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- Principal Message
- From the Principal Desk
- COVID-19 - Term 3 Updates
- Assistant Principal
- Religious Education & Parish News
- Mini Vinnies - KNIT4NEED
- School Fees
- Birthday's to Celebrate
- COVID-19 Tests - Email the School
- School Photo Day
- Canteen
- Save the Date
- Kindergarten 2021 - Enrol NOW
- Holiday Vacation Care OOSH
- Parenting Insights
- Community Notices
Dear Parents and Carers
As Term 2 draws to a close, we thank you for your patience, your kind words and the practical ways you have supported the school, teachers and students this term. It has undoubtedly been a term that we could never have imagined. My sincere thanks for the spirit of partnership which has enabled us to provide the best learning experiences for our students. As a school community, we can be very proud of how we have worked our way through the demands of the last couple of months. Learning from home seems so long ago now, and the last five weeks have seen teachers and students making the most of every moment in the day. Congratulations everyone, I am very proud of you.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Director of Schools Mr Peter Hill and the Catholic Education Office for all their ongoing support. Throughout this term, we have worked closely to further strengthen our COVID-19 response plans and protocols. We will continue to maintain a COVID-safe environment when school returns, with a range of health and safety measures remaining in place. Due to restrictions, we haven't been able to welcome our parent community into the grounds as we previously would have.
We look forward to a time when we can gather together to celebrate as a school community. Until then, please know that I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Please continue to read your Compass notifications for any updates.
Our Christian faith reminds us that Jesus came so that we might have life to the full (cf. John 10:10). It is in Christ that we are one. That, after all, is what Christianity is all about – union with God and union with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The love of Christ urges us on in our efforts to reach out to others in their need. Now more than ever, the assistance and services that we offer are helping to unite all people across our community.
Thank you for all your support this term.
I wish you all a safe and restful school holiday break.
Please remember the families of our school community who need our special prayers.
Thank you to all the parents and carers who made time to engage in a conversation with your child's teacher regarding their learning and wellbeing. I also take this opportunity to thank all the classroom teachers who prepared reports and gave time to those important discussions, as we continue to work in partnership with our parents.
that their child's pencil case and school supplies are replenished. Having all their supplies each day supports the learning process.
As we approach Semester 2 it is important that the students continue to wear the full school uniform. Please check your child's uniform, including school hat (ensuring the brim of the hat is not curled at the sides), school shoes and joggers.
Many thanks to those parents who ensure their children have haircuts that meet the expectations for students at St Francis of Assisi. Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Thank you for continuing to support our uniform policy.
- Boys haircuts should be of an even cut
- Hair should be brushed and combed
- Hair should not be in a condition as to invite comment
- Long hair is to be tied back or plaited, off the face and should not extend to cover the eyes
- Only navy, blue or yellow headbands, ribbons or scrunchies are to be worn in the hair
- Extreme styles, colouring or dyeing of hair is not permitted.
Kindergarten Class of 2021
Kindergarten letters of offer have been made and are due Friday 3 July. Places are filling; please remind your family and friend to enrol, so they don't miss out. We are looking forward to meeting our new students in Term 4 during the Transition to Playgroup sessions.
Responsible Use of Technology
Last week I spoke to our primary students about the responsible use of technology. During home learning, one way students were able to connect was via technology, in particular the messaging app on their devices. At school, we regularly remind the students about the importance of interacting safely on their devices. Students were reminded of CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement that is signed at the beginning of each year. During the conversation, the students were reminded when they were using this feature on their device they need to remember to be respectful.
- use appropriate language - never post hurtful or disrespectful messages
- only message their friends - it is essential to know who they are speaking to
- respecting another student's family time - not messaging early in the morning or late at night (including weekends)
- decide on a suitable time to turn off devices, e.g. 30 minutes to an hour before bed
- if students are away from school, they should not be messaging students who are at school
- making sure parents and carers know what you are doing online at all times.
I encourage parents to take an active role in monitoring what your child does online by putting limits on media use. Keeping devices in public areas in the house, avoid devices in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology. Tip: Setting a good example through your virtual behaviour can go a long way toward helping your child/ren use social media safely.
Best wishes Murphy family
Mr Murphy will be commencing parental leave at the beginning of Term 3 from Monday 20 July to Friday 30 July 2020.
In his absence, Mrs Alyssa Frew will teach Year 1 Gold.
I know you will join me in sending Mr and Mrs Murphy and Oliver our love and best wishes for the upcoming addition to their family.
Thank you to all the parents and carers for respecting and complying with the regulations put in place during Phase 3 of our COVID-19 plan and procedures for the drop-off and pick up of students. This will continue in Term 3 and until we get further instructions on the easing of restrictions. Again, I thank you for your support, patience and understanding throughout this time.
- Students to say goodbye to parents at the front gate.
- Students sanitise their hands as they enter the school playground using the sanitiser provided.
- Parents to remain in your cars and adhere to signage in these areas.
- Parent walkers are required to immediately leave the front of the school premises and are discouraged from gatherings in groups.
- Please do not enter the playground.
Afternoon Pick Up:
- Dismissal will commence at 2.50 pm for students getting picked up at the gate. This is to free up the congestion on the front path. Parents CANNOT get out of their cars in car pick up lines to collect their child. Please park your car in a legal area and walk to the gate if you are not using the car pick up service.
- 2.55 pm Students who get picked up at the back lane will be called.
- 3.00 pm via the front gate for student walkers, bus and car pick up.
- Parents to remain in your cars and adhere to signage in these areas.
- Parents are required to practice social distancing at the front of the school. Parents are discouraged from gatherings in groups while waiting for their child/ren.
- Please do not enter the playground.
Back Lane Pick Up:
This is another option when collecting your children from school and practices social distancing. To avoid the traffic on Flagstaff Road at this busy time, we ask parents when exiting the back lane to turn right on to Bruce Road and then right onto Oxlade Street. This will miss the traffic on Flagstaff Road. The back lane is supervised by staff and allows a more consistent traffic flow. Please see the diagram below.
PB4L
At St Francis', students are regularly rewarded for displaying positive behaviours. Your child may be rewarded in a few different ways. Student rewards should be easy to deliver on the spot. Your child’s teachers work together with their grade partners to design various rewards in addition to the school-wide award systems that encourage positive behaviour.
Examples include positive verbal feedback, smile, thumbs up, high five, stamps, stars, stickers, raffle ticket and Dojo points.
Rewarding does not always need to be tangible. As parents, we sometimes like to reward our children with an item. However, rewarding our children can be as simple as sitting and spending time with your child, doing something that they enjoy.
Parents can:
- Reward child behaviour through praise - e.g. “I like the way you set the table.”
- Aim to comment on your children’s behaviours using a ratio of 5:1 - 5 positive comments to 1 negative - this could be as simple as: “I like the way you brushed your teeth and got ready for school. I like the way you put your plate on the sink after dinner. I like the way you made your bed and put your clothes away.”
- Since you have done all these things today, tonight, when I get home from work, let’s sit down together and colour in… play a game…
- Try to avoid rewarding with material items, with something that is materialistic.
At St Francis, the teachers are also encouraged to reward children with experiences or opportunities, rather than material items.
Types of rewards at St Francis:
- Descriptive, encouraging and meaningful feedback e.g. I really liked the way that….
- Stamps/stickers - in class books
- Weekly Merit Awards
- Weekly PB4L Awards
- Weekly Religious Education Awards
- Whole-Class Awards where students work together to earn a whole class reward
- Playground tokens - given on the playground for displaying positive behaviours.
- Principal and Values Awards
Mr Rodney Green
Assistant Principal
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
On 5 July, everyone around Australia - and the World come ‘Together in the Spirit’ to celebrate the gifts of spirituality and culture. This is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time on our liturgical calendar and the day that the Australian Bishops and our National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council have invited us to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics number over 130,000. We acknowledge that God has been walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, making His Presence known through a continuous living culture over many thousands of years. We pray in thanksgiving for these ancient peoples who have enriched and sustained our continent over all that time. We praise God for the people who nurtured the land here in our Parish that we call home.
Prayer for Reconciliation
God of all creation,
as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,
we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,
creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.
Jesus, through the power of your love,
you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength
to share our gifts and talents in humility.
In peace and understanding, we reconcile with each other. Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over
us and give us strength to walk together as one.
Reconciliation Church prayer was written by a small group of Aboriginal Elders and Reconciliation Church staff members in 2014.
Podcasts and Meditations
This term Robyn Gallagher from the Catholic Education Office has been developing a series of podcasts and meditations for adults.
Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parents on-going spiritual formation. It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to creation and to our loving God. Come and enjoy some Inspired Voices and Treasured Stillness.
The Episode and Meditation are both on Podbean and Apple Podcast
LINK TO PODBEAN:
https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au
APPLE PODCAST LINK:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808
LINK via CEDoW Learning Continuity Site:
PARENTS:
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/clem-spiritual-formation/spiritual-formation/parents
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CathEd.DoW/videos/3059438844177216
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CBz2HAOgbxS/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/CathEd_DoW/status/1275694171089711107
Sacraments
We know that many of our families are wondering about our Sacramental programs. Due to restrictions, we are still unsure of dates and times but hopefully, we will have more information at the beginning of Term 3. Please be aware that we understand your concerns and will let you know as soon as these dates become available. Please also check your Compass app for updates.
Thank you
Thank you to the students who have been involved in liturgies and prayers this term in somewhat difficult circumstances. We have had some of our liturgies videoed, and some shared throughout the classrooms over the microphone. During remote learning, we shared prayers and meditations. We now have the opportunity to pray each morning as a school community. In these times, prayer is important to guide us in our lives. We are not sure what Term 3 will bring, but we hope to be able to attend weekday Mass as a class.
Mrs Madaschi
Religious Education Coordinator
As a community of Catholic schools, we care deeply about the dignity and wellbeing of each of our students and you—their parents, carers, and family members. We recognise the sacrifices parents and carers made to support their children to learn remotely and we know that financial pressures added to what was for many an already stressful situation. While we are pleased to have students back in classrooms, we are aware that many families continue to face ongoing financial impact because of COVID-19. With that in mind, CEDoW is providing an opportunity for families to apply for fee concessions related specifically to COVID-19 (applicable to 2020 fees).
Please refer to the letter sent out to the school community on Monday 1 June.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and
staff who are celebrating their birthdays in July:
Brae, Layla, Felicia, Anastasia, Adam, Joseph, Jaxen, Alysia, Connor, Haider, Ryan, Rocco, Lukas, Hussein.A, Tyrese, Makedde, Mia.D, Alivia, Happy, Mohammed, Sekne, Corey, Celina, Mia.D, Brock.F, Mr Gilmore and Mrs Matos.
Parents, to continue to keep our school community safe, we ask that if your child/ren are sent for a Covid-19 test, to please email this information and the results to the school via the email address: info@sfawdow.catholic.edu.au.It is important we continue to keep our records up to date and obtain this information from you through the school holidays.
We thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe.
COVID-19 Information Link
Please be assured as we work together to respond to COVID-19 the health and safety of our school community is the priority.
School photo day has been rescheduled to be held on Wednesday 4 November. 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 previously placed in Term 1 will carry over. Orders can be placed online as follows:
Visit: - www.advancedlife.com.au
St Francis of Assisi Advancedlife online order code is CZF PZ6 2FX
CANTEEN OPEN TERM 3
Thursdays and Fridays
Please see the Menu below and online ordering is also available using the App.
