Term 1 Week 8 2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
With only a few days to go until the end of term, I wanted to thank you for your support and patience throughout what has been a disrupted and at times difficult beginning to the school year. I would like to say a massive thank you to our staff. They began the school year with a lot of uncertainty around what teaching would look like in Term 1, but they took everything in their stride to ensure that our students were settled and engaged in wonderful learning experiences. Our students also did a fabulous job in dealing with the essential changes early in the term. From not having parents walk them in every day to online assemblies they too rose to the challenges presented. I am especially proud of our new Preps and how well they adjusted to life at big school. Everyone certainly deserves a break over the next two weeks.
Thank you to those families who have completed our Catholic Identity Survey. This survey takes place every 5 years and forms part of the school's plan moving forward as we set goals and respond to the needs of our school community in regards to our Catholic Identity. We need 52 parents to complete the survey for our results to be considered valid. At this stage, we only have about half the number of required surveys completed. I know people are busy and surveys are time-consuming but we would greatly appreciate your assistance. As a bonus, once you have forwarded your certificate of completion to ayr@tsv.catholic.edu.au you go into the draw to win a set of school uniforms and a pizza party for your child’s class. This survey closes on Friday.
We are looking forward to our Cross Country this Thursday. I would like to thank Mrs Eathorne and Mrs Pattinson for all of their work in organising the day. We would love to see you at this event. It is sure to be a great morning.
Last week I sent home a reminder about school uniforms. I am going to reiterate this message here. At St Francis, we have high expectations of our students. The wearing of the correct school uniform and student's personal appearance falls under these high expectations. Our students are representatives of our school whenever they are in school uniform, therefore, it should be worn with pride on all occasions. It is the collective responsibility of all to ensure that the requirements as laid out in the Uniform Policy are adhered to. Over the past few weeks, there have been several students whose uniforms and personal appearance do not meet the Uniform Policy guidelines. I have seen students whose hairstyles, hair accessories, shoes and jewellery are not in line with our policy. I ask that these issues are addressed over the school holidays. Starting from Term 2, students who do not adhere to this policy will be bringing home a uniform slip to have their uniform rectified. It is important that the students are showing pride in their school through the wearing of the correct uniform. I thank you in advance for your continued support.
Finally, I hope that you have a safe and relaxing Easter break. If you are travelling, travel safely. Enjoy the time you get to spend with your loved ones. Thank you again for your support throughout the term and I look forward to seeing you all after the holidays.
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
Religious Life of the School
Have you experienced judgement that didn’t help you but hurt you? The Gospel (John 8:1-11) for the fifth Sunday of Lent, tells the story of a woman who had broken the laws. The Pharisees wanted her stoned, according to the law and asked Jesus what he thought. They wanted to see whether Jesus would disobey the law and show the woman mercy. Jesus knelt and wrote on the ground with his finger then stood up and said, ‘Let the first person who has never done anything wrong throw the first stone at her.’ He showed mercy towards the woman without disobeying the law. Sometimes before we judge someone we need to find out why they are doing what they are and offer them love and compassion.
Project Compassion: Shaniella 23, grew up in a remote village in the Solomon Islands in a province that has limited educational and job opportunities and one of the country’s highest poverty rates. After leaving school, she decided to move closer to the capital city, Honiara, to study hospitality and tourism. However, her vocational training school was hit by a landslide and cyclone in quick succession, destroying its water supply system and the vegetable garden that it relies on for food. With your generous support, Caritas Australia has helped the school to install water tanks, re-establish its garden and provided training in disaster risk reduction. Shaniella can now complete her job skills training and the school has enough food and water for its students. Thank you to those families who have returned their Project Compassion boxes; if you have not already done so the boxes can be returned tomorrow.
Easter Raffle: The Mini Vinnies students have done an amazing job selling tickets in the Easter baskets. All money raised will fund projects for Caritas. The raffle will be drawn on Friday.
As Easter is at the end of the school holidays, we will have a special Easter liturgy at 2:15 pm on Tuesday, 19th of April. We wish you all a relaxing holiday and a happy and holy Easter.
Lord, give me a non-judgmental heart.
Help me to love each person I encounter
with a holy love and acceptance.
Help me to have the compassion I need
to forgive their wrongdoing with kindness and firmness,
but to also see beyond the surface
and see the person You created.
In turn, give me the true love
and friendship of others so that I may trust
and enjoy the love You wish me to have.
Amen
Sacramental Program: The information night for the Sacramental Program in Ayr 2022 is on Monday 15th August with the celebration on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October. To register you can ring or email the office and more information will be sent to you closer to the dates. (Phone 47832316 - Monday to Friday 9am - 12noon or email burdekinparishes@tsv.catholic.
TWO DAYS LEFT TO GO INTO THE DRAW FOR A FULL SET OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS!
Please email your Certificate of Completion to ayr@tsv.catholic.edu.au to be entered into the draw.
From the Guidance Counsellor
In this edition of SchoolTV - HAPPINESS & GRATITUDE
International Day of Happiness was held this month and it seems a good time to reflect on the important role gratitude and happiness play in our wellbeing?
Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.
The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude from a variety of short videos from leading experts including Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. You can also take the quiz to test your knowledge on the many facets of happiness.
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 Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV
https://sfatsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude
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