2022 Term 3 Week 1 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Welcome back!
A very warm welcome to Term 3! I trust that families made the most of the second week of their Winter vacation as the weather locally was absolutely glorious. Please pray that this term there are far more sunny days than rainy days as we have had more than our fair share of Wet Weather Duties over the past two terms.
Compass App
Our new communication app, Compass, is now up and running. Like any other major administrative change, there will be a transition period that will have some “teething problems”. I ask that you are patient and be assured that our Office staff are doing the best they can. The Office staff have had a limited time to onboard Compass and much of their learning is on the go due to the sheer enormity of the Compass App. However, please feel free to call the Office if you are needing further assistance with the Compass App, just be mindful that they may need time to respond with the correct information. I have every confidence that as a school community we will resolve any Compass issues in a timely and appropriate manner.
Please ensure you have your notifications for the Compass App turned on so you don't miss any information coming through.
A quick reminder what the Compass will allow you to;
- Pay for excursions and school fees
- Enter in explanations for student absences
- Update your family contact details
- Download and view your child’s semester reports
- View new feeds of school announcements, alerts and updates - including the newsletter
- View the school calendar
- Provide consent for events
At the close of last term two very important documents were shared that needed parental action. They were;
- How to download the Compass App and then log in
- An events (excursions) authorisation agreement
I have included these two documents again for your reference and immediate action if you have not already done so.
In terms of the payment of school fees using the Compass App please refer to the latest information below. Once again your cooperation in attending to the requested actions would be much appreciated.
- Using BPay
- Using Compass Pay
Welcome to New Staff
This term we are very fortunate to have two new staff members join team St Francis Xavier.
On behalf of the entire school community I would like to warmly welcome Rebecca Gale and Caroline Burbridge. Rebecca has been appointed as our school’s Indigenous Education Worker (IEW). Caroline has been appointed as our Canteen Supervisor.
Yours in Faith
Warren Niethe
Principal
All Things Learning and Teaching
Off and Running in Term 3
Welcome to Term 3. It is wonderful to see how excited the students are to be connecting with their friends and genuinely happy to be at school, ready to learn. We did manage to start the week with wonderful sunny weather which everyone enjoyed. However this time of year the weather is unpredictable, so please ensure your child has a jumper or jacket either on them or in their bag. Winter means the flu season is upon us and Covid-19 is still circulating. We are taking many measures to ensure our community stays safe and well.
Once again welcome back, we look forward to another exciting term.
PDHPE Term 3
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) is a key learning area in the school’s curriculum. St Francis Xavier follows the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) K-10 PDHPE syllabus.
Learning in PDHPE reflects the dynamic nature of health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity. Learning in this area seeks to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes in the context of a diverse and rapidly changing society. As a result the learning experiences in PDHPE provide students with a foundation to actively contribute to, and advocate for, the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the community and beyond school.
The content in this key learning area can be sensitive and the school recognises this by teaching about such issues within the context of Catholic values and a developmentally appropriate K-6 PDHPE program.
The PDHPE units which focus on knowing the body will be taught in Term 3. Our school values the role that parents have in the education of their children, especially in matters relating to sexual health. A note detailing the specific content to be covered in each stage will be sent out. Please take the time to read this note and discuss with your child the learning that will take place.
Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Faith & Mission
Positive Behaviour Support
As part of Positive Behaviour Support here at St Francis Xavier, we have a weekly focus which students can earn tokens for. Next week, we will be focusing on wearing the correct school uniform, so over the weekend is a good time to check and make sure your child has what they need. Checking that clothing, especially jumpers and jackets, are labeled is also recommended. Remember that the school has a second hand clothing pool with a number of quality items, still with plenty of life left in them, at a reduced price.
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal
Communicating Diversity
This week St Francis Xavier staff and students celebrated NAIDOC week with a special Mass and classroom activities. Students enjoyed Indigenous games, songs, stories and craft. Our Indigenous students enjoyed a special visit from Grace, who shared some stories about her family from the Torres Strait and of her life growing in the North. Her message was clear: Be proud of who you are and thankful for what you have. The week wrapped up with a mufti day, with students and staff wearing Indigenous designs and colours. Our Indigenous students who played an integral role in this week’s events have made us all very proud!
A Focus on Inclusion
Dr Nicola Holmes - Talk to Primary School Parents
Dr Nicola Holmes, a local GP with 10 years experience working at Headspace (in adolescent mental health) will be coming to St Francis Xavier School on Tuesday 16th August from 6pm to 7:30pm. She will be giving an interactive and informative session on managing anxiety in children, and how to develop resilience and confidence in children. Practical strategies and tips will be discussed as well as additional resources highlighted. If you would like to get additional skills in managing school refusal, difficulties with sleepovers, children who are worriers/shy/socially struggling, come along and upskill. Good habits developed now will compound positively over your parenting journey and your child's life. Childminding will be available.
If you are able to attend, please complete the Google Form link below.
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Sporting Roundup
Zone Athletics
Please note the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival will now be held at the CEX International Stadium on Thursday 28th July. Below are two pictures of students from the Zone Team completing a Basketball Clinic in the Hall with Miss Wishart before school on the first scheduled date for Zone Athletics, Wednesday the 20th of July.
Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport
Free Headspace session
This free Headspace session 'Navigating uncertainty and change' is relevant to parents and carers of Stage 3 and secondary school students.
When: Monday 25 July 6.30pm-7.45pm
Where: Room A Cavanbah Centre 191 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour
Coffs Cup Half Day Public Holiday
Gazetted Half Day Public Holiday For Coffs Cup
Thursday, 4th August is a half day public holiday in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area. As a result, St Francis Xavier will be closed from 12 midday on this day. This is an upcoming date to mark on your calendar.
Term 3 Date Saver
Thursday, 28 July - Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival
Thursday, 4 August - Coffs Cup Half Day Public Holiday
Thursday, 22 September - Last day of Term 3 for students