2023 Term 1 Week 9 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

Special Assembly Week 10

Season of Easter

As we journey towards Easter, supermarket shelves are well stocked with chocolate eggs, fluffy white bunnies and a plethora of 'new' hot cross bun flavours. The commercial world would have us believe that Easter is a long weekend, but it isn't! Easter is a season that lasts 50 days, spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. In cracking open the true meaning of Easter and the immense joy we celebrate during the most important season in the Catholic liturgical calendar, Easter is a golden opportunity presented to families to reconnect and to grow in faith as we remember the true meaning of Easter, that Jesus died in order to save us.

The colouring of "Easter eggs" originated from the pious legend that Mary Magdalene was bringing cooked eggs to share with the other women at the tomb of Christ - this remains the tradition among observant Jews even in our own time. When Mary Magdalene saw the Lord, the eggs in her basket turned brilliant red. Thus, the true meaning of dyeing Easter eggs is to show forth the miraculous transformation and re-creation of the whole world by the victorious resurrection of Christ. The notion of eggs was further enhanced during the middles ages when Easter was seen as a symbol of new life.

Change of time for Term 2 Assembly

After much discussion, during Term 2 (on the even weeks) we will trial having Assembly on Friday mornings from 9.15am-9.45am. 

Coffee & Conversation 

During Term 2 we are also initiating Coffee & Conversation every Friday morning from 8.45am to 9.15am. This gives parents an opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback and have input into our school. It’s also a great opportunity to chat and connect with other parents. Every fortnight we will schedule discussions on particular topics. Our first topic on Friday, 28 April is "Options for high schools - St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour". We will have some representatives from St John Paul College so that you can ask questions. Barista-made coffee (limited variety) and a homemade muffin will be available from the Canteen. To launch our first Coffee & Conversation, coffee will be complimentary. Barista-made coffee will be available on subsequent Fridays at a cost of $3.50. 

Staffing

Congratulations to Lauren Dootson. Lauren has been appointed as our Indigenous Education Worker (IEW). Lauren is a proud Garby Gumbaynggirr woman who currently works at St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour. She was born in Coffs Harbour and has lived in Woolgoolga almost all her life. Lauren is very passionate about providing a cultural connection to our  Indigenous students and also bringing cultural awareness and understanding to the school community. She is looking forward to starting her role next term and building great relationships with staff, students and the wider community.

ANZAC Day Parade

The Woolgoolga ANZAC Day Parade will commence at 11.00am on Tuesday, 25 April.  Students are encouraged to attend and represent our school at this important community event. 

Staff and students are to assemble outside the Post Office on Beach Street, Woolgoolga at 10.30am.  

Students are to wear the correct and full school uniform, hat included. Students may carry a water bottle. 

It is hoped that we will have a large number of students marching at this year’s ANZAC Day parade.  St Francis Xavier Primary School has a long and proud history of being very well represented at past parades.

End of Term 1/Start of Term 2

The last day of Term 1 is Thursday, 6 April with students, families and staff ready to enjoy a two week break after a busy term. I wish to thank all staff for their hard work in ensuring the first term was a successful one for our students. We are so fortunate at St Francis Xavier to have such dedicated and capable staff. It is great to see the students working well.  I would also like to thank our parents, friends and supporters who have helped us in so many ways around the school and in the classrooms. Your genuine enthusiasm, good humour and energy are most appreciated.

The first day of Term 2 is Wednesday, 26 April with the Monday being a Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day) and the Tuesday being ANZAC Day . 

Caroline Lewis
Principal

Faith & Mission

Project Compassion Fundraising during Lent

• There is still time to donate to the Easter Raffle and also to purchase tickets (last day Thursday, April 6).
• It is now time to return Project Compassion boxes - these must be received by the end of term.

Lenten Love

Stage 1 have been learning about Lent. During Lent we can give up treats, show kindness to others and pray more. Stage 1 students decided they wanted to show some love to those in our community who might feel a little lonely. Stage 1 hopes these cards bring joy to the residents of the Woolgoolga Retirement Village. Happy Easter!

With Easter fast approaching, it is important to note that there are a number of important events to commemorate during Holy Week next week. Stage 3 students have been busy in their RE lessons over the past few weeks preparing liturgies and prayer experiences for all our students. This is a wonderful way for the Stage 3 students to consolidate their learning, demonstrate their understanding and practice their leadership in a tangible way. As participants, students from Kindy to Stage 2 will enjoy the opportunity to be led by peers on their journey through Holy Week. Palm Sunday is this Sunday, and will be recognised at school on Monday, followed by Holy Thursday, Good Friday and culminating with an Easter celebration on Thursday. Holy Week liturgies will take place in classes. 

First Sunday Family Mass

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Congratulations to the students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week for the first time. 

Easter Services

The following services will be conducted over Easter at:

• St Augustine's Church, Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour
• St Francis Xavier Church, Scarborough Street, Woolgoolga
• St Theresa's Church, Gale Street, Coramba

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and Liturgy

Save the date - Friday, May 12 from 1.30pm (more details next term).

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

All Things Learning & Teaching

Celebration of Term 1 Learning

The 2023 school year commenced with many opportunities and our students have embraced each and every opportunity with vigour and enthusiasm. Congratulations to all on the learning to date. Keep modelling high expectations and challenging yourself to be the best you can be.

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Spotlight on Reading

Save the date - Kindergarten to Year 2 - Reading Night in Term 2.

Catholic Schools Week - “Living Our Mission”

Our school will join with more than 620 Catholic schools across NSW and the ACT to celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week (CSW). For our school this will take place in the first week of next term, April 25th - April 28th.

This year’s theme “Living our Mission’’ highlights the mission of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore. The Catholic school community has a co-responsibility in the service of mission through sharing Jesus’ messages of love and forgiveness, peace, hope and joy as revealed in the Gospels. The transforming power of mission ensures our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10). 

We would like to extend an invitation for you to participate with members of our parish and wider community in the spirit of this celebration. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you during Catholic Schools Week in 2023.

Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Communicating Diversity

Harmony Week

Last week’s Harmony Week festivities were a hit with students. Here’s what students had to say about the fun cultural activities and dressing up on Tuesday. 

“We learned different words, like names of an animals from different cultures and when you think about the language it’s difficult.” Gabby, Year 4

“I felt a little nervous about wearing my Indian outfit but it was fun.” Nivaran, Year 3

“On Harmony day I really liked how we all go to share cultures.  Everyone’s language sounded very different.” Ada, Year 3

A huge thank you to Mr. Pallotta and our Cultural Diversity Student Leadership Team who orchestrated all of the events. These were their highlights:

“A highlight for me was teaching kids to speak french and showing my culture.” Ky

“The mufti was good and learning from other people about their language.” Ben

“I think interviewing students about their culture and what they think harmony means, was fun.” Paige

Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL / D

A Focus on Inclusion

Celebrating World Autism Understanding Day - 2nd April 2023

#WAUD2023

In 2023 we are moving away from the idea of curing or converting autistic people and instead focusing on accepting, supporting and including autistic people, and advocating for their rights. This is a major transformation for all autistic people, their allies, the wider neurodiversity community and the world at large. It enables autistic people to claim their dignity and self-esteem, and to become fully integrated as valued members of their families and societies.

It also makes it possible to focus attention on the contributions that autistic people make to the world, as this year’s World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) observance will do, focusing in particular on their contributions in the home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking. 

Autistic people do, nevertheless, still face discrimination and other challenges. As with all populations, autistic people have a wide range of talents and challenges that are often not recognized by the world they are born into.

Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion

Sporting Roundup

School Cross Country

Thank you to everyone who attended our School Cross Country on Monday. It was great to see so many families there in support. Ribbon place getters, age champions, runners up and overall house champion will be announced at the last Assembly of the term on Thursday, 6th April.

Zone Cross Country

The Clarence Zone Cross Country will be taking place on Wednesday, 3 May (Term 2 Week 2) with a back up date of Wednesday, 10 May. Those students who have been selected to represent our school at the Zone Carnival will receive an event invitation via Compass. Payment and approval to attend this event will need to be done on Compass. 

Sarah Jennings
Leader of Sport

Counsellor's Corner

Stage 3 Group for Term 2

In Term 2, Seasons for Growth will be run for Stage 3 students. Please see below for the information about Seasons for Growth. If you would like your child to participate please contact the office to receive a permission slip and consent form. 

Seasons for Growth: For Stage 3 ONLY
Number of Sessions: 8 (not inclusive of celebratory session)
Facilitated by: “Companions” Alessandra Isgro and Helen Hunt
Seasons for Growth offers children and young people an opportunity to come together and share their experiences of grief and loss. This could include a death in the family, changes in family arrangements including parental separation/ divorce, moving house, the arrival of new siblings or adjusting to other changes that may have impacted their lives.  The Seasons for Growth Program uses the seasons of the year as a metaphor that change and loss is a part of life and individuals experience the “seasons” in different ways. 

Note:  Under the framework of Seasons for Growth through Good Grief, if a referral to the program is in relation to a major change, that a minimum of 6 months has passed before your child is able to participate in the program. 

Alessandra Isgro
School Counsellor

Canteen News

Updated Canteen Menu

As many of you know, our canteen has been undergoing a lot of change. We aim to provide lots of healthy, homemade goodies for our children. All the meals served are made from scratch here in our kitchen. As the seasons change, so will the menu items, so I encourage you to check the Flexischools app regularly to see any exciting new menu items.

We are also slowly changing all our packaging to be eco friendly.

Consequently, as the cost of living rises, we have amended our menu with a few price increases, to begin this week.

Please find below a copy of the updated menu. We welcome any feedback or ideas that you may have about the canteen. If you are yet to use the Flexischools app, click on the link below for instructions on how to set up your Flexischools account:

If you would like to volunteer in the Canteen on a Wednesday or a Friday from 9am-10.15am or 10.15am-11.30am please contact the school office on 66541981 or click on the link below:

Caroline Burbridge
Canteen Supervisor

Parent Forum

Parent Social Night

Our parent social night was a small and fun event, with games of twilight barefoot bowls and an enjoyable dinner. Keep an eye out for more social evenings throughout the year!

Parent Forum Meetings

The main focus of our most recent Parent Forum Meeting was preparations for the school fete in Term 4 and a school disco to be held in late Term 2. If you'd like to help out or be involved in the discussions, our next meeting is at school on Monday 8 May, 6.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend.  Below are the minutes for the two Parent Forum Meetings held this term.

School Fete

This year the St Francis Xavier Primary School Fete celebration and fundraiser will be held on Saturday, 21 October, marking the return of a large event for our school, and a wonderful day in which we can come together with the wider community to enjoy the fun and festivities.

There is an opportunity for local businesses to be involved in the Fete through sponsorship support, offering exposure to a large and supportive audience from the local area and surrounding districts, including the St Francis Xavier Primary School community, Woolgoolga Catholic Parish and other local parishes, and the wider general community of Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas.

Local business support would be welcomed and appreciated as a financial contribution to our fundraising, or as a donation of goods or services to be drawn as prizes at the event, with promotion of the business through our newsletters, social media, flyers and other marketing and advertising activities prior to and during the event.

If you, or somebody you know, is interested in discussing this opportunity further, please contact the school office on 6654 1981 or woolp@lism.catholic.edu.au

Yarrow Wade
Parent Forum President

Erin Whitehead
Parent Forum Secretary

Year 6 Camp 2023

Year 6 Camp

Please refer to the date saver below.  Further information will go out to Year 6 families via Compass early in Term 2.

Gold Token winners

Well done to all token recipents this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!