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…”I am with you always” (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. “I am with you always” are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone!
The STA community keeps in our prayers and blessings this week, all grandparents in our community. Grandparents are cherished members of our family. They bring gifts of wisdom, experience and love, and share with us their life of faith. We thank God for their example and ask that He bless them with happiness and good health.
This saintly couple, Joachim and Anne are parents to Mary and grandparents to Jesus.
Our students have been very excited about the activities they have created to celebrate Grandparents day. Whilst we have not been able to celebrate in person at school, I’m sure the little thoughts and blessings from our students will provide much joy and happiness for our Grandparents. Keep your eye out in the mail in the weeks ahead!
Our first week of school involved the continuation of celebrating NAIDOC week . What a wonderful opportunity it has been for our students to learn about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week has been a great opportunity for each class to participate in a range of activities and to support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Our students participated in an engaging and exciting presentation from Phillip Green where students were presented with visual and tactile experience of traditional technologies used by indigenous peoples across the varied environments of Australia’s deserts, mountains, rivers and sea shores. Our students also participated in our NAIDOC Mass via livestream from St Christopher's Cathedral.
The NAIDOC 2022 theme is –Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! We have a proud history of getting up, standing up, and showing up. From the frontier wars and our earliest resistance fighters to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities fighting for change today—we continue to show up. Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism—we must do it together.
When visiting classrooms and speaking with students this week, I have reminded them of the importance of having a go and that when we make mistakes it is an opportunity for us all to learn and grow. Too many times I hear children say that they can’t do something because it is too hard, or that they are not good at that. Let us remind our children of having a growth mindset and discuss with them the importance of when we are challenged, not to give up easily, but instead see a challenge as an opportunity to develop skills and understanding. I have researched a lot around a growth mindset and challenging learning by James Nottingham. James Nottingham uses a visual presence of a learning pit. This concept I have seen work very effectively with children and can have a profound impact on how students think and improve their learning. Below is an example of the learning pit.
Learning occurs when you step out of your comfort zone. And yet, many people are hesitant to take this step for fear of making mistakes or revealing their weaknesses.
That’s when the Learning Pit can help: to encourage and reassure learners that taking risks, asking questions, and trying new things can help them develop their abilities and deepen their understanding.
~James Nottingham
The Festival of Michael Bradley
Last Friday our staff celebrated the retirement of Michael Bradley. This was a wonderful opportunity for our staff to acknowledge all of the fantastic opportunities Michael has provided for our school and how much he will be missed. This Friday our students will be celebrating Michael in a performance assembly for him, unfortunately due to current restrictions, this will be for students and staff only. We will, however, livestream the performance for our community to view. In week 4, Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend our morning assembly outside on Friday 12 August to celebrate Michael’s retirement and final day.
Friday, 12 August will be Michael’s last day.
PARENT PORTAL COMPASS
This term STA will be continuing to focus on streamlining our communication by using the Compass Parent portal to deliver information to our community.
The Compass Parent Portal is an online portal that lets you access important information about your child’s school and their progress. Including school reports.
The portal is accessible via the web and the Compass School Manager App (via the App store on your device) and will make engaging with us as a school faster, easier and more secure.
The Parent Portal can be accessed to:
- Receive relevant messaging through the app or desktop
- Submit absence notes
- Give consent for excursions/events
- Communicate with teachers
- Academic reporting
- Attendance records
- Quick access to school website
Please click on the link below to access and download the portal.
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/compass-school-manager/id778415974
TERM 3 Pupil Free Days:
A reminder as outlined in previous correspondence from our Director Ross Fox, this term all ACT Catholic systemic schools will hold a pupil free planning day on:
Friday, 5 August- Week 3
Frida, 9 September- Week 8.
COVID Update
As outlined in Friday’s letter, please see details below of COVID update
Household Contacts - Staff and students are required to follow the Public Health (Diagnosed People and Household Contacts) Emergency Direction 2022 when they are deemed a household contact. It is strongly recommended that a household contact works or studies from home where it is practical to do so. Where a student attends school they must undertake a COVID test in the 24 hours prior to returning to school and then every 48 hours if ongoing attendance is required and may only attend a school if they have no symptoms. RATs are available from the Front Office. If possible, please keep your child at home.
Staying home when sick - Staff, students and visitors must not attend school or the ELC if they are unwell and will be sent home if they have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Hygiene Requirements – Please remind your child about safe and hygienic practices of coughing, sneezing, washing hands and disposing of tissues.
Cleaning – the school will continue with the school cleaning regime.
Masks – although masks are not mandatory, staff and students are able to wear masks if they so choose. If it is the case that numbers increase, the school may make the decision to insist on mask wearing for staff and visitors.
Covid Cases – Parents will need to continue to report positive Covid cases to the confidential covid email: stacovid@cg.catholic.edu.au This will give us a good idea of how a class or year level is tracking. The school will communicate with parents, if there is a significant number of cases recorded.
Parents on Site – For the time being, no parents are allowed inside the school buildings with the exception of the Front Office. Unfortunately, we are unable to have parent volunteers in the classroom. Meetings should be held remotely. If after-hours, a face-to-face meeting could be permitted. Parents are warmly welcome to attend our daily 9.00am morning assemblies.
Sacraments and Masses will currently go ahead as planned.
ACT Oztag have postponed the South Canberra primary boys and girls gala days until Term 4.
To reduce the impact of Covid-19 on our school in Term 3 and in line with CE recommendations I regretfully advise that we have had to make the following decisions;
- Planned excursions have been re-focussed this term. Instead, classroom teachers are currently sourcing incursion activities for the students.
- Pathway sporting events will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful week
Students not returning to St Anthony's in 2023
Please complete the form below if you have accepted or have a pending enrolment for your child/ren at another school for 2023.
Students not returning to St Anthony's in 2023
Thank you.