Term 3 Week 3 2023
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to Catholic Education Week! Catholic Education Week provides an opportunity for staff, students, parents and the wider community to come together and appreciate the distinct nature of Catholic education and its commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. It is a week where we recognise and celebrate the significant role that Catholic education plays in the lives of students and in the community as a whole. It is an opportunity to showcase the unique aspects of Catholic education and its commitment to academic excellence, faith formation, social justice, and community engagement.
As a school we have had such a wonderful week celebrating with events such as Founders’ Day, and Catholic Education Week Mass at the Cathedral in Townsville, our teachers participated in a special PD session and our Year 5 students headed off on camp.
During this week we also celebrate one member of our school community through the annual Spirit of Catholic Education Awards. The St Francis nominee for 2023 was Katrina Rainbow. I would like to share Katrina’s nomination with you below. Please join me in congratulating Katrina.
If you have received a cheerful greeting delivered with a broad smile and a wish for a lovely day, you have been greeted by the gentle Katrina Rainbow. Katrina has been a familiar presence at St. Francis Catholic School since her eldest child commenced school in 2014. In 2019, Katrina officially became a member of staff as a School Officer working in Prep.
Our Prep students adore Miss Katrina for her firm and caring nature. The parents are grateful for her presence as it makes the transition to formal schooling stress-free for the whole family. From the moment parents walk through that Prep room door, they know they belong and their child is in safe and loving hands.
Teachers are grateful for Katrina as she focuses on supporting them as they guide the learning of students. She does this without being asked if resources need to be made or organised. When they suddenly appear, you realise Katrina has prepared them at home. Teachers appreciate her insightfulness and work ethic. This appreciation is not limited to the Prep teachers she supports but all staff both teaching and non-teaching. If there is a need, whether it be work-related or personal, Katrina will be there offering to help in any way possible.
Sports carnivals, Sports Gala Days, Under 8s Day and Open Days, will always see Katrina helping with set up and guiding the student’s participation in her well recognised gentle manner.
As an involved mother of four children who attend Catholic Primary and Secondary schools, Katrina is known for the support and contributions she makes to the organisations in which her children are involved. This ranges from sporting to cultural activities. She encourages and ensures her children fully carry out their commitments and responsibilities to team coaches, instructors and peers.
Whoever you are, after that welcoming greeting, Katrina listens deeply and shows a genuine interest in what you have to say. Her responses are always positive and encouraging. Her thoughtfulness is evidenced in her readiness to help without a hint of the possibility it could be an imposition on her time and energy. When she identifies an opportunity to help, she will respond before a request is voiced.
Her gentle and positive acknowledgement of others and her expressed gratitude for their efforts and contributions to the lives of students and the school community positively impact staff morale.
For Katrina, Catholic Identity is a way of life. Her authenticity as a Christ-centred humble person is a model for us all to follow. It is a privilege to nominate Katrina for the 2023 Spirit of Catholic Education Award.
There is a range of nasty viruses going around our school community at the moment. We have had a significant number of staff and students quite ill over the past two weeks. While we always aim for consistency in classes with teachers, it is proving a little difficult at this time with the number of our teachers and supply teachers being unwell. I thank you for your understanding and patience while we work to ensure our school community is once again healthy. I also ask that if your child is unwell, please keep them at home.
This week I started interviews for our 2024 Prep students. It has been wonderful to meet some of our new students for next year and to hear why they are looking forward to coming to big school. I will be continuing to meet with our new students throughout the next 3 weeks. If you haven't yet put in your 2024 application for Prep, please do so as this is part of our planning for next year.
Have a wonderful week.
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
Religious Life of the School
Welcome to week 3. What a crazy week it has been with Catholic Education Week activities, people being unwell, Year 5 camp and professional development.
We enjoyed Monday at BCHS celebrating the founders of the Burdekin Catholic schools. The students had fun participating in activities and the doughnuts were a big hit.
Tuesday I was blessed to be able to attend my first Catholic Education Week Mass in Townsville with Mrs Jones and our school captains. It was a beautiful Mass also celebrating 150 years of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Townsville
The Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Next week on July 31, it is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was a Spanish Catholic priest and theologian. He was born in Loyola, Spain, and initially pursued a military career. During the Battle of Pamplona, he was injured, leading to a profound spiritual transformation. After a period of pilgrimage and deep reflection, Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1540 with help from St Francis Xavier. The Jesuits were dedicated to education, missionary work, and promoting the Catholic faith.
St. Ignatius left an enduring impact on the Catholic Church. Ignatius' "Spiritual Exercises" and the establishment of the Jesuits have had a profound influence on spirituality, education and humanitarian work worldwide.
Save The Date
3rd August, Class Mass for Prep and Year 6
7th August, St Mary Mackillop Liturgy presented by 4A
24th August, Class Mass for Years 3 and 4
27th August, School Youth Mass
31st August, Class Mass for Years 1, 2 and 5
Trust in Jesus
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen.
•• St Ignatius, Pray For Us ••
God bless
Nicole
Guidance Counsellor
In this edition of SchoolTV - EATING DISORDERS
Understanding eating disorders can be difficult for families. There are many myths around what causes an eating disorder, but it is actually diagnosed as a mental illness. Although the focus is on food, weight and shape, there is often an underlying issue being masked by the eating disorder. It is the biggest killer of any psychiatric illness for young people. It affects both males and females of any age or background.
An eating disorder is a serious and potentially life-threatening mental health illness. It can have significant physical and emotional effects. The beginning of adolescence and late teens are peak periods for kids to experience their first symptoms. Young people with eating disorders can have reductions in cognitive function, emotional changes and may even stop participating in their normal daily activities.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn what warning signs to look for and what can be done in the prevention of an eating disorder.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Eating Disorders edition of SchoolTV
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/eating-disorders
Class in the Spotlight
What a wonderful Catholic Education Week we had this week. It started with a bang on Monday with our annual Founders' Day followed by a special Mass at the Cathedral for our school captains on Tuesday. Our Year 5 students headed off on camp on Wednesday and throughout the week our classes completed activities about the importance of celebrating Catholic schools.
Catholic Education Week
P.A.T.H.
P.A.T.H. Award winners from last week with Seminarians Grant and Bradley and Father Vitalis.
25 P.A.T.H Awards - Georgiana and Isla P.A.T.H. Award - Aurora and Sari
Tuckshop
Tuckshop Special
To be order by Tuesday 1 August
Thursday 3 August (Week 4) - Beef Nachos - $6
(Options) - plain - sour cream - salsa - sour cream / salsa -cheese
Order: Bag or online
Lost Property
Please call in to the school office if any of these items belong to your family.
Community
