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- Principal's End of Year Message
- From the Principal's Desk
- From the Assistant Principal
- Religious Education
- Parish News
- Christmas Concert
- Student Leadership Team 2024
- Sports News
- School Uniform
- P&F News
- Kindergarten 2024 eBook
- Best Start Kinder 2024
- Holiday Vacation Care Available
- Student Classroom Requirements
- 2024 Enrolments | Online Application
- Enrolling now 2024
Dear Parents and Carers
Reflection - Mark 1:1-8
As we conclude our school year, last Sunday's Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Advent offers a reflective pause on beginnings and preparations. In this passage, John the Baptist readies the way for Jesus, calling people to repentance and baptising them as a sign of new beginnings. This message of readiness and transformation is particularly poignant as we bid farewell to our Year 6 students. Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, our school year has been a journey of preparation for these young learners. They are now poised at the threshold of a new and exciting chapter in their lives. As we celebrate their transition, let's cherish the lessons learnt and the growth they have experienced. Their journey through primary school, like the baptism of John, symbolises a period of nurturing and development, equipping them with knowledge, values, and resilience for the challenges ahead. To our Year 6 students, as you embark on this new adventure, remember the foundations laid here. Embrace the future with the same enthusiasm, curiosity, and kindness you've shown in your time with us.
We wish you all the best as you enter this new phase of your educational journey, filled with new learnings, friendships, and opportunities.
As we come to the end of the 2023 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support from our families. We are very fortunate to be part of a community that works together for the benefit of all our students. My sincerest thanks for your support of the school this year and for the way in which you have engaged fully in the partnership with us in the education of your child. Thank you on behalf of all staff for everything you have contributed to our community this year.
Thank you to Fr Damien, Deacon Mick and the Sisters of the Visitation for their spiritual guidance and support. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful and unwavering support from our parish community.
As Principal, it is a privilege to lead this vibrant and caring community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
I wish you and your families a blessed and Merry Christmas filled with the warmth of family, the love of friends, and the grace of God. May the joyous celebration of Christ's birth fill your heart with peace, love, and hope this Christmas.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Farewell and Thank you, Mr Green
As we bid farewell to the school year, we are also saying goodbye to Mr Green, who has been our Assistant Principal for the past five years. As Mr Green embarks on a new journey, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for his efforts, dedication and passion for education. Please join us in extending our warmest wishes and gratitude to Mr Green. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Staff for 2024
On Monday, the students had the opportunity to visit their classrooms for 2024 and spend time with their teachers. We still have a few positions to finalise. Once these positions are filled, an updated staff list will be sent to the school community.
| Principal | Mrs Davidson |
| Kindergarten Blue | Ms Beckhaus |
| Year 1 Gold | Mrs Burrows and Mrs Grey |
| Year 2 Blue | Mrs Matos and Mrs Briscoe |
| Year 3 Gold | Mrs Agius |
| Year 4 Gold | Ms Maloney and Mrs Zaffonato (Wed) |
| Year 5 Blue | Mr Murphy and Ms Maitand |
| Year 6 Gold | Mr Gilmore |
| Literacy and Numeracy Support | Mrs Mansbridge |
| Instructional Coach | Mrs Burrows |
| EALD Teacher | Mrs Johannesen |
| PPT | To be advised |
| Senior School Support Officer | Mrs Brabender |
| School Support Officers | Mrs Jimenez, Ms Martins, Mrs Staffiero, Mrs Adams, Mrs George, Mrs Kinnas, Mrs Logue, Mrs Stewart |
| Pastoral Support Worker | Mrs Welch |
| School Counsellor | Mrs Neilson |
Christmas Art Competition 2023
The students from Wollongong, Sydney and Bathurst Dioceses gathered at the University of Notre Dame for the finals recently for the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition 2023. There were over 1000 entries across the three dioceses at the start of the competition. Congratulations to Matineekran for receiving a "Highly Commended" award (Year 6) for her artwork title, 'The New Beginning'. We are all very proud of your artistic talent. Well done Manne!
Thank you
Thank you to the St Francis of Assisi Parents & Friends (P&F) for your support during 2023 and your initiative and organisation of fundraising events. We look forward to working with you all in 2024.
Year 6 Polo Shirt - 2024
Students will have the opportunity to order a Year 6 polo shirt next year. Please do not purchase a new Sport polo shirt, as they will have the Year 6 polo shirt to wear for sports.
School dates for 2024
Please note that students in Years 1 - 6 return for the 2024 school year on Wednesday 31 January. Kindergarten commences school on Wednesday 7 February.
It truly is amazing that we are coming to the end of our school year, and my journey at St Francis of Assisi. As this is my final newsletter, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the fantastic support you have given to me over the last 5 years. This time of year provides an opportunity for the school community to reflect upon, celebrate, and share the significant achievements that have occurred during the 2023 school year. Enjoy your holidays and please remember Jesus is the reason for the season. All the best for the future.
Holiday Reading
Over the holiday break all students, are encouraged to read every day. Reading is a very important and necessary skill that we use every day. It is a skill that we use when reading books and magazines, watching TV, shopping, and playing games. When children stop reading for extended periods of time they often take a few steps backwards. This will help maintain student reading abilities and continue to foster their love of reading over the Christmas holidays.
By reading every day, your child will be practising this important skill, reinforcing good reading habits. Parents and carers are encouraged to help their children find fun and interesting books, fiction and non-fiction. It is important for your child to read aloud to someone and just as important for them to listen and enjoy stories being read to them.
We all know that reading is one of the most important fundamental skills children must master to succeed, almost everything we do involves reading of some form. Hopefully, this will help motivate your child to continue reading on a regular basis during the holiday break.
SORA
Just in time for the holidays, we have many new eBooks and Audiobooks for you to enjoy. The Sora support site is found at this link.
Enjoying time with your child
With the holidays approaching families are going to have more time to spend together. The Raising Children Network has some great links to the benefits of spending time together with your children. Special time with your child can happen while you're doing everyday activities like folding the laundry or watering the garden or making time to go for walks or playing board games. Just sharing happy experiences helps to build a relationship with your child.
Parish Luncheon for Seniors and Volunteers
Today, the parish hosted its annual Christmas luncheon for seniors and volunteers in the hall. They were treated to some delicious food, wonderful company and entertainment from our students. Each class was able to share one of the songs they had performed at our recent Christmas concert and Year 3 and Year 4 concluded the entertainment with some additional Christmas carols. Thank you to all of the students who provided entertainment for our special visitors today and thank you to the Year 6 leaders who provided wonderful hospitality.
Live Nativity
The Neocatechumenal Community would like to invite the school and parish to the Live Nativity in our school playground on Thursday 21st December, beginning at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
Children’s Nativity Play
As advertised in our previous newsletter, there will be a children’s nativity play before the 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Mass at St Francis of Assisi church. This is a Mass where we can all join as families.
It was wonderful to see a number of children at our initial rehearsal last Monday. It’s not too late to join, if your child would still like to be involved. There are 2 more rehearsals (in the church) scheduled for next week. Costumes will be organised at the Monday rehearsal.
Rehearsal times are:
- Monday 18 December at 3pm.
- Friday 22 December at 3pm.
Parish Masses for the 4th Sunday of Advent & Christmas
|
Saturday 23 December |
4:00pm Vigil Mass |
Berkeley |
|
Sunday 24 December |
10:30am Mass |
Warrawong |
| CHRISTMAS EVE - Sunday 24 December |
|
4:00pm Vigil Mass |
Berkeley |
|
6:00pm Carols & Children’s Christmas Pageant |
Warrawong |
|
6:30pm Vigil Mass |
Warrawong |
|
CHRISTMAS DAY - Monday 25 December |
|
Midnight Mass |
Warrawong |
|
8:00am Mass |
Berkeley |
|
10:00am Mass |
Warrawong |
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
Children's Nativity Play
Christmas Concert 2023! What an amazing show! Our students made us so proud, showing off their hard work this term with some impressive singing and dancing performances. From Kindergarten in their first concert, to Year 6 in their last, and everyone in between, the smiles, enjoyment and entertainment was infectious. It was wonderful to see so many families able to join us for this celebration, thank you for coming along. A huge thanks to Mrs Agius for her organisation and planning of the concert, a lot of work goes in behind the scenes to make these events happen.
Our Year 6 students will be involved in four leadership groups throughout the year: the Environment Team, Hospitality Team, Catholic Life and Culture Team, and Information and Technology Team. All Year 6 students will take turns as student leaders within these teams, with rotations providing various opportunities for them to showcase their leadership skills.
| School Captains | Linda S and Levi B |
| School Vice Captains | Isabella A and Aidan O |
| Yellow House Captains | Mia O and Yehia S |
| Red House Captains | Tyrese B Lucas O |
| Blue House Captains | Lucinda F and Antonio F |
| Green House Captains | Kendall L and Genevieve U |
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Friday 16 February | Swimming Carnival | Year 2-6 | Berkeley Pool |
| Friday 22 March | School Cross Country Carnival | K-6 | Integral Energy Park |
| Friday 14 June | School Athletics Carnival | K-6 | Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour |
2024 Compulsory School Uniform requirements
It is compulsory for all students to wear the correct school uniform including sport polo, navy shorts, and girls' summer tunic, and wearing the correct black leather school shoes and predominately white school joggers for sport.
Navy socks are to be worn with school uniform and black school shoes.
Haircuts
Many thanks to those parents who ensure their children have haircuts that meet the expectations for students at St Francis of Assisi. Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner.
- Haircuts should be of an even cut - no extreme shaving.
- 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.
- Only navy, blue or yellow headbands, ribbons or scrunchies are to be worn in the hair.
- Extreme styles, colouring or dyeing of hair is not permitted
Lowes Warrawong Plaza
All school uniform items can be purchased at Lowes Warrawong Plaza. Please see the price list and information attached. Orders can also be placed online by visiting the link below
Thank you to the school community for supporting the P&F Christmas Raffle. Thank you to our P&F for organising the prizes for our raffle. Congratulations to all class winners, 3 per class! and to the following winners for the major prizes:
| 1st Prize | Genevieve M |
| 2nd Prize | Hussain H |
| 3rd Prize | Jaxon C |
| 4th Prize | Mr J Naumcevski |
| 5th Prize | Mr I Petrovski |
| 6th Prize | Mrs L Naumcevski |
P&F AGM 2024
All Parents & Friends positions will be made vacant and an election will be held for new committee members for the 2024 P&F. The AGM has been scheduled to be held on Tuesday 27 February 2024, at 3.00 pm (Term 1 Week 5).
Dear Kindergarten 2024 Parents and Carers,
As part of the transition to school process, we have available an eBook which will support you and your child in familiarising yourselves further with our school. This is a great resource to read with your child, especially over the Christmas holiday break, prior to starting school. Please see the attached instructions sheet for how to download the eBook. If you have any questions, please contact the school.
All the best for a joyous and safe Christmas!
Ms Beckhaus
Kindergarten Blue Teacher
Starting from 2024 we will be transitioning to a new online enrolment platform, called Funnel, removing the use of all paper forms. Please take note, particularly for sibling applications. The online application form will be accessible from the home page of our school website www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au, visit link below.
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