Dear Parents and Carers,

See below a letter from our Director, Ross Fox:

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the lead up to the 2020 ACT Election, the Catholic Education Commission of Canberra and Goulburn endorsed three policy priorities for all parties to consider related to:

1. Equitable School Funding
   • Fund Catholic schools at 25% of the per-student cost of education in an ACT Government school.
2. Land Release and Planning
   • Make land available for new Catholic schools.
   • Improve planning policies to include new Catholic schools.
3. Support for Catholic Early Learning Centres
   • Provide financial support to Catholic Education Early Learning Centres to support equitable access and construction of new centres.

Our priorities are designed to ease cost-of-living pressures of families, ensure that Catholic schools can continue to be affordable and accessible, and serve the needs of families.

Catholic school communities have been advocating for these priorities over the past six months, hosting visits from the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, Opposition Leader, Alistair Coe, and every MLA who is contesting the 2020 ACT Election. We have also provided detailed education policy briefings to both ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals, and met with the Greens.

Recently, Alistair Coe and the Canberra Liberals committed to supporting our funding and land release policy priorities. The Liberals plan supports families, while also committing to a review of the curriculum in the ACT. You can find information regarding the Canberra Liberals education policy commitments here.

ACT Labor has decided not to support the most important of our policy requests. Continuing with a policy of cutting school funding will inevitably put upward pressure on school fees. Labor has committed to continue capital improvement grants to non-government schools, and announced equity grants to support disadvantaged families. You can find information regarding ACT Labor’s policy commitments here.

Similar to Labor, the Greens are not supporting our funding commitment but support the proposed land release for non-government schools. The Greens have stated their priorities as providing ‘nature-based’ play spaces for older schools, sustainability upgrades, and infrastructure available to all schools.

It would assist Catholic schools if you could encourage all candidates in your electorate to adopt the policy priorities of Catholic Education. I have attached both a fact sheet and education report and that may be useful for any conversations you have with candidates.

Together, we can ensure that supporting your children and Catholic schools is a priority for the next ACT Government.

Good wishes

Ross Fox
DIRECTOR

Uniform

Thank you to all parents for ensuring your child is wearing the correct uniform. It helps to set the standard and ensure all students start the day with a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Book Week Parade

This Friday we have our book parade. Unfortunately, this year it will be held with students and staff only. See more information from our Librarian, Madeleine Reid, below.

Thank you

A very big thank you to Matthew (Lily, K) and Geoff (Cameron. Yr 6) for erecting the basketball backboard late last term. I really appreciate the time and effort it took – it was a big job!

Yours Sincerely

Julie Wiley
Principal

Youth Ministry 

Rossen de Ramos, our Youth Minister, has recently completed a modified CYSMA’s Journeying with Jesus Retreat with our Year 5/6 students. CSYMA stands for Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia and they have been helping young people in their journey of faith with Jesus for many years now. This retreat is usually run by a number of Youth Ministers at the beginning of the year, however due to restrictions this Retreat was not able to be held this year. After participating in the Retreat a number of students will, under Rossen’s guidance, form a Youth Ministry Team. During the Retreat Rossen used the analogy of packing a backpack as preparation for a journey of faith. Below is some feedback that the students gave Rossen after participating in the program.  

• “You need the backpack to carry our faith towards our journey.”
• “I enjoy the options of activities that help us to see a different perspective.”
• “The Backpack also means we are taking God within our journey.” 
• “I like everything; especially the games and video.”

A number of students have now signed up to join Rossen’s Youth Ministry team. Rossen will work with this team so that they can become closer with their faith through service, fellowship and formation.

Thank you to Mrs Washington and 5/6

Many thanks to Mrs Washington and the 5/6 students who helped to create our noticeboard display in the front office foyer. The students have presented their research on their chosen saints for Confirmation. We continue to pray for those students who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Yours in Christ,

Samantha Mance
Religious Education Coordinator

It’s almost here! A week to celebrate the wonderful world of books and the amazing adventures they can take us on. This year’s theme for Book Week is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.

The children can choose a character from any book that they have enjoyed reading. Costumes can be as simple or as complex as you like, you do not need to buy a costume. Dress up clothes from around the home are great for Book Week characters.

The staff are putting the finishing touches to their curious costumes!

Cake Stall

On Monday, the Year 5/6 students will be putting their creative culinary skills on show. Students are invited to bring a gold coin donation to school and purchase a cupcake or a slice of cake at morning break.

2020 Book Week Events at STM:

• Friday 16^th October- Book Week Dress Up and Parade
• Friday 16^th October- Storytime and Fun Activities organised by 5/6 leaders
• Monday 19^th October- Cake Stall- Year 5/6 students have the opportunity to bake a cake with a book theme to bring to school for classes to view. Students can purchase a slice/cupcake with a gold coin at morning tea.
• Thursday 22^nd October- Rug reading with a buddy classes in the sunshine with hot chocolates and marshmallows.
• Friday 23^rd October- Book Week Colouring In Competitions due.

Madeleine Reid
Librarian

Here are some of our fantastic students who participated in weekend sports over the winter term.