Term 4 Week 4 2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
This Friday 28th October Australia is celebrating World Teachers Day. On this day we acknowledge the amazing work that our teachers do each and every day. We are incredibly blessed at St Francis to have such a dedicated staff who are always willing to give extra time and effort for the benefit of our students. Teaching is a profession where we don’t always see the impact that we have on a student's educational journey. Teaching is a calling and it takes an abundance of patience, strength and courage to be a teacher. Our teachers spend many many hours outside of their normal hours planning, marking, creating resources and organising events for our students in order to give them an engaging and well rounded education. I would like to say thank you to our dedicated and professional teachers and those who support them. If you get the opportunity, please take time to simply say thank you.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind families of our Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers. All system schools in the Townsville Diocese have adopted a Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers, and all parents/carers are asked to abide by the rights, responsibilities and ethos outlined in this document. You will end this document in full in the newsletter this week. Our complaints and grievance process is also contained in this document. If a parent/guardian/caregiver has a current complaint, criticism or concern, it is expected the following steps be followed in the first instance:
1. Speak to the appropriate school person involved (e.g. class teacher) rst and try to resolve the concern with mutual respect and clear communication. Where/if possible make an appointment with the relevant person
2. If for some reason this is not possible, then make an appointment to see the Principal (or other nominated leadership personnel)
3. The Principal (or nominee) should endeavour to mediate and find resolution
4. If, having followed Steps 1-3 with no satisfaction from your perspective, you may take your complaint to the Townsville Catholic Education Oce for further facilitation.
It is important to note that criticism regarding a staff member will only be heard if it is related to their professional conduct.
Deliberate breaches and inability to respect the Townsville Catholic Education Code of Conduct for Parents & Volunteers or vexatious complaints may result in exclusion of a parent/guardian/caregiver from a school and / or possible termination of enrolment of their child/children.
We subscribe to Happy School. As members each week we receive ready to use articles that are shared with staff. These articles provide professional development and practical strategies. Over the weekend I shared an article with the staff titled Thriving in the Homestretch which was adapted from a blog post by Nicholas Provenzano. While this article was focused on school staff, it denitely applies to everyone. I have taken a few snippets from the article to share with you here.
The final weeks can be the hardest days of the school year. End-of-year events start to pile up and stress levels are at an all-time high and our energy reserves are at an all-time low. Whilst this time of the year can be tough and exhausting, it doesn't have to feel that way. Here are a few things that you can do to make it through the homestretch.
1. Get Outside
One of the things many people STOP doing when they get busy is exercising, yet it is one of the most beneficial actions you can take to manage stress.
2. Treat Yourself!
The end of the year can be a time when people forget to take care of themselves. We tend to be worried about everyone else, which means that we forget to do the little things that make us happy.
3. Reflect
The end of the year is a great time to start thinking about the year overall. The homestretch is about more than just getting to the end of the year - it's about ending on a positive note.
4. Connect
The end of the year can be stressful. End of year events and performances ll our diary and with all of these and so many other things going on, it's important to not face this time alone. Connect with others. Connecting can make an otherwise stressful time of year better for everyone.
5. Finish Strong
It is important to be careful with how we react and what we say, especially in times of stress, when your reserves are running low. The mantra ‘nish strong’ reminds me to try to nish the year with the same patience and consideration that I had at the start of the year.
Have a wonderful week
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
Religious Life of the School
Who in your family, parish or community has inspired you and fanned the name of faith in you? Sunday’s gospel (Luke 19:1-10) tells the story of Zacchaeus who was the chief tax collector in Jericho. He grew rich by charging extra taxes and cheating people out of their money. But after meeting Jesus who was willing to forgive what he had done, he was inspired to give back everything he owed and more.
We have all made mistakes, just as children do. We are encouraged to seek forgiveness for the wrongs we have done, to forgive others and to be grateful for our blessings.
Thanksgiving Mass Thursday at 9 am Samaritan Hall: We will be celebrating all the things we are grateful for in a Thanksgiving Mass with the whole school. Each class has discussed and listed all the things they are grateful for in our school. They have decorated the letters from the word ‘Gratitude’ to remind us that we have a lot of blessings to be grateful for. These will be displayed at the mass. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in our mass celebration.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM: On Saturday and Sunday, Bishop Timothy will be celebrating mass with children from our parish who have been completing the Sacramental Program. Please pray for our students, who will receive their First Holy Communion and Confirmation this weekend. We pray that they may grow strong in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they continue on their journey of faith with the support of their sponsors, families and school and parish community.
Bonnie Felesina, Addison Fiamingo, Lara Di Lullo, Chase Delle Baite, Jorja Robson, Dylan Timms, Nate Quagliata, Cara Stockham, Xavier Mio, Sam Pirrone, Cruz Roncato, Kyran Boccalatte, Jax Hearn, Leeson Bevilacqua, Bailey Lovell, Reeve Scuderi, Cooper Totorica, Will Pappalardo, Charlotte Drain, David Holm, Oliver Calligaro, Rocco Fahey
Prayer for Laying on of Hands (Sacramental Mass)
My dear friends:
in baptism, God our Father gave the new birth of eternal life
to his chosen sons and daughters.
Let us pray to our Father
that he will pour out the Holy Spirit
to strengthen his sons and daughters with his gifts
and anoint them to be more like Christ the Son of God.
All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their Helper and Guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
(We ask this) through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Mission Month: thank you to everyone who joined in Crazy Sock Day and dressed up their uniforms with colourful socks. There is still time to add money to the maps of Ethiopia in each classroom. Let’s all work together, to be a good neighbour and show God’s love to make a difference in the lives of people in need, especially those supported by Catholic Mission in Ethiopia.
God Bless
Mary
Aiming for Excellence
Ready Set Write!
Our focus this week is adding details to a main idea. It is all about keeping on topic.
AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM V9.0 UPDATE ( Part 1)
Teams from QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) have commenced travelling across Queensland explaining the changes, resources available and the timeline for the implementation of AC V9.0. (AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM V9.0)
The first point to remember is that Version 9.0 is NOT a NEW Curriculum. It is a refined curriculum. It is eleven years since the first Australian Curriculum was introduced and needed to be brought into line with demands of the community and economy today. Although there have been adjustments made to sections of the curriculum in the last 11 years, this is the first total refinement.
Eleven years ago software was used as part of technology. Today students access all programs online and online safety is an issue that has a high priority in classrooms. This change is reflected in AC V9.0. This is one example of how the curriculum fulfils the need to be contemporary.
SAVE THESE DATES
NAPLAN 2023 The dates for NAPLAN 2023 are March 15 to 27. The final 5 days are available for catch - up tests. The writing MUST be administered on Day 1. More details on timing will be provided as it becomes available.By Week 7 we plan to finalise the adjustments required by students to access NAPLAN.
R.O.& B.M. COLLS Memorial Lecturette Competition
Two Year 6 students will be competing in the above competition on Wednesday, 2 November commencing at 7:15pm at Home Hill State School Performing Arts Centre.
Rita Cranitch
Leaning and Teaching Adviser
Inclusive Practices Teacher
The Good Samaritan's P.A.T.H.
This week's P.A.T.H. winners: Maddison Sutton, Peyton Butler, Aidan Butler
Library
Let's Read Together
Book of the Week Winner
Students of the Week
Community
Congratulations
Noah Tanner competed at Moondarga Pony Club . He won U13 Show Jumping Champion U40cm and came away with Reserve Champion for the Gymkhana. Congratulations Noah.
Long sleeved sport shirts
available from school office
$35 each
Sizes 4—14
