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ENROLMENTS OPEN FOR KINDERGARTEN 2020
Dear Parent and Carers
As you read this newsletter you will have noticed that we have changed to a new digital format, known as Schoolzine. The benefit of the change is that it is now interactive, easy to read, has links to key newsletter items and includes a language translator. This newsletter can be read in over one hundred languages. As we make a few changes to the way we communicate with parents and the wider community it is important that parents fill in the annual photo permission note. Your feedback is always welcome; we hope you enjoy the many benefits of this new format.
Last Friday I had the opportunity to celebrate Mass with Father Martin, Mrs Briscoe, our Year 6 students and parishioners. I congratulate them for not only the way they have settled into their learning this year but also for their leadership of other students at St Francis of Assisi. They have all embraced their role with energy and commitment.
Parent Information Sessions
Thank you to the parents who attended our Information sessions for Years 1-6. It was wonderful to see so many parents taking the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher. This is an important first step in forming the integral partnership between parents and teachers to support student learning. We also thank the teachers for their preparation and delivery of these sessions.
Kindergarten Students
Our Kindergarten students have made a great start to the year, they have embraced their new surroundings and have connected really well with their Year 5 buddies. Thank you to Mrs Beckhaus for setting up routines and preparing the students so well for learning. Well done boys and girls!
Opening School Mass
On Friday 8 February we celebrated our opening School Mass. Thank you to Mrs Madaschi and her team for preparing our Mass. It was great to see our families join us as we celebrated the start of a new school year. The Mass was a joyous celebration and highlighted just what a fabulous community we have at St Francis of Assisi. Father Leonard spoke to us about being on a journey, he encouraged us to remember that while we are on that journey we need to continue to build our relationship with God and with each other.
Catholic Schools Week – 3-9 March 2019
In 2019 Catholic Schools Week will be held from Sunday 3 March to Saturday 9 March. Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful occasion for students, teachers, families and parishes to acknowledge the strengths and distinctiveness of Catholic schools. The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong theme is ‘The future has a name, and that name is Hope’. “We are called to act with: Hope, Integrity, Justice and Compassion”.
Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to share with the broader community the great things that take place in our schools every day. Above all, Catholic Schools Week is about celebration. Our school is planning a number of activities during Catholic Schools Week that showcase the wonderful teaching and learning that takes place, as well as the many other exciting opportunities that St Francis of Assisi provides for our students.
Listed below is a schedule of events for the week that families, parents and friends are invited to attend:
St Francis of Assisi Celebrates Catholic Schools Week:
- Friday 1 March – 9am – Catholic Schools Week Mass – In the Church
- Friday 1 March – 2pm – Principal and Values Awards – In the Hall
- Monday 4 March – 9am-10.30 – Open Classrooms – Celebrate learning in the classrooms
- Monday 4 March – 10.30am – Morning Tea
- Wednesday 6 March – 9am – Ash Wednesday Mass
This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of our school community. We would also like to celebrate with members of our parish and the wider Catholic community. We encourage you to participate in this spirit of celebration.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you during Catholic Schools Week 2019.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
Principal
Catholic Schools' Week Mass
Open Morning for Catholic Schools' Week
Diocesan Education Mass
Caritas Launch
Ash Wednesday
Bishop Brian Mascord
AFL PAUL KELLY CUP
Some students from Year 5 and Year 6 will be competing in the AFL- Paul Kelly Cup at Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow on Tuesday 5 March. A team of Senior boys and Senior girls, will be supervised by Mr Gilmore.
SOUTH COAST REGIONAL DIOCESAN SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to Dean G, Jamie D, Savannah D, Samantha S, James H, Olivia A, Sierra S, Kitarni A, Maysa H, Noah L, Eva G, Mohammad E, Emilia P, who will represent our school at the South Coast Regional Diocesan Carnival on Thursday 7 March at Corrimal Pool.
Mrs Briscoe
Sport Co-Ordinator
Please be reminded that the student photo and work consent form includings all digital articles including Newsletter, Website, Facebook, Twitter.
This Consent form is attached, and every child is required to have this form returned.
Please indicate on this form if you do not give consent or complete a new form if you would like to update your consent.
2019 SCHOOL FEE AGREEMENT FORMS ARE DUE
Please ensure you are making correct amounts for weekly payments. To check, please use the school fee calculator link attached or visit our school website.
In accordance with the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy, school fee accounts are issued as an annual invoice, which is due 30 days from the invoice date.
However, families may continue to or commence paying periodically. To access this payment flexibility, families must complete a School Fee Agreement and return it to the school office prior to the expiry of 30 days. If you have an existing Agreement, you are required to send in an updated School Fee Agreement.
The Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and School Fee Agreements are available on the school’s website. Alternatively. You may access these documents from the school’s administration office. A School Fee Calculator on the school’s website can assist with calculation of the payment required to meet your fee commitment.
Please note the 2019 School Fee statement includes all expenses, ie excursion fees, sport and carnival levies, transport expenses and visiting shows. Permission notes will still be required for your child to attend these events and payment of your fees must be up to date to cover these expenses. It is no longer required to send cash to school.
All permission notes must be handed to the class teacher by the students.
If you require to pay the account by instalments, it is your responsibility to setup regularly weekly payments by Bpay using the details on your fee statement ie $100.00 per week. Please ensure you setup payments to have the account paid in full by 30th November 2019.
Families who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for Fee concession by telephoning the school office to obtain an Application.
Explicit teaching of expected behaviours is a key component of SPB4L. The school has developed a range of expected behaviours in non-classroom settings eg: playground, and on the expected behaviours within the classrooms.
This takes the form of a matrix that indicates simple and clear context specific behaviour expectations that are aligned to the school rules. The teaching of these behaviour expectations in a positive way allows for consistency across the school environment.
As parent/carer you create the conditions for appropriate behaviour. Do not underestimate the importance of:
- Asking your child questions that will bring out a positive response regarding their day at school (see below)
- Being familiar with the expectations of the school and classroom
- Teaching your child your own expectations at home eg: appropriate manners, greetings etc
Examples of Questions to ask your child about their school day:
- What was your favourite part about school today?
- Tell me one new thing you learned at school today and I'll tell you one thing I learned at work/home.
- Who or what made you laugh today
- What's your favourite thing about your teacher?
- What project are you working on in Art/English/Mathematics?
- What skills are you working on in PE/Sport?
- What book(s) did you read today? Tell me a little bit about the characters.
- What does your teacher have planned this week/next week/tomorrow?
- What are you looking forward to at school tomorrow?
- What has been your most favourite activity this year (ask this at various points throughout the year)?
Mrs Matos
SPB4L
The Breakfast Club is now up and running. Current research in Australia has long supported the need for children to eat a healthy breakfast. Our Breakfast Club provides a free healthy breakfast for any child who may come to school without having breakfast. Last year we had several children engaging in this service.
As part of the Mini Vinnies, the Year 4, 5 and 6 Mini Vinnie students will be on a totating Breakfast Club Roster.
We are also looking for parents to run the Breakfast Club on Thursday mornings. We will need 1-2 volunteers. You will be required to be at the canteen from 8.00am-8.30am to serve toast and cereal. If you would like to help out, please see Mr Gilmore, Mrs Agius or Mrs Mansbridge.
Can you be a Canteen Volunteer on a
Monday, Wednesday or Friday?
We are need of more Canteen Volunteers. If you can spare a couple of hours in the morning or lunch time, this would be very helpful. Please return the Canteen Volunteer form attached with your details.
Friendly reminder - Chicken burgers cost $3.50 - please send in the correct money.
CANTEEN ROSTER
KINDERGARTEN 2020 - Enrolling Now
We are taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2020.
The Enrolment Application is attached herewith or can be collected from the School Office. Interviews are taking place this term.
Please let your family and friends know, as limited places are available.
SIBS – Family & Sibling Support Program
CATHOLICCARE
Do you have a brother or a sister with a disability?
Disability impacts everyone in the family – most of the time this is an intensely positive and rewarding experience but sometimes it can also be really challenging! We understand caring for someone in your family can be hard at times; having a friend that knows what its like and understands disability can make all the difference.
SIBS is a social respite initiative designed to give the siblings of children with additional needs some time-out to relax, have fun, and just be kids. Fun days out, workshops, and an annual camp are just some of the things we do to build a network of support and friendship for young people aged 5-12 years (Saturday SIBSClub) and 12-16 years (TeenSIBS).
To find out more contact:
Kath Walsh on Mondays and Fridays
Phone: 4254 9332 or kathw@catholiccare.dow.org.au
Free ESafety training from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner
The Permanency Support Program has organised two e-Safety training sessions for foster carers this term. This free training is presented by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and provides current information on empowering children, carers and parents to manage online issues. We have found this session to be very informative, engaging and to provide great practical advice on keeping children and young people safe online.
We currently have spaces left for extra participants, so I would like to invite expressions of interest from school staff members who would like to be better informed about this important subject. Areas that will be explored include how our young people are using social media and technology, how to make a complaint about child cyberbullying and how we can help remove serious cyberbullying material.
Feel free to also include the flyers in your school newsletter as parent/carers are also welcome to attend.
Please find attached flyers for the e-Safety training sessions at:
CatholicCare Wollongong, Auburn St office
Thursday 21 Feb, 10am-12pm
CatholicCare Campbelltown, Cordeaux St office
Tuesday March 26, 6-8pm
Please send your RSVP to Lisa Condon 0436 008 976 or at lisa.condon@catholiccare.dow.org.au