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- Principal Message
- From the Principal Desk
- Assistant Principal
- Crazy Socks Day ~ Tomorrow
- Religious Education & Parish News
- Year 6 End of Year Excursion
- Kindergarten 2021 Orientation
- Public Speaking
- Book Fair
- iPad Program
- Birthday's to Celebrate
- After School Care
- CatholicCare Courses
- Canteen
- Clothing Pool
- School Travel 2021
- 2021 High School Orientations
- School Zone Parking
- Community Notices
Two significant feasts in the life of the Catholic Church were celebrated on at the beginning of this week. All Saints Day on 1 November and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed All Souls Day on 2 November. These special days are a reminder that the Church is a community – a communion – of all the faithful, both in this world and beyond. We are connected in Christ to all those who have gone before us, as we are connected to the faithful here on earth.
On these two feast days, we are invited to pray for all those who have gone before us and all those who have led lives of holiness.
We remember Fr Emanuel for his guidance and friendship over the many years he fulfilled his priestly Franciscan vocation in our parish and school community.
Fr Emanuel's patience and approachable manner, gentleness and compassion towards others is an example to us all. We pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Emanuel Gatt and offer condolences to his family, friends and fellow Franciscans.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen
Mrs Vicky Davidson
Principal
Parent-School Partnership
This year has been a little more challenging and we haven't been able to have less formal catch ups with your child's class teacher due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please know that you are always welcome to speak with your child's teacher either over the phone, email or make an appointment. Your communication with your child's teacher is important so please do not hesitate to make a time to speak with them.
“Parents and families are recognised as integral members of the school community and partners in their child’s education”
Teaching is a profession, but it’s not a job. It’s a vocation and a commitment to do your best for the students in your care. To be a guide and a mentor, a facilitator and sounding board; to be a motivator and encourager, an enabler and enthusiast for learning; and in the case of Catholic school teachers, to be a witness to the life-giving good news of Christ present in each of us and in the world.
A teacher takes a hand...opens a mind...touches a heart.
On Friday 13 November we have been fortunate to book a school incursion for the students in Kindergarten to Year 5. These performances will be held under our current COVID plan. The Circus of Life school performance is a show teaching children about resilience, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline and self-determination while entertaining with circus tricks, juggling, balancing and having lots of fun.
School Calendar & Events
The school calendar and events are listed on the school website. Please visit the link below. These dates are also summarised in the School Newsletter fortnightly, at the top left-hand column.
COVID-19 Communication and Information Link
We thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe. If you have any concerns, please email the school:info@sfawdow.catholic.edu.au.
| Andre.R | Merit Certificate in English and Credit Certificate in Mathematics |
| Olivia.A | Merit Certificate in Spelling |
| Grace.T | Merit Certificate in Spelling and Credit Certificate in English |
| Dominic.G | Merit Certificate in Spelling and Credit Certificate in English |
| Thomas.W | Credit Certificates in Mathematics and Science |
| Samuel.A | Merit Certificate in Digital Technologies |
FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER - Gold Coin Donation
October is Mission Month. During this time, we focus on and support those around the world and in Australia who are less fortunate than us. This year the focus is on Children in Cambodia. This Friday 6 November each stage will participate in a liturgy in the hall. As a fundraiser, we ask all students to wear crazy socks and donate a gold coin to the Children’s Mission. Please support us to help this worthy cause.
This practice stems from King George V’s declaration on 6 November 1919 that people throughout the Commonwealth should suspend their normal activities so that in “perfect stillness the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the Glorious Dead”.
This year our school will participate in a minute's silence and accompanying prayers to honour all those who have helped to keep Australia a free and safe place.
Lest We Forget
First Communion
First Communion will be held on Saturday 28 November. Fr Martin has decided to have 2 Masses- one at 9.00 am and one at 10.30 am so that more family members will be able to attend. A note with more information about First Communion has been sent home this week. Please return the information required as soon as possible. Children in Year 3 have been given the book and we ask the parents to please work through the lessons each week with your child.
Confirmation and Communion Gifts
Are you looking for something special to give as a gift for Confirmation or First Communion? The piety shop in the church has a great selection of new gifts for these occasions. The piety shop is open after 6.00 pm, and 10.00 am Masses each weekend. Please have a look. There is also a great selection of statues, rosary beads, cards, and other religious products.
Thanksgiving Mass for the Friars
At the end of the year the Franciscan Friars will be leaving the parishes of Warrawong and Berkeley. On Sunday 22 November the 10.00 am Sunday Mass will be celebrated as a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Franciscan Friars. Due to limited numbers because of COVID-19 the Mass will be by invitation only. The Parish Councils are taking up a collection to present to the Franciscan Community to support new seminarians and the work of the friars. If you would like to give a donation please send it in to school in an envelope marked with Franciscan Donation. Hopefully, as a school we will be able to have some sort of liturgy or celebration towards the end of the year to say thank you for all the work the friars have done over many years.
Mission Month
October is Mission Month. During this time, we focus on and support those around the world and in Australia who are less fortunate than us. This year the focus is on Children in Cambodia. On Friday 6 November each stage will participate in a liturgy in the hall.
As a fundraiser, we ask all students to wear crazy socks and donate a gold coin to the Children’s Mission. Please support us to help this worthy cause.
Children's Mission ~ Gold Coin Donation
Crazy Sock Day ~ Friday 6 November
Mrs Madaschi
Religious Education Coordinator
Friday 27 November 2020 - The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops
Dear Year 6 Parents,
For this excursion, please submit online permission and payment via the Parent Compass Portal. A copy of the note with further information is below. Any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the class teachers.
Last Thursday, Year 5 and Year 6 finalists in the Public Speaking Competition presented their speeches to their peers and teachers. Mr Green and Mrs George were the adjudicators on the day. Well done to all of the students for having the courage to participate in this event. Congratulations to the winners below:
| Year 6 Public Speaking Winner Olivia A |
Year 5 Public Speaking Winner Grace |
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Year 5 - Finalists - Emma, Grace, Shelby and Ben
Year 6 - Finalists - Hannah, Sophie, Ana Marija, Rukuya, Dante, Kitarni, Olivia and Emelia
Book Fair
Our Book Fair was a little different this year due to current restrictions. A huge THANK YOU goes out to all our students and their families that purchased books at our Book Fair.
It was so wonderful to see our students getting excited and seeing their enjoyment with purchasing a new book.
As Mason Cooley says, ‘Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are’ and in 2020 this has never been more true.
Our Book Fair raised a massive $1564. Of this, we have been fortunate enough to purchase $498 worth of new books to restock our Library. So, happy reading!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office.
Happy Birthday to the following students and
staff who are celebrating their birthdays
in November:
Ivy-Rose, Kyan, Sophie.C, Grace.T, Eva.G, Jasmin.H, Lamar.J, Chiara, Youssef.A, Soraya, Theodore, Stefan.C, Zelia, Benajmin.A, Alexia, Luka, Isaac, Mateo, Monica, Mrs Martins & Mrs Zaffonato.
Casual or permanent after school care bookings are available. This service is available in the school hall.
CatholicCare OSHC - St Francis of Assisi is staffed by a dedicated team of education professionals who are university trained early childhood teachers or TAFE trained Diploma educators who support and respect the uniqueness and individuality of children and their families. Our goal is to ensure that educators support and facilitate children’s social skills and self-confidence.
Our educators collaborate with children to provide play and leisure opportunities that are meaningful to them and that support their wellbeing, learning and personal development. Children in school-age care settings are challenged to be curious about what is of interest to them while at the same time developing self-identity and social competencies (taken from MY TIME, OUR PLACE Framework for School Age Care in Australia).
The day to day operations of St Francis of Assisi OSHC is managed by a Coordinator and supported by CatholicCare OSHC Leadership Team.
Melissa Farrell
OOSH Coordinator
0447 623 580
warrawongoosh@catholiccare.dow.org.au
Know someone who could use some support to achieve positive change in their life right now? They may find what they are looking for in a CatholicCare group session. These face to face group sessions are available to adults who would like to strengthen relationships, support children's development, and build resilience within a supportive environment, alongside others who share similar life experiences.
All of the Term 4 courses are listed on the website link or as listed below.
Term 4 Canteen Open
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Please donate pre-loved school uniform items to the School Office. These are in need for the school Clothing Pool. Thank you.
The Year 7, 2021 Orientation days are being held this term. Please contact the relevant high school for further details.
| Holy Spirit College | 13 November |
| St Mary's of the Sea College | 18 November |
| Corpus Christi High School | 20 November |
| State High Schools | 1 December |
Practicing gratitude as part of life rhythms can have a significant effect on our world view—growing evidence suggests gratitude reinforces thinking pathways, which supports a growth mindset and releases hormones such as oxytocin, helping to increase the positive feedback loop in the body. It can help us understand and prepare for change and support the development of resilience and healthy coping strategies for when things become difficult.
The more often we practice gratitude, the deeper the impact is on the child’s life. As educators, you might like to invite families to practice gratitude with you at drop-off or pick-up times, and encourage families to form their own gratitude habits at home as they prepare and move through the school transition. Practicing gratitude may be a small action but it can create an incredible outcome.
Rod Soper's webinar Playing with Gratitude examines the science of gratitude and how combining it with the powerful influence of co-play enables positive change in the wellbeing of children from birth up to the age of five.
