Dear Parents and Carers,

November is traditionally the month we pray for the faithful departed and many of the churches have a book or place in which to place the names of those you have loved.

November is also marked as the month of gratitude. There is much written about the positive impact of practising gratitude in our daily lives. I have just finished reading Turia Pitt’s books “Everything to Live For” and “Happy (and Other Ridiculous Aspirations)”. Her story is truly inspirational as she survived after receiving burns to 65% of her body when she was caught in grassfire when competing in an ultra-marathon in the Kimberly. In her books she demonstrates the power of gratitude. She says…

"Gratitude is being thankful and showing appreciation for everything we have going on in our lives. It is not something you just have, it's something you do,”

As we are moving forward after lockdown and seeking ways to look after the wellbeing of those we love, Turia has a number of ideas and resources both online and in her book “Happy (and Other Ridiculous Aspirations)” that you may find helpful.

Take care and keep safe

Parenting Ideas

The latest Insights from Parenting Ideas, titled ‘Helping your family manage uncertainty’ gives us hints for how to build resilience in our children. It was interesting to note that having an ‘gratitude attitude’ is one helpful strategy. A wonderful way to connect our school value for this term with a conversation at home.

Visit the Parenting Ideas Website for concise and real resources on current topics. https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/

COVID Info for Kids from the ACT Human Rights Commission

The latest 'Lock it down’ newsletter is available with Canberra specific information written for kids. https://hrc.act.gov.au/childrenyoungpeople/covid-info-for-kids/

Yours faithfully,

We welcomed all classes back to school on Monday 1 November.

Welcome back Years 3, 4 and 5. Remote Learning has now finished for all classes. Student attendance returns to normal, with teachers marking rolls daily. Please contact the school should you have any questions about your child’s return.

Murphy St

Murphy St will be an area for parents to park when dropping off or picking up children only. We tried it as a drive-through during the past week, but with the number of parents physically collecting their child on foot, it has not worked. Students will wait with the teacher in the courtyard. When we see a parent/carer outside the fence, we will send your child to you.

8.45am Morning Arrival

Due to the restrictions on cohort mixing, we continue to ask parents and carers to bring children to school between 8.45-8.55 each morning. Children will be supervised to sit with their bags until their teacher collects them at 8.55am.

YMCA

Before and after school care is fully operational.

Mask Wearing

Outdoor – not required for staff or students

Indoor

Staff - required.  Unless distanced by more than 1.5m, unless assisting a child to understand clearly

Students – not required

Music Tuition

We expect private music tuition can restart at school shortly. The tutor will let you know. 

Bike Cage

We had a bike taken over the weekend from the school bike cage. Please be reminded that this is not a secure location and if a bike needs to be left over the night or weekend to please let staff know so we are able to place it in a secure space. Below is a picture that is close to what the bike looked like.

Rising Star Tennis Academy 

Tennis will restart from next week with the same time slots. Years 3-6 Monday 3:20-4:20pm and Friday 3:20-4pm and Kinder-Year 2 Tuesday 11-11:30am.

Regarding the players that are not able to finish off the last 4 weeks, Rising Star Tennis Academy can provide a credit for next term's lessons should they choose to play again. 

Playgroup

This week we purchased a little bike for the Playgroup to use as part of their play/gross motor activities.

Compass News

Have you downloaded the Compass app yet? Please check your emails from the end of Term Three.

If your child has been absent from school or remote learning, please send an absent note as soon as possible, so that we can record an explanation, rather than an Absent without Approval. 

Many parents would have received an email reminder with details of your child’s absent dates. Look for an email from Compass Chronicle -  compass@compass.email.

Prayer and Reflection Resources

These prayer and reflection resources are for all families to find comfort, connection to faith and reassurance in these unsettling times. We encourage our school community to set aside time for personal and family prayer.

 

               

The Catholic Voice aims to provide a selection of news, views, reviews, feature stories and pictures of life in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The latest edition is available at www.catholicvoice.org.au

                      

 

                                                   

Online Mass

Live Stream Mass is available from St. Christopher’s Cathedral Monday-Saturday 12.15pm and Sunday 11am.

https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/

 

Mary Help Of Christians Parish

Fr. Richard has his recent homilies available on the Mary Help Of Christians web page. Please click on the link below to listen.

http://www.mhoc.org.au/prayer/homilies/

We would like to welcome Fr. Alex Osborne to the Parish for the next few weeks.

The Church welcomes 100 people back to the regular Mass times.

Youth Group Meetings

Please join Nick  Saturday, 6 November, for Youth Group Meetings in the Parish Hall.  Details below:

Students in Years 5 to 8 are invited to come along from 4.30pm to 6.00pm, with snacks provided.

Students in Years 9-12 are welcome to attend from 7.00pm – 9.00pm. As dinner will be provided, a $5.00 donation is welcome.

If you need anything, don’t hesitate to email Nick.

Parish Monthly Morning

Parish Monthly Morning Tea is back on:  Please join us in the Hall for Monthly Morning Tea 7 November after the Sun 8.30am & 10am Masses

Children’s Liturgy

Please be advised, Children’s Liturgy will begin again on 14 November at the 10am mass. If interested in helping, please contact Kat Doyle , Thank you.

 

Those parents who are wanting their child/children to have piano lessons, can contact the teachers directly on the following contact numbers;

• Mrs Hildegarde Mendoza Phone: 0417 580 975
• Mrs Pam Cox Phone: 0418 442 203
• Mr Craig Mewett Phone: 0409 151 887 / 6278 7382

Welcome Back

Smiles all round this week as the school was finally reunited with years 3, 4 and 5 on Monday. Welcome back!

Playgroup

This week Play Group enjoyed story time in the park.

We met at Chifley Park; it was the first time we had caught up in person for 12 weeks.

It was so lovely reconnecting with friends, enjoying some stories together and practising our climbing skills on the equipment.

Playgroup will continue to meet at Chifley Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 11 am weather permitting, until further notice.

1 White

1 White enjoyed some time doing dance with Mrs Simpson in the hall.

1 White Wise Owls dressed for the Melbourne Cup. Boys looking dapper in their bow ties and girls ready for the catwalk, wearing their beautiful fascinators. 

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their birthday this week 

Harriet J, Emilia B.