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Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to our first newsletter for 2023. What a delight it has been to welcome students and families back to school. It has been wonderful to see so many parents and carers on the school grounds. Our students have looked refreshed and ready for learning.
Thank you to our teachers and support staff, who have been very busy preparing for the year. Being flexible has been an attribute we have all mastered over the last few years with the challenges and changes we had to manage. We look forward to continuing to work with our parents and carers to create learning communities that build and maintain collaborative partnerships, which will enhance student faith, learning and well-being outcomes. It takes a village to raise a child, and our children will always benefit when adults work together in a respectful partnership.
A warm welcome is extended to all the new families who have joined us this year. Fatima (Year 1), Mahmoud and Dikran (Year 3), Zara and Lilyarna (Year 4) and Lara (Year 5). We also look forward to welcoming our Kindergarten students when they officially start school on Tuesday 7 February. We wish them a rewarding and fulfilling experience at St Francis of Assisi.
As we begin this new school year, we ask for your blessing on our school,
Open our minds as we learn about the glory of your creation, grant us courage as we accept new challenges, and help us to play our part in shaping this community.
We give thanks for the opportunities that lie before us: for the people who help us learn and play, for friendships old and new, and for the support of our families,
Finally, we pray for all those around the world. Comfort and support those who suffer and give them hope and strength to work for a better future.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
We are looking forward to a great year and a productive Term 1 working in partnership with you.
Mrs Vicky Davidson
PRINCIPAL
St Francis of Assisi acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people, past and present, the traditional custodians on whose land we educate our students.
Our builders were back on-site over the holiday break, continuing with the renovations. Some exterior painting was completed, the playgrounds cleaned, and we were excited to have some of the building fences removed to allow for more space on the playground.
In the coming weeks, we hope to see the lift installed, the carpet around the lift installed, external windows, plumbing, handrails and remaining electrical work completed. Thank you to our staff, students and parents for your patience and for navigating the various changes during the building renovations.
We look forward to engaging and communicating with families on a regular basis through the following avenues. Please continue to use these forms of communication to keep updated with what is happening in and around our school.
The School Newsletter is emailed to families in even weeks of term. It is also available on the School Website.
The St Francis of Assisi School Website - https://www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au
Includes information about our school.
The Compass App enables parents to engage closely with the school and ensures parents are informed by email, SMS, or push notifications. In addition, the app has many features which allow parents active engagement within the school. Our school's Facebook and Instagram pages keep families and the wider community up to date with school events. Photos and videos of activities and events are shared regularly. If you have Facebook or Instagram, you are welcome to like our page. Class teachers will use Seesaw to share information about the learning that is taking place in the classroom and provide the students with an opportunity to share their work with families. The school email - info@sfawdow.catholic.edu.au is another way for families to communicate with the school.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
Mornings can be hectic as families try to get out the door to school and work. Having school bags ready the night before with your child's hat, reading folder, and library bag (when required) is a good idea. Lunches can be semi-prepared the night before, so they just have to be assembled and placed into the bag that morning. Younger children may need help in getting their bags ready. However, older children are encouraged to take responsibility for their belongings and pack their own school bags. All students should carry thein bag into school. When students arrive, they place their bags on their class seats and put on their hat. Students play until the morning bell when they walk straight to their class area for morning prayer.
Children who arrive after 8.45 am must go through the school office and will require a late note.
Please note: School supervision does not begin until 8:15 am.
Students should not be at school prior to this time.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/ is a website full of great advice on many topics about raising children. For example, there are links to creating healthy lunches through to dealing with your child's first day. Take some time to have a look.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE .....EVERY LEARNER, EVERY DAY!
- School attendance plays a critical role in enhancing the lives of students in school.
- Every day of attendance adds to a student's academic achievement and success.
- School attendance is compulsory for every school-age student.
Parents can help by promoting the importance of school by:
- ensuring your child attends school every day
- arriving at school punctually (school begins at 8:40 am)
- leading by example ... be organised and ready
We are keen to support parents in developing and consolidating good attendance habits in every student.
Appointments
Please make appointments outside of school hours where possible.
If your child has to leave school early for an appointment, please notify the teacher in writing on the morning of the appointment to avoid disrupting the class and their learning.
Absent Compass Notifications
Please respond to the absent notifications with an explanation for your child's absence.
Punctuality
It is important for children to learn punctuality and arrive at school by
8.30 am.
Mr Rod Green
Assistant Principal
Welcome Back
Rest in Peace
Over the Christmas break, our Church learned of the deaths of both Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and George Cardinal Pell. We pray:
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen
Australia Day
Last Thursday, our nation celebrated Australia Day. While there may be mixed feelings in the community regarding the date we observe Australia Day, there is no doubt that we have much to celebrate. The collect (opening prayer) used at our Masses on Australia Day reads:
that as the cross shines in our southern skies,
so may Christ bring light to our nation,
to its peoples old and new,
and by saving grace, transform our lives.
Opening School Mass and Commissioning of our Year Six Leaders
Next Wednesday (8 February), the whole school will gather with our parish community at the 9 am Mass to celebrate our Opening School Mass. This Mass will include the commissioning of our Year Six leaders for 2023. All are most welcome to join us.
Parish Sacramental Programs
A letter will be going home from the parish next week regarding the Sacramental programs being offered in our parish this year. This letter will be given to children in Years 3 and 6 who have been baptised in the Catholic faith. If you have a child in Year 4 or 5 that you would like involved in either the Reconciliation and/or First Communion program, please let Ms Maloney know.
-
-
- Term 1 - Reconciliation program
- Term 2 - Confirmation program
- Term 4 - First Communion program
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The Alpha Experience
Once again, our parish is offering the Alpha program and you are warmly invited to attend.
WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is an opportunity to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment.
WHO IS ALPHA FOR?
Alpha is for everyone! Alpha is not so much a course, but an experience! Gathering once a week over several weeks, each Alpha brings together people from all walks of life. We eat together, we listen to a talk and then we gather in small groups for discussion. Whether you’re an atheist, an agnostic or a lifelong believer - everyone is welcome!
WHEN
Starting MONDAY 6 February 2023.
WHERE
Parishes House - St Mary of the Rosary Church,
211 Northcliffe Drive, Berkeley, NSW.
TIME
7:00pm - 9:00pm.
We begin with dinner at 7:00pm.
COST
Free!
BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION
Please contact phone Lawrie Burns:
Lawrie Burns at lawrie@burnsnet.id.au
Mob: 0418 363 315
RSVP - Friday 3 February
To find out more visit the link
https://www.dow.org.au/media-resources/alpha/
Australian Dance Championships
During the holidays, Makedde (Year 6) competed at the Australian Dance Championships in Queensland. Makedde was awarded two 1st place awards at the National championships. Congratulations, Makedde, on this outstanding achievement. We are very proud of you!
Hole in One!
Congratulations, Mr Murphy, who achieved a hole-in-one on the par three, 12th hole at Russell Vale Golf Club in a competition just three days before Christmas. Fun fact - A hole-in-one is scored once in every 3500 rounds, and only one to two per cent of golfers score a hole-in-one in a year. This incredible achievement is every golfer's dream. Great work, Mr Murphy!
| Friday 3 February | 6 Blue attending Parish Mass | 9.00 am | Church |
| Monday 6 February | Kindergarten Reconnect | 1.30 pm | School Hall |
| Tuesday 7 February | First Day of Kindy | 8.40 am | Playground |
| Wednesday 8 February | Opening School Mass | 9.00 am | Church |
| Thursday 9 February | School Assembly | 2.20 pm | School Hall |
| Friday 10 February | Swimming Carnival | Year 2 - 6 | 8.40 am | Berkeley Pools |
| Date | Event | Attending | Venue |
| Friday 10 February | Swimming Carnival |
Years 2-6 | Berkeley Pool |
| Thursday 09 March | School Cross Country Carnival | K-6 | Integral Energy Park, Kembla Grange |
| Thursday 08 June | School Athletics Carnival | K-6 | Myimbarr Oval, Shellharbour |
| Term 1 | Sporting Schools Cricket - TBC | Years 3-6 | School - TBC |
What day does my child wear their sports uniform?
| Tuesday and Friday | Year 4 |
| Wednesday and Friday | Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6 |
KINDERGARTEN RECONNECT
Monday 6 February at 1.30 - 2.30
All Parents & Friends positions will be made vacant and an election will be held for new committee members for the 2023 Parents & Friends Committee. The AGM has been scheduled to be held on Thursday 16 March from 3.30-4.30. Please see below for further information. All parents are welcome and hope to see you there.
New digital form for student image consent
The safety and well-being of students are always our first priority. This includes protecting their privacy and respecting the wishes of parents and carers regarding the use of student photos, images, and work at all times.
At the start of each school year, you are asked to complete a paper form to provide your consent for images of your child to appear in various places (e.g., in school newsletters, social media, and promotional material). From 2023, this form will become digital and will be shared with you as an event in Compass. In the same way that you provide consent for your child to attend an excursion, you will now be able to simply reply to a Compass event to provide (or decline) consent related to the use of your child’s image or works.
What do you need to do?
Login to your Parent Compass Portal and click on the green box under the calendar named "Consent for the use of student's image and/or work" and complete. Please read the details of the event carefully, discuss it with your child, and once you have made your decision, either provide your consent or decline to provide consent. To ensure that no child misses out on having their photo taken as part of school life, we will occasionally send reminders to parents and carers who have yet to complete the event.
If you have any questions about this change or the image consent form in general, please contact the school and we will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Welcome back to school for 2023! Over the coming weeks, all students K-6 will be participating in digital citizenship learning experiences which underpin all that we do with technology. This is all about how to safely and effectively use the technology we have available to best enhance student learning. It also includes a comprehensive teaching and learning sequence around the technology and social media policies. This will be supported throughout the year in learning and teaching programs to ensure that our students are digitally aware and cyber-safe citizens.
iPads
In 2023, we are now operating 1:1 in classes Years 3-6. Years 3 -5 are working on the School Managed Program. Year 3 iPads (and Year 5 who re-ordered) are in the process of being set up and key staff will be completing zoom meetings to finalise the process in the first couple of weeks of this term. We will keep Year 3 parents (and Year 5 reorders) updated with the status of the iPads and when they will be available for use.
Compass
Thank you for your continued support of the use of Compass as our main tool of communication and various other features. If anyone is having difficulty accessing Compass or use of its functions, please feel free to contact Mr Murphy to assist.
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday 7 February is Safer Internet Day. This year the eSafety Commissioner is calling on everyone to "connect, reflect and protect".
With so many young Australians engaging online it is important that we educate students on how to stay safe and what to do if they are being harassed or bullied. There is no place for online abuse. We can all help to make life online enjoyable by being kind and respectful to each other.
At St Francis of Assisi, classes will be exploring ways in which they can be safe online.
Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.
Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.
Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.
Please let your family and friends know, as limited places are available.
As an Allergy Aware School, we request no peanuts, peanut paste, peanut butter (including "dippers"), nuts, "Nutella" spread, or nutty muesli bars within the school. Education about food safety and the seriousness and potentially life-threatening nature of allergies takes place within the classroom environment. All students are reminded not to share or swap food. We believe an effective partnership between home and school will ensure the successful inclusion of students with life-threatening allergies.
We are committed to supporting our students with anaphylaxis within the school environment and request your support to ensure a safe environment for these students. Thank you.
Staff and Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthdays in February:
Sienna. F, Harrison. N, Selihome. Y, Lara. A, Keza. R, Levi. N, Azalea. O, Manuel. O, Jaeda. Y, Emma. C, Bohdyn. L, Mrs Adams, Mr de Vet and
Mrs Davidson
School Fee Payments
Attention Parents, 2023 Fee Statements have been emailed. This is an Annual amount for 2023. Please log in to your Parent Compass Portal to view your school fee account by clicking the Payments Centre green box above "My News". Payments can be paid online by clicking "School Fees Action Required". Full payment is due by 28 February unless the below instalment form has been submitted and you have set up these payments on your Compass portal or Bpay using the details on the Fee Statement emailed. Fee instalments set up last year will roll over and continue automatically this year. See further details below.
School fees for 2023 have now been invoiced and statements have been emailed with annual or first instalment payment due on 28 February 2023. You may also view your school fee account in the Compass Parent Portal. Further information available below from the Catholic Education Office.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
▪ The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office.
▪ Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement.
▪ If an amendment is made to your school fee account eg your child changes subjects in a secondary school, etc. you will be emailed a statement which will provide a new schedule of payments and due dates. Please review this schedule to make any changes to your payments that are necessary.
REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS
SMS and email reminders are automatically generated by our accounting software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office. For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention. Our intention is to support the collection of school fee accounts centrally and in so doing,
alleviate some of the administrative work of our schools.
SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES
Please note, despite the centralisation of various functions, your school/s will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees. If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact your school office. The role of the Catholic Education Office is to action centralised tasks on behalf of schools.
IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY INSTALMENTS
Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to avail yourself of this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on your school’s website or at your school’s office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.
DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school in which your child/children are enrolled to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the administration office of each school. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. If you wish to submit an application, please do so at your child’s school. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application. For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2022, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. You may also initiate an earlier review if you wish to do so by contacting your school office. For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management
Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on your school’s website.
Please feel free to donate your preloved and outgrown school uniforms to the
School Office. Thank you
2024 Compulsory School Uniform requirements
It is compulsory for all students to wear the correct school uniform including sport polo, navy shorts, and girls' summer tunic, and wearing the correct black leather school shoes and predominately white school joggers for sport.
Navy socks are to be worn with school uniform and black school shoes.
Haircuts
Many thanks to those parents who ensure their children have haircuts that meet the expectations for students at St Francis of Assisi. Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner.
- Haircuts should be of an even cut - no extreme shaving.
- Hair should be brushed and combed.
- Hair should not be in a condition as to invite comment.
- Long hair is to be tied back or plaited, off the face and should not extend to cover the eyes.
- Only navy, blue or yellow headbands, ribbons or scrunchies are to be worn in the hair.
- Extreme styles, colouring or dyeing of hair is not permitted
Lowes Warrawong Plaza
All school uniform items can be purchased at Lowes Warrawong Plaza. Please see the price list and information attached. Orders can also be placed online by visiting the link below
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
