Dear parents and carers,

Recently, Archbishop Christopher Prowse announced the Year of the Holy Spirit, which will guide our Diocese from August 2023 to August 2024. Following on from the Year of Walking Together, our theme for the past year, we are now called to be open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that our faith can truly come alive. It is difficult to explain, but by being open to seeing, hearing and acting on the example of Jesus, we can be that for others. As a school, we will break open the new theme from the start of 2024.

2024 Faith in Learning Excellence Awards

Congratulations to Melanie Stratford our 4 Green class teacher and Religious Education Coordinator, on being nominated and receiving a Mission Award at the upcoming 2023 Faith in Learning Excellence Awards. Melanie was nominated by a parent within our community, recognising her faithful commitment to the Sacramental Program within our school and parish. Well done Melanie and thank you for your dedication to the faith life of our school.

Go to bed... 

Now that our new favourite national sporting team have finished keeping us up late, a reminder about the importance of the children getting enough sleep, and trying to limit screen time just before bed. I know that in the Tarrant household, the bed times have crept out and screen time seems to be more than usual at the moment. 

When children are tired, they find it difficult to concentrate and be engaged in their learning, as well as more easily frustrated. As you can understand, this has an impact within the classroom, and also on the playground.

If nothing else, perhaps you can mention this suggestion to your children tonight when you are trying to get them to bed - hopefully it helps! 

Also, the link below provides some relevant information and suggestions. 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/screen-time-sleep 

Father's Day Breakfast

Think U Know

In early September, Year 3 to 6 students will be participating in a Think U Know presentation about how to stay safe online. As teachers, parents and carers, we all play an important role in protecting children from harm. The Think U Know program aims to support us in preventing and managing safety challenges that children may face online, as well as guiding them to understand these challenges and make them feel empowered to take action.

Over the coming newsletters, a different article about keeping your child safe online will be attached to provide you with some additional knowledge to help your child stay safe online, in this ever changing world of technology. It may be helpful to read the article with your child, so you can begin or continue open conversations with your child about their online safety practices. More resources, including home learning and family activities are available on the Think U Know website. 

CSPACG Family Event 

Catholic School Parents Canberra Goulburn are hosting a Family Event with Andrew Fuller on Tuesday 5 September. This is a free event for parents and carers, offering insight into how children's brains work and how knowing this can assist parents. Please register via the flyer below. 

Family_event_July_2023_Flyer.pdf

Story Dogs

Story Dogs is a program where a trained dog spends time in the school, along with their trained carer, allowing students to read aloud to the dog in a safe, fun, non-judgmental environment that supports emerging readers with their reading confidence and fluency. Unfortunately, Tonia and Skipper are off to Brisbane, so they sent through this picture thank you. We are looking forward to welcoming Jenny and Fox this week. 

https://www.storydogs.org.au/

Follow the link below and add your name to help out. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y3TPcEG8UaNlIkBfL6SxrMrOtkHrmhBizN6xKi9GoZQ/edit?usp=sharing

Camp Australia