We are nearly at the end of the first semester of the 2021 school year. I am sure that everyone is hoping for some fine weather for the holidays. As my first week at St. Clare’s ends, I find myself reflecting on the very welcoming atmosphere that is evident here. Thank you to all that have introduced themselves to me, I look forward to getting to know you all better over Semester 2. This is particularly evident in the way students have interacted with me over the past week. The students of St. Clare’s have shown themselves to be extremely polite, respectful and outgoing. As a school community we value each person and the gifts they share with us. Thank you again to all students, parents and staff for all that you do for and with us at St Clare’s. Enjoy some well deserved rest during the holidays.  

Athletics Carnival

Last week I had the pleasure of being a part of my very first St. Clare’s Athletics Carnival. I am extremely impressed with the effort all students put in over the 2 days of events. Congratulations! I witnessed many examples of great sportsmanship and heard lots of students encouraging each other. Thank you to Mr Stubbings and Mrs Jenkins for all the hard work that goes into organising days like these.

Prep 2022

Enrolment interviews for Prep 2022 have taken place and a transition program will run through Term 4. We do have very limited spaces for next year, so if you are aware of any family and friends that are looking for a fantastic school, please encourage them to contact the school, have a look at our website or visit the school to enrol their child. I am more than happy to do enrolment interviews as required over Semester 2.

Late Arrivals

We understand that sometimes late arrivals are unavoidable. If you do find that your student arrives after the bell, please remind them that they will need to go to the office to get a late card before heading off to their classroom.

Fete packs

Fete packs were sent home to all families last week in a yellow envelope. If you have not seen this as yet, please check your child’s bag. Any support that you can give the hard working fete committee would be greatly appreciated and more information on how to do this can be found in those packs.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

Last week a letter was sent out from our APRE, Helen Andrews, calling for donations for the St. Vinnies Winter Appeal. They would appreciate if you had excess blankets, sleeping bags, or other winter items that could be donated to help those in need. These items can be dropped at the school office, and we will pass them on to the local St Vincent de Paul society. If you would like to give a monetary donation, envelopes are available at the school office. You may also send money in your own envelope; but please write on the envelope that it is a donation for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal.

Wishing you all a safe and restful break.

Karran Burzacott

Acting Principal

Source:  https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/11/24/3-prayers-for-the-homeless/

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal seeks support for people in need during winter and casts a light on community members in need. Living in Tully, we sometimes assume that homelessness and families struggling to feed their families is a distant problem. We need to remember that this last year has been especially challenging. During Sunday’s Mass, Bob McIlroy spoke about how the Tully branch of the St Vincent de Paul are supporting eight Tully community members who do not have anywhere to live. We also have three families in housing commission accommodation and St Vincent de Paul are supporting them with the basic necessities of food, clothing and household items.

To continue the excellent work of the St Vincent de Paul society, we are asking for people to be especially generous this year. They would appreciate if you had excess blankets, sleeping bags, or other winter items that could be donated to help those in need.  These items can be dropped at the school office, and we will pass them on to the local St Vincent de Paul society.  If you would like to give a monetary donation, envelopes are available at the school office.  You may also send money in your own envelope; but please write on the envelope that it is a donation for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal.  Let us all join together and show the St Clare’s charism of Welcome, Community and Hospitality.

We ask that you keep these people in your prayers and to give what you can to support community members in need.

• They spoke with the students about the importance of having a safety net of 5 people that they trust. They recommended that the children have 3 family members and the other 2 to be people they trust but are not family members e.g. teacher.
• Bruce also spoke to the students about having a ‘family password’. He explained to the students that if they become separated from their family or are approached by someone they really don’t know who are encouraging them to come with them, they should ask for the family password.  The family password is something that the family agree on, and close family and friends would know as well so it can be used if someone else needs to collect your children. He explained to the children that if his family had a family password, Daniel would not have got in the car that day in December 2003.
• With school holidays around the corner and with the Tully show in a few weeks, Bruce discussed with the students about organising a meeting place at an event in case they may get separated from their family.
• In the Daniel Morcombe curriculum that our students learn each year, there are the 3 R’s that are taught – Recognise, React and Report.
• The Daniel Morcombe Foundation launched a new campaign especially directed at parents in December 2020 called SAFE BEDROOMS. Click on the link below  for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation page to find out more.  There is a video for parents to watch and Bruce told staff that there are three new videos being released this Thursday with regards to Safe Bedrooms.  Well worth having a look so we can keep our children safe online.
  Daniel Morcombe Safe Bedrooms https://danielmorcombe.com.au/safe-bedrooms/

May your find peace in your day.

Helen Andrews

Friday 25/6/2021 -