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Dear Families,
In the three days of Easter, 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. Today we have remembered the events of this week with prayer celebrations led by our students. These have been very meaningful and prayerful.
I wish all families a happy and restful Easter.
Pupil Free Day - 19th April
You may have noticed, when checking the school calendar, that there are two pupil free days scheduled this year – this means that staff attend but students do not. Both days have been added to the school holidays following Term 1 and Term 2. The first falls on Monday 19 April and the second falls on Monday 12 July. These days have been allocated by the Catholic Education Directorate to allow staff to engage in professional learning corresponding to a new system wide initiative called Catalyst that will be rolled out over the next 3 years. Catalyst empowers teachers with evidence-based professional learning in High Impact Teaching Practice, K-2 Literacy, quality curriculum resources and in-classroom coaching. It is a framework for united understanding of and practice in teaching ‘what matters most’ and ‘what works best’ based on soundly researched evidence.
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.
Enrolment Period
The Catholic schools 2021 enrolment period is between Monday 3rd May and Friday 28th May. We will be holding Open days as a way to promote our school. 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 from the start of next term which will explain the 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
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 Josh for your work in supporting our families, staff and students.
A big Thank you to Ms Jill Buik. Jill has been a dedicated Learning Support Assistant over the last 9 months and has accepted a position at Karabar High for the remainder of the year. We have been very fortunate to have Jill working with our students and thank her outstanding work with the children at St Francis. We wish Jill all the very best.
Peace and best wishes
Kate Markcrow
Principal
Holy Week @SFA
Journey with Jesus at Easter
We celebrated this most significant time in the Christian Calendar on Holy Thursday. In preparation for Easter, each year level created a conceptual prayer focus connected to Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to His Resurrection. The students walked to each scene around the school grounds. They reflected upon each scripture and its associated symbols and objects to deepen their understandings about the Christian meaning of Easter.
This image by the Renaissance painter Titian is currently at the impressive Botticelli to Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery. It is of the resurrected Jesus when he appears to Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 20:14-18). When Mary reaches out to touch him, he says ‘Do not touch me’, as it is time for his friends to let go of his earthly presence and await the Holy Spirit.
Take some time this Easter to think about how you experience the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit in your life.
Perhaps catch this exhibition yourself this Easter to see this painting for yourself!
Easter Celebrations in our Corpus Christi Parish Community
To participate in the Corpus Christi Parish Easter Services, please go the link below to book for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday masses as restrictions of 230 apply in the church. Those assisting with the liturgies/masses are excluded from this number.
If you are rostered on a ministry for any of these services, you do not need to book. If family/friends are attending with you, they will need to book.
http://corpus-christi-parish-gowrie-holyweek-easter.eventbrite.com
With blessings for a joyful Easter
Lisa Conroy
Religious Education Coordinator
Congratulations to Zoe and Piper Whitelock who were recently baptised at Holy Family Church, in our Corpus Christi Parish, South Tuggeranong.
Term 1 School Fees
Thank you to the families who have settled their Term 1 school fee accounts. A reminder to all families that Term 1 fees are now overdue (unless paying by regular instalments) and payment as soon as possible would be much appreciated. Please let me know if you need a copy of your school fee statement emailed through.
Year 6 Camp Fees
Year 6 camp fees are now due in full. The total payable is $471.00, please let me know if you need to confirm the amount you owe for camp. The preferred method of payment is by QKR!
Year 5 Camp Fees
The deposit for Year 5 Camp is now due. The total payable per child is $353.00, with the deposit being $153.00. The preferred method of payment is by QKR!
We have been informed that Apple devices including iPhones and iPads need an IOS update to prevent a security issue. Please check your child's devices and make sure they have been updated to the latest IOS.
Google Chrome
Over the holidays we would also like children in Years 4-6 to download the Google Chrome App. This app is a lot more secure as it allows children to sign in with their CE Net personal details and helps with security while at school.
Naplan App
Children in Years 4 and 5 are also asked to download the Naplan Lock Down Browser app in preparation for practice tests and the Yr 5 Naplan Test in May.
SORA e-book reading system
Children in Years 5-6 have been shown how to use the SORA e-book reading system. This app can also be used on any android device. Children just need to choose ACEN for school and use their CE Net credentials to log in and begin to borrow and read e-books.
Reminder: If you have added screen time to your child’s apps or iPad can you please check that time doesn’t run out during school hours and that search engines like Google Chrome and Safari are unlocked to allow children to use as directed by the teachers during the day.
Feel free to contact me if you need guidance fixing up screen time.
Debbie Cossettini
ICT Coordinator
Congratulations to the following children who represented our school on Tuesday 23 March 2021 at the Tuggeranong Regional Swimming Carnival:
- Chloe Smith
- Bronte Kontny
- Lily Young
- Olivia Oyston
- Annie McBryde
- Olivia Chesney
- Lachlan Brassington
- Jens Wolf
- William Ball
These children compteted so well, with St Francis Primary School coming 2nd in Championship points.
The following children have been selected to compete at the ACT Swimming Championships on 28 April:
- Lily Young
- Chloe Smith
- Annie McBryde
- Olivia Oyston
- William Ball
Congratulations and best of luck.
Thank you to everyone who placed an order from Issue 2 of the Scholastic Book Club this term.
Unfortunately these orders will not arrive before the holidays. We will distribute the orders as soon as they are here early next term.
A big THANK YOU to everyone that placed an order for the St Francis of Assisi Primary School bulb fundraiser.
We have raised just over one thousand dollars for our school community!
Please like and follow St Francis of Assisi Primary School on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates, reminders and much more.
