Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you were able to spend some enjoyable time together during the holidays where you were free from pressures or stresses. As I’ve mentioned regarding remote learning, every family operates differently depending on circumstances, and your mental health and wellbeing is paramount. Every child is different and for some students engagement is tricky unless they are supervised one-to-one. We understand that in a home situation this is difficult for parents already working, so please do what you can and maintain close contacts with your teacher. We are doing our best to provide learning that caters for the majority but this will not always address everyone’s individual needs. Teachers are available for check-ins with students and parents so that we can support you, if you have any questions or concerns.

During the holidays I sent the return to school campus graphic supplied by CE. I will include it in the newsletter.  As you will see there is a gradual return which schools are mandated by ACT Government to follow. We will be putting safety precautions in place to ensure that we do our best to keep everyone safe including;

Encouraging face masks (we ask parents to supply these if possible, we will send further links and supports for purchasing these shortly)

• Increased ventilation
• Hand sanitiser
• Social distancing
• Separate play areas
• Cohorts of classes will not be mixing
• Separate pick-up zones, as no adults will be able to exit cars and enter the building
• There will be no assemblies or large group activities
• No access to the school for any adults unless essential workers
• Any child presenting with any symptoms will be required to be isolated and parents called

I encourage you to contact us if you have concerns about your child returning to school as families have different needs including vulnerable family members and health and disability issues. We fully support a return to school for all students by November 1^st but understand that for some community members this may not be possible. We have a duty of care to our families and will ensure that we cater for children’s educational needs as appropriate.

Thank you for your feedback and the many positive messages of support  We are committed to maintaining our close relationships with all families during these challenging times,

Congratulations to Martin Hawker and on the birth of Joel’s baby sister, Isla.

Stay safe and well,

Many blessings

Judy Egan

School enrolment for 2022

Please let us know if your family circumstances have changed and your child will not be returning for the 2022 school year. Families are required to give written notification so we can update our records. (Email is fine)

Student Absences

Please email your teacher if your child is unwell or unable to attend check ins. Check ins allow teachers an opportunity to mark the digital roll. 

Fees

Term 4 Fee statements will go home to families at the end of the week. Thank you to families who continue to support the school by paying fees. We understand that families may be experiencing difficulties and wish to change their online payments or discuss further options. Please contact Lisa via the front office or email me directly.

Religious Education

Our overarching theme for the term is Be Still and Know that I Am God and Listen to My Story. The Bible is a key source of many stories, all about how God wants to be at the centre of our lives. Where in your story do you find God?

Remote learning is certainly providing us with some interesting ways of exploring the Religious Education Curriculum. Many classes are investigating their core concepts through activities on a grid, using the arts to respond to their learning. Students in 3/4 are looking at the concept ‘forgiveness’, its importance in our daily lives and how it links to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The core Scripture we are looking at is the parable of the prodigal son. This video (https://youtu.be/X_QCQ5i7NKs )is a good enactment of how that story may have been told by Jesus. Notice the setting of the video, what can you learn about what life was like in the time of Jesus from this?

Students will also investigate different artworks to do with the parable of the prodigal son. What can you see in this artwork that you know from the story? What artworks do you know that illustrate the concept of forgiveness? Can you create your own artistic piece on this concept?

Religious Life

First Reconciliation

Children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time and their parents will be joining a Zoom meeting https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/66013617186 this Thursday evening at 6:00pm. This session is mostly information and formation for parents, but the children will be making their commitment that would usually be made at the weekend masses. A reminder that registrations are currently open through the parish website. http://cg.org.au/belconnennorth/Home.aspx

Global Schools Partners

Our friend Simon from Global Schools Partners is taking part in a challenge called 20X20 Challenge. He is riding 20km each day for 20 days to raise money for the schools in Kenya. See more about this at: https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/events .

Catholic Mission

What is World Mission Month?

Here in Australia, October marks World Mission Month, a celebration of the global work of the Church and the dedication of missionaries, both religious and lay, as they reach out and support children and communities in need around the world.

On World Mission Sunday, which falls on 24 October 2021, parish communities around the world will gather to pray for and raise funds to support the work of thousands of crucial church-run programs. The following Wednesday, 27 October, is Children’s Mission Day, which you and your school can celebrate fully through Socktober. At St Michael’s we will be exploring different ways we can learn about the work being done around the world to support those in poverty.

World Mission Month is our biggest celebration at Catholic Mission, and it is a special time when we are reminded of the often-unseen work of missionaries in the farthest corners of the globe. 

Sacramental Program 2021

Sacrament of Confirmation – Change of Dates now confirmed

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in the ACT the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will now be celebrated during term 4 on 23,24 and 25 November 2021.

COVID Restrictions - due to Covid restrictions limited people are allowed in the church for each celebration and as some parents are working from home Fr Loi has agreed to include midday and evening liturgies to celebrate the Sacrament. This will be 6 liturgies with around 15 candidates per liturgy.

This means the number of people attending is restricted to a maximum of 4 per family and only people who reside in the household. Which means the people attending would be, the candidate, their sponsor and 2 other household members. In the absence of the sponsor, a parent may stand in as a proxy.

Bookings will open on 18 October and close by 5 November 2021. Bookings are to be made through TryBooking via the links on the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Parent Information Night – will be held this Thursday 7 October via zoom.
The zoom access for this meeting is https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/66013617186 and this link is also be listed on the parish website at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

The Sacrament will be celebrated on 9, 10, 11 November 2021 (additional information will be advised via the school bulletins in term 4 and on the parish website).

Registration for the Sacrament – opened on 13 September and will close by 25 October 2021. Registration and payment must be made through the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Qkr! App (NOT the school’s app). No further registrations will be accepted beyond the closing date.

Purchasing a stole for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is optional and is not compulsory. If you wish to purchase a stole, the cost is $20 and this can also be done via the Parish Qkr! app.

Commitment Masses – a commitment liturgy will form part of the Parent Formation night on 7 October 2021.

Further Information – please contact the Sacramental Program Coordinator at sc.belconnennorth@cg.org.au or (sue.coll@bigpond.com (during lockdown)) or check the parish website for updates at www.cg.org.au/belconnennorth

Part Time Parish Secretary – South Belconnen Parish 

People are invited to apply for the position Parish Secretary for South Belconnen Parish. This is a part-time permanent position 18 hours per week (Tuesday to Thursday).

Essential Requirements:

• Experience with financial & database packages.
• Strong communication and liaison skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work on your own, and as part of a wider team and take direction.
• Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching
• Experience in an office environment.

Salary will be subject to Clerk Award Level 4/5 rates.  Please email belconnensouth@cg.org.au for a copy of the duty statement. Applications addressing the Selection Criteria above to the Parish Priest, South Belconnen Parish must be received by 14 October 2021.