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- Prime Minister's Spelling Bee
- Father's Day at St Francis
- Excursions
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- Birthdays to Celebrate
- 2023 iPad Program
- Summer Uniform
- Kindergarten 2023
- Vacation Care Available
- Student Leave
- National Child Protection Week
- Before & After School Care ~ Available
- Enrolling in 2023
- School Fees
- Parenting Insights ~ Technology Use
- 2023 High School Orientations
- UCI Road World Championships
- Community News
Dear Parents and Carers,
As Principal of St Francis of Assisi Warrawong, I continue to be proud of our school as a welcoming community that strives to empower all learners to reach their full potential. This does not occur in isolation. Our role is to work in partnership with parents to provide an environment that encourages students to connect with each other and their community so that they can succeed and thrive. Parents, staff and the community all play a role in fostering this environment.
We continue to look for ways of encouraging positive, sustainable and effective partnerships between all members of the school community, including teachers, families and students. Children receive powerful messages from family-school relationships. When I read the definition of community engagement, I can't emphasise enough the importance of 'shared responsibility.'
'Community engagement is a two-way street where the school, families, and the community actively work together, creating networks of shared responsibility for student success. It is a tool that promotes well-being, and that strengthens the capacity of schools, families, and communities to support young people's full development.”
Pope Francis said parents and teachers must collaborate openly and constructively. He has stressed the importance of the relationship between parents and teachers. Parents and teachers must put themselves in the shoes of the other, “understanding the objective difficulties that one and the other encounter today, thus creating greater solidarity."
May we continue to reflect and work together to nurture that shared responsibility while honouring the culture, traditions, values and relationships in our school and parish community.
"When parents and schools work together to build a culture of shared leadership
and responsibility for student learning and well-being,
children do better, and schools get better.”
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
R U OK? Day
Today we celebrated R U OK? Day. It is a day of action focused on encouraging us to take time and connect with friends, family, and colleagues. This year's theme reminds us that there is more to say after R U OK? It's about listening, encouraging action, and then staying connected because research indicates that genuine care and concern can make a real difference. If you feel like something's not quite the same with someone you know – there's something going on in their life, or you notice a change in what they're saying or doing - trust that gut instinct and take the time to ask them, "Are you OK?" If someone says they're not OK, make time to listen, encourage action, and check-in.
Did you know that actively participating in musical and rhythmic activities can contribute to greater emotional and social well-being?
This R U OK? DAY, the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong invited everyone to start a meaningful conversation and shine a light on mental health and wellbeing through the "RUOK RHYTHMS - A Simultaneous Drumming for Wellbeing" experience. The students gathered in the hall with their drums, lunch boxes, and baskets and played along to the drum-a-long video clip. Well done, everyone!
Cyberbullying and Online Drama: CCSP Webinar for parents and carers of young people aged 11-18 years
In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) is running a free webinar for parents and carers of young people aged 11 to 18. The webinar will include hints on how to start conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships.
The webinar will cover:
- starting conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships
- understanding the rights, laws and community expectations that govern social media use
The webinar is being held on Tuesday 20 September 2022, from 7.30 pm-8.30 pm. Access the webinar flyer here.
NAPLAN 2022
Last week Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Reports were sent home. NAPLAN is a national assessment in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, and Numeracy. As a school, student results across all areas are to be commended. Every student in Years 3 and 5 achieved at or above National minimum standards in Reading, Writing and Numeracy, and one hundred percent of Year 3 students for Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation. This data will be used to assist planning and teaching effective and targeted programs.
Just a reminder!
As we head into the final weeks of Term 3, please keep an eye on your Compass and Seesaw notifications, Facebook posts and newsletter for upcoming events. Thank you for all your support.
Term 3 Week 6
Congratulations to those students who received the Principal and Value Awards at our Celebration of Learning assembly on Friday 26 August:
| CLASS | Principal's Award | Value - Respect |
| Kindy Blue | Zander | Kendall |
| Year 1 Gold | Emilio | Ella |
| Year 2 Blue | Chiara | Fatima |
| Year 3 Gold | Natinee | Christian |
| Year 4 Blue | Joella | Tyrese |
| Year 5 Gold | Mia. D | Kylar |
| Year 5 Blue | Hussain | Rocco |
| Year 6 Gold | Phillip | Sekne |
Helping Others
Our school focus for Weeks 7 and 8 has been about 'helping others'. This is a great way to make a positive difference in our lives. The more we are kind-hearted towards each other, the more others will be kind towards us. Helping people gives us peace and a sense that we are doing something good. Research shows that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being. Jesus didn't just tell us how to help other people, he showed us how to do it.
In class, we have discussed how helping others:
- shows kindness, compassion, empathy, and social initiation
- makes everyone feel good
- creates a sense of belonging and purpose
- boosts your self-esteem
- creates stronger friendships
- is contagious
Bring A Drink Bottle to School
It is important every child brings a drink bottle to school each day, especially as the weather begins to warm up. A filling station is available for the children to refill drink bottles during the day.
Celebration of Learning Class Assemblies
Thank you to all who were able to join us for our recent Celebrations of Learning. Our next Celebration of Learning Class Assembly will be led by Kindergarten tomorrow, Friday 9 September. On Friday 23 September, Year 6 will be leading. All parents and fiends are welcome to join us.
Please join us for our
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING ASSEMBLIES
WEEK 8 - KINDERGARTEN
Friday 9 September 2022 @ 2:15pm
~
WEEK 10 - YEAR 6
Friday 23 September 2022 @ 2:15pm
Fruit and Vege Month
This month is Fruit and Vege Month, we are all encouraged to eat more fruit and veges.
Mr Rod Green
Assistant Principal
Reconciliation Program
We extend our congratulations to the children from our school and parish who gathered at St Mary of the Rosary church last Thursday to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Last Thursday morning, the school gathered in a prayerful liturgy to celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. We thank God for the marvellous works that have been entrusted to our care, and we asked for God’s help as we take action to protect our planet and all of the living things that call it home, including each other.
As mentioned in our last newsletter, Pope Francis established The Season of Creation in 2015, which is an annual event that runs from 1st September to the 4th October. It is an opportunity for us to pray, reflect and act to care for God’s creation.
If you missed this in our last newsletter, here are some ideas for how you can highlight the Season of Creation at home.
Catholic Mission Launch
Next Tuesday, our school captains, Lara and Joseph, will travel to St Thomas More, Ruse, with Mrs Davidson for the launch of World Mission Month. The school leaders will have an opportunity to share information about World Mission Month with the rest of the school community.
Ms Marita Maloney
Religious Education Coordinator
Activate 'Fire'
Yesterday, Year 6 participated in ACTIVATE 'Fire' at our school with the students from St Patrick’s Port Kembla and St John’s Dapto. This is a primary school day of reflection, an initiative of the Youth Ministry Team, aimed at providing an opportunity for an encounter with Christ. The theme of the event centres on the Sacraments of Initiation, focusing on Confirmation: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The students have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including prayer, spirituality, music and mission.
A message from our Year 6 students
Year 6 had a wonderful day both hosting our neighbouring schools, but also learning about and deepening their understanding of God, the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments and Prayer.
When we returned to class, the students were asked to reflect on the day by answering the following two questions, with some of the responses are below:
1. What did you enjoy the most about the day?
"...I enjoyed everything that we did today with all the different schools making new friends. But one of my favourite things is connecting with God and after lunch how we came in the hall silent and sang..."
"...My favourite thing about was the activity extreme scissors paper rock because I liked interacting with people and playing with people I didn’t know..."
"...My favourite part of Activate fire is the reflection at the end. The reflection music was calming and enjoying..."
"...My favourite part of Activate fire was when Vez, Charles, Dom and Michael were talking about their life story and how their faith impacted their lives. Also, when Michael was singing, he really sang from the heart and with a lot of enthusiasm..."
"...The most enjoyable part of the day was meeting all the kids from each school. I also enjoyed the music that was played by Michael..."
"...My favourite thing was when we took part in the activities, sang songs and met new people. I became closer to God and to other people..."
"...Today I felt a close connection with God and found many new ways to pray and connect with God..."
"...I most enjoyed the small groups we had during the day. We talked, joked around and had a serious chat about our faith, that I found very interesting..."
2. What is something you learned during the day / one way you grew because of the day?
"...Something I took out of this and learned today was other ways to pray. And I learned more about the sacraments..."
"...Today I learned that you can communicate to God using music..."
"...I learned that having the quality of courage would help me make new friends..."
"...Today I learned all about the different fruits of the Holy Spirit. I was taught to take my faith to a deeper level and discover new ways to pray..."
"...Today I learned how to have a conversation with God and it’s not just about asking what we want, it's about talking to God because he’s always open to chat..."
"...What I learned today are ways to pray and how we can connect with God both physically and mentally..."
Our Mini Vinnies Team is back to help The St Vincent De Paul Society! They are running a lolly jar guessing competition to raise funds to support those in need. There will be 2 jars available to prove your estimation skills - one for infants and one for primary students. The closest or exact guess will be the sweet winner of the lolly jar to take home and treat the family. This will run during weeks 8 and 9 and students may enter as many times as they wish. So join the fun and help those in need by having a guess or two.
Thank you for your support
Mini Vinnies Team 2022
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 |
Nominations are now open for these trials. Students are required to be experienced players and extremely talented at their chosen sport. These trials are not gala days or school-based carnivals. They have not been designed for students “to come and try or for the experience”, they are for students who are elite at their sport and expect to make it to the next level.
Base criteria need to be met to attend these trials. Below is the background information you should specify in your nomination:
- years played
- representative experience and teams (preferred not essential)
- any outstanding achievements in the sport
All student nominations are sent to trial conveners for approval. Students who have nominated for a sport will then be informed if they have been successful or unsuccessful to attend the Wollongong trials. Successful students will receive a letter from the school detailing the trial, times, gear requirements etc.
Please complete a separate form for any additional sports you wish to nominate for.
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. 
On Thursday 1 September, Stage One students and teachers traveled on a bus to Wollondilly Heritage Centre. We spent the day experiencing what it was like in the olden days. It was a hands-on day with many interesting activities for the students to do.
Children rotated in groups to learn about Aboriginal art, Life before electricity in the pioneer cottage (with yummy pikelets!), Working in the laundry (which was a lot of hard work!), poultry farming and orchard activities (sorting apples & eggs) and school in the early 1900s and Mining.
Nicholas 2B:
I was in a group with Levi and Max. The farming section was the best because we were able to sort the apples and use the machine. The apples tasted yummy. We also used the sorting machine for the eggs. It was a great day.
Ali 2B:
The old farmhouse was the best activity because we got to see how they washed the clothes in the olden days. We used soap, a washboard, old iron, and an old wringer machine. We also got to carry buckets of water. We all got to have a little play at the end of the day. It was so much fun!
Ayva 2B:
The mining section was fun. We were allowed to pick up pieces of coal and we wore helmets in the mine. The mine was dark inside and we could see what it was like inside a mine. I also liked the Aboriginal painting. We painted a story using Aboriginal symbols on our boomerang. Mrs Zaffonato gave us some lollies at the end of the day. It was such a fun day.
Oliver 1G:
I liked going to the mines because you could see all the mice! You got to see the lunch boxes, the horse that pulled the coal and you got to wear a helmet on your head. It was a really good day.
Joy 1G:
My favourite part was when we ate apples and when we went to the old house. I learned that when they took a bath, the dad had to go last because he was the dirtiest from working outside!
Ella 1G:
I liked when we used the pump to get the water. We got to see how they washed and ironed the clothes in the olden days.
Jalal 1G:
I learned about the man who invented the fridge in the olden days. There was no electricity and they had to use water to keep things cold.
Students from Years 3 to 6 participated in the Prime Ministers Spelling Bee Competition. The Spelling Bee allowed students to complete 30 spelling words where they had to aim for accuracy, beat the clock, have 25 seconds to spell each word, and finish ahead of their fellow students right across Australia. Words for Years 3 and 4 were different from Years 5 and 6. The students completed the school round and from these results, the high achievers were asked to participate in the semi-finals, followed by the grand final. This year one of our students reached the semi-final level with a score of 28/30. Congratulations and well done to our school champion, Ivy-Rose in Year 4. She just missed out on the grand final with a score of 27/30. Thank you to Mr Gilmore for organising and registering St Francis of Assisi in the competition. Mrs Briscoe
St Francis of Assisi enjoyed celebrating Father's day last Friday afternoon with an Afternoon Tea, Liturgy, and Assembly. Our students value their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, father figures, and male role models in their lives. Thank you for joining us and sharing this special occasion with you.
Kindergarten - Monday 12 September, 8 am-3 pm
Kindergarten will be visiting Sydney Zoo for a school excursion. 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 3.00 pm. Thank you.
Canteen OPEN
Due to school events the Canteen will be open on the following days for the remainder of Term 3: -
Week 9 - 12 Sept - Monday & Wednesday
(Friday is a Pupil Free Day)
Week 10 - 19 Sept - Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
(Friday is our St Francis of Assisi Feast Day)
Please order using the NEW Menu below
Thank you Ben & Peggy for being flexible with these adjustments.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthdays in September: Ronan, Kendall, Aidan, Mohamad.S, Joseph.S, Oliver, Levi, Zeinab, Zaynab, Isabella, Abdul, Tahlia, Genevieve, and
Mrs Beckhaus.
Term 4 Week 1
The official date for the children to change over to summer uniform is Monday 10 October (Term 4 Week 1). If there is a warmer day, parents are advised to use discretion, and summer uniform will be acceptable on these warmer days only for the remainder of Term 3. Full summer uniform is to be worn by all students from the beginning of Term 4.
Parents can you please ensure all uniform pieces are relabeled clearly with your child’s name using a permanent marker. Students should know where their name is marked for easy checking. Please encourage your child to place all items straight into their bag rather than leaving them on the playground or in the classroom.
School Uniforms are available for purchase online via Lowes online, link below. Please order with enough time for the current delivery delays. Lowes have updated their uniform price list starting Term 4.
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.
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.
National Child Protection Week starts on Sunday 4 September. eSafety supports this important initiative with parent information. Parents are urged to learn about TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube and help children stay safe online. With children back at school the eSafety Commissioner is urging parents to look out for signs of cyberbullying. Of particular concern are social media challenges being shared by young people. While these online challenges can be fun, they can also be used to humiliate and shame others. See the information and video below to assist with Parental controls and upcoming Free Parent webinars regarding the Popular apps and the Parent Online safety book. The video helps parents and carers to understand more about the different parental controls available and which settings are best suited to your family. It’s designed for parents of young people aged 4 to 13 years old.
Read LessASPIRE 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
Don't miss out! Places are filling fast.
* 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.
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 |
This 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.
