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- Principal's Message
- From the Principal Desk
- From the Acting Assistant Principal
- Religious Education News
- Bearer's of Christ Love
- Parish News
- Sports News
- Mini Vinnies
- PUPIL FREE DAY - Day 1 Term 3
- Term Dates
- iPad School Program - Year 3, 2024
- Birthdays to Celebrate
- NAIDOC Week
- Vacation Care is Available | See program here
- School Fees & Payments
- Canteen Menu - Term 3
- Enrol Kindergarten 2024
- Donate Uniforms
- Community News
Dear Parents and Carers
Gospel Reflection - Matthew 10:26-33
As we navigate our journey through life, we often encounter moments of uncertainty, doubt, and fear. In such challenging times, finding solace and strength in our faith can provide us with the courage to persevere and overcome obstacles. In last Sunday's Gospel, we draw inspiration from a passage in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically verses 10:26-33, which offer guidance and reassurance in times of adversity.
One of the messages of Jesus to his disciples and, through him, of Matthew to the original community is to have courage and to have pride in their belief. No matter what threat or persecution they are to endure, the command is to proclaim the message of Jesus from the house-tops. They are to be proud of what they believe and be prepared to share it with others. In a world today that is not always open to the message of Jesus, we too are called to be proud of what we believe and not whisper it in the darkness.
As we head into the holidays, let us strive to deepen our faith, support one another, and approach every challenge with the unwavering belief that God walks beside us. May these teachings empower us to be agents of love, kindness, and compassion in our school community and beyond.
I hope the holiday period is a special time with your family.
Thank you for all your support this term.
Wishing you all a safe and restful school holiday break.
Please remember the families of our school community who need special prayers.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
School Term Dates
The last day of this term is Friday 30 June, and Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday 18 July 2023.
Please note Monday 17 July is a PUPIL-FREE DAY.
Thank you for attending our recent parent-teacher-student conferences. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with the teachers and hope the conferences provided valuable insights into your child’s progress. Setting goals plays a vital role in guiding your child's learning path. As we move forward, we encourage you to have conversations with your child about their goals for next semester. Together, let's support our students in their goal-setting process. Please remember that you may contact your child's teacher at any time.
community and partners in their child’s education.”
Australian Council for Educational Research National School Improvement Tool, 2016
- Boys haircuts should be of an even cut
- Hair should be brushed and combed
- Hair should not be in a condition as to invite comment
- Long hair is to be tied back or plaited off the face and should not extend to cover the eyes
- Navy, blue or yellow headbands, hair ties, ribbons or scrunchies are to be worn in the hair
- Extreme styles, colouring or dyeing of hair is not permitted.
Our teachers have had the opportunity to meet together to observe, analyse and interpret data in relation to each child's learning. These collaborative days give the staff the opportunity to have open and honest discussions about the learning and teaching happening in their classrooms, and how they can continually improve their teaching practice in order to support all students.
Congratulations to our staff for their dedication to the profession. They have the utmost care and respect for all of the students in our school and are committed to improving their learning and well-being and growing their faith.
Please note these competitions are completely optional and have a cost associated with them. Please see the attached information sheet and contact Mr Murphy if you have any questions. The closing date to order these assessments is Monday 31 July 2023. The tests will be held at school during August, and further information will be provided to students and families who have opted to take part.
We look forward to welcoming you back in Term 3.
Starting this weekend, and continuing on during the first week of the holidays, our country will celebrate NAIDOC Week. During NAIDOC Week, we remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of our country and celebrate their rich history, diverse cultures and inspiring contributions to the life of Australia today. We celebrate that Australia has the oldest continuous culture on the planet. The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘For Our Elders’ and it is an opportunity to recognise the cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.
The Indigenous People of Australia have a depth of spirituality that can enrich our non Indigenous spirits in so many ways. One of these spiritual gifts is Dadirri - Inner Deep Listening and Quiet Still Awareness, which Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, an Aboriginal woman from Daly River, suggests is a gift that our nation needs at this particular time. In a time when there is a deficit of awareness of our thoughts and actions and stillness is a rarity, Dadirri draws us back to Jesus.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascord DD, has published a new document on the nature and purpose of Catholic schools in our diocese. Titled Bearers of Christ’s Love — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, this document is the first of its type in our diocese since the 1970s. In it, Bishop Brian explores the purpose of Catholic schools as an expression of the Church experience, as well as the vital connection between schools, parents/carers, parishes, and the diocese itself.
Throughout the document, Bishop Brian reiterates:
- The significant role Catholic schools play in the evangelising mission of the Church and the nurturing of students’ faith.
- The commitment of Catholic educators to complement and support the educational rights and duties of parents as their child’s first educator.
- The essential requirement for Catholic schools to be places of educational excellence, where learning, wellbeing and actions of outreach and service are integrated in a holistic educational vision and practice.
- That Catholic schools are places where those seeking a Catholic education are welcome, reflecting the diverse mix of cultures, nationalities and religious traditions that currently make up our school communities.
I encourage you to take the time to watch the short video from Bishop Brian and read this important document on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website.
Read Less
The Alpha Experience - for Adults
Our parish is once again running the Alpha Program and you are warmly invited to participate. Alpha is an opportunity for adults to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment. Participants gather once a week to share a meal, watch a short video around a certain theme and then gather in small groups for discussion. Whether you’re an atheist, an agnostic or a lifelong believer — everyone is welcome!
When: Starting Monday 17 July
Where: St Francis of Assisi Hall
Details: 7 pm - 9 pm (We begin with dinner at 7 pm)
To RSVP, please register with Lawrie Burns from the parish (0418 363 315 or lawrie@burnsnet.id.au) by Wednesday 12 July.
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Term 3 Friday 28 July |
Soccer Gala Day | Selected Years 3 - 6 | Various venues - see details below |
|
Term 3 Tuesday 8 August |
South Coast Athletics | Selected Year 2 - 6 students | Beaton Park, Wollongong |
| House Champion 2023 | Yellow House |
| Parent vs Students vs Teachers Challenge Winner 2023 | Students |
| Junior Boys | Oliver Tebb |
| Junior Girls | Olivia Brown |
| 11 Year Boys | Daniel Rubibi |
| 11 Year Girls | Jaeda Yassine |
| Senior Boys | Jaxen Grahovac |
| Senior Girls | Manee Pararit |
Netball Gala Day
It was fun because the boys worked as a team and everyone was able to play every game. Hassan Yr 6
I have never played netball but I learned new skills and realised how much fun it was to play the game. Makedde Yr 6
I play netball and I really enjoyed the day because we played 6 games and we won five of them. Zara Yr 4
I got better at playing the game because my netball skills improved and I had a lot of fun. Sienna Yr 5
I enjoyed playing with my friends and it was a fun day meeting girls from other schools. Olivia Yr 3
| Age Groups | Location |
| Juniors (Years 3 and 4 boys and girls) | Lyrebird Park, Nowra |
| Senior Boys (Years 5 and 6) | Terry Reserve, Albion Park |
| Senior Girls (Years 5 and 6) | Darcy Wentworth Oval, Warrawong |
We will be finalising our student nominations this week and further details will be sent on as an event Compass if your child has nominated to participate.
Living our Faith by “Loving Others” is one of the important messages Jesus gave us. Here at St Francis of Assisi we are helping others in need by donating items of food and warm accessories to the St Vincent DePaul Society. This was an important cause in helping us to live our Catholic Mission of Loving others. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the many adults and children that are living rough at this time. CONGRATULATIONS to all our students and families who contributed to our winter appeal. WOW what an amazing effort!! We were able to send all of the donated items to be distributed to those in need. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
PUPIL FREE DAY
Monday 17 July - Day 1 Term 3
Students do not attend school. The school will be closed while staff attend Staff Development training. 
Dear Year 2 Parents and Carers,
As you are aware St Francis of Assisi has been running the 1:1 iPad initiative for a number of years. Each year the school has recommended that parents purchase an iPad for use at school. This has been called BYODD or Bring Your Own Designated Device. For the past two years, we have implemented the School Managed iPad system, with many great benefits and positive feedback from parents, staff and students.
Technology is constantly changing and there are many pros and cons to the BYODD model. We will be holding information sessions next term to provide some information on the School Managed iPad system and allow you to ask any questions you may have.
St Francis of Assisi takes the responsibility of teaching students to be responsible and respectful users of technology seriously. We need to ensure we can support the management of technology in order to support the educational benefits of the iPad.
In the meantime, could we please ask that you:
Hold off on buying a new iPad for next year - we will provide further information at the sessions in Term 3, which will be a cheaper option.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthdays in July:
Jazabel, Layla, Zakariah, Lexie, Mallek.A, Adam, Anastasia, Jaxen, Alex, Lukas.T, Rocco, Tyrese, Hussein.A, Makedde, Alivia, Mia, Zaynab, Mohamed, Mia.D, Brock.F, Mrs Matos and Mr Gilmore
The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers, and our loved ones. Our loved ones pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world. We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, and cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics, and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow. The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength have carried the survival of our people. It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision-making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us. We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them.
These costs are included in the school fee account and payment is required. Please check your account and ensure payment is being made. Thank you.
* Reminder texts are automatically issued by the Catholic Education Office *
* Weekly BPay Payments are Required *
Please let your family and friends know,
limited places are available.
Please feel free to donate your preloved and outgrown school uniforms to the School Office. Thank you
