2024 Term 1 Week 7 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
School Goals
This year we will continue to focus on the three school goals as shown below. We will be asking for parental input later in the year.
Assembly on Friday, 22 March
Attendance Focus
Good attendance in primary school will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school.
Good attendance in primary school is a fundamental building block for academic success and overall wellbeing, and it sets the stage for success in high school and beyond. Primary school is the foundational stage of a child's education. Regular attendance ensures that children build a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and skills that serve as the basis for more advanced learning in high school.
By recognising the long-term benefits and reinforcing the importance of regular school attendance in primary years, students are better equipped to succeed in high school and beyond. Attending school regularly instils a sense of responsibility and work ethic in students and participating actively in class are essential components of success.
The government mandates regular school attendance for children who are in good health. Both Catholic and government schools are expected to achieve a 95 percent attendance rate. In response to parental input, we have opted to award certificates at the end of each term for high level attendance, rather than solely focusing on perfect attendance. Attendance certificates will be granted to students with:
- high attendance records
- no unexplained absences
- no unjustified absences for days off for non-educational activities eg. family holidays
- Students who meet targets in personal attendance plans (if applicable)
This approach aims to encourage consistent attendance while recognising the importance of legitimate reasons, such as illness for occasional absences.
Caroline Lewis
Principal
Faith & Mission
30 Year Anniversary Mass - Sunday, April 7
This year we are celebrating 30 years!
St Francis Xavier School was established in 1994 by founding Principal Sr Margaret Bannon, with the support of the Parish Priest Fr Tony Casey. The original buildings consisted of Rooms 1-4 and half of what the office building now is. From humble beginnings, with a foundation enrolment of 63 students, our school has thrived and grown to accommodate 280 students across 11 classrooms. Over the past 30 years, St Francis Xavier has been home to a great many staff, students and families. It is so lovely to now see the faces of a second generation of students joining our community, whose parents attended St Francis Xavier - it is a testament to the quality of educational experience that we are so proud of.
We have several events planned this year to celebrate. Check out our socials for weekly Flashback Fridays to see some great photos depicting the history of our wonderful school: building upgrades, memorable events, and past staff and students (including lots of questionable haircuts and fashion choices!)
We will be kicking off Catholic Schools Week with our first official celebration of this special milestone. All past and present staff, students and families are invited to join us to celebrate Mass on Sunday, April 7, at 9am at St Francis Xavier Church, followed by morning tea.
We are looking for students to help with ministries on the day eg. reading, welcomers, singers etc. If your family will be attending the Mass, please RSVP via the link below
On Saturday, 21 September we will host a parents-only event to celebrate 30 years of St Francis Xavier Primary School in Woolgoolga.
We have proposed two ideas, a 90's-themed trivia night or a marquee dinner and ball.
We are inviting our school community to anonymously nominate their preference by clicking on the link below. Please note this is not an RSVP.
Thank you for your feedback.
EASTER RAFFLE and HAT PARADE
Raffle tickets are on sale for students at lunch and recess daily. Tickets are 50 cents each. Tickets are also available in the Office (outside of lunch and recess) if parents would like to purchase tickets. Donations for the raffle can be sent to the Office. Thank you to those who have already sent in donations.
All students are invited to create an Easter Hat to bring along to school on Thursday 28 March. Parents are invited to join us for an Easter Hat Parade and the drawing of the Easter Raffle at 2pm in the Hall. Hats need to be made at home but do not need to be elaborate or complicated. We ask that hats are craft based only, with no ‘edible’ products included.
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
Learning & Teaching
Young Archies
The Art Gallery of New South Wales invites budding artists to submit a portrait for the Young Archie competition. All of our students created portraits of a person who is special to them. We have submitted 10 portraits for judging in 2 separate categories. In the 5-8 year category Oscar Sandwell, Ava Amos, Waris Brar, Hayley Kennedy and Lolita Palasty were the finalists. In the 9-12 year category our finalists were: Chaise Fogarty, Dash D’Arcy Smith, Zeeshan Bahauddin, Ava Hunter and Bobby McGuiggan. Finalists and honourable mentions will be announced on 30 May 2024. Good luck to all our finalists!
Michaela O'Shea-Miller
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Sporting Roundup
Diocesan Sport
Well done to Jeannie Casper, Elka Vary, Bobby McGuiggan and Jimi McGuiggan who recently participated in the Diocesan Swimming Trials at Macksville.
Well done to Gabriella Hoyle who participated in the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Netball in Grafton last week.
Well done to Bonnie O'Neill, Eli Franke, Luis Gibson and Benjamin van den Barselaar who participated in the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Football (Soccer) in Grafton last week.
Congratulations to Eli Franke and Luis Gibson who were selected in the Diocesan Football (Soccer) team to compete at the Polding Winter Sports Trials next term. An amazing achievement! There are 34 primary schools in the Diocese and St Francis Xavier has 2 out of the 11 students chosen for the team!
School Inter-House Cross Country Carnival
The School Inter-House Cross Country Carnival will take place on Friday, 22 March.
Please refer to the Parent Handbook below for all information about the Carnival.
Volunteer opportunities for "Cross Country Volunteers - Friday, March 22nd" are now open. We will need volunteers for setting up and packing down and for the checkpoints throughout the Cross Country course.
If you would like to volunteer please click on the following link to go to VolunteerSignup:
Hannah Haworth
Leader of Sport
Canteen News
Birthday Treats are available on Flexischools. You can order a 'birthday bundle' for your child's class to celebrate your child's birthday. Orders must be placed a week ahead. Options include Splits, Fruit Ice Sticks, Cupcakes and Cookies.
We would love more parent helpers in the Canteen. If you would like to volunteer in the Canteen on a Wednesday or a Friday, 9am-11am, please click on the link below.
The ever popular Chocolate Drizzle Bananas are still available on Wednesdays and Fridays for $1.50.
The Meal Deal for this week will be a Chicken Royale Burger (chicken breast patty with cheese, mayo and sauce options) and a Popper for $6.00.
Caroline Burbridge
Canteen Supervisor
Parent Forum
Bunnings BBQ
The Parent Forum Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser is this weekend on Sunday, 17 March.
We are still looking for donations of cans of softdrink and bottled water. Please bring all donations to the school office by end of school on Friday.
We are still needing volunteers across the day, 7.30am-3.30pm. If you would like to volunteer, please click on the link below.
Thank you for volunteering!
Parent Forum Meeting
The next Parent Forum Meeting will be held on Monday, 18 March in the CLC (library) 6.30pm-7.30pm, zoom link below.
Items on the agenda include:
- Bunnings BBQ Feedback
- 30th Anniversary celebration
- Mother's Day stall
Yarrow Wade
Parent Forum President
Student Wellbeing
Harmony Day
Harmony Day will be celebrated on Thursday, 21 March. Students can wear an orange accessory (hair ties, hats, bandanna, socks) to school to show support for our diverse and multicultural community where ‘Everyone Belongs’ in harmony. School or sport uniform must be worn on this day.
Playgroup
Playgroup will return on Wednesday, 20 March at 9am.
We will be doing some Easter craft and we will begin making Easter hats for the Easter Hat Parade on Thursday, 28th March at 2pm, to celebrate Easter.
Certificate of Recognition recipients
Congratulations to all Certificate of Recognition recipients at the last Assembly. Keep up the great work!
Gold Token winners
Well done to all token recipients and congratulations to the gold token winners!
End of Term Date Saver
Scholastic Book Club
Issue 2 of Scholastic Book Club has gone home this week. There is no obligation to buy, however every order earns free books and learning resources for our school. Please return cash orders to school or place online orders (using the link below) by Wednesday 20 March.
Lenten Retreat
