Dear parents and carers,

This week I have attended the Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns. This is a national conference offered every 4 years and brings Catholic leaders from all over Australia. The conference was headlined by internationally renowned educational researcher and speaker Dylan Wiliam. His input around evidence-based trends in assessment will help to inform some of our Teaching and Learning work as a part of the Strategic Plan over the next 3 years. My thanks to Annie and the leadership team, who have led the school capably in my absence.

Update on School Age Care Services (BASCA) – No Action Required by Parents

As part of ongoing improvements to our system governance and compliance frameworks, there have been some internal changes to how our School Age Care Services (BASCA) are managed. These changes took effect last week and are part of a broader review following the incorporation of our new governing structure earlier this year.

Please be assured: these changes are purely administrative and will not affect your experience as a parent or the care your child receives. Louise and I continue to meet regularly to maintain the strong working relationship between our two school services.

The key change is that the Directors of our School Age Care Services now report to the General Manager of Early Learning and Care, rather than the school Principals. This adjustment helps us meet updated compliance and funding requirements under the new incorporated structure.

Activated OSHC Accreditation

We’re proud to share that our BASCA service was the first in the ACT to become accredited under the Activated OSHC program – a national initiative designed to support Outside School Hours Care services in promoting healthy physical activity and balanced screen time.

Activated OSHC is an evidence-based program developed in partnership with health experts, government, and the OSHC sector. It helps services like ours:

• Improve children’s wellbeing and engagement
• Strengthen staff confidence and practices
• Align with national health guidelines

Our BASCA team has embraced this opportunity to enhance our service, and we’re thrilled to be leading the way in the ACT and reflect our commitment to best practice and continuous improvement.

Teaching 2026

I congratulate Mrs Kaylee Alexander-McCarthy, who announced last week that she is expecting her first baby early in 2026. Kaylee will begin the school year before taking Maternity leave. A position will be advertised shortly for her replacement. We will also look to replace Jess Lewis for 2026, who will also be on Maternity leave. We wish both Kaylee and Jess all the very best as they prepare to welcome new additions to their families.

Blessings and best wishes

Sean Rutledge

Sunday Gospel Reflection: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Narrow Door  Luke 13:22-30

One of the most important and deep-seated questions humans ask is, ‘Will I be saved?’ This is expressed in other ways, like ‘Is heaven real? How will I enter it?’ In fact, almost all religions speak of offering salvation. 

Who will be saved? Through parabolic teaching, Jesus, in today’s Gospel, warns those who think that entry into the kingdom is through ‘ascription’, that is, the assignment of status through kinship ties. The Jews may be the chosen people, children of Abraham, but their salvation is far from assured. Jesus’ parable of the Narrow Door emphasises that entry into the kingdom is based not on ascription but on performance. The authentic response to Jesus’ teaching entails both hearing and doing. The true disciple is one who hears the word of God and puts it into practice, bearing the fruit of repentance and good deeds. 

To the question of whether only a few will be saved, Jesus pictures a multitude ‘from east and west, from north and south’ reclining at the banquet in God’s kingdom. Luke refers to the ingathering of the Jews from the diaspora in the eschatological times (Isaiah 43:5,Zecheriahh 8:7) and adds the ingathering of the Gentiles to stress the theme of universalism. The coming of the Gentiles is not a rejection of the Jews. But Jesus disabuses the Jews, especially their religious leaders of the idea that they can rely on their status as children of the kingdom. Salvation is God’s gift freely given to the Israelites, and now to the Gentiles. The Jews should welcome the kingdom with gratitude and humility, and not as something due them because of their ties with Abraham. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

EUCHARIST RETREAT DAY

On Tuesday Year 5 will be travelling to Holy Family Church to participate in a day of prayer and reflection around the Sacrament of Eucharist. All Year 5 children attend regardless if they are receveing the Sacrament or not. We will have the Youth Ministry Team from St MaryMackillopp College with us during the day as we delve into the meaning of the Sacrament and how we can live it's message past the church walls.

Please continue to pray for our year 5 children who will soon be receiving this special sacrament at the weekend Parish Masses. 

GRADE MASSES

Throughout the year our classes attend Mass with the Parish in our 'little white church' on a Wednesday morning at 9:30am. Once each class has attended Mass, we then attend mass as a whole grade. Parents have enquired as to whether they can come along to attend mass with their child and the answer is a resounding YES! We would love for you to come and celebrate Mass with our children. The roster for the rest of the term is as follows:

I will post Term 4 roster at the beginning of next term.

Have a great week.

Shareee Thomas

RECC

RSVP link

Our five Year 5 and 6 boys teams represented the school for the Jamie Pearlman Basketball Gala Day at Tuggeranong stadium on Wednesday.
They all had a blast and had some wins. The Year 6 Yellow team made it to the semis undefeated where they met their match, and although they lost, played a very entertaining game.
Everyone tried their best and showed great resilience, perseverance and sportsmanship. Well done to all the teams for giving it a go and trying their best, as well as their positive attitude all day!
A huge thank you to the coaches Gen Thain, Jared Jasnos, Bron Kesby, Clare and Tab Way, and also to Erin Steele and Annie McArthur for all of their hard work behind the scenes.

6 Kanbi will be creating nature inspired pinch pots in the sensory garden on Friday from 2:15-3:00 in week 6 If you have a current WWVP card and some time to spare we would love to invite parents, grandparents and families to come along. We will be in the garden, behind the junior play equipment from 2:15.

Due to popular demand, TRP are offering a repeat of the Connected Parenting Webinar with Lael Stone. THe Webinar will be held on Monday 8th September, 6:30-7:45pm (75 minutes) AEST. If you would like to attend the Webinar, please register using the following link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://theresilienceproject.od2.vtiger.com/shorturl.php?id=68941fa489bef2.23486575__;!!Ax-PnKpllFIIgPxB!h-Dqplq1jgh2JF9qVK6OvDcdcmwB3QOsby4UZBNtPULyBn7fFL9xOFK__chO1-a21BJ2lfwVPbp05hLs_q_OxHQpbEmpw9UAMriuC_3WbQ$ 

Information about the webinar is below.