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 have noticed many changes since I started teaching in country NSW. One change has affected family and school life more than might initially appear the case. I think it is fair to say that children nowadays look to be entertained, rather than look to entertain themselves.
Holiday resorts cater for families with entire programs to entertain the kids; tourist attractions plan holiday activities for peak times; and all blockbuster movies come out during school holidays.
I think many children go to school looking for the same thing; entertainment. In fact, one child told me yesterday he didn’t know he was at school to learn. (I hope he had his tongue firmly in cheek at the time.) Of course, the teachers at SCA are an entertaining bunch, but, they are rightly more interested in what the children are learning and doing.
The same could be said for going to Mass. I sometimes hear children lament that Mass is not entertaining!
Might I suggest that finding Mass to be not entertaining, could be a good thing. While watching a great TV show, or enjoying the fireworks, or while being engrossed in a spellbinding novel, it’s easy to be “taken away from it all”. Entertainment removes us from our daily reality.
Lent is a time in which we can reflect on and reassess what is important in our lives; to more deeply ground ourselves in our reality. By concentrating less on entertainment and just a little more on helping others and praying (at Mass or elsewhere) we give ourselves the opportunity to do just that.
My prayer for us in Lent is that we all find some small way of coming closer to God. After all, that’s just what God wants.
Coronavirus - Covid-19
To ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community, the following update is provided in relation to COVID-19 (previously referred to as Novel Coronavirus). This information has been provided by Catholic Schools NSW in consultation with NSW Departments of Education and Health. The following recommendations are to be followed in all ACT Catholic schools.
Effective 1 March 2020 the Federal Government has issued a travel ban on foreigners coming to Australia from Iran. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents coming from Iran will be allowed entry to Australia and from 1 March they are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days after departing Iran consistent with the restrictions for those entering from China. Additionally, Australians have been advised NOT to travel to Iran. The updated advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff is:
- Any student or staff member who has been in, or transited through, mainland China (not just Hubei province) or has been in Iran is excluded from work, school or child care services for 14 days from the date they left mainland China or Iran (as the COVID-19 incubation period can be as long as two weeks).
- Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.
- Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
- Students and staff who have returned to Australia from mainland China or Iran more than 14 days ago and have shown no symptoms are able to return to school.
How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- Practising good hand hygiene and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses:
- wash hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
- cover coughs and sneezes, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- and if unwell, avoid contact with others (touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact).
We’re all in this together
The school year has been underway for just over a month, and already a great number of parents have rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help around our school. Volunteers have supported the school at the Community Council, cooking at the Welcome BBQ, on the Fete Committee, in the Canteen, on the Parent Network, managing our pile of Lost Property, providing Care Meals, covering Library Books, and running our School Banking. I extend a sincere thanks to each one of these parents. Many hands make light work.
Swimming Carnival and Water Fun Day
Congratulations to all of the students who participated so enthusiastically during our Swimming Carnival. We were blessed with magnificent weather, matched only by the positive behaviour displayed by each and every child. A huge thanks must go out to all of the parent helpers who assisted on the day. Without your ongoing support these days would not be possible.
Progress Reports and Three Way Conferences
Progress Reports and 3 Way Conferences are coming up. Progress reports will be sent home on Wednesday 11th March and then 3 Way Conferences are scheduled for Week 2 of Term 2. Our school based Progress Reports and 3 Way Conferences provide you with ‘early year’ assessment and feedback on your child’s progress, social skills, work habits and effort which is not in the semester reports.
Who’s at the Front Door?
Most of us would expect visitors to our home to let us know they were there. It’s even more important here that we know at any given time who is in the school. For that reason, ALL visitors are expected to sign in at the front office before going to the classroom and sign out again when leaving. The extra few minutes it takes you helps us to ensure the safety of each child.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
We love your help
All volunteers at SCA (over the age of 16) are required to hold Working with Vulnerable People Registration (WWVP), which is obtained through the Office of Regulatory Services. Volunteering areas include:
- Sporting – coaches, managers, umpires, officials, other roles
- Tuckshop
- Classroom and Library assistance
- Excursion and Carnival assistance
- Other school sanctioned activities that involve the
Though the school will keep a copy, you are legally required to have your WWVP card on you when you are volunteering.
Registration is free for volunteers. Please click here to access the forms and further details.
We are always grateful for the generous support, assistance and work of our volunteers.
It was once said…
“I don’t care what people think of me. At least mosquitoes find me attractive." – unknown
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal
Be the Light
'Let Your Light Shine Before Others'
The second pillar of Lent is FASTING.
Fasting means we give something up to
make more space for what’s truly important—
our relationship with God and our neighbour.
We do this to help us recognise the
difference between wants and needs.
Choosing to live without something we
like reminds us that everything we have is
a gift from God. Another aspect of Lenten
fasting is not eating meat on Fridays.
DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT?
In the words of Pope Francis:
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Please donate to Project Compassion this year. If every family in our school contributed $1 each week towards Project Compassion in the next four weeks leading up to Easter, our school will raise over $1500 to help others in need – when we work together we can achieve a lot.
Class Mass this Friday 6th March
Year 4, in the multipurpose room of the Library starting at 9:30am.
Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at this Friday morning assembly.
| Kindergarten | Tahlia Armati, Lily Beasley, Evie Caldwell, Alex Corlis, Nelson Lemisio, Zaria Venables, Kiana Yaldren |
| Year 1 | Liam King, Harry Smolenaars |
| Year 2 | Fatima Lemisio, Jacob Oliver |
| Year 3 | Alex Jimenez Laparte |
| Year 4 | Siena Couto, William Gostelow, Oliver Morgan |
| Year 5 | Joel McNamara, Jacob Pakkiyaretnam |
| Year 6 | Ashton Redmond, Blake Shannon |
WEEK 6
Monday 9th March - Canberra Day Long Weekend NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 11th March - Book club closes
Friday 13th March - Netball registrations for Years 2- 6 close
WEEK 7
Friday 20th March - 2 Blue & 2 Green Assembly
WEEK 8
Wednesday 25th March - School Photo Day - please do not make any appointments on this day. Full school uniform to be worn.
Friday 27th March - Year 3 Assembly
WEEK 9
Friday 3rd April - Vision Prayer Assembly Year 6
WEEK 10
Thursday 9th April - Cross Country Carnival
Thursday 9th April - Holy Thursday
Thursday 9th April - Last day Term 1
Wednesday 25th March
Please do not make any appointments on this day as make up photos are not taken for absent children.
Full school uniform to be worn, no sports uniforms please.
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Individual photo envelopes were sent home with your child last week. The envelope has their name printed on them and the shoot key number. Please check your child/rens bags if you have not received them. The envelope is to be handed to the photographer on the day, it is NOT to be returned to the front office.
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Family/Sibling photos: A discount applies for families with 3 or more children. After purchasing individual packs for EACH child a Siblings Presentation pack of your choice will be free. Only children who present a Siblings Presentation order form to the photographer on Photo Day will have their family/siblings photo taken. Envelopes are available at the Front Office.
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For separated families if you contact MSP on 6255 9208 or email canberra.office@msp.com.au they will issue you with a shoot key and assist you with posting out photos.
Sign In/Sign Out for students:
- Signing students in and out will now be undertaken on the iPad in the front office.
- Students who arrive at school late, i.e. 9am or later are required to be signed in by a parent.
- Students who are collected by their parents during the day for appointments must be signed out/in at the Front Office before and after the appointment.
Sign In/Sign Out for parents:
- Parents visiting the school to assist are required to have a Working with Vulnerable People Card and also must sign in at Front Office and receive a Visitors Sticker. Below are instructions for the CE quick sign in app that can be downloaded onto your phone.
Keep banking for your chance to win!
Kumon invites children of all abilities to progress to their maximum potential and develop into enthusiastic and confident learners. Using manageable steps in the form of daily worksheets, Kumon promotes a study pattern that holds our students in good stead for later education. Call Jane today! 6292 3645.
