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- Pupil Free Day | Friday 6 June
- Canteen | CLOSED Week 9 & 10
- The 2nd Annual Corpus Christi Event
- Aspire OSHC - Available
- Compulsory School Attendance
- Enrolment Applications Kindergarten 2026
- Term 2 Dates
- National Families Week
- School Zone Road Safety
- Screen time and sleep
- Community News
Last Sunday, we reflected on the Gospel from John 13:31-35, where Jesus stated, "I shall not be with you much longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another." We are reminded of the profound love that Jesus demonstrated for us. His love was unconditional, inviting each of us to love one another in the same way. This love was sacrificial, as Jesus showed us that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for others (John 15:13).
In a world that often challenges us to love even those who may seem unlovable, Jesus's example remains a guiding light. He loved not only his friends but also his enemies, teaching us to pray for those who persecute us. This new commandment can challenge us: How do we respond when loving others becomes difficult?
At St Francis of Assisi, we are called to embody this love daily. It is in our interactions, our support for one another, and our commitment to kindness and empathy that we fulfil this commandment. As we face challenges together, let us draw strength from our shared faith and the love that unites us, knowing that through these acts of love, we contribute to a more compassionate and just world for all.
May God's unconditional love continue to guide and inspire us in all that we do.
Welcome, Pope Leo XIV
On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church witnessed a historic moment as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. As the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, Pope Leo XIV brings a deep commitment to community, humility, and charity. His election marks a new chapter for the Church, and we pray together as we welcome him into his papacy.
Pope Leo XIV brings a deep commitment to faith, community, humility, and charity. As we reflect on his leadership, we are reminded of the role the papacy plays in guiding the global Catholic community through times of challenge and opportunity. Just as previous popes have done, Pope Leo XIV will undoubtedly continue to inspire us with his example of humility, compassion, and wisdom.
As a school community, let us keep Pope Leo XIV in our prayers, asking for God's blessings on his leadership and for the strength to support him as he begins this important mission. May we, too, reflect his spirit of service in our own lives, striving to live out our Catholic values and serve others with love. In the coming months, we look forward to hearing more of Pope Leo XIV’s messages and teachings. Let us continue to stand united in faith, as we embrace his leadership and the call to love and serve one another.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Winter School Uniform - Changeover
Thank you to our parents and carers for transitioning the students into winter uniforms. All students should now be wearing their winter uniform. The way we present ourselves demonstrates respect for ourselves and our school as a united community. We have noticed some students are not wearing their ties. Please note that the navy tie is part of the winter school uniform. Please let your class teacher know if you have questions about uniforms.
At St Francis of Assisi, we support students to be sun smart. In doing so, we encourage students to consistently wear their hats when outdoors, from the time they enter the school gate each morning until they are dismissed each afternoon. Thank you for supporting your children to wear their uniforms correctly and with pride.
Tell Them from Me Survey
A sincere thank you to the parents who have been able to share their feedback through the Tell Them From Me Survey. Your voice and that of your children and their teachers will help guide our school's strategic improvement plan. We know at times parents and carers may receive a number of surveys to fill in, but we value your feedback. To access the survey, please see the link on Compass or in the Assistant Principal section of this newsletter.
Staffing Update
Mrs Aguis will be on leave from Wednesday 21 May until Thursday 29 May. Mrs Grey will teach Year 1 during this time. Thank you, Mrs Grey. We wish Mrs Aguis all the best and hope she enjoys her leave. If you have any questions, please contact the teachers.
Condolences
On behalf of our school community, we would like to extend our condolences to Ms. Sullivan, our Student Wellbeing Officer, on the passing of her mother, Barbara, on Saturday, 10 May. Please keep Ms. Sullivan and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I would also like to thank the school community for their thoughts and prayers following the recent passing of my father-in-law, Peter.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey
Over the next couple of weeks, we are inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student faith, learning and wellbeing at St Francis of Assisi.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:
https://www.tellthemfromme.com/survey/splash/sfaw25
* Survey closes Friday 30 May 4:30 pm *
2025 Celebration of Learning Timetable - Assembly starts 2:10 pm
| Term/Week | Date | Class |
| 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 2 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 |
| 4 | Friday 23 May | 8:45am |
| 5 | Friday 30 May - 3 Gold Celebration of Learning | 2:10pm |
| 6 | Thursday 5 June | 8:45am |
| 7 | Thursday 12 June | 8:45am |
| 8 | Friday 20 June | 8:45am |
| 9 | Friday 27 June - 1 Gold Celebration of Learning | 2:10pm |
| 10 | Friday 4 July | 8:45am |
Stage Leaders 2025
For any issues regarding your child that cannot 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.
3 x St Clare of Assisi Awards = 1 St Francis Medallion
Please let me know if you have any questions about the awards system.
Walk Safely to School Day
Last Friday, our students had a fantastic time participating in Walk Safely to School Day! They learned invaluable road safety tips while enjoying a healthy, active start to their day. A huge thank you to our wonderful community partner, Country Grocer Warrawong, for their generous donation of apples for all our students. Their support helps keep our kids healthy and happy!
Thanks to all staff for their support and providing learning in a different environment for our students.
This initiative aligns strongly with key outcomes of the PDHPE syllabus across all stages at our school including:
“Recognises that personal health decisions can influence health and wellbeing”.
“Describes strategies to make healthy lifestyle choices”.
Semester One Reports and Parent Teacher Conferences
As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.
The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report:
- A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
- All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Extensive
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Elementary
Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers.
We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.
Reports will be made available via Compass on Friday 27 June - Week 9. Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences (K-6) will be held from Week 8-10. More information will be shared via Compass when these are available to book in times.
PB4L Term 2 Overview
Each week in our school, we have a schoolwide focus on an aspect of PB4L (Being Respectful, Responsible or Safe) and an aspect of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning).
Please see the table below for the overview of the focus for Term 2.
| Week | PB4L Focus | SEL Focus |
| 1 | Be Respectful - Church | Self-motivation |
| 2 | Be Responsible - Healthy Eating | Perseverance |
| 3 | Be Safe - Lining Up | Managing emotions |
| 4 | Be Respectful - Technology | Gratitude |
| 5 | Be Responsible - Bubblers | Independence |
| 6 | Be Safe - Looking after one another | Being an upstander |
| 7 | Be Respectful - Talking and listening | Showing initiative |
| 8 | Be Responsible - Learning | Self-confidence |
| 9 | Be Safe - Safe people | Asking for help |
| 10 | Be Respectful - Honesty | Empathy |
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Mr Brett Murphy
Assistant Principal
2025 Sacramental Preparation
Please keep our Parish and School Reconciliation / Eucharist and Confirmation candidates in your prayers as they begin their preparation.
Our Lady Help of Christians
This Saturday, 24 May, Mass will be celebrated at 9 am in Warrawong for the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians - patroness of Australia and the Military Ordinariate. The early Church in Australia was mostly priestless, and it was largely the Rosary that kept the faith alive. During the Opening Prayer on Saturday, the Church will pray that through Our Lady’s intercession, God will “grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens”, so that “under her protection, Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace”.
Laudato Si’ Week
From 24–31 May, the global Catholic community celebrates Laudato Si’ Week, marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, which Pope Francis signed on the day of Pentecost, 24 May 2015.
This special week commemorates Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on climate change and care for our common home - rooted in centuries of Church teaching on creation. With this year’s theme, "Raising Hope", we come together in faith and action, continuing the legacy of Pope Francis and renewing our commitment to ecological justice and a sustainable future for all.
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
Amen.
National Sorry Day (26 May) & Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June)
Each year, our country celebrates National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is ‘Bridging Now to Next’ and it is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will - and must - continue.
Did you know? The colour purple symbolises National Sorry Day and represents the Native Hibiscus flower, which is used by survivors of the Stolen Generations to acknowledge their scattering and signify their strength and resilience. The flower thrives in harsh conditions, and purple is seen as a symbol of compassion and healing. This connects nicely with our Catholic Tradition also as purple is also used when administering the Sacraments of Healing - Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
Reconciliation Week follows National Sorry Day which is celebrated on the 26th May. National Sorry Day is a day to pause and remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. On Monday morning, we will highlight Sorry Day during our morning prayer assembly and during the week, classes will engage in some activities around the significance of Sorry Day and/or Reconciliation Week.
Our School Values
As communicated in our previous newsletter, the value we have been focusing on this term is faith. At St Francis of Assisi, we value faith because the ethos of a Catholic school is centred on the person of Jesus and we want others to know Him. At our Principal and Values Award Assembly next Friday, the value award for faith will be presented to one student from each class.
Prayer to Increase Faith
Lord, even your wisest disciples
needed strength to strengthen their faith.
We pray for the same strength,
so that our faith in you may never waver.
Increase our faith,
so that we may share it with others.
Strengthen our faith,
so that we may be ready to face any doubts that might block our paths.
Even with faith the size of a mustard seed,
we know that anything is possible in your name.
We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Ms Marita Maloney
REC Coordinator
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Friday 13 June | School Athletics Carnival | K-6 | Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour |
2025 SCHOOL TERMS
|
TERM 1 |
Friday 31 Jan -Friday 11 April |
TERM 2 |
Monday 28 April - Friday 4 July |
|
TERM 3 |
Monday 21 July - Friday 26 Sept |
TERM 4 |
Monday 13 October - Friday 19 Dec |
2025 PUPIL-FREE DAYS
|
TERM 1 PFD |
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TERM 2 PFD |
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TERM 3 PFD |
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TERM 4 PFD |
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We invite you to join us for the Corpus Christi Event!
If you're seeking a deeper understanding of the Eucharist, the origins of the Mass or want to deepen your faith then this day is for you! You will never celebrate Mass again the same way!
When: Sunday 22 June (10 am to 3:30 pm)
Where: St. Joachim Hall (adjacent to the Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School) (please see map attached below)
Address: 80A Demetrius Rd, Rosemeadow NSW 2560
Who: We welcome all adults over 18. Any persons under the age of 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian. Due to the content and nature of material the minimum age of attendees is 14 years.
Food: Morning tea is provided. BYO lunch or the mouth watering Cheeky Burgers Food Truck will be available with their gourmet smash burger menu if you would like to purchase your lunch.
Presenters: Joel and Elise Duval are a married couple with three young children. Both Joel and Elise are Catholic school teachers within the Diocese of Wollongong. Joel has a particular passion for Youth and Young Adult ministry, Sacramental preparation, prayer, praise and worship, and pilgrimages including the Australian Catholic Youth Festival and World Youth Day. Elise has a particular passion for Scripture, Catechesis, Theology of the Body and spiritual writings of the Doctors of the Church.
Content: Ever wonder where the Mass came from? Why is the Eucharist considered the source and summit of our faith? Through catechesis on the History of Salvation leading to the First Passover Meal, The Last Supper (The First Mass) and Good Friday we will discover how Christ is in fact the fulfilment of the Passover. The second catechesis will include a focus on Carlo Acutis, the first saint of the Third Millennium, Christ’s presence in the Eucharist through exploring Eucharistic Miracles, the origins of the feast of Corpus Christi and preparing everyone for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, procession and Benediction.
Enrolment Applications for Kindergarten 2026 are now due.
Interviews will take place this 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.
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
