Dear SCA families,

Walkathon

The Walkathon was a great way to finish the term. There were plenty of smiling faces on the walkers (and players at lunch time). We were blessed, not only with beautiful early Spring weather, but a good number of helpers (parents, grandparents and staff). Thanks to everyone who was involved for making the day a success. Special thanks to Mrs Katherine Austin and her staff committee for all the organisation that took place before the big day.

Thanks also to you each of you for helping the children to collect sponsorship. So that we can finalise the Walkathon, and confirm how much was raised, please ensure all donations are sent into school by this Friday (18^th October.)

Welcome

We welcome Paul (2 Red), Alexis (3 Red) and Atidaishe (4 Green) and their families to our school this term. We hope they soon feel very much a part of the SCA community.

It’s also great to have Mrs Jo Thomson and Mrs Sophie Burgess back from maternity leave.

Staffing

While Ms Val Ciuffetelli is on leave for the first four weeks of this term, Mrs Karen Haines will be stepping into the role of Acting Assistant Principal (AP) and Mrs Kristy Everding will be stepping into the role of Acting Religious Education Coordinator (REC).

Fees

Thank you to all who are up to date with school fee payments. For those who have let them slide, we would appreciate payment for previous terms by the end of this week please.

Netball Carnival

Best wishes to the children participating this weekend in the Archdiocesan Catholic School Netball Carnival. I know they will represent their school proudly. Thanks in advance to the staff and parents who are supporting the kids.

Carpark

Please remember to be patient and considerate of others when driving in the car parks. School carparks are notoriously dangerous and ALL PARENTS are asked to be patient and alert. If you are in a hurry, collect your children early, or wait until after 3.15pm when the carpark is less congested.

Please, don’t be selfish, TURN LEFT when exiting the school entrance as this keeps the traffic flowing.

Absences from school

It is a legal requirement that all absences are explained. Please notify the school of your child’s absence by either: Using the App; Calling the Front Office; Emailing the Front Office at sca@cg.catholic.edu.au indicating your child’s name, class, reason for absence and date; or, Sending a note to the classroom teacher indicating date and reason for absence.

2020 Class Groupings

Teachers will shortly commence planning class groupings for 2020 and will consider the following:

• gender balance;
• learning styles;
• learning difficulties;
• enrichment needs;
• work habits;
• social needs;
• health considerations;
• emotional needs;
• behaviour considerations and
• other relevant issues.

The usual practice for this process at SCA is to NOT seek parent assistance or any form of request.

I would like to make the following points:

• We aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics in every class;
• Every care will be taken to ensure that your child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development;
• Part of life is having to deal with people and situations we may not like. We need to build resilience in children, so they can face the reality of life;
• Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Learning Support Teacher, Chaplain, previous teachers, School Counsellor, etc during this process;
• Teachers should already be aware of any issues you have;
• Teachers have the main responsibility for placing their current students in the most appropriate class for next year;
• All staff will examine the draft lists to highlight any concerns; and
• As Principal, I will make the final decision on all class placements.
• Students will be informed of their class placement for 2020 late this term and the opportunity will be provided for them to spend some time with their new class teacher. Class lists will not be sent home or displayed. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on matthewer@cg.catholic.edu.au or make an appointment through the Front Office.

End of Year Events – Please note them in your diary now

• Parish Christmas Carols – Saturday 7 December at 7.00pm
• Community Helpers Thank You BBQ – Tuesday 10 December at 5.30pm
• Semester Two Awards Assembly – Wednesday 11 December at 2.00pm
• End of Year Thanksgiving Mass – Friday 13 December at 9.30am
• Kinder Christmas Concert – Monday 16 December at 12.15pm
• Year 6 Graduation – Tuesday 17 December at 5.30pm
• Term Four Ends – Thursday 19 December (at 3.00pm)

It was once said…

“My kids laugh because they think I’m crazy. I laugh because they don’t know it’s hereditary.” ~ unknown

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

Be the Light of… Leadership

Vision, Creativity, Innovation, Direction

RECONCILIATION REMINDERS

Reconciliation Commitment Masses (attend one)

Saturday 19 October 6pm

Sunday 20 October 10am

Saturday 26 October 6pm

Sunday 27 October 10am

Reconciliation Parent Formation Night

Thursday 31 October 7:30pm

Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat Day

Tuesday 5 November

Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Thursday 28 November 6:30pm

THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY

During the month of October, SCA students and staff will be praying the Rosary. October is dedicated as the Month of the Rosary because we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary each year on October 7. The word "rosary" originally meant "crown of roses," which is a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

A person who says a Rosary usually thinks about certain events from the Bible. Each day has a traditional list of these events, called "Mysteries of the Rosary". A rosary is a string of beads divided into five groups of 10 beads by one bead, with a strand of five beads and a crucifix that hang from the bottom of the necklace. Each bead has prayers that go along with it. Catholics begin by holding the crucifix and silently praying the Apostle's Creed, then moving onto the bead above the crucifix to say an Our Father.

No Class Mass this Friday 18^th October

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at this Friday's assembly.

WEEK 2 (21^st – 25^th October)

22^nd October Tuesday – Year 2 Excursion – Namadgi National Park Yankee Hat Trail

25^th October Friday – Boorowa Touch & Netball Carnival

WEEK 3  (28^th October – 1^st November)

30^th October Wednesday – Little Athletics Clinic (Kinder / Year 1 / Year 2)

31^st October Thursday - Little Athletics Clinic (Kinder / Year 1 / Year 2)

1^st November Friday – St Clare’s College Year 7 Orientation

1^st November Friday – Walkathon Silly Sock Day

WEEK 4  (4^th – 8^th November)

4^th November Monday – Kindergarten Excursion

5^th November Tuesday – Year 1 Excursion to Lanyon Homestead (1G and 1Y)

7^th November Thursday – Kinder Year 1 AFL Clinic

WEEK 5  (11^th November – 15^th November)

12^th November Tuesday – Year 1 Excursion to Lanyon Homestead (1B and 1R)

14^th November Thursday – Kinder Year 1 AFL Clinic

15^th November Friday – Purple Happy Day

WEEK 6 (18^th November – 22^nd November)

19^th November Tuesday – Year 6 Asian showcase

21^st November Thursday – Kinder Year 1 AFL Clinic

WEEK 7  (25^th November – 29^th November)

26^th November Tuesday – 2020 Kindergarten orientation (SESSION 1)

28^th November Thursday – Kinder Year 1 AFL Clinic

28^th November Thursday – Year 3 Excursion National Zoo and Aquarium

WEEK 8  (2^nd December – 6^th December)

5^th December Thursday – 2020 Kindergarten Orientation – SESSION 2

WEEK 9  (9^th December – 13^th December)

10^th December Tuesday – Thankyou BBQ

11^th December Wednesday – Semester 2 Awards

13^th December Friday – Semester Reports Go Home

13^th December Friday – Thanksgiving Mass and Handover Ceremony

WEEK 10 (16^th November – 19^th December)

16^th December Monday – Kindergarten Concert

17^th December Tuesday – Year 6 Graduation

18^th December Wednesday – Farewell Assembly

19^th December Thursday - Year 6 Big Day Out

19^th December Thursday - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

We welcome Ratindi & Reiwind who are part of the Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP). AIYEP is a one of a kind, highly successful program. Eighteen young Indonesians spend two months in Australia undertaking work placements, homestays, and visits to local schools and communities.

Make sure to say hello if you see them. They are assiting Ibu Smith with the Indonesian classes.

FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER

Book Club Orders Close

Do you have any unwanted and unopened Woolworth discovery plants?

We would love your donations to support our school fete.

Your donations will help to create a great plant stall at the 2020 school fete!

Please donate to the Front Office.

We are writing to you to let you know about the free Canberra Health Services Children’s Asthma Education Service that is available to students who have asthma.

Asthma affects 1 in 10 children. Students with asthma have been found to be generally less active than their non-asthmatic peers and have an increase in school absenteeism. Asthma education for children and adolescents improves lung function and feelings of self-control, reduce absenteeism from school, number of days with restricted activity, number of visits to an emergency department, and possibly number of disturbed nights. 

The Children’s Asthma Education Service is available to all children in the ACT and surrounds up to the age of 18. Providing children, young people and their families with initial and continuing support to manage their asthma by Registered Nurse asthma educators. 

This includes helping:

• Children, young people and families understand asthma, asthma first aid, how asthma medications work, and when to use them
• Families manage wheezing in the first years of life
• Primary school aged children with symptom recognition and increasing independence
• Teenagers self-manage support and device options.

If you feel your child would benefit from receiving asthma education, please  call the Community Health Intake line on 5124 9977 to make an appointment. Also attached is our service poster. 

If you would like any further information about our service, please visit:

https://www.health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/women-youth-and-children/children-and-youth/childrens-asthma-education