Dear SCA Families,

Halloween has typically been associated with children doorknocking for lollies or playing practical jokes on unsuspecting neighbours. But we shouldn’t forget the more authentic link to all the saints. 

The term ‘Halloween’ is shortened from All-hallow-even - the evening before ‘All Hallows' Day’ or ‘All Saints' Day’. Halloween is celebrated on October 31 which was initially a day of pagan sacrifice to mark the eve of the Celtic winter. Fires were lit and costumes were worn to ward off evil spirits who were allowed to visit earth that evening. In the 8th century, the Church designated 1 November as the Feast of All Saints thus Christianising the pagan festival.

May we all give thanks for the lives of saints and all others who have, through their lives, made the world a better place.

Fete

Make sure it’s in your calendar – Friday 15^th November from 4.00 – 8.00pm.

Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival

Thank you to the many staff and parents who accompanied our students to the Boorowa Netball and Touch Carnival. Special thanks to those who bravely volunteered to coach, manage or umpire on the day. It’s a day that promotes community and participation with an emphasis on fun. Congratulations to the approximately 200 competitors who proudly represented our school. Thank you to Katherine Austin for her organisation of our participation in the event.

School Community Council Executive

Our Community Council met last night for the second last time of the year. As well as the usual reports from the principal, canteen and OSHC, we discussed the following:

• Fete
• 30^th Anniversary Picnic
• Student ICT Devices
• End of Year Events
• Weekend Netball
• Parental Engagement
• SCC Nominations and 2025 Council
• Final Meeting for the Year

Strangers in the house!

For obvious reasons my wife and I always like to know who is in our house. Visitors are greeted at the front door and welcomed.

For the safety of your child, and the other 500 in the school, we also need to know who is in the school. Even if only visiting for a short time we require all visitors sign to in at the front office.

Did You Know…

Not only do your school fees cover the cost of all classroom materials and learning resources; they also pay electricity, water, phone, cleaning, ISP costs, internet security, grounds and many other costs.

Please do all you can to get up to date with school fee payments. If you have any concerns regarding fees, please don’t hesitate to contact Jo McCarthy or me

End of Year Events – Please note them in your diary now

• SCA Fete – Friday 15 November from 4.30pm
• 30^th Anniversary Picnic – Thursday 28 November from 4.30pm
• Kinder Christmas Concert – Monday 9 December at 12.10pm
• Semester Two Awards Assembly – Tuesday 10 December at 9.00am
• End of Year Thanksgiving Mass – Wednesday 11 December at 9.30am
• Year 6 Graduation – Wednesday 11 December at 5.00pm
• Term Four Ends for students – Monday 16 December (at 3.00pm)

It was once said…

Navigating life is like trying to fold a fitted sheet. No one really knows how, but we all pretend we do.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matt.egan-richards@cg.catholic.edu.au

Dear SCA families,

A reminder about our crazy hair and silly sock day on Friday the 8th of November. We look forward to seeing some wonderful donations!

This week White Cards will be presented on Friday Morning Assembly at 8.45am. Congratulations to the following children.

This Sunday's reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Mark: The wise scribe asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment.

This Gospel reading captures a profound truth: Jesus’s command to “love your neighbour as yourself” carries an essential, yet often overlooked, prerequisite. To truly love others, we must first cultivate a genuine love for ourselves—a love rooted in acceptance, respect, and a deep appreciation for our worth.

In today's world, the phrase 'love yourself' can sometimes be misinterpreted as boastfulness or ego. However, the self-love we need is not about pride; it’s about recognising our inherent value. When we embrace this understanding, we equip ourselves to treat others with the same compassion and kindness we wish to receive. 

Asking ourselves how we want to be treated naturally leads us to consider how to treat others. Yet, as simple as Jesus's message seems, living it out can be challenging. It invites us into a deeper journey of self-discovery and relational growth - one that requires humility and sincerity. In essence, the call to love is a profound challenge that begins within, urging us to nurture our hearts so we can truly connect with and uplift those around us. Adapted from Reflection by Greg Sunter.

Important Reminders and Upcoming Dates:

Final Reconciliation Commitment Masses: This weekend, students preparing for their Sacrament of Reconciliation are invited to attend Mass at any regular time. This is an important opportunity for students and their families to express their commitment to our Parish community. We look forward to celebrating this important moment together.

The Kindergarten Health Check Program has catch-up appointments for any Kindergarten children who missed their health check at school.

The catch-up appointments are available at City Health Centre, 1 Moore Street Canberra City on the second floor.

Appointments can be made by ringing Community Health Intake on 51249977.

If parents have any questions, they can ring the School Health Team office on 51241585.

Volunteer Opportunity at the Fete!

The saying "many hands make light work" couldn’t be more accurate!

Below are the QR codes and the links to the documents to sign up to volunteer at the Fete on Friday, November 15th. This makes it simple and convenient to get involved!

We truly appreciate your support!