Dear Families

As we approach Week 4, the staff are very excited about welcoming the students back to school. This will bring about some challenges for both parents and teachers but having the students back, reconnecting with their friends and teachers is certainly going to be a highlight.

Please know that school will still look a little different for the time-being. We will be unable to gather as a community until we are advised otherwise. This means that there will be no school assemblies, class masses or sporting events until further notice.

The Community Council will look at ways that we can connect as a community for the remainder of the term.

Enrolment Time 2021

I would like to remind families that enrolment forms for Kindergarten 2021 are to be handed in by Friday 22 May (siblings included). If you know families wishing to enrol for 2021, please encourage them to collect an enrolment form. We adhere strictly to the enrolment policy of Catholic Education, which requires the school to show preference to applications handed in during the Enrolment Period. We already have a good number returned for Kindergarten 2021 and there is a chance places could fill this year. This year we have had to think a little creatively regarding our Open Days.  I will be holding some virtual tours next week on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30am and 6:00pm. If you or a friend would like to attend one of these session, please ask them to contact the office to register.  Our biggest advocate for our school is you. It is great to hear the many positive comments and feedback that our parents have, when recommending our school to other families. Thank you!

If you are thinking of enrolling a child at the ELC in Gowrie, forms need to be returned soon.

High School Enrolments

For children enrolling in Systemic Secondary schools, St Mary MacKillop Catholic College and St Clare’s College, online enrolment forms need to be submitted to the school of your choice by Friday 22 May. No late enrolments will be accepted. Please know that last year, many siblings missed out on a place because they did not submit their form on time. 

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Last weekend we celebrated Mother’s Day, a special day where we celebrate and pay tribute to all our Mothers who work tirelessly every day in ensuring we are happy and safe.

A big thank you to Mrs Cossettini who put together a lovely tribute to our Mums. Thanks to all those who sent in pictures. Watching the video made me very grateful that we could still celebrate Mother’s Day together as a community.

Lord Jesus

You have known a mother’s love

and tender care, and You will hear,

while for our mothers most dear,

we offer this Mother’s Day prayer.

Protect the lives, we pray,

of those who have given us the gift of life.

May our mothers know from day to day

the deepening glow of joy that comes from Your presence.

We cannot pay our debts for all the love

that we have received;

but, You Lord, will not forget their due reward.

Bless our mothers both in earth and heaven

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Hats Off June and July

In June and July, hats go away!

Cancer Council ACT does not generally recommend sun protection behaviour (ie hat wearing and sunscreen application) when UV levels are under 3 due to the low risk of potential UV skin damage. In Canberra UV levels drop and remain under 3, all day, around the June and July period and so the ‘End of May is Hats Off Day!’

Birthday Treats

Please know that whilst there are still restriction in place because of Covid-19, we are unable to share food. Please do not send in any birthday treats for the interim. We will let you know when this becomes appropriate.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Meet our principal and participate in a virtual tour.  Virtual tour dates and times:

• Tuesday 19 May 2020 11.30am
• Tuesday 19 May 2020 6.00pm
• Thursday 21 May 2020 11.30am
• Thursday 21 May 2020 6.00pm

To make a booking for one of our virtual tours, please phone 6292 4500 or email office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Online enrolments close on Friday 22 May 2020.  

Term 2 fee statements will be emailed to all families next week.  Since no excursions will be held this term, families will not be charged the $15.00 per student excursion levy this term.

Term 2 fees are due for payment by the end of Term 2 - Friday 3 July 2020.

If you require fee assistance due to COVID-19, please apply using the forms below as soon as possible.

COVID_19_Condensed_Fee_Assistance_Form.pdf

COVID_19_Request_to_Defer_Payment_of_School_Fees.pdf

Please note for your application to be assessed the form(s) must be completed in full, with the relevant supporting evidence attached:

• Letter on employer letterhead advising of redundancy, stand down or reduction of hours;
• Evidence of receipt of Job Keeper payment from employer;
• Evidence from Centrelink of receipt of Job Seeker COVID-19 payment;
• Copy of Health Care Card.

Please email all applications and supporting documentation to susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au.  Please be assured that all applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you would like to set up a direct debit to pay your school fee account in regular instalments, please let me know and I'll be happy to help with your calculations.

If you have any school fee related queries, please send me an email or give me a call in the office on 6292 4500 from Tuesday to Friday each week.

Kind regards

Susan Rowell

Please note that School Photo Day will not be going ahead on Wednesday 20 May as per the school calendar.

We have rescheduled the 2020 School Photo Day to Monday 19 October 2020.

Due to the redeployment of Registered Nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic response and the closure of schools, the 2020 physical component of the Kindergarten Health Check has been cancelled.  The Academic Unit of General Practice questionnaire data, completed by parents at the beginning of the 2020 school year, has been collected as usual. The results of the questionnaire will be sent to the GP if consent has been given to do so.

If parents have concerns regarding the physical check we recommend they see their GP for assessment. For more information please contact the School Health Team on 5124 1585 or email KindergartenHealthCheck@act.gov.au.

Please like and follow St Francis of Assisi Primary School on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates, reminders and much more.