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Dear Parents and Carers
‘Lectio divina’ is an ancient form of prayer that is accessible to all. The church provides daily Scripture readings that can be the gateway to prayer. Choose a daily reading and go through it slowly. Pause and recall a word or phrase that particularly speaks to you. Spend time reflecting on what moves you. Then slowly read the entire text again to put the phrase into context and explore deeper meaning. Ask yourself, how do I feel about my relationship with God in light of this Scripture passage.
Thank you to all who have assisted us with the safety of all students, parents and staff during the difficult weather. The patience and care that all have shown to the school community has been heartwarming. This truly expresses the Christian spirit of showing love to one another. Please pray for those communities affected by floods and those in war-torn countries. Let us all pray for peace. The devastation of this event will have long term effects for many. Please keep all these people in your thoughts and prayers.
With so many people travelling on the roads at the start and end of each school day, it’s important that we continue to keep ourselves and our children safe. Could I ask parents to use the school crossing when picking up their child/ren, especially when parking on the other side of the road? Also, if you are using the car pick up at the front of the school please make sure you are not blocking the driveways in Bruce Road. (street beside the church). We have had some residents contact the school to let us know that parents are blocking driveways. Each afternoon car pick can take up to fifteen to twenty minutes. To ease the traffic congestion straight after school please consider coming five or ten minutes after the bell. This will enable a quick pick up without lining up. Alternatively, you can also pick up from the back lane. Thank you!
Mrs Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Harmony Day
On Monday 21 March we will celebrate Harmony Day. Harmony Week (21 March - 27 March) celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. How we will celebrate Harmony Day.
Students may come dressed in traditional clothing from their family’s heritage or background or wear something orange. Orange shirt, hair ribbons, socks etc. (This is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Day).
| 9 am | Harmony Day Liturgy - parents welcome |
| Harmony Day Awards will be presented after the assembly | |
| Lunch | P&F Sausage Sizzle |
| Students will also complete Harmony Day activities in their classroom. |
OSHC - Catholic Care
Catholic Care has made the difficult decision to close the Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) service at St Francis of Assisi. Their last day of operation will be Friday 18 March. The OSHC team has enjoyed caring for the children and developing positive relationships with them during their after-school care sessions. We thank Catholic Care, Jess and Anne for their collaborative partnership during their time at our school.
OSHC - Aspire
We have been able to obtain the services of Aspire OSHC to enable the after-school care service to continue at St Francis of Assisi school. From Monday 21 March, Aspire will continue to operate out of the School Hall, Monday to Friday, during school terms. We look forward to working in partnership with Aspire to continue to provide these much-needed services for our families. If you would like to continue with the after school service this term or would like to enrol for Term 2, please feel free to contact the School Office for an enrolment form.
Staff changes
Mrs Mansbridge will be on leave until the end of term. In her absence, Mrs Karen Agius will be teaching Year 2 on a Monday and Tuesday. Mrs Kathy Zaffonato will be teaching Year 2 from Tuesday through to Friday. On Tuesdays, Mrs Agius and Mrs Zaffonato will on class together. Please keep Mrs Mansbridge in your thoughts and prayers as she undertakes some major surgery.
Covid update
Thank you so much for your support of our school community as we keep responding to COVID-19. We will continue to notify the school community via Compass if we have any cases within the school. There are some staff and students isolating because they have family members with COVID. Please continue to monitor your child/children for symptoms and use the Rapid Antigen kits when required. Some of our school staff are unwell at the moment, we thank our casual staff for providing continuity of teaching and learning during this time.
ENROL NOW FOR 2023
We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2023.
Spaces available in Years 1 to 6.
Applications are available online, please visit our website. www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au
Email: info@sfawdow.catholic.edu.au or collect an application form from the school office. Interviews will be held next term.
Schools Clean-Up Day
On 4 March, St Francis of Assisi was due to participate in “Clean Up Schools Day”. Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, we were unable to put on our gloves and help clean the school.
"In our classrooms, we learnt about how we can contribute to making our playgrounds and surroundings clean and tidy. Cleaning up after ourselves is important, to ensure a clean safe environment for students, staff and the community." Eva G Year 6
NAPLAN Practice Tests
In the coming weeks, Year 3 and 5 students will participate in NAPLAN Practice Tests. Participation in the practice tests is highly beneficial for schools and students in their preparation for NAPLAN Online. It allows schools and students to become familiar with the online assessment platform and processes. For this reason, the test/s are not marked. The practice tests include an omnibus test (combination of reading, conventions of language and numeracy questions) and a writing test, approximately 40 minutes in length. Students in Years 5, participate in both tests. Students in Year 3 participate in the omnibus test only.
PB4L News
Our school focus for the next two weeks will be on the behaviour expectations when visiting the church. The expectations listed will be shared and practised in each class.
Get ready for The Big Vegie Crunch!
On Thursday 31 March at 10 am, our school will be joining schools across NSW to break the record for the most students crunching vegetables simultaneously. But we need your help to make it a success!
Here are some ideas for their lunchox:
- carrot, celery, cucumber – cut into sticks or left whole
- capsicum – cut into sticks or wedges
- corn – raw baby corn spears or a cooked corn cob
- broccoli or cauliflower florets - raw or lightly cooked to keep their crunch
- tomatoes – small cherry tomatoes or a large tomato that can be eaten like an apple
- beans or snow peas - raw or lightly cooked to keep their crunch
- mushrooms – sliced or left whole
- if fresh veg isn’t possible, try canned or frozen vegetables instead
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Tomorrow, Friday 18 March, is National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). It is an important day where we join with other school communities to focus on bullying and violence.
Our school continues to empower its students to be part of the solution when addressing any form of bullying.
Kindness Culture is the theme for 2022. By building Kindness Culture together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students in schools across Australia.
More information for families is provided on the link below: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-families
Assistant Principal
Significant Feasts in our Church
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St Patrick. After having escaped from slavery, St Patrick returned to Ireland as a man on a mission. Setting aside all the folklore that has embellished the story of his life, we remember him as one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church. He dedicated his life to teaching others about God. He is probably most well known for using the leaf of a shamrock to teach people about the Holy Trinity: that is, that our God is 3 in 1.
Tomorrow morning, we will highlight St Joseph during morning prayer as his feast day will be celebrated this Saturday. St Joseph is the patron saint of families, workers and the Universal Church. Joseph was a carpenter, a good and honest man, whom God called to care for Mary and her baby Jesus. Joseph was a faithful and trusting servant of God who wanted to do what was asked of him. We can learn from Joseph to listen to what God asks of us and become faith-filled servants caring for those in need.
Next Friday (March 25), our Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which refers to the time when the angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of our saviour. On this day, we do not only celebrate the announcement to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, but also her willing acceptance of the news. May we be as generous in accepting the will of God in our lives as Mary was. Our students from Years 3-6 will attend the parish Mass on this day.
Flood Relief Appeal https://apps.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19/Default.aspx
Bishop Brian, Bishop of Wollongong, has established the Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese. As a diocese, he would like us to provide practical support for the people of Lismore as well as pastoral and practical support for the people in our own diocese who have been, and will continue to be, impacted by the recent floods. If you are able to support this appeal, please visit this website: https://www.dow.org.au/giving/.
Project Compassion Feature Stories
Second Week of Lent - Biru from India
This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.
Third Week of Lent - Janice from Australia
Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.
With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities. Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.
To watch a short film about Biru’s story click here and for Janice’s story click here.
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au
Sacramental Dates will be published in the next newsletter.
School Cross Country
Unfortunately, due to the course being closed and another date unavailable, the 2022 Cross Country will not be held at Integral Energy Park this year. We will have a Cross Country event and associated events at school next Thursday 24 March.
Please continue to monitor Compass for further information regarding this event. We will be asking for volunteers on the day, please contact Mr Murphy at school if you are able to help next Thursday.
A big thank you to the P&F who will still provide the BBQ lunch for students. This will now be provided at school - all orders already returned will be used for this day - you do not need to provide a new order. For anyone yet to order, please return the form below by Monday 21 March.
This is not an ideal scenario, however we look forward to an enjoyable day next week and our cross country runners are excited to showcase their talents.
Please see attached:
- Lunch Order Form - due by Monday 21 March
Sporting Schools - Basketball
Last week, we started the Basketball program with Years 1-6. These lessons will continue for four weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays. The students had a great time, many thanks to Basketball Illawarra for their coaches leading this program.
Diocesan Swimming Trials
On Monday 14 March, Eva G represented our school at the Diocesan Swimming Trials. This was a very high level of competition, Eva gave her best and competed well against the best swimmers in the Diocese. Congratulations, Eva!
AFL - Sydney Swans Virtual Visit
Last week, our Stage 3 students were treated to a virtual visit from four Sydney Swans players. They had the chance to ask questions (the teachers were impressed with the thoughtful questions the students came up with) and also participate in some physical challenges.
FRIDAY 1 APRIL
Easter Raffle Donation
Students can wear mufti clothes and are asked to bring a donation for the Easter Raffle as follows: -
| Class | What to donate for the raffle |
| Kindergarten | Savoury ie chips, shapes |
| Year 1 | Easter Egg - Bunnies |
| Year 2 | Easter Eggs |
| Year 3 | Bottle of drink ie poppers, juice, soft drink |
| Year 4 | Packet of biscuits |
| Year 5 | Craft supplies ie colouring in book, pencils, craft pack |
| Year 6 | Bag of lollies |
Canteen Lunch Orders only Term 1
Wednesdays & Fridays
Parent Helpers are Needed
For this service to the children to be successful, we need help from parents. If you can help in any way, please return the Volunteer form below or email the school with your contact details and availability - info@sfawdow.catholic.edu.au.
THURSDAY 31 MARCH
School photo day will be held this term, on Thursday 31 March ~ Week 10. 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. Order information below to order online including family photos.
ORDER SCHOOL PHOTOS ONLINE
Visit: - www.advancedlife.com.au
Enter online order code
CZF PZ6 2FX
Book Club is available to view and order online. Orders can be placed online via LOOP. Click on the link below to view and order online.
* Reminder texts will automatically be issued *
* Weekly BPay Payments are Required ~ please set up your payments *
The 2022 School Fee account can be viewed on the Parent Compass portal via the website (not App). Weekly payments are required to have been set up via Bpay if payment has not been made in full. Automatic text reminders will be issued from your account including any outstanding balances. If you require any assistance with your account, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office. Please find below information from the Catholic Education Office regarding the management of school fee accounts.
Welcome Aspire OSHC to St Francis of Assisi Primary School
Attention Parents, please return after school care application forms if you wish your child/ren to attend after school care with Aspire commencing on Monday.
