Dear Families,

On Saturday night a group of Year 4 students and their families gathered to prepare for First Eucharist. I would like to thank Skye McPadden and the Year 4 teachers for supporting students in this preparation. We will continue to keep these children in our prayers.

For those of you needing to purchase school uniform, in particular jumpers, the second-hand uniform pool has barely worn jumpers in a large range of sizes. The SCC open the second-hand uniform pool on Monday mornings and Wednesday’s after school. Other uniform items are also available.

As colds and flu continue to circulate, we have a number of staff away either sick, or with sick children. While we do our best to find relief staff to cover these absences, it is not always possible. This week, we have even had relief staff calling in sick! This means that on occasions we will need to split a class. When a class is split, they are provided with independent work either on Google Classrooms or in a booklet. We try to share this around as much as possible, so no one class is disadvantaged. Again, this will never be perfect but we do our very best. You may also hear of special guest teachers, including me, taking classes. Our priority is always for teaching and learning and looking after the wellbeing of students. Placing members of the Leadership Team in class may mean that we are not available during the day to respond immediately to questions, phone calls or requests and I thank you for your patience.

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith

Leah Taylor
Principal

Note from Mr Ross Fox, Director CECG

Acknowledging the unprecedented situation we face, and following consultation, I have authorised two additional pupil free days in Term 3. The timing of these days for ACT schools will align with times set by the ACT Education Directorate – Friday in Week 3 and Friday in Week 8. NSW schools will set dates for these these pupil free days in consultation with nearby schools. I hope this additional time will assist teachers and staff in term 3.

In accordance with the abovementioned and in line wth all ACT Schools, we note that the two additional pupil free days for Term 3 are:

• Week 3, Friday 5th August 2022 
• Week 8, Friday 9th September 2022

We, again, thank our community for supporting and working with us to enable our school to hopefully remain appropriately staffed and open and our amazing learning to continue. 

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The Beginning of August is Hats On For All of Us  
    
The beginning of August marks the start of the sun protection period for Canberra primary school settings, this is because we begin to witness daily UV levels climb to 3 and above every day, and whilst it may not be all day, it will be for part of the day in August ie lunchtime. ACT schools need to know what time to enforce sun protection each day and never rely on temperature to gauge sun protection times. 

Yes, August is still very cold in the nation's capital but it also signals Hats On Again for all Canberra primary schools and early childhood services.

STA hats are availble for purchase from the Front Office for $15 each.

We look forward to seeing some amazing work presented by Year 1 when they host the next assembly on Friday 12 August 2022. Sadly, we are unable to welcome families to the assembly, in accordance with the COVID Management Plan but we hope that families will have discussions surrounding their child’s involvement in their assemblies.

Coming up in week 6...........Year 4! 

This term, seven of our Year 5 and 6 students will be participating in the Tournament of Minds (TOM).  This competition relies on the students solving a Long Term Challenge and then completing a Spontaneous Challenge on the Day.  The enthusiastic team have chosen the STEM Long Term Challenge which is testing their creative and problem-solving thinking skills.  Already they have had some great brainstorming sessions, drawn up plans, made props and made a good start on their scenario script.  Well done and good luck team! 

Introducing Prakash K C

Prakash K C, from Marymead, is a qualified counsellor with Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling degree. Prakash specialises in providing trauma-informed, strength and relationship-based counselling service to young people struggling with interpersonal, Mental health and AOD issues, in collaboration with the parents. In last four years, Prakash K C has worked with many young people experiencing various issues such as anxiety, depression, loss and grief, drug and alcohol problems, trauma, interpersonal issues, etc. Prakash approach in counselling is Integrative in nature, but inclines more towards person-centred humanistic approach. Prakash believes that within every human there is an innate potential to grow, heal and realise one’s potentials and all they require is a safe and supportive environment to be able to do so. Prakash uses various counselling and psychotherapy theories and practices as per client’s capacity, needs and personality. For example, if the client is less or not verbal at all, Prakash would tend to use play therapy approach to support the young person express their experiences. Similarly, if the client has emotional personality, then Prakash’s practice would be more informed by approaches such as emotional focused therapy. Prakash encourages young person and parents to lead the session and dictate what is to be achieved in the sessions. Prakash loves playing sports (basketball, badminton), playing musical instruments, reading books, volunteering, hiking, and doing yoga and meditation.

All kids, parents and staff are encouraged to introduce themselves to Prakash. He is always available for a quick chat. You can also contact him via email (Prakash.KC@marymead.org.au). For referrals, parents or carers are encouraged to approach the front office for a referral form and hand over the completed form via email to Prakash or in person at the reception. Prakash is available at the school on Monday and Tuesdays from 9am to 5pm each week. 

The 2022 'Unleashed' Schools Writing Competition is NOW OPEN to all school students across Australia. Super easy to enter and free! Enteries can be on any topic and in any style so get those creative juices flowing! Check out https://www.write4fun.net/competitions/72 for more information

Check out the amazing prizes that could be won! 

Vinnies volunteers needed

Can you spare a few hours per month to help local people in need?

The STA St Vincent de Paul Conference is seeking new volunteers to help on weekday afternoons and after work. 

We respond to requests for assistance in several ways, such as having a friendly chat, providing vouchers for food and clothing, and providing advice and referrals.

We work in pairs and training is provided.

For more information on volunteering, please phone Bill on 0431 195 442. 

Anyone needing assistance from Vinnies should phone 02 6282 2722. 

CANTEEN

The Canteen is open from Wednesdays to Fridays - for the first 10 minutes of each break.  We sell a limited selection of healthy canteen approved chips and ice blocks.

SUBWAY

Parents and staff are able to place Subway Orders Online.  Click on the link below to place an order and payment as well. 

Cut-off time is 9:15 AM for same day delivery.
Call on 02 6259 9101 to place your order after this time

Subway Lunch Orders can also be made, via Subway Envelope, at school.  Subway envelopes, including cash, need to be placed in the Lunch Order Subway box, located outside the Front Office,  by 9:30am on the day before the lunch is required.  For example, if you would like a lunch order on Wednesday, the lunch order needs to be manually submitted by Tuesday 9:30am.

Here is a sample of the Subway ordering envelope.  Envelopes are available from the Front Office or the classroom.

August 2022

Samuel B, Mason M, Oscar C, Joshua L-B, Ari U, Frederick N, Matilda P, Blayde O,
Liam B, Sophia H, Zoey M, Eleni M, Tyler E, Lachlan B, Summer P, Michael P, Vrishab G, Ashea K, Erin H, Adeline B