2022 Term 1 Week 7 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
'There are times in life where, on either side of a difficult season, you're either asking, "How am I going to get through this?” Or you're on the other side looking back in amazement saying, "How did I get through this?". And that's where I find that the most sincere, real, authentic prayers get prayed. Whether you're praying out of desperation or gratitude, take a pick. When you find out what your support structure looks like: friends, family, loved ones; people who come around you, hold you up with the words they say, the things they do. They become real signposts for the face of Jesus.’
These words of Matt Maher have really resonated with me over the past couple of weeks. Finally, the staff’s prayers have been answered. After a number of long, and at times challenging, COVID years, we are grateful to have our families joining us onsite, breathing new life into our desire for rich and fruitful parent partnerships that serve our students. Family participation is integral to the success of a school community.
'Sunshine Day'
Last Friday’s 'Sunshine Day' that was initiated and run by our Parent Forum was a clear example of the power of parent partnership in action. There was so much joy and happiness radiating throughout the school that afternoon, with our students’ smiles beaming the brightest (this may have had something to do with all the cakes and other goodies).
With that in mind, I would like to encourage more families to participate in two upcoming events in the last week of Term 1. These are:
- The Parent Forum Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 5 April 2022 at 6.30pm. This meeting will coincide with a 'Movie Night in PJs' here at school for the kids. Fun for kids while their parents have an opportunity to add to the life of the school - a WIN WIN!
- We will be ending the Term with a whole school Assembly on Friday, 8 April 2022 at 2.30pm. Parents are most welcome to attend!
COVID-19 Safety Plan
With the changes in COVID restrictions within the wider community, there has been an increase of positive cases at the school. I would like to reassure the entire school community that we are doing everything we can to mitigate transmission of the virus. Your assistance is also needed to ensure the continued safety of everyone. Please carefully refer to the school’s latest COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Cyber Safety
Cyber Safety is an issue that involves every child and every family of this era. Students today are so lucky to have the world open up to them through the World Wide Web, however, whether your child visits the internet for gaming, research, social interactions, YouTubing etc, their safety becomes compromised as they are thrown into the unknown.
Jo Brooker is the Youth Liason Officer for the Coffs/Clarence Police Department. On Wednesday, 23rd March at 2.00pm, Jo is coming to the school to speak to Stage 3 about Cyber Safety. We would like to invite all parents of the Stage 3 students to come along and listen to Jo so that we are all getting the same information.
To be educated about Cyber Safety together is a great step forward.
Yours in Faith,
Warren Niethe
Principal
All Things Learning & Teaching
Open Classroom Evening
It was wonderful to welcome so many families on Tuesday evening. The classrooms were buzzing with the joy of sharing. Thank you to all those who were able to join us, we look forward to many more opportunities in the future where this is possible.
Kindness Culture
Kindness is everyone's responsibility and today we recognise the role each of us play in creating supportive and respectful teaching and learning communities that promote wellbeing. Our focus on Positive Behaviour Support promotes kindness and begins with the individual. Kindness matters, everyday.
Let all that you do be done in love. Show respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment. -Corinthians 16:14
NAPLAN
Over the next few weeks our school, along with schools across Australia, will participate in the NAPLAN Online Practice Tests. This is a part of each student’s preparation to transition to NAPLAN Online in 2022. The Practice Test is an opportunity for students to become familiar with the test environment and to test the school technical infrastructure, test administration process, procedures and logistics, connectivity, number of devices and bandwidth issues that may arise in preparation for the 2022 actual online examination.
Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site, link below.
For further information please click on the links below.
Wet Weather Play
We are so fortunate to have beautiful school grounds with plenty of space to allow for multi purpose use. A change to the Wet Weather Duty Rosters has also allowed for a break in what was becoming routine during lunch and recess. A change is as good as a holiday, they say and holidays are not too far away. Stay dry everyone and enjoy the sunshine when you can.
Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching
Faith & Mission
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Please pray for these students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday, 27 March and Sunday, 3 April.
'Sunshine Day' Flood Fundraiser - A message from the Parent Forum
Dear Families,
The Parent Forum would like to say a very big and heartfelt thank you for contributing and turning up to our Sunshine Day family cake stall. It was so wonderful to see all your smiling faces together after so long. The stall was an absolute success and such a testament to the strength of community spirit we have here at St Francis Xavier.
We look forward to seeing you all at other events we hope to hold throughout the year.
With gratitude,
The Parent Forum.
As a school community, we raised a whopping $1712.85 through mufti day donations and the cake stall combined. This is an incredible effort! A big thank you to all those who contributed goods for the cake stall and to all our families for your generous support of this worthy cause. Please continue to hold those affected by the floods in your prayers.
Catherine McAuley Performance
Students were treated to a wonderful performance on Thursday about the life of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Stage 2 students shared some of their learning after the show.
‘Catherine built a home for poor women and girls so she could look after them.’ Aaliyah D
‘She became a nun and started the Sisters of Mercy.’ Amelia T
‘The home she built was called The House of Mercy.’ Bobby M
‘It’s important to look after people.’ Maddy D
‘Catherine had to deal with lots of tragedy in her life but she kept on going.’ Kalani B
‘Our school was started by Sr Margaret, who is a Sister of Mercy.’ Eli F
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
Spotlight on High Potential Learning
HPL @ SJPC
Stage 3 High Potential Learning (HPL) students had their first visit to St John Paul College (SJPC) this week. They were fortunate to work in the brand new library space with the new HPL Leader of Learning, Mr Aaron Dewhurst. Mrs Brennan, the Teacher Librarian gave the students a tour of the brand new space and the many different learning areas within the library.
Students will be visiting SJPC on a regular basis each term throughout the year. Two of these visits will be with only St Francis Xavier students and the other visit will be with the other two local primary schools, St Augustines and Mary Help of Christians.
In this week’s visit the students participated in a series of ‘Da Vinci Detectives Challenges’ where students were encouraged to use lateral thinking skills to learn about the brain and its amazing powers!
Another highlight of our time at SJPC was that we caught up with some friendly faces from the past who were more than happy to take a friendly pic with us!
“Something I found interesting from my visit to SJPC was the concept of lateral thinking. I discovered that lateral thinking is ‘thinking outside the box’. I also found the different lobes of the brain interesting too. There was the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe, the temporal lobe and the parietal lobe and each of these controls a certain part of our responses and learning.” Eshaani Atwal Yr 6
“Something I already knew and could make connections to or with, was the acronym FANBOYS and how mnemonics help us to remember things like North, South, East and West (Never Eat Soggy Weetbix).” Harsaaj Lehl Yr 5
“Something I think everyone should know is to think laterally when the logical way isn’t working.” Rune Fowler Yr 6
“Something I learned today was about the four different parts of the brain and how these parts of the brain help us.” Niamh Walsh Yr 6
Suzie Coster
Leader of Learning HPL
Communicating Diversity
How to translate the school newsletter to Punjabi
ਸਕੂਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਖਬਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ
- Click the link in the email to open the newsletter
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਣ ਲਈ ਈਮੇਲ ਦੇ ਲਿੰਕ ਤੇ ਕਲਿਕ ਕਰੋ - Select the Translate option at the top of the newsletter and choose Punjabi
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਖਰ 'ਤੇ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਵਿਕਲਪ ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕਰੋ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕਰੋ
Note: This uses Google Translate and won’t be perfect!
Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL / D
A Focus on Inclusion
"Are you proud of me?"
In the video below people with disability ask their parents about the importance of language, what their expectations have been and are they proud?
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Sporting Roundup
School Cross Country Carnival
If the weather permits, the School Cross Country Carnival will be held on Thursday, 31 March. Further information will be emailed to families next week.
Netball Clinics for Stages 2 and 3
I have heard fantastic feedback from students and teachers about the netball clinics that Stage 2 and 3 have been participating in. Students have been learning a range of skills that they can use, not only in netball, but also in other sports. Keep up the great work Stages 2 and 3.
AFL Clinics for Stage 1
Students in Stage 1 started their AFL clinics last week and are really enjoying it. Hopefully we can get back on the fields for this clinic next week.
Diocesan Winter Sports Trials
Today I attended the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials with the Clarence Zone Netball Team in Grafton. Well done to all of our students who trialled today in Netball and Hockey. An email was sent out this week to families regarding the Rugby Union and Soccer (Football) Trials.
Diocesan Summer Sports Trials
Well done to Ellie White who trialled at the Diocesan Touch Football Trials this week.
Try Rugby
Due to the recent wet weather, the date has changed for 'Get Into Rugby', the new date is Friday, 25 March.
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Miss Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport
Gold Tokens winners
Well done to all token recipients this fortnight and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!
Certificate of Recognition recipients
Congratulations to all the Certificate of Recognition recipients for Week 6. Keep up the great work!
Canteen News
Menu Changes
From next week there will be changes to the Canteen Menu.
The full menu will available on Wednesdays.
From Friday, 25 March only the Meal Deal will be available on Fridays. (Other hot food, sandwiches, wraps, toasties and salads WILL NOT be available on Fridays.)
Add On Specials, Icy Treats, Snacks and Drinks will be available on both Wednesdays and Fridays.
Please see the revised Canteen Menu below.
sfxwoopi Facebook Page
Click on the link below to follow our school Facebook page and to see daily photos and reminders regarding school-life at St Francis Xavier.
