St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School Warrawong eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you had a restful break and are ready for an exciting final term of 2024. Congratulations to our students for settling back into their learning last week.

Gospel Reflection - Mark 10:35-45

In last Sunday’s Gospel, the two brothers, James and John, wanted to be seated by Jesus. What they were saying was that they should have a special position, being His apostles. They were asking to be held in high regard. Jesus, however, taught them—and us—that we are all called to serve, not to seek praise or recognition. Even Jesus came to serve, not to be served. It’s a challenging message, but service to others, without expecting recognition, is what we are called to do for everyone, both friends and strangers alike. May we embrace this lesson and strive to follow Him more closely each day.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024
This year, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 was celebrated on Sunday, 29 September. Pope Francis chose the theme, “God walks with His people,” reminding us of God’s presence alongside those who are displaced and journeying in search of safety and hope. On this special day, we reflect on the invaluable contributions of migrants and refugees to our communities. As a school that celebrates diversity, we stand in solidarity with those who have left their homes seeking safety, opportunity, and hope. Let us continue to foster a welcoming environment, embracing each person with compassion and respect, inspired by the words of St Francis of Assisi: "It is in giving that we receive."

We keep in our thoughts and prayers all families affected by conflict overseas. May Christ's love bring them comfort, strength, and peace during these challenging times.

Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL

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.

World Teachers’ Day
Tomorrow, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day with the theme "Hats off to Teachers." I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing teachers and support staff for their unwavering dedication to fostering our students' growth. To honour this special occasion, students are invited to wear their favourite hats as a symbol of appreciation, and I encourage everyone to take a moment to personally thank their child’s teacher for the essential role they play in shaping the lives of our students and enriching our school community. Thank you to our P&F and parents for spoiling our staff today.

Transition to School through Play and Orientation - Term 4
Last week, we welcomed our 2025 Kindergarten students and families to our Kindergarten Transition to School through Play sessions. The students and their families had a wonderful time meeting the staff and each other. Starting school is an important milestone in any child and family’s life. Research suggests that children who have a positive start to school are more likely to engage well in their learning and school life. We hope to nurture this positive start through our transition to school program which will provide the following opportunities.

For the child to:
•   Get to know the school
•   Meet their teacher
•   Learn through play
•   Make new friends
•   Prepare for school and learning

For the parents/carers to:
•   Meet other parents/carers
•   Become familiar with the school
•   Get to know the teachers
• See the children interact with others

Welcome to the Eid family

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the Eid family to our school community. Our staff and students have enjoyed getting to know Saja (Year 2), and we look forward to working closely with your family as part of our community.

Keeping Safe Around Our School

Just a reminder to all parents and carers: please remain vigilant during drop-off and pick-up times and ensure you follow the road rules in and around the school. It is important that everyone uses the school crossing when crossing the road. These rules and procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all.

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 the students who received Principal and Value awards at the Celebration of Learning assembly in Week 10 last term. Congratulations!

Term 4 2024

Welcome back to Term 4 - I hope you all had a wonderful break with your friends and families. It is hard to believe we are coming toward the end of another school year, and we are at that busy time already! We are looking forward to an exciting last term of 2024, with lots of classroom learning, and additional learning opportunities taking place.
AS we continue to work in partnership, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

2024 Talent Show

Do you have a talent you wish to share with the school community? Later this term, we will be holding our Annual Talent Show, which will be open to all students. Auditions will be held in classrooms in a few weeks, so start practising!
Thanks to Mrs Burrows who will be leading the Talent Show in 2024, please direct any questions to her.

PB4L

We continue to focus on being respectful, responsible, and safe through weekly focuses which promote positive behaviours. Thank you to the students for engaging with these focus areas and doing their best to ensure they are displaying positive behaviours in the classroom and playground. We aim to see every student improve in their behaviour choices so they can be the best person they can be. A small action or change every day can make a big difference in the long run.
Our focus areas for the last week have been:

Being Respectful - Showing kindness and respect to everyone, especially visitors. When someone new comes to our school, it's important to greet them with a smile, be polite, and make them feel welcome. We show our visitors respect by using good manners, listening carefully, and being helpful if they need directions.

Time Management - Time management equips our students with helping to manage their learning tasks. By learning to prioritise learning tasks, set achievable goals, and use organisational tools like to-do lists, gives students a sense of responsibility and independence.
As part of our playground support and commitment to enhancing student well-being, we implemented lunchtime interest groups this year. At the end of last term, we had the opportunity to showcase these groups, and the students put on a great show. We are proud to be supporting students by listening to their interests and providing opportunities beyond the classroom for learning experiences driven by their own motivation.

Assembly Dates Term 4
Thank you for your support as we have been flexible in our assembly times this term. Please see below for the full details of Term 4 assembly dates and times.

Week	Type	Date / Time
2	Awards Assembly	Friday 25 October 8:45 am
3	Awards Assembly	Friday 1 November 2:20 pm
4	Celebration of Learning - Year 5	Friday 8 November 2:10 pm
5	Awards Assembly	Friday 15 November 2:20 pm
6	Awards Assembly	Friday 22 November 8:45 am
7	Awards Assembly	Friday 29 November 2:20 pm
8	Celebration of Learning - Year 3	Friday 6 December 2:10 pm
9	Christmas Assembly (No awards)	Friday 13 December 2:00 pm

School Assemblies are communicated in the weekly overview, newsletter, school calendar, and Compass. Please check the date and time for the weekly assemblies.

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.

NOTE: All forms completed by the Monday of the week of the Friday assembly will be included. Any forms received after that will be included in the following assembly.

Recognition of Student Achievement Nomination Form

Australia Celebrates World Teachers' Day
It’s Hats Off to Teachers on Friday 25 October 2025!

St Francis of Assisi joins AITSL in celebrating our teachers and thanking them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower learners in our school.
Thank you to the P&F for organising a special surprise for the teachers tomorrow!
Thanks to all of the students who have taken the time to say thanks to their teachers, or make a special card for them. Our staff greatly appreciate receiving cards and special messages from the children.

Screenshot_2024_10_20_at_11.33.08_AM.png

Pivot

This year, our Year 3-6 students have engaged in a Wellbeing check in program called Pivot. These check-ins provide students with an opportunity to use their voice to describe how they are feeling and to reach out for support if they need. Staff regularly review the data and use this information to support the well-being of students in their class.

We are proud and encouraged to see positive improvements in student wellbeing as a result of this. The graph below demonstrate the three domains - Belonging, Resilience and Safety, and highlights increased response rates from Baseline (Term 1) to Cycle 1 (Term 2) and then to Cycle 2 (Term 3).

Cycle 3 will begin in Term 4, and we are hopeful that we may able to trial a similar program with our K-2 students!

Congratulations to the students and staff for their positive engagement with the Pivot program, as well as their strengthened commitment to student wellbeing in our school community.

Thanks to all of you for your support of student wellbeing. Please don't hesitate to reach out to myself or any staff member if you have any questions or concerns regarding the wellbeing of your child/ren.

Personalised Planning Meetings

Over the next few weeks, all students with a personalised plan will meet with their child's teacher and their parents or carers. This is an important aspect of ensuring that the home-school partnership values the importance of working together to attain the best possible learning outcomes for all students. If your child has a personalised plan, their teacher will contact you to arrange a suitable meeting time. This can be face-to-face, over the phone, or a zoom call. The purpose of these meetings is to review your child's learning goals, adjustments in place, support and to continue to plan for ongoing learning goals.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.

New TVs

Over the student vacation break, we were very fortuante to have all of our classroom and office space TVs replaced, with updated technology installed. We also received an upgrade to our Wifi network. Thank you to CEDoW for their support and ensuring our students have the best possible resources available to them.

Mr Brett Murphy
Assistant Principal

First Holy Communion Program

Please keep in your prayers the children and families in our school and parish who, in preparation for celebrating their First Holy Communion, have just completed their first week of workshops.

The children received their stoles last weekend at their commitment Mass and chose a prayer sponsor from the parish community.

Significant Feast Days - All Saints Day and All Souls Day

On Friday, the 1st of November, the Catholic Church throughout the world will recognise the Feast of All Saints. All Saints Day is a holy day that honours all martyrs and saints, known and unknown. Saints are people who dedicated their lives to God and served others unselfishly. Through our Baptism, we are all called to be saints. All Saints Day is a day to reflect on the qualities of the saints and the model of Christian living they provide for us as we strive to be the saints of the future. The whole school will be joining the parish community for the 9am Mass next Friday. As part of our observance of All Saints Day, all are invited to come to school dressed as a saint!

On Saturday, the 2nd of November, our Church will celebrate All Souls Day. All Souls Day is a holy day of prayer dedicated to all who have died. On All Souls Day and throughout the month of November, we remember with thanksgiving and prayer, those who have died. If you would like to observe All Souls Day as a family, Mass is being celebrated at St Francis of Assisi, Warrawong at 8am on Saturday morning.

Both All Saints Day and All Souls Day are important feast days for Catholics, and many other Christians, because they remind us that we are always connected, even to those who are deceased. As you remember your loved ones in prayer this November, you may like to say the following prayer from our Tradition:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

All Saints Day 1 November

All Saints Day 1 November 368.42 KB

Farewell, Owen!
Owen Geddes has spent the last two years working in our parishes as a part of his training to become an Army Chaplain and in readiness to be ordained as a Deacon for the Army Ordinariate. As he will soon be returning to his army posting, we would like to thank him for the work he has done in our parishes and wish him all the best for his future ministry endeavours. This weekend, after the 4 pm Mass at St Mary’s, Berkeley, parishioners from St Mary’s will be gathering at Berkeley Sports and Social Club for their usual ‘last Saturday of the month’ social, and all are welcome to join them. The dining room opens at the club at 5:30 pm. This will be an opportunity to thank Owen and wish him well as he returns to his army duties.

Annual Children’s Masses - Weekend of 2nd & 3rd November
Children and their parents are warmly invited to join parishioners for Mass on Saturday 2 November at 4:00 pm at St Mary’s, Berkeley or Sunday 3 November at 10:30 am at St Francis of Assisi, Warrawong. Morning tea will follow.

Ms Marita Maloney
Religion Coordinator

Parish Bulletin 20 October 2024

2025 Sports Carnivals

Date	Event	Attending	Venue
Friday 21 February 2025	Swimming Carnival	Years 2 - 6	Berkeley Pool
Friday 28 March 2025	Cross Country Carnival	K-6	Integral Energy Park, Kembla Grange
Friday 13 June 2025	Athletics Carnival	K-6	Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour

Representative and Gala Day Sports Costs

Thank you to our P&F for their generous support in covering the majority of the 2024 sporting costs. There have been significant increases in expenses for children to participate in Representative Sports and Gala Days. Due to the increased cost, the P&F will support half payment in 2025 to reduce the cost for families. These fees are charged by the venues to cover their costs. 2025 sporting fees will be minimal and will be required when providing consent via Compass.

Olympian Visit - Year 3-6 students, parents welcome
We are excited to confirm that we will be having a visit from an Australian Olympian, to speak to our students. Please see the details below. All parents are welcome to join us if you are interested.

Athlete - Emma Jeffcoat (Tokyo 2020 – Triathlon)

Date - October 30 at 9:15am – 10:15am

Venue - School Hall

Emma Jeffcoat will be connecting with Year 3 - 6 students as part of Olympics Unleashed.

The students will learn from Emma Jeffcoat's Olympic journey how to build resilience, the importance of setting goals and how to find what you are passionate about.

Students will hear firsthand from Emma Jeffcoat about how she overcame challenges to compete in her chosen sport at the very highest level, and how some lessons she has learned in sport can help students to be the best they can be – whether that’s in school, at home, on the sporting field or with friends.

Emma_Jeffcoat_Athlete_BIO.pdf

Mr Murphy

Sports Coordinator

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce the implementation of a new Visitor Management System designed to streamline and enhance the safety and efficiency of signing in at our schools. This system will change how parents and visitors sign in, ensuring a smoother and more secure process.

Important Steps for All Parents:

Token for Onboarding Process: If you previously provided the school with your Working With Children’s Check number, you will receive an email with your token shortly. If you would like to start volunteering, please click on the link provided below to complete the new onboarding process.
https://apps.dow.catholic.edu.au/vms/onboarding/new
Clearance for Volunteering: Once you have completed the onboarding process, you will receive clearance from the Child Protection team from the Catholic Education Office, allowing you to volunteer in our schools.
Quick Sign-In App: To make the sign-in process even simpler, we have introduced a quick sign-in app available for download from both the App Store and Google Play Store. This app will allow you to sign in quickly and efficiently whenever you visit the school. Please add the "Token number" you receive on your email when you have completed the onboarding registration process.
- https://apps.dow.catholic.edu.au/quicksignin

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we transition to this new system. Our goal is to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Thank you for your continued support.

Step 1 Register for Token

Step 1 Register for Token 78.93 KB

Step 2 Download sign in App add Token

Step 2 Download sign in App add Token 94.40 KB

Step 3 Scan App to sign in when visiting

Step 3 Scan App to sign in when visiting 232.38 KB

On the last day of Term 3, we celebrated St Francis of Assisi Feast day. Students were engaged in lots of different activities throughout the day linked to St Francis, including reading, writing, art, craft, quizzes, sport and much more. Congratulations to all students for their participation and engagement with the significance of this day in our school. Congratulations to the St Francis of Assisi award winners, who were recognised for 'Following in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi by demonstrating love for God and God's creation. ' Thank you to Deacon Mick for leading our Liturgy, his homily was inspiring and reminded us about the importance of being peaceful people who follow God, as St Francis of Assisi did.

What a fun afternoon celebrating our students involved in many of our interest groups last term. This was the first time we had done this, and it was a big success! Thanks to all parents, carers, and family members who were able to join us. Interest groups were introduced this year as a way of supporting positive behaviours in our school, maximising playground space, and most importantly, enhancing learning and well-being outcomes for students outside of the natural classroom environment. Interest groups occur at lunchtime across the week. It was truly entertaining to see our budding gymnasts, dancers, artists, boxers, and 'handballers' in action. Thanks to our dedicated staff for giving up their time and sharing their expertise to support the students in following their passions. If your child is interested in something that is not currently offered, please contact your child's class teacher and we will endeavour to ensure that all students can have opportunities to engage with their interests.

Pevan and Sarah Concert - Tuesday 12 November

Kindergarten students will be attending the Pevan and Sarah Live show. Pevan and Sarah are children entertainers and educators who create videos and resources that can be used in Kindergarten classrooms. The students love their music, which has been incorporated into many key learning areas. Please complete the online permission on Compass will be required closer to the date. Wellbeing Funding has funded this opportunity. Thank you.

P&F Term 4 Events

End of Year Disco
The P&F is holding an end-of-year Disco on Friday 29 November. More information will be sent home later this term

Christmas Raffle

The P&F will have a Christmas Raffle, more information and tickets will be handed out to students later in the term.
Thank you to NAB Shellharbour for supporting our raffle as our major sponsor this year.

Get involved - Help our school

All parents, carers, and grandparents are welcome to join our P&F, at meetings and to volunteer at events. Your support is greatly appreciated and needed. If you would like to join the P&F committee and/or help at events please do not hesitate to contact the school. There will be more information during this term about meetings, events, and the AGM.

NSW Health released a public health alert for symptoms of gastroenteritis. As we begin Term 4, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect one another within our school community. If your child develops any symptoms please keep them home until 48 hours after the symptoms are clear and notify the school. Please see attached the NSW Heath Fact Sheet for your information.

NSW Health Fact Sheet - Viral gastroenteritis

Transition to School through Play and Orientation - Term 4, 2024

Starting Kindergarten is a very important and exciting time in your child’s life. The Transition to School Playgroup is intended to give information and support to the children and parents for Kindergarten 2025. Below are the Playgroup Transition to School dates and times. We ask that a parent or carer attend the playgroup sessions with your child. Upon completion of the Playgroup program, a Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday 14 November from 9.30-10.30. During this meeting, the children will go to their Kindergarten Classroom, and parents will attend an information session in the school hall.

When do Kindergarten Start School in 2025
All Kindergarten students will commence their first day of school on Wednesday 5 February 2025.

Students are required to be present at school every day. Please make appointments outside school hours, where possible. If your child needs to be collected early for an appointment, a note explaining this is required to be given to the class teacher by the student on the morning of the appointment. As a matter of courtesy, this communication assists in the organising of the day for the class and teacher. Telephone messages during class time interrupt class learning and we avoid this unless urgent. This explanation is documented in your child's attendance records.

All students are required to attend school unless they are unwell. Students should arrive by 8.30 am and finish at 2.50 pm. Daily attendance recording in the Compass Parent Portal notifies parents of their child being absent. Parents are required to record their explanation in Compass by completing the link they receive via text or by logging into the Compass parent portal.

All absences including early leave and late arrival must be reported by parents with an explanation and or a medical certificate if required. Please teach your children the importance of punctuality and arriving at school on time.

Parents are required to write a note to the teacher if their child needs to be collected early from school to attend an appointment.

2025 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.

Dear Parents
A friendly reminder to please check your Fee Account on Compass to ensure your payments are being made and the account will be paid by 30th November. If you require any assistance or are having any financial difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office.

COMPASS SCHOOL FEES VIDEOS

Please see the below two videos to assist with managing your school fee account on Compass using the Portal on the web browser and or using the APP. Please check your fee accounts are up to date and will be paid when due.

Preview attachment Compass APP

and

REGULAR PAYMENTS ARE REQUIRED

Please check your fee account on Compass to ensure you have set up regular payments (weekly preferred) to your account otherwise your account will automatically be flagged as arrears and it will be placed "under investigation" by the Catholic Education Office. The account will then go through the arrears process which includes reminder letters and phone calls. To avoid this process, please ensure you have weekly Bpay payments set up to have the account paid by the end of the year. To check your account simply log into your Compass Parent Portal via the web browser, not App, and click on the "Payments Centre" in the green box on the top right corner. Please see the image below.

Please do not hesitate to contact the School Office if you require assistance or if you are having financial difficulty. We are here to assist you and are happy to help.

* Reminder texts are automatically issued by the Catholic Education Office *
* Weekly BPay Payments are Required *

Request to Pay Fees by Instalments

Request to Pay Fees by Instalments 186.30 KB

Visit School Website for School Fee Information

Read Less

ASPIRE_OSHC_St_Francis_of_Assisi_Warrawong_Flyer_1_.png

Read Less

TERM 4
Monday 28 October	PUPIL FREE DAY
Wednesday 18 December	Last day for Students
Thursday 19 & Friday 20 December	PUPIL FREE DAYS
2025
Tuesday 4 February	Students Year 1-6 Return to School
Wednesday 5 February	Kindergarten 2025 First Day of School
Monday 14 April - Friday 25 April	Term 1 School Holidays

Commencing Term 4, 2024

Premier school bus service will have some time adjustments commencing next term. Please see below the new bus timetable.

For further information contact Premier Transport Group 4271 1322 or visit www.premierillawarra.com.au

School_Bus_Service_Time_changes_marketing_material.pdf

Read Less

Lord_Mayors_School_Starter_Picnic_2024_Poster.pdf

2024 Port Kembla Youth Project Term 3 Programs

FSA_Cool_Kids_Flyer.pdf

HealthTextMsgPoster_1_.pdf

School_Health_Postcard_1_.pdf

Read Less

30 Jun	Athletics Ribbons presented at Morning Assembly - 100m + 5-7 Years All day

30 Jun	Maths and HSIE workbooks returned to school All day

1 Jul	P&F Snack Canteen Open - Recess & Lunch (no lunch orders) All day

1 Jul	Athletics Ribbons presented at Morning Assembly - 200m, 800m All day

2 Jul	Canteen Closed remainder of Term 2 02 Jul 2025 - 03 Jul 2025

2 Jul	Athletics Ribbons presented at Morning Assembly - Shot Put, Discus All day

2 Jul	Pyjama Day - St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal \| Donations appreciated All day

3 Jul	Newsletter home today All day

3 Jul	P&F Snack Canteen Open - Recess & Lunch (no lunch orders) All day

3 Jul	Athletics Ribbons presented at Morning Assembly - High Jump, Long Jump All day

3 Jul	Year 5 attending St Joey's Performance All day

3 Jul	NAIDOC Week Celebration 2:10 PM - 2:50 PM

4 Jul	Awards Assembly including Athletics Age Champion Medallions and House Champion Trophy + Soccer/Handball Certificates 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

4 Jul	Last day of term All day

7 Jul	Term 2 Pupil Vacation Period 07 Jul 2025 - 18 Jul 2025

21 Jul	Pupil Free Day All day

22 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

22 Jul	Students return to school for Term 3 All day

22 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 22 Jul 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

22 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

23 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

23 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

24 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

24 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

25 Jul	Book Fair OPEN 9:45 AM - 11:30 AM

25 Jul	Grandparent's Day Celebrations All day

7 Aug	Year 1 & 2 Excursion at SeaLife Aquarium & Wildlife Zoo All day

15 Aug	Celebration of Learning Assembly - 2 Blue 2:10 PM - 2:55 PM

21 Aug	Year 3 2026 Parent iPad Information Session 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM

21 Aug	Year 3 2026 Parent iPad Information Session 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM

26 Aug	Year 3 & 4 Excursion All day

28 Aug	Holy Spirit Concert for Year 4 All day

5 Sep	Kindergarten Excursion Shoalhaven Zoo All day

12 Sep	Celebration of Learning Assembly - K Blue (including St Francis of Assisi Awards) 2:10 PM - 2:55 PM

25 Sep	Last day of Term 3 for students All day

26 Sep	Pupil Free Day All day

29 Sep	Term 3 Pupil Vacation Period 29 Sep 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

13 Oct	PUPIL FREE DAY All day

14 Oct	Term 4 Begins All day

25 Oct	Happy World Teachers Day All day Recurring event

1 Nov	All Saints Day All day Recurring event

2 Nov	All Souls Day All day Recurring event

14 Nov	Celebration of Learning Assembly - 6 Blue 2:10 PM - 2:55 PM

Australia Celebrates World Teachers' DayIt’s Hats Off to Teachers on Friday 25 October 2025!

Australia Celebrates World Teachers' Day
It’s Hats Off to Teachers on Friday 25 October 2025!