Dear SCA Families

“Mr E,” said a worried looking Year 1 child (let’s call her Jane) to me some years ago, “my friend called me a Poo poo head.” I responded seriously, “Thank you for telling me. Now Jane, are you a poo poo head?” Jane looked at me, scoffed and said, “Mr E, you know I’m not a poo poo head.” I explained to her that it doesn’t matter, then, what someone else says, if she, her parents and her principal know what the actual truth is.

As your child grows and starts to navigate the world around them, it's important to teach them how to stand up for themselves and assert their boundaries. However, it's crucial to differentiate between standing up for oneself and retaliation.

Standing up for oneself means advocating for one's needs, asserting boundaries, and expressing yourself in a confident and assertive manner. It's about communicating effectively and advocating for yourself without hurting others. Retaliation, on the other hand, involves responding to a perceived wrong with an act of revenge or harm, either with words or actions, towards the other person.

Teaching your child to stand up for themselves doesn't mean encouraging them to retaliate or seek revenge. It's important to teach them how to communicate their needs and boundaries in a respectful manner, without resorting to hurtful words or actions. This can include using "I" statements, such as, "I feel uncomfortable when you do/say X," and teaching them to listen actively and empathetically to others' perspectives.

Bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on children's mental health and well-being. As a parent, it's important to teach your child how to stand up for themselves against bullying while also promoting non-violent and respectful behaviour. Here are some tips to help you teach your child to stand up for themselves without resorting to name-calling or violence:

• Empower your child: Teach your child that they have the right to say no and set boundaries. Encourage them to use assertive communication, such as "I don't like it when you do/say that, please stop" or "I need you to stop doing that now" or “I’m not going to listen to this anymore.”
• Stay calm: Help your child learn to stay calm and composed when facing a bully. Encourage them to take deep breaths and count to 10 before responding to the bully.
• Seek support: Teach your child to seek help from trusted adults, such as teachers, counsellors, or parents. They can also seek support from friends who can help them feel safe and confident.
• Avoid name-calling or violence: Remind your child that resorting to name-calling or violence is not the right way to deal with bullying. Encourage them to respond in a respectful and non-violent manner.
• Lead by example: Set a good example for your child by demonstrating respectful behaviour in your own interactions with others.

By teaching your child to stand up for themselves in a healthy and respectful way without resorting to name-calling or violence, you are helping them develop important life skills such as self-confidence, empathy communication, and problem-solving. By promoting a culture of respect and kindness, we can help our children build healthy relationships and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

You’ll be pleased also to know that, when I checked back with Jane, she had no further problems with her friend calling her names.

Mother’s Day Celebrations

Thanks to Karen Snowball, Fay Holden and Jo Reed, who did so much to ensure our Mother’s Day breakfast was so well organised and catered for. Thanks also to the parents, grandparents, staff and students who helped set-up, serve and clean up.

Just Occasionally

Our Tuckshop has a wonderful manager, Michelle, and part time assistant, Nina, who work hard to ensure all orders are served on time each day. We also rely on volunteers, but fewer people have a weekly or fortnightly time to help.

Have you considered taking a personal day once a term just to help at your child’s school. If this is something you would be interested in doing, please check in with the office, or contact Michelle directly (michelle.wood@cg.catholic.edu.au) .

Athletics carnival

We are excitedly looking forward to the perfect weather that this coming Monday will be sure to bring (please, please, please).  Please remember to send your child to school dressed in their sports uniform (with House Team coloured shirt if they wish), and school hat ready for an active day outside.

Parents are welcome to come along to spectate, or even lend a hand, at Woden Park Athletic Track (Ainsworth St Phillip).

Reconciliation Day Public Holiday

On Monday 27^th May (Week 5), the ACT will mark Reconciliation Day with a public holiday. As it is a public holiday, all schools in the ACT, including SCA, will be closed on that day.

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.

It was once said…

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

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

•  Nick Brodie 2023

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

On Monday 20th May, Athletics Carnival day, there will be No Lunch Orders.

There will be a canteen open at the athletics carnival at Woden Park Athletics Field,

Please note CASH ONLY, selling:

• Hot Dogs $4
• Frankfurts Only $2
• Drinks
• Lollies
• Milo, Tea and Coffee

Help is needed on the day to assist with the Canteen at Woden Park Athletics Field. If you can assist please contact Michelle: Michelle.wood@cg.catholic.edu.au

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.

This term the Embassy of Republic Indonesia in Canberra has sent St Clare of Assisi Primary School teacher assistants to work with us, teaching Bahasa Indonesia Classes language and culture. This is an exchange with Indonesia to promote collaboration and understanding with both countries. 

The Education and Cultural Attache of the Embassy, Prof. Dr. Mukhamad Najib. S.T.P. M.M. has sent five people to schools in Canberra. There are one of each in Burgman Anglican School, Canberra Grammar School, Trinity Christian School, and two of them here at St Clare of Assisi Primary School. 

Our exchange students are Fadina Zahra and Zefanya Annabella, who study at  Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA). They provide support in teaching and facilitate cross-cultural interactions with our classes and community.

We are grateful to Prof. Dr. Mukhamad Najib. S.T.P. M.M., and UNESA for this opportunity to participate in this program.

Margo Smith, Fadina Zahra, and Zefanya Annabella.

Bahasa Indonesia Specialist Teacher

Congratulations to Cooper R(6B) for his selection in the  U12 Canberra Pride softball team which a development team preparing players for nationals.

Cooper played in the NSW Titles and his team were runners up in the tournament losing in extra innings. Well done Cooper!

Sleeping Ideas for Parents

Death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT.

This deadly fungus has caused multiple poisonings and deaths in Canberra. They often grow near established oak trees but have also been found in other places. Autumn is the peak growth period.

Please inform your children of the risks of death cap mushroom poisoning. The key message is not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.

If you see a death cap mushroom growing on school grounds please advise the Front Office

More details: Death cap mushrooms - ACT Government