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Dear Parents and Carers,
This week instead of a report from me, Carl Jenkins, our SCC Chair has presented his report from the last meeting.
Have a good, be it somewhat wet weekend.
Yours in partnership,
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
The School Community Council met last Monday via TEAMs. Here is an account of our discussions for your information.
- Collectively there was excitement with kids returning to school!
- There are plenty of precautions in place for a COVID-19 outbreak at the school (should one occur). There will be more communications from the school once Catholic Education has finalised the approach to managing positive cases; the guidance is now changing very regularly.
- The COVID-19 restrictions have obviously also affected other things, including the sacramental program, the fete and the planned SCC open meeting in Term 3.
- We discussed the upcoming sacramental program, which will hopefully all be completed prior to the end of the year. It’s still a ‘wait and see’ in terms of what restrictions might exist when these go ahead, but the idea will be to enable as much family to come as possible. This may include some outdoor options for confirmation; this will be confirmed closer to the date.
- We have received some correspondence from Catholic School Parents Canberra-Goulburn, who are looking for more parent representatives for the committee. Please let the SCC know if you’re interested – you don’t have to be a member of the SCC to nominate!
- The improving NAPLAN results were well received – the school is continuing to show some good improvement trends.
- People may notice two of the playground trees has been removed – one fell during the recent lockdown, and it was recommended by an arborist and the ACT Government to remove the one next to it as well. The leftover trunks are being re-used in the playground to make some fairy garden seats.
- On other things in the playground – the chicken coop and run is now complete, and while the grant application to establish a ‘food forest’ was not successful, it was agreed to do one anyway. We hope to be able to establish this with a working bee, if we’re allowed to do one, later in Term 4.
- We noted some parents received conflicting advice and versions of payments for school fees – this was a system error and has now been fixed.
- People will notice the hall upgrade is now finally underway after the delay due to the lockdown, with the site established and the hall has now largely been gutted. With the delays it may not now be complete until the end of Term 1 2022, and this will have some impact on how the school manages events during the construction period.
- There are supply issues with the polar fleece at Savvy’s. The school is following this up – and will provide more guidance when known.
- Teachers are working on how reporting will be conducted for the end of year, given the long home schooling period. We did discuss how Year 6 reports in particular might support a transition to Year 7, this is a work in progress and the school will provide more guidance soon.
- Planning has commenced for the Year 6 graduation, noting celebrations need to be held offsite; if you have good ideas for this please get in touch with Anne Barbic.
- At this stage there is optimism for two key other end of year events – Kinder Nativity and Carols. Planning is underway for both and there will be more to follow.
- Luke Mooney provided a good presentation on the BYOD program, for which the school is considering the best available options, following a transition period, in the coming years. There will be more to follow for parents on this, but for the time people parents are encouraged not to invest just yet in a new iPad for 2022 while the plan is finalised. The approach is to ensure that Year 5 and 6 students in particular benefit from a program that aligns well to what they will need to be doing in high school, but is also more supportable by the school. More information on this will follow ASAP.
Kind regards
Carl Jenkins
School Community Council Chair
RE Week 5 - Who do you say I am?
Community Prayer
This week we celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Both are very important days in the church calendar. All Saints Day is celebrated on 1st November. The saints are people who said “yes” to God`s plan for them and are now in heaven. Some were children and young people, some were mothers and fathers, some were monks, priests or nuns and some were single people. On All Saints Day we praise and thank God for what He has done for us through these holy people. We ask the saints to pray for us that we may love God and our neighbour the way Jesus taught us.
All Souls’ Day follows All Saints Day on 2 November and is also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. It is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died.
Eucharist
We look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist next week on Thursday 11th November at 6pm in the church. It has been a long wait but it will be a lovely celebration.
Mini Retreat
On Thursday 25th November at 6pm, the Youth Ministry Team and Mini Vinnies Team will be involved in a mini Retreat. The note is attached in this newsletter. Due to numbers, the evening will be offered to Year 5/6 students only. If there are places available after Year 5/6 students have responded it will then be offered to Mini Vinnies students in Years 3/4. We look forward to this exciting opportunity.
Penny Vanzwol
REC
Date |
Event |
Thursday 11 November |
Remembrance Day Celebration of Sacrament (Eucharist) 6pm in the Church |
Our Book Week Dress Up day on Thursday was a great demonstration of the creativity and commitment of the St Thomas the Apostle community. There were a wide variety of costumes and the children were excited and engaged in the event. Thank you for the effort you put into supporting this annual event.
Thank you to those families who have returned library books. It is helpful when books are returned promptly so that other students have the opportunity to borrow. A reminder that K-2 are asked to return books on MONDAY and 3-6 on Wednesday. This helps to ensure that books are back on the shelf before Library lessons begin for the week.
It has a great message about positivity, joy and a strong sense of self. It stimulated some great discussions around accepting people, including ourselves, just as we are.
Penny Vanzwol
Teacher Librarian
The Awards were presented to the students in their classes by Mrs Jamieson and Ms Chant.
Kinder |
Oliver Smith, Harry Shevlin |
Year 1 |
Vincent Denino, Everleigh Sedaitis |
Year 2 |
Gabrielle Hanna, Flynn Johnson |
Year 3/4 |
Penny Warren,Hudson Wundersitz |
Year 5/6 |
Luke Taylor, Riley Masters |
Principal's Awards |
Laura Tkalcevic, Vincent Sommariva |
Happy Birthday to the following students who will celebrate a birthday this week
Children's Week Award - Sophie Cameron
This year, one of our year 6 students, Sophie Cameron was nominated for an ACT Children's Week Award by Julie Long OAM for her 'outstanding contribution to young people in the community' and on the 27th October, Sophie was awarded with an "Exceptional Young Person Award".
Each year the ACT Children's Week Committee recieves nominations for Children's Week Awards to recognise people and organisations in the community who have 'made a difference' for children and young people, or young people who have been an example for others.
In 2015, Sophie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Sophie recieved this award in regonition for her participation in various awareness campaigns and fundraising activites for JDRF, even meeting the Prime Minister at Kirribili House and being interviewed on the Today show to promote awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and the need to funding into research. Sophie was a voiceover in a national campaign to raise $50 million for research into a cure, which was successful. Sophie was also recognised for her helpfulness and care for other students at school camp this year. Congratulations Sophie!
New Arrival
Congratulations to William, Maria, Geoffrey, Seini, Gracelyn, Damiano and Jeremiah on the birth of their little boy Samuel.
Kinder - Wednesday & Friday
Year 1 - Wednesday & Friday
Year 2 - Monday & Wednesday
Year 3/4 - Tuesday & Friday
Year 5/6 - Tuesday & Thursday