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Dear Parents/Carers,
It seems of late that most of the correspondence I have been sending out to you is about rules and regulations. Although they are important I would like to think that our communication is far more than that. This week, I want to focus on YOU. How are you going and how are you looking after yourselves in these, what can only be described as uncertain times? I feel that for many of us, we are somewhat protected here in Canberra. We currently have no community transmissions of COVID-19 and while we are impacted to different degrees financially and employment wise, for most of us, it’s ‘Business as Usual’. (I apologise if anyone feels I am underplaying what you may be going through). But the reality is, we are confronted each day with the constant news of rising death tolls and high case numbers of infections in Victoria, and NSW is ‘on a knife edge’ (this week’s media commentary) as to whether outbreaks there are going to be controlled. ACT is described as being in a ‘bubble’ but we all know that in many ways, we are not, because we are all impacted by what is happening across the borders that are not that far away. We all have family and/or friends in these places of concern and our hearts go out to them. But along with that is the fact that we are worrying about this situation. For me personally, I have a daughter in Melbourne. She works at a medical practice and also in the maternity unit of a large hospital. She’s fit, healthy and taking all the right precautions and whilst I am heartened by those facts, underneath, I worry about her being exposed and potentially infected and also long to know when I am going to be able to be with her again. Thank goodness for FaceTime so that I can at least speak to her and see her on the screen.
Now putting that into perspective for what is happening in other parts of the world, I /we have it pretty good. The numbers of those who have contracted or have died from this insidious virus is relatively low. Knowing that gives us hope but at the same time, worry and anxiety for what the future holds is always in the back of our minds. We can’t escape what’ happening but we can control the impact it has on us. So back to my questions, what are your doing to look after yourselves, your wellbeing and that of your family? I have a few thoughts I would like to share about this.
- Turn off the news on the TV. It’s important that we keep up to date with what is happening in the world, country, and right down to the local community. But once we are updated, turn over to something else. We are spoilt for choice and there are some really good things to watch. Yesterday, I turned off Sunrise and found myself watching “Cats can do crazy things”. I’m not a cat person but it made me laugh. We all need an opportunity to laugh.
- Betters still, turn off the TV and pick up a magazine or book. Lose yourself for a while in a good story. I listen to audio books that I borrow for free (via an app) from the Canberra library. It certainly brings the stress levels down.
- Play a board game with the family. There are soooo many on offer these days. When I was growing up it was Monopoly or Checkers. Now, we have a collection at home of about 30 different games. Some take 30 mins and some a whole day. It’s a great way to have family time.
- Completing a jigsaw can also be therapeutic, especially putting in that last piece! If you have a place where a jigsaw can be set up for a length of time and not have to be packed away, then you can add pieces any time you have a few minutes to spare and so can other family members.
- Sit in the sun and just listen to music. Play your favourites or listen to something new. That’s a way to just relax and chill.
- As people of faith, there is nothing more beautiful than to take some time to be calm, quiet and pray. I have included a prayer below.
These are just 6 simple things and I am trying to do them all at some time daily or weekly. I could google the experts in the field and find more but for now, they are enough for me. I hope there is something here that you could take on to turn the worrying down and the focus on looking after YOU and your own wellbeing.
A Prayer
Keep us, dear Lord under the shadow of your Mercy.
When in the midst of anxiety may we know serenity.
When in the midst of fear, may we know trust
and
When in the midst of a pandemic, may we know peace.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are feeling low,
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen
Boorowa Annual Touch Football/Netball Carnival 2020 Cancelled
It is with great sadness that the organisers have had to cancel the 2020 Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival. With the ongoing uncertainty and potential health risks associated with such a big carnival, it was felt that this is the safest course of action following the guidelines and advice from our various Educational Organisations – Department of Education NSW and Catholic Education Office, Canberra & Goulburn. The good news is that we have a date for the 2021 carnival. It will be on October 15th 2021.
ACT Election-Saturday 17 October
There are 8 weeks until the ACT Election and am sure you are seeing candidates from all parties at shopping centres (or even receiving phone calls from them). I encourage you to approach candidates at the shopping centres and mention or discuss the value of ACT Catholic Schools and quiz them on their party’s support for ACT Catholic Schools.
In the ACT, there are 29 systemic Catholic Schools who educate 15 000 students. In Canberra, Catholic schools are very similar to public schools, with our schools having almost exactly the same average ICSEA score (1077-1076). Our schools are inclusive, support families from all backgrounds, and operate on a modest budget.
Did you know that when you compare the total funding that Catholic schools in each state/territory receive, the ACT are the second lowest funded Catholic schools in the country? This is particularly impacted by the ACT Government’s low funding of Catholic schools.
Have a chat to the candidates and mention that you are a parent in an ACT Catholic School and funding of Catholic Schools is an important issue for you.
May God bless you and your families
Ursula Jamieson
Principal
RE Week 4 - Be still and know that I am God
This is a very important time for the students of Year 4 preparing to receive their First Communion at the end of this term. The students, along with their families, have begun their Home Night groups and have demonstrated impressive commitment to their faith development. Please keep these children in your prayers.
This week in Community Prayer, we reflect on the catholic belief in the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Our focus is on the question posed by the angel; “Why do you gaze up into heaven?” We understand that the ascension of Jesus challenges us to make heaven on earth. What can we do to create this?
Penny Vanzwol
REC
this week. Photos will be included in the next newsletter.
Kinder | Gladys Orreil, Mila Laverty Mia Harradine, Teekjwock Kwol |
Year 1 | Davia Alagappon, Lachlan Wardell Samuel Ballesteros, James McGoldrick |
Year 2 | Gracelyn Olivetti, Maddie Baker Pippi Town, Rodrigo Win |
Year 3/4 | Gwang Kwol, Elijah Greene Mae Kroopin, Lilly Killip, Charlie Hynes Maeve Wilson, Daniel Glynn |
Year 5/6 |
Emma O'Loughlin, Liam Dunn |
Cultural Award |
Maljock Kwol |
Principal's Special Award |
Harrison Mendoza |
Teacher Librarian
Happy Birthday to the following students and teacher who are celebrating a birthday this week
For those students who have registered for the ICAS Science tests, it will be administered next week. Please see the other sitting dates below.
Burns Club - HeyYou deliveries now available!
This service might appeal to some of the school community during the week (Monday to Friday). HeyYou will be operating from 8am.