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 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.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

As mentioned in previous communication last week, we have come back to school with the same restrictions as last term. We were hopeful that we would see the easing of some of these restrictions, however with the current climate this is not to be the case.

I can understand that some of these restrictions can be frustrating to some people but I ask that you understand why these are necessary. Decisions are made with the whole school community in mind. We have members of our community who are especially vulnerable and I will not compromise in ensuring that all members are protected, even if it means a small inconvenience for others.

All adult visitors still have restricted access to the school. If you have reason to be on school grounds for a period of 10 minutes or more, you will be required to fill in a Covid-19 Declaration for each visit before you can leave the front office area, this includes canteen volunteers, banking people and netball coaches.

HATS BACK ON - IT’S ALMOST TIME

Just a reminder that ACT SunSmart guidelines state that all ACT school students must wear hats from August to the end of May. It is time to dig out that hat which has been at the bottom of the bag or under the bed at home. Thanks for your support with this. A copy of our Sun-Smart Policy is available on our website. I will remind the children again next week.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP

I thank all parents who have acted on my communication from last week in regard to traffic congestion on Casey Cres and have driven directly to the school carpark.

Yesterday morning the school received another phone call from a frustrated member of our wider community complaining about the line-up of traffic. As stated previously, if you are not able to fully enter our school driveway, please enter via the right lane and proceed to the school carpark. It may actually be quicker for you. We need to be considerate of everyone.

Thank you to those people who are coming a bit earlier in the morning as well. A reminder that if you park in the school carpark, you are able to walk your child to the side gate of Kindergarten and say your goodbyes there.

STAFFING NEWS

Mrs McGinness, has decided to take the reminder of the year off. Christine has lead our Learning Support Team for many years and is now enjoying some time with her brand new granddaughter. Congratulations Christine, enjoy this well-deserved break.

Mrs Lauren Macdonald is also enjoying some time with her family. Mrs Macdonald will be back in Week 3. In the meantime, Mrs Michelle Marshall is Acting Coordinator in her absence.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILIES

This term we welcome new families to our school community. The Cantwell family started on Monday with Hayden in 4N and Lily in 2K. Next week we welcome the Mitchell Family with Hannah in 2K and Hayley in KN. I am sure you will join with me in warmly welcoming them to our school community.

YEAR ONE ASSEMBLY

The Year 1 assembly that was scheduled for this Friday has been postponed until next week. Unfortunately we are still unable to gather as a large group, so we will be videoing this and uploading it so that families can view the wonderful work Year 1 has been doing in their classrooms.

Peace and Best wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

This term we are launching the St Vincent de Paul Society St Francis of Assisi Winter Food Appeal. Vinnies makes a real difference to the lives of people in our community, many of whom are especially needy at this time during the pandemic. St Francis of Assisi Primary supports our local Calwell Conference by donating food items to the Winter Appeal. Thank you in anticipation of many donations!

Please send in food items such as cans of soup, fish, fruit and vegetables, packets of pasta and noodles, long life milk, spreads such as jams, vegemite etc. to place in the classroom boxes.

Help our school make a difference in our community by supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal! You can also visit http://www.vinnies.org.au/winterappeal to donate online.

Due to Covid-19 the only sacrament to be celebrated in 2020 will now be CONFIRMATION for Year 6 students who are Catholic.

St Francis of Assisi Confirmation Celebrations will be held on Thursday 24 September at either 5:30pm or 7.00pm. 

Parents are to enrol their child for the sacrament, through the Corpus Christi Parish QKR! and you will be allocated to one of the two masses on 24 September.

Parents will attend the Parent Formation Night on Thursday 20 August at 6:30-7:30pm and students will participate in a Retreat Day on Wednesday 9 September.

Enrolments close on Friday 31 July 2020.

Please call Gail Walker at the Parish Office on 6291 6688 with any queries.

Regards,
Lisa Conroy
REC

Letters of Offer were sent out to families for 2021 Kindergarten students at the end of last term. 

Please ensure you return the following forms to complete the enrolment process and secure a place for your child in Kindergarten in 2021:

• Signed Acceptance of Offer
• Signed Parent Commitment Agreement Form

These forms can be emailed to office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au or delivered in person to the front office.  Please accept your place no later than Friday 31 July 2020.

Dear Families

Welcome back to Term 3.

2019/20 Building Fund statements were sent by email to all families this week.  If you didn't receive your statement please let me know and I can send another copy.

Term 3 Fees will be sent to all families in Week 3. 

Please take the time to make sure you are up to date with your school fee account.  Term 1 and Term 2 fees are now overdue and payment is required as soon as possible.  

If you would like to check your school fee balance, or calculate instalments for the rest of the year, please send me an email susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au or give me a call on 6292 4500 from Tuesday to Friday each week.

Kind regards

Susan Rowell

A reminder to all families and students that from 1 August 2020 all students will be required to wear a hat for outside play.

Please ensure that your child's hat is clearly labelled with their name so that any lost hats can be returned quickly and easily.

If you need a new hat, they can be purchased from the front office for $15.00 per hat.

The latest issue of Scholastic Book Club was sent home with students this week.

Online ordering is preferred however cash will be accepted.

Please ensure all orders for this issue are in by Friday 31 July 2020.

School banking resumed this week.  Please send bank books in each Wednesday for processing and books will be sent home on Thursday of the same week.

While the clothing pool will not be re-opening this term, if you are in need of any items please send an email to office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au and your order will be filled if possible and sent home with your eldest child.  You will be informed of the amount owing and we ask that all payments be made by QKR! 

We are accepting donations of second hand uniforms for the clothing pool.  If you have any pre-loved uniforms in good condition that you are willing to donate to the school, please bring these to the front office.

All proceeds from the sale of second hand uniforms go to the Community Council.

Thank you for your support.

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