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Welcome to the School Newsletter for Term 3 Week 1
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. Although we are being blessed with beautiful sunny days, they are very cold early on, 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.
STAFFING NEWS
This term we welcome Mr Tim O’Brien to our teaching team. Tim recently finished his teaching degree and has joined our Learning Support team as a teacher for the remainder of the year. Welcome Tim.
Mr Jamie Kemp is enjoying long service leave and will return refreshed in Week 3. Mr Peter Collins is continuing in the Coordinator role during Jamie’s absence
WAKAKIRRI 2019
Wakakirri is well and truly underway with our Year 6 students set to perform at Canberra Theatre next Thursday night 1 August. The amount of work going on behind the scenes to get everything ready for the performance next week is amazing. It is certainly an event that the students thoroughly enjoy being a part of and work hard to perfect their roles. The rest of the school will be fortunate to watch a dress rehearsal next Monday.
FIRST EUCHARIST
We wish our Year 4 students all the best as they prepare for their First Eucharist. We ask everyone to keep them in your prayers as they prepare to be in communion with the Parish. While all Sacraments are important, children often begin to feel like they are really part of the church when they are able to come up with their parents and fellow parishioners to receive Christ’s body. There is an information session for those parents whose children are preparing to receive the Sacrament, tonight, 7:30pm at Holy Family Church
SCHOOL SURVEY - LAUNCHING MONDAY 20 AUGUST
An annual satisfaction survey of parents, students and staff will be conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese this term. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified.
The surveys will be launched via email on 29 July and close on 9 August 2019 using the email addresses supplied to the school. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey, you can access and complete the survey at the following link. https://www.research.net/r/stfrancisofassisiparent2019
Please keep in mind that these surveys are about school improvement and are a great way in determining areas that we can do better. It can be quite hurtful when personal comments about certain staff members are included. The staff do gain access to all written comments and these personal statements can be counterproductive to the overall aim of the survey. Please think about the impact your comment may have before submitting it online.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILIES
Towards the end of last term, and the beginning of this term, we have had many new families start at our wonderful school. I am sure you will join with me in warmly welcoming them to our school community. Welcome to the Ash, Willis, Fleming, Way, Turner, Villella, Hamood and Bird families.
Peace and Best Wishes
Kate Markcrow
Principal
First Eucharist
All our Year Four students are looking forward to their Retreat Day at Holy Family Church next Thursday 1st August. It is a great opportunity to deepen their understanding of the significance of the Eucharist in the faith lives of Christians, and of course to enjoy time together as a community. Please ensure permission notes are back as they are now overdue.
A reminder that the Parent Formation Night is tonight at 7:30 pm at the HFC, Castleton Cres, Gowrie. It is compulsory and only for parents of children who will be receiving their First Eucharist this August.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Thank you for all your long-life food items for the Vinnies Winter Appeal! The benches are getting full. This appeal is still going so please continue to donate food items for local families who are doing it tough this winter. Mini Vinnies will collect these from the classrooms each Thursday.
Masses
Year Six
Next week, on Wednesday 31 July, 6 Water will be attending the Wednesday morning Parish Mass at our Sacred Heart Church at 9:30am.
In Week 3, Wednesday August 7, 6 Earth will be participating in this Mass at 9.30am
As always, you are very welcome to join them.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten are excitedly looking forward to their Year Level Mass next Wednesday 31 July at 12:15pm in the Kinder garden! Please come along to share in their celebration of the beauty and wonder of creation.
Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Save the date
In week 4 on Thursday 15 August we will celebrate this special feast day at 9:30am in the hall with a whole school liturgy. All parents, friends and parishioners are very welcome. As it is a Holy Day of Obligation, Parish Masses are available at Holy Family Church at 7am, 9:30am and 6pm.
With best wishes
Lisa Conroy
Religious Education Coordinator
First Eucharist Parent Formation Night is on TONIGHT (Thursday 25 July) at 7.30pm in Holy Family Church. Please come along as this is a valuable part of preparing yourself, and showing support for your child as they approach the celebration of this special sacrament.
The Teresian Group (named for St Terese of Avila) is a new initiative in our parish and is designed to encourage the young people of our community (6-16years) to be active participants in the ministries of the Mass. If you, your friends or someone in your family are interested in joining please come along to one or both of our practices in Holy Family Church on Sunday 4 and Sunday 11 August at 9am (practice will run between the end of the 8am Mass and the beginning of the 10am Mass). Our first Teresian Group Mass will be on Sunday 18 August at 10am and thereafter at 10am on the 3rd Sunday of each month. For any enquiries please contact the Parish Office or the co-ordinator Julie Spencer.
Join us at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month in Holy Family Church to celebrate a Contemplative Mass. The church will be lit with candles which provides a wonderful environment to celebrate the Eucharist in a reflective and meditative way. The first Mass will be Wednesday 7 August.
“Don’t see a pilgrimage without going on it” echoes the famous quote of St Mary MacKillop. Our Eden Pilgrimage on Saturday 10 August is taking shape. Please put your details on the sheet in the church foyer or contact the Parish Office if you want to come along. We can take bookings until the day but we need base numbers by 1 August to confirm the coach size and (approx.) ticket cost.
The next fete meeting is being held on Monday 29 July 2019 at 6.00pm in the staffroom.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Welcome back to Term 3!
Term 3 fee statements will be issued next week. If you have not yet settled your Term 2 fees please do this as soon as possible.
A reminder to parents of Year 5 and Year 6 students that camp fees are now overdue. Please give me a call to check the balance owing for your student. The preferred method of payment is by QKR!
For any fee related questions, please contact me in the front office from Tuesday to Friday on 6292 4500 or send me an email to susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Kind regards
Susan Rowell
Understanding and Responding to Feelings and Behaviours
UR FaB Program in Schools
Hello from the UR FaB team,
Your child’s school is taking part in the UR FaB mental health early intervention program for children in primary school. UR FaB is a partnership between the ACT Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the Education and Training Directorate (ETD). The program is staffed by health professionals from the CAMHS Childhood Early Intervention Program who specialise in early emotional and social development, together with the school social worker, and a class teacher from St Francis of Assisi Primary School.
The program aims to support children who are struggling to manage their strong emotions and behaviours. Previous research has shown that helping families and schools work together in the early years can have positive results for children both in their classroom and the wider world. The program specifically focuses on developing children’s understanding about their emotions and behaviours and how to manage them, as well as to improve social skills and friendship skills.
UR FaB will be in your school setting up in Term 3, with a small group program being run in Term 4 for some families and children. Families involved in the program will take part in a 2 hour weekly intensive small group. The program involves both a child group and parent group, followed by an hour with parents and children together. Activities of the program are fun for children and provide an opportunity to practice and rehearse the skills learnt. You may also find us running fun classroom based activities in some year 4 classes.
We look forward to running our program at St Francis of Assisi Primary School. Further information for children in year 2 and 3 will be sent home soon. This information pack will contain more detailed information about the program, a questionnaire for you to complete as well as instructions for opting out if you do not wish your child to participate.
From the UR FaB team
PO Box 11 WODEN ACT 2606 | phone: (02) 6244 2222 | www.health.act.gov.au
Welcome back to Term 3.
A reminder that there have been a few changes to the menu this term, it has been amended on QKR! as well as the school website.
Sue and Jo. Canteen Managers. PH: 6292 7477
Helpers roster Week 2 and 3
Monday 29 July
AM Help required
PM Help required
Wednesday 31 July
AM Help required
PM Help required
Thursday 1 August
AM Help required
PM Help required
Friday 2 August
AM Maz S-Gaffney
PM Help required
Monday 5 August
AM Help required
PM Help required
Wednesday 7 August
AM Help required
PM Help required
Thursday 8 August
AM Help required
PM Help required
Friday 9 August
AM Maz S-Gaffney
PM Help required
Athletics Carnival - Monday 12 August 2019
Our school athletics carnival will be held on Monday 12 August 2019 at Calwell Playing Fields.
Please save the date and consider helping out on the day. More information will be coming home soon.
Many thanks
Athletics Carnival Committee
Book Week is coming up in Week 5 starting Monday 19 August
Book Week Performance: Perform Education presents – Big Dreams for all students in Kinder to Year 3, Friday 16 August at 9:30 am
Book Parade: The Book Week Dress Up Parade will be held on Monday 19 August at 9:30am in the Hall. Children are asked to bring a book which matches their dress up book character.
Book Fair: Wednesday 21 August 8am – 6pm in the school library
Competitions and Activities all week : more information to come
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