Dear Parents and Carers,

I have noticed several students arriving late to school this term. One of the most important aspects of school is that it is organised, scheduled and predictable. Students depend on the structure of the day. They know where they must be and when. They know the main purpose for being in school is to learn and that routines are in place precisely to help them focus on that learning. When students are repeatedly late, these routines are disrupted. Students who are often late also have trouble settling in and mastering routines. A lack of punctuality can throw off their whole morning or even their day, especially if the late commute to school was stressful.

I certainly acknowledge that running late is sometimes out of your control. There can be traffic delays, sickness and even misplaced car keys! These one-off occasions will not impact your child’s education. For the typical school day of 6 hours, a student who is only 10 minutes late every day will miss over 30 hours of school time that year. If a child is 10 minutes late getting to school, it is more like 20 minutes until they are learning. Regular late attendance means that your child is missing a considerable amount of learning time. 

Another important reason for being on time is that teachers check in on students at the beginning of the school day and provide pastoral care where needed. Here at STM we start our day as a community where we assemble, pray and celebrate birthdays. It is also a time where we deliver a quick message that might impact your child that day. If your child could be at school around 8:45am that would allow them to connect with their friends and be settled and ready for the 8:50am bell.

ACT Election-Saturday 17 October

There are 8 weeks until the ACT Election and am sure you are seeing candidates from all parties at shopping centres (or even receiving phone calls from them). I encourage you to approach candidates at the shopping centres and mention or discuss the value of ACT Catholic Schools and quiz them on their party’s support for ACT Catholic Schools. 

In the ACT, there are 29 systemic Catholic Schools who educate 15 000 students. In Canberra, Catholic schools are very similar to public schools, with our schools having almost the same average ICSEA score (1077-1076). Our schools are inclusive, support families from all backgrounds, and operate on a modest budget.

Did you know that when you compare the total funding that Catholic schools in each state/territory receive, the ACT are the second lowest funded Catholic schools in the country? This is particularly impacted by the ACT Government’s low funding of Catholic schools.

Have a chat to the candidates and mention that you are a parent in an ACT Catholic school and funding of Catholic schools is an important issue for you.

Uniform Survey

Last chance to complete the survey - it closes on Friday.

https://stmpscampbell.schoolzineplus.com/form/17

Principal's Affirmation

Congratulations to Thomas and Kathrine for receiving the Principal's Affirmation at
last weeks morning assembly.

Yours Sincerely