Dear Families

National Reconciliation Week

Each year, National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join and positively contribute to the national reconciliation journey. This weekend we will enjoy a public holiday to help celebrate Reconciliation Week.

Enrolment Time

A final reminder to those who have yet to enrol for the 2021 school year. The enrolment period closes tomorrow and all enrolments need to be processed to secure your place for the new year.

Those who think they may not be at St Francis of Assisi Primary School next year (Year 6 exempt) are also asked to let us know your intentions, in writing please. Estimates regarding predicted numbers for St Francis of Assisi in 2021 must be submitted to the Catholic Education Office very soon. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Winter Colds

At this time of the year many of the staff and students are not well with cold and flu symptoms. If students are not well in the morning please do not send them to school. There is nothing worse than being at school when you are ill and there is always the high possibility of spreading the illness to others.

With the onset of winter I would like to remind parents of the need for students to:

• Eat nourishing food for breakfast, recess and lunch to fuel their bodies and to guard against winter ‘bugs’ and germs.
• Wear appropriate clothing to school to match the cold conditions - children may wear a NAVY beanie, coat, gloves and scarf in the cold weather.
• Not arrive at school before the teacher is on duty at 8.30am. It is too cold for them to be sitting on the outdoor seats or concrete so early in the morning.

Hats Off

In June and July, hats go away!

Cancer Council ACT recommends school students and teacher’s leave their hats at home or replace it with a beanie during the June and July winter months. As we enter into a period where the UV levels are (under 3) sun protection behaviour (i.e. hat wearing and sunscreen application) is discouraged due to the low risk of potential UV skin damage and the need for students to be exposed to Vitamin D.  

Hats will go back on from 1 August 2020.

ACT Chief Health Officer

ACT Education has provided video resources from the ACT Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerryn Coleman and Deputy Health Officer, Dr Vanessa Johnston. This video contains information for parents and carers about safety and returning to school following the period of learning from home.

Safety and Return to School (Parents)

Assembly Week 6

Next week Year 2 will be leading us in our assembly. They have been working very hard to face their challenges head on by using a Growth Mind Set. Their experiences during remote learning have shown them to always strive for their best. I look forward to viewing their assembly next Friday 5 June at 2.00pm. The assembly will be posted on our Facebook page on the Friday afternoon, for our community to enjoy.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal