Term 1 Week 10 2025

From the Principal

Dear Families and Friends,

As we come to the end of this term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements and memorable moments we’ve experienced at St Francis. It’s been a term full of growth, learning, and community.

Some of the highlights include launching Project Compassion with Bishop Tim Harris, our Parent Meet n Greet, Harmony Week being capped off with our Disco and the amazing efforts from everyone to raise necessary funds for Project Compassion. Whilst the weather had us postponing a few of our activities it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of our staff and students pranking each other for April Fools Day, participating in AFL and Cowboys clinics as well as enjoying over a hundred hot cross buns for a good cause.

On the sporting field we had many of our students successfully selected for local trials as well as representing from local to State Championships. In the classroom students showed that persistence pays off when reaching individual goals across a range of learning areas. I am incredibly proud of how our students have shown resilience and enthusiasm, both in and outside the classroom. 

Looking ahead to next term, we have some exciting events to look forward to, including Easter Liturgy, Cross Country (take 2), School Board and FACE meetings, Mother’s Day stall, ANZAC day, National Reconciliation Week, National Simultaneous Story time and camp to name just a few. 

As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education. Your partnership makes a real difference in the success of our school community. I look forward to the next term, where we will continue to celebrate the growth and achievements of our students.

Wishing you a restful and enjoyable break.

Lisa

Religious Life of the School

Wow- week 10.  Where did that term go?

Project Compassion

Thank you for supporting Project Compassion during this Lenten season.
I am so proud of your efforts this year. Your donations help our school live out its Catholic Identity Model, which reflects the three key values of St. Francis Catholic School: Love of God, Love of Neighbour, and Love in Action. Project Compassion is a wonderful way for our students to learn how to put these values into practice. We appreciate your generosity and partnership in this important mission.

Hot Cross Buns

Thank you to everyone who supported our Hot Cross Bun Day. It was a big success. The money raised will be donated to Project Compassion. From all reports, students enjoyed their second play snack. Chocolate hot cross buns seemed to be the favourite flavour at St. Francis this year.

Thanks to 3/4B who led the Lenten Liturgy on Monday. They shared the message that God wants us to be happy and if we follow God’s law - Love God, Love others and Love yourself, then we will be truly happy.

Easter Liturgy

On our first day back next term, Tuesday, April 22nd, we will celebrate the Easter season with a special Liturgy to honour the Resurrection of Jesus. The Liturgy will take place in the Hall at 9:00 AM. A big thank you to the Year 6 students who are assisting with this beautiful celebration.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for the warm support I’ve received during my first term as Acting APRE for 2025.  I’m looking forward to the rest of the year and the opportunity to work closely with all of you. Term 2 promises to be just as exciting and busy, and I can't wait to continue our journey together.

Wishing all our families a peaceful and joyful break as we celebrate the Easter season. May this time be filled with reflection, renewal, and the hope that Easter brings. Enjoy the holidays, and may you find moments of rest and joy with your loved ones.

God Bless,

Maria

Learning Corner

LEARNING and TEACHING

Every minute counts!

Congratulations!

A term filled with challenges of weather and curriculum did not stop us from great achievements.

The change to becoming data-guided has helped us to target individual student-specific needs.

The screening of all students with the PLD screeners showed teachers the students who made excellent learning progress and those who had yet to master some phonological skills. Students identified as requiring reteaching or further practice are provided with an intervention focusing on the areas needing consolidation.

Students who, due to an identified disability, require adjustments such as repeated instruction, work presented in different formats or use of technology to be able to access the curriculum and receive these adjustments and School Officer support consistently in addition to participation in Intervention groups when needed.

School Officers are allocated according to student needs. They support children as they practise skills or monitor students while the teacher delivers explicit teaching to children who require reteaching. As we respond to student needs, changes in School Officer allocations may happen to meet the identified needs.

DIBELS screening has shown us that our Implementation of PLD has been effective, but we now need to work on fluency.

Reading fluency is reading a text accurately, quickly, and with expression. It's an important skill because it bridges decoding words and understanding what the text means (comprehension).

To become a fluent reader children need to be:

1. Accurate – read the words correctly.
   
   
2. Speedy – Reading at a smooth, appropriate pace.
   
   
3. Expressive – Using tone, pitch, and rhythm to reflect punctuation and meaning.

How can you help at home?

 Hearing a significant adult read fluently and echo reading with them is the most powerful impact for developing fluency. Echo Reading is when you read a sentence or short paragraph with good expression, then the child echoes it back. This helps them hear what fluent reading sounds like and try it themselves. Next term, a focus will be on developing reading fluency.

National Young Authors Fair

Well done to students who have registered for the National Young Authors Fair

What a great holiday activity for our avid readers as readers are great writers!

The student registration deadline is April 25, and the book publishing deadline is May 3.
Here’s the registration link: https://www.yaf.bribooks.com/events/student/signup/australia-NYAF-2025?sid=189430

 May your holiday break be filled with lots of activity and piles of books with a few visits to the library.

Wishing you a Holy and safe Easter.

Rita

Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - NEURODIVERSITY

Neurodiversity emphasises the natural variation in how an individual's brain functions and how they perceive and interact with the world, leading to diverse ways of learning and communicating. While most young people are neurotypical, some exhibit variations in brain development, such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia, making them neurodivergent.

Embracing neurodiversity involves accepting, celebrating, and supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents without attempting to change or treat their differences. Using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, avoiding assumptions, and actively promoting inclusivity can help embrace neurodiversity effectively.

Acknowledging the unique ways neurodiverse young people do things and then adapting tasks and activities to ensure their full participation will encourage them to develop strategies that feel natural to them. It will help improve their mental health, wellbeing and sense of self. By recognising and nurturing their strengths, parents and caregivers can contribute to building an inclusive and compassionate society where all young people can thrive.

Learning more about neurodiversity, equips caregivers with insights into effective communication techniques, educational strategies, and parenting approaches tailored to the specific needs of their neurodivergent child.

Here is the link to the Neurodiversity edition of SchoolTV
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/neurodiversity

P.A.T.H.

Students of the Week

Birthdays

Cross Country

Cat's Coffee van will be serving drinks under the roundabout pick up area between 9am and 11am for all your caffeine needs.  Cat's Coffee accepts cash and card for your convenience.

School Photos

Students will need to wear their formal uniform on Wednesday 23 April for school photo day.

All students have received a photo envelope.  If you would like a sibling photo please call in to the school office for a sibling envelope.  Please note: sibling photos will commence at 8am.

Book Fair

Term 2 Calendar

Community

Home Hill Tennis is excited to announce that Junior Tennis Coaching is set to start up in Term 2 commencing on Tuesday 22^nd April with a FREE Come and Try Day for everyone. The program will run during the cooler weather for Term 2 and Term 3.

Kayla Accornero will return as Club Coach but as Next Point Coaching having started up her own business. Kayla hales from Ingham so is comfortable working with our regional players.

To sign up for coaching in Term 2 contact Kayla Accornero kaylajodie03@gmail.com or homehilltennis@gmail.com

Cost for lessons $108 ($12 /week when paying for the whole term)

Annual Coaching Membership to the club $20

Benefits aside from physical, social and emotional benefits include public liability insurance, free daytime court hire for kids, Hot Shots shirt and you get to use great facilities with new modern amenities.

Why not get the kids and you into a sport you can enjoy for life – TENNIS!.

With classes for children as young as 3 years, we really do have something for everyone.

Limited places for all classes. Please contact Kayla kayla.jodie03@gmail.com or phone 0408014066