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Dear Parents and Carers
Next Tuesday, 24 May, we will gather as a school community to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians. The whole school will attend Mass at 9 am. We look forward to joining our families and parish community for this celebration. The early Church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. In those early and mostly priestless days, it was primarily the Rosary that kept the faith alive. This is an important Feast in our country because Our Lady, under the title "Help of Christians", is a spiritual Patron of Australia, along with St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
This month, we celebrated 'mothers', thanked them for their dedication, and recognised their importance to our families. We have learnt about and remembered Mary, the Mother of God, in special ways. Our classes have read about Mary in Scripture, prayed the Rosary, engaged in prayers and reflected on Mary in written and art forms.
As we near the end of May, the month of Mary, we are reminded that Mary is a perfect Mother—she comforts us, helps us, and gives us the perfect model of love, understanding and compassion.
Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians
Loving God, you place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, Help of Christians.
Through her prayers grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Under her protection, may Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Principal Appraisal
Every four years, Principals in our Diocese take part in a Principal's Appraisal as part of their contract renewal. The Principal Appraisal process is an important platform for affirmation and feedback. My sincere thanks to the staff and parents/carers who completed the survey and provided feedback on my leadership of our school. I also thank the students for providing their valuable feedback.
NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 students who completed their NAPLAN tests over the last two weeks. The students approached the tests with confidence and focus. It is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy. The information we receive from the results helps us identify trends, areas for future growth and areas for celebration. Any students who missed a NAPLAN test have had the opportunity to catch up this week. Thank you to Mr Green for coordinating the administration of the Naplan tests and to our Year 3 and 5 teachers for their preparation and support.
Assemblies and special events
Parents and family members are always welcome to join us for our Friday afternoon assembly in the hall at 2.20 pm. Please see your Compass notifications, parent calendar or Facebook posts for dates of events, liturgies, and Masses. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Condolences
On behalf of the staff and school community, we wish to convey our sincere condolences to the Gouveia family on the recent passing of their father and husband, Nelson. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May he rest in peace.
Staffing Update
Mrs Mansbridge is currently on extended sick leave. Please continue to keep Mrs Mansbridge in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers from some major surgery. Mrs Aguis and Mrs Zaffonato will continue to teach Year 2 in Mrs Mansbridge's absence.
Canteen helpers
Thank you so much to those parents who have volunteered to help in our canteen. Currently, we have some volunteers who are away or have family/work commitments. Please let the office know if you are able to lend a hand. Thank you.
Morning Supervision
Thank you to all parents for ensuring our students are arriving to school in time to be ready for morning proceedures. A reminder, morning supervision starts at 8.15am
Winter Uniform
Full winter uniforms are now being worn. Please ensure school ties are worn and school shirts are tucked in.
ICAS / UNSW Assessments for Years 3-6
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 20 May, with online sitting dates of 8 ugust – 2 September.
Daily Reading
As parents, you are your child's most influential teacher with an important part to play in helping your child to learn to read. There is more to being a good reader than just being able to read the words accurately. Just as important is being able to understand what has been read. Always talk to your child about the book; about the pictures, the characters, how they think the story will end and their favourite part. You will then be able to see how well they have understood the book they have read and you will help them to develop good comprehension skills. Take time not only to hear them read but to read aloud to them too – they love hearing you read to them!
“Read aloud every day because you just love being with your child, not because it's the right thing to do. This is, as important for fathers, as it is for mothers! Mem Fox
LEGO
Many families are currently watching Lego Masters. Playing with LEGO bricks give children something to manipulate and demonstrates to them the nature of basic Math skills. Studies show that students perform better when they have something to manipulate during a Math lesson. Using LEGO in Mathematics shows students the real-world application of these skills.
- Educational benefits of LEGO
Provides tools that develop lateral thinking in a fun environment teaching children to think in three dimensions, developing fine motor skills, problem-solving, organisation, and planning by construction Lego helps to improve creativity, literacy as children work with instructions and enhance communication and critical thinking.
- Lego Activities - Building Part-Part-Total Thinking
A key component of arithmetic operations is building the student’s number sense. LEGO bricks are excellent for part-part-total explorations! The studs are often grouped in twos, which facilitate counting by twos rather than counting the studs individually. With practice, students will recognise arrangements of studs, and will not need to count them at all (subitising).
- Colourful Ready-Made Arrays
LEGO helps children to understand Multiplication and Division. The ‘Building Square Numbers’ activity will help your children develop an understanding of area, square numbers, and the commutative property of multiplication. - Tackling Fractions with LEGO
Providing students with tangible objects helps them to think about fractions of one whole to fractions of a set. Pattern blocks and LEGO help students to experience fractions. LEGO blocks can be broken down into various fractions, including eighths, quarters and halves.
Assistant Principal
Celebrate Laudato Si' Week (16th - 24th May)
This week is Laudato Si’ Week. It is a weeklong event marking the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on the care of creation. It is a time to listen and respond together to the cry of creation, rejoice in the progress we have made in bringing Laudato Si' to life, and intensify our efforts through the "Laudato Si' Action Platform", walking the "Synodal" path.
During Laudato Si Week, Catholic Earthcare is hosting an online screening of the newly released 'Regenerating Australia' short film. This short film is a sequel to the '2040' film which was released in 2019. 'Regenerating Australia' is a fictitious news segment set on New Years Eve 2029, examining the decade that 'could be'. The film challenges us to consider how we respond to the Cry of the Earth. Catholic Earthcare invites everyone to join them online for FREE to view the short film. Information and Registration for Regenerating Australia
As part of celebrating Laudato Si’ Week at school, classes have been encouraged to reflect on Pope Francis’ ‘Prayer for our Earth’, think about how they can care for our common home and grow seedlings for our school gardens. Our Year Six Environmental Team has also been using this week to visit classes to educate the students about our waste management bins.
World Communications Day
The Catholic Church in Australia celebrates World Communications Day on the Sixth Sunday of Easter this weekend. Pope Francis’ message this year focuses on the importance of “Listening with the ear of the heart”. Here are some excerpts from his 2022 message:
To read Pope Francis’ message in full, click here.
On Sunday 5 June, our parish will be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost - the end of the Easter season and the birthday of the Church. From all reports, the celebration of Pentecost in our parish is particularly beautiful. After the celebration of the 10 am Mass at St Francis of Assisi church, the celebrations will continue outside with a multicultural meal and opportunities to win prizes. We would like to support the parish celebrations by donating some items that could be given as prizes for a chocolate wheel. If you would like to donate something (eg. vouchers, hampers, household items, etc.) please let Ms Maloney or Mrs Briscoe know ASAP so the parish can finalise its preparations for the day.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
Term 2 Sporting Events
| Date | Event | Attending |
| Tuesday 24 May | Diocesan Cross Country | Selected Year 2-6 students |
| Friday 10 June | Paul Kelly Cup | Selected Year 5 & 6 students |
| Friday 17 June | Athletics Carnival | Whole School |
Diocesan Cross Country Carnival
The Diocesan Cross Country that was previously postponed is now being held on Tuesday 24 May. The new venue is Narellan Sports Hub, Narellan. For students attending, please see event information and update permission on Compass.
Mr Murphy has contacted families and we wish our students the very best of luck.
Paul Kelly Cup - AFL Gala Day
The Paul Kelly Cup - AFL Gala Day that was previously postponed is now being held on Friday 10 June. Please see Compass events to give consent for your child to attend if they have been selected. There are both competitive and non-competitive teams and we will be holding training sessions at school to prepare the students for the day.
Netball Gala Day
Unfortunately, due to changes in circumstances, the Netball Gala Day will not take place this term. Further information will be communicated should this event be rescheduled.
Athletics Carnival
Our whole school Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 17 June at Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour. Further information will be provided via Compass in the coming weeks.
WE’RE TAKING IT IN OUR STRIDE ON FRIDAY 20 MAY 2022
Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!
Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.
You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:
• Walking with them the whole way to school
• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.
After your child/ren walk to school, they will receive a sticker. Mrs Briscoe will also lead a group to walk around the block at 8.25am.
Regular exercise, like walking with your child helps them and you, beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.
Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 20 May 2022!
For more information, visit www.walk.com.au
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
Everyone has the power to make a positive difference in the world and in the lives of others. In conjunction with the St Vincent de Paul Society, our Mini Vinnies Team will be helping those in need during this year's Winter Appeal. Vinnies continue to provide vital services to those people in need.
Our Mini Vinnies Team is keen to start their first fundraiser activity for the year and families are asked to donate canned soups and jars of jam. The cans will be collected in the classrooms and our Mini Vinnies Team will distribute these donations to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
There will be a prize for the class that donates the most cans!
We are passionate about providing our young people with a deep understanding of the issues of poverty and injustice so that are empowered to change the world.
TERM 2 Canteen OPEN
Recess & Lunch
Wednesdays & Fridays
TUESDAY 14 JUNE
Save the date
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
Students do not attend school on this day.
Our staff will be attending a professional learning day on Mathematics.
School photo orders are being processed and will be issued before the end of the term. Advancedlife apologises for the delay due to a shortage of staff at this time with Covid. Thank you for your understanding.
FREE Parent Webinar on Online Safety on Wednesday 8 June at 7.30 pm
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT has arranged to hold a free webinar with the eSafety Commissioner for parents and carers of children aged 5-12 years.
The title of this year’s seminar is: Helping Kids Thrive Online.
This Term 2 webinar offers tips on how to support young people to socialise, learn and have fun online in a safe manner. It explains how to access information, use technology safely and navigate new online platforms.
It will cover:
- how to talk to young people about online risks on different social media platforms and games
- how to help young people develop skills to protect themselves when they are online
- where to go for help if things go wrong and how to access mental health support and information through eSafety.
Who should attend? Suitable for parents and carers of children aged 5-12 years
Date/Time: Wednesday 8 June at 7:30 pm
Don't miss out! Places are filling fast.
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
* 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.
When families are taking holidays during the school term and for 10 days or more, an Application for Leave must be completed, with notice, 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. Please see the attached form for further information.
Dear Parents, please make appointments outside of school hours where possible. If it is necessary for your child to leave school early for an appointment, the teacher must be notified in writing on the morning of the appointment to avoid disruption to
the class and their learning.
Please have your children to school on time by 8.40am
