Filter Content
- Principal's Message
- From the Principal's Desk
- Principal & Value Awards
- Assistant Principal
- Religion Education News
- Parish News
- Sports News
- We are growing in Kindy!
- Celebration of Learning Assembly
- Brainstorm Show
- Book Week
- Year 2 Parent Meeting re 2025 iPad Program
- Kindergarten Excursion
- Pupil Free Day
- Year 3 & 4 Excursion
- Student Leave Applications
- Summer Uniform
- Aspire Vacation Care
- Canteen | Lunchbox Express
- Kindergarten 2025 - Enrol now
- School Fees | Check payments
- Screen tips for kids
- CatholicCare Courses
- Reminders ....
- Community News
Dear Parents and Carers,
As Father’s Day approaches, we at St Francis of Assisi take this opportunity to celebrate the special men in our lives who have guided, supported, and nurtured us. Father’s Day is not just a time to honour our fathers but also to recognise all those who have stepped into fatherly roles—grandfathers, uncles, stepfathers, and other significant figures who have made a positive impact on our lives.
These men play an essential role in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. They provide strength, offer comfort, and bring joy into our daily lives. Whether it is helping with homework, playing games, or simply being there to listen, their influence is profound and lasting.
At St Francis, we encourage our students to take a moment to reflect on the unique qualities that make their fathers, grandfathers, and father figures so special. It’s a time to express gratitude for the love, care, and guidance these men provide and to celebrate the moments, big and small, that create lasting memories.
As we prepare for this celebration, let us remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “For it is in giving that we receive.” This Father’s Day, let our actions of love, respect, and appreciation speak volumes to the men who have shaped us into who we are today.
Thank you to the P&F and parent volunteers for all the work they put into the Father's Day stall and afternoon tea. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Wishing all our fathers, grandfathers, and father figures a very Happy Father’s Day!
A Prayer for Father’s
Loving God, look with love and kindness upon all fathers.
May their love and strength bless each member of their family
as they share special moments together.
May their openness to your love and understanding continue to nurture
their faith and provide a rich example to their children.
May they be blessed today with health, happiness and love
as they walk life’s journey with their families.
We ask this through Jesus your Son. Amen
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Following a recruitment process, Mr Brett Murphy has been selected as the successful applicant for the substantive position of Assistant Principal at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School, Warrawong.
Brett has been acting in the Assistant Principal role in 2024 and will commence in the substantive position immediately.
Brett has worked as part of the leadership team at St Francis of Assisi since 2019, having performed the roles of Middle Leader (2019-Current) and Acting Assistant Principal for extended periods in 2023 and 2024.
Please join me in congratulating Brett on his appointment.
If we are to be “Bearers of Christ’s love”, it stands to reason that we must see through his eyes, love with his heart, and be driven by his mission. Bishop Brian Mascord.
We are proud of our students who received Principal and Value awards at the week 4 Celebration of Learning assembly. Congratulations!
| Class | Principal's Award | Value Award - Acceptance |
| Kindy Blue | Noah M | Poppy M |
| Year 1 Gold | Maxwell R | Tanay Y |
| Year 2 Blue | Quinten B | Isabella R |
| Year 3 Gold | Oliver T | Gus S |
| Year 4 Blue | Ruby O | Kemin N |
| Year 5 Gold | Christian G | Natineekran P |
| Year 6 Blue | Mateo N | Genevieve U |
|
|
 |
Assembly Dates Term 3
Thank you for your support as we have been flexible in our assembly times this term. We will continue to attempt to schedule our assemblies on Friday mornings at 8:45 am, however, this may not always be possible due to other calendar events. Please see below for the full details of Term 3 assembly dates and times.
| Week | Type | Date / Time |
| 7 | Awards Assembly | Friday 6 September 8:45 am |
| 8 | Awards Assembly | Thursday 12 September 8:45 am |
| 9 | Awards Assembly | Thursday 19 September 8:45 am |
| 10 | Celebration of Learning - Year 6 | Friday 27 September 2:10 pm |
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.
Mr Brett Murphy
Assistant Principal
Our School Values
This week, the teachers began explicitly teaching the value forgiveness and this will be our values focus for the remainder of this term. At St Francis of Assisi, we value forgiveness because Jesus taught us that this leads to healing and peace in our relationships with God and others.
At St Francis of Assisi, we show that we are a community that values forgiveness by:
- accepting responsibility for our choices
- listening to and accepting the opinions of others
- showing we are sorry through words and actions
- promoting the Sacrament of Penance
The value award for forgiveness will be presented to one student from each class at our Principal and Values Award Assembly at the end of this term.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and The Season of Creation
In 2015, Pope Francis established The Season of Creation which is an annual event that runs from 1st September to the 4th October. It is an opportunity for us to pray, reflect and act to care for God’s creation. During this time Catholics unite with others in the global family to pray and protect every creature in God’s beautifully complex web of creation.
The theme of this year’s Season of Creation celebration is “To Hope and Act with Creation”. The Season of Creation begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sunday, 1 September, which we will highlight at next week’s awards assembly on Friday 6 September. The student representatives who attended the WEN (Wollongong Environmental Network) Day earlier in the year wrote the following prayer which we will be using at our morning assemblies during September.
Cosmic God,
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists -
Sister Moon and the Stars, Brother Wind, Sister Water, and Brother Fire.
Open our ears and our hearts
to listen and respond to the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor.
Help us heal our broken universe
so that we can see the face of the Creator God
in the wonders of creation.
Amen
Sr Anna’s 25 Anniversary Celebrations
On the 20th of July, Sr Anna celebrated her 25th anniversary of religious profession. Now that she is back from Vietnam, the parish will celebrate this significant milestone with her. On Saturday, 7 September all are welcome to join the parish community of St Mary’s, Berkeley for 4 pm Mass which will be followed by dinner. If you intend to stay for dinner, please bring a plate of food to share.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religion Coordinator
Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Thursday 19 September | Junior Basketball Gala Day | Selected Year 3-4 students | Illawarra Sports Stadium Berkeley |
| Friday 20 September | Senior Basketball Gala Day | Selected Year 5-6 students | Illawarra Sports Stadium Berkeley |
Last week, our students were able to experience a wonderful performance from Brainstorm Productions. This exciting theatre experience engaged students in conversations about values, respect, and responsibility and inspired them to build safer and more positive online experiences with others. All students were respectful audience members and thoroughly enjoyed the show!
What an extraordinary Book Week we've had! From a dazzling parade of zany costumes that turned our streets into a vibrant bookish carnival, to a whimsical Mad Hatter's Reading Tea Party where stories flowed as freely as the tea , this week was nothing short of magical! Our Teddy Bears’ Reading Picnic was the sweetest sight, with cuddly companions and their little readers enjoying tales under the sun . A huge shoutout to Warrawong Library for their incredible visit! They brought books to life in the most enchanting way and taught us some hilariously gross facts from their book Eww Gross! . Who knew learning could be so fun (and icky)? Thanks to everyone who joined the celebration and made Book Week unforgettable. Let’s keep the magic of reading alive every day!
YEAR 2 PARENT MEETING
1:1 2025 iPad Program
Tuesday 3 September 2024
8.45am or 2.15pm in the Hall
Dear Year 2 Parents and Carers,
You are requested to attend a brief meeting on Tuesday 3 September in the hall at either 8.45 am or 2.15 pm regarding the 2025 iPad Program.
As you are aware St Francis of Assisi has been running the 1:1 iPad initiative for several 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 last few 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 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, the above parent meeting session will provide further information which will be a cheaper option.
Friday 6 September, 8.30-3.30
Kindergarten will be attending an excursion to Shoalhaven Zoo on Friday 6 September. Please visit your Compass Parent Portal for further information and complete the Permission online.
The excursion includes an exclusive lesson with the Ranger and a guided tour of the Zoo. Students will explore many native and exotic species in their custom-designed enclosures to mimic their native environment. They will explore environments from wetlands, water lagoons, bushland to beaches, how each is special, and why we should care for them. In the farmyard, students will hand-feed animals investigate where food comes from, and discuss the ways we care for animals.
Travel will be by coach leaving school at 8.30 am and returning at approximately 3.30 pm.
UOW Science Space Excursion - Friday 20 September
Students in Years 3 and 4 will attend an excursion later this term to the University of Wollongong Science Centre as part of their science unit and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) inquiry learning experiences. The Science Space gallery has over 90 hands-on exhibits demonstrating STEM in action. The majority of the exhibits are aligned with the NSW Curriculum and support students to engage in STEM activities through the use of the center's interactive exhibits. In addition, the students will view a live science show and explore the digital planetarium show. More information and permission on Compass will be provided closer to the date.
When families are taking holidays during the school term for 10 days or more, an Application for Leave must be completed, with notice, and submitted at the School Office. This application is required to be approved by the School Principal prior to the leave commencing and a Certificate of Extended Leave will be issued for the parents to have with them during their travels. Please see the attached form for further information.
Term 4 Week 1
The official date for the children to change over to summer uniform is Monday 14 October (Term 4 Week 1). If there is an extra warmer day towards the end of term, parents are advised to use discretion, and summer uniform will be acceptable on these warmer days only; otherwise, winter school uniform is compulsory. Full summer uniform is to be worn by all students from the beginning of Term 4.
Parents, can you please ensure all uniform pieces are relabelled clearly with your child’s name using a permanent marker. Students should know where their name is marked for easy checking. Please encourage your child to place all items straight into their bag rather than leaving them on the playground or in the classroom.
School Uniforms are available for purchase online via Lowes online at the link below. Please order with enough time for the current delivery delays. Lowes uniform price list is below.
- 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
Applications for Kindergarten 2025 placement offers have been emailed. Please complete the acceptance of the offer via the link in the email. Enrolment applications are open ONLINE. Please submit your application online on our school website, www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au, and click ENROL NOW. Please do not hesitate to contact the School Office with any questions.
School Fee Payments
Check your instalment schedule and adjust your payment amounts as per the due dates.
School fee statements are emailed monthly. This is an Annual amount for 2024, if you have nominated to pay by instalments this payment schedule will be on the second page of the statement. Please check the instalment schedule amounts and due dates. You need to check this and make adjustments to your payments as needed.
The Parent Compass Portal has your school fee account information by clicking the Payments Centre green box above "My News". Payments can be paid online by clicking "School Fees Action Required". Full payment is due by 28 February unless the below instalment form has been submitted and you have set up these payments on your Compass portal or Bpay using the details on the Fee Statement emailed. Fee instalments set up last year will roll over and continue automatically this year. The pay instalment schedule is listed on page 2 of the fee statement. See further details below.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
▪ The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office.
▪ Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement.
▪ If an amendment is made to your school fee account eg your child changes subjects in a secondary school, etc. you will be emailed a statement which will provide a new schedule of payments and due dates. Please review this schedule to make any changes to your payments that are necessary.
Primary school families will note on their 2024 school fee statements a change in name in relation to the "SEDSO Levy". This levy has now been renamed and will be known as "Primary Building Levy". This is not an additional fee, merely a name change and funds are still used to provide capital grants to schools for new facilities and to meet loan payments for school buildings. We are currently in the process of amending all documentation and websites to reflect this variation.
REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS
SMS and email reminders are automatically generated by our accounting software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office. For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention. Our intention is to support the collection of school fee accounts centrally and in so doing,
alleviate some of the administrative work of our schools.
SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES
Please note, despite the centralisation of various functions, your school/s will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees. If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact your school office. The role of the Catholic Education Office is to action centralised tasks on behalf of schools.
IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY INSTALMENTS
Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to avail yourself of this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on your school’s website or at your school’s office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.
DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school in which your child/children are enrolled to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the administration office of each school. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. If you wish to submit an application, please do so at your child’s school. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application. For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2022, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. You may also initiate an earlier review if you wish to do so by contacting your school office. For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management
Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on your school’s website.
Dont' forget your HAT, DRINK BOTTLE and put your NAME on your property.
