Dear SCA Families,

Do it Here!

When voting on Saturday, you can do it this election at our very own school.

Come along to get an egg and bacon roll for brekky, or a sausage sandwich (democracy sausage) later in the morning and into lunch time.

If you are able to help, especially if you haven’t already volunteered this year, for an hour, please let the front office know (sca@cg.catholic.edu.au).

What Sways Your Vote

If education is a consideration when you vote, you may find the following useful. The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has a page on its site with a brief outline of the issues and some links for more detailed information.

If you have children in a school, this is of concern to you as a parent, tax payer and voter.

https://www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/news-events/2019-federal-election

Mothers’ Day Celebrations

Special thanks to Kate Blenkin, Karen Snowball, Val Ciuffetelli and the many volunteers (parents and staff) who assisted with the Mother’s Day Breakfast last Friday. It was another very successful event with over 250 people catered for.

As always, it you would like to share some feedback about an event, please contact us at school via email, telephone or a face-to-face meeting.

Athletics Carnival

We are looking forward to a great day this Friday. Spectators are always welcome.

We still need more helpers to ensure the day runs smoothly. If you can help, please contact the office by phone or email. Thanks.

Break In at School

I arrived at school on Tuesday to find the school had been broken into. Only the front office was affected, and in the end very little was stolen. Doors, locks and walls were damaged, but we have quickly ensured the school is once again secure.

If you hear of anything that might help us to identify the culprits, please let me know.

Master Planning

Last term a full building, grounds and services survey was completed at the school. When we receive this documentation (hopefully shortly) I will meet with an architect to begin the process for a new master plan for the school and grounds. This process will include parental and staff input.

This is an important first step before we undertake any plans for improving the school. Though we wish to begin improvements to the area outside OSHC and the Infants playground, it is important we do this as part of a bigger picture of school improvement and management.

2020 Enrolments Closing Soon

A reminder to parents that the Catholic schools’ enrolment period closes soon. If you have a younger child who is commencing school in 2020, or have friends at preschool and childcare who are interested in enrolling at St Clare of Assisi, please let them know.

It’s Not Just a Carpark

If you park on the top bitumen area (near OSHC) of an afternoon, please remember that this area is often used for after school netball training. Especially on Wednesdays, please remove your car from this area as soon as possible.

School Uniform

All students should now be in correct school, winter uniform. This means correct shoes, ties, etc. A reminder note will be sent home for students who are continually disregarding school policy.

Scarves, Coats & Beanies

The cooler weather recently has seen the welcome emergence of scarves, coats and beanies. Please remember that these items should be navy blue. Please ensure these items are clearly marked with your child’s name.

Are They Really Well Enough

It’s that time of year when children and adults alike succumb to various illnesses. Though we encourage children to be at school, we know that most will have need for the occasional sick day during their schooling.

Please, if your child is not well, do not send them to school. If they are not feeling well, they won’t be at their best to learn and they could very likely be sharing their illness with other students and staff.

If your child is suffering from symptoms like a severe cold (fast breathing, fever, cough, blocked nose, chills, loss of appetite, vomiting) please see your doctor immediately. We have received one report of a child at SCA with pneumonia. Please also be aware that this is the flu season, and it can have some of the same symptoms.

2019 Key Improvement Goals

In last week’s newsletter we reminded you of our four Key Goals for school improvement for 2019. Elsewhere in this week’s newsletter is a short update on the first of these; communication.

It was once said…

It should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank accounts, that drives our democracy.” – Barack Obama

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

• Year one excursion note
• Invitation to Year four blue and four green parents to Mass
• Year six visit by Menslink and school Counsellor talk

If you think you have missed a note:

• open sZapp (the new app), 
• select Feed (the middle tab),
• all notes will appear in date order.

2019 Improvement Plan Update

One of our improvement goals for 2019 is to Communicate Effectively. In trying to do so, we identified three target areas:

1. Ensure all members of the school community are aware of all events in a timely manner.
2. Inform staff and parents of 2018 improvement plan and provide regular updates.
3. Communicate in a consistent and expected manner. 

With more than half the year to go, we still have plans for further improvements. However, so far this year we have:

• Updated and modernised our school website so that it is to be more user friendly, informative and appealing to current and prospective families.
• Used the newsletter to promote use of the school’s Google Calendar amongst staff and families.
• Every Wednesday, published a newsletter that includes upcoming events.
• Tried to ensure all events are added to the calendar in a timely manner, usually at least a term in advance.
• Connected the online calendar to our website and our new app.
• Published a weekly, student (Year 6) produced on-line SCA News.
• Used of Facebook to celebrate and promote the school.
• Discussed the Improvement Plan at each Community Council meeting.
• Published the school Improvement Plan in the newsletter.
• Introduced a new school app to provide more efficient and reliable two-way communication between the school and parents.
• Sent a letter (via old-fashioned snail mail) to inform parents of these updates.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of our improvement plan, please don’t hesitate to email, call, or arrange a time for a meeting.

Due to the Athletics carnival this Friday, there will be no school banking, it will resume on Friday 24 May. Don’t forget to make a deposit through school banking during term 2 to go into the draw to win, 2 prizes will be given away!

A huge thank you to all the wonderful people who organised, cooked and welcomed our wonderful mums, carers and grandmas to breakfast on Friday morning.

NO LUNCH ORDERS FRIDAY 17 MAY 

At the Athletics Carnival the Canteen will be selling:

Hot Dogs, Drinks, Chips, Lollies, Tea & Coffee

Netball 11 May

Player of the Week and Match Reports

Speckles – Grace Weir and Ashlee Young

Little Skittles – Matilda Franklin

Smarties – Mackenzie Farrell

Squiggles – Sisifa Tofauipangai

Smiggles – Chloe Myers

Stars – Ayla Chick

Swifts – Chelsea Moore

Sunshines – Aluel Aleer

Skittles – Phoebe Vassallo and Charlotte Izzard

Sparkles – Shelby Connellan

Smurfs – Alison Boyle

Smarties Match Report

The Smarties are having a great start to the season, we played a tough game on Saturday up against Holy Family Cherry Ripes. We have worked hard on our defence and big strong passes. Over the next few weeks we hope to work further on our quick passes and spreading out down the court.

This is the Smarties second season playing netball and the girls have come a long way from their first season last year. The Smarties always show great sportsmanship and work well as a team. It is a pleasure to coach the girls and we look forward to a remainder of the season.

Squiggles Match Report

The Squiggles versed the Hurricanes on Saturday. The game was fast and furious with rapid passes and interceptions from both teams.The Squiggles players enjoyed owning their positions, and were awesome in their defence. By the last quarter both teams were tiring, but the Squiggles maintained an active defence.

The Squiggles team show improvement in each and every game they play. The Squiggles consistently demonstrate a positive attitude and support to the team and team members.

Ruby is doing it for cancer...

Hi my name is Ruby and I'm doing it for cancer!

I'm challenging myself to cut 30 centimetres off my hair on the 20th of May, to support Cancer Council in their mission for a cancer free future.

Because 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, I'm losing my locks to raise funds and show my support.

As a community funded organisation, every dollar raised will help Cancer Council continue to fund critical research, develop prevention programs, and provide information and support to all those affected by cancer. My hair will go towards making a wig for a cancer patient.

Please sponsor me to support to cancer research and provide vital services for Australians living with cancer.

Please go on the link below:

https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/rubykisiel/ruby-is-doing-it-for-cancer

Thank you for your generous support! Together, we can free the future from cancer .

Love, Ruby Kisiel