change her life forever.

And let's talk about being a role model. She showed us what it means to trust in something bigger than ourselves, even when things seem impossible. Her unwavering faith in God's plan is something we can all learn from, especially when we're facing tough times or uncertainty.

Plus, Mary's compassion and love for others is off the charts. She stood by Jesus through thick and thin, even when it meant watching him suffer and die on the cross. That kind of loyalty and support is seriously inspiring.

So, why should we care about Mary today? Because she's not just a figure from the past - she's a reminder that we, too, can find strength, courage, and faith in our own lives. Whether we're facing big decisions, tough challenges, or just trying to be better people, Mary shows us that with a little bit of trust and a whole lot of love, anything is possible.

So, let's tip our hats to Mary, the ultimate role model. Let's strive to follow her example of faith, courage, and compassion in our own lives. Who knows? We might just find ourselves making a difference in the world, just like she did.

School Fee Statements

Yesterday you should have received your latest fee statements from CECG. Please note that for the Term 2 billing you will receive a statement that inadvertently has duplicated all of the billing. Fortunately, this error was picked up, so the statement will also include an accurate correcting entry.  Whilst it is truly disappointing to include this error, the result is accurate.

Please accept my apologies for this processing error. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your fee statements, please contact me at your convenience.

School Community Council Meeting

Our third School Community Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday evening (14^th May at 6.00pm) in the school staff room.

The agenda is not yet finalised, but we will certainly be discussing plans for our 30^th anniversary celebrations, the school fete and ways in which we can provide opportunities for families to participate in school life.

All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

No After-school Use of Playground Equipment

Our new equipment has been designed to develop skills, agility, strength and stamina in specific age groups, when used in a correct and safe manner. Any time students use the equipment, there will be a staff member supervising, dedicated to ensuring students are using it safely.

To ensure the safety of our students, children are not be permitted on the equipment before or after school. (OSHC attendees will be permitted to use the equipment, under the supervision of OSHC staff, after 3.30pm.)

Parents are asked to respect these guidelines, which are in place to ensure the school is able to meet our duty of care for each and every child.

Netball Courts

If you park on the top bitumen area (near OSHC) of an afternoon, please remember that this area is often used for after school netball training. Please remove your car from this area as soon as possible, and at least by 3.15pm.

School Uniform

All students should now be in correct school uniform. This means correct shoes, ties, etc. A reminder note will be sent home for students who are continually disregarding school policy.

Scarves, Coats & Beanies

The cooler weather recently has seen the welcome emergence of scarves, coats and beanies. Please remember that these items should be navy blue. Please ensure these items are clearly marked with your child’s name.

2024 Key Improvement Goals

Early this year I shared our three Key Priorities for school improvement for 2024:

1. That every student is a competent reader
2. High impact teaching practices are used by all teachers all the time
3. Be a faith-filled, Catholic learning community

Our staff have worked in various ways on these three improvement goals, and will continue to do so. I hope you have noticed our work in these areas, and, as always, would love to hear your feedback at any stage. In the next three weeks I will share with you, specifically, some of the things we have done to improve in each of the areas.

Enrolments – Close on 24^th May

We have a great school, with wonderful kids, dedicated staff and supportive families. Please spread the word amongst family and friends, reminding those with pre-schoolers that enrolments close on Friday 24^th May.

Mothers Day Celebrations

All mums, grandmums and mother figures are invited to join us for breakfast and a social gathering, this Friday, 10^th May, from 8.00am in the school Hall.

It was once said…

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. ~ Unknown.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matt.egan-richards@cg.catholic.edu.au

Working on empathy helps us to identify, understand and feel what another person is feeling. When we show empathy or we do something kind for someone else our brain releases oxytocin. This leads to increasing our self-esteem/confidence, energy levels, positivity and overall happiness.

Whole Family Activity:

Neighbourhood Kindness Challenge

As a family, choose an act of kindness from the list below that you would like to do for a neighbour or family friend. Each family member can select one to commit to, or you can choose to do one together.

• Cook them something delicious like a cake, hot bread, or cookies.
• Write a note to put in their letterbox thanking them for being a great neighbour or friend.
• Design them a Thank You card.
• Pick or buy some flowers to deliver to them.
• Choose a little plant from your garden to give them.
• Make them a gift from things around your house.
• Offer to do a job for them, like wash their car or water their garden.
• Offer to take their pets for a walk.
• Invite them over for afternoon tea.
• Invite them on a walk.
• Recommend one of your favourite books to borrow and read.
• Ask them if they need anything from the shops next time you buy groceries.
• Say hello next time you see them, and ask them how their day is going.

Feel free to do more than one and spread the kindness even further!

Report back to each other in one week and share how your acts of kindness were received, and how doing them made you feel.

Family Habit Builder:

Every night at dinner, have each person thank another family member for something they’ve done or said today, or give another family member a compliment.

Have a great week.

Jo Reed

CHILD SAFE POLICY

Did you know that Catholic Education and our school has a Child Safe Policy which outlines our approach to child safety. This can be accessed on the Catholic Education Safeguarding Page. We encourage you to visit this page and review our policy. As part of our approach to child safety, Jon Sleeman from Catholic Education is also our school's Child Safe Advocate who works closely with our school regarding our approach and response to child safety matters. This approach involves pro active strategies to safeguard our students as well as responding to areas of concerns. The area of child safety includes  many parts of a schools operation such as day to day activities, school events and school camps.  We encourage you to contact Jo Reed our Child Safe Advocate at St Clare of Assisi, if you have anything to discuss.

Safeguarding our students – Catholic Education (cg.catholic.edu.au) 

This Sunday’s Gospel is the second last Sunday in our Easter season – The Feast of the Ascension from the Gospel of Mark. Pope Francis draws out the importance for Christians of proclaiming ‘the Good News to all creation’. Picking up scriptural teaching, he highlights how ‘all creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ’ and reminds us that the Eucharist should motivate us ‘to be stewards of all creation.’ People of the Ascension, therefore, do not just tell other people about Jesus. Rather, People of the Ascension, as the Pope puts it, ‘seek Christ along the paths of our time’. We are called to serve the poor and the needy and the world in which they live. We are called to become ‘visible signs of hope’ for the whole of creation.

This year, the Feast of the Ascension occurs on the same day as Mother’s Day. When considering how we ‘seek Christ along the paths of our time’ – what better model to consider than that of our Mother’s! I wish all the mothers in our community a very restful and relaxing Mother’s Day – thank you for all you do to support and care for your children.

Confirmation

A reminder that the Commitment Masses for Confirmation are this weekend and next weekend. Mass times are Sat 6pm, Sun 8am, 10am and 6pm. Don’t forget the Commitment Form!

Vinnies Winter Appeal

Next week, we will begin our Winter Appeal. Each year, we support our local Vinnies chapters through the Winter appeal. The donations we provide go straight back into the people in need in our community. Please keep an eye out for information about this over the next few weeks.

Have a wonderful week

Rachel Kennedy

Religious Education Coordinator

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

All dates are available on the School Calender 

https://www.sca.act.edu.au/calendar

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday 13th June 

Please do not make any appointments on this day as make up photos are not taken for absent children.

Full winter school uniform to be worn, no sports uniforms please.

BOOK CLUB CLOSES ON SUNDAY 12th MAY

Friday 10th May at 7.30am in School Hall

To assist us with catering please RSVP if you can join us.

Today on Compass  the Mothers Day Breakfast was opened for all families to RSVP. Logon to Compass (If using your phone please select Open in Browser which is under More - the three lines) you will see:

• Select Click here to proceed.

• Select Mothers Day Breakfast 

• Select number adults attending
• Select number children attending
• Select Save.
• See you there!

Congratulations to Sam A, Jasmine S (who got PB's in all her events), Logan H and Levi D who competed at the ACT Swimming Carnival yesterday.  They all did extremely well and we are very proud of their efforts!  

Congratulations to Shiloh who was selected in the ACT Futsal Team to compete at the
National Championships after the recent school gala day. 

Shiloh played on both the boys team and the girls team on the day. Well done!

Player of the Week and Match Reports

Speckles – the whole team

Smiggles – Khloe

Squiggles – Eve

Swifts – Aleriah

Skittles – Dakota

Sparkles – Nikalia

Smurfs – Evie B

Sunshines – Amelia

Stars – Maddie M

Smarties – Grace B

Skittles Match Report

This Saturday Skittles played against SFA Vixens.

It was a very close game with both teams showing strong skills in attack and defence.

Our defenders Jazzy, Zoe, Ally and Daisy stayed close to their players and were able to get many intercepts and rebounds. Our shooters Dakota, Lacey, Maddie and Lilah did a fabulous job in the circle, getting some amazing goals. All the girls were exceptional at working the ball through the mid court, helping us come away with the win. We were lucky to have our great cheerleader Chelsi on the sideline giving all the girls encouragement!

Well done Skittles! We are always so proud of you and we are so excited to watch you play your last year at SCA!

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Join Our School's Community Directory!

Are you looking to connect with fellow businesses within our school community? Look no further! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Parent Network initiative!

The Community Directory?

Our goal is simple: to bring together the diverse array of talents and services within our school community into one comprehensive directory. Whether you are a local bakery, a tutoring service, or a freelance artist, this network is your platform to showcase your offerings and connect with potential customers.

Why Join?

• Visibility: Gain exposure through the newsletter, the school Facebook page, Hyperlink on the school website the community and beyond.
• Networking: Connect with other businesses and professionals to explore collaborations and partnerships.
• Leverage: By the power of our community network, you are not just promoting your business – you're investing in the collective success of our community.

How to Get Involved: It's simple! If you own or operate a business within our school community, we invite you to submit your business information and email to to sca@cg.catholic.edu.au

You will then be featured in our directory and start reaping the benefits of community collaboration.

Spread the Word: Help us grow our network by sharing this initiative with your fellow business owners and encouraging them to join. The more diverse our directory, the richer our community becomes and together we can connect, grow, and flourish!

Ready to Connect? Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our vibrant community network. Submit your business details today and let’s continue to build our fabulous community!

For submissions and inquiries, contact Karen Snowball at sca@cg.catholic.edu.au

For 20 plus years, Menslink have provided free counselling to young guys throughout Canberra and the surrounding region.

If your young guy is having a hard time and could really use someone to talk to, get in touch with Menslink. Now conveniently located in Holder (with some sessions also available at Kippax & Lanyon), our wait times are currently low so we’re ready to help when he needs it.

We provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young guys to share their concerns and worries with a male counsellor who will hear them out, work alongside them and provide tips and strategies to get them through those tough times.

Our Counselling sessions are completely confidential and are available to any male aged 10-25. There are no fees or charges or limits to the number of sessions. You don’t need a mental health plan and we are available during school terms and school holidays. The only prerequisite is that he is willing to give it a try.

If you think your young guy will benefit from chatting to one of our counsellors, have a chat with them and head to www.menslink.org.au, hit the ‘Get Help’ button, fill in the form and we’ll get back to you, generally the same or next business day.

If you need more info on how to have that chat with them, just email admin@menslink.org.au or call 6287 2226 and we will send you some information.