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Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome back to Term 2 and the beginning of a new term. I trust the Easter break enabled you to spend time with family and friends. Throughout Lent, we have reflected on our personal relationship with God. In the week prior to Holy Week, we gathered as a Catholic community to focus on the powerful message of sacrifice and love shown to us in Our Lord’s Passion and Death. We are reborn with Christ on Easter morning and take a renewed spirit forward with us each day.
We look forward to another term filled with many learning experiences and opportunities to come together in faith, community and learning.
This week we commenced our Kindergarten enrolment interviews for 2023. Some of the comments from the families has been on how St Francis is a place of welcome, a faith community that welcomes cultural diversity and builds collaborative relationships with staff, parents, and members of the wider community. This enrolment period is an exciting time for these children, their families and our school community. We ask that you continue to keep them in your prayers.
If you have a sibling of a current student who may potentially be commencing school in 2023 but still haven't completed an application form, could you please do so as soon as possible? We are still accepting enrolment applications; please contact the office if you have missed our previous notifications. Enrolment packs are available from the school office or from our website.
Thank you to all who were able to attend the liturgy and morning tea this morning. Portraits of our mothers filled the walls of our hall. It was a wonderful way to celebrate as a community. I don't think there was a dry eye in the building.
Thank you to the P&F for organising the beautiful morning tea and Mother’s Day stall. What an amazing array of gifts the students had to choose from! Thank you to those parents that were able to assist on the day. Congratulations to those mums who won lucky door prizes. Photos from our Mother's Day celebrations will be published in our next newsletter.
On behalf of the staff, we wish the mothers, grandmothers and mother figures in our community a Happy Mother’s Day.
Enjoy this special day! You deserve it!
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Winter School Uniform - Changeover
Thank you to our parents and carers for the high standards you expect of your children regarding the school uniform. The uniform is an important part of our identity as a school and each student's sense of belonging.
Students will begin wearing the winter uniform from Monday 9 May (Week 3 - after Mother's Day).
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Please click: St Francis of Assisi School Uniform Policy for more information about our uniform requirements. As part of the enrolment requirements, students meet the school's high expectations regarding uniform codes. Thank you for making this a priority.
Parents/Carers and students are reminded that it is part of the enrolment requirements that students meet the school's high expectations regarding uniform codes.
Thank you for making this a priority.
On Tuesday we celebrated a beautiful liturgy to celebrate ANZAC Day. During the Liturgy, we remember all the brave men and women who have served our nation in conflict and peace-keeping missions. This year we commemorate the 107th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.
As we begin Term 2 we hope you have had an enjoyable and safe holiday.
ANZAC Dawn Service
Last week we were invited to participate in the Port Kembla RSL ANZAC Day commemorations. Lara read the Prayer of Thanksgiving at the service, while Sekne, Joseph, Dominic, and Lara laid a wreath. Thank you to those families who attended the service and to the school leaders, who represented us all so well, on a very wet morning.
ICAS / UNSW Assessments for Years 3-6 
St Francis of Assisi will be participating in the ICAS Assessments this year. ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Participation is voluntary. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student will receive a certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised. The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment, that has been running for 40 years.
Our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for parents to order and pay for the assessments online. The price of most of the assessments is $19.25, with Writing costing $23.65. They can be ordered online at https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps, after entering the code TDJ765. Assessments need to be ordered no later than May 20, with online sitting dates of August 8 – September 2.
PB4L
We have begun this term by reviewing procedures and expectations taught in Term 1. Term 2 focus is on assembly routines.
All teachers will be reinforcing our school rules: BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE.
| Common Area |
Be Safe | Be Respectful | Be Responsible |
| Formal Assembly |
* Walk safely and quietly to the assembly area |
* Wear tidy and correct uniform |
* Sit in class lines and listen to the instructions given by the teachers |
Congratulations!
As part of our PB4L rewards systems, students are awarded Happy Cards, for following our rules of Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe while playing in our play areas. When a student has received 10 Happy Cards, they receive a Playground Award and a small treat. After they have received 20 Happy Cards, they receive a Citizenship Award and a Bronze Medallion. Congratulations to the following students received their awards at the Week 1 Assembly.
Playground Award: Karem.Y, Isaac.S, Abigail.R, Mohamad.J, Roman.C, Eva.G and Hussain.H
Citizenship Award (Bronze): Olivia.M, Hussein.A, Makedde.A, Thomas.W, Lucas.P and Evan.K.
Assistant Principal
From the 10 May - 20 May, Year 3 and 5 students across Australia will sit the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessments. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum.
The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of our school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.
NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit NAPLAN on the following dates.
| Tuesday 10 May | Writing |
| Wednesday 11 May | Reading |
| Thursday 12 May | Language Conventions |
| Monday 16 May | Numeracy |
Students are reminded to have their headphones at school on these dates.
- Confirmation - Wednesday 20th July
- Penance - Thursday 1st September
- Eucharist - Saturday 19th November (Berkely) and Sunday 20th November (Warrawong)
If you have a child in Years 3-6 and you did not receive one of these notes, please contact Ms Maloney via the school office.
Celebrating the Month of Mary
The Church has long had a devotion to Mary, Mother of God. In fact, this devotion would be considered a hallmark of our Catholic identity. For the month of May, a month traditionally dedicated to Mary, we are going to incorporate the Hail Mary into our prayer life at school and you are invited to do the same at home.
It is important to note that we don’t worship Mary, but we honour her. That is, we hold her in high esteem and recognise her role in our salvation history. The Church honours Mary in many ways – through specific feast days, prayers, devotions, hymns, art and even recognising her as the Mother of the Church. As our spiritual mother – given to us by Jesus on Good Friday – she is an example of a committed “Yes” to the will of God and therefore an excellent example of discipleship for the rest of us. This month, let us pray that, like Mary, we will be open to the will of God in our lives.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
This term, we welcome Elizabeth Hoctor and Edvina Birdaini to our school community. They are university students completing teaching practical experience as part of their teaching degrees.
Miss Hoctor will be working with Year 4, and Miss Birdaini will be working with 5 Blue.
We wish them all the best for the placements and hope they learn many things from our wonderful students, families and staff.
Please make them feel welcome if you see them around the school!
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| Miss Elizabeth Hoctor | Miss Edvina Birdaini |
Term 2 Sporting Events
| Date | Event | Attending |
| Friday 13 May | Infants Cross Country | All K-2 students |
| Tuesday 24 May | Diocesan Cross Country | Selected Year 2-6 students |
| TBC | Paul Kelly Cup | Selected Year 5 & 6 students |
| Friday 17 June | Athletics Carnival | Whole School |
| Tuesday 21 June | Netball Gala Day | Selected Year 3-6 students |
Diocesan Cross Country Carnival - POSTPONED
The Diocesan Cross Country due to be held Tuesday 03 May has been POSTPONED until Tuesday 24 May. For students attending, please see event information via Compass, and update permission as necessary. Mr Murphy will contact families early next week to confirm availability and travel arrangements.
Paul Kelly Cup - AFL Gala Day - POSTPONED
This event, due to be held on Friday 06 May, has been POSTPONED. A new date is yet to be confirmed - Mr Murphy will communicate any new information with the students and families attending once it is available.
Netball Gala Day
This will be held on Tuesday 21 June at Fred Finch Park, Berkeley. This is for students in Years 3-6. Teams will be selected and further information communicated in the next couple of weeks.
Athletics Carnival
Our whole school Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 17 June at Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour. Further information will be provided in coming weeks.
Please see attached for the program of events and map.
Congratulations to those students who received the Principal and Value Awards at our end of Term 1 assembly in recognition of their application to learning and for continuing to show respect in all areas of the school.
| CLASS | Principal's Award | Value - Peace |
| Kindy Blue | Mia.C | Nicholas.B |
| Year 1 Gold | Mohamad.S | Liz.K |
| Year 2 Blue | Emma.C | Aya.H |
| Year 3 Gold | Karem.Y | Jasmin.H |
| Year 4 Blue | Layla.G | Aidan.O |
| Year 4 Gold | Marco.C | Mia.D |
| Year 5 Blue | Lucas.P | Makedde.A |
| Year 6 Gold | Lara.D | Phillip.T |
Dear Parents and Caregivers
We advise when families are deciding to take holidays for 10 days or more, and students will be absent during the school term, an Application for Leave is required to be completed and submitted at the School Office. This application is required to be approved by the School Principal prior to the leave commencing and a Certificate of Extended Leave will be issued for the parents to have with them during their travels.
TERM 2 Canteen OPEN
Recess & Lunch
Wednesdays & Fridays
Don't miss out! Places are filling fast.
* Reminder texts will automatically be issued *
* Weekly BPay Payments are Required *
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 already 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
$500 Government Vouchers available to use
Tel: 0473 172 964 or Email: st.francis@aspire-oshc.com.au
Visit Website: www.aspire-oshc.com.au/st-francis-of-assisi-warrawong
Book Now online here
2022 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge
At St Francis of Assisi Catholic School, we encourage all our students to read books at home as well as at school. To help motivate our students we are offering them the opportunity to participate in the 2022 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC).
We invite students to register for this challenge. A Permission note was sent home last term and a copy has been attached below.
The book lists and rules for the Challenge are available on the Premier’s Reading Challenge website along with other details at: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
The student page is located at: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/
1. The Challenge opened on 28 February 2022. You must complete your online Student Reading Record by 19 August 2022 to complete the Challenge.
2. You must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge.
| Challenge | Number of books you must read |
Minimum number of PRC books | Maximum number of Personal Choice books |
PRC booklists you can read from |
| K-2 | 30 | 25 | 5 | K-2, 3-4, 5-6 |
| Years 3-4 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 |
| Years 5-6 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5-6, 7-9 |
| Years 7-9 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5-6, 7-9, 9 plus |
| 3-9 (refer to rule 7b) | 20 | 15 | 5 | All booklists |
Please note: Teachers from K-1 will also read books in class time from the Challenge. Year 2 students can read independently or have someone read to them. Years 3-4 and 5-6 students must-read books on their own.
Our school library has a variety of PRC books. The books read by students may also include books from home and other libraries. SORA also has books registered for the PRC.
Once the permission note has been returned to the class teacher, students will be registered online. Your child will then receive information about the rules and a reading log to fill in. After they have been registered, students need to enter their reading lists online. Students will be shown this process at school.
Thank you for encouraging and supporting your child’s reading.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthdays in May: Zander.P, Fatima.M, Roman.C, Olivia.B, Max.S, Seth.P, Eva.G, Elem.B, Fatima.A, Daniel.R, Christian.G, Baroulo.R,
Mrs Briscoe and Ms Maitland.
