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- Year 4 Excursion
- Year 5 & 6 Canberra Overnight Excursion
- Pupil Free Day - Friday 5 July
- PB4L
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- Holiday Vacation Care Available
- Kindergarten 2025 Applications OPEN
- Too sick for School
- Lost Property
- Parent Compass
- Pre-Loved Uniforms
- Parenting | Snapchat & Facebook 13 Yrs
- School Zone Road Rules
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Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope you are having a good week. Thank you to our school community for supporting our recent Athletics Carnival; it was a huge success. We appreciate the hard work of Mr Murphy, Mr Smith, our dedicated staff, and the invaluable support from parents and families who participated in various capacities. Congratulations to all our students for their participation, sportsmanship and positive attitude.
Finding Freedom - Refugee Week 2024 - 16-22 June
World Vision recently commented that over 110 million people have been displaced from their homeland due to such factors beyond their control as conflict or persecution. When we think of wars in places like Ukraine, Sudan, Israel and Palestine, our hearts are deeply affected by the pictures of women, children and men in grief and desperation because of a conflict not of their making. These people share in the suffering of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who had to flee their homeland to Egypt under threat of violence. This Year, the theme for Refugee Week is “Finding Freedom”. Refugee Week serves as a crucial platform to reflect on the experiences of those seeking asylum in Australia and the challenges they face in their quest for freedom and safety. The theme “Finding Freedom” prompts a deep examination of our responsibilities towards refugees, emphasising the importance of compassion, dignity, and respect in policies and practices.
Lord, no one is a stranger to you, and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness, watch over refugees and asylum seekers, those separated from
their loved ones, those who are lost, and those who have been exiled from
their homes. Bring them safely to the place where they long to be,
and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and those in need.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Semester 1 - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Thank you to our families who have booked their meeting times. These meetings will run until the end of the term. Below is the current breakdown of our bookings. It would be wonderful if we could reach 100% by the end of the term.
Please note: This does not include bookings for Year 6. They will hold their Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences early next term. If you cannot attend a meeting this term, the teachers are happy to reschedule these meetings for early next term or conduct an interview over the phone. If you are having a problem creating a booking, please see your child's class teacher or contact the office. Thank you.
“Parents and families are recognised as integral members of the school community and partners in their child’s education.”
Australian Council for Educational Research National School Improvement Tool, 2016
Uniform expectations
Thank you to the parents and carers who consistently strive to ensure that their children are presented in the correct uniform each day. I acknowledge that it can be a challenge, and sometimes, it is the children themselves who make the choice to wear the incorrect uniform. On rare occasions, when a student cannot wear the correct uniform, a written explanation should be provided to their classroom teacher. Thank you for helping with our expectations.
Punctuality Matters
Starting the day on time, being organised, and following a routine are part of the formula for a successful day. Being on time to school is not just a matter of minutes on the clock; it is a fundamental aspect of personal and academic development. Students arriving late to school miss engaging with others before school, key announcements that are given out during the morning assembly, and preparing for the day ahead. It is important that parents and carers set an example for their children by ensuring they are on time for school. Please reach out if you need any support.
Assembly Dates Term 2
As you may have noticed, we have moved many of our Friday assemblies to the mornings. We will continue to trial this during Term 2 and ask for your feedback, if any, for improvements that could be made. There are some clashes on the calendar and other events that have been previously booked. Please see below for the assembly dates and times for the remainder of Term 2.
| Week | Type | Date / Time |
| 8 | Award Assembly | Friday 21 June 8:45am |
| 9 | Award Assembly | Friday 28 June 8:45am |
| 10 |
Celebration of Learning - Year 1 Presentation of Athletics awards at this assembly |
Thursday 4 July 2:00pm |
Reminder about special achievements for assemblies
A reminder that this form is available if you would like us to recognise your child's achievement at our Friday assembly. This could be a sporting achievement, dancing, singing, performing achievement, martial arts, etc. Anything that your child has achieved outside of school. We would love to share the good news stories of our students.
Students in Years 3 and Year 5 participated in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Term 1. A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided for your child early in Term 3. The same report format is used for every student in Australia.
NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. Proficiency standards provide clear information on student achievement. Student achievement is shown against four (4) levels of proficiency:
- Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
- Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
- Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
- Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.
If your child participated in 2024 and does not receive a report by Friday 2 August, contact the school office.
Semester One Reports
Semester One Reports for Years 1-6 will be released via Compass on Friday 28 June at 3:30pm. Instructions on how to access your child's report on Compass can be found below.
PB4L
Our PB4L focus has been Be Respectful - Using Manners. Staff and students have focused on showing respect by using manners. This includes saying please, thank you, excuse me, and other terms. Students have learned it also means choosing kind words to say and thinking about the way we speak to others. Students have also developed an understanding that it is also important to show manners by addressing people by their name when they speak to others.
Our Social and Emotional Learning focus has been Kindness. Another way to show respect is to be kind to others. Students have learned that some ways they can show kindness include being positive, having patience and understanding, encouraging others, helping someone in need, sharing and more. Staff and students were challenged to show kindness in some way every day.
Over the course of this year, the school PB4L team have been working hard on listening to feedback from families, students and staff to implement changes. A number of changes have been implemented which will come into effect from Term 3.
The main changes are around our awards structure and procedures. One siginificant change to note is that any student receiving any award will receive a Compass notification on the Monday of the week they will be receiving the award. We have also reviewed and updated our procedures for managing behaviour and consequences consistently.
An updated Behaviour Management Policy will be available at the beginning of Term 3 and added to our School Website. We will send further information throughout Term 3 as we roll out the new procedures.
Thank you and your children for your important feedback that has allowed us to make these changes to best implement behaviour management plans that support positive behaviour in our school. As always, if you have any additional feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Hall Audio Visual Facilities Upgrade
After a lengthy and determined process, we are very excited to share the news that our upgarde of our audio and visual facilities in the school hall is complete! We have all new, modern and up to date technologies now available to us, which will make our school more functional, exciting and effective in the way we are able to host events.
Thank you to Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong, for their generous support, which enabled these works to take place. We also thank our school staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure these upgrades were able to happen. Our entire community is grateful to have brand-new facilities to enjoy.
We excitedly welcome you to come and check out these new facilities at our next assembly, or event in the hall, that you are able to attend. Have a look below, however it really is more impressive in person.
Mr Brett Murphy
Acting Assistant Principal
Our School Values
During Week 6, the teachers began explicitly teaching the value stewardship and this will be our values focus for the remainder of this term. At St Francis of Assisi, we value stewardship because we are guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and are called to “care for our common home”.
At St Francis of Assisi, we show that we are a community that values stewardship by:
- treating others with care, respect and kindness
- re-using and recycling to reduce waste
- considering how our actions affect others
- acting in ways that are good for us, each other and our common home
- being grateful for all of creation
At our Week 10 Principal and Values Award Assembly, the value award for stewardship will be presented to one student from each class.
2024 Confirmation Program
We extend our congratulations to the children from our school and parish who will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation tonight. We pray that they will use the gifts they receive from the Holy Spirit to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. Special thanks to Mrs Briscoe, Mrs Madaschi and Mrs Duarte for leading the workshops this year.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
On Wednesday Week 10, our school community will celebrate Pyjama Day as our way of supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. In exchange for the luxury and comfort of being able to stay in pyjamas all day, students are invited to bring in donations of soup and winter accessories to help support those affected by poverty in our local area.
This year, our local St Vincent de Paul Conference has requested donations of soup (cans or packets), socks, beanies, scarves and blankets. Thank you in advance for supporting our Mini Vinnies initiative so we can bring the love of God to those in need this Winter.
Vietnam Trip
Despite the heat, our parish group had a wonderful time in Vietnam celebrating the Centenary of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Visitation. It was lovely to catch up with Sr Anna, Sr Lucy, Sr Mary and Sr Elizabeth again. We had a number of opportunities to gather for Mass in Hue. One particularly memorable Mass was on the Feast of Corpus Christi, when 119 children celebrated their First Holy Communion. Fr Damien and Fr Joe concelebrated at that Mass.
While we were in Hue, we had the privilege of visiting an orphanage for disabled children.
After the weekend of celebrations, Sr Anna had to get back to work at the convent but not before I managed to catch her riding on the back of a motorbike! Sr Lucy, Sr Mary and Sr Elizabeth had a little bit of free time and took the opportunity to join us in HoiAn for some sightseeing and R&R.
Sporting Schools Term 2
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Wednesday 26 June | Sam Bremner Girls Tackle Rugby League Gala Day | Selected Year 5-6 girls | Croome Rd Sporting Complex |
| Tuesday 25 June | Netball Gala Day | Selected Year 3-6 students | Fred Finch Park, Berkeley |
| Term 2 | Sporting Schools - Volleyball | Year 2-6 | School |
In conjunction with Semester One reports, we will be holding 3-way conferences with students, teachers and parents invited to discuss their learning during Semester 1.
These will take place in Weeks 8, 9, and 10 of this term. Bookings will be made through the Compass portal. Conferences will be open for parents to book from Tuesday 11 June. Details will be sent out next week on how to create a booking, and bookings will then be opened to parents. If you are having issues creating a booking after this time, please see your child's class teacher or Mr Murphy for support.
Your child is encouraged to attend these meetings with you to have an input into their learning so far and be a part of planning learning goals for Semester Two.
Our continued commitment to working in partnership with families and students to support faith, learning, and wellbeing.
PLEASE NOTE that Year 6 Conferences will be held next term when Mr Gilmore returns.
Our Year 1 and 2 students went on a school excursion today to Wollondilly Heritage Centre. This was a hands-on experience of the past and present life in Australia. The Students explored a range of sources used by our pioneers. They had a wonderful day and were very excited. The students were very well-behaved, as always. Thank you to our staff for organising this experience for the students.
Holy Spirit Catholic College has invited Year 4 students to attend a full dress rehearsal of its production "Frozen on Thursday 27 June. The students will travel by bus to and from school and must bring their morning tea and drink bottles. A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided after the performance. Parent permission and payment for the excursion are due on Compass by Wednesday 26 June. Thank you Holy Spirit College for this opportunity.
Visit here to complete online Compass permission and payment. Thank you.
Year 5 & 6 students will attend an overnight excursion as part of the Human Society and Its Environment unit "Australia as a Nation" on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August. The students will travel by coach leaving at 7.00 am on Thursday and returning at approximately 8.30 pm on Friday. Further details are available in the Compass event issued to parents recently. Permission by parents is required on Compass.
This excursion is an educational tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia's history, culture, heritage, and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school of $30.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. Please note this cost has been rebated in the school fees.
During the school year, staff will engage in staff development training days to increase their professional knowledge and skills so that they can improve the learning of students. The following are proposed Pupil Free Days for staff to attend Staff Development training in 2024. These dates are to be confirmed and are a guide to assist you in planning care for your children on these days.
| Term 2 | 5 July | PUPIL FREE DAY |
| Term 3 | 13 September | PUPIL FREE DAY |
| Term 4 | 28 October | PUPIL FREE DAY |
| Term 1 | Tuesday 30 January - Friday 12 April | |
| Term 2 | Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July | |
| Friday 5 July | PUPIL FREE DAY | |
| Term 3 | Monday 22 July - Friday 27 September | |
| Friday 13 September | PUPIL FREE DAY | |
| Term 4 | Monday 14 October - Friday 20 December | |
| Monday 28 October | PUPIL FREE DAY | |
| Wednesday 18 December | Last day for Students | |
| Thursday 19 & Friday 20 December | PUPIL FREE DAYS |
Our Social and Emotional Learning focus for Week 8 is Kindness. Another way to show respect is to be kind to others. Some ways you can show kindness include being positive, having patience and understanding, encouraging others, helping someone in need, sharing and many, many more.
Try and make it your goal to show kindness in some way every day this week, and if you can, every day moving forward.
- New Menu - lots of healthy yummy options
- Online Ordering
- Recess lunch orders available
- Birthday buckets
- New Canteen items for children to purchase at Recess and Lunch
- Contact Nicole at 0415 548 899
The 5 symptoms that mean your child should stay home from school...
There are many illnesses at this time of the year and we ask that you keep your child/ren home from school if they have any illness symptoms or feel unwell. This will keep everybody safe. It is a decision every parent faces regularly, whether or not to keep a sick child home from school.
Here are symptoms that mean your child should stay home:
1. Fever - this is a sign of infection and while giving them medicine might bring the fever down, it won't stop them from being contagious.
2. Vomiting or diarrhea - it is unfair all around - to the child and the school - to send a child with vomiting or diarrhea no matter how well they might look to you. Please allow at least 24 hours and check with your doctor for advice. Some viruses can be contagious for an extra day or so.
3. Bad pain - if your child has any pain that is more than mild, keep them home and check with your doctor.
4. Cough/Flu - this too is a sign of infection and medicine won't stop them from being contagious to others.
5. Illness Medication - If your child has an illness that is being treated with antibiotics, they often need a minimum of at least 24 hours of treatment before returning to school. Medication should be administered by parents at home.
6. Injuries - please note a medical clearance is required for your child to be at school if they have had or have an injury.
While it is important for children not to be absent from school, it is also important for them to be well enough to learn and not share contagious illnesses for others to get sick. It is best to seek medical advice and allow your child time to rest and recover. Please always notify the school and where possible provide a medical certificate when they are well enough to return.
Please do not bring your child to school if uncertain and "See how they go. Let the teacher know" as children usually tell the teacher and the school will contact you. As a school we need to consider your child's wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. When it comes to your child's health and the health of students and staff, it is better to be safe than sorry.
An explanation is required on Compass or provide the medical certificate to the class teacher. All absences must be explained and recorded. Thank you for your support.
RE-LABEL PROPERTY DURING HOLIDAYS FOR NEXT TERM
We have a large number of lost property items. These items do not have any names on them. Please check your child/ren's items are all clearly labeled so that we can return these when misplaced ie jackets, jumpers, hats, lunchbox, and drink bottles. It is a good idea to check and relabel items due to wear and tear regularly.
All school information is available on the Parent Compass Portal. Please regularly visit your portal to keep up to date with your child's education including Parent permissions, Sport carnivals and excurions, school fee account, attendance and absences, school reports, school events and more. Do not hesitate to contact the School Office if you have any questions or require assistance to access your parent portal. Thank you.
Police visited our school at dismissal on Monday and noticed vehicles not obeying the road rules. The front of the school is a 'No Parking' area. You can stop for less than 2 minutes to drop off or pick up only. You cannot park here and cannot leave your vehicle during 8.00 - 9.30 and 2.30-4.00 as indicated on the sign. There is also a 'No Stopping' sign on the corner approaching the front of the school. This sign means you must not stop at any point on the road or kerb in the direction of the arrow. When using this area to drop off or collect your children from school, the line must be moving. These rules are enforced by the NSW Government and must be followed. If you need to help your child put on their seat belt:
- Leave pick-up to a later time
- Use pickup from the back lane
- Find parking and collect students from the front gate
