Dear Families,

Many of you will have heard the news regarding the ACT Government compulsorily acquisition of Calvary Hospital. This requisition has occurred with no consultation and despite the fact that this hospital has provided excellent patient care to the people of Canberra and its surrounds for the last 44 years.

The Catholic Church has a long history of providing medical care to all. Often, the medical facilities provided around the world serve communities in greatest need and those who others refuse to treat. We need look no further than the Sisters of Charity who staffed St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney during the height of the HIV pandemic of the 1980s and 90s. They were called saints by those in their care and lived out their charism of ministering to the marginalised, poor and sick in the face of hostility. Colleagues and hospital staff treated them with fear and apprehension and received criticism from the wider society. Yet without the sisters’ witness, thousands of men would have died alone and uncared for, even ostracised by their families. This care and compassion goes beyond just medical treatment and is what we have come to know and expect when entering a Catholic hospital.

Some of you may not be particularly concerned about Calvary Hospital. However, a government that is willing to compulsorily acquire a hospital is likely also willing to do the same to other faith-based enterprises, including schools.

I encourage you to respond to this government action by participating in an online petition at www.savecalvary.com.au before May 31st 2023 when it is intended the legislation for acquisition becomes effective. I also encourage you to write to your ACT, NSW and Federal Government representatives to express your concern regarding the requisition.

God bless

May Birthdays

Ella D, Jesse R, Cooper K, Rohan T, Lorelei M, Clarence G, Alice T, Zahli A, Nikola G, Amelia M, Oliver H, Arianna R, Connor W, Hunter B, Emily L-B, Brooklyn S, Ashan H, Scarlett F, Mayen K, Theresa V, Shaela S, Lyla M, Aston P, Evangeline G, Gabriel T, Tudor C, Chimaobi M, Nuer D

Please note that all adults entering the school building must sign in via the front office. This includes at drop off and pick up. We ask for the safety of our students that parents and carers do not walk through the school building. This is not only distruptive to students but also a safety issue. We pride ourselves on providing a safe environment for all students and we ask that you all support us in doing so.

For late drop offs students are required to be signed in at the front office. They will then make their own way to their classroom. If required a staff member will assist them accordingly.  Likewise, if you are dropping your child to school prior to the 8:50am bell, they must make their way to the courtyard around the outside of the school building in readiness for the morning assembly. 

Similarly for pick up, please make the neccessary arrangements with your child/ren to meet with them outside the school buidling. Parents & Carers are not permitted to walk through the school building without signing in. Please make your way to the courtyard by walking around the outside of the building. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

The Chief Minister's Reading Challenge is on now. Students are challenged to read and record 30 books. 

Reading Challenge sheets are due back to the library by 11^th August 2023. Every student who hands in the completed challenge will receive a pick from the prize box. Winning schools will win book vouchers for the library. Challenge sheets can be accessed by clicking here.

Over the next several weeks students will be introduced to Ngunnawal vocabulary. This week students will be learning "Gabin" meaning cold. Thank you Miss Evans for continuing our learning of our Ngunnawal Country.

School refusal is a complex issue that impacts a growing number of students and their families around Australia. It can be a challenging experience for everyone involved. 

To help you support students and families who might be struggling with school refusal, we’ve put together a range of informative and practical resources.

To understand more about what exactly school refusal is, including its underlying causes, signs and impacts visite the ReachOut School website here.

Please visit this fantastic resource for many helpful articles.

On Tuesday the 9^th of May, eight Year 5 and 6 students participated in the daVinci Decathlon.  The competition was held at Canberra Grammar School, where the team had an early start, competing in the Year 6 competition against about 20 other schools.  It was a great opportunity for the students to stretch themselves, working together on ten challenging papers throughout the day, including Art and Poetry, Engineering, Maths, Science, Cartography, English, Legacy (General Knowledge), Ideation, Creative Producers and Code Breaking.

The theme this year was ‘Chaos’ and so in lead up to the competition, the team had enjoyed investigating historical events which created chaos, working together to create short skits about a chaotic scenario and trialling some of the past papers.

Although they did not place overall within the competition, they did achieve an impressive 3^rd in Code Breaking.  They were also commended for their teamwork and persistence throughout the day and the support they showed for one another at different times in trying to complete the papers as a team was a pleasure to hear about.

All students who attended the daVinci Decathlon event will receive certificates at the next Assembly.

The Seasons for Growth program will be offered to students again this year, commencing later in Term 3. The program is designed to support students who are dealing with some aspect of change, separation, loss or grief through small group discussions and activities with a Seasons for Growth Companion. If you would like your child to participate in the program this year, please see the attached nomination form. It is recommended that students who participated last year take a break this year and complete the next level program in 2024.  For more information please contact Mrs Skye McPadden (skye.mcpadden@cg.catholic.edu.au)

Winter is well and truly on it's way and with that we start to witness the UV levels dropping. With UV levels considered low (under 3) during the months of June and July we adopt the advice of the Cancer Council ACT and begin our Hats Off period.

From Thursday 1 June (Week 6) hats will not be required on the playground. 

Hats will be on again from August as UV levels start to rise again. 

Read more about UV exposure and the healthy balance for Vitamin D benefits here.

BRAINways Education, in conjunction with Australian Catholic University, is pleased to invite gifted
and talented students of Canberra to participate in

Please view the program information here for July School Holidays sessions. The required Nomation letter can also be found here. 

SPACES ARE LIMITED SO PLEASE BOOK ASAP TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT 

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. School aged girls are invited to come along to our June Open Day to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc/