Filter Content
- Principal Message
- From the Principal Desk
- Assistant Principal
- Religious Education & Parish News
- Sports News
- Book Week Parade
- National Science Week
- Pupil Free Day
- Excursions
- R U OK? Day
- Book Fair
- P&F News
- Year 6 Fundraiser - Raffle
- 2023 iPad Program
- Canteen News
- School Fees
- Kindergarten 2023
- Before & After School Care ~ Available
- Student Leave
- Enrolling in 2023
- Parent Calendar
- 2023 High School Orientations
- UCI Road World Championships
- Community News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Next Sunday, 4 September, we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a day to celebrate fatherhood, and a time for us to honour, celebrate and be thankful for all of the men, father figures and male role models in our lives… including our uncles, grandfathers, Godfathers, and even our male teachers. We recognise the very important role they have in the lives of children.
Through the love and care our fathers show us, we can understand how God is like a loving father to us. God is strength and gentleness, justice and compassion and mercy and kindness. We celebrate the life-giving care we receive through our fathers, and we remember those fathers who are no longer with us.
This Father's Day, we have the opportunity to let the special men in our lives know the unique place they hold and the valuable influence they have on us.
We invite all our fathers, grandfathers and families to be part of a whole school Father’s Day Afternoon Tea and Liturgy on Friday 2 September.
Thank you to our P&F, who will coordinate our Father's Day stall and afternoon tea next week. 
Happy Father’s Day, and I thank you for the fatherly support that you give to the school on a daily basis. Have a wonderful day!
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
CEDoW Director of Schools visit
On Tuesday, our Director of Schools, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, Mr Peter Hill, spent the day with us. After meeting the student leaders, leadership team and staff, Mr Hill enjoyed visiting classrooms and spending time talking to our students. St Francis of Assisi is grateful that Mr Hill could visit our school community and hope we see him again soon!
Father's Day - Week 7
As mentioned in my Principal's message, we are preparing to celebrate Father's Day next week. Please see below the timeline of events planned.
| Date | Event | Time |
| Wednesday 31 August | Father's Day Stall | for the students |
|
Friday 2 September |
Father's Day Afternoon Tea |
1.30 pm |
Parents and Friends Association (P&F)
Thank you to those who were able to join us for our P&F catch-up last Tuesday night. Your input and support are always appreciated and welcomed. Our P&F look forward to continuing to support our school community, and we look forward to catching up with our volunteers at the next P&F event.
Thank you for all you do for our school community!
Your time and support has been greatly appreciated.
Just a reminder!
As we head into the final month of Term 3, please keep an eye on your Compass and Seesaw notifications, Facebook posts and newsletter for upcoming events. We have quite a few events between now and the end of the term. Thank you for all your support.
For the last two weeks, we have had a schoolwide focus on 'Gratitude - Being Grateful' as part of our PB4L and Social and Emotional Learning. There has been a focus in the classrooms on what gratitude is and how we can display that towards others.
What is Gratitude?
'Gratitude is about paying attention to the things and moments we have right now and not worrying about what we don't have. We practise gratitude by noticing the positives around us, and by being thankful for things, places, and people in our lives.'
Research has shown that the benefits of expressing and receiving gratitude are beneficial to our well-being and mental health due to specific chemicals being released in our brains. In addition, taking the time to thank others is vital to strengthen social connections and encourage generosity. One thing we can control is our actions. When we incorporate gratitude in our daily practices, the benefits will be invaluable not only for ourselves but also for those around us.
So what does that mean for our classes and the school community?
- We have discussed what gratitude means.
- We have asked the students what we/they can do this week to show gratitude at school and home.
- It may be as simple as using manners and thanking others when they do something for each other.
UNSW ICAS Competitions
Over the last couple of weeks, we have had a few students participate in the UNSW Science, Spelling, Writing, Information Technology, and Maths ICAS Competitions. These students have chosen to participate in these assessments, which are run through the school each year, and we wish them all the best with their results.
Celebration of Learning Class Assemblies
Thank you to 2 Blue for leading the last Celebration of Learning Assembly. Our next Celebration of Learning Assembly is tomorrow, Friday 26 August, led by 5 Gold. All parents are welcome to join us.
Please join us
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING ASSEMBLY
WEEK 6 - 5 GOLD
Friday 26 August 2022
Mr Rod Green
Assistant Principal
Please continue to keep in your prayers the children in our school and parish who are now in their final week of preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The children will celebrate their first Reconciliation next Thursday, 1st September at St Mary of the Rosary, Berkeley.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and The Season of Creation
In 2015, Pope Francis established The Season of Creation which is an annual event that runs from 1st September to the 4th of October. It is an opportunity for us to pray, reflect and act to care for God’s creation. During this time, Catholics unite with others in the global family to pray and protect every creature in God’s beautifully complex web of creation. The theme of this year’s Season of Creation celebration is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”.
Next Thursday, we will highlight the official start of The Season of Creation at school with prayer for The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
If you are looking for inspiration as to how you can highlight the Season of Creation at home, here are some ideas:
Best Wishes, Fr Damien!
Our thoughts and prayers are with Fr Damien as he prepares to take his sabbatical leave on Monday. We hope his time in the Holy Land will be spiritually enriching, and we look forward to hearing about his experiences when he returns in December.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
Term 3 Sporting Events
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Week 4-8 | Sporting Schools - Touch Football | Year 2-6 | School |
| Thursday 15.09.2022 | Soccer Gala Day | Selected Year 3-6 | King George V Oval |
We have been fortunate to secure a grant through Sporting Schools Australia to run a program with students in Years 2-6 this term. Students will participate in Touch Football sessions, from Weeks 4-8. These sessions will be one hour a week during normal sports time for each class.
Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials
Sport Coordinator
Today we had the opportunity to celebrate books and literature by dressing up as our favourite book characters. All students had the chance to explain their character and show off their costumes in our Parade. It was great to see all of the creative ideas and interesting costume designs!
Each class also prepared a display in the Hall, based on one of the Shortlisted books they have read in class - they all looked amazing and added to the atmosphere of the morning.
A big thank you to Mrs Burrows, Ms Martins, and all staff for their organisation of Book Week and the Parade, and of course, to all of you amazing parents for your efforts in preparing your child for this experience.
Thanks to all of the parents, grandparents, and families who attended - we were overwhelmed with the huge audience and it is so wonderful for you to be able to join us for these special events again.
Congratulations to all students for their participation and enthusiasm in the 2022 Book Week Parade!
National Science Week was last week and all students were engaged in different aspects of science. Year 2 enjoyed 'Fantasitc Friction' and Year 1 enjoying their lesson on Gravity, making helicopters to investigate how gravity works.
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday 16 September - Pupil Free Day
Students do not attend school. The school will be closed while staff attend their Staff Spirituality Day. 
Year 1 & 2 - Thursday 1 September
Year 1 and 2 will be visiting the Wollondilly Heritage Centre as part of their History unit. Please complete online permission via the Parent Compass portal. The students will need to bring a small bag with their recess, lunch, water and raincoat if rain is forecasted. The bus will leave at 8.00 am and return at 3.15 pm. Thank you.
On Thursday 8 September, "R U OK Day" is our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. R U OK? seeks to create a world where we’re all connected. We’re never too young to look out for one another and meaningfully connect. Children cannot be expected to fix someone’s problems, nor know the best way to help and support. However they can be encouraged to listen to what their friend is saying, let them know they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend. By promoting an environment of positive peer support and accessing support channels via parents and adults, children can learn that asking, ‘Are you OK?’ is a key life skill.
In conjunction with Book Week this week, our school Book Fair has been open for you and your child/ren to have the opportunity to explore a huge range of affordable books featuring characters and subjects kids love and want to read about. From newly released books and bestsellers to award-winning titles and perennial favourites. Every book sold benefits our school, adding resources to our library and classrooms. Scholastic Book Fairs help us show students the wonder of reading. After all, when kids choose their own books, they will be more excited to read, and they will naturally read more!
come and see us before we close tomorrow.
We are open from 8.15 am-9.15 am and 2.45 pm-3.15 pm.
Thank you.
Please join us to celebrate our Dad's at St Francis of Assisi Primary with Afternoon Tea in the hall, followed by a school liturgy and assembly on Friday 2 September at 1.30 pm. We hope you join us!
Parent helpers are welcome. If you would like to help at the Fathers Day stall and help the children buy a gift please contact the School Office, we would love to have you!
|
1st - Abdul (Year 4)
2nd - Mrs Welch
3rd - Sara (Year 6)
4th - Seth (Year 4)
5th - Chris Borg (Year 6)
6th - Di Fazio Family
7th - Soraya (Year 3)
8th - Onley Family
9th - Onley Family
10th - Samuel (Year 4)
11th - Jessica (Year 6)
12th - Felicia (Year 6)
13th - Di Fazio Family
14th - Kylar (Year 5)
15th - Karem (Year 3)
16th - Sara (Year 6)
17th - Felicia (Year 6)
18th - Thomas (Year 5)
19th - Christian (Year 3)
|
* Reminder texts will automatically be issued *
* Weekly BPay Payments are Required *
The Catholic Education Office manages the School Fee accounts. Please check your account on the Parent Compass portal via the browser (not App) to ensure your account is up to date. 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.
Our school takes part in the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment. This will take place from Monday 30 January to Wednesday 1 February 2023, and your child will be rostered to attend a 1-hour session during this time. Due to the Best Start Assessment schedule, all Kindergarten students will commence their first day of school on Thursday, 2 February 2023. Information about Best Start, including a letter and handouts, will be provided at Orientation. We look forward to meeting with you again and sharing your child’s educational journey. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office.
ASPIRE OSHC
Before & After school care
AVAILABLE at St Francis School
$500 Government Vouchers available to use
Visit Website: www.aspire-oshc.com.au/st-francis-of-assisi-warrawong
Book Now online here
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.
Upcoming School Events are available for Parents to view
Parents are able to check school events and dates on the school calendar by visiting any of the following: -
- Parent Compass Home page
- View the dates on the lefthand side of the School Newsletter
- Click the link on the School Newsletter at the top right corner and or the left-hand column
- Visit the school website www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au, News & Events top tab, go to the bottom of the page and view Upcoming Events and click on "view more upcoming events" to view the whole calendar.
- Visit the school website from the newsletter by clicking on "Visit our Website" in left-hand column
The Year 7, 2023 Orientation days will be held next term. Please contact the relevant high school to confirm and for further details.
| Holy Spirit College | 11 November |
| Corpus Christi High School | 15 November |
| St Mary's of the Sea College | 16 November |
| Edmund Rice College | Contact the School |
| State High Schools | Contact the School |
Next month, Wollongong will host an international professional cycling race - the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.
The race will run from Sunday 18 - Sunday 25 September 2022 and is organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling, in conjunction with Events NSW and Wollongong City Council and supported by a range of government and local community organisations.
You may be aware that a number of Catholic and public schools across Wollongong will be moving to remote learning during the event (Week 10, Term 3).
Please note that the UCI cycling event will NOT impact access to our school, and we will remain open as usual in the final week of term.
While appreciating the economic and community benefits of such an event, we also acknowledge the significant disruption that will arise for local residents, business owners, local schools and parishes due to road closures, highly restricted location access and the flow-on impacts to transport services, routes and timetables.
Depending on where you live, it is possible you may be personally impacted by road closures. We encourage you to review the list of road closures and advice for affected local residents on the UCI website: wollongong2022.com.au/resident-information-road-closures/ If you believe that road closures or other impacts of the event will prevent your child from accessing school in Week 10, Term 3, please contact the school office as soon as possible to discuss this further.
