Dear SCA families,

Well done to all of our Parents and Carers for preparing your children so well for their first day back at school. Congratulations to our wonderful students who have returned to school with such positive attitudes and plenty of enthusiasm. 

I feel very privileged to be a part of leading such a wonderful community and very much look forward to the term ahead. Over the past days I have taken great enjoyment in listening to the wonderful holiday stories that have been shared with me by the students, both on the playground and in the classrooms. How wonderful it has been to witness how settled each of them have returned to the learning environment. I am very grateful to our dedicated staff for the enormous work and preparation that has gone into ensuring that the term has begun as smoothly as possible for our students. 

On Monday our staff participated in a Spirituality day with Father James and led by our Religious Education Coordinator; Karen Haines. This day provided a deep and prayerful beginning to our term where we reflected as a staff  in Silence, Stillness and Service. Staff were given an opportunity to appreciate the Scriptures, join together for the Emmaus walk, listen deeply to Dadirri and explore the message of God through His silence. Luke’s Gospel 10:38-42, reminds us of the balance of action and contemplation and the ability to encompass the desire of Mary and concern of Martha. 

Sometimes, I too am challenged by the need to just be still and silent. I take great comfort in knowing that with silence, these moments bring me closer to God. Constance T. Hull (2018) sends us all a gentle reminder as we begin term 3 together:

The more silence we allow to enter into our lives and our souls, the more God will fill us with His loving presence. The restlessness will ease. The boredom will abate. We will begin to crave silence. It may start as shutting off the radio while driving in the car or getting up early in the dark to pray. The progression will be slow-as is always the case in the spiritual life- but we will progress by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

May I take this opportunity to welcome you all back to Term 3. Please know my door is always open for communication. Please also be affirmed in knowing the well-being, safety and care of your children is paramount and they are in good care with the wonderful staff we have here at St Clare of Assisi. 

With thanks for your continued support,

Erin

Erin Marmont

Principal (Acting)

COVID

As outlined in my recent welcome letter, a reminder of our current COVID information. 

St Clare of Assisi Primary School and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to COVID-19. The Catholic Education Office has a team that is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops, paying particular attention to local hotspots and organising support for schools where required. St Clare of Assisi School is practicing all safe hygiene practices in line with government advice. We understand that the situation is fairly fluid and we will communicate directly with you should there be any important changes in relation to our school operations in the coming weeks. We remind all families: 

• Children and staff will only be allowed at school if physically well.

• Parents and visitors may drop off and pick up, however, please maintain social distancing and do not gather on school grounds. In only necessary cases, parents may enter the school building through the front office and are strongly encouraged to use the Check in CBR app when entering the school grounds.

• All adults entering the school buildings may only do so after signing in at the front office, affirming they are well and sanitising their hands.

• The ACT Government has now imposed tighter restrictions for ACT residents returning from COVID-19 affected areas. These new restrictions mean that anyone who has entered the ACT after 11.59 pm on Friday 9 July 2021 from Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour is required to quarantine for 14 days.

• Quarantine is a more stringent requirement than the ‘stay at home’ order that is in place for people already in the ACT from these areas. Being quarantined at home means these persons need to stay at home. They cannot go to work, school or public areas such as shops, cafes, or restaurants. ‘Stay at home’ arrangements remain unchanged for those who arrived before 11.59 pm on Friday 9 July 2021.

Should you have any questions in relation to our school and COVID-19, please feel free to contact our office.

Prayers 

Please keep in your prayers, Matt Egan-Richards, his wife Fran and their families after the recent loss of Fran’s father John.

We give thanks for the generosity of people in the front line caring for those who have been impacted by COVID19. We also pray for all who have been affected by this terrible virus and ask for your prayers to comfort those suffering at this time.

Update of School Improvements

Over the holidays we had work completed with the much needed update and makeover of the boys toilets. We look forward to part 2 being completed in the near future for the girls toilets next!

Hair

Please ensure that your child returns to school with an appropriate hairstyle. As our policy states, hair is to be kept neat  and tidy, be of natural colour, out of the eyes, of even grade. Extremes in hairstyle are to be avoided. Hair longer than collar length must be tied or pinned up.  

Uniform

We also appreciate the effort that families make to have everything ready for the beginning of term. Can you please assist us with maintaining our uniform expectations by insisting that your child wears the correct uniform properly each day. If there are any issues in relation to meeting these expectations, please contact your child’s teacher.

Drop-Off / Pick-Up Arrangements

Drop off and pick up arrangements will continue the same as last term, however, please note- Parents/carers are not permitted to collect their child from the classrooms.  As such, it is essential that you are aware of, and follow these instructions regarding traffic arrangements:

Morning Drop-Off

• Children may arrive from 8.25am. School starts at 8.45am. 
• Children may be dropped off either at the front “Pick Up and Set Down Zone” or the “Donut”.
• Stop as far forward in the zones as possible to allow more cars at any time.
• Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
• Please have children ready to exit the car as quickly as possible (give those last minute messages before arriving at school).
• If your child requires assistance getting out of the car, please park in our car park, walk them across the zebra crossing, then direct them to walk into the school by themselves, and return to your car. (Teachers will be waiting for them in the Hayshed.)

Afternoon Pick-Up

• Will commence at 2.50pm for students in Kinder to Year 2 (and their older siblings). 
• Children may be picked up either at the front “Pick Up and Set Down Zone” or the “Donut”.
• Stop as far forward in the zones as possible to allow more cars at any time.
• Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
• Please encourage your child/ren to sit and buckle their belt as quickly as possible.
• Between 2.50 and 3.00pm only children in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will be waiting for collection. (Their older siblings from other Year levels will also be with them.)
  Carers coming for children in Years 3 – 6 arriving before 3.00pm will be asked to move on, drive around the block and re-join the back of the line.
• After 3.00pm, children in Years 3-6, and any remaining younger children may be picked up.

Alternatives

• If your child requires assistance getting into the car, please park in our car park, walk across the zebra crossing, then collect them from the Donut area, and return to your car.
• Children may walk or ride home. Please encourage them to use the supervised crossing on Box Hill Ave or the underpasses under Heidelberg St or Box Hill Ave.
• Arrange to meet your child on the surrounding footpaths, and walk with them to your car or house.
• Park (legally) in neighbouring streets, walk to school to meet your children outside the double gate on the corner of Box Hill Ave and Handasyde St. While waiting there, physically distance yourself from other parents, and we will bring your child to you.
• Bus services are running as usual.

At all times

• Please be patient and considerate.
• Turn left when leaving our car park.
• Know that your children are safe here, and we will look after them.

If your child is in Years 3, 4, 5 or 6, and they do not have a sibling in K-2, please do not come until after 3.00pm. If you are here before 3.00pm, you will be asked to move on, drive around the block, and re-join the back of the line.

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

Psalm 119:105

First Eucharist

Enrolments close this Monday 19 July for Year 5 families wishing to enrol their child for the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Please note that no late enrolments are accepted by the parish, so please do not miss this important deadline. Contact Karen Haines or the Parish urgently if you need any assistance or clarification.

Year 5 parents please see separate szapp with important First Eucharist dates and information. Dates are the same as those already posted in our community calendar.

Grandparents Day

Whilst we cannot welcome our wonderful grandparents on site for a special event again this year, this celebration will still be marked in a meaningful way.

Staff Retreat Day

On Monday staff participated in our annual retreat day. This year our focus was on Silence, Stillness and Service. Being on retreat enables us to:

• build communal Catholic religious identity and culture
• promote personal vocation, connection with the Catholic tradition and responsiveness to mission, and
• develop willingness, confidence and capacities in the role to serve the evangelising mission of Catholic school education.

One of the most important aspects of the day was taking time to slow down and allow God's presence to be felt among us. At school we share Christian Meditation with the students, to give the same opportunity to them.

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

 Book Club closes Wednesday 21st July