Term 4 Week 7 2022

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is hard to believe that we have just under 3 weeks to go until the end of the school year.  I don’t know about you but the days just seem to pass by and before I know it another week is over.  This time of year is always hectic but it is also one where we see many important events in our school community take place. We have Year 6 Graduation where we will farewell our school leaders, Awards Morning, Christmas Concerts and our Rite of Passage and Farewell.  Please make sure you have saved the date for all of these important events.

End of Year Events

Last week I had the privilege of listening to our Year 5 speeches for School Captain. A huge congratulations to Popi Loizou and Nathan Casella for being named our 2023 School Captains and Sari Oar and Nate Giddy who will be our Vice Captains.  This Thursday students will present their speeches for our House Captain Roles and I look forward to sharing this news with our school community later this week.

Volunteers

At St Francis we are incredibly grateful for all of our wonderful volunteers who have helped us throughout the year.  These people are worth their weight in gold as they share their time and talents with us.  To say thank you we are holding a volunteer luncheon to say thank you to all who have gifted us with their time this year.  We hope that all of our volunteers can join us so we can say thank you.

Tuckshop Trial

As you would be aware we have been trialing a flipped lunch since Week 3. Over the course of the past few weeks we have made several tweaks such as changing eating areas and bell times during the break to ensure that students are getting maximum play and eating time. We have had reports of students eating more food during their eating time as they aren’t concerned about organising games and equipment. We have also seen students coming back into class calmer. Starting this week we are going to trial opening the Tuckshop at the second break as well. At this time there will only be over the counter items available. This will be a trial for the remainder of this year only and we will reassess before 2023 begins. If you have any feedback regarding the flipped lunch I would appreciate if you could send it through to me at ajones16@sfatsv.catholic.edu.au

Year 6 Fundraising Stalls

Our Year 6 students will be holding fundraising stalls this coming Friday at lunchtime in the Samaritan Centre.  They are fundraising for an ANZAC garden to commemorate our communities link to the Australian Defence Force.  This is a student led activity and I am proud of the initiative the students have shown in coming up with this idea as well as the work and commitment they have demonstrated in the organisation of these stalls.  Please send a few dollars with your child on Friday so that they can participate in this fundraising endeavour. 

School Board

The St Francis Primary School Board is currently seeking applications from current and new members of our school community to fill positions on the School Board for 2023.  If you are interested in joining our School Board or would like further information, please send me an email at ajones16@sfatsv.catholic.edu.au or pop into the Office for a chat.

Severe Weather Advice

In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting on our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:

• Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on homepage.
• Twitter – you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo.
• Facebook – you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO.
• Listen to local radio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations for updates.
• Instagram – Townsville_Catholic_Education.
• School’s web page

If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7am or earlier, if possible, through the local radio stations. Please refrain from calling schools as this causes disruption to vital communication networks. We ask for parents to be patient, information will be broadcasted as soon as practicable.

Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times

Have a wonderful week

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Religious Life of the School

Sunday is the last day of the Church’s liturgical year when we celebrate the feast of Christ the King.  (Luke 23:35-43) Jesus had been sentenced to die on the cross; and the soldiers and crowds who had gathered to watch his suffering teased Jesus and made fun of him. They hung a sign above him with this inscription; ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ Two thieves were being crucified with him. One joined the crowd jeering but the other acknowledged that he had done the wrong thing and deserved to be punished. Jesus promised that thief that he would be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

As we get closer to the holidays, some of our students are struggling to make the right choices in their interactions with others. We encourage them when involved in a disagreement to walk away and take time to calm down before trying to resolve their differences in a more positive and peaceful way. Treating others with respect is the T in PATH, and engages us in good behaviour and wellbeing for ourselves and those around us.  

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS HAMPER:
We will have a casual day on Friday 25^th November with the cost being a Christmas Hamper item.  Students who wish to wear casual clothes must bring an item for the Christmas Hamper. Some suggested items include: tinned ham (no spam), peas, corn etc., shortbread, nuts, wafer sticks, biscuits, candy canes, custard powder, plum pudding, jelly, fruit cake, dried fruit, bonbons etc.  Books and toys are always great as well so put your thinking hats on.  What would you like to find in your Christmas stocking or on your Christmas table?

Lord our God,
Let there be peace in the world,
Teach us to trust one another so we can share
our problems as well as our joys.
Teach us to care about one another and
understand each other.
Teach world leaders to respect all people,
especially their own.
Help us to make peace wherever we are and to do
our small bit to bring peace to the world.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen

God Bless

Mary

Aiming for Excellence

This week commences two weeks of ‘Revision Bootcamp.’

Bootcamp is about targeted instruction of Literacy and Numeracy skills that were identified as requiring further development.

Teachers have used the results from the PAT R and PAT M tests ( Yrs 2-6), TCE Literacy and Numeracy Post tests, the assessments completed this semester alongside student observations to select the the skills and knowledge to be addressed.

Students who have demonstrated a thorough knowledge and understanding of all skills and knowledge will be provided with challenging extension.

In preparation for the 2023 school year, teachers are compiling a learning profile for each student in their class. The profiles provide the next teacher with information about how the child learns, their strengths and challenges and the adjustments that need to be made to ensure they access the curriculum. They highlight the presence of a diagnosis, specialist support provided outside of school and Individual Learning Plans.  Class teachers are given time during pupil free days at the beginning of the year to read the learning profiles and examine achievement data for the students in their class.

If you are concerned about your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss the option for an Individual Learning Plan.

Rita Cranitch

Leaning and Teaching Adviser

Inclusive Practices Teacher

Reflection

Throughout the month of November, we as Catholics, remember and reflect on the lives of those we have lost who are close to us. It also gives us a time to pray for these people- ones we know and those whom we don’t. This time of reflection and prayer is especially important in November as we draw to the end of our liturgical year and prepare for advent. It gives a chance to pray for and thank God for their time on Earth. As November 2^nd is All Souls Day, we are reminded of the importance and power of prayer for all souls- even those of us still alive. We are also encouraged to pray for those who have left our world so their souls will live with God in Heaven.

In many places, Catholics go to the resting places of their beloved ones during this month. I remember going to the gravesides of my family members and praying for them after mass and decorating their graves with flowers and candles. Most people offer special masses for their beloved departed souls, as the Holy Mass is the highest form of prayer in the church. 

Prayer is a powerful tool. In my previous messages to you, I speak of how prayer can strengthen your life and those whom are close to you. Prayers are a two-way street. We can pray for souls who need to be made perfect to enter heaven and meet the Most Holy God, but those who are sharing in the presence of God already, in my daily prayers, ask them to pray for me.

Every time we say the Apostles Creed, we profess our faith as Catholics. It is such a powerful prayer, that often is overlooked or rushed. However, when said slowly and prayerfully, the words “I believe in the communion of saints”, reminds us of our faith. We believe that there is a union, a fellowship of all souls who are in heaven, on the way to heaven and those of us who are alive. We are all connected because Our God is God of the Living and not of the dead. In Gods eyes, we are still alive even after our death.

Leader: Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord.
Response: And let perpetual light shine upon him (her).
Leader:  May he (she) rest in peace.
Response:  Amen.
Leader: May his (her) soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response:  Amen.

Even when people die, they are still with us- watching, guiding and protecting us as we journey through life. Death may end a life but does not end a relationship. They are never gone.

Fr. Manoj Mathew, C.Ss.R.

Administrator, Burdekin Catholic Parishes.

The Good Samaritan's P.A.T.H.

This week's P.A.T.H. winners: Mia Pappalardo, Leeson Bevilacqua and Alex Oliveri.

Guidance Counsellor

A SPECIAL REPORT: Fortnite

Most parents of adolescent children would be aware of the online game, ‘Fortnite’. The addictive nature of this game is having adverse effects on children’s behaviour and affecting their mental health. With over 125 million registered players worldwide, this game encourages players to battle each other to death using a variety of weaponry.

With an age rating of 12, this game raises many cybersafety concerns. Unfortunately, it allows unmoderated chat between players, leaving children exposed to be contactable by “randomers’ online. This function alone makes it unsuitable for primary aged children.

In light of the announcement from the World Health Organisation now recognising “gaming disorder” as a mental health issue, this special report will help parents gain a greater insight into Fortnite and the concerns surrounding it. Parents are encouraged to reassess their gaming allowances and better manage technology usage at home.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school guidance counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/online-game-fortnite-special-report

Library

Book of the Week Winners

Playtime fun in the Library

Students of the Week