Dear SCA families,

We are rapidly nearing the end of a term like no other. I wish to congratulate the staff and children for keeping the learning flowing during such an unsettled time.

Undoubtedly there will be further changes to our operations next term, and we will do our best to keep you informed in as timely a manner as possible. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at the school for clarification or support.

I remind you that we will send home Semester 1 reports on the first day of next term. This is later than usual to allow our teachers maximum time to assess the students and prepare the reports.

Welcome

We warmly welcome Sienna (5 Green) and her family to SCA this week.

Parent Teacher Interviews

You will find information regarding parent teacher interviews below.

Though community restrictions are easing, we have taken a cautious, safety first approach in planning for Zoom meetings, rather than face-to-face. This will enable our teachers to focus on feedback and goal setting, and not have to worry about social distancing, sanitising meeting spaces between families, recording of attendees and spacing out interviews to limit adults on site.

If you have any difficulties with the booking system, please contact us for assistance.

Teachers are hoping to meet with parents/carers of every child. If you are unable to meet (virtually) with your child’s teacher at the set times, please contact them directly to make alternative arrangements.

Afternoon Pick-Up

Thank you for supporting us with the changed afternoon pick-up arrangements.

Just a reminder that Year 3 -6 parents are asked to arrive for collection after 3.00pm. (Unless they have a sibling in a K-2 class.) K-2 students may be collected between 2.50 and 3.15pm.

Semester Awards

Next Wednesday (1 July) we will hold our Semester 1 Awards Ceremony at which we recognise the efforts of students during this semester. These awards recognise achievement, school spirit, commitment to improvement and consistency of effort. Within each class there are four distinct awards that can be received by students:

• School Spirit - awarded to students who always: display manners and show respect to others; obey class and school rules; have a positive attitude towards school; willingly volunteer for extra duties; and try to do their best on most occasions.
• Academic Achievement - for exceptional achievement across all or specific areas of the curriculum.
• Effort - commitment to learning through excellent work habits and behaviour, and completing homework and set tasks to the best of their ability.
• Most Improved – for commitment to improving across all or specific areas of the curriculum.

Unfortunately parents will not be present. I am disappointed we can’t include our parents, as the sight of close to 200 parents joining us at the back of the Hall is a great one. We are looking at options of recording the presentation so that we can share it with you. More details will be provided next week.

2020 Fete

We are excited to be going ahead with planning for our annual Twilight Fete, to be held on Friday 20 November. If this year has proven anything, it’s that we can’t guarantee it will go ahead. However, we are hopeful and aim to be ready.

Please put the date in your calendar and keep an eye out for ways in which you can help leading up to the big day.

It was once said…

“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” –Ann Landers 

Blessings to you and your family. Take care and go gently.

Principal

Using Zoom for Three-Way Conferences

Due to the current restrictions, we have made the difficult decision to move away from face to face sessions to using Zoom for our Three-Way Conferences. This decision has been made in the interests of health and safety for both the parents and staff, while also allowing for more flexibility with parents who find it difficult to attend in person due to work commitments.

For this week, please click on the link below and choose a time to meet with your child's teacher.

• Instructions on how to book a conference

• Link to book your parent teacher interview. 

https://stclareconder.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/8

Information on how to access the Zoom Three Way Conferences will be sent next week. Please contact your teacher if you have any concerns.

Be the Light 

'Let Your Light Shine Before Others'

At the start of 2020 we welcomed Thomas Seselija to our SCA Community. Tommy is our Youth Minister who is assisting the staff in providing opportunities for the students to strengthen their faith and relationship with God.

Here is an update on what Tommy has been up to, after the return from remote learning-

During this term we celebrated Pentecost, when Jesus sent the disciples out to the world to spread the Good News. The year 6 Faith Leaders have taken on that task with enthusiasm and energy this term, enjoying every moment of being back at school. Every Thursday morning, we meet to plan out how we can be the light to the world at St Clare’s and beyond. I provide a bit of a teaching, and we discuss the importance of faith in our lives. For the past few weeks, the seventeen faith students have taken turns assisting me in running prayer liturgies for all the other year levels. Year 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 have all had their liturgies so far. The Faith Leaders were really helpful in helping the other students understand the Wedding at Cana, the story of Samuel, the Baptism of Jesus, the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

For the rest of the term, the Faith Team will help out Vinnies with their Winter Appeal by collecting winter items donated by our school community and running some more liturgies for the school.

Thank you for the generous donations that many of our families have donated already. Please continue to bring in the following items until the end of the term.

❏ Beanies

❏ Gloves/Mittens

❏ Scarves

❏ Jumpers/Jackets

❏ Socks

❏ Sleeping bags

❏ Blankets

❏ Toiletry bags (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo etc)

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards this week.