Dear Families

Update for Families on COVID-19

St Francis of Assisi Primary School and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to COVID-19. The Catholic Education Office has a team that is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops, paying particular attention to local hotspots and organising support for schools where required. Here at St Francis we are practicing all safe hygiene practices in line with government advice. We understand that the situation is fairly fluid and we will communicate directly with you should there be any important changes in relation to our school operations in the coming weeks. We remind all families: 

• If your child is unwell, they should not attend school.
• Please ensure that anyone who presents with COVID-19 symptoms in your family is tested.
• Should you have any questions in relation to our school and COVID-19, please feel free to contact our office.

The Feast of the Assumption

15 August celebrates the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The Assumption has been celebrated in the East since about 600 AD, in the West since the end of the 7th century.  Next week, we will remember this day with each class participating in a liturgy. We see in Mary a woman of faith: she put her whole life on the line for God who asked her to be the mother of his Son.  She is also a woman who made a very strong choice for god in her life, whose vocation like ours was to bring Christ to the world.  She is the one who now lives with God as we one-day hope to, fully alive in the love and in the life of eternity.

We are asking children who have Rosary beads at home to bring them to school next week as we will pray a decade of the Rosary at this liturgy.

Hats Back on this Week!

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.

Swimming

We have been advised by Aquatic Achievers at Calwell that swimming lessons for schools will not proceed this year due to their Coivd-19 restrictions. Unfortunately they are unable to provide enough staff within the pool space to accommodate school groups.

Swimming fees will not be charged in Term 3 and 4, and credit notes have been processed for swimming fees charged in Term 1 and Term 2.  Please take the time to look over your school fee statement when they are emailed today, and contact Susan Rowell with any queries: susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

I understand that this is another disappointment for the children and hope that things will return to normal as soon as possible. 

Science Week

On a more positive note, we will be celebrating Science week in Week 5 of this term. Mr Collins has been working very hard behind the scenes to make it as fun-filled and as enjoyable as possible. He has organised a Science show for our junior classes and is getting the children in our older classes to participate in the World’s Biggest Selfie. There will also be activities for the children to do at home. Look out for further correspondence closer to the day.

School Satisfaction Survey

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 Friday 7 August 2020 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/stfrancisofassisiparent2020

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Vinnies Winter Appeal

Thank you from the Mini Vinnies students for your generosity in the first weeks of the St Vincent de Paul Society SFA Winter Food Appeal. St Francis of Assisi Primary gives all the donations to our local Calwell Conference which directly supports people in our local community.

Please continue to send in non-perishable food items such as cans of soup, fish, fruit and vegetables, packets of pasta and noodles, long life milk, spreads etc. to place in the classroom boxes for Mini Vinnies to collect each week.

http://www.vinnies.org.au/winterappeal to donate on line.

St Mary of the Cross Feast Day

This Saturday, August 8^th is the Feast Day of our first Australian saint, St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Mary has many famous sayings, such as ‘Never see a need without doing something about it.”

In 1870 she penned, “God’s love is too deep for words to express”. Mary was known for her actions motivated by compassion for others. She is described as the founder of Catholic education in Australia, who along with her Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand to bring God’s love in action and word to others.

https://www.sosj.org.au/our-foundress-mary-mackillop/marys-story/mary-story-beginnings/

In memory of the example of Mary Mackillop, take a moment to pray a prayer of thanks for someone who has shown you the compassion of God.  How can you do the same for someone who is needing support today?

Dear Families

Term 3 Fee Statements will be emailed to all families today.  A reminder that only one email address can be used for the delivery of family fee statements.  If you did not receive yours or you would like to update your email address, please let me know.

Term 3 fees do not include the swimming levy, and credit notes have been processed for swimming fees charged in Term 1 and Term 2.  

Term 3 fees are due for payment on Friday 11 September 2020 unless paying in regular instalments.

Please take the time to look at your school fee statement to ensure your instalment amounts are sufficient to cover this year's fees.  If you have any queries please email me susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Susan Rowell

Catholic Education is committed to continuing financial assistance into Term 3 to support families who have been financially impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The position of Catholic education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances.

Where your family is experiencing financial stress due to job loss, being stood down, reduction in work hours, business downturn or closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, full or partial fee relief are available for Term 3 only. To apply for fee relief, you are asked to indicate the level of assistance you fee you need at this time by completing a one-page fee assistance form (COVID-19 Fee Assistance Request Form) below.  Your level of fee support will be confirmed as soon as possible. 

COVID_19_Condensed_Fee_Assistance_Form.pdf

Families whose employment situation has not been affected by COVID-19 can support the school by continuing to pay school fees as they fall due. This will support our school to continue providing quality learning in a connected community that nurtures and cares for each other

Your family is an important part of our school community. Your financial circumstances will not compromise the place of your children at our school. All applications for fee relief will be treated with strictest confidence.

A reminder to all families about our current sign in and out procedures.  Our COVID safe procedures mean that parents are not able to enter the classrooms and are only allowed in the front office.

If arriving to school after 9.00am you must park your car in the school car park and accompany your child to the front office to complete a sign in slip.

If you need to pick your child up from school early, please come to the front office to complete a sign out slip, at which time we will call your child's classroom for them to meet you in the office.  Advanced notice by email or phone call is appreciated.

To avoid disruption to staff and students, please arrange appointments outside school hours were possible.  

We also ask that no 'early' pickups occur from 2.50pm onwards given the proximity to the end of the school day.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your continued support of the canteen on Thursdays and Fridays each week.

We have added the following menu items:

• 8 nuggets - cost $4.80
• 10 nuggets - cost $6.00
• 12 nuggets - cost of $7.20

Should you need to contact us, the direct number for the canteen is 6292 7477.

Kind regards

Sue and Jo

Canteen Managers (Thursdays and Fridays only)

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.

One x Asics Black Running Shoe in a US Size 2 has been handed into the office.

Is your child missing one shoe?

Please come and see us if it belongs to you!

Tennis Canberra's professional coaches are running junior tennis coaching programs at both South & North Canberra clubs this Spring.  We welcome first time players and those who are ready to play competition tennis.

The 2020 Spring Season starts the week of August 24th however you are welcome to join at any time.

For more information and to book please visit www.tenniscanberra.com.au/junior-tennis or email play@tenniscanberra.com.au 

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