Term 1 Week 7 2025

From the Principal

Good afternoon families,

At St Francis, we recognize that strong partnerships between home and school play a vital role in student success. When parents and caregivers are actively engaged in their child’s education, students are more motivated, confident, and successful in their learning journey.

It was great to have our students see the importance of the relationship we cultivate together at our Meet n Greet this week. Families are busy people and while timeframes will not always work for everyone we endeavour to provide a range of ways you can be an active member of your child’s school.

Parent involvement can take many forms, from supporting learning at home to participating in school activities. Reading with your child, discussing their school day, and encouraging good study habits all contribute to their academic growth. Additionally, attending school events and parent-teacher meetings strengthens the connection between home and school.

Two key groups that support our school community are the School Advisory Board and the FACE (Family and Community Engagement) team. 

• The School Advisory Board provides valuable input on school policies, strategic planning, and future development. Their guidance helps ensure that our school continues to grow and thrive.
• The FACE team play a vital role in building a strong school community through fundraising, social events, and volunteer support. Their efforts enhance student experiences and strengthen community ties.

Our School Board will meet next Tuesday at 5:30pm and hold our AGM prior to the commencement of the meeting. If you are interested in hearing more or nominating for a position you are welcome to join us at 5:30pm. 

Our next FACE meeting will be Tuesday 18th at 3:30pm to discuss our Disco on the 21st. You are welcome to come and join us.

Thank you for your continued support, trust, and commitment to our school. It is a privilege to work alongside you in guiding and nurturing our students.  We encourage all families to get involved in ways that suit their time and interests. Your engagement makes a real difference in the lives of our students!

God bless,

Lisa

Religious Life of the School

Dear Families,

This Sunday marks the second week of Lent. How is your Lenten journey going? At St. Francis, we are still raising funds for Project Compassion as part of our commitment to giving during this Lenten season. So far, we’ve enjoyed our free dress day, the Easter Raffle has kicked off, and next week, orders for Hot Cross buns will be available.

We’re excited to offer a fabulous Easter Raffle this year. Tickets are just 50c each and can be purchased at the office, some mornings before school near the tuckshop, and Monday - Thursday at second play breaks. There are three amazing baskets up for grabs, filled with chocolates, cuddly toys, and fun Easter activities—so don’t miss out! The raffle will be drawn in the last week of Term 1, and tickets will also be available for purchase at the Harmony Disco night. Be sure to get yours soon.

Hot Cross Buns

Orders for Hot Cross Buns will open next week at $1.50 each. Students can order as many as they like through the tuckshop, either online or with a paper bag. There will be options for fruit, no fruit, or chocolate, and butter and jam will be available on the day. A gluten-free option will also be offered. Be sure to place your order and enjoy these tasty buns.  All monies raised will go to Project Compassion. 

Hot Cross Buns have been enjoyed for centuries, with their origins dating back to the 12th century in England. They were originally baked on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent and symbolise the start of Easter. The distinctive cross on top of the bun represents the crucifixion of Jesus.

Over time, they became a symbol of Easter and are now a popular treat worldwide. Traditionally, Hot Cross Buns were made with spices, currants, and a sweet glaze, making them a delicious and meaningful part of Easter celebrations for families to enjoy together. In the past, people believed that Hot Cross Buns had special powers, like bringing good luck or warding off evil spirits. Some also believed they could preserve freshness when hung in kitchens. 

Today, Hot Cross Buns are enjoyed by many, with variations that include chocolate chips or fruit, making them a modern twist on this age-old tradition.

On Tuesday, March 19th, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph. St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, is a key figure in Catholic tradition, known for his humility, obedience, and strong example of fatherhood. Although not much is mentioned about him in the Bible, he is believed to have been a carpenter and played an important role in raising Jesus. St. Joseph is also the patron saint of workers and fathers and the protector of the Church. To mark this special occasion, we will hold a Whole School Christian Meditation at 8:45 am in the hall, and everyone is warmly invited to join in this peaceful and meaningful experience.

Have a great week.

God Bless,

Maria

Learning Corner

LEARNING and TEACHING

Every minute counts!

Halfway there! Two more assessments will be completed next week, and NAPLAN 2025 will be completed. The students and teachers are to be congratulated on the way they have prepared the students and delivered the NAPLAN tests. The days went smoothly, and the students approached the tests very calmly. Thanks are due to you as parents and carers for not placing any emphasis on NAPLAN.

While NAPLAN gives individual schools an overview of how children are progressing and the effectiveness of the curriculum, at a system level, an overview of all schools provides a pattern of areas that require more attention and resources through professional development for teachers.

A few years ago, the results for NAPLAN Writing were below the expected target, and in response, a Writing Project was established. The outcome of the project was a marked improvement in Writing results across the Diocese. At school we have been impressed with the standard of writing reached by the majority of students.

 Last year, Reading became an area of concern as the percentage of students achieving at or below the expected level was unacceptable. This year, all students in Years 3-8 in the Townsville Diocesan schools are involved in the DIBELS screening process, which will take place three times a year. This screener identifies Phonological knowledge, Decoding, Reading Fluency and Comprehension difficulties. The identified difficulties are addressed within the classroom. Children identified as requiring intensive intervention will be screened regularly throughout the term to monitor their progress and make sure that the intervention program is working. During parent-teacher interviews in Week 10, teachers will let you know if your child is receiving intensive intervention.

Is your child’s Learning Time valued?

A successful learner makes every minute count when learning by being on time to class, listening to instructions and being engaged in all oral and written activities.

Did you know:

 5 minutes lost every day = 3.4 days of learning lost over the year.

 10 minutes lost every day = 6.9 days of learning lost over the year.

 15 minutes lost every day = 10.3 days of learning lost over the year.

 30 minutes lost every day = 20. 7 days of learning lost over the year.

Isolated, 5 minutes may not seem like much, but it does add up and does impact learning by creating stress and anxiety for the child who walks in late or misses important instructions. Is it fair to other students if the teacher has to interrupt their learning to repeat instructions for latecomers?

2025 SCHOOL NAPLAN TIMETABLE

If you have any concerns about your child participating in NAPLAN, please see your child’s teacher ASAP.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rita Cranitch (Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning)

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.

Community