2023 Term 2 Week 5 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Professional Learning
Last week several of our teachers spent three days working with Dr Lynn Sharratt on achieving precision and practice in our work at school. Utilising this model, all teachers believe that they are capable of teaching all students so that they can "grow and achieve beyond what they ever thought possible" (Sharrat, 2019, p.46).
Currently at St Francis Xavier, we are working on Learning Intentions and Success Criteria. The Learning Intentions come from the NSW Curriculum and is a statement about 'what students are doing and why' in student-friendly language. Sucess Criteria are identified through collaboratively working with the students so that students know what is expected of them to be successful. Both Learning Intentions and Success Criteria must be displayed for each lesson within the classroom.
Caroline Lewis
Principal
Faith & Mission
Parish Mass
Kindergarten and Stage 3 attended the Parish Mass on Wednesday this week. Kindergarten were most excited to visit St Francis Xavier Church for the first time and were supported beautifully by their Year 6 buddies. Kindergarten stayed on after Mass for an ‘exclusive’ church tour with Fr Joy.
All classes will attend the Parish Mass a few times this year and families are most welcome to join us. Please refer to the school calendar or Compass Event information for dates.
Pentecost
This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, which brings to a close the Season of Easter. On Pentecost we recall when the Holy Spirit was sent to be with the disciples; to strengthen and guide them as they began their work of spreading the Good News. The disciples were ordinary people entrusted with an extraordinary task, a task which now belongs to us. We all have gifts and talents that we can use to glorify God and spread the Good News. Pentecost is a time to renew our own faith and reflect on how we are helping to continue the task of the first disciples, sharing God’s love and peace in our world.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Please pray for these students as they begin their preparations to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During Confirmation, we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This special sacrament is conferred by the Bishop and will take place early in Term 3.
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
All Things Learning & Teaching
Semester 1 Learning Showcase
We are looking forward to sharing our learning. A wonderful opportunity for our students to articulate and demonstrate what they are learning and why.
National Simultaneous Storytime
This is a nationwide event that takes places annually on the fourth Wednesday of May. The event is organised by the Australian Library and Infomation Association and its purpose is to promote the value of reading and literacy. National Simultaneous Storytime encourages all ages to come together to read a story at the same time. A powerful way to develop a lifelong love of reading.
Sharon de Dassel
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
High Potential Learning (HPL)
Stage 3 HPL Students visit St John Paul College
Stage 3 High Potential Learners travelled to St John Paul College to learn alongside other HPL students from St Augustines and Mary Help of Christians. In the first session, the students worked in their school groups to develop their critical thinking skills by completing a Da Vinci decathlon.
After recess, the students engaged in learning about Science. The students participated in two different activities about chemistry. The first activity was titled ‘Genie in a Bottle’ and the students were fortunate to engage in 3 different experiments where they had to investigate and observe the 5 different signs of a chemical reaction.
In the second activity, the students participated in a volume investigation. They learned about the scientific term ‘meniscus’ which basically means that water attracts to the sides of both plastic and glass measuring equipment, allowing us to accurately read the measurement of liquid. The students measured the volume of various liquids and in the end, if they were accurate, they created a rainbow with the exact volume in each test tube!
Suzie Coster
Leader of Learning HPL
Communicating Diversity
Stage 2 Excursion
Stage 2 students had a wonderful time visiting the Gurdwara Temple and Sikh Heritage Museum this week as part of their History unit. They enjoyed learning about Indian culture and the Sikh faith, which are such an important and valued part of the Woolgoolga community. No visit to the Temple is complete without a delicious meal and Wednesday was no exception. Thank you to those who so generously prepared a meal for us - as always, it was amazing!
Sporting Roundup
Athletics Carnival
Our school Athletics Carnival is fast approaching with only 2 weeks to go until the big day. The carnival will be held for all students on Friday, 9th June starting at 9:15pm at the lower High Street fields.
The events for students aged 5, 6 or 7 yrs are:
- 50m sprint
- 100m sprint
- Long jump
- Novelty games
The events for students aged 8 yrs through to 12/13yrs are:
- 100m sprint
- 200m sprint
- Long jump
- Shot put
*Please Note: The 800m and 1500m running events will be held on the afternoon of Friday, 2nd June to ensure we fit these events in.
To finish off the carnival, we will be having relay events for the four fastest runners in each age group (sub junior, junior, senior) per house and gender.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Diocesan Cross Country Trials
Congratulations to the 13 students who represented the Clarence Zone at the Diocese Cross Country this week. Our school had students from the ages of 8 through to 12 competing at McAuley College, Grafton. All students received great results and showed amazing sportsmanship. A special mention to Max Ross, Mia Brown, Eleanor White and Tilda Vary who have been selected to represent the Diocese at Polding Cross Country Trials in Sydney later this term.
National Walk Safely to School Day
A huge thank you to staff, students and families who walked with us to school on Friday, 19 May. It was a great opportunity for students to practise sharing the footpath with other members of the public and looking left, right, left when crossing roads.
Junior Athlete Sponsorship Program
Sarah Jennings
Leader of Sport
School (Tuition) Fees
Gold Token winners
Well done to all token recipents this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!
Canteen News
Mac and Cheese
Due to overwhelming demand, Mac and Cheese will be available on Wednesdays for a limited time only. Pasta bolognese, lasagne and fried rice are also available. All of these meals are made here on the premises.
Canteen Roster
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.
All volunteers will receive a free morning tea and coffee!
Coffee & Conversation
Coffee for Parents with Social Chat will take place tomorrow (Friday, 26 May 8.45-9.15am) instead of Coffee & Conversation due to the Cake Stall Fundraiser.
Parent Forum
The next Parent Forum Meeting is on Monday 5 June, 6.30pm at the Seaview Tavern, a very casual meeting with a focus on finalising plans for the school disco in week 9.
Click on the link below to read the minutes from the previous meeting.
