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,
Following our recent Registration process, which takes place every 5 years, I say thanks and congratulations to our staff and community.
It will still be a few weeks before we receive the written report, but the oral feedback, and the reading of the draft report, was positive and affirming.
The panel spoke repeatedly about our amazing hospitality, which was also a sign of the strong community and our effectiveness at working together.
A few commendations or affirmations I particularly noted were:
- Our school has an explicit improvement agenda and our staff are open to learning and change.
- We are a child centred school, with caring relationships across the community.
- Learning spaces and resources are of a high quality.
- We have a professional team of highly motivated staff.
- There is alignment between assessment and pedagogy, and teachers have a commitment to differentiated teaching.
- Parents are seen as partners, both by the school and the community.
- Parental engagement is effective and supportive.
- Pastoral care is a strong point of SCA, with the wellbeing of students at the centre of what we do.
- The signs and symbols of a true Catholic school are evident.
- The 4 pillars (Faith, Learning, Leadership and Community) are known and understood by students.
- The staff are committed to social justice, and Jesus is known, loved and lived.
- Our students appreciate the school and staff.
- We have positively embraced indigenous culture and perspectives.
Of course there are some recommendations, but no surprises among them. They will help to inform our next strategic plan (2023-2025), which we will begin writing, as a community, in 2022.
Thanks to all the staff for the work they did to ensure we were ready for, and welcoming to, the panel. Particular thanks to Val Ciuffetelli, Karen Haines, Belinda Breen and Jo Thomson for their work, behind and in front of the scenes, to make sure we presented ourselves in our best light. They did a great job.
Semester One Awards Assembly
Next Wednesday (23rd June) we will hold our 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.
Parents of award recipients have been advised and invited (according to COVID protocols) to attend.
School Fees
Term 2 fees are well overdue. Thank you to the parents who made time to come and meet with me if they are experiencing a problem financially. If you have not paid your Term 2 fees, please attend to this as a matter of urgency. We too have bills to pay– especially our expensive electricity and water bills.
Semester Reports
Individual reports were taken home by your child or children on Tuesday 15th June.
When reviewing the report with your child you may wish to use the following language. Though the grade indicators are printed on the report, the following may be more meaningful to children.
An E is a starting point, rather than a fail. It means a child is working on the same tasks as everyone else, but is finding Everything in that area a challenge.
A child receiving a D is Developing skills but needs some more support and Direction.
The child who receives a C in a given area is Consistently Coping well with work he or she Can do by themself.
A B is Brilliant because he or she can do a superb job, all By themselves, all the time.
To get an A is Absolutely Amazing because a child’s work would have to be Awesome All the time.
I am sure that each child will be able to celebrate their successes as well as set goals for next term and beyond.
Term 3 Long Service Leave
After 30 years of marriage to Fran (which we celebrate in 13 days time), our kids are finally old enough for us to take a holiday away by ourselves. With that in mind, I will be on long service leave for the duration of Term 3. Though we had initially planned to travel to Portugal and Spain, it’s still wonderful that we can enjoy the beautiful NSW north coast and Qld Gold Coast.
I know that the school will be in good hands, with our acting principal, Erin Marmont (Please see the announcement later in this Newsletter.) and the rest of our Leadership Team (Val Ciuffetelli, Karen Haines, Belinda Breen and Jo Thomson) leading the charge while I am away.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Thank you to those who have sponsored me so far for the Sleepout. Tomorrow night I’ll forsake my mattress and warm room for a sheet of cardboard and some shelter under a tree at the Arboretum.
If, before the end of the financial year, you were thinking of throwing a few dollars towards a great cause, now is your chance. www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/mattegan-richards
Term 3 Dates - Pupil Free Day
Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has declared Monday 12th July as a pupil free day. Schools will use this day as a compulsory staff professional learning day.
School will resume, for all students at SCA, on Tuesday 13th July. Term 3 will end on Friday 17th September.
Vacation Care
Please remember that bookings for our excellent OSHC Holiday Program close this Friday.
Community Council Meeting
Our final Community Council Meeting for the term was held last night (Tuesday 15th June). It had been delayed one week because of the clash with Confirmation. The following items were discussed:
- The recent School Registration and its successful outcome.
- School Finances.
- OSHC report and fees.
- 2021 Fete (Hopefully COVID allows this to go ahead).
- Open Meeting.
- Hall cleanliness.
- Bush Tucker Garden.
- School Lockdown.
If you would like to discuss any of the items, please speak with one of our Council members, or email council.scaconder@cg.catholic.edu.au
It was once said…
Ten Lessons to Instil in My Kids…
If you’re thankful, show it.
If you love someone, tell them.
If you’re wrong, fess up.
If you’re confused, ask questions.
If you learn something, teach others.
If you’re stuck, ask for help.
If you made a mistake, apologise.
If you trip, get back up.
If someone needs help, help them.
If you see wrong, take a stance. unknown
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
Global School Partners
Our school is proud to be a Global School Partner school with St Joseph's academy in Kenya. This year GSP has fund-raised and provided many schools, including St Joseph’s Academy, with essential first aid supplies to assist them with the required COVID precautions and with everyday incidents in schools.
Next term our fundraising efforts will go towards St Joseph's Academy, so that we can continue to make important contributions to their school community.
First Eucharist
Our Year 5 students will prepare for and celebrate First Eucharist in August next term. Important dates are still being finalised by the parish and we will inform families as soon as possible. The period of preparation and celebration will be exciting for the students as they receive the blessed sacrament for the first time.
Vision Prayer Assembly
This Friday Year 5 will lead us in Term 2's vision prayer assembly. In this assembly, the students will show us how they have used scripture to light their path at school this term. They will also help us to reflect on how each class has done this in our classrooms and in the playground.
Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards this week on Friday morning. Parents are welcome to attend.
| Kinder | Darcy M, Sukhsharan S, Gabriel W |
| Year 1 | |
| Year 2 | |
| Year 3 | Cooper R, Maddison W |
| Year 4 | Chloe A |
| Year 5 | |
| Year 6 |
Next week we will be handing out the ribbons from the athletics carnival at the 8.45am morning assemblies.
Monday 21st June - 8 year olds
Tuesday 22nd June - 9 year olds
Wednesday 23rd June - 10 year olds
Thursday 24th June - 11 year olds
Friday 25th June - 12/13 year olds and age champions.
The next Fete Committee meeting is on
TONIGHT Wednesday 16 June
6pm at the Lanyon Viking Club
Volunteering at SCA Fete
Ever thought about helping out at the top fundraiser for SCA?
The 2021 SCA Fete will be held on Friday 19 November 2021. The Fete Committee is looking for additional stall coordinators, an entertainment coordinator, and qualified first aid person to help out. If you’d like to know more about these positions, even if you can’t make it to Fete Committee meetings, please drop us a line at SCAFete@outlook.com to find out more.
Fete Sponsorship
Do you own or work for a business that would like to sponsor the 2021 SCA Fete?
There are lots of sponsorship options available – from the donation of cash, to the donation of goods for raffles.
Sponsorship not only supports the school, and your children, it also supports your business.
Sponsoring the Fete will give you exposure to over 400 SCA families as well as the broader community in the Lanyon Valley.
For further details on sponsorship packages please contact Sponsorship officers Danielle and Jesse through SCAFete@outlook.com
Feeling Crafty?
If you are a talented crafter and able to donate some of your wares to be sold at the SCA Fete, we need you! Donations of materials to be turned into items to sell would also be useful.
All donations can be dropped off at the front office. If you’d like to discuss, please contact Craft stall coordinator Fiona via SCAFete@outlook.com Thank you
Just a reminder that Vacation Care bookings close this Friday 18th June, 2021 at 6pm. If you require your CCS calculated please contact Annette by Thursday 17th June at 3pm.
