Dear SCA families,

4 years ago, at the Australian War Memorial on ANZAC Day, I had the privilege of listening to Curtis McGrath deliver an address at the Dawn Service. Curtis is an Australian para-canoeist who took up canoeing competitively after having both legs amputated as a result of a mine blast whilst serving in the Australian Army in Afghanistan.

He spoke with passion about the way in which soldiers support each other, especially in times of hardship and significant injury. Having myself walked the Kokoda Track, I took note when, early in his address, Curtis said, “Seventy-five years ago, Australia braced for impact, from the ever-encroaching conflict of World War II, as it made its way south through the Pacific. At a desperate low in the Kokoda campaign, stretcher-bearers lugged wounded Australian soldiers for days through strangling, unyielding jungle to reach medical help.”

Curtis is a person who has shown great strength in himself recovering from horrific injury, However, as he said, “Self-reliance matters, but it's not nearly enough”.

“On this Anzac Day, we look back on over a century of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. We honour those who have died and suffered through the old and the new wars. And we thank them for all they have engrained in our nation's heart and way of life.

And, may we as a nation continue to provide those men and women who have served us with the care they need. Dedicated, unhesitating, service, to our fighting force.”

During this season of Easter may we focus on the needs of others. As Curtis spoke about, and Jesus taught, serving others is a sure way to ensure the world becomes a better place.

God of peace you call us to peace,

Peace within and peace without

Peace before us and peace behind us

Peace on our right and peace on our left.

Christ of Peace you call us to peace,

Peace with our brother and with our sister,

Peace with our neighbour and with the stranger

Peace with friends and with foes

Spirit of peace you call us to peace,

Peace in work and in play

Peace in thought and in deed

Peace in word and action

Grant us peace, O God of peace. 

Welcome to New Students

We offer a very warm, SCA g’day to Nicholas L (KG),  Oliver D (2R), Jackson W (3G)  who all started at St Clare’s yesterday. We welcome our new students and their families to our SCA family.

Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms! 

Death Cap mushrooms are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms and can be currently be found across the Canberra region. In Canberra, Death Cap mushrooms often grow near established oak trees in mild, moist weather.

Parents are asked to remind children not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms. 

As the Death Cap mushroom can easily be confused with edible varieties, adults are also strongly advised not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms. It is difficult, even for experienced collectors, to tell the difference between the Death Cap mushroom and edible wild mushrooms. 

All parts of the Death Cap mushroom are poisonous and eating part of a mushroom can be fatal.  Cooking the Death Cap mushroom does not make it safe.

If you believe you have spotted a Death Cap mushroom, do not touch the mushroom with your bare skin. If it is in your own yard, the best option is to leave it be and make sure others stay away from the area. The mushroom will die in a few days. 

If you believe you have spotted a Death Cap mushroom growing in a public area, please contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81. 

For further information on Death Cap mushrooms, download the fact sheet online at http://www.health.act.gov.au/datapublications/fact-sheets/environmental-health.

Enrolments - Open Days

Enrolment time for 2022 is now upon us. If you have a little one ready for school in 2022 or you know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, enrolment packs are now available.

Wednesday 12 May

9:00am - 11:00am 

4:00pm - 6:00pm  

Thursday 20th May

Parents are asked to book a time with the Front Office 6294 1860 for this day.

Parents Welcome (but with COVID conditions)

Our present operating guidelines allow for visitors, under certain circumstances, on site. We must not allow more than 1 adult per 2m² and always encourage physical distancing.

All parents will now be allowed to enter the school grounds under the following conditions. Visitors must:

• be healthy and symptom free;
• not have visited a COVID hotspot in the last 14 days;
• maintain physical distancing of 1.5m with non-family members;
• limit time on school grounds to less than 15 minutes;
• not enter classrooms (or the classroom blocks) except for a pre-arranged appointment. If entering the buildings, visitors must sign in at the Front Office and register using the Check in CBR app;
• Approved volunteers will be allowed inside once they have signed in at the Front Office, and register using the Check in CBR app. (This is a new government requirement.)

As always, if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher, or me, please arrange a mutually convenient time via the front office. When you arrive at school, please sign in using our iPad and register using the Check in CBR app.

NAPLAN

Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit the NAPLAN tests next month. Parents may elect to withdraw their children from these tests. If you do not want your child to sit the NAPLAN tests, please contact Ms Val Ciuffetelli at school immediately.

F Block (Year 1 and Kinder Red classrooms)

The renovations and refurbishments of F Block are complete. Teachers and students from Year 1 and Kinder Red excitedly moved back in on Tuesday. (Please see Facebook for some photos.)

Thanks to the teachers for being so flexible and working in alternative rooms during this process.

Thanks also each family who contributes to the Canberra Catholic Schools Building Fund (CCSBF) via their fees. The work was fully paid for by this CE managed fund.

Three Way Conferences / Oral Reporting

This week your child’s teacher will send you a link for a Zoom meeting. You are encouraged to use this method for the three-way conferences next week. The teacher will admit you at the scheduled time, so all that you have to do is log in a couple of minutes, from home or work, before your time.

If you choose to meet via Zoom, please ensure you situate yourself in a quiet space to eliminate distractions, and respect the meeting by not “multi-tasking” (e.g. cooking dinner) at the same time.

This link will be sent to the email that was used to book through SessionKeeper. If one parent is not on the same computer as you and your child, this link can be forwarded and used by them as well. For security, please do not forward this link to anyone else.

Please click on the link and make sure you have joined the meeting a few minutes in advance. You will be sent to a waiting room, where you will have enough time to test your camera and audio. If you can, please change your profile name to your full name, this enables the teacher to identify the right person at the right time. If you have done this correctly, you will see the below image on your screen.

Meetings will run for strictly 15 minutes, and your child's teacher will let you in at the start of your allotted time. If you think you will require more time please contact your teacher via email to discuss another option, as meetings will be disconnected at the end of the 15-minute session.

Should you, for any reason be unable to access the Zoom meeting due to technical difficulties, please contact the teacher via email so an alternative can be arranged.

Families wishing to meet at the school may still do so. You will be required to arrive 10 minutes early to sign in and out, confirming that you are well. If you wish to come to the classroom, please let your child’s teacher know when they send home the Zoom invitation.

Stuck inside?.... Front Gate

We have installed a new controller for the school carpark, automatic gate. It now means that cars exiting will automatically trigger the gate to open (if it is closed) simply by driving slowly towards it in the left hand lane. Please stop (about two metres from the gate) and wait for it to fully open. It will remain open for 15 seconds, giving plenty of time to safely leave.

Term Dates

This term (Term 2) ends on Friday 25^th June.

Catholic Education has declared Monday 12^th July as a pupil free day for all Catholic schools in Canberra.

Students will commence Term 3 on Tuesday 13^th July.

It was once said…

I don’t mean to brag, but I put together a puzzle in 1 day, and the box said 2-4 years.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.' 

Psalm 119:105

Autumn Months 

O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. 

As we welcome the autumn months, 

may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest. 

May the brilliant colours of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation. 

May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that 

it is you who give us the breath of life. 

May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given 

and bounty we are to share with others. 

May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that 

death is temporary and life is eternal. 

We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.

Amen

Our youth minister Bethany Barclay began working with us in Term 1 this year. She has been busy at our school and with other schools, introducing the ministry model through the Journey with Jesus retreat days. 

Meet the Youth Minister 

I thought that it was about time for me to introduce myself! 

Hi, my name is Bethany, and I am St Clare of Assisi’s Youth Minister for 2021. My main role as Youth Minister is to share my faith and love of Jesus with all the staff, students and broader SCA community and to encourage them on their own faith journey. My ministry takes place in the classroom and on the playground, engaging with students at their level. I am always happy to stop and chat and I can easily be spotted wearing my bright blue CSYMA T-Shirt.   

I strive to place Christ at the centre of my ministry, and I pray that Christ Jesus may make himself known through my work, providing the opportunity for young people to discover for themselves the wonder and joy of the Christian life. 

Some Fun Facts About Me 

• I love to paint! I am currently studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts.  
• I have a pet dog named Toby, who is a beagle crossed with a cavalier.  
• I love to sing, and I performed in the choir of Queanbeyan Player’s production of Godspell in 2018.  

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards this week on Friday morning. Parents are welcome to attend.

CHANGES TO SIGN IN/SIGN OUT PROCEDURE:

The iPad in the front office is no longer used for parents signing their child in and out. Please note the following changes:

LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DEPARTURES

A reminder that children arriving late need to be accompanied by a parent/carer to the front office. Similarly, children leaving early will need to be collected by their parent/carer from the front office. In both instances, please come to the front counter, where the Front Office staff will sign the children in and out. This is due to a change in our class roll procedures, as set out by the Catholic Education system.

All parents and visitors will still need to sign in using the iPad and Check in Canberra App.

Recess and lunch canteen counter sales have returned for Term 2!

ROSTER

Athletics Carnival: Help is required for Friday 30th April in the canteen. If you can assist please contact Michelle Wood in the canteen.

Beginning in Week 6 we will be implementing a program called ‘Seasons for Growth’. Staff who are formally trained as ‘Companions’, spend time with a small group of students who are dealing with some aspect of change, separation, loss or grief. The sessions do not provide counselling or therapy. Instead, they:

• aim to support young people to understand and manage the grief that is experienced because of change, the loss of a parent or significant other through death, separation or divorce.
• assist in normalising the emotions associated with the loss
• encourage the expression of thoughts and emotions
• educate about the grief process
• develop a peer support network
• help restore self-confidence and self esteem
• draw on extensive research in developing a sound educative response to loss and grief.

If you think your child would benefit from such a program please have a look at the attached link and fill out the form.

https://stclareconder.schoolzineplus.com/form/133

If you would like further information please feel free to contact me on 6294 1860.

Karen Snowball

TERM 2

WEEK 1 (19th April to 23rd April)

Friday 23rd April - Cross Country Carnival

WEEK 2 (26th April to 30th April)

Monday 26th April - Anzac Day Public Holiday ACT - No school

Tuesday 27th April to Thursday 29th April - Parent Teacher 3 Way Conferences

Friday 30th April - Athletics Carnival

SAVE THE DATE

Wednesday 26th May

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.

Did you know that as well as being the month in which we commemorate Anzac Day, April is also the official Month of the Military Child?

This is a time to honour the service and sacrifices made by military families, with an emphasis on the unique experiences and resilience of the children of these families….please take the time to thank a Military child this month!

The official flower of the Military Child is the Dandelion.

This is because like dandelions, Military children can put down roots almost anywhere and can bloom everywhere the wind carries them. They are hardy and upright and stand ready to fly into breezes to take them into new adventures, new lands and new friends.

Military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant and extremely resilient. They have learned from an early age that home is where the heart is and that a good friend can be made in any corner of the world.

(Sourced from Defence Kidz FB)

Kate Blenkin

Defence School Mentor

On Sunday, 11 April around 8,000 people participated in the Canberra Times Marathon Festival. Events included an ultra marathon, marathon, half marathon 10km run, 5.4km run & 2km kids run.

Chloe(4B) was first female in the 2km run with an impressive time of 7:50. Josh (6Y) came 8th in the male run with a time of 8:12. Well done kids!

Congratualtion also to Luka (3B) who represented the ACT in Soccer during the Easter school holidays.

The ACT team was unlucky to go down in the semi finals in a very close game to eventual winners NSW.

Play All-Girl Football with the Brindabella Blues in 2021

Registrations are open for girls aged 5 to 9 to join Brindabella’s all-girl miniroo program in 2021. This is the perfect introduction into the largest junior sport in Australia. Beginners and returning players welcome.

Brindabella also have a very limited number of positions for girls aged 12 (in our Bella Monaro partnership team) who are new to the game or returning and looking to play 2021.

For further information about all of Brindabella’s all-girl teams contact Michael on juniors@bbfc.org.au or 0423 824 192 after business hours.