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,
I extend a warm welcome back to all of our SCA family. We especially welcome the following new students and their families to SCA this term: Lachlan C (1 Green), Violette M (4 Red) and Ella S (5 Red). As per the note sent last week, we again extend our welcome to Mrs Mel Laver, Miss Michaella Barbara and Miss Charly Lehmensich to the SCA family.Lessons from the Games
As the world prepares to come together for the Paris Olympic Games, we are reminded of the incredible power of sports to inspire and unite us. These games are not just about competition; they are a celebration of human spirit, determination, and the pursuit of excellence—values we cherish and instil in our students here at our school.
The Olympics offer a unique opportunity for our children to witness athletes from diverse backgrounds striving to achieve their best. These athletes embody hard work, resilience, and the importance of setting and pursuing goals. By watching the games, our children can learn valuable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of participation, regardless of the outcome.
Let us use this moment to encourage our children to dream big and recognise that with dedication and effort, they too can achieve great things. The stories of athletes overcoming challenges and pushing their limits can serve as powerful examples for our students, showing them that success is built on persistence and a positive mindset.
We also have the chance to celebrate the global community, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for different cultures. The Olympics are a testament to what we can achieve when we come together, respecting and learning from one another. This is a wonderful time to discuss with our children the importance of inclusivity, sportsmanship, and the rich tapestry of the world's cultures.
As we cheer on the athletes, let us also celebrate the potential within each of our students. Together, we can inspire them to reach for their own personal best, both in and out of the classroom.
Thank you for your continued support in nurturing the champions of tomorrow.
Farewell and Thanks
Pax Lehmensich has worked at SCA for over 27 years. As a classroom support assistant, Pax has been instrumental in guiding and teaching many hundreds of students. Pax epitomised what it means to be the heart and soul of our school, and she has touched the lives of many with her knowledge, dedication, and compassion. Her contributions have not only shaped young minds but also strengthened the foundation of our school.
Rachel Kennedy joined our staff as a teacher, quickly taking on the role of Religious Education Coordinator (REC). Rachel has been an incredible asset to our school, enriching our students' spiritual lives and fostering a sense of community. Her dedication, compassion, and Spirited guidance have touched many lives, helping our students grow in faith and character. We are profoundly grateful for Rachel’s contributions and the positive impact she has made.
Peter Olney joined SCA 18 months ago, and has been a dedicated and passionate teacher, impacting our students' lives through his passion and commitment to education. Peter’s hard work and positive influence have been invaluable, and he will be greatly missed.
While we are sad to see these educators go, we celebrate the wonderful work they have done and the bright futures that await them. They leave behind a legacy of hard work and a tradition of caring that will continue to inspire us all. As they embark on new adventures, we wish them every success and happiness.
Parents and Teachers Working Together
At the start of a new term I remind you of our strong belief in working closely with the parents and carers of our students. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, or myself, over any matter.
Don’t forget, following the reports sent home last term, we are following up next week with Three Way Conferences. These meetings are a good way to discuss the report and set goals for the future. In addition, we held our formal whole school interviews earlier in the year, and parents are encouraged to meet with the child’s teacher at any time during the year.
Most families have made a booking, but if you haven’t, please do so by Friday.
Staff Learning
In addition to refreshing ourselves on new CE policies and team planning, our staff have been learning from some experts this week. On Monday we had a two hour session with multiple experts, reflecting on the research supporting our teaching approaches at SCA.
We also had a presentation from Campell Sloan on using our school data system to record information and communicate with families.
Tuckshop Helpers
We are in desperate need of more helpers this term. If you can help, once a week, once a fortnight, or even only once a month, please contact the school to let us know. Thank you.
First Holy Communion
We pray for the children in our school and parish who are preparing to participate, for the first time, fully in the Eucharist later this term. May they come to love Jesus through this Sacrament as much as Jesus loves them.
Term Three Finishing Date – Friday 27th September
This term ends on Friday 27th September. If it’s anything like the last term the weeks are sure to fly by.
It was once said…
“The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” – Pierre de Coubertin
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal
While our students enjoyed a final sleep-in on Monday, our Staff joined with other Corpus Christi Schools to celebrate with a morning Mass. It was a beautiful way to reconnect with each other after the break and come together to bring in the new school term.
What followed was a day filled with professional learning, supported by Director Ross Fox and multiple leading experts in education.
Our Staff engaged in comprehensive sessions exploring the 8 Big Ideas – the foundation of Catalyst and a guidance for our ever-developing teaching ethos. Understanding these learnings continues to support our SCA teachers to refine their practice and make instructional decisions informed by evidence borne child psychology.
In conjunction with the Science of Learning and Science of Reading modules, the Staff revisited Student Safety and Wellbeing Policy. We revisited our school and classroom rules and will remind all members of the SCA community the importance of respectful relationships while inside the school and on the playgrounds. Each morning, all Staff will reiterate the learning environments and behavioural norms – reminding the students about our expectations, as visually displayed.
Our teachers have met in teams to put the final touches on planning what will be a term packed with exciting experiences such as Footsteps. Parents and guardians are encouraged to view your child’s progress at our upcoming 3 Way Conferences. Don’t forget to book your time through the COMPASS Portal. We hope you are as excited as we are to see what this term brings for the SCA community!
The Indonesian Embassy has a program in collaboration with universities in Indonesia to provide pre-service teacher students to help schools in Australia teach Bahasa Indonesia. We are again fortunate to have 2 teachers visiting from Indonesia this term. I am sure you will make welcome Keisha Rafa Anandhita and Hanifa Nuraini to St Clare of Assisi. They are both excited to be in Canberra and especially our school, working closely with Mrs Margo Smith, our Indonesian Teacher.
Jo Reed
Assistant Principal
This Sunday's Gospel is from the book of John, where Jesus feeds five thousand. Pope Francis draws our attention to the boy’s role in today’s Gospel passage. He ‘makes us think’, the Pope says. ‘His compassion moved him to offer what he had.’
There is no suggestion in the Gospel that the loaves and fish were forcibly taken from the boy. Rather, it is implied that they were his gift. An act of human charity is, therefore, a key element in Jesus’ miracle.
Another noteworthy factor is Jesus’ sense of priority. This episode, the Pope points out, ‘shows us again that Jesus is attentive to people’s primary needs’. This has implications for we who seek to follow him.
After all, the boy was discovered because Jesus prompted his disciples to think about how they could feed the crowd. As the Pope says, ‘the people were hungry and Jesus engaged his disciples so that this hunger could be satisfied.’
While Jesus offered the crowd much more than food – ‘his Word, his solace, his salvation, ultimately his life’ – he did not neglect their physical needs. ‘And we, his disciples, cannot ignore this’, the Pope affirms. We are called to follow the example of Jesus, his apostles, and the boy with a few loaves and fish. We must not turn our backs on the people or retreat from the world. We must face up to the reality we find – and do what we can. Adapted from Nick Brodie.
RE News
As shared via Compass last week, this Semester we welcome Mrs Susan Strickland into the REC position this semester. I congratulate Susan on this wonderful appointment and know she will bring many gifts to the role!
First Eucharist Parent Formation Evening
A reminder that our parish First Eucharist Parent Formation evenings are tonight (24/7 at 7pm) and tomorrow night (25/7 at 5:30pm) at Holy Family Church. This is a compulsory parent session, children are not required to attend. If you are unable to attend, please let Susan Strickland know so she can organise a makeup session.
Save the date – St Clare Feast Day Mass!
Friday 16th August (week 4) at 9:30am at Holy Family Church. All members of our community are welcome to attend.
Wishing you a wonderful Semester!
Kind regards
Rachel Kennedy and Susan Strickland
Religious Education Coordinators
Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at the 8.45 am Friday Morning Assembly.
| Year 2 | Nate D, Max G |
2024 TERM 3
| YEAR LEVEL | SPORTS DAYS - Sports Uniform to be worn on these days |
| Kinder | Monday & Thursdsay |
| Year 1 | Monday & Thursday |
| Year 2 | Monday & Friday |
| Year 3 | Monday & Wednesday |
| Year 4 | Monday & Wednesday |
| Year 5 | Monday & Thursday |
| Year 6 | Monday & Friday |
Our Landcare Nursery Project
We are very excited to see the Carex Appressa starting to grow! The Year 6 Community Leaders are doing a great job taking care of the seedlings.
ACT Container Deposit Scheme
At the end of last term, we met our target of 1000 recyclable 10c bottles and cans, with a total of 1173! A massive thank you to all students and families who helped reach our goal. We will continue collecting 10c bottles and cans this term. All money raised will be put towards sustainable projects at SCA.
This term our focus is setting up SCA Garden. A big thank you to Mr Dunn for building our beautiful garden beds.
SCA Community,
I am very excited to share with you this week's grade spotlight featuring OSHC
Regards,
Brooke Coles
Year One Classroom Teacher
Why not keep Warm this Winter - on Wheels!!!!
Come and try our SkateStars Classes - Australia's nationally accredited Learn2Skate program. Join us for a no fee trial session before committing to the term.
Term 3 commences Wednesday 24 July | Queanbeyan High | 5:15 - 6:00 Wednesdays | DM for more info | Skate hire available
Events - National Capital Roller Skating Club - revolutioniseSPORT
