Dear Parents and Carers,

Our teachers have been busily finalising assessments and preparing Semester Reports for distribution tomorrow via the Compass Parent Portal. A reminder that our Parent-Teacher Conferences for next week are also currently available to book via the Compass Parent Portal. We have 353 conferences booked for next week, which is outstanding!

The 15-minute interview will replace comments on the Semester Reports and will focus on areas of strength, opportunities for growth and future goals. Students are not required to attend this interview which will be conducted in your child's classroom. If you cannot make an appointment time, contact your child's classroom teacher directly to organise an alternative arrangement. A reminder that if you are unwell, you should not attend and reschedule your interview. Interview bookings will close at 4 pm Sunday, 26th June. 

Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the interviews for 1 Kanbi have had to be postponed to next term. Please see the communications that have been emailed to parents in this class today.

Community Council Fundraising

Our community council has been planning a bunch of fundraising initiatives and currently are holding the Cookie Dough drive. This was very successful last year and is proving very popular again. A reminder that orders close on 1^st July.

Fete

On the topic of fundraising, our first Fete committee meeting is scheduled for Next Wednesday 29^th June at 6 pm in the staffroom. The meeting is open to all in the community who would like to come along and help. We would typically have started the planning process this in Term 1, but we were unable due to Covid restrictions. Given the short turnaround to the Fete, we will need many volunteers to ensure we can run the Fete this year. 

This will be the first major community event we have organised in over 2 years and promises to be a fantastic community-building opportunity after such a long period of forced isolation. If you are interested in volunteering but unable to make the initial meeting, please email tiffany.reedy@cg.catholic.edu.au Funds raised from the Fete will go to the replacement of our Jnr and Snr playgrounds.

Protected Industrial Action

You may have seen in the news the intention for strike action across the ACT and NSW on Thursday next week. It is unclear what impact this will have on normal school operations. I will email the parent body as soon as I know more. A range of options have been listed in the Director's letter sent out to all parents yesterday.

Unwell at School

We are still asking parents to keep their children at home if they are presenting flu-like symptoms; these include a sore throat, headache, coughs etc. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, please keep them at home. We will isolate students who develop symptoms at school and contact parents for them to be collected immediately. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Pupil Free Day

As communicated at the beginning of the year and in line with other schools across the ACT, the first day of the school term is a designated staff development day. The first day of Term 3 is Tuesday 19^th July. Staff will be continuing Professional Development in Reading and Spelling at Merici College on Monday 18^th July. Don't hesitate to contact BASCA if you require care on this day.

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey

This survey closes tomorrow, and to date, we have 60+ responses. We would love more, if you have not yet completed the survey, I encourage you to please do so. The Leadership Team uses the survey results to inform our strategic direction in the school and is a vital tool for us to receive feedback from the parent community. For parents with more than one child in the school, you can complete the survey more than once to reflect on the experiences of each of your children. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below: http://tellthemfromme.com/stfacalwell2022

Farewell to Lisa Conroy

A farewell is being planned for Lisa Conroy early next term with a community mass to be conducted in the school hall, followed by light refreshments. More details will follow next week. We recognise that Lisa has touched many people in the community in her 22 years as a Leadership Team member and Classroom teacher. To capture these voices, we would like to invite members of the school community to submit messages and or artworks to be collated into a memoir book for Lisa. If you would like to submit a message or artwork, please email it to jo.grogan@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Blessings and good wishes for the week ahead.

Sean Rutledge

Principal

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

A big thank you to our very generous families who have already donated so many

Your family can be of assistance by donating the following items (in new or very good condition) between now and Wednesday 20th July (Week 1 Term 3)

• Gloves
• Socks
• Jackets
• Beanies
• Blankets
• Sleeping Bags

In addition, the Vinnies Calwell Conference is looking to restock its pantry for the coming winter with such things as tinned items such as: spaghetti, baked beans, soup (both small and large) fruit, tuna, tomatoes, and bottles of pasta sauce. 

Thank you to all the families who have donated already, your generosity is appreciated.

Sacrament of Confirmation

On Thursday 9th June, 36 of our Year 6 Students received the Sacrament of Confirmaiton in a beautiful ceremony in front of thier familes, friends and staff. Fr Josh spoke about actually using the gifts of the Holy Spirit in thier lives. We congratulate the following children.

Sunday Gospel Reflection

This Sunday's Gospel marks a turning point in the Gospel of Luke. It is the commencement of Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem, and we are told that he resolutely takes that road (or in some translations, he resolutely ‘sets his face’ towards Jerusalem). Earlier in this chapter, we have heard Peter’s confession of faith, seen the Transfiguration and heard Jesus predict his death. Today’s passage begins the second half of the Gospel of Luke and it is clear from this point forward that there is no turning back for Jesus.

This passage is a difficult one on first reading; the second half of it seems to paint a picture of an unsympathetic and uncompromising Jesus. However, in the light of its positioning as the beginning of the second half of the gospel – the beginning of the end – it takes on more significance. Firstly, the incident of rejection in Samaria allows Jesus to make very clear that he will never resort to violence as a solution to any problem. The reaction of the disciples seems a bit extreme as a response to an inhospitable action! Jesus’ rebuke to them reminds us that what he has offered all along is an invitation that was open to all – if some don’t accept the invitation you can’t call fire down on them from above!

The three vignettes make plain the urgency and demanding nature of Jesus’ mission. He and his followers are constantly on the move and have no room for comforts and cosy beds. The second and third pieces contrast directly with the story from today’s first reading. The message of Jesus is that the work of the Kingdom is even more important than duty to family and duty to the dead. Once he has set his face towards Jerusalem and his own death, there is no turning back – he is absolutely committed to his mission.

(Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Have a great week!

If you would like to meet with me to discuss your child’s needs please book via COMPASS for Karen Western.

 Thank you.

 Karen Western

Green Room

St Francis of Assisi Primary School

Calwell

62924500

Email: karen.western@cg.catholic.edu.au

All welcome to a Festival of Family Life this Sunday 26^th June at St Christopher’s Cathedral & St Christopher’s Pastoral Centre, Manuka

Celebrating the World Meeting of Families 2022 and Pope Francis’ theme: Family Love: a Vocation and a Path to Holiness

• 11am Mass with the Archbishop
• 12pm Free Luncheon & “Family Expo”
• 1pm all ages activities & workshops: from toddlers playgroup to reflections for seniors and everyone in between
• 2pm finish

Registration free at https://bit.ly/WMF26June

                Enquires 0429 192 869

CANTEEN NEWS

Next Week - Week 10  Term 2 2022 The Canteen will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.  

There will be no Canteen services available Friday 1 July 2022

Thank you 

https://www.holidayhappenings.com.au/online-booklet