We respectfully acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and learn, and pay respect to the First Nations Peoples and their elders, past, present and emerging.
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Dear SCA Families
In a recent newsletter, I shared a story about a Year 1 student who was called a hurtful name, "poo-poo head." I discussed how I helped her build the resilience to manage name-calling, highlighting the importance of these skills in life. While it's crucial for children to know how to handle such situations, it's equally important to teach them not to call others names in the first place. Imagine a world where everyone followed this simple rule—we wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with hurtful words.
However, the reality is that name-calling and gossip are common. Most of us, if we’re honest, have probably used unkind names or spoken negatively about others at some point. No one likes to be the target of such behaviour, yet many of us have been guilty of it. (I wish I could say I’ve never done this myself.)
This week, I’ll be addressing this topic with our Year 6 students. My goal is to educate and encourage them to stop calling each other names and to avoid gossiping or speaking negatively about others. To help guide them, I’ll be using a simple yet powerful acrostic: THINK.
Before speaking about someone, we should ask ourselves:
T: Is it TRUE?
H: Is it HONEST?
I: Is it INSPIRING?
N: Is it NECESSARY?
K: Is it KIND?
As we all know, children — and adults — need repetition and consistent reinforcement to learn and grow. While we continue to emphasise this message at school, I encourage you to discuss it with your children at home. Let’s work together to model this behaviour, teaching through both our actions and our words.
Thank you for your support in nurturing a kinder, more respectful community for our children.
The Resilience Project
On Tuesday, fifteen of our staff travelled to Sydney for a day of professional learning, led by the founder of The Resilience Project (TRP), Hugh van Cuylenburg. This is sure to have a positive impact on our implementation of TRP in every classroom at SCA. An update will be provided in a future newsletter.
Reconciliation Day Public Holiday
The public holiday this week was a time to reflect on our country's history, recognise past injustices, and work towards a more inclusive future.
Reconciliation Day is celebrated annually around 27th May, marking the start of National Reconciliation Week, which runs until 3rd June. These dates are significant because they commemorate two important events in Australia's history:
- 27 May, 1967: The referendum where Australians voted to amend the Constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the federal government to create laws for them.
- 3 June , 1992: The landmark Mabo decision, where the High Court of Australia recognised Native Title, overturning the concept of "terra nullius" (land belonging to no one).
On Tuesday our Year 6 students facilitated an activity in each classroom, helping our students to learn about and acknowledge the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In the afternoon we were blessed with a wonderful performance by Indigenous performer, Didjeribone, allowing us to also celebrate the steps being taken towards healing and unity.
Learning Journeys – Tuesday 18th June
As we near the half-way mark of the school year, our students and staff would like to open our classrooms to share the good work that has been taking place. Please set aside some time on Tuesday 18th June, between 3.00 – 4.30pm, to visit your child’s classroom and share with them their work.
Congratulations
Our school has been open, as part of our enrolment process, every Thursday in May. Our Year 6 students have proudly and effectively acted as tour guides for around 30 groups on these days.
I am proud of the Year 6 students for the excellent job they did as ambassadors for our school. The feedback I received from every visitor was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you, and well done, Year 6.
Sunsafe – means no hats in June and July
Because the Cancer Council ACT does not recommend sun protection in Canberra during June and July, SCA does not enforce the wearing of hats during this time. From Monday (3rd June), the “no hat, no play” rule is shelved for the next two months. Bring on that Vitamin D!
It was once said…
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal
matt.egan-richards@cg.catholic.edu.au
This Sunday's is the feast of The Most Holy Trinity. The gospel comes from Matthew 28:16-20 - timely for our Confirmation candidates! When Pope Francis instituted the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015 he said the following: ‘Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.’
‘With our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze,’ the Pope went on to say, ‘we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity. The mission Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness.’
The Pope reminds us that Jesus showed us what mercy looks like. ‘The signs he works, especially in favour of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion.’
Which shows us what kind of community our Merciful God calls us to be. ‘Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life,’ declared Pope Francis, reminding us that ‘nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy.’
‘All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers,’ he stresses.
‘From the heart of the Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God,’ the Pope concludes, ‘the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly. It is a spring that will never run dry, no matter how many people draw from it. Every time someone is in need, he or she can approach it, because the mercy of God never ends.’
Adapted from Nick Brodie, 2024
Confirmation
Today, our Year 6 students participated in their Confirmation retreat day. We thank the wonderful Anne Gowen, our Parish Sacramental Coordinator for all the hard effort she has put in, to ensure the success of the day. We look forward to celebrating the Confirmation Mass with our SCA candidates on Wednesday 19th June, at 6:30pm in Holy Family Church. All welcome to join.
Vinnies
Parish Assembly
Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at the 8.45 am Friday Morning Assembly.
| Kinder | Sadie D, William G, William R |
| Year 1 | |
| Year 2 | Beau B, Sophia M |
| Year 3 | Angus M, Ava R |
| Year 4 | Spencer C |
2024 TERM 2
All dates are available on the School Calender
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.
Last week your child should have taken home a photo envelope for school photo day; please check their school bag. If you have not received one please contact the Front Office.
SIBLING PHOTO FORMS can be collected at the Front Office.
Please email the office if you would like a form sent home or alternatively you or your child can collect an envelope from the office.
Any questions please do not hesitate to email sca@cg.catholic.edu.au or phone 6294 1860