Today during Formation, Junior School students were able to choose a wellbeing activity of interest to them. There were many options, including sock wrestling, gardening, flick footy, table tennis, European handball, basketball and more. It is wonderful to see the students so engaged in Formation lessons and we value this initiative greatly. Today Junior School students were also able to enjoy their meal deals for Caritas. Thank you to Ms Cusack and Pam, Deb, Michelle and Jan in the canteen for organising and helping with this fundraising opportunity. The season of Lent is well underway, which also marks the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Our fundraising initiatives assist Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. Thank you for putting your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving and by supporting our meal deal fundraising opportunity. This year the Junior School has already raised over $300 for Caritas.
Track & Field – The vast majority of students’ results have already been collated for field events. Mr Fox will be asking students who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in shot put, discus or long jump, and who wish to be considered for school selection to the regional South Weston carnival, to participate in trials this Friday 25 March, Day 10. The trials will take place at recess and lunch (if required). The trials are only for students who have not already participated in these events during PE lessons. Times for 800m will be recorded during a trial for those interested. Students will be advised of the date/time of this trial. Please note that we do not want a situation where someone misses out on getting a time/distance recorded for an event they wish to be considered for. We can do catch up trials as needed.
Winter Sports – With most Winter sports now getting started, just a reminder that we speak with Junior School students regularly about not getting caught up in discussions about chosen sports, gradings and divisions. Every year we remind students of this to allow all students to enjoy their chosen sport and feel part of the wider St Edmund’s family. Placing too much pressure on themselves to make a certain team or division causes an extra layer of anxiety that benefits no one. The simple fact we reinforce to the students is that what division they are selected for this year is not a good predictor for success in later schooling or even adult life. We use the examples of numerous former First V, First XI and First XV captains who played division 2, 3 or 4 in Junior School and High School while they were still maturing. We also mention the stories of greats like Michael Jordan and Nat Fyfe. Students who do use team or sport selections to put others down will not be meeting school expectations.
Isolation notifications – Just a reminder for parents with a son or sons in isolation to email principal@stedmunds.act.edu.au with details of whether it is a positive covid case or household contact and dates associated. The school keeps two sensitive lists, one for positive cases and one for household contacts. Also, just a reminder that if your son is displaying symptoms to keep him at home until symptoms subside. This will help keep all in our extended community safe.
ACT School Sports Trials
Over the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities for students to trial for 12 Years and Under ACT Representative teams for a variety of sports. Anyone with a child interested in trialling for the various sports needs to log onto the School Sport ACT website and register for the sport that your child wishes to trial for. It is the responsibility of parents to monitor the website for any upcoming sporting events, if your child is interested in competing in the regional/national competitions.
Please also note: if your child is successful in being selected for an ACT team to participate in a national or regional tournament, you need to write a formal letter to the Principal to seek permission for absence from school during this period. Once the College has received such a request, it can then be formally approved for your son’s participation in this activity with School Sport ACT. Secondly, we will also be able to acknowledge his achievement.
Year 4-6 after school Homework Club
Tuesday & Wednesday after school – beginning Week 2
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Junior School Library lab
Boys are to bring work with them that they may need assistance with. This could be homework, assignments, extension work or additional work set by their classroom teacher.
All students are welcome to attend, but this is not a drop-in session and parents must email Mr Kelly in advance requesting attendance for the week (one or both days) and what their son will be working on.
dkelly@stedmunds.act.edu.au
PE Uniform – Just a reminder that your son is to wear his PE uniform to school each day his class is scheduled to have PE. He is also to wear PE uniform on Day 10 of the timetable as classes usually have Year group sport on this day.
Year 6 Runners Program – As a part of our Year 6 into High School transition program, we will be enlisting the assistance of Year 6 students to help as runners. As runners, the students will get to know the school layout very well ahead of Year 7. The students will work in pairs for a full day (learning remotely between jobs). The students will rotate through on a daily basis for semester 1 only.
Absences – If your son is away from school, parents/carers need to ring 6239 0694 or email studentservices@stedmunds.act.edu.au with a reason. If you forget to do this, you will receive a text message. If you receive a text message, reply 1 – sick, or 2 – family reasons to account for the absence.
Staff Car Park (off Canberra Avenue) – Parents/carers are asked not to use this area for dropping off or picking up as it poses a definite risk to students. Parents/carers are asked to use the drive-through at the front of the school or one of the roads surrounding the school (not Canberra Avenue). Thank you for your support with this.
David Kelly
Assistant Principal – Junior School