Friday Reminders

29 May 2020

Dear SCA Families,

The month of May ends this weekend, and on Tuesday all students should be returning to school. I am aware of a handful of children who, for medical reasons, will not be returning. If your child will not be here next week, please ensure you have spoken directly with their teacher.

Afternoon Pick-Up

A couple of reminders:

• Drive to the front of the pick-up zone, even if there are no other cars.
• Stay in your vehicle.
• Encourage the children to enter and sit quickly.
• Turn left when leaving the carpark.
• If collecting your child at the Donut gate after having parked your vehicle, please maintain an appropriate physical distance from adults and children.
  Please stand well clear of the gate (preferably near the Hall wall) to enable all children to safely leave.

Tuckshop

The Tuckshop will re-open on Tuesday 2^nd June (Week 6) for lunch orders. There will be no over-the-counter sales until further notice.

Enjoy the long weekend. Take care and go gently.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

May 27 Newsletter

27 May 2020

Click here to view the May 27 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Principal Reflections on Return to School

22 May 2020

Dear SCA Families,

At the end of the first week in which we have had most of our students in the classroom, I wish to make a few brief reflections.

Firstly, it has been such a blessing to spend time in our classrooms and on the playground, hearing the talk and laughter of our students. The challenges for our kids are no less real than they have been for us adults during this time of incredible change and uncertainty. It has buoyed my spirits to see the children responding so positively to their return to school, and the way in which those still at home have remained engaged. I am sure the lessons they have learned, in resiliency, responsibility, independence and organisation, will only benefit them as learners and people. I am proud of them, and am excited about the positive things to come in the rest of this year.

I am grateful to our parents and carers. The partnership between home and school has never been stronger, and it needs to be for our children. We have all been asked to lead our lives in unfamiliar and uncomfortable ways. I am impressed at how well our SCA parents kept our children engaged and learning over the past 8 weeks. We congratulate you and thank you for working with us in this endeavour. We are really looking forward to when we can again have parents, carers and grandparents physically present in our family school.

Please indulge me as I congratulate and praise our staff. During the remote learning period, one of our teachers said that she had never felt so bad about teaching. Though she put everything into planning learning activities and Teams Meetings with her students, it just wasn’t what she “signed up for”. (Ironically, it has been a time when we have received more thanks and support from parents than ever before.) This week, though, with the kids back, it’s not just the classrooms that are happy; it’s the staff room, too.

Though most children are back, and we are teaching face-to-face, we are still supporting about 10% of our students at home. This, along with working hard to ensure everyone catches up on what may have been missed, means our staff are working harder than ever. I thank them for the work and the incredibly effective way in which they have kept our students learning. They richly deserve the thanks they have received from so many parents.

There is still a great deal of work ahead of us. We will continue to respond to changing guidelines, while looking to ensure our students are safe, happy and learning. I am proud to be a part of this fantastic SCA family, and I thank you for the part you play in our community.

Take care and go gently.

Be the light.

Matt Egan-Richards
Principal

May 20 Newsletter

20 May 2020

Click here to view the May 20 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Arrivals and Departures

19 May 2020

Dear SCA Parents and Carers, 

Thank you for your patience at drop off and pick up times yesterday. In keeping with ACT Government guidelines, please remember that no adults other than staff are to be on the school grounds, unless you need to speak to the ladies in the front office.

To ensure each of the students is dropped off and picked up safely, we remind you to observe the following practices:

Arrival time was busiest at 8.40am. Consider droppping your child off at 8.30am instead.

Not everyone needs to arrive for pick-up at 2:50. Due to the high volume of traffic, please stagger your arrival time. We suggest if you have a child in Year 3-6 that you arrive after 3.05pm. 

Teachers will be supervising afternoon duty until 3:20pm to ensure the safety of the children who are waiting for their parents.

Front of school (Heidelberg Street) is available for both drop-off and pick-up (as is the donut).

The front pickup lane on Heidelberg St is not a turning lane for donut.

Please use your common sense and be patient.

When exiting our car park, turn left only. 

We thank you for your cooperation during these extraordinary times. We too are looking forward to when things can return to normal.

Community Council Message

15 May 2020

Please see the attached message from the SCA Community Council.

TriWeekly Friday Update

15 May 2020

SCA TriWeekly Friday Update

Dear SCA Families,

On Monday we expect around 480 of our 543 students to be here at school. We are excited to be having the children back, but will continue to stay in touch with those at home.

When we go into class at 8.45 on Monday morning, the Year level teachers will work together to provide the teaching for your child. This may mean that, whether they are at school or at home, your child is interacting with any or all of the Year level teachers, and not just your child’s teacher.

If you have any concerns or questions please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Email is usually the best option, but please feel free to call the office and leave a message.

From Week 6 (Tuesday 2^nd June) all students, other than those who are unwell or medically at risk, should be back in the classroom.

We’re all in this together

It may take a little while longer at drop-off and pick up, but with patience and consideration we should be able to make it work. We will have extra staff on duty in the mornings and afternoons to make sure children are safely cared for at these times.

Please refer to Wednesday’s Update for full details.

Tuckshop

We are planning for the Tuckshop to re-open on Tuesday 2^nd June (Week 6) for lunch orders. Please remember that for the next two weeks it will be closed.

Return of the weekly newsletter

From next week (Week 4) we will return to a weekly newsletter, sent home via SZapp each Wednesday. Though the TriWeekly Update will be retired, I will be sure to keep you promptly informed of any news relating to COVID conditions or announcements affecting our school.

For Cross Country Runners

ACT School Sport would normally be running the Cross Country championships around this time for children in the 8 – 12 years age groups. Instead, they have come up with a running activity for keen cross country runners to take part in. Your child would run cross country distances regularly and have their times sent into ACT School Sport. They will be acknowledged on their website with their results, along with others from the ACT.

If your child is disappointed in missing the carnivals and you are interested in them taking part, email Mr Sweeney at ben.sweeney@cg.catholic.edu.au for more details."

2021

In lieu of Open Days, we will host three Zoom meetings for anyone interested in enrolling in SCA for 2021. (Tuesday 19 May at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 6.00pm)

For further information regarding these meetings, refer to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/scaconder), website (https://sca.act.edu.au/) or call the Front Office on 6294 1860.

All enrolment forms must be submitted by Friday 22^nd May.

It was once said…

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…. It’s learning to dance in the rain.” –Unknown

Blessings to you and your family. Take care and go gently.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

TriWeekly Wednesday Update

13 May 2020

SCA TriWeekly Wednesday Update

Dear SCA Families,

Our Week 4 return to school survey closes this afternoon (Wednesday 13^th May at 5.00pm), but already parents have indicated we will have over 85% of our students at school on Monday. We are excited about this step, and looking forward to seeing the children back.

Though we are in the middle of May, we know that, essentially, we are starting again. Some children will be super excited to be back, others will be feeling anxious, with most somewhere in the middle.

Teachers will feel in some way like it’s the start of the year when we work with our class to establish routines, expectations, work habits, and most importantly, relationships

Our caring staff will plan carefully and respond appropriately, supporting all students to return to learning at school. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any specific concerns.

Remote Learning

For the next two weeks, students at school and at home will essentially be learning according to the same plan set by their year level teachers. Students at school may spend less time on devices than those at home, as the delivery of the instruction and content can be done face-to-face.

Please note that the Year level teachers will work together to provide the teaching for your child. This may mean that, whether they are at school or at home, your child is interacting with any or all of the Year level teachers, and not just your child’s teacher.

From Week 6 (Tuesday 2^nd June) all students, other than those who are unwell or medically at risk, should be back in the classroom.

Physical Distancing

Health authorities tell us the school environment is safe for students. We also need to be mindful of the teachers’ safety and ensure that social distancing can be applied to the staff’s working conditions. As such, parents and other adults will not be allowed inside the school grounds until such time that physical restrictions have eased. Please note that we are not enjoying the requirement for physical distancing, either from each other, or from parents. We hope to be able to lift this requirement soon, and will do so when advised by health and government authorities. I will inform parents when this eventuates.

Student Arrivals and Departures – From Monday 18^th May

During this COVID-19 pandemic we have been asked to operate in ways that are out of the normal, frustrating, or inconvenient. We have each had to accommodate these changes and be flexible in the way we live our lives.

On behalf of everyone at SCA, I am asking for the same flexibility and patience in regards to children arriving and departing from school each day. It will take time, but with some common sense, consideration of others, and patience, we should be able to manage it safely and smoothly.

Morning Drop-Off

• Children may arrive from 8.25am. School starts at 8.45am.
• Children may be dropped off either at the front “Pick Up and Set Down Zone” (on Heidelberg St) or the “Donut”.
• Stop as far forward in the zones as possible to allow more cars at any time.
• Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
• Please have children ready to exit the car as quickly as possible (give those last minute messages before arriving at school).
• If your child requires assistance getting out of the car, please park in our car park, walk them across the zebra crossing, then direct them to walk into the school by themselves, and return to your car. (Teachers will be waiting for them in the Hayshed.)
• Teachers will be supervising each area to ensure student safety. If possible, they will avoid having to touch any vehicles.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• Will commence earlier than usual, at 2.50pm, in the coming weeks.
• Children may be picked up either at the front “Pick Up and Set Down Zone” (on Heidelberg St) or the “Donut”. (Before your child comes to school each day, please make sure they know which zone they will be collected from.)
• Stop as far forward in the zones as possible to allow more cars at any time.
• Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
• Please encourage your child/ren to sit and buckle their belt as quickly as possible.
• If your child requires assistance getting into the car, please park in our car park, walk across the zebra crossing, then collect them from the Donut area, and return to your car.
• Not everyone needs to arrive at 2.50. If Heidelberg St is blocked, consider parking elsewhere for 10 minutes (while reading a news article or playing a game on your phone), then return to the school. In the meantime, teachers will be looking after your child/ren.
• Teachers will be supervising each area to ensure student safety. If possible, they will avoid having to touch any vehicles.

Alternatives

• Children may walk or ride home. Please encourage them to use the supervised crossing on Box Hill Ave or the underpasses under Heidelberg St or Box Hill Ave.
• Arrange to meet your child on the surrounding footpaths, and walk with them to your car or house.
• Park (legally) in neighbouring streets, walk to school to meet your children outside the double gate on the corner of Box Hill Ave and Handasyde St. While waiting there, physically distance yourself from other parents, and we will bring your child to you.
• Bus services are running as usual.

At all times

• Please be patient and considerate.
• Turn left when leaving our car park.
• Know that your children are safe here, and we will look after them.

Updated Procedures

Please familiarise yourself with the following, noting there have been some changes since the previous communication.

What if my child has cold or flu-like symptoms?

No children are to attend school if they are showing any cold or flu-like symptoms. They must remain at home, and stay away from school until they are no longer showing symptoms or have attended a GP who has instructed that they are fit and safe to return. All regular absentee procedures regarding advising the school of absence apply.

What extra hygiene practices are in place at St Clare of Assisi for when children return to school?

• Increased cleaning schedules and resources onsite during the school day to wipe down and disinfect high-touch areas, including classrooms and common spaces, in addition to regular daily cleaning.
• Provision of hand sanitiser in every classroom and at the Front Office and staff areas.
• Adults entering school use sanitiser after signing in.
• Staff to sanitise or wash hands prior to entering staff room.
• Everyone (students and staff) wash/sanitise at start of each session (Morning, middle and after lunch).
• Staff check that children have washed after visiting the toilet.
• Frequent announcements and increased signage around the school to ensure that children are practising good personal hygiene. This means, covering mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, frequent hand washing, not sharing food or drinks, minimising physical contact and practising social distance techniques where feasible, particularly in relation to dealings with teachers.
• Communal bubblers are closed and locked. Children will be able to use classroom or break-out space taps to re-fill their own water bottles. Please ensure your child brings a suitable water bottle to school each day.
• Staff to practise physical distancing where possible.
• Staff limiting ourselves to 20 in the staff room at any one time.
• Staff meetings to be conducted via Zoom.

Can I send hand sanitizer to school with my child?

Yes, in fact we encourage you to do so. Whilst the school has a supply in key locations, should students wish to use their own in addition to that, this would further enhance our hygiene measures at school.

Can my child purchase a lunch order through the canteen?

Not at the moment. We will notify you once these circumstances change. We anticipate this will be within a couple of weeks.

As a parent or carer am I able to come into the school?

Yes, but this should be by appointment only. We are attempting to minimise the number of adults coming onto the premises to reduce the possible risk of COVID-19 transmission. Please make appointments ahead of time and if possible, telephone or use email as the preferred method of contact.

My child is sick or has a medical condition which means I need to keep him/her at home for the foreseeable future. Will the school support me to continue his/her learning?

Yes. If your child is sick or vulnerable and is at home on medical advice, please contact his/her teacher to discuss suitable arrangements for remote learning.

Is OSHC Operating?

Yes. Please contact OSHC on 6294 8004 if your child requires a placement.

Is the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop Operating

Yes, but by appointment. To facilitate physical distancing, please ring to front office to discuss arrangements for making an appointment.

White Cards

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a “white card” this week.

2 Green           Jaxyn Rourke

Maddy Walker

Jackson Williams

2 Yellow          Yevin Bandara

Mia Rusan

Jasmine Summers

Uvindu Weerasinghe

3 Green           Hayley Merriman

4 Blue              Tyson Banchit

Jordan Campbell

Ben Cornelius

5 Yellow          Remi Backhouse

Flynn Walsh

6 Blue              Emily Bordiuk

Ayla Chick

Tristan Mowlam

6 Green           Lara Breen

Zoe Keen

Stephanie Nguyen

2021

In lieu of Open Days, we will host three Zoom meetings for anyone interested in enrolling in SCA for 2021. (Tuesday 19 May at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 6.00pm)

For further information regarding these meetings, refer to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/scaconder), website (https://sca.act.edu.au/) or call the Front Office on 6294 1860.

Year 6 students must have their enrolment forms submitted to their high-school of choice by Friday 22^nd May.

It was once said…

“I hate it when I see some old person, and then realise we went to high school together.” – Mr E, after his birthday last week!

Blessings to you and your family. Take care and go gently.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

TriWeekly Monday Update

11 May 2020

SCA TriWeekly Monday Update

Dear SCA Families,

A reminder that, for this week (Week 3), we will:

• Remain open only for children who cannot learn at home.
• Continue to operate our extensive remote learning platform.
• Plan for the return of face-to-face teaching.

All students may return to school from next Monday 18^th May (Week 4).

Our staff are working diligently and creatively to keep all our students engaged. It is certain, however, that there will be added challenges for them to face. A significant one will be to teach in two modes; remote and face-to-face.

An individual teacher cannot do both tasks simultaneously. This is why we will explore all options once we know how many students will return next week. Please help us to plan accurately. If your child/ren will be returning in Week 4, you must complete the survey by this Wednesday (13^th May). https://bit.ly/SCAWeekFour

Please note that you may edit your responses after submitting the survey. If your situation changes, please go back and change your responses. (Early responders may have indicated they had 4 children at SCA. Please correct if this is not the case.)

Remote Learning

The following are wonderful lessons for our kids. Over the next week, families could spend 5 minutes at the dinner table chatting about one of them. Think of some practical ways in which we can all “do” the lesson.

• If you’re thankful, show it.
• If you love someone, tell them.
• If you’re wrong, fess up.
• If you’re confused, ask questions.
• If you learn something, teach others.
• If you’re stuck, ask for help.
• If you made a mistake, apologise.
• If you trip, get back up.
• If someone needs help, help them.
• If you see wrong, take a stance.

Protective Measures

All adults entering the school, including staff, are asked to sign in at the front office and sanitise their hands. Staff are also asked to sanitise their hands before entering the staff room.

Teachers will direct children to wash or sanitise their hands before entering the classroom of a morning, after recess and after lunch time.

Further measures and procedures will be shared later in the week.

Student Arrivals and Departures

This week, for those attending school, we are using the Donut Area to drop-off in the morning and pick-up at the end of the day. In the morning, children should go straight to the Hayshed area where supervising teachers will be present from 8.30am. In the afternoon, children being picked-up will wait at Donut with the supervising teachers. Parents are asked to stay in their car.

Arrangements for Week 4 will be finalised following the closure of the survey on Wednesday. Details will be shared later this week.

2021

We will host six Zoom meetings for anyone interested in enrolling in SCA for 2021. (Wednesday 13 May and Tuesday 19 May at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 6.00pm)

For further information regarding these meetings, refer to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/scaconder), website (https://sca.act.edu.au/) or call the Front Office on 6294 1860.

Year 6 students must have their enrolment forms submitted to their high-school of choice by Friday 22^nd May.

It was once said…

“May we never again take for granted: Friday nights with friends, birthday celebrations, the roar of a stadium, mornings at the gym, packed dance floors, coffee with friends, time spent with our elderly, crowded concerts, life itself.” – Unknown, in 2020

Blessings to you and your family. Take care and go gently.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

TriWeekly Friday Update

08 May 2020

SCA TriWeekly Friday Update

Dear SCA Families,

Following yesterday’s announcement that all students may return to school in Week 4 (Monday 18^th May), 185 families have completed the requested survey (at the time of writing) indicating their children (274) will be here.

A reminder that, for next week (Week 3), we will:

• Remain open only for children who cannot learn at home.
• Continue to operate our extensive remote learning platform.
• Plan for the return of face-to-face teaching.

Australian and ACT health authorities continue to inform us that it is safe for children to be at school. Please see the attached letter from Dr Kerryn Coleman, the ACT’s Chief Health Officer, written to families in non-government schools.

If your child/ren will be returning in Week 4, you must complete the survey by Wednesday 13 May. https://bit.ly/SCAWeekFour

Please note that you may edit your responses after submitting the survey. If your situation changes, please go back and change your responses. (Early responders may have indicated they had 4 children at SCA. Please correct if this is not the case.)

Remote and Face-To-Face Learning

At this stage we can only estimate how many parents will decide to send their children to school, or how many will keep them at home. This is why it is crucial that parents who are sending children back to school in Week 4 complete the survey.

Depending on numbers, we may offer a mix of remote and face-to-face learning from Monday 18^th May. Year level teachers will work together in the delivery of teaching. While a teacher works directly with the children physically at school, he/she will not be able to provide remote learning for those children at home. During the transition period, while we are still catering for some students at home, it could mean that your child may interact with one of the other teachers from their year group.

These arrangements will be finalised, based on survey numbers, next week. By the end of next week we will inform you of the learning arrangements for all students.

From Tuesday 2^nd June (Week 6) all students, other than those with chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems, should be back at school. Remote learning will not continue from this point.

Protective Measures

Advice from Australian and ACT health authorities is that we do not need to maintain 1.5m between students, nor have smaller class sizes. We will, however, not conduct any gatherings larger than a class group (no assemblies etc).

We have increased our cleaning frequency, as well as included daily cleaning of all high-touch surfaces.

Further information regarding our procedures will be shared next week.

Please remember that we are actively discouraging adults (other than staff) from being on the school grounds.

Student Arrivals and Departures

In Week 3, with limited student numbers, parents are asked to use the Donut Area to drop-off and collect children at the end of the day. In the morning, children should go straight to the Hayshed area where supervising teachers will be present from 8.30am. In the afternoon, children being picked-up should wait at Donut with the supervising teachers. Parents are asked to stay in their car.

Arrangements for Week 4 will be finalised following the closure of the survey on Wednesday. Details will be shared later next week.

White Cards

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a “white card” this week:

• Ayla Hogan – 4 Blue
• Imogen Polden – 4 Blue
• Max Richards – 4 Blue
• Chloe Hagel – 1 Red
• Caitlyne Baduge – 1 Red
• Lara Hockley – 3 Red
• Grace Pakkiyaretnam – 3 Red
• Brooke Douglas – 4 Red
• Ryder Orsolic – 4 Green

Enrolments

We have a great school, with wonderful kids, dedicated staff and supportive families. Please spread the word amongst family and friends, reminding those with pre-schoolers that enrolments close on Friday 22^nd May.

We will host six Zoom meetings for anyone interested in enrolling in SCA for 2021. (Wednesday 13 May and Tuesday 19 May at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 6.00pm)

For further information regarding these meetings, refer to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/scaconder), website (https://sca.act.edu.au/) or call the Front Office on 6294 1860.

It was once said…

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Snoopy

Blessings to you and your family. Take care and go gently.

Happy Mothers Day to all our wonderful SCA Mums, Grand Mums, Aunties and Carers.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal