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Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you to our families for your continued support and involvement in the life of our school. It has been another tremendously rewarding term at St Francis of Assisi with much achieved and celebrated. Congratulations to the students for their demonstrated commitment towards the achievement of their personal learning goals and efforts in being respectful, responsible and safe. Thank you also to our incredible staff for their enthusiasm and passion for providing a safe and supportive learning environment. Thank you to our part-time and casual staff who have supported the school this term. At times it has been a challenge with the high levels of sickness amongst staff and students.
As we come towards the end of Term 2 we celebrate the opportunities that we have had this term. It was wonderful to be able to gather as a whole school again to celebrate Masses, Liturgies and Assemblies. Students have had opportunities to participate in ANZAC Day and National Sorry Day liturgies, NAPLAN, Mother's Day, AFL Gala Day, Athletics Carnival, NRMA Road Safety Day, Mufti Day and of course so many other opportunities in the classrooms.
NAIDOC Week 2022 will be held nationally from Sunday 3 -11 July 2022. These dates fall during the school holidays. The theme for NAIDOC Week is Get Up! Stand Up! The theme that has been chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee to celebrate NAIDOC 2022 is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! It is a theme that is a call to action inviting all Australians to engage in the “ministry of reconciliation” where we work together to create a just, equitable and harmonious society, as together, we “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” in support of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers. Our school will celebrate NAIDOC Week early in Term 3.
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.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
Responsible Use of Technology
This week I have been speaking to the students about the responsible use of technology. One way students stay connected with their friends or classmates is via technology, in particular the messaging app on their devices. The students are regularly reminded about the importance of interacting safely on their devices. Students are also reminded of CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement that is signed at the beginning of each year. It is extremely important that when the students are using this feature on their device that they are engaging in respectful conversations.
- use appropriate language - never post hurtful or disrespectful messages
- only message your friends - it is essential to know who you 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
- 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. Keep devices in public areas in the house, avoid having devices in bedrooms, and set some rules on the use of technology. Please have a conversation with your child/ren about their interactions with others on the messaging app or games during the holidays.
Tip: Setting a good example through your virtual behaviour can go a long way toward helping your child/ren use social media safely.
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Thank you for attending our recent parent-teacher-student conferences. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with the teachers and hope that the conferences provided you with some valuable insights into your child’s progress. Please remember that you may contact your child's teacher at any time.
Early in Term 3, Mr Green will undergo the Assistant Principal Appraisal process. Families have been sent a short survey directly from the Catholic Education Office using Survey Monkey. Thank you in advance for taking part and providing valuable feedback.
Farewell to our School Counsellor - Emma Nowak
Staffing Update - Term 3
Mrs Mansbridge will be on leave next term as she continues to recuperate at home. Mrs Mansbridge appreciates all your thoughts and prayers after her recent surgery. Mrs Aguis and Mrs Zaffonato will continue to teach Year 2 in Mrs Mansbridge's absence.
End of Year Dates
Students will finish the school year on Friday 16 December. Staff will engage in professional learning on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 December.
It is typical for children’s behaviour to change as they grow and mature. This can result in some challenging behaviours either at home, at school or in both places. At school we follow our PB4L procedures and the consistency of these often supports your child in managing their behaviour. At home it can be difficult to implement consequences if they haven’t been needed before. The Raising Children's Network website provides some great advice on things you can do to support your child's behaviour at home. Maggie Dent also has a great website that also offers great tips on managing behaviour especially for boys. When a child’s behaviour does appear to be difficult to manage a conversation between school and home is the best way forward to ensure consistency in both settings and results in a faster turn around for your child in getting back on track. Teachers are always willing to talk to parents and carers about your children’s behaviours at a mutually convenient time. A change in a child’s behaviour can be an indication that they are trying to tell you something and it is worth investigating what might be going on for them to behave in this way. Take some time to look at the websites. They can both be accessed via these links;
Raising Children's Network ~ https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Maggie Dent ~ https://www.maggiedent.com/
Holiday Wishes
I hope all our students and families have a happy, safe and enjoyable holiday. It has been an incredibly busy ten weeks and we hope everyone has a well-deserved break. Thank you to all our families for their continued support and all staff for their tireless commitment.
We look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 3 on Monday 18 July.
Confirmation will be celebrated in our parish on Wednesday 20th July - the first week of Term 3. In preparation for this celebration, the candidates will gather at our church this afternoon at 3:30 pm for a rehearsal. Please continue to keep in your prayers the children in our school and parish who are preparing to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. 
At last weekend’s Masses, our Confirmation candidates presented posters on their chosen saints. We pray that the stories of how their chosen saints responded to God’s call to holiness will be a source of inspiration for them as they continue their faith journey. I wonder if any of our current candidates have considered that their name, picture and story may one day be displayed in a church after somebody preparing to be confirmed chooses them as their confirmation saint!
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Have you ever seen religious artworks depicting Jesus and Mary where their hearts are visible? If so, these were probably depictions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Last Friday, the first Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi, our whole school attended the parish Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which recalls Christ’s love for us. The following infographics from CatholicLink explain the symbolism of the Sacred Heart image:
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Following the observance of the Sacred Heart, the church celebrated the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday. Twice, St Luke’s Gospel mentions that Mary ‘kept all these things in her heart’, pondering the word of God. Mary shows us not only how to listen to the words the Holy Spirit speaks to us in the depths of our hearts, but how to respond to them in faith. The following infographics from CatholicLink explain the symbolism of the Immaculate Heart image:
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Yesterday, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul - two significant evangelists and martyrs of our Church. Peter was a fisherman from the remote village of Capernaum and Paul was a scholar of the Jewish law, born in the cosmopolitan city of Tarsus and educated in Jerusalem. St Peter would go on to be the first Pope of our Church and Paul, after his conversion to Christianity, would go on to be one of the great defenders and promoters of the faith. Together, they testify that the call to holiness is addressed to everyone - whether you’re a highly educated ‘somebody’ or a lowly ‘nobody’. They are a reminder to us that in God’s eyes, all of us are potential saints!
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
Term 3 Sporting Events
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| TBC | Sporting Schools | Year 2-6 | School |
| 02.08.2022 | Sam Bremner Gala Day - Girls Rugby League | Selected Year 5-6 girls | Croome Road Sporting Complex |
| 05.08.2022 | AFL South Coast Finals Day | Selected Year 5-6 Girls | Ulladulla Sporting Complex |
| TBC | Soccer Gala Day TBC | Selected Year 3-6 students TBC | TBC |
| 09.08.2022 | South Coast Athletics Carnival | Selected students Year 2-6 | Beaton Park |
| 09.08.2022 | NSW Touch Football Carnival | Selected students Year 3-6 | Thomas Dalton Park |
| 08.09.2022 | Junior Basketball Gala Day | Selected students Year 3-4 | Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley |
| 09.09.2022 | Senior Basketball Gala Day | Selected students Year 5-6 | Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley |
2022 Athletics Carnival
What an amazing day for our Athletics Carnival on Friday 17 June! We couldn't have asked for better weather.
Congratulations to all of our students who participated with pride and joy, it is great to have whole school events back.
A HUGE thank you to our fantastic parents and families who supported the carnival in many ways, we are blessed to have you all in our community.
Our staff put in a mammoth effort to ensure every single student enjoyed their day - thanks to our staff for their commitment.
Finally, congratulations to our Parents team who won the inaugural Parents/Teachers/Students Challenge!
| Athletics Champion House 2022 | Yellow |
| Parent vs Students vs Teachers Challenge Winner 2022 | Parents |
| Junior Boys | Daniel Rubibi |
| Junior Girls | Olivia Brown |
| 11 Year Boys | Jaxen Grahovac |
| 11 Year Girls | Chanel Tortorella |
| Senior Boys | Julian Giorgio |
| Senior Girls | Eva Grahovac |
We have been fortunate to secure a grant through Sporting Schools Australia to run a program with students in Years 2-6 next term. We are awaiting confirmation on which sport students will participate in.
Team: Eva G (Captain), Julian G, Daniel R, Olivia B, Jaxen G, Manee P, Lucas O, Mia D, Brock F, Savannah G, Chanel T, Joseph S, Sekne A, Ali H, Hussein S, Alivia G, Lukas T, Victoria B, Hussain H, Isabella A, Jaeda Y, Stefan B, Isabella B, Max F, Olivia M, Tevita T, Sienna M, Thomas W, Samuel A, Lucinda F.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthdays in July: Brae, Layla.G, Zakariah, Lexie, Mallek, Felicia, Ana, Adam, Jaxen, Ryan.O, Rocco.B, Lukas.T, Hussein.A, Tyrese, Makedde, Mia.D, Alivia.G, Sekne, Celina, Mia.D, Brock.F, Mrs Matos & Mr Gilmore.
This term in English, Year 5 Blue have been learning about persuasive texts. As part of our serial reading, we read the text 'Holes' by Louis Sachar, and then viewed the movie 'Holes'. The students then wrote a persuasive text about which they preferred - the book or the movie. Some interesting reading and we are proud of their learning this term!
Mufti/Sausage Sizzle/Ice Cream Day
What a day it was for the boys and girls from Year 6! It was our first Graduation Fundraiser, and we all had a fantastic time! Students operated in small groups to support staff, creating yummy ice cream treats for students. During lunch Year 6 assisted at the sausage sizzle. Students enjoyed the 80s music playing, having a dance and forming a congo line.
A special thank you to the families who contributed to this fundraising day, and all the staff who supported the various activities. Close to $400 was raised, which is a wonderful start to Year 6 fundraising efforts.
Some student comments included:
"I liked the variety of flavors in the ice cream with the lot" - Joseph
"I liked that Year 6 actually got to participate in the serving and running of the day" - Dominic
"I loved that we could wear a variety of clothes" - Rocco
"I got to wear my Dragons jersey!" - Abdul
Mr Gilmore
- By law, all children under the age of 7 must use a booster seat. A booster seat allows children to sit taller in the seat so that the adult seatbelt doesn’t rest across their neck which is very dangerous in a crash.
- Did you know that for maximum protection, your child’s seatbelt must sit on their collarbone and across their hip bones? If your child is constantly slipping their seatbelt under their arm so that it rests against their ribs, then they may still need a booster seat. We need to keep the seatbelt away from the rib cage as it is not strong enough to withstand the forces generated in a crash.
- The front seats of cars are potentially dangerous places for children. Airbags deploy at 300km/hr and they are designed to hit an adult at chest height. For any child under the height of 150cm it will hit around head height. Australia growth charts show that less than half of children reach 150cm by the age of 12, so delay your child’s move into the front seat for as long as possible.
- For a bike helmet to do its job, it must stay on your child’s head in a crash and the best way to do this is to adjust the straps to ensure there is no more than a two finger space above the eyebrows and between the chin and strap. Remember to remove their hats and for girls avoid wearing high pony tails to ensure the helmet stays in place.
- Never slash or cut the inside foam of a bike helmet as this is the part that absorbs all the force that would be transferred to the head in a crash. If your child has a crash and their helmet hits the ground, you will need to replace the helmet even if it still looks okay. This is because the all-important inner foam has been compressed and it is now too hard to absorb the force of another crash.
- Make sure your child’s bike is the right size bike so they can always be in control – are the balls of the feet able to reach the ground when they are seated on the bike? If not, you will need to lower the seat. Make sure that the brakes, gears and bell are in easy reach when riding.
When families are taking holidays during the school term 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.
Don't miss out! Places are filling fast.
NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY
“Ongoing Education in the Faith"
Adult Catechesis - Journey of Faith – 7:30 pm-8:30 pm SUNDAYS and THURSDAYS for 8 weeks
St Francis of Assisi School Hall
Re-discover the treasures of the Good News of salvation.
This post-baptismal catechumenate offers, little by little, a way to fully bring to fruition, your baptism - helping you to live as a Christian and, as a parent, to transmit the faith to your children.
Commences Sun 19 June 2022.
Babysitting available. For more information
call Neil 0438056016.
