Term 1 Week 9 2025
From the Principal
Good day families and friends,
It is a bit of a long one from me this week however I hope you can help with what some of our students felt important enough to write to me.
Student Voice
Recently, our Year 5 students presented a persuasive letter regarding potential changes to our school uniform. Their thoughtful arguments and passion for student voice sparked an important discussion about how decisions like these impact our school community.
When addressing the class, we explored the key groups affected by uniform decisions:
- Our students, who wear the uniform every day.
- Our parents, who invest in purchasing school uniforms.
- Our school, which is represented by each individual wearing it.
We recognised the value of hearing from all members of our school community when considering changes that affect us all. Decisions like these are a shared responsibility, requiring input from students, families, and staff to ensure that we make choices that reflect the best interests of everyone.
With this in mind, I am sharing the Year 5 students’ proposal with you today and invite you to share your own thoughts through a brief survey attached below. Your feedback will be carefully reviewed and shared with the class as we continue this meaningful conversation together.
Thank you for your participation and for supporting our students as they grow in their understanding of .
Letter from 5A
5B, Room 19
St Francis Catholic School
99 Edward Street
Ayr QLD 4807
Dear Mrs Fitzsimmons,
We the students of 5B believe that at St Francis we must only wear formal uniforms on special occasions. This is because the sports uniform is better for everyday wear, our formal uniform will feel more special when important people come to our school and we will not be confused in the morning when we have to get ready for school.
Our sports uniform is better for everyday wear. It is so much easier to play and move in our uniforms. The sports uniform is also more comfortable to sit in during class and lunch times. This will help our parents as well because they will not have to worry about ironing our formal uniforms each week and they will have more time to relax. From this evidence, you can see that the sports uniform is far more practical and the formal uniform must be left for special days.
The next reason is that the day will feel more formal when special people come to our school. Mrs Fitz, you looked really formal this morning for the Liturgy with Bishop Tim and this made us feel more excited for the day. Wearing our blue uniform too much will make our formal days look like normal days. We want our special days to be meaningful. You have to change the rules!
Our last reason is that we will not get confused when putting our uniforms on in the morning. Our lives are already stressful enough! We do not want to think about what uniform we have to wear. With our uniform issue solved, we would have more time to have a healthy breakfast. We could even have an extra five minutes of sleeping time. Do you want us to be late because we are wondering what to wear? Let us wear our sports uniform on all the normal days!
In conclusion, we truly believe that this change will make our school a better place. The sports uniform is better for everyday wear, our formal uniform will feel more special when important people come to our school and we will not be confused in the morning when we have to get ready for school.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.
From 5B.
Parent / Teacher Interviews
Next week, we look forward to welcoming many of our families for our parent / teacher interviews. These conversations provide a valuable opportunity to collaborate in supporting our students' growth while reinforcing the shared importance of their education. Together, we can ensure that every child’s learning journey is meaningful and enriching.
God bless,
Lisa Fitzsimmons
Religious Life of the School
Hello families,
A big thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising for Project Compassion this year. What a great effort from you all.
Our Harmony Disco was a big success. Thanks to our FACE members who helped set up and organise the raffles, chips and poppers.
It was great to see the students dancing and having a fun time.
Congratulations to our raffle winners.
Don't forget to place your orders for hot cross buns by next Tuesday. You can choose from chocolate, fruit, or fruitless buns, and we'll provide butter and jam. Each bun is $1.50. A reminder that the students will receive their hot cross buns in time for second play on Wednesday, 2nd April. No hot cross buns will be delivered at fruit break.
Students from our Mini Vinnies Committee are still selling our Easter Raffle ticket for 50c a ticket in the morning and at second play. . All money raised will be donated to Project Compassion to help communities around the world and in our own country become more self-sufficient. We will draw the raffle on Friday the last day of school.
Thanks to 1/2B for your Assembly this Week and sharing all your learning and fun facts about minibeasts.
Lenten Liturgy
3/4B will present our Lenten liturgy on Monday afternoon next week at 2.15 pm in the hall. The Assembly will follow with the PATH awards and birthdays being presented. We hope you can join us.
Project Compassion Boxes
This week we enter the fourth week of Lent. We ask that all Caritas boxes be returned to school anytime before the holidays. If you can send them in early next week, that would be much appreciated.
Catholic Identity Committee
We are still looking for 2 new parent members for our Catholic Identity Committee i Meetings are once a term and will start in Term 2. The committee comprises of staff, parents and Fr Manoj who all represent different areas of our school community. If you are interested or would like more information please call the school or email me at: mjohansen@sfatsv.catholic.edu.au
Heavenly Father,
As we journey through this season of Lent, we thank You for Your endless love and grace. This week, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we remember the light of Your mercy that calls us back to You. Help us to reflect on the blessings in our lives and open our hearts to those in need.
Guide us in this time of self-examination, so we may grow closer to You through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. May we always seek Your presence and find strength in Your Word.
Bless our school community, our teachers, and our families. Grant us peace, patience, and the courage to be the light of Your love in all we do.
We offer this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Save The Date
2nd April - Hot Cross Bun Day (Second Play)
Weeks 8-10 - Easter Raffle
Week 10 - Return Project Compassion Boxes
Term 2:
22nd April - Easter Liturgy 9am
24th April - ANZAC Day Liturgy - 9am
Have a great last week of school.
God Bless,
Maria
Learning Corner
LEARNING and TEACHING
Every minute counts!
If you work harder………….
Have you ever said this or something similar to your child?
Learning is not about working harder. It is about listening, asking questions, practising, and staying focused on our work so that what we do is the best we can do at that moment.
During parent-teacher interviews next week, you will not have be given results or grades. You will hear about what your child is learning well, the areas that provide challenges, and how these challenges are being addressed in class.
If your child has a diagnosed disability, you will have the opportunity to hear about the adjustments being put into place to help your child access the curriculum.
The focus for students is knowing what they are learning, how they are going to learn it, and how they will know they have been successful with their learning. They need to know where they can get help to keep learning.
How can you help your child learn?
When you give instructions, expect them to follow them.
When you ask them to do a task, expect them to do it well. If they can’t do it well, show them how to do it, do it with them and then have them do it independently. Never accept a second-rate first attempt.
If you can patiently persevere with these expectations at home, it will develop a habit that will help them with their learning.
By the end of your parent-teacher meeting, you will have seen your child's progress since the beginning of the year.
See you all next week at Parent-teacher meetings.
Is your child a WRITER?
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.
P.A.T.H.
Arlo, Jessica and Mia
Students of the Week
Lilliana Reilly, Myles Cornford, Layla Morris, Logan Curro, Noah McNamara, Elsie Wright,
Parker Dal Bello, Ramsey Corradi, Angus Elmazis, Sahra Towler, Jobe Oar, Arlo Oar,
Alby Matthews, Tyson Blakoe, Jayda Totorica, Eisha Federici, Harry Blomeley-Lush,
Jace Coleman-Blakoe, Aria Fiamingo, Ryan Pucciarmati, Will Roncato, Charlotte Sgroi,
Amelia Barbagallo, Arden Mitchell, Larni Fiamingo, Remy Cheshire, Lacey Ainsworth,
Angus Elmazis, Lockie Ziliotto, Henry Cohen, Keira Lace, Annabel Papale.
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
Community
Home Hill Tennis is excited to announce that Junior Tennis Coaching is set to start up in Term 2 commencing on Tuesday 22nd 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
