Dear Parents and Carers,

“…you might remember where God started in loving you. It wasn’t that you were brilliant, beautiful and the best thing since sliced bread, but that you were someone in need. If you don’t… recognise someone in need of your loving contribution, chances are that you are not listening enough.”

Peter Steele SJ, ‘The Mind’s Guests’

I quote these very wise and pertinent words in the light of Easter, as we move towards the great feast of Pentecost. Steele’s point is, simply, that love is gratuitous, and where we experience God’s love is where we are in need, within ourselves, of God’s healing. Love is merited. It is given unconditionally. Steele urges us to consider what need we might recognise and try to meet in others – our children and families most obviously, but also the person across the street, the person who makes us a coffee, the homeless man in Civic, our work colleagues.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that tomorrow is the first of our scheduled Pupil Free Days for our school this term. This day has been scheduled to help teachers engage in essential Professional Learning and Development which has been missed due to Covid-19 restrictions and provides an opportunity for teachers to engage in planning and moderation with their colleagues.

Many Canberra schools have returned to remote learning across the ACT to manage Staff shortages. Our school has avoided this by collapsing classes, using Leadership/Learning Support staff and cancelling teacher Release from Face to Face Teaching to cover absences. We appreciate your flexibility in accommodating this important and necessary day in support of our staff. If you have any questions, please contact me directly.

 This week, staff from across the ACT and NSW are participating in two days of protected action. From Wednesday, staff have the opportunity to wear union badges and materials, promoting staff concerns, and Friday sees teachers and non-teachers participating in Protected Industrial Action. St Francis will experience minimal disruption to student care and supervision, as tomorrow is a pupil free day. BASCA will continue to provide care tomorrow for those interested families. Please contact BASCA directly if you require care tomorrow.

Change to Recess Break

We will be trialling a change to our eating and play arrangements until the end of term. At 11 am, students will move outside to enjoy their 20 mins of playtime. The bell will then ring, and the students will move to their eating area to eat their recess before returning to class. Hopefully, this change will ensure students have time to eat, combat rubbish in these areas, and allow for closer food consumption monitoring. With this change, it is imperative that students have fruit break, packed each day to last them until they eat after playtime. I will let you know the outcome of this trial and if it will be considered for Lunchtime arrangements as well.

OPEN Days & Enrolment Period

The official Catholic Education enrolment period closes tomorrow, Friday 27^th May 2022. We are holding our last open day today a big thank you to all our Yr. 6 leaders who volunteered to take interested families on tours of the school.  A reminder that all enrolment is completed online, and links to the portal can be found on or school website or via this link Primary ACT | St Francis of Assisi Primary School (stfa.act.edu.au)

Being a part of a Catholic system allows our school to illustrate our holistic approach to educating children who personify Catholic values and serve their communities. At St Francis, we are extremely fortunate to have strong connections with Catholic Secondary Colleges creating a complete K-12 Catholic education pathway. 

We can accommodate people outside our open days for tours and to answer any questions. Please encourage those interested to contact the office to arrange a time to come in and see us.

The Tell Them From Me

The Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey tool will go live to our families tomorrow. You will receive a Compass message from me inviting you to please take some time to complete the survey. The survey is the same tool that was used last year and is an opportunity for the school to gather some valuable data about our core business as a school, the Teaching and Learning of children. The survey is completed by staff, parents, and students in Yrs. 4-6. The data gathered from this survey will be used in strategic planning for next year.

Tuning Into Kids

We had an excellent turnout for our first Tuning Into Kids session last night. The session focused on defining emotional intelligence and exposed participants to the concept of emotional coaching. The sessions will run for the next 3 weeks. We will look to run another session next year for those families interested.

Camp

Last week our Yr. 6 students attended their camp at NSW Sport and Rec in Berry. The students had an excellent time and enjoyed the opportunity be getaway with their peers after an uncertain few years.

We know a camp is a beneficial event in the school calendar where we can strengthen bonds between the cohort, build resilience and independence as well as try new things previously thought impossible. A huge thank you to the teachers who took time out of their busy lives and spent time away from their families to support this activity. Our Yr. 5 students will leave for their camp in Sydney next week.

 Easter Egg Fundraiser

Our Easter Egg fundraiser raised $377.20 for the Community Council and will go towards supporting our school community. A big thank you to Jane (Yr 2 Mum) for organising our spectacular prizes and Mrs C in the library for her organisation and support of the logistics to make the competition happen.

Take care in the week ahead.

Blessings and good wishes

Sean Rutledge

Principal