2021 Term 4 Week 10 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

Thank you

As this will be the last edition of our school newsletter for 2021, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire school community for making my transition to St Francis Xavier such a positive and rewarding experience. Throughout the course of this Term I have learnt much about leading and serving this special school community. In particular, the students and their families’ resilience and ability to adapt in the face of an ever changing COVID-19 backdrop has been inspirational. 

I am truly blessed to be working with a team of amazing people! Each and everyday I am astounded at the high level of professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by the staff of St Francis Xavier in their various roles. Teaching and working in a modern day school setting can be at times demanding, especially in the midst of a pandemic. However, no matter how challenging things may be, the staff always put our students first to ensure they are given the best learning opportunities at all times. 

Christmas wishes

We are well into the Advent season. It is important that we continue to make preparations for Jesus’ light to shine brightly in our lives now and forever. Preparing for Christmas is a time for prayer, personal reflection as well as moving nearer to our saviour Jesus Christ. It is far more important than tinsel and presents. I know this can be hard to believe in a world that is so driven by materialism and consumerism. However, with the true spirit of Christmas in mind, I would like to wish everyone a safe, blessed and joyous season ahead. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in 2022 totally refreshed, recharged and ready for another year of learning.

Yours in Faith,
Warren Niethe
Principal

All Things Learning & Teaching

2021 Learning Wrap Up

What a year! St Francis Xavier students have demonstrated resilience, adaptability and a love of learning. These three characteristics are fundamental for 21st century learners and important life long learning skills. Semester 2 Student Progess Reports have been published and while this is a record of the learning that has taken place, it is extremely difficult to truly capture all that each semester encapsulates. What is clearly evident though, is the love that permeates throughout and allows for each person to strive to be the best they can. Congratulations to all learners on their efforts this year.

Semester 2 Student Progess Reports

As previously announced, Semester 2 Student Progress Reports are now on the Parent Portal.  Please click on the link below to access the Parent Portal.  If your child is in Year 6, or not returning to this school in 2022, you will be required to download your child's Report by Wednesday, 15 December, as they will not be accessible after that date.

Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Faith & Mission

End of Year Mass & Student Leader Commissioning

This week, Stage 2 and 3 gathered to celebrate our End of Year Liturgy. The 2021 School Leaders passed on the leadership baton to the incoming 2022 School Leaders as part of the Ceremony of Light. We also farewelled the Graduating Class of 2021 and prayed for them as they begin the next exciting chapter of their lives.

Katrina Ryan
Leader of Evangelisation

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

Wellbeing Day

It’s hard to believe the 2021 school year is nearing an end. We have so much to celebrate at St Francis Xavier! Positive Behaviour Support is built on celebrating successes so stay tuned to see what happens next week across classrooms as we all recognise our achievements during our Wellbeing Day. There is sure to be lots of games and laughter as each Stage acknowledges the shared journey of the 2021 school year. 

Year Group of the Term

A big congratulations to our Kindergarten students who won the ‘Year of the Term’ token prize! Kindergarten earned a record breaking number of tokens for respectful behaviour this Term and will farewell the last week of their first year at big school with a special disco and ice cream party! We are very proud of these future leaders who are ready to become role models for our incoming 2022 Kindergarten students.

Laura Cooke
Leader of Positive Behaviour Support

Sporting Roundup

Year 6 Big Day Out

Year 6 students will be having a Big Day Out at the Woolgoolga Pool on Tuesday, 14 December 2021.

Students will arrive at school as normal and in school uniform.  Students will walk to the pool at 10:30am and return to school at 1:30pm.

Students will need the following items:

• Swimmers and a towel
• A rash shirt 
• A school hat
• Thongs/slides
• Underwear to change into if they come to school in swimmers
• Sunscreen if your child is allergic to regular sunscreen.
• Water bottle, lunch and recess as normal

Please note:  All items must be labelled with student’s name.

The pool kiosk will be open. If students would like to purchase something from the kiosk they will need to bring money.

Elective Sport

Stages 2 and 3 completed their Elective Sport program this week. Thank you to parents and carers for your support and understanding of the running of this program under Level 3 Covid Restrictions. 

Stage 1 PDHPE

Stage 1 continues to enjoy basketball in PDHPE.

Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport

Cyber Safety

With the holidays fast approaching, the eSafety Website has some great resources that will support parents and carers in keeping children safe online. There are videos, quizzes and other activities to teach children about cyber safety. Please click on the link below to access:

Gold Token Winners

Well done to all Token recipients this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners! Keep up the great work everyone.

Mini Vinnies

Festive Hampers

A huge thank you for your generosity! We have been able to make 16 Festive Christmas Hampers for families needing a ‘hand up' in Woolgoolga this Christmas. God bless you and your families at this special time of year.

Helen Hunt and St Francis Xavier Mini Vinnies

Meal Deal for Wednesday, 15 December

Limited menu items also available on Wednesday.