Dear SCA Families,

Community Council

Following our last meeting of the year, I wish to publicly thank the Community Council for the work they have done for our school, and their support of all that we do. It has been another busy year at SCA, and our Council, chaired by Kristy Everding, has been actively involved in so many ways. Thank you to each of the members: Kristy Everding, Fay Holden, Trudie Hargrave, Nicola Steenbergen, Sam Graham, Joel Socha, Jo Reed, Brooke Coles and Cheyenne Symmons.

Staff News

In recent weeks we have been able to confirm the following staff changes for 2025.

After providing valuable service, the following staff are leaving: Karen Snowball, Jo Reed, Crystal Wilkes, Jordan Wells, Emily Michell and Mel Laver

In farewelling Karen Snowball, I want to acknowledge her tremendous service as the face of our school for many years. It’s hard to imagine our school without Karen at its heart. She has been more than just the front office manager—Karen has been the go-to person for everything and everyone, always with a smile, wise advice, and the kind of patience most of us can only dream of.

Jo Reed leaves SCA to take up the role of Principal at St John the Apostle in Florey. In her two years at SCA, Jo has worked tirelessly and with great passion to enhance the quality of everything we do. Always striving for excellence, Jo has also gone above and beyond to help others reach their best. We wish Jo every success as she embarks on this exciting new phase of her life.

Crystal Wilkes has been with us for a short time, during which she has demonstrated her passion and commitment to being the best teacher for the children in her care. There is no doubt that her students have benefited from her dedication to ensuring everyone learns. Crystal’s strong faith will guide her as she steps into a leadership role in the RE team at St Mary MacKillop College next year.

Although Jordan Wells has only been with us for a year, he has quickly endeared himself to students and staff alike. Jordan’s boundless energy and positive attitude have made a significant contribution to the Year Six team this year. Jordan will certainly be missed as he heads off in search of warmer climates.

Emily Michell has approached her first year of teaching with enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to learn. We are grateful for Emily’s contributions, particularly in Year 4, and we wish her all the best as she pursues opportunities to teach closer to home.

Although Mel Laver has only been with us for a short time, she brings over a decade of teaching experience to the classroom. We deeply appreciate the time and effort Mel has dedicated to Year Six. Her confident classroom management and ability to keep students on track have been greatly valued. We thank Mel for her contributions to our school and wish her all the best for the future.

I am very grateful to each of these staff members for their contributions to SCA. Each of them has enriched our school community. As a school we will farewell them at an assembly next week.

Meet the Teacher

Teacher placements for 2025 are being finalised. We will have our Meet the Teacher next Thursday afternoon, 12^th December, where children will be notified of their teacher where possible.

It is important to remember that in life, there are always going to be times when we have to work and communicate with people whom we may not always get along with so well. School is about learning for life, and it is here that we also learn how to get on with others and negotiate experiences that are sometimes difficult. When this learning takes place, our children become more resilient, stronger people, and gain skills that will support them through life.

I ask you to understand that following next week, changes will not be made to classes for 2025. If your child is feeling a little unsettled about their class placement and the year ahead, as parents you have the important role of being positive in reassuring them that making new friends and working with new teachers is an exciting experience and although it may be different to begin with, they will soon settle in for a good year.

Next Thursday

Please join us in our Hall on Thursday 12th December at 11.40am as we celebrate Mass to give thanks for all the blessings this year has brought.

Endings to Beginnings

Students finish this school year on Monday 16^th December, and start in 2025 on Tuesday 4^th February. (Staff officially resume on Thursday 30^th January.)

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Please do all you can to support this appeal. It is a real and meaningful way to help fellow Canberrans who are doing it tough this Christmas. Please be generous.

Reports

Reports will be made available via Compass on Next Wednesday (11^th December).

It is important to remember that a school report is not the definitive measure of your child’s abilities. It is only one measure amid a wide range of opportunities, experiences and activities. Setting a pattern of constructive support should help make report time a productive and positive experience that will help your child make progress at school. A few tips:

• Find the positive aspects of the report and praise your child;
• Take into consideration that the A-E grading scale is very different to the one you would have experienced;
• Discuss what your child found difficult. Look at work habits, homework routines, diet, sleep patterns, etc; and
• Discuss how things could be improved. Offer some constructive/criticism and attainable goals for next year.

Special thanks to the teachers for the many hours of work outside school time that go into marking assessments, preparing, editing and finalising the written reports.

January Holidays

Our fantastic Outside of School Hours (OSHC) team run an engaging and fun holiday program for SCA children during January. Please contact Pam (OSHC Director) or our front office for further details.

It was once said…

Christmas means not just hope for the world, despite all its unending problems, but hope for you and me, despite all our unending failings. – Tim Keller

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

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

As we enter the second week of Advent, we focus on John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and announced His coming. The message from Isaiah, "Prepare a way for the Lord," reminds us that preparation involves more than just anticipating Jesus' birth—it calls us to prepare our hearts. John the Baptist preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins, showing that true preparation begins with recognising our faults and seeking God’s forgiveness.

This Advent, as we reflect on the theme of peace, we are reminded that peace comes when we remove the obstacles in our hearts that prevent us from receiving God’s love. By clearing these barriers, we open ourselves to God’s grace and make space for true peace in our lives. Let us prepare a way for the Lord by embracing repentance and allowing His love to fill our hearts. 

Important dates and reminders:

Sacrament of Reconciliation Celebrations

Year 4 students will be celebrating their Sacrament of Reconciliation Second Rite Liturgies tonight. Please keep these students and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this special time.

St Vincent de Paul's Christmas Appeal - Splash of Christmas cheer - This FRIDAY! 

As part of this appeal, we would like to add a splash of Christmas cheer (such as reindeer ears or a Santa hat) to our Kindergarten Christmas concert. We invite students to wear a splash of Christmas cheer with their regular school uniform this Friday, 6th December.

Farewell Masses for Fr James 

Our parish will hold farewell masses for Fr James over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of December. All are welcome to attend these Masses and pass on their thanks and farewell messages. Light refreshments will be served after each Mass.

Christmas Masses 2024 at Corpus Christi Parish Tuggeranong South  

Tuesday 24 December 
Christmas Eve

6 pm outside at St Francis of Assisi School grounds.

(bring a chair or rug to sit on)

9 pm Holy Family Church Gowrie

Carols begin at 11.30 pm

Wednesday 25 December 

Christmas Day

Midnight Holy Family Church Gowrie

8 am Holy Family Church Gowrie

10 am Holy Family Church Gowrie

This week White Cards will be presented on Friday Morning Assembly at 8.45am. Congratulations to the following children.

The last day the Canteen will be open for 2024 is

Thursday 12th December.

As the school year comes to a close, we’d like to remind all Year 6 parents and families of students leaving St Clare of Assisi at the end of 2024 to download or print your child/ren’s school reports for your records.

Please note that after the cut-off date of 20th December, your access to the school Compass portal will no longer be able to retrieve school reports.

We encourage you to take a moment now to ensure you have copies of these important documents for your reference.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we wish your family all the best as you transition into the next chapter of your educational journey.

St Clare of Assisi took part in this year's Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program Project Team by hosting Estella, Dhiyaa & Zahra, Ilham, Nina, and Indi as intern candidates. They have been delivering Angklung and Wayang lessons in our SCA classes. Host organisations play a vital role in AIYEP’s mission to create stronger people-to-people and professional connections between Australia and Indonesia. 

We thank the interns for providing such fantastic learning opportunities to learn about Indonesian culture.