2022 Term 4 Week 3 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

Term 4 Date Saver

Family Bush Dance

The Bush Dance is coming up on Friday, November 11. 

Please click on the link below to RSVP for catering purposes.

Pre-purchased tickets will be sent home in Week 5.

Mitre 10 BBQ

Please contact Bec Turnbull on mrjeturnbull@live.com.au if you can volunteer some time on Saturday at the BBQ, we are still in need of volunteers, particularly after 11am.

Covid-19 Updated Guidelines

Music Tuition

From the Acting Principal

Diversity in Learning

Another wonderful week with Diwali celebrations, the NSIT School Review team sharing many affirmations and commendations with us, Socktober, an opportunity to connect with world class surf lifesaving athletes, a Choir performance and amazing learning woven throughout, culminating with the celebration of World Teachers day today. What a range of diverse activities!

World Teachers Day

We are so blessed to have the experiences and people that make St Francis Xavier the amazing school that it is. On that note this World Teachers Day I would like to take the opportunity to thank all staff, who each and every day go above and beyond, to ensure that they ‘Serve Every Learner’.

All Things Learning & Teaching

Choir Performance

Local Red Cross volunteers were today treated to a performance from the school Choir at their monthly Friendship Afternoon Tea. The students were very excited for an opportunity to perform in the community and the Red Cross were equally thrilled to see them after a 2 year ‘Covid - induced hiatus’ on community choir performances. It was a lovely afternoon for all.

Staff change in Stage 3

Teachers do make a difference each and every day and we thank Miss Flack for her time here over the last two years. Laura is no stranger to St Francis Xavier, as she completed her primary schooling here, so we feel that next week as you finish up for the year it is not goodbye rather see you again soon. 

Replacing Laura while she takes time to start a family we welcome Mrs Mandy Hughes to Stage 3 and know that she will continue to support 5/6F until the end of the year. Welcome Mandy!

Cyber Safety

What is cyber safety?

Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of online information. How and where you keep your personal information and who has access to it is important as most of us and our children spend a lot of time online whether it is for work, school or social purposes.

What are the risks?

Being online allows us to learn and socialise, but it opens us up to risks. These can be financial (scams), physical (grooming) or emotional and social (cyberbullying).

We can mitigate these risks by learning how to be cyber safe.

One step to being safer online is by knowing how to identify scams. These have the potential to steal your identity with the intention to cause harm. We need to be able to easily spot a scam, so we don't respond to them.

Another step is to understand what not to share online. For example, when you or your child post your photo, phone number, home address, or car registration plates on social media, these details could end up being 'harvested' or misused by others.

How can you be cyber safe?

Being aware of what, where and how your personal information is available online is the first step to keeping it safe. Some key points to remember include:

Sharon de Dassel
Acting Principal

Kicking Goals for Good: Socktober 

Socktober provides an annual opportunity for our school to join with the global community as part of World Mission Month every October. Soccer is a universal game, enjoyed by millions around the world, however some children will never be lucky enough to play with a real soccer ball. Making sockballs from recycled materials is a way for students to gain some insight into how blessed we are living in Australia and the daily struggles faced by those who live in poverty.

Another important component of this celebration is gathering together to reflect on the efforts of mission projects around the world and pray for them and the communities they serve. 

By raising money through Socktober, we are hopeful we can make an impactful contribution for children in need in Ethiopia, specifically: 

• Deberety Farm in Emdibir, where goats are raised to provide nourishing milk for babies, and 
• Lideta Catholic Cathedral School in Addis Ababa, where scholarships are provided for low income families and orphans.

Thank You everyone for your generous donations and to those families who came along to support us on the day, especially those who stepped into the goals! It was a cracking day!

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

Spotlight on High Potential Learning

 Clarence Regional Speech Competition

Congratulations to our finalists who competed at the annual Clarence Regional Speech Competition at  St John Paul College on Tuesday, 12th October. Georgia (Yr 3), Ava (Yr 4), Maggie (Yr 5) and Eshaani (Yr 6) represented themselves and our school beautifully. Although none of these students were awarded a trophy they should be very proud of themselves. They all showed courage, confidence and poise when speaking in front of the audience and we couldn’t be more proud of them! Well done!

Suzie Coster
Leader of Learning HPL

Communicating Diversity

ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
Tuhāḍā dhanavāda
Thank you

A heartfelt thank you to the families who helped us celebrate Diwali at St Francis Xavier this week. Students and staff were treated to delicious Diwali treats made by generous members of our community. A knowledgeable grandparent taught students about the traditions of Diwali and relevance of the celebration in Woolgoolga’s Sikh community. Students lit up the day wearing traditional Indian dress and decorating the school with handmade crafts. A talented group of dancers entertained us with their skills before we enjoyed a Diwali Disco in the hall and tried the dance moves for ourselves. Seeing how proud our Sikh students felt sharing their beautiful culture was a wonderful way to celebrate Diwali. We are very blessed to be part of this generous and welcoming community.

Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL / D

Sporting Roundup

Elective Sports 

Stage 2 and 3 students began their elective sports last week. There are two weeks of elective sports remaining on Friday, 4 November and Friday, 11 November.

Surf World Cup

On Thursday, 27 October Stage 3 attended the Surf World Cup held in Woolgoolga. Students watched the Cup and then participated in Water Safety Training. Students were also given a surf
t-shirt. I have received feedback from some of the Stage 3 students and they said they had a great day.

Swimming Carnival

Nomination forms for the Zone Qualifying Swimming Carnival will come home next week. Please return these forms by Monday, 7 November 2022. The Carnival will be held this term, but the location and the date is yet to be confirmed.

Tiffany Wishart
Leader of Sport

Gold Token winners

Well done to all token recipients this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners.  Keep up the great work everyone!

Certificate of Recognition recipients

Congratulations to all the Certificate of Recognition recipients for Week 1!

Embrace Kids documentary

Embrace Kids is an uplifting film by Taryn Brumfitt which brings together a vibrant collection of stories from young people and famous friends alike, who share their experiences about body image, bullying, gender identity, advocacy, representation and more.

This film aims to improve the body image of young people across Australia and the world. Aimed at an audience of 9-14 year olds, but equally engaging for adolescents, teachers, and parents, this film inspires, educates, and advocates for a world where we are not held back by the thoughts we have about the way we look. Instead, young people are encouraged to figure out what makes them unique and special, and use that to spark change.

Date:    Sunday, 6 November
Time:    4:30pm
Place:   BCC Cinemas, Coffs Harbour