Students have begun the term in fine style in Junior School. The children have come back full of energy and excitement, ready to begin a new term of learning. Students have been goal setting and working with their teachers on how to get the best out of themselves this semester.
Year 5 Camp – all information is available in the Parent Portal for parents/carers. A reminder this camp is on Monday 7-9 August (Week 4).
NAIDOC
As part of our celebration and recognition of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, students were able to participate in a NAIDOC assembly and celebration last week. The smoking ceremony was a highlight as was a speech by our special guest, Billy Thompkins.
Heritage Round – Saturday 29 July. This Saturday we have home fixtures for Rugby Union with our good friends at Marist College Canberra. We want as many students at the games, particularly our First XI (Football) and First XV (Rugby) games, (both begin at 3pm) as possible. This is always a wonderful day on the school’s calendar and we encourage respectful and sensible behaviour. We have met with the students several times this week to go over expectations for this weekend and we would expect even better behaviour from spectators. Please chat with your son prior to the weekend about the importance of sportsmanship on days like this. So you can be really clear in discussing this with your son/s, I have included below some of the reminders that all students in Years 4-12 received this week.
We want you here on Saturday
Appropriate dress – full school uniform including blazer (7-12 only) – the only exceptions are the boys who play late in the afternoon (close to First XV and/or Senior Football game times), otherwise if they are not in uniform they should not turn up. Junior School students can wear their Rugby or PE uniform and an extra coat if needed for warmth.
Appropriate sportsmanship – absolutely no booing or negative comments to the opposition or the opposing spectators in the grandstand or around the grounds (maintained before, during and after the game). NO booing in any circumstance. NO distractions when someone is kicking for goal.
Encouraging as many boys to be to there to support SEC on the day so that the grandstand is full.
We want OUR grandstand and surrounds FULL of spirited, loud and respectful support.
Follow any instruction given to you by a member of staff
We do not want any disrespectful mob mentality – that is not wanted here on Saturday or any other day.
We want a good day – that people can attend and enjoy.
SOCIAL JUSTICE Term 3
The St Edmund’s Social Justice model seeks to highlight the social justice issues that we see in our community. The service activities we participate in each term are to raise awareness that social injustice happens everywhere and by serving others we are seeking to try and make the world a better place.
This term we are serving the people of Karinya House and Home in Queanbeyan. St Edmund’s has a long relationship with both these community organisations. Karinya House provides emergency accommodation and outreach support for mothers and babies in crisis. We have been asked to assist Karinya House raise money to put a shade sail over their children’s playground or donating goods such as personal care products, clothes, toys, books, nappies new or quality second hand.
Home, in Queanbeyan, provides long term supported accommodation for adults suffering from mental health issues. Home has requested money to buy healthy food for their residents, to improve their mental health and donations of personal care products.
The Junior School boys are being asked to serve House and Home in three ways:
- Donating items they require – These can be left in Junior School Classrooms.
- Seeking sponsorship for participating in the Stay, Sort and Serve on Friday September 1st Week 7 – From 3:30 -7.00pm the goods that have been donated will be sorted into packs that can be used by the clients that House and Home support.
- Bring in a gold coin or note donation for mufti day.
BOOKWEEK (Week 6)
On Thursday 24 August all students in the Junior School will have the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character. They will then participate in a parade to celebrate books and reading. This is a fun event which everyone is encouraged to be involved in so start preparing your costume soon. The theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’.
Homework Club – Mrs Ellem will be running homework club from Weeks 2-9 this term on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Please email her hellem@stedmunds.act.edu.au with a day’s notice should you wish to book your son/s in.
Moderation Day 2, Thursday 17 August – Please note that as per the school calendar this is a pupil-free day. Teachers will be involved in professional learning on this day. The exception will be students who have qualified for the South Weston Athletics Carnival which is due to be held on this date.
Year 6 into Year 7 Enrolment – All current Year 6 families are reminded that there is no need to re-enrol your son into Year 7 at St Edmund’s College. The enrolment for Year 7 is automatic as your son is already enrolled at the College.
Hair Policy – Thank you to all parents/carers for keeping your son/s haircuts in line with the school’s uniform and hair policy. At times barbers may make mistakes. If they are informed of their mistake, many will fix the haircut (in line with our policy) at no extra charge. Could I please ask that all parents/carers familiarise themselves with the hair policy so that students can get about their daily work without teacher’s asking them about their haircuts. Thank you for your assistance with this.
-Hair should be kept neat, tidy and clean at all times and not grown or styled into an extreme or exaggerated fashion.
-Hair should be above the shoulder in length (above the bottom of the school shirt collar) and no shorter than a number ‘two’.
-Students are not allowed to have lines or designs shaved into their hair nor grow long sections of hair that can be fashioned into ‘top buns’, plaits, dreadlocks, braids, ‘rats tails’, ‘mohawks’ or ‘mullets’ etc.
-Hair should be evenly graded and/or blended, of natural colour, warn off the face and should not obstruct sight. Hair requiring to be tied back off the face may be necessary but only as a low bun.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up – Please do not use the staff carpark (off Canberra Avenue) to drop or collect students before and after school. This is a dangerous place for our students to be moving through and we would like to keep this area for staff only. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
David Kelly
Assistant Principal – Junior School