Dear Families

Next week our Year 6 students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Through Confirmation, we believe that we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Like the apostles in the time after Jesus rose from the dead at the first Easter, we too are in need of the support and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and the Holy Spirit brings us the gifts of Wisdom – Understanding - Right Judgement – Courage – Knowledge – Reverence, and Wonder and are in awe in God’s presence. No wonder it’s a special day in their lives.

A big thank you to Ms Lisa Conroy (REC), the Year Six teachers Miss Rachel Southwell, Mr Steve Joyce and Mrs Michelle Marshall, our Parish Priests Fr James and Fr Josh along with Ms Anne Gowan in preparing our students for this very special event.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

I am taking the last 2 weeks of this term off on Long Service Leave. Mrs Tiffany Reedy will be Acting Principal whilst I am away. I thank the community for allowing me to spend some quality time with my husband. I will be ‘back on deck’ next term.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP

It has come to my attention last week that there are some families who have concerns over our afternoon pick-up arrangements.  I think the biggest question is why we are continuing with the line-up arrangements outside the school. Please know that we are equally as frustrated in the restrictions; however, as a school community we have a responsibility to ensure that we are meeting the required recommendations that have been put in place. 

The position within the ACT is that adults still need to physically distance from each other. Once adults are on site it is the school’s responsibility to ensure that this occurs. We have discussed at length other ways that we can have a safe pickup; however, we find it very hard as some families are a bit relaxed when it comes to social distancing.

Another issue that we also have to consider is our space requirements in the hall. The children take up most of the space and the pick-up area is quite small. To ensure we meet the space requirements we can only have about 10 families at a time within the hall.

I have talked to our head office to clarify this and I was told that we are to continue with our current pick-up arrangements.

As a school we have an obligation to follow the regulations set by the government. We also need to ensure that all members of our school community are welcomed into a safe environment. The situation in Victoria is a reminder that we cannot be complacent.

Our gates are open to families at the end of the school day (3:05pm) and the line has eased by 3:12pm. This is 7 minutes. We will continue to ensure the line moves as quickly as possible. The children are held in the hall until 3:15pm. We are happy for parents to arrive during this time when there is no line up to collect the children from the hall.

To allow the movement to occur quickly we do ask that all parents/carers on entering the hall make their way across the floor rather than stay in the doorway. This will allow the line to progress in a much more effective manner.

Please know that if you have any concerns around this or on any other issue I am more than happy to discuss it. I am grateful to the parent who brought this to my attention.

SCHOOL SURVEY

A reminder that the school survey is currently open for completion.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below: 

http://tellthemfromme.com/hskgp

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

Laudato Si’ Week 

A Call to Care for Country 

On Friday the 21st of May, as part of Laudato Si’ Week, we were especially invited to participate in a ‘Laudato Si’ Jubilee Prayer Gathering, called Caring for Country. We were welcomed to country by Aboriginal elders and were cleansed with an indigenous smoking ceremony. Then Archbishop Christopher Prowse welcomed us and started the prayer liturgy. Many students from different schools prayed the Canticle of Creatures, which is by St Francis of Assisi. At the end of the liturgy the Archbishop and guests planted a special ‘Laudato Si’ tree. Then everyone blessed the special tree.

Matthew and Imogen were chosen to participate in this liturgy because we are school captains and we represent our school. Paige was chosen because she has an important role in helping out at Green Gang, our school Environmental Leadership Group.

By Imogen, Paige and Matthew

There is much we can do to be environmentally responsible, to care for the Earth - to live Laudato Si’ - the cry for the world written by Pope Francis.

Use the following goals as a checklist for your homes and workplaces!

Congratulations to Edward Rose on celebrating his First Eucharist last Sunday.  Edward is looking forward to celebrating his Confirmation next week too.

A reminder that Term 2 fees are due for payment tomorrow, Friday 4 June 2021.

If you require a copy of your school fee statement, please email me susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au and I will send a copy through.

Many thanks

Susan Rowell

Sleep is an essential part of healthy living, it is up there with a healthy diet.

Lack of sleep can impact many areas of life including poor attention, concentration, mood and memory. Headspace is a private company specialising in healthy sleep routines, tips and tricks, and have released a series on Netflix about sleep. They are short 20 minute episodes covering myths, tips and tricks, and each episode ends with a sleep assisting meditation.

The average amount of sleep required by an adult is 8 hours, 9 for a teen and up to 11 hours for a child. Are you and your family getting enough sleep? Watch the trailer here: https://www.headspace.com/netflix 

Sharman Hampson

Student and Family Counsellor

CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn

SAVE THE DATE

Hot Dog Day is coming up on Friday 18 June 2021.

The QKR app to order your hot dogs will open on 7 June 2021 at 9.00am and close on 14 June 2021 at 9.00am.

The price is $6.00 for a hot dog, juice and a sweet treat. An extra hot dog will be $2.00 and there is an option for sauce or no sauce.  There will be no other lunch orders available on the day. However, the canteen will be open for over-the-counter sales at both recess and lunch. 

We will need help packing the orders and extra hands always makes the task easier.  If you are able to help on the day at any time; but in particular 12.30pm till 1.15pm we would greatly appreciate seeing you at the canteen on Friday 18 June 2021.

Kathy Crosbie

Canteen Manager

6292 7477

We are pleased to advise that unbranded items of the St Francis of Assisi school uniform are now available to purchase from Workin' Gear in Fyshwick.

To see what is available and to order items online, please visit:

https://workingearschools.com.au/product-category/uniforms-by-school/st-francis-of-assisi/

We are working with this new supplier to have our school bag and other branded items of uniform available for purchase through them soon. 

In the meantime, these items are available at Savvy schoolwear and limited second hand items are for sale at our Clothing Pool.  The Clothing Pool is open on Tuesdays after school and Fridays before school.  If you have any donations of second hand uniforms for the Clothing Pool, please drop these into the front office.

A reminder that orders for the latest issue of Scholastic Book Club are closing tomorrow, Friday 4 June 2021.  This will hopefully give enough time for orders to arrive and be distributed to students before the end of term.

Please place orders online, or cash is also accepted at the front office.

Please like and follow St Francis of Assisi Primary School on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates, reminders and much more.