St Francis of Assisi Primary School - Calwell
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120 Casey Cres
Calwell ACT 2905
Subscribe: https://stfranciscalwell.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: elc.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6292 4500
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Principal's News Week 5

Dear Families

PRINCIPAL’S RETREAT

This week I am away, attending the Archdiocesan Principal’s Retreat in Bowral. Each year, all Principals within our Archdiocese and key Catholic Education staff gather on retreat to reflect on our roles as leaders in Catholic schools. This year Dr Caroline Thompson, Director of Formation Mercy Partners, will lead us through 2 days of prayer meditation and self-reflection.  

I thank you all for allowing me the time to attend this valuable time away from school.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Last week we held our annual St Francis of Assisi Primary School Swimming Carnival. A big thank you to Debbie Cossettini and Michelle Marshall and our ‘Swimming Carnival Staff Committee’ for coordinating and planning this carnival. It was such a successful day. We were certainly blessed with spectacular weather. A big thank you to all those parents who volunteered on the day. Your help is always invaluable. Hopefully next year we can invite our parent spectator group back. Thank you so very much.

Results from the Carnival

  • 1st Place – 242 Points – Polding
  • 2nd Place – 237 Points – Morrison
  • 3rd Place – 235 Points – Cunningham
  • 4th Place – 224 Points – McCormack

Well done to Chloe Smith and Zak Olsson for leading their team to a great victory!

To see highlights of the day, click on the link and watch our Swimming Carnival video. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g850KeWbYfOOaXxr7l2-BAmb-rEWAqdV/view?usp=sharing 

COMMUNITY COUNCIL NOMINATIONS

The role of the School Community Council is an advisory body. The Council provides the opportunity for members of the school, parish and Archdiocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic education in our school. Working with the Principal, Parish Priest and staff, the members of the Council and its committees provide leadership to the wider school community.

Meetings are held twice a term.

We have had a resignation from our council and now have a vacant position. If you feel that you are able to fill this position and work as a member of the council, could you please fill in the attached form and return it by 3.00pm on Wednesday 17 March.

Community_Council_Nomination_form_2021.pdf

We are also looking for someone to step in to the treasurer’s role. This is a specific role and requires a finance background. Christina Knobel has been the treasurer for a number of years and will be stepping down later this year. It would be beneficial for someone to work alongside Christina to allow the transfer of knowledge. If you are interested in this role, please also fill in the nomination form and indicate that you are interested in the Treasurer position. 

200 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

This year we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. With special events planned throughout the year, we saw the launch at a mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral last Wednesday. Thank you to Imogen Bond and Matthew Crawford, who accompanied myself and Mrs Reedy to this mass.  

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DEALING WITH AN ISSUE

I encourage you to keep in regular contact with your child’s teacher throughout the year and inform them promptly of any concerns or positive moments along the way. Teachers are your main contact for learning, pastoral care, student management, great achievements etc. The class teachers appreciate being informed of all issues well before you consult a specialist teacher or a member of the Leadership Team.

However, if you have met with your child’s class teacher and would like further information or additional support, please follow the protocols and contact the following staff:

  1. Contact your child’s class teacher/s.
  2. Consult with your child’s year level coordinator or staff with a specialist role or responsibility:
  • Kinder - Mrs Tiffany Reedy
  • Years 1 & 2 – Mrs Lauren Macdonald
  • Years 3 & 4 - Ms Lisa Conroy
  • Years 5 & 6 - Mr Jeremy Stevens
  1. Consult with the Assistant Principal or Principal.

Some things to consider:

  • Teachers’ main duty of care is for their students, so please do not approach a teacher at morning assembly or straight after school for a formal chat. If you wish to speak to them at length about a matter, please make an appointment;
  • Teachers may take a few days to respond to your email. Their main role is to work with your children, so they often will not see emails until the end of the day or even the following morning if there is a meeting after school;
  • Teachers are always happy to meet with parents. However, appointments will usually be before school or straight after school. Like any specialist appointment, parents may need to rearrange their work schedule to make the appointment.

A reminder that Monday is a public holiday.  I hope everyone enjoys the Canberra Day Long Weekend and if you are travelling this weekend, please stay safe.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal