2022 Term 1 Week 9 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

Welcome to the last school newsletter for Term 1. It is hard to believe one quarter of the year is already over. It just goes to show that time really does fly when you are having fun or should that be fun learning here at St Francis Xavier. I would like to commend the entire school community on its perseverance and unrelenting focus on student learning, even against the challenging backdrop of a COVID landscape.

Upcoming Events

It should also be acknowledged that families certainly have an important role to play in terms of student learning. The recent “Open Classroom Evening'' was a prime example of the positive impact families can have on student learning. There were so many proud and happy students showing their families around their classrooms - it was absolutely priceless! 

With this in mind, I would like to encourage more families to participate in two upcoming events next week. These are:

• The Parent Forum Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 5/4/22 at 6.30 pm. 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 8/4/22 at 2.15 pm. Parents are most welcome to attend!

ANZAC Day March 

Further information will be emailed to families next week regarding the ANZAC Day March in Woolgoolga on Monday, 25 April.

Wishing our staff, students and their families a truly blessed Holy Week and the joys of Easter. May the Risen Christ forever burn within your hearts. 

Yours in Faith
Warren Niethe
Principal

All Things Learning & Teaching

Term 1 - Showcase of Learning

What a Term of learning! Our students, teachers and families really are amazing when it comes to ensuring that learning continues inspite and despite any obstacles they are confronted with. We congratulate all on your efforts this Term.

Wellbeing Days Term 1

The end of Term Wellbeing Day for each stage is a day to celebrate the successes achieved throughout the Term. This looks different in every stage and class teachers will share via Seesaw. Wellbeing matters and being able to celebrate together certainly allows for positive connections.

NORPA Workshops

Last Friday our students were fortunate enough to participate in a Drama workshop with facilitators Mitch King and Blake Rhodes from the Northern Rivers Performing Arts. NORPA is renowned for presenting home-grown works and making them accessible to regional audiences. Increasing access to the performing arts is at the core of NORPA’s artistic program and together with students from every Stage throughout the day, they explored the use of various art forms used to tell traditional and contemporary stories on country. Thanks NORPA and the Lismore Catholic Schools Office for a wonderful opportunity.

NAPLAN School Calendar

NAPLAN Online takes place early next Term. We have included below the timetable that the school will follow. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN tests 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 by clicking on the link below. Both you and your child can explore the questions together. Walking through this site and exploring how questions may be presented goes a long way towards easing any fear around ‘what things may look like.’  At school we expose the students to examples as well, the practise conducted last week is an example of this.

Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Faith & Mission

World Day of Prayer for Peace

Coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord on Friday last week, Pope Francis implored Catholics from around the world to join together in solidarity to pray for PEACE. Students and staff answered this call, celebrating with a Liturgy and creating their own prayers for peace, forming a beautiful wall of peaceful sunflowers. Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine.

Holy Week and Easter Celebrations

Parents are invited to join us for our first and final Assembly for Term 1 on Friday, April 8 at 2.15pm. Year 6 will begin by presenting the Stations of the Cross, depicting the final day of Jesus’ life through drama and prayer. 

On Tuesday, April 26 at 10.45 there will be a whole school Easter celebration in the Hall. 

Project Compassion boxes

Holy Week & Easter Services

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

Spotlight on High Potential Learning

Stage 2

After a delayed start to the withdrawal program, Stage 2 High Potential Learning (HPL) students have been working on improving their digital literacy skills. The students have had opportunities to learn about and sharpen their digital skills in using, modifying and manipulating online graphic tools. 

The students are also working with Dustin Kerr, our resident I.T expert on coding. They have been very successful in creating animations using the online program, Scratch. 

Meet the Stage 2 HPL students!

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Suzie Coster
Leader of Learning HPL

Communicating Diversity

Speaking Different Languages for School Success

Did you know that students who speak a language other than English at home can use their family’s first language to help them learn? 

Speaking the language you know best with your child at home, helps them learn at school. You should speak, sing, read and write in your home language with your child as much as you can.

It will not slow down their English language development. It will help them learn English faster.

Benefits of speaking in your home language with your child include:

• Brain development and creative thinking skills
• A strong sense of identity and belonging
• Improved concentration, memory and listening skills
• Better communication and literacy skills

We also love to learn different languages from your child too! 

Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL/D

A Focus on Inclusion

What is the NCCD?

Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion

Sporting Roundup

School Cross Country

Our School Cross Country has been postponed to Monday, 4 April.

For further information, please click on the link below or refer to the email sent to families today.

Polding Basketball Summer Sports Trials

Congratulations to Rune Fowler who represented the Lismore Diocese at Polding Basketball Trials and was selected in the Polding Basketball Team to attend the NSWPSSA State Carnival later in 2022. 

Diocesan Soccer (Football) Winter Sports Trials

Well done to the students who represented the Clarence Zone at last week’s Diocesan Soccer Trials in Grafton. Congratulations to Evie Gibson who was selected to represent Lismore Diocese at Polding Winter Sports Trials at Bathurst next Term.

Stage 1 AFL Clinic

Stage 1 will complete their AFL Clinic next week.

Stage 2 and 3 Netball Clinics

Stages 2 and 3 enjoyed their Netball Clinic this Term.  A huge thank you to Netball NSW for the fantastic program and facilitators.

Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport

Music Tuition

School Violin Program

Gold Token winner

Well done to all token recipients this fortnight and congratulations to the one and only Gold Token winner! Keep up the great work everyone!

Certificates of Recognition

Congratulations to all Certificate of Recognition recipients for Week 8.  We are very proud of you!

eSafety Commissioner

Free holiday activity for the kids

Family routines can be quite different during the holidays. This might mean more time relaxing, playing games or watching videos on social media. Balance your family’s extra screen time over the holidays with some online safety activities.

The Be Secure Quiz is a fun, interactive activity for kids aged 8-12. The quiz helps start family conversations about important online safety topics, such as:

• keeping devices safe
• protecting privacy and personal information 
• spending money online
• getting help and support if something goes wrong.

CHCC - Road Safety information

School Zones

Please click on the link below for information on Coffs Harbour City Council School Zones.

Fines & Demerits in School Zones

Please read the information below regarding Road Rules and Fines & Demerits in School Zones.

Road Safety & Traffic Management Guidelines

Please read the St Francis Xavier Primary School 'Road Safety & Traffic Management Guidelines' by clicking on the link below.

Updated COVID-19 Isolation Requirement