2022 Term 4 Week 9 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Acting Principal

Farewells

As we prepare to say farewell to 2022, we do so with mixed emotions. Saying farewell is never easy but often inevitable and this year is no exception. We bid farewell this year to Mr Warren Niethe and Mrs Janet Mayes. On behalf of the entire school community I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr Niethe and Mrs Mayes for their years of service, dedication and invaluable contribution to the education of countless students here at St Francis Xavier. Mrs Mayes has worked tirelessly at St Francis Xavier for 22 years!

Mr Niethe also began his association with the school over 20 years ago and most recently returned as the Acting Principal 2021-2022.

We would like to wish Mr Niethe and Mrs Mayes all the very best as they embark on new and exciting times in their lives. We as a community are all the better for their contributions.

Welcome

We also take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to our Principal for 2023, Mrs Caroline Lewis, and teachers Mr Angelo Pallota, Mrs Hayley Chessher and Ms Lauren Penfold who will be joining our school community in 2023.

Our class structure for 2023 is as follows: 

Please note:  The majority of the students will meet their homeroom teachers at the commencement of the 2023 school year when they arrive at school for their scheduled Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI) and/or Best Start Interview.

Christmas Concert

Focusing back on the present for the moment, I have to share what a wonderful evening we had at the Christmas Concert. It certainly warmed many hearts to see our incredible students have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. Thank you to all those who joined us for an evening of song, dance and celebration. How blessed we are!

Thank you

So as the year wraps up, I would like to thank the entire community for the resilience, compassion and love that has been displayed throughout the year. St Francis Xavier is a special place to be. May you all enjoy a happy and Holy Christmas. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Sharon de Dassel
Acting Principal

All Things Learning & Teaching

Foundation Principal

St Francis Xavier founding Principal retired this week after 52 years of service. Sr Margaret is fondly remembered by the community here. A community she served for 10 years. Thank you Sr Mararget.

MAI Bookings

Information about booking MAI interview times via Compass will be sent to families on Monday, 12 December.

Student Reports

Our student reports will be accessible via the Compass App and portal next Tuesday, 13 December.

Please see the below guide to assist with access.

2023 Principal Visit

The St Francis Xavier students enjoyed meeting Mrs Caroline Lewis this week and each stage commented on something special they noticed about Mrs Lewis. Yes, Mrs Lewis does have an accent, an English accent, even after living in Australia for over 20 years.

Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Faith & Mission

Our Patron Saint

We celebrated St Francis Xavier Day last Friday with a beautiful Liturgy, honouring the life of St Francis Xavier and the legacy that he left. Fr Peter led the Liturgy and we concluded the day with an Assembly.

End of Year Mass

On Wednesday we celebrated Mass in thanksgiving for the wonderful year we've spent together at St Francis Xavier. We brought forward Christmas hampers for St Vincent de Paul that have been put together with generous donations from families. The 2022 Student Leaders also passed the 'light of leadership' to the 2023 Student Leaders, who were then blessed and commissioned.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Thank you so much to all the families who donated to the Vinnie hampers this year. The Mini Vinnies team have been working hard behind the scenes collecting and sorting donated items and decorating the hampers which will help to brighten the Christmases of local families in need. 

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

A Focus on Inclusion

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) 

IDPwD is held on 3 December each year and is a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

Please take this opportunity to have a talk with your children about this important topic. 

• Let’s recognise that people with disability are important members of our diverse community.
• Let’s celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.
• Let’s recognise common myths and misconceptions about disability.
• Let’s understand the importance of removing barriers for people with disability and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion

Sporting Roundup

Competitive Swimming Carnival

Today we were lucky enough to be able to hold our Competitive Swimming Carnival for Zone Qualifications for 2023. A great time was had by all and students even had the chance to practise their relays at the end. A big ‘Thank you’ to all parents and staff involved. Well done to all competitors. 

Age Champions and runners up and the winning house will be announced at school on Monday 12 December.

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!