Dear SCA families,

As we rapidly approach the end of a truly unique year, I find it amazing to reflect on some of the many activities our wonderful staff provide for the children.

I thank the outstanding staff who have work effectively and purposefully with your children this year. Teachers, office and support staff have all combined well to keep the school running smoothly, even with 560 energetic and vibrant children spending their active hours here through the year. The challenges of 2020 have gone beyond the usual, and the staff, with the support of parents, have risen to the challenges. On your behalf, I thank each of them for their efforts throughout the year. The staff here work well as a team, and I am proud to work with them.

It is a tremendous trust that parents place in the school when you send your children here. The partnership between school and parents has a telling impact on the quality of education of any school. I thank the many parents who continue to offer wonderful support to the school’s endeavours. Even in this COVID year, there were many parents who assisted in a variety of ways. I particularly thank the School Community Council. On behalf of all the parents, this group works tirelessly and effectively all year. Thank you. We look forward to working with you again next year.

Staff News

In recent weeks we have been able to confirm the following staff changes for 2021.

The following staff are leaving, or have left, after having finished their contract or moving out of Canberra: Anita Ramirez, Christine Roos, Jeremy Stevens, Emma Delmenico, Amanda Ducker, Vanessa Dunn and Renee Reid.

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 Thursday afternoon.

The following staff are joining (or re-joining) us: Laura Adams, Kayla Murray, Helen Hamilton, Brigitte Sutcliff, Jessica Curtis and Leanne Lowe.
We look forward to welcoming them (or welcoming back) to our SCA family.

Meet the Teacher

Teacher placements for 2021 are being finalised. We will have our Meet the Teacher next Thursday afternoon, 17^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, the children become resilient, stronger people and gain skills that will support them through life.

I ask you to understand that it is changes will not be made to classes for 2021. 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.

2021 Fees

Attached to this newsletter is a two-page letter outlining the school fees for 2021. We encourage all families to use direct debit as the preferred method of payment. If you would like help to set up a regular payment, please feel free to contact Jo McCarthy in the Front Office.

Systemic Fees

In 2021 if you have a child here at St Clare of Assisi and an older sibling in a systemic secondary school, (Merici College, St Clare’s College, St Francis Xavier College and St Mary Mackillop Catholic College) please ensure you have filled out the Systemic Fees form which has been in the last few newsletters, another link is below.  To date, there are many forms oustanding.

This form must be returned by Monday 15th December 2020 to ensure your fees are billed correctly in 2021. A $10 admin fee will be applied for any late returns. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this.

COVID and End of Year Events

It’s great to see restrictions easing across the country, and we are so hopeful that, for next year, we will be able to welcome parents back fully into the school. For the rest of this term, however, we are still following the latest guidelines from ACT Health for schools.

For some of our end of year events we are inviting parents to attend (Kinder Concert and Year 6 Graduation). Although we are now allowed 1 adult per 2 square metres, we are still required to provide spacing of 1.5m between each adult. This factor, once a group of students is in the Hall, means we still must limit the number of visitors.

For those  attending the Kinder Concert or Year 6 Graduation, please only do so if you are well, showing no cold symptoms, and are ready to sign in using the Check in Canberra App.

If you would like more details, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Semester Two Reports

Reports will be sent home on Friday (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 unpaid hours of work outside school time that go into marking assessments, preparing, editing and finalising the written reports.

It was once said…

“I can’t dance to save my life. But the moment I step in dog poop I can moonwalk better than Michael Jackson.' ~ An unattributed quote shown to me by my daughter after watching me (try to) dance!

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

Dear Parents,

WILL YOU HAVE A CHILD AT ST CLARE OF ASSISI PRIMARY IN 2021 AND AN OLDER SIBLING IN A SYSTEMIC SECONDARY SCHOOL?

The systemic school system includes Merici College, St Clare’s College, St Francis Xavier College and St Mary Mackillop Catholic College.

It does not  include Marist, Daramalan or St Edmunds.

If so, this form must be returned by Monday 15th December 2020 to ensure your fees are billed correctly in 2021.

A $10 admin fee will be applied for any late returns.

https://stclareconder.schoolzineplus.com/form/88

Be the Light 

'Let Your Light Shine Before Others'

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

 The last day the Canteen will be open for 2020 is

Wednesday 16th December.

NO CANTEEN on 17th and 18th December, it is closed for end of year cleaning.

Drawing to the close of the school year some stock may be unavailable and substitutes may have to be made.

Thank you for your support!

Thank you to Anne Scollen and her fabulous band of parent helpers who washed and sorted out the Extravaganza Costumes.

This was a mammoth undertaking as many costumes required hand washing.

Your assistance, yet again, was greatly appreciated. 

Mrs Austin has kindly asked:

Where did 2020 go?

To those families that have borrowed books from me, just a reminder to drop them into the front office when you can. If you require them for a little longer please just let me know.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Chirstmas!

Looking forward to seeing you all next year.

Karen Snowball

Christmas Masses

Corpus Christi Parish will be celebrating seven Christmas Masses this year. It is essential that you book into the mass you would like to attend, as the parish needs to maintain accurate records for Covid tracing. Please refer to the following information. The parish is asking for volunteers in a variety of simple roles to assist with the Christmas masses. Please contact the parish directly if you are able to help.

CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH
Christmas Masses
Sacred Heart Church, Calwell (SHC)
&
Holy Family Church, Gowrie (HFC)

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ALL MASSES and will be open from

30 Nov - 23 Dec

https://corpus-christi-parish-gowrie-christmas-masses.eventbrite.com.au

Christmas Eve - 6pm outside SHC
- 6pm outside HFC
- 9pm HFC
- Midnight HFC
Christmas Day - 8am HFC
- 10am outside HFC
- 10am outside SHC
Christmas Mass online will be available from 6pm Christmas Eve at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAdf8aNPK5Vczl0GPLHixw

We are following current restrictions from ACT Government, which allow 500 people outside
and 120 inside. By using the booking system for Christmas Masses, it will help us to comply
with these restrictions and it will avoid the need to turn people away.

In the event of a change in restrictions or inclement weather at Christmas, we will advise revised arrangements as early as possible.
We will require a lot of assistance from our parish community to make all these Masses possible.

Please email or phone the Parish Office to volunteer for any of these roles and also advise which Mass you would like to attend:

*Assist with set up and/or pack up

*Attendance usher

*Acolyte / Senior Server

*Altar Server

*Collection point attendant

*Eucharistic Minister

*Music

*Reader

HAPPY BANKING!!

Last day of banking for the year will be Friday 18th December, 2020.