St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School Warrawong eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers

In last Sunday's Gospel, Luke (15:1-3, 11-32), we encountered the powerful parable of the Prodigal Son—a timeless story of reconciliation, forgiveness, and unyielding hope. As we continue our journey through the Lenten season, this parable resonates deeply with the themes of repentance and God's boundless mercy.

The prodigal son's journey reminds us that, despite our shortcomings and wanderings, God eagerly awaits our return with open arms, ready to forgive and embrace us. This message is particularly poignant as we navigate the Year of Hope, a time for reflection, renewal, and strengthening our faith in God's unwavering love for each of us.

During Lent, we are called to follow the example of the prodigal son by seeking reconciliation and forgiveness in our relationships—with God, with others, and with ourselves. It is a season of contemplation, prayer, and acts of kindness, where we strive to emulate the mercy and compassion shown to us by our Heavenly Father.

As a school community, let us embody the spirit of hope and reconciliation portrayed in this Gospel. Let us support one another in our Lenten journey, fostering a sense of unity and compassion that reflects the love of God. Together, may we deepen our understanding of forgiveness and embrace the transformative power of God's grace in our lives.

As we approach the end of Term 1, I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the term and express my gratitude to every one of you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our school community. We have had a very successful term, filled with academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, and a strong sense of community spirit. Our students should be proud of the hard work they have put into achieving such success. I would also like to commend our staff for their tireless efforts in supporting our students' faith, learning and well-being and their ongoing professionalism and dedication to planning high-quality learning experiences.

Easter is a great reminder that Christ died and rose again for each one of us. His death and resurrection can transform our lives. Lives that have a love for our neighbour, respect for all creation and lives that restore hope and mercy. This easter, we invite you to participate in the Easter celebrations in our Parish.

May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter.

I hope your week ahead and the holiday break is a special time with your family.
Thank you once again for your support and hard work during Term 1.
Have a happy and Holy Easter with your family and friends.

Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL

St Francis of Assisi acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people, past and present, the traditional custodians on whose land we educate our students.

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Anzac Day Dawn Service - Port Kembla
All students are invited to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Friday 25 April 2025, in Port Kembla. (Last Friday of the holidays). The Dawn service will be held at the War Memorial, Allan Street, Port Kembla, beginning at 6 am. Our school leaders will lay a wreath on behalf of our school community and read a prayer of thanksgiving. If your child would like to attend, please let Mrs Davidson or Mr Murphy know. If your child is attending, we ask that they come dressed in their school uniform. Thank you.

Winter School Uniform - Changeover
Thank you to parents and carers for the high standards you expect of your children regarding the school uniform. Our school uniform is an integral part of our identity as a school and each student's sense of belonging. Students will begin wearing their Winter uniform on Monday 12 May (Week 3 - after the Mother's Day weekend). We encourage parents and carers to support their children during this transition by ensuring they have the appropriate winter uniform items ready. Additionally, please take this opportunity to review the uniform guidelines outlined on our school website to ensure compliance with our uniform policy. Thank you.

Kindergarten Interviews and Enrolments for 2026
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 are currently open. If you have a child attending Kindergarten next year or you know of anyone who is thinking of enrolling their child, please encourage them to contact the school or commence an application. Enrolment is now online and can be accessed via our school website.
Kindergarten 2026 interviews begin at the start of Term 2.

https://www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au/enrol/

Welcome Student Wellbeing Officer - Alana Sullivan

2025 Celebration of Learning Timetable
Assembly starts 2:10 pm

Term/Week	Date	Class
Term 1 Week 10	Friday 4 April	4 Blue
Term 2 Week 5	Friday 30 May	3 Gold
Term 2 Week 9	Friday 27 June	1 Gold
Term 3 Week 4	Friday 15 August	2 Blue
Term 3 Week 8	Friday 12 September	K Blue
Term 4 Week 5	Friday 14 November	6 Blue
Term 4 Week 9	Friday 12 December	Principal and Value Awards Only

Term 1 Assembly Dates and Times

Please see the table below for the Assembly Dates and times. These can also be found on the calendar available on Compass. Parents/Carers of students receiving awards will be notified if their child is receiving an award each week.

Week	Date	Time
10	Friday 4 April - 4 Blue Celebration of Learning	2:10 pm
11	Friday 11 April	8:45 am

Stage Leaders 2025
For any issues regarding your child that can not be handled by contacting the class teacher, please contact the relevant stage leaders below.

Early Stage 1 / Stage 1 (K-2) - Ms Maloney

Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) - Mr Murphy

Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6) - Mr Smith

St Clare of Assisi Awards
Please be reminded that these awards started in 2024. Any Merit, RE or PB4L awards achieved from this time on will count towards the St Clare of Assisi merit awards (but can only be used once).

Process:

5 x Class Awards (Merit, RE or PB4L) = St Clare of Assisi Award - please bring the 5 awards into the school office. These will be recorded and a St Clare of Assisi Merit Award will be presented at the next assembly.

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3 x St Clare of Assisi Awards = 1 St Francis Medallion

Please let me know if you have any questions about the awards system.

Student Workbooks - Term 1

Your child will be bringing home their Religious Education and English Workbooks at the end of Week 10 (tomorrow). We encourage you to take the time to look at the learning your child has been doing, and complete the reflection slip in their workbooks. Books will need to be returned by no later than Monday 7 April (Week 11).

Commitment to Child Safety Statement

At St Francis of Assisi, we are committed to child safety as a top priority. Please see the comprehensive statement below, which also includes helpful resources for supporting your child.

SFAW_Commitment_to_Child_Safety_Statement.pdf

Communication Policy

Please see below for our revised communication policy. Any feedback or questions are welcomed.

St_Francis_of_Assisi_Warrawong_Communication_Policy.pdf

Homework Policy Update

This is in the final stage of review, and will be published in the holidays in preparation for the beginning of Term 2. Class teachers will communicate specific class expectations at the beginning of Term 2.

Mr Brett Murphy
Assistant Principal

2025 Confirmation Program

Last night, we had a number of families attend the information night for this year’s Confirmation program. For those who were present that have not submitted an enrolment form, please ensure you collect one from the foyer of the church and submit it ASAP as enrolments actually closed last Sunday. For those who enrolled but did not attend the information night, a copy of the handouts will be available to collect from St Mary’s or St Francis of Assisi at this weekend’s Masses.

Fundraising for Project Compassion - Zooper Dooper Days

Thank you to everyone who supported our Mini Vinnies Zooper Dooper Day last week. We raised just under $170. We will be having a final Zooper Dooper day next Tuesday, 8 April, to raise more money for Project Compassion. Our Year 3 Mini Vinnies representatives will be selling Zooper Doopers for $1 at recess and lunch.

Project Compassion

Fourth Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 31 March)

Irene lives in a remote village in the Kongolo Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Life hasn’t been easy for Irene. After losing her father in a war, Irene and her family were forced to flee their home. Life became even more challenging when her husband left, leaving Irene to raise her 2 children alone. Without finishing her education and with few job opportunities in her village, she struggled to provide even the basics for her family.
Things began to change when Irene joined the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program (YCSP), run by Caritas Kongolo with the support of Caritas Australia. Through the program, Irene learned sewing skills and was provided with a sewing machine and fabric. Irene also gained farming skills. Now, she grows enough food to feed her family and even shares her sewing knowledge by mentoring other women in her community.
“Before, women depended on men's income, but now, with our sewing skills, we can take care of ourselves,” Irene said.
Your support of Project Compassion helps women like Irene to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Watch Irene’s story here. (For secondary students and parents)

Will you stand in solidarity with people like Irene this Lent?

Photo credit: Arlette Bashizi/Caritas Australia

Please donate today
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Fifth Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 7 April)

The transformative work of Caritas Australia is only possible thanks to supporters like you and the dedication, passion, and resilience of our local partners, who tirelessly work to empower communities and create brighter futures.
In Vietnam, Caritas Australia’s partner programs, like I-SHINE, helped Lam, a young man with a disability, gain graphic design skills and start a successful freelance business, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
In Samoa, Caritas Australia works with Caritas Samoa to improve access to clean water and sanitation through initiatives like water tank installations, transforming health and well-being for families like Toefuata’iga’s.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Caritas Australia works in partnership with Caritas Kongolo on the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program. This initiative equipped Irene, a single mother, with sewing and farming skills, enabling her to support her family and empower others in her community.
Through partnerships like these, Caritas Australia creates lasting change in communities across the globe.

Please donate today
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Holy Week
(Week beginning Monday 14 April)

This Lent, we shared the powerful stories of three remarkable individuals who have overcome immense challenges. Thanks to the kindness of supporters like you, their lives - and the lives of those around them - have been transformed.
In Samoa, Toefuata'iga’s life was changed with access to clean water through Caritas Australia’s partnership with Caritas Samoa. Her school now has a water tank, improving health and allowing the school to focus on education.
Lam, from rural Vietnam, overcame the challenges of living with a disability by joining the I-SHINE program. He now runs a successful freelance graphic design business and inspires others to pursue their dreams.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Irene, a single mother, found hope through Caritas Australia’s partnership with Caritas Kongolo. By learning sewing and farming skills, she now provides for her extended family and mentors other women in her community.
Thanks to supporters like you, the lives of people like Toefuata'iga, Lam, and Irene have been transformed. But the work isn’t done yet. There is still time to donate! Together, we can Unite Against Poverty and help transform lives this Lent.

It’s not too late to donate
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Youth Event

It was great to see some of our ex-students at the Youth Event last Sunday. After sharing a meal, there were games, a presentation on the Eucharist by Joseph ( one of our current seminarians) and a beautiful Taize prayer experience in the Church. If you have a child in Year 6 or above, please consider getting them involved next time. The next Youth Event will be Friday 27 June, in the hall, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis

For those who were present at last year’s All Saints Day Mass, or perhaps were present at last week’s Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation, you may remember Fr Damien talking about a teenager who was on the path to canonisation - that is, on the path to being recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church. The teenager known as “God’s Influencer” due to his digital talents will be canonised on April 27. Carlo Acutis, who passed away from leaukaemia in 2006 at just 15 years of age, will become the first millennial saint, representing those born between the early 1980s and late 1990s.

At last Sunday’s Youth Event, Joseph, our seminarian, referred to Blessed Carlo in his presentation on the Eucharist as he had demonstrated a deep devotion to the Eucharist. Often called ‘the patron saint of the internet’, Blessed Carlo is celebrated for using his computer skills to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles worldwide, inspiring others to deepen their faith.

Faith Formation in the Privacy of Your Home
Want Netflix for Catholics? Get ‘FORMED’ Free for Diocese of Wollongong Parishioners. Join hundreds of other families around the Diocese of Wollongong in nurturing your faith at home, in your own time and at your own pace? FORMED is a fantastic Faith Formation Resource library website containing thousands of faith formation documentaries, courses, movies, audio and books covering all aspects of our Catholic faith. There are materials for both adults and children. I draw your attention to this website because it has a documentary of Blessed Carlo on it, Access to this website is free but you need to sign up. To register for FORMED:

Go to formed.org and click the ‘Formed for Individuals’ button.
Enter your email address and Submit.
Type 'Wollongong' into the box then click the Diocese’s name and address (38 Harbour St) which will appear. Click Next.
Enter your name and email address. You'll get a confirmation email asking you to sign in and then follow the prompts – and get formed!

In a world where sainthood can feel out of reach, Blessed Carlo Acutis shines as a beacon of hope for our time. This inspiring documentary goes beyond the headlines to reveal the real Blessed Carlo - the ordinary boy whose extraordinary love for God changed the lives of everyone around him.

Documentary

Holy Week Assembly

As part of our Lenten units in Religious Education, each class has been learning about the events of Holy Week. Next Friday afternoon, we will be having a Holy Week assembly to share our learning about these events with the school community. You are warmly invited to join us next Friday afternoon at 2pm in the hall.

Holy Week Ceremonies in our Parishes
At the end of this term, we will enter into the holiest week in the Christian calendar. The details of the Holy Week Celebrations at St Mary’s, Berkeley and St Francis of Assisi, Warrawong are listed below (including the Chrism Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong).

Sat 12/Sun 13 April (Palm Sunday)	Tues 15 April (Tuesday of Holy Week)	Thurs 17 April (Holy Thursday)

4 pm Berkeley 10:30 am Warrawong Palm Sunday Mass	7 pm St Francis Xavier Cathedral Wollongong Chrism Mass	7 pm Warrawong The Mass of the Lord's Supper
Fri 18 April (Good Friday)	Sat 19 April (Holy Saturday)	Sun 20 April (Easter Sunday)

10 am Berkeley Stations of the Cross (followed by a meal free Soup Kitchen Lunch) 3 pm Warrawong The Lord's Passions	6:30 pm Warrawong Easter Vigil	8:00 am Berkeley 10:30 am Warrawong Easter Sunday Masses

At last year’s Palm Sunday Masses, we had children reading the ‘crowd’ parts of the Passion and bringing palm branches forward to the altar during the Holy Holy. If your child would like to be involved in this year’s Palm Sunday Masses (at either Berkeley or Warrawong), please let Ms Maloney or Mrs Briscoe know by next Wednesday and try to arrive at Mass approximately 15mins early. There is also an opportunity to be part of the ‘crowd’ for the Passion Reading on Good Friday.

If your child would like to be part of the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at Berkeley, please let Ms Maloney, Mrs Briscoe or one of the Sisters know ASAP. We will have an initial rehearsal on Monday, 14 April, at 4:30 pm and a final rehearsal on Wednesday, 16 April, at 4:30 pm, both at Berkeley Church.

Ms Marita Maloney
REC Coordinator

Parish Bulletin 30 March 2025

2025 Sport Dates

Date	Event	Attending	Venue
Friday 13 June	School Athletics Carnival	K-6	Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour

Catholic Legends Rugby League Gala Day

We have entered 6 teams into this gala day, to be held on Thursday 10 April (Week 11) at Reed Park, Dapto. The students are very excited about participating in this fun day. The boys' tackle teams had a safe tackle clinic run by the NRL today. For those students who are nominated, full details are available through the Compass event. Please see Mr Murphy if you have any questions.

Cross Country 2025

Last Friday saw a perfect morning disrupted with a bit of rain later in the day. The students had the best time running and playing when the rain came, although washing machines would have gotten a good work out following the carnival!

We must say a big thanks to the students for their engagement and enthusiasm despite the tricky conditions at times. Our staff always go above and beyond to ensure that the students' best interests are at heart, thank you.

Despite the weather, we had an amazing turnout of parents, carers and family members to cheer on all the students. Thank you to the amazing parents and carers who gave up their time to volunteer today. We can not run these carnivals without you, and greatly appreciate the sacrifices you make to help every student. Thank you.

Finally, to Kembla Joggers - thank you for your support and track preparation. We love coming to Integral Energy Park and appreciate the high-quality facilities you share with us.

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful community day, even if it was slightly shorter than we originally planned!

Awards will be presented tomorrow, Friday 4 April (see below):

Ribbons - Friday morning assembly - 8:45a m - Concrete Playground

Age Champion Medallions + House Champion Trophy - Friday Celebration of Learning Assembly - 2:10pm - School Hall

These details will be updated here after the presentations at the assembly. To view these updates check in on the newsletter link on Compass, or school website.

Age/Gender	2025 Boys Champion	2025 Girls Champion
8/9 Years	Andrea N	Ella L
10 Years	Oliver T	Joy R
11 Years	Kyan C	Olivia B
12 Years	Christian G	Zuzanna K

2025 House Champion - Green House

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the St Francis team to compete at the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival in Week 2 next term:

Ella L, Isabelle S, Kendall S, Andrea N, Harrison N, Isaac H, Joy R, Ariam Y, Ayva N, Oliver T, Mallek A, Thayir S, Olivia B, Fatima H, Isla B, Kyan C, Hussein SH, Stefan C, Zuzanna K, Mia D, Soraya F, Christian G, Aleksander C, Mohamad JB

Full event details are available in Compass for these families. Please advise Mr Murphy ASAP if your child is unable to attend, so a replacement can be arranged.

MacKillop Hockey Trials

Congratulations to Olivia (Year 5) who was selected in the MacKillop Hockey Team after the trials in Goulburn last Friday. This is an incredible achievement, especially for a Year 5 student.

We are all very proud of you, Olivia!

Olivia will represent MacKillop at the NSWPSSA Hockey Championships in Newcastle in May.

Mr Murphy

Sports Coordinator

Enrolment Applications for Kindergarten 2026 are now due.
Interviews will be held next term.

Applications can be submitted online via our school website, www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au, and click ENROL NOW. Please do not hesitate to contact the School Office with any questions. Limited vacancies are available in 2025.

P&F Disco
On Friday 21 March, our students had a great time at the school disco! It was a fun night, with many happy smiles and awesome dance moves. A special thank you to our P&F, parent volunteers, Mr Gilmore our DJ and staff for their hard work organising this event. What a fantastic night for everyone!

MOTHER'S DAY 2025

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On Thursday, 20 March, four of our Year 5 students—Ruby, Olivia, Hudson, and Dikran, joined Stage 3 students from across the diocese at St Brigid’s Primary School in Gwynneville. The day was dedicated to exploring environmental challenges, exchanging ideas for eco-friendly initiatives, and being officially commissioned as Eco Ambassadors for our school.

The students were inspired by an insightful keynote address from Robert Servine of Green Connect and had the chance to learn about the impressive ecological efforts happening at the host school. They gained valuable knowledge about environmental issues like “fast fashion” and even had the opportunity to transform an old t-shirt into a reusable carry bag as a way to raise awareness.

Additionally, the students collaborated to create a "Creation Prayer" for specific environmental causes. They also shared their waste-free lunches and eco-conscious name badges. This experience left a lasting impact on our students, who are now eager to brainstorm and implement ecological actions at our school.

Mrs Briscoe

WEN Coordinator

We are so proud of the way out Kindergarten students have embraced all their new learning experiences with enthusiasm and curiosity, growing in confidence and independence each day.

Hello, Merhaba, Xin chào, Kumusta, 你好Nǐ hǎo, Shlama, Ciao, olá, здраво zdravo, Γειά σου Geiá sou, Halo, ආයුබෝවන් Āyubōvan, Bonjour, Witam

բարև barev, नमस्कार Namaskāra, ሰላምsalām, Muraho, Hola!

On Friday 21 March, we celebrated Harmony Day and the diversity of our community at St Francis of Assisi. We welcomed students, parents and teachers in our different home languages and wore cultural dress or orange clothes to symbolise we all belong and are proud to call Australia our home. We heard the story of one of our students, as she talked about her journey and experience moving from Iraq to Australia. This is one of our favourite celebrations because of the rich cultural background you all bring to our school every day of the year! Thanks to everyone for your efforts, today and every day, as we strive for Harmony

ORDER ONLINE
THURSDAY 1 MAY - Week 1 Term 2
School photo day will be held in Week 1 next term on Thursday 1 May. Students are to wear their full SUMMER SCHOOL UNIFORM (no sports uniform). Please note, hair must be neat and tidy and the girl's hair tied back. Orders are submitted online as per the details below, including family photo orders.

ORDER SCHOOL PHOTOS ONLINE TODAY

Visit: - www.advancedlife.com.au
Enter online order code
CZF PZ6 2FX

Click here to order

Newsletter210x100mm_St_Francis_Of_Assisi_Catholic_Primary_School_1_.pdf

Family_photo_packages_online.pdf

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Staff and Student Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who celebrated their birthdays in April:

Nicholas. G, Malak.J, Kemin, Roukaya, Ella.L, Hussein.S, Liz, Ella.F, Ali.I, Ellia, Saja, Andrea.N, Christopher, Poppy, Dikran, Kendall, Angelina & Mrs Staffiero.

Canteen_Term_2_Change_of_days_.jpg

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As we continue to promote road safety in our community, it's important to remind our children about the key role they play as passengers in a car. Being a responsible passenger isn't just about sitting still, it's about staying safe and helping others do the same.

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Passenger

Always Wear Your Seatbelt!
Whether you're sitting in the front or back, seat belts are a must. They protect you in case of an emergency and it’s the law to wear them at all times. If you're under 7, be sure to use the appropriate car seat or booster seat for your age and size.

Avoid Distracting the Driver!
As a passenger, it’s important to let the driver focus on the road. Keep noise to a minimum, avoid arguing or playing too roughly and save all fun activities for after the ride. The fewer distractions, the safer everyone will be.

Set a Good Example!
Encourage your friends and siblings to follow the same safety rules. A good passenger not only looks out for their own safety, but also reminds others to buckle up.

Let’s work together to create safer roads for all our children. Remind your little ones to always wear their seatbelts and to be thoughtful passengers, helping to keep the driver focused. Together, we can make every journey safer!

Stay safe, buckle up, and help spread the message!

CEDoW_Compulsory_School_Attendance_Information_for_Parents.pdf

PARENT RESOURCE | Responding to school avoidance

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The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong has two Compass Catholic Family Camping Weekends planned for 2025 - one at the beach and one in the bush!

Previous weekends over the last few years have proven to be a great way to disconnect from the everyday, relax,
and connect with other friendly families. It's wonderful seeing the kids make good friends, teens having fun, being active and connecting across age groups over games and activities. Mark your calendars now for either or both of these affordable and relaxed weekends full of fun, food, faith and friendship!

For more information and to register please see below.

Register Here

Date: Friday 30 May - Sunday 1 June
Time: from 12pm (Friday) - 10am (Sunday)
Location: Coledale Camping Reserve
Address: Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale Beach

Register as soon as possible before 23 May as spaces are limited!

Limited Spaces: We have 9 camp sites booked and will distribute them on a first come – first served basis. Each site can have a maximum of 6 (no more than 4 adults per site).

Cost: To secure a site you will need to reimburse the Diocese $80 which covers the cost of 2 adults per site. On arrival you will need to pay for any additional family members above 2 persons. Extra adult is $20 per night / Extra child is $12 per night. Thus, for a family of 5 – Mum and Dad would already be paid for – and the 3 kids would cost an additional $72 for the weekend – to be paid at the Coledale Office on arrival (no Cash – card only).

Camping Options/Rules: We are in a tent, swag and Camper trailer section at the southern end of the campsite. No full body caravans are allowed in this section. There are no wood/charcoal fires permitted at this site. There are numerous takeaway food shops close by.
For all rules and conditions go to www.coledalebeach.com.au/camping/ or call the Campground office on (02) 4267 4302

Facilities: Coledale Beach is a great location to enjoy the beach, swim, surf (NB: Unpatrolled in May), fish, play ball games, walk, or just sit back and enjoy the views.

Amenities: Guests have access to a basic camp kitchen, with cooking & washing up facilities and a fridge. All families need to self-cater. There are hot showers for campers.
Adults can bring alcohol, noting that very responsible consumption is expected due to the family friendly nature of this gathering. The Diocese will bring a big BBQ for us to share access to and there are public electric BBQ’s nearby.

Mass times: 5.30 pm Sat Vigil at St Michael’s Thirroul & 8 am Sunday.

Enquiries: Helen Bennett 4222 2403 / helen.bennett@dow.org.au

Register Here

Date: Friday 5 - 7 September
Time: from 5pm (Friday) - 3pm (Sunday)
Venue: Guntawang - Wooglemai Catholic Family Camping
Cost: $50 per adult or $100 per individual family
RSVP: Register by 29 August to avoid disappointment.

Accommodation Options: This is a beautiful campsite, with plenty of space for families to set up a tent, caravan, camper trailer or swags. These are unpowered and unwatered sites, but drinking water is available on site. All rubbish and wastewater must be collected and disposed of thoughtfully.

Bunk Rooms: There is an option to register spots for separate male or female bunk rooms which will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Parents/guardians who select this option, must have a guardian staying with their children in these rooms, as there will be adults and children of all ages potentially in each bunk room. Children are not to be left alone in the bunk rooms or other accommodation on site at any time during the event.

Toilets and Showers: There is a male/female toilet block for campers and a toilet in each of the bunkhouses. There are only 4 showers – but plenty of hot water, so we will get a family roster happening for their use.

Food and Cooking Facilities: This is a self-catered weekend, so families need to plan their own meals. There is a camp kitchen and eating area with access to the following

BBQ / Gas cooktops / Hot water / Sinks
Small Gas Fridge for basics (so bring your own esky/ice)
Indoor & outdoor fire (weather permitting), with plenty of firewood on site – so camp oven cooking is another option.
NB: Responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted.

Activities/Games: There is plenty of space for fun and games such as:

Soccer / Touch footy / Basketball / Volleyball / Bocce / Finska / Board games
Bushwalks
Music – campfire singalong (Bring an instrument if you play)

Mass: Mass in a beautiful bush chapel on either Saturday night or Sunday morning

What to bring:

All your own food and drinks/cooking and eating utensils etc.
Toiletries/towels etc.
This is a bush setting, so sturdy enclosed shoes are recommended.
It is heading into summer, but still potentially cold overnight, so be ready for anything – including rain, when packing clothes
Some sporting gear will be provided, but you may have a game you wish to bring and include others in
Basic first aid supplies will be on site – but families should make some provision for this
Camp chairs/rug

No Pets are allowed on this campsite.

For more information: Contact Jude Hennessy at jude.hennessy@dow.org.au or 4222 2403

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School Fee Payments
Attention Parents, 2025 Fee Statements have been emailed. This is an Annual amount for 2025, if you have nominated to pay by instalments this payment schedule will be on the second page of the statement.
Please log in to your Parent Compass Portal to view your school fee account 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. 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.

SEDSO - PRIMARY BUILDING FUND
Primary school families will note on the 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 previously received a Fee Concession, 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.

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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, sports carnivals, school events, excursions, school fee account, attendance, absences, school reports, and more. Do not hesitate to contact the School Office if you have any questions or require assistance accessing your parent portal. Please see the attached Compass Guides to assist in using the platform.Thank you.

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2025 SCHOOL TERMS

TERM 1	Friday 31 Jan -Friday 11 April Autumn school holidays Mon 14 Apr-Thur 24 April	TERM 2	Monday 28 April - Friday 4 July Winter school holidays Mon 7 July- Fri 18 July
TERM 3	Monday 21 July - Friday 26 Sept Spring school holidays Mon 29 Sept- Fri 10 Oct	TERM 4	Monday 13 October - Friday 19 Dec

2025 PUPIL-FREE DAYS

TERM 1 PFD	Friday 31 January (W1) Monday 3 February (W2)	TERM 2 PFD	Friday 6 June - (W6)
TERM 3 PFD	Monday 21 July (W1) Friday 26 September (W10) SSD	TERM 4 PFD	Monday 13 October (W1) Thursday 18 December (W10) Friday 19 December (W10)

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CatholicCare School, Student, and Family Program – School Counselling
The video below highlights the work of CatholicCare Wollongong's school counsellors in partnership with the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. Find out more about the program here

CatholicCare – Growing Into Me

Growing Into Me is a program that supports schools in providing an opportunity for parents and children to understand and explore the physical and emotional changes experienced through the puberty journey.

Download the flyer here.

For more information or to register interest complete the online form here.

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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