2022 Term 2 Week 7 Newsletter
From the Principal
Compass - School Communication Platform
From the beginning of Term 3, we will be joining with Catholic schools across Australia in transferring to a new Student Information System (SIS) called Compass. The Compass platform offers many extra features and benefits, including a smartphone application (app).
The Compass App will become our new school communication tool.
The Compass App will allow you to;
- Pay for excursions and school fees
- Enter in explanations for absences
- Update your family contact details
- Download and view your child's semester reports
- View news feeds of school announcements, alerts and updates-including the newsletter
- View the school calendar
- Provide consent for events.
Over the coming weeks, we will provide support, updates and reminders to fully prepare you for a smooth transition to this new platform. Mr Greg Dwyer from the Catholic Schools Office, Lismore will join us on Wednesday, 15th June at 5.30 pm in the CLC. All are welcome to come and join us for an interactive onboarding session. Please check your emails on Monday, 13th June for your username and login details that will be required for Wednesday afternoon.
The PDF below explains the steps required to download the Compass App and log in using your username and password which will arrive on Mon 13th June.
Change to school fees payments - starting Term 3
Please read this information carefully.
Staffing Announcements
On behalf of the entire school community I would like to warmly welcome Alessandra Isgro - Miss Alee to our students. Alee has been appointed to the St Francis Xavier team as our School Counsellor. Over the next few weeks Alee will be dropping into classrooms so that our students can get to know her. Connecting with our students shouldn’t be a problem with her beaming smile and happy disposition. Please note, we are currently reviewing the school’s referral procedure and an update will be shared in the Week 9 school newsletter.
It gives me great pleasure in announcing Laura George and Teresa Cadogan as the teachers covering Lexie Jensen’s maternity leave. Laura and Teresa will be job sharing. What a bonus two teachers for the price of one! More importantly, both Laura and Teresa are well known by the students which will ensure a smooth transition.
Farewell (For Now) Mrs Jensen (Lexie)
On behalf of the entire school community I would like to wish Lexie and her husband John endless blessings for the birth of their first child. I can’t think of a more exciting time for a family. Please, especially hold Lexie in your prayers as she enters one of the most important and rewarding vocations in the world - being a mum!
Yours in Faith
Warren Niethe
Principal
All Things Learning & Teaching
Semester 1 Reports
We are almost half way through the school year and the 2022 half yearly reports will be uploaded to the Parent Portal in Week 10 of this term. Reports offer an opportunity to reflect and celebrate your child and their achievements to date.
As required by the Federal Government, our student progress reports, reflect ‘A’ to ‘E’ grading from Stage 1 - Stage 3. Kindergarten students will have, Working towards, Working at, or Working above.
For many in Year 1 this is the first time they will experience a grade for their learning. It is important to note that a ‘C’ grade indicates the student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main content. This highlights that the student is working at Stage level and this is a very positive result.
Effort and Application is also shared and are key components to discuss with your child. Our school reports aim to deliver quality, clear information on achievement and learning progress of each student.
Ways to Encourage Sharing the Learning that Happens at School
How many times have you asked your daughter/son, “What did you do at the school today?” and the answer was “Nothing”. It is the eternal response that drives all parents crazy!
At St Francis Xavier we have 5 key questions that we believe assists with the learning conversation:
- What did you learn today?
- How did you do it?
- What did you do if you didn’t understand?
- How can you improve on your learning?
- What are you most proud of?
Below is a link with some other suggestions that may also assist in eliciting a response that contains ‘a bit more’ detail.
Winter Chills
Winter is now upon us and the mornings in particular have been a little cool (3 degrees this morning).
This is just a reminder that starting the day with a jumper or jacket on will assist in reducing the chances of flu like symptoms or even developing the flu. When possible, please ensure that your child/children are dressing for the weather conditions.
Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Faith & Mission
Stage 1 Mass
Stage 1 celebrated Mass with Fr Joy on Wednesday this week. The liturgy featured a student dramatisation of the Pentecost story and artworks centred on the Holy Spirit that students completed during their Religious Education unit this term. It was lovely to have some parents come along and participate. Families are always welcome to attend Stage Masses.
Biggest Morning Tea
THANKS to YOU, our Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser was a huge success! As a community, we raised $803, which is an incredible effort.
THANKYOU:
- to all the families that sent in muffins for the students and yummy treats for the Community and Family Cake Stalls
- to all the families who came along and supported the cake stalls
- to the parent volunteers who helped with organising, setting up and manning the stalls
- to the students who helped with potting up the succulent pots and serving at the stalls.
If you weren't able to get along to one our fundraisers but would still like to contribute, donations can be made by visiting the fundraising page below.
Preparations are underway for our whole school Wellbeing Day being held on Friday, June 24 (Week 9). The day will begin with students participating in an activity that they will nominate once they have reached their stamp target for the term. There are lots of great activities to choose from, including a trip to the beach, craft, sports, basket weaving, Mario Kart and many more.
In the middle session, the Year of the Term (ie. the year that has collected the most tokens this term) will put their dancing shoes on for a Silent Disco, run by DJ Salty.
The end of term Wellbeing Days form part of our Positive Behaviour Support approach and allow us to celebrate another great term together as a whole school community. The aim of the Wellbeing Days are to:
- celebrate a great term’s learning and growing together
- foster good relationships between students of all ages
- provide peer mentoring opportunities for students of different ages
- strengthen positive relationships between student and staff
- build school spirit and encourage friendships.
First Holy Communion
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
Communicating Diversity
Acknowledgement to Country
St Francis Xavier Primary School is dedicated to the mission of Reconciliation in Australia and we are blessed to have students whose passion for their culture enlightens all of us. Last week, two of our Stage 2 students, Willow and Grace, returned to the Stage 1 classrooms to teach their younger peers about the Acknowledgement to Country. They explained the meaning of the Acknowledgement and taught us how to say it with actions. These two natural leaders have already requested to return and teach us more and we cannot wait to welcome them back!
Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL / D
A Focus on Inclusion
Equality and Equity
In the first image, all three boys have the exact same size box. Clearly they are being treated equally but the little boy isn’t having much fun and I wonder if the middle boy has to stand uncomfortably on his tip-toes throughout the game.
In the middle image, things have improved as all three boys can see the game. We’re all set, right? Clearly, it’s better but improvement is still possible. Why, you might ask? The answer is that people really don’t want to be treated differently. With the smallest boy, perhaps the taller boys will tease him because he’s smaller. That scenario could get worse if the smallest boy isn’t the youngest. I’m not suggesting that’s fair but it can be reality. Also, is there an element of danger for the boy standing on two boxes. Might he fall? What if he has to move quickly if a ball is hit his way?
On the third image all three boys can see the game without any aids. That makes sense doesn’t it ?
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Sporting Roundup
Athletics Carnival
Our School Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday, 17th June (weather dependent). Please click the link for parent information regarding the Carnival.
NSWPSSA Basketball and NSWCPS Cross Country
Congratulations to Rune who represented Polding in Tamworth at the NSW PSSA Basketball trials during Week 6 and the Diocese in Sydney at the CPS Cross Country trials during Week 7 along with Bonnie, Ellie and Ava. Well done to each of these students!
Before School Basketball and Running Clubs
Stage 3 students have been greatly enjoying the basketball clinics run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-8:45. Once the fields are dry we will recommence running club during these times.
Sporting Schools Funding- Basketball Clinics and Equipment for PDHPE.
This Term, we were lucky enough to receive funding from Sporting Schools to deliver four Coach led Basketball Clinics for each class from Stages 1-3. There was a small amount of funding remaining that has been used to update our basketball equipment for use in PDHPE. Thank you to the students pictured below for assisting to label and pump up equipment ready for playground use.
Sport and Play Team Handball Competition- For Students, By Students
Well done to the Stage 3 Sport and Play Team who have been successfully running a handball tournament for Stage 2 during Week 6. The lucky winner was Eli who received some sports prizes. Congratulations Eli! This week, students organised a competition for Stage 3 students. The competition for Stage 1 will take place after the Athletics Carnival.
Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport
Position Vacant
Canteen Supervisor
Gold Token Winners
Well done to ALL token recipients over the last fortnight and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!
