Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday. This day commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where He is proclaimed King, as many people of His time were seeking a political Messiah. We, like those who greeted Jesus, use palms to show our willingness to accept Jesus as our leader and to follow Him.

In the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the Church gives us a dramatic, intense and richly symbolic expression of the very heart of Christian belief. By participating in the liturgy of these three days, we can deepen our understanding of what it means for us to be a Christian. This week we have been remembering the events of this week with prayer celebrations led by our students. These have been very meaningful and prayerful.

Below are the Parish events and times for Easter. Participating in these events at Easter will speak volumes to your children about your own beliefs and values. On Thursday the children will spend time reflecting on the events of Holy Week. At 2:15pm in the Peace Garden, our school community will host a prayer celebration. You are, of course, most welcome.

Holy Thursday 18 April @ Holy Family Church
7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday 19 April
11am Stations of the Cross @ St Clare of Assisi School grounds, Conder
3pm The Passion and Death of Our Lord
followed by 1st Rite of Reconciliation @ Holy Family Church

Easter Saturday 20 April @ Holy Family Church
10am-11am 1st Rite of Reconciliation
7pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday 21 April @ Holy Family Church
8am   Mass
10am Mass

The Term in Review

As part of our new Communication Strategy, the teachers have been busy preparing this newsletter showcasing what they have been learning in their classrooms. I thank the teacher immensely, especially as they have had 3 late nights this week with Parent/Teacher Conferences. I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter. I would appreciate feedback to see if we should continue with this idea during the rest of the year.

Ninja Warrior Colour Run

We are really looking forward to our Colour Run tomorrow. Thank you to all families for supporting one of our major fundraisers for the year. The Colour Run starts at 12pm. We have many families assisting tomorrow- thank you! Our Prize Assembly will be held next term. Further information about this will be communicated with you shortly. All money raised goes directly towards the upkeep of our school grounds. We are looking forward to a great day!

Three-Way Conferences and Parent Teacher Interviews

Three-Way Interviews have taken place this week. Thanks to staff, parents and students for the way you have embraced these interviews. It is important to ‘catch up’ with the teacher at this stage of the school year and set goals in place for the rest of the Semester. Formal reports will be distributed late in Term 2.

Uniform Reminders

Thank you for your support with school uniform this year. A reminder that full winter uniform is required for Terms 2 and 3. A copy of our ‘School Uniform and Student Appearance Policy’ is available on our website and I encourage all families to familiarise yourselves with correct uniform and appearance requirements. Please ensure your children are ready to go for the start of Term 2.

Security

Just a reminder to feel free to have a drive-by during the holidays and to report anything suspicious to ACT Police on 131 444.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast will take place on Friday 10^th May. Please save the date. A note asking for volunteers to help on the day and for Breakfast orders will come home via SZapp on Sunday before school goes back. Keep an eye out for it.

SZapp and Skoolbag

As of 29th April the school will no longer be using Skoolbag. We have transitioned to the SZapp app which is linked to our website. Please ensure you have this app for all school communication. 

Open Days and Enrolment Period

The Catholic schools formal 2020 enrolment period is between Monday 6 May and Friday 31 May. Our Open Days are on Monday 6 May and Wednesday 29 May between 9.30am and 11am and/or 4 and 6pm. Please let friends know of this enrolment period and share your positive experiences of the school with others. Your feedback is still the defining advertisement for St Francis of Assisi Primary School and the main reason new families tell me they want their child to attend. Our school is truly about ‘people’, ‘community’ and ‘quality education’.

Information packs will be available from the school at the start of next term which will explain the new online enrolment process for all Catholic schools. Spaces cannot be guaranteed, even for siblings, if the applications are not returned by the end of the enrolment period. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who may be considering enrolling their child in an ACT Catholic school.

Thank you

I would like to thank Mrs Sally Giorgio, one of our Classroom Support Assistants, who is finishing up with us at the end of this term.  We wish Sally all the best in her new role at Birrigai and thank her for all her hard work this term.

To our very dedicated and wonderful staff, on behalf of all, thank you for your work, care and interest in our children. How fortunate we are in having a group of dedicated professionals who contribute so much to St Francis of Assisi Primary School. Thank you also to Father James and Father Praveen for your work in supporting our families, staff and students.

We look forward to seeing all the students back at school for the commencement of Term 2 on Monday 29 April 2019.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

A reminder to parents of Year 6 students who are registered to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, online bookings are now open.  Bookings will close on Monday 6 May.  Please go to the parish website www.ccparish.org.au to complete your online booking. 

The St Francis of Assisi Primary School staff will be attending the Confirmation mass at 5.15pm on Tuesday 11 June 2019.

Also a further reminder to all Year 6 parents that 'Hopes and Dreams' letters are due back at school Friday 10 May, before Confirmation Retreat Day on Wednesday 15 May

The Confirmation Parent Formation Night will be held at 7:30pm on Thursday 9 May

Please contact the parish office with any queries by phoning 6291 6688.

A reminder to all families that the new Action Bus Network will commence on the first day of Term 2 - Monday 29 April 2019.

Please note that every bus route will have a new number/timetable and route.

You can check your child’s new timetable/route by referring to the attachment below:

You may also use ACTION’s website to find information on the new timetable by visiting https://www.transport.act.gov.au/. Please note that there is an “options” box to select preferences such as fewest interchanges, fastest route, combined walk & ride options etc.

For further information please call Action on 13 17 10.

The Community Council is again offering fundraising through the Entertainment Book this year.

The new books have been launched and are ready to be purchased via this link https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/233w23.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, this is a great gift idea for Mums, Grandmothers and carers. You are not restricted to purchasing the book for Canberra. You are able to purchase for any of the listed locations in Australia as well as New Zealand and Bali. By purchasing a digital membership you will save on postage costs. Closer to Mothers Day, they have in the past had free shipping but this may fall within the school holidays so if you would like to send an actual hard copy book, keep an eye on the website for the extra deals.

St Francis of Assisi receive $12 from each book sold and we have already sold 2 this year since the launch.