Dear Families, 

Front Office Refurbishment

We have finally made our way back to the Front office with our newly refurbished offices. Although there are still many boxes to unpack, we are extremely grateful for our new workspaces and are pleased with the new design. It has been a long time since we moved into the temporary locations and are appreciative of everyone’s patience and ability to adapt to the not-ideal conditions. The wait has certainly been worth it. 

There are still some minor fixes to be completed but we would like to thank our Architects from Munns, Sly and Moore, Bob Sly and Jess Straw along with the builders from Total Project Construction led by Reg Magyar for the excellent design and craftsmanship of this new building. A special thanks to Catholic Education for funding this project. We are truly blessed.

Year 6 Camp

Two weeks ago, our Year Six students left for camp at Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre. This was a very exciting time for our Year 6 students who lost the opportunity to go on camp last year due to Covid. This time away early in the year gave all students and staff an opportunity to further develop relationships and to participate in challenging and team-building group exercises. Our students were a credit to the school and their families. Thank you students!

I would like to thank Miss Rachel Southwell, Mr Steve Joyce, Mrs Michelle Marshall, Mrs Reedy and Mr Jeff Alcock who also accompanied our students for four days and three nights. Thank you so much to all - without your commitment and support, our students could not attend such events.

I was overwhelmed with the positive comments, both from the camp staff and from the teachers, about the behaviour our students displayed throughout their time away.  They truly are exceptional leaders of our school.

Year 5 Assembly, Bullying – No Way!

The Year 5 children have been busy preparing for their assembly tomorrow. This will see us back in the hall for the first time in 12 months to participate in a celebration of our students’ efforts. Please know that due to access to space and Covid restrictions, we will only be able to have parents from this grade attend. It is a ticketed event and those with tickets will need to check in with the Check-In Canberra app.

Community Council

We are still looking for parents to nominate for our Community Council. At this stage we have had no nominations for our new treasurer. If you feel you have some finance experience and would like to undertake this role please email me as soon as possible. The first 6 months will be shadowing our current treasurer, whilst learning the role.

The role is not too arduous, attending only 2 meetings a term and completing a few minor financial tasks.

Spice Playgroup

Our Spice Playgroup started back 2 weeks ago with many families taking the opportunity to come in and meet new parents. Our playgroup runs on Monday mornings and is open to all parents or carers with under school age children. We currently have children ranging in age form 4 moths to 4 years old. Liz Poynter, our playgroup coordinator is super excited in having more people attend.

For more information please email Liz on elizabeth.Shore@cg.catholic.edu.au

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

4 Kanbi Mass Reflections

Father Josh wore a collar that means he’s a priest. His alb means he’s been baptised. His stole symbolised he is fully a priest. The cincture rope belt means God is leading him.

His chasuble is a bit like a poncho to keep you dry and warm, from times when being a priest was illegal, and they celebrated Mass in hidden places outside like tunnels.

Rachel 

I learnt that it does not matter what you look like from the outside, it matters what you are like on the inside!

Nafreen 

I learnt that the priest kisses the stole before he puts it on, because it is a sign of love and respect.

Ravneet 

Father Josh took the Blessed Eucharist from The Tabernacle behind the altar, which is the most sacred item in the church, because it houses Jesus.

Annie 

The Sacred Heart Church is the heart of our school!

Annabel

The Gospel According to John (3: 14-21)

Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God. ’During his stay in Jerusalem for the Passover many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he gave, but Jesus knew them all and did not trust himself to them; he never needed evidence about any man; he could tell what a man had in him.

Reflection

What words or phrases struck you in Sunday’s Gospel reading?

What might God be saying to you in and through the Gospel?

Nicodemus is the image of one who seeks, and yet initially his hesitation and uncertainty keep him from truly seeing Jesus. Today we hear his conversation with Jesus, however, in a prior passage we’re told that Nicodemus approaches only under cover of night - a night which echoes the darkness of fear and doubt in the shadows of his own heart. The night becomes his protection. Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus, yet he is not convinced. He simply ‘wades’ in the shallow pools of faith, not daring to submerge himself… at least not yet!

As people of faith, we too are all in some way like Nicodemus. The question posed to us is a serious one: Are we too just ‘wading’ in pools of faith, or are we genuinely entrusting ourselves to the Word of Life and Love which is spoken to us?

How do I show such self-surrender to Christ in my life?

As a Christian, how am I giving others the courage to come out of the dark and do the same?

(Fr Trenton Van Reesch, Administrator of St Christopher’s Cathedral)

Prayer

Lord of Light,

Grant me a deepening and trusting faith, even when things do not make sense. May I live in the Light of your Love, and the Truth of your Promise, so that, the darkness of my doubts and fears cast out, I may serve you, in serving others.

Amen

(From Formed in Prayer)

A reminder to all families that Term 1 school fees are due for payment tomorrow 19 March 2021, unless paying regular instalments.  Please let me know if you need additional time to pay your fees this term.

A reminder to Year 6 families that the balance of Year 6 camp is due for payment by the end of this term.  If you paid the deposit of $250.00 then the balance owing is $221.00.  Thank you to those families who have already paid in full.  Payment through QKR! is preferred or you can come in and pay by cash or card at the front office.

Year 5 are heading on camp next term and the cost per child is $353.00.  Payment by QKR! is preferred and the deposit of $153.00 is due for payment by Thursday 1 April 2021.

On the last day of term, Thursday 1 April, the Canteen is having a special lunch day.

For $7.00 you will get 5 x dinosaur nuggets, sauce, juice and a sweet treat.  Three extra normal nuggets will be available for $2.50 and extra sauce is available for 30c.

Orders will open on QKR! on Monday 22 March and will close on Monday 29 March.  To avoid disappointment, please place your order before the cutoff on 29 March.

No other lunch orders will be available on Thursday 1 April, but over the counter sales will be as normal at recess and lunch.

We would really appreciate some extra assistance on the day.  If you are available to help please get in touch!

Kind regards

Kathy Crosbie

Canteen Manager

If you are having trouble thinking of ways in which you can support your child with calming strategies, here are a few ideas to help add to your child’s calm down list. 

1. Imagine your favourite place or holiday – Think about your favourite place or holiday, focus on what is happening around you, who are you with, what can you see, feel or smell and what is it about this place that you like so much. 
2. ABC’s – Name animals in alphabetical order (eg: alpaca, bear, cow, dog, elephant etc). Instead of animals you can also use names, things you see in your room, fruit and vegies etc.  
3. Colours – Name everything that you can see around you that is the colour blue, red, orange, green etc. This is a great activity to help bring children back to the present. 
4. Squeeze something – Help get some of your tension out by squeezing play doh, clay, silly putty or stress balls. There are some really easy ways to make your own stress balls using balloons, rice or flour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz5iEBdJM84 
5. 5 senses – Name 5 things that you can see, hear, feel, taste and smell. Touch each one of your fingers as you name the things. 
6. Deep breathing – There are many breathing exercises that you can do, here are a couple. Pretend your belly is a balloon, breathe in and make the balloon grow as big as it can then breathe out and make the balloon shrink. Or breathe in like you are smelling a bunch of flowers and breathe out like you are blowing out candles. 

For more ideas check out this site with 100 ideas for coping strategies, give your child lots of options to help build up their skills and toolbox. 

https://www.thepathway2success.com/100-coping-strategies-for-anger-anxiety-and-more/ 

Thank you to all the families who have placed an order of bulbs as part of our Community Council Fundraiser.

So far, St Francis of Assisi Primary School has raised $284.00!

A reminder that the cutoff date for ordering is 26 March so there is only one week to get orders in.

A reminder that orders for issue 2 of the Scholastic Book Club are due tomorrow, Friday 19 March.  Sorry but no late orders will be accepted.

Following the front office refurbishment, the school has a number of items of furniture to give away to any interested families.  Items available include desks, bookshelves and filing cabinets.

Please come and have a look to see if you'd like to take anything.  You will have to organise your own removal and transport of the furniture.

Any remaining items will be disposed of on Wednesday 24 March.

The Clothing Pool is open at the following times:

• Tuesday afternoons 2.45 - 3.30pm
• Friday mornings 8.45 - 9.30am

The Clothing Pool is located in the hall foyer.  When attending the Clothing Pool, please ensure you check in using the Check In CBR app, and adhere to social distancing requirements at all times.  Only one family will be served at a time.

The Clothing Pool sells second hand school uniforms and we accept donations of good quality pre-loved uniforms.  Please bring your donations to the front office.

Thank you to our parent volunteers for providing this service to our school community!

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