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Dear Parents and Guardians
Spiritual Spring Cleaning
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent.
Lent is a wonderful season in the Church calendar – time set aside to renew and prepare ourselves to receive the fullness of life in the resurrection. It’s a time for a bit of a spiritual ‘spring-clean’. After all, the word ‘Lent’ means ‘springtime’. Just as a spring-clean in our homes gives us a renewed sense of order and purpose, a spiritual spring-clean lifts our spirits, sweeps out the bad habits and creates space in our lives for God.
Giving up chocolate or other sweet indulgences is a traditional favourite for Lenten promises. However, in order for our Lenten commitments to really serve the purposes of Lent, it is better to approach what we ‘give up’ from the point of view of how giving it up frees us to more fully embrace life in Christ. It’s not deprivation for the sake of deprivation… it’s for the sake of greater love, more abundant life, deeper peace, more life-affirming joy. Think in terms of what you are embracing rather than what you are forgoing. For example, instead of ‘giving up’ sugar, I’m embracing a daily ritual of honouring God – every time I drink my sugarless tea, I am reminded to thank God for his love.
Lent is a great time to sweep our lives clean of any habit, attitude or practice that serves ourselves rather than God and those God sends us to love. Used well, Lent becomes something so rich in blessings that you will look forward to it year after year.
Next Wednesday, each level will have a Liturgy of the Word
with the distribution of ashes.
Fun Food Friday
FFF returns this week and will run until the end of the term. For the next few weeks, a super-dooper (or an equivalent) is available for purchase at lunchtime for 50cents. The money raised helps with the Year 6 Graduation and has a strong involvement from the Year 6s. There is no compulsion to make a purchase just an opportunity of a little treat.
Susan McLean – Cyber Safety Expert
Save the date – Wednesday 16 March. Susan McLean will be running workshops with the Year 3 – 6 students and will also have a parent session that night. Depending on COVID protocols, this may be virtual – further details will be available closer to the time.
Early pickup and late arrivals
We have had a large number of students being picked up early from school or arriving late. I understand that there are some occasions where children might need to be taken to an appointment, but these ought to be rare. Picking children up early simply because of convenience means that critical learning is missed as well as planning and information about the following day. Similarly, with each late arrival, children miss, not only the connection with their peers, but also rich learning opportunities.
Parent Teacher Meetings
We are hopeful that these will be able to be in March (allowing for COVID restrictions). More details to follow.
Hot of the press!!!
Our boys have done us proud at Swimming so far today.
Okith - 2nd in Backstroke
Oliver - 2nd in Freestyle and Backstroke
Nathan - 2nd in Freestyle and 1st in Backstroke & Breaststroke
WOOHOO!!!
Fun Food Friday is back this Friday (25th February) but with a slightly different twist for the next couple of weeks!!! It has been a couple of years since we’ve had a chance to experience and partake in our Fun Food Friday ritual, so for all our families who aren’t familiar with this, every Friday during the lunch break, the P&F sell lemonade Icy Poles outside the Welcome Room for $1. For the next couple of weeks though we will be selling these Zooper Doopers instead for 50c.…
We will be setting up a roster for helpers once we have established how many helpers we need and how many are allowed on school grounds, at any one time…More information will be available in the coming days…. We are beyond excited to be able to be back with Fun Food Friday and also to get to meet our new students and hopefully our new families. If you are available to help on a Friday from 1pm until 2.15 then please keep an eye out for more details on how to put your name down on our roster. We are really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things!!!
Our school photos were held on Monday 21 February
For those who have not ordered as yet, you can still do so via the Schoolpix Website. We are aware that some students were unwell or in isolation on Monday so we wish to advise that Schoolpix do offer phtogrtapher sessions in their Hallam Studio in the school holidays. If you would like to arrang ea time for your child to be photographed in the holidays (this includes sibling photos) please call Schoolpix on 1300 766 055
Wednesday 23 February |
NO school for Foundation students |
Wednesday 2 March |
Ash Wednesday |
Saturday 5 March |
Open Day 10am to 12pm |
Monday 14 March |
NO SCHOOL - Public Holiday |
Wednesday 16 March |
Susan McLean Cycbersafety Workshops |
Thursday 17 March |
St Patrick's Day |
Monday 21 March |
P&F AGM |
Thursday 7 April |
Last Day of Term 1 |
Friday 8 April |
School Closure - NO SCHOOL for students |
Tuesday 26 April |
First Day of Term 2 |
SCHOOL FEES
Statements have been emailed to families today. If you have a direct debit set up there is nothing you need to do, this will continue to process as per the agreement. If you would like to set up a direct debit please email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au to request a direct debit form.
For those families who have a Pension or Health Care Card plesae ensure the school has been provided with a copy of your new card when it is received. This will ensure we can apply for the funding to help reduce your school fees.
If your circumstances have changed and you now have a Pension or Health Care Card please ensure you let the office know. We can then send you the relevant forms for completion so funding can be applied for.
PAM - Parent Access Module
Here is the link for the St Clare's Parent Access Portal (PAM)
You username is the email address that you have registered with the school. The first time you log in we ask that you use the forgotten password feature to set your own password.
ALL parents must access PAM to receive up to date information and grant necessary permissions. Students will miss out on events if permission is not granted.
MEDICAL INFORMATION - When you update your child's medical information in PAM - PLEASE ensure this is accurate. The school must have current up to date asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis or medical plans for those students identified with these conditions and any other medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy. This is to ensure we have relevant information to assist your child with the management of these medical conditions.
Please ensure the school has your current contact details - this includes address, email, work numbers etc. To update details please email admin@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au or call 5940 6777. Through PAM parents are able to update your child's medical details.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
To report your child's absence plesae do so via PAM, email absent@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au or call 5940 6777