Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 3. It was great to see the children’s enthusiastic return to school, ready for learning and enjoying time with their friends. The weather is still very cold, so please encourage your child to wear a jumper and coat (if they have one) on the chilly mornings. I hope you all managed to find some time for a sleep-in, and to relax, recharge and enjoy being together over the holidays.

NAIDOC WEEK

Last week, as a nation, we celebrated NAIDOC Week. The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction. NAIDOC 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.

The children celebrate NAIDOC week today with an assembly and a non-uniform day. Some of our students will be attending mass at St Christopher’s cathedral in the morning accompanied by Ms Conroy.

RESTRICTIONS

With the current Covid situation, it is important that we follow the latest health advice to ensure that all members of our school community stay safe.

If you left the ACT and travelled to an area of concern, you needed to fill in a declaration upon return to the ACT. This declaration would then have advised you and your family about your responsibilities.  If you were given a ‘stay-at-home’ order, then the children may return to school. If you have been instructed to self-isolate, you MUST adhere to these orders. We ask if either of these apply to you that you inform me as soon as possible. If you are unsure about what you need to do, please do not hesitate to ask.

Please know the following observances MUST be maintained during Term 3;

• Parents are still welcome at school and MUST use the Check in CBR app when on site.
• be healthy and symptom free
• not have visited a COVID hotspot in the last 14 days
• maintain physical distancing of 1.5m with non-family members
• not enter classrooms except for a pre-arranged appointment. If entering the buildings, all visitors must sign in at the Front Office and register using the Check in CBR app
• approved volunteers will be allowed inside once they have signed in at the Front Office
• masks are not mandatory.

STAFFING NEWS

This term, Mrs Michelle Aiken has taken Long Service Leave. Mrs Amy Spencer will teach Kinder Dhaura on Fridays and we welcome back Mrs Sarah Lehmensich who will work in Learning Support 2 days a week. It is great to see Sarah back at school.

As mentioned in previous correspondence, Mrs Sharon Aksila has also taken Long Service Leave for the first 5 weeks of term and we welcome Mrs Yvonne Morris into our Front Office.

Mrs Karen Western has taken leave for the first 3 weeks of term. Unfortunately we are unable to replace her. If you have any pressing concerns please email me directly.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILIES

This term we welcome seven new families to St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

We welcome George B and Kai F to KK, Logan H and Arthur G to KN, Jaidon F to 2D, Brody C to 3K, Harnoor B and Billy V to 4K and Hannah V to 5K.

Please join with us in making these new families feel welcome to our school community.

YEAR ONE ASSEMBLY

This afternoon we look forward to our Year 1 students presenting our NAIDOC assembly. Please know that there are restrictions in place and only 1 person per family can attend.  You must RSVP if you are attending, please email the front office ASAP.

CHOIR PERFORMANCE

Yesterday afternoon our choir was given the opportunity to perform in front of parents. With the tightening of restrictions, our children have not been given many opportunities to showcase their wonderful talents. I thank Ms Dimmock and Miss Haling for supporting these children. It was a truly wonderful concert.

Peace and Best wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal