Term 4 Week 4 2023

From the Principal

Dear Families,

Today we celebrate two very important days on the calendar, World Teachers' Day and Daniel for Daniel.

World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to celebrate and thank teachers for the important role they play in our communities and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students. Teaching is a demanding and challenging job. However, despite the challenges our teachers face, the rewards of our profession are huge. For me, there is no greater reward than seeing the joy on a students face when they have finally mastered that tricky concept. I also love having students come and visit the office to show off their work. The pride that they take in discussing their learning is always the highlight of my day. Our teachers go beyond teaching the curriculum as they strive to provide guidance, inspiration and champion our students growth each and every day. I am grateful for the dedicated and caring professionals we have at St Francis and today I want to thank them for being the amazing individuals that they are. 

Today we also had a sea of red for Day for Daniel. Today I encourage you to have a conversation with your child/children about personal safety. This is a topic that is regularly discussed at school. Ask your child/ren to tell you about their Safety Network Hand, what are the early warning signs that they don't feel safe (sweaty palms, butterflies in the tummy, shaking knees etc) and what can they do if they don't feel safe. 

Next Wednesday we are holding our Term 4 Learning Breakfasts. This will be a whole school Learning Breakfast starting at 8am. I hope that you are able to attend and see the wonderful work your child/ren has completed in class this term. I would like to invite you to then stay for our Whole School Christian Meditation for All Saints Day which will begin at 8:45am.

2024 Student Leadership

Our student leadership positions (School Captain, Vice Captain, House Captain) play an important role in our school as students are given opportunities to have input into decisions, voice concerns and make suggestions to improve their school. We have a number of students who have nominated themselves for the position of School Captain for 2024. On Monday, these students will present their leadership speech to their peers as well as our Year 4 students, myself and Nicole. After speeches, students from both of these year levels as well as all staff have the opportunity to vote for who they think will make the best School Captain for our school in 2024. Voting will be open for a short period of time, before students are informed of the outcome. We then follow the same procedure for our House Captains, with these speeches being presented the following week. While we always have some disappointed students, we always reinforce to the Year 5’s that everyone is a leader and that there are different ways to lead - students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles as a Planet Protector, a member of the Student Council or in Mini Vinnies. 

Personally, my favourite part of this entire process comes after we have announced to students who has been chosen as our elected leaders. Our newly elected leaders are invited to my office to phone their parents to share their news. It is always wonderful to witness the looks on the students' faces during these phone calls and to hear the excited conversation that takes place.

I am looking forward to sharing the outcome of our 2024 Student Leadership process with the school community over the coming weeks. 

2024 School Fees 

At our School Board meeting last week, the Board approved the 2024 School Fee structure. You will find our 2024 Fees below. As always, I would encourage families who are finding the cost of their child’s education a challenge to contact the Office and book an appointment with me to discuss potential support that we can offer. 

Once again in 2024, our School Fees cover the cost of all books and stationery that students will require for their class. Students will only need to bring a set of headphones, art shirt and Library bag as all other materials will be provided.

2024 Staffing

We are working towards finalising our staffing for 2024 and as soon as this is confirmed the school community will be informed of these arrangements. In the meantime, if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Earlier today, I sent out a letter informing the school community that Nicole O’Connor has been appointed to the position of APRE from 2024. Nicole has been acting in this role throughout 2023 while Mary Ferguson was on leave. Please join me in congratulating Nicole on her appointment to the APRE position.

Car Park Reminders

Please remember that the Stop, Drop and Go area is purely that. The driver and passengers are to remain in the vehicle. If your child requires help with getting in the car, putting their bag in the car or putting their seatbelt on we ask that you park and help them. The Stop, Drop and Go gets very busy and it is vital that everyone plays their part in helping to keep the pick-up line moving. Please ensure that anyone who may pick up your child/ren is aware of this.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a few families either turning right into the school off Burke St when arriving or turning right onto Burke St when exiting the car park. There is a double line here and as such should not be crossed. Please ensure that you are following the road rules for the safety of all in our community.

Have a wonderful week

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Religious Life of the School

All Saints' Day

Next Wednesday is All Saints' Day. We will be celebrating with Christian Meditation at 8:45 am after the Learning Breakfast, in the Samaritan Centre. Everyone is welcome to join us.

All Saint’s Day is celebrated on November 1st in the Catholic Church, it is a solemn feast that honours all the saints, known and unknown, who have attained heaven. Although millions, or even billions of people may already be saints, All Saints' Day tends to focus on known saints; those recognized in the canon of the saints by the Catholic Church. It is a day to commemorate the lives and virtues of these individuals and to reflect on their examples of holiness. Catholics attend Mass, offer prayers, and remember loved ones who have passed away.

All Saints' Day is followed by All Souls' Day on November 2nd and focuses on praying for the souls of those who have died and not yet reached heaven. Together, these two days form a time of remembrance and intercession for the deceased in Catholic tradition.

Becoming a saint is still something that is happening today. A young man named Carlo Acutis, a Catholic Italian teenager, died in 2006 and was beatified on October 10, 2020, in Assisi, Italy. He was a gamer and computer programmer who loved soccer and the Eucharist, he has become well known throughout the world.

CWL Luncheon

November 15, this year will be the CWL Christmas Luncheon.  We require Year 6 parent assistance to help us with this morning please.  I know everyone is busy but we really need your help.  If you haven't replied with permission, donation or to volunteer could you do so as soon as possible please.  Thank you to the people that have replied and your generous food donations.

This luncheon is a tradition the school and parish look forward to every year.  The morning is a great way for the students to show "love of neighbout' and 'love in action' as they serve the ladies and help raise money to donate to the local St Vincent de Paul, to help families during the Christmas season and beyond.  It is also a great way for parents to spend time together, contributing to the community they live in.

Save The Date

31st October, Burdekin Catholic Parish Celebration, 5:30pm

1st November, Whole School Meditation, 8:50am

6th November, Remembrance Day Liturgy, 2:15pm

15th November, CWL Luncheon

24th November, Thanksgiving Mass, 9am

27th November, Yr 6 Graduation, 6:30pm

29th November, Awards Morning, 9am

1st December, Final Farewell Liturgy, 11am

God bless

Nicole

Learning Corner

How often do you update your car, kitchen cupboards or wardrobe?

How often do you declutter? Do you need all those towels?

Whatever we change is always for a well-considered reason unless you fall into the ‘free-spirit’ category where there is no reason, just a whim (lucky you!).

Teachers are masters of change as they respond to student behavioural and learning needs. A strategy that worked one year may not work the next as the group of students has changed.

Change is always made for a reason. Our Australian Curriculum has changed, and teachers have spent several hours examining these changes in Mathematics. What children must learn to become numerate has stayed the same, but when and how we teach and assess this subject has changed. The changes come in response to research on how children learn in today’s society, with the added impact of devices and experiences that were not present when the previous version of the Australian curriculum was developed.

Legislation has dramatically influenced the updated design. There is a greater emphasis on responding to student diversity through the way learning experiences are presented, adjustments that must be made and the provision of opportunities for all students to show what they know and understand. Next year, teachers will design assessment tasks that provide access for all students, regardless of their learning barriers.

Changes are usually in response to changes in needs and circumstances.

Sadly, not everyone likes change, but the effort to understand the reason for the change is always well rewarded.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Rita Cranitch,                                                                                  

Learning and Teaching Adviser

Inclusive Practices Teacher

Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - EXAM JITTERS

Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, parents will find advice on how to help students cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.

Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their kids to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.

Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful planning and having a supportive environment.

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 guidance counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Exam Jitters edition of SchoolTV
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters

Class in the Spotlight -1/2B

What a busy few weeks we have had in 1/2B! We have participated in a range of fun activities from Fun with Maths, swimming and general classroom activities. 

• Fun with Maths - we had a fantastic time at Fun with Maths and especially enjoyed working with the Year 3 students who helped us solve the tricky problems.
• In Religion, Year 2’s are learning about the Old Testament and God’s Nature with the Jewish people. We have learnt the word ‘covenant’ means a promise and that God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah. 
• In English, we have been learning about rhyming words and syllables. We had fun with alliterations (tongue twisters) and wrote a Haiku.

1/2B

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