Dear SCA Families,

Staffing Opportunities at SCA

We’re currently seeking expressions of interest for a number of school-based positions. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining our team—even just until the end of the year—we’d love to hear from you. The roles are:

• Front Office Assistant (Part Time, appox 15 hours/weekTerm 3–4)
  A temporary position to cover Jo McCarthy’s leave. Ideal applicants will be discreet, organised, and familiar with office procedures.
• OSHC Office Manager (Part Time – 30 hours/week, Term 3–4)
  This important role supports is to cover Annette Galvin’s leave and to ensure the smooth running of our OSHC program. Strong administrative and organisational skills are essential, along with confidence in basic finance or maths.
• Casual Canteen Assistant/Manager
  We’re also looking for someone who could be available on a casual basis to assist or fill in when our Canteen Manager or Assistant is away.

The ability to hold a Working With Vulnerable People card is essential for each of these roles, as supporting students is an important function of each. Further details and application information can be found on the Catholic Education Employment page (Click Here). Alternatively, feel free to have a chat with me at school if you’re interested or would like to know more.

Speaking with Purpose – Our Term 3 Focus at SCA

At St Clare of Assisi, we know that words matter. The way we speak to—and about—each other has a powerful impact on our relationships, our learning, and the culture we build together as a school community.

In Term 3, we will be encouraging all students to pause and THINK before they speak. Using the acronym THINK, we’re inviting children to consider:

• T – Is it True?
• H – Is it Helpful?
• I – Is it Inspiring?
• N – Is it Necessary?
• K – Is it Kind?

Through classroom activities, assemblies and peer interactions, students will be supported to reflect on their words and choose language that uplifts, includes and builds trust.

We also warmly invite our parent community to partner with us in this work. Children are keen observers, and the way adults speak—particularly about their teachers, classmates and other parents—leaves a lasting impression. When we model respectful, thoughtful, and encouraging language, we help our children develop the same habits.

Whether in the car, at the dinner table, or at the sidelines of a weekend game, let’s all strive to THINK before we speak. Together, we can nurture a school culture where words are used to build up, not break down.

Let’s make Term 3 a time where kindness and respect shine through every conversation.

Vinnies Sleep Out

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire St Clare of Assisi community for your support of my participation in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Your encouragement, prayers, and donations made a real difference—not just to me personally, but to the many people who benefit from Vinnies’ incredible work across our region.

I was especially moved to learn that another local Catholic school, St John the Apostle, held a fundraiser and donated to the cause in my name. It was a beautiful and humbling reminder of the strength and solidarity within our Catholic education family.

Sleeping outside on one of Canberra’s coldest nights was challenging, but knowing that others were standing beside me in spirit gave me strength. We heard powerful stories from people who walk alongside those experiencing homelessness, and we were reminded that behind the statistics are real people—families, children, veterans, and neighbours.

In the ACT alone:

• 33% of people worry about losing their home
• Nearly 2,000 Canberrans are homeless
• And yet, Vinnies is there every day, walking with them.

Some of the impact your support has helped fund includes:

• 30,000 meals served by Blue Door
• 13,500 sandwiches and 8,000 items of material aid from Night Patrol
• 63 rough sleepers placed into housing by the Street to Home team
• 89 people offered crisis housing at Samaritan House
• 7,219 new clothing items to families through Thread Together
• 149 families supported to find safe, secure housing
• And much more.

Thank you for standing with me, and with those in our community who need it most. Your generosity has lifted spirits and changed lives.

School Fees

Thank you to everyone who has paid their school fees. Term 2 School fees are now overdue. Prompt payment would be appreciated and can be made by cash, credit card, eftpos or Bpay. Please see me if you are experiencing difficulty with payment to save embarrassment all round.

Semester Reports

Individual reports will be available on COMPASS on Friday 27^th June.

When reviewing the report with your child you may wish to use the following language. Though the grade indicators are printed on the report, the following may be more meaningful to children.

An E is a starting point, rather than a fail. It means a child is working on the same tasks as everyone else, but is finding Everything in that area a challenge.

A child receiving a D is Developing skills but needs some more support and Direction.

The child who receives a C in a given area is Consistently Coping well with work he or she Can do by themself.

A B is Brilliant because he or she can do a superb job, all By themself.

To get an A is Absolutely Amazing because a child’s work would have to be Awesome All the time.

I am sure that each child will be able to celebrate their successes as well as set goals for next term and beyond.

End of Term Awards

Next Thursday (3^rd July) we will hold our Awards Ceremony at which we recognise the efforts of students during this semester. These awards recognise achievement, school spirit, commitment to improvement and consistency of effort. Within each class there are four distinct awards that can be received by students –

• School Spirit - awarded to students who show a positive attitude, take pride in themselves and our school, and following the example of St Clare of Assisi by striving to Be the Light.
• Academic Achievement - for exceptional achievement across all or specific areas of the curriculum.
• Effort - commitment to learning through excellent work habits and behaviour, and completing homework and set tasks to the best of their ability.
• Most Improved – for commitment to improving across all or specific areas of the curriculum.

Parents of award recipients have been advised and all other parents are more than welcome to attend the assembly (Friday 3^rd July 9.00am).

Term 3 Starting Date – Tuesday 22^nd July

Monday 21^st July is a pupil free day in all Catholic Primary Schools in Canberra. Teachers will be working together to enhance our planning and teaching strategies. All students will commence Term 3 on Tuesday 22^nd July.

It was once said…

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." – Franklin P. Jones

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

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

At our most recent School Community Council meeting, we took time to reflect on the importance of NAIDOC Week and its meaning within our school community. Council members participated in a thoughtful activity called Footsteps—the same one all our students will engage in—encouraging us to walk together in understanding and respect for First Nations culture and history. It was a meaningful way to honour the week and deepen our shared connection.

We also extend our congratulations to Mr E for taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. On one of the coldest nights of the year, his commitment to raising awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness was truly inspiring. His leadership—both within and beyond our school—sets a powerful example for us all.

A big thank you to the parents and teachers who joined us on Thursday evening to plan the upcoming Trivia Night on 22 August. It was a lively and productive meeting, and we’re excited about what’s to come! If you’re keen to volunteer or get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to have your support.

Finally, on behalf of the School Community Council, we’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all our teachers and staff for your continued dedication, patience, and leadership throughout the term. Your work makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of our children. We wish you a safe, restful, and well-deserved break.

Karen Walsh

Chair of SCA Community Council

Families who have enrolled their child for the Sacrament of First Eucharist received an email on Friday with the important dates. Preparation for the Sacrament will commence in Term 3, 2025. If you did not receive this email, please contact Orla Rutledge at tuggeranongsouth.sacraments@cg.org.au.

Susan Strickland 

Religious Education Coordinator 

This week White Cards will be presented at Friday Morning Assembly at 8.45am. Parents and Carers are very welcome to attend. Congratulations to  the following children.