2021 Term 4 Week 4 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Amended Semester 2 Reports
A significant block of Blended Learning combined with ongoing COVID restrictions has impacted on the delivery of the curriculum for our students and as result of this the Semester 2 Reports will be amended. Teachers will be providing families with comments in the areas of English and Mathematics as well as a general comment. These comments will provide information on learning progress and growth, learning in relation to syllabus outcomes covered and practical strategies to support students ongoing learning progress. An assessment of how students engaged with their learning throughout the semester will be shared as well.
Learning Conversations
Level 3 COVID restrictions have made family partnership and involvement within the school setting extremely challenging. In an effort to offset this less than ideal situation, teachers will be personally reaching out to families to have a “learning conversation” about their children’s overall progress at school. Teachers will be either calling by phone, emailing or zooming to initiate learning conversations with families in the very near future.
Yours in Faith,
Warren Niethe
Principal
All Things Learning & Teaching
Celebrating World Teachers' Day 2021
World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to recognise the 160,000+ primary, secondary and early childhood teachers who work in NSW.
We are blessed to have inspirational teachers in our school who strive to be the best for our students everyday. Thank you for all you do St Francis Xavier Staff!
Media Literacy Week October 25-29
Media Literacy Week was created by UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to encourage us to think a little harder about the media we consume and what information we should trust. Behind The News from the ABC have taken a closer look at what media literacy is and how we can make sure we’re not being misled by the media we consume.
Please click on the link below for the Behind The News website.
Celebrating Success
It is lovely to see our students using Success Criteria to assist them with their learning. Here is an example. Savannah is beaming with success!
Learning Intention: To be able to solve a subtraction problem using a bead string, hundreds chart and use the jump strategy.
Success Criteria:
I can…
- use a bead string
- use a hundreds chart
- solve a subtraction problem
Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching
Faith & Mission
Socktober
Today students were out in force wearing their crazy socks proudly in support of Catholic Mission’s annual Socktober fundraiser. The students also had a fantastic time pitting their shooting skills against Mr Niethe in the soccer goals using the sockballs we made during the week. As well as raising awareness amongst students for the plight of the poor and marginalised, the school community also raised $266! A fantastic effort. Well done and thank you for your generous donations.
Crazy Socks
Sockball Shootout
Kindergarten Liturgy
Kindergarten participated in a Liturgy all about Creation with Fr Joy on Wednesday morning. Kindergarten enjoyed sharing their learning with him and also wishing him a very Happy Birthday!
Sacrament of Confirmation
Congratulations to Ava, Sebastian and Dashton who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday.
Grandparents Day
Katrina Ryan
Leader of Evangelisation
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Our senior students play a huge role in keeping Positive Behaviour Support centre-stage at St Francis Xavier. Through their Christ-like actions and words, we rely on students to lead others by example and we are proud of how well they do it. Here is what a few of them have to say about the importance of respecting others at school and in the wider community.
Charlotte
What has PBS brought to St Francis Xavier?
It changes a lot how people act towards each other and they are rewarded for being respectful.
Why is it important to show respect to self, others and the environment?
Respect is good because if you treat someone nicely they might treat you the same back.
How do you think your time at St Francis Xavier will shape your future?
They way you treat others is important.
Patrick
What has PBS brought to St Francis Xavier?
It stopped bullying and stuff like that.
Why is it important to show respect to self, others and the environment?
Because if you don’t have respect for the environment you won’t have oxygen, because the trees will die off.
How do you think your time at St Francis Xavier will shape your future?
It’s probably going to help me to know what’s important and how to treat others.
Kyah
What has PBS brought to St Francis Xavier?
Kids have goals to achieve.
Why is it important to show respect to self, others and the environment?
So there’s more kindness in the school and we treat each other better.
How do you think your time at St Francis Xavier will shape your future?
I think it will help me because of all the stuff I've learned and now I know how to set goals for myself and how to achieve them.
Laura Cooke
Leader of Positive Behaviour Support
Sporting Roundup
Elective Sport for Stages 2 and 3
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions Elective Sport for Stage 2 and 3 will take place at school. Permission notes will be sent home next week.
Road Safety Reminder - Wear helmets
For more information on Road Safety please visit:
Rebel Sport
Thank you to families for your continued support by nominating our school when you buy sports equipment at Rebel Sport. This enables us to buy new equipment regularly for playground use. I am actually headed there on the weekend to get us some new equipment.
Summer Sports
Clarence Zone is taking nominations for the 2021 Summer Sports in Basketball and Tennis involving students from Year 4 and Year 5. Nominations for Cricket, Softball and Touch Football will be called for in Term 1, 2022.
Please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no physical competition at Zone level. Nominations will be assessed on representative history and involvement in regular, strong competition.
It is important to provide a detailed playing history, including your coach's name and contact details, as these nominations will only be considered for players competing regularly at a high representative level.
Students who are successful in gaining selection for the Diocesan Trial will receive further information from Miss Wishart.
If you would like to be considered for these selections please contact the office for a note.
Running Club
The following students achieved 10km in Running Club in Term 3 but unfortunately were not able to receive their certificates and prizes until today in class. Well done!
Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport
Gold Token winners
Well done to ALL token recipients this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners! Keep up the great work everyone.
School Zone Safety & Covert Police Operation
Further to the information emailed to families this Term and published in school newsletters recently, Coffs Harbour City Council have forwarded the following information for distribution to families.
Dear Schools
It has been a difficult time with changing restrictions, however, it has come to our attention that some people in our school communities are neglecting to follow the Safe School Zone rules.
There have been reports of some reckless driving and near misses hence, in the coming weeks, police will be out in our community undergoing a covert operation to fine drivers doing the wrong thing.
Please remind your school community of their responsibility to drive carefully and to always be mindful in our school zones:
- request people adhere to the School Zone rules to keep our children safe
- share the warning of the impending covert operation with your school community
- share the brochure/s
- share the links for further information below
Many thanks,
Di Weekes
Community Safety Programs Officer
Community Programs, Coffs Harbour City Council