2022 Term 1 Week 3 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

School Improvement Plan

I believe that all schools are good schools by the very fact that they have been entrusted with the enormous responsibility of ensuring the next generation is ready to care for each other and the world well into the future. However, a good school can become even better with a continuous and rigorous improvement mindset. In other words, to be a “great school” there needs to be an annual School Improvement Plan in action. 

It is important that the annual School Improvement Plan is shared with the entire school community. Students, staff and families need to be on the same page if the main goals for the school year are to be achieved. Below is a succinct summary of what we value and are striving for as educators here at St Francis Xavier.

Ultimately, a clear measure of success for any School Improvement Plan is when students, staff and families are all “walking the talk”.

Yours in Faith
Warren Niethe
Principal

All Things Learning & Teaching

Learning Hubs - Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

Our start to learning in 2022 has had an intentional focus on establishing and building relationships. It is a well documented fact that we are more open to learning when we feel safe, connected and supported. Staff at St Francis Xavier have made this a priority. We feel very blessed to be part of each and every one of our students' learning journey. It certainly does take ‘a village to raise a child’, thank you for being a part of our beautiful village.

Year 6 Leadership Teams

At St Francis Xavier, all Year 6 students are considered to be Leaders. In addition to the School and Assistant Leaders, students nominate to be part of a Leadership Team in an area of personal interest. The teams meet on a regular basis, with the support of mentor teachers, to plan for opportunities to raise awareness, educate other students and share their passion and enthusiasm for each of their respective areas. This week we would like to introduce you to the first of our Year 6 Leadership Teams, the I.T Team: Lucas, Jett, James, Eli, Ben, Amrit and Jyrus have created a video to share a bit about themselves, why they are interested in technology and some of their tips about online safety. 

Parents who are interested in learning more about navigating through and supporting their children in the online environment are encouraged to visit the eSafety Commissioner website which contains lots of useful information, resources and free webinars.

The Council of Catholic School Parents and the eSafety Commission are partnering to provide a free webinar designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10–18. It will provide helpful information for parents including:

• What do to about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
• Using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing
• Digital mental health platforms
• Strategies for young people to support friends online.

Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Faith & Mission

Sacraments

If you would like your child/children to receive any of these Sacraments this year, please complete the enrolment form by clicking on the link below. Enrolments for Reconciliation and First Communion will close on Monday, February 21. 

St Valentine's Day

During a Religion lesson in Kindergarten, we talked about how we can share love to others on St Valentine's Day. We asked the beautiful children in Kinder and Years 1/2 to make hand made cards of love for the residents of the Woolgoolga Aged Care Centre. There is something so special about the joy a little child can give an elderly person with a surprise drawing!

Incitāre

Incitāre is a one-day retreat experience for Year 6 students from Catholic Primary Schools based in regions of the Diocese to explore their faith. The retreat is a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people. All Year 6 students are invited to nominate, however places are limited. Please speak with your child about this opportunity and assist them in completing a nomination form (sent home with students today). Nominations are due by Friday, February 25.

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

Communicating Diversity

English as an Additional Language/Dialect

Language learning support has been a priority at St Francis Xavier since 2016 when an EAL/D role was introduced that brought English language learning to the forefront of our daily teaching practice. I’m pleased to be in a leadership position in 2022 that continues to ensure EAL/D is a priority across our school and community.

EALD support is underpinned by the natural Progression of English Language Acquisition of:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading and Viewing
• Writing

Our dedicated staff has a deep awareness of the different needs students learning to speak English as a subsequent language possess. 

For further support or information about EALD support, please contact Laura Cooke. Email: laura.cooke@lism.catholic.edu.au

Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL/D

A Focus on Inclusion

Being Different...

Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion

Sporting Roundup

Zone Swimming Carnival - Maclean

A big well done goes out to all competitors at Wednesday’s Zone Swimming Carnival at Maclean. All students swam well and it was lovely to see the great behaviour and sportsmanship shown by our Zone Team. Our Junior Girls Relay team placed third in the 50m Freestyle and Georgia Winn will be progressing to the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Murwillumbah.

Diocesan Summer Sport Trials - Lismore

Congratulations to Rune Fowler who competed at the Diocesan Summer Sport Trials in Basketball in Lismore last week.  Rune has progressed to the Polding Summer Sport Trials in Tamworth next week.

Netball and AFL Clinics

I am happy to announce that Stages 2 and 3 will begin netball clinics in Week 5. This will be a four week program as part of their Physical Development Health and Physical Education units led by an external coach. Stage 1 students will also begin AFL clinics in Week 6. They will also participate in a four week coach led program.

Woolgoolga Saints Junior Rugby Union

If your child is interested in playing Junior Rugby Union this year, there will be a Try Rugby/Get into Rugby afternoon on Friday, 4th March at Woolgoolga Sports Ground from 5.30pm-7.00pm.

For further information please visit the Facebook Page by clicking on the link below or email coffsjuniors@gmail.com

Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport

Music Tuition

Maldon Place Parking Considerations

Off Street Parking Considerations

Please be mindful of your school neighbours when parking in the streets adjacent to St Francis Xavier. In particular, do not park on nature strips and footpaths or block driveways. Recently, there have been a number of complaints in relation to Maldon Place. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring everyone's safety as well as neighbourhood harmony.

Gold Token winners

Well done to all Token recipients this fortnight and congratulations to our Gold Token winners!

Certificates of Recognition - Week 2

Congratulations to all the Certificate of Recognition recipients for Week 2.  Keep up the great work!

Parent Assembly Lenten Program

The Parent Assembly is offering a Lenten program via zoom for parents. Please scan the QR code in the image below or click on the link in the pdf below to register.

Parish Schools Office reminder

School Photo Day