2024 Term 1 Week 9 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Stage 3 Staffing update
Congratulations go to Rachel Chrismale who will taking Mr Hollindale’s Stage 3 class from Term 2. Here is an introduction from Rachel.
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for accepting me into the family of St Francis Xavier Primary School. I am excited about the challenge and change that lies ahead for me and I am looking forward to building relationships with students, staff, families and the extended community.
I am a born and bred local, including being raised in my first childhood home on the infamous ‘big dippers’ of High Street, Woolgoolga. In recent years, I have lived and worked in Coffs Harbour at Bishop Druitt College. During my 20+ years there I have worked across the K-12 campus in roles in primary classroom teaching, high-school specialisation (Drama, Music & English), and several leadership roles.
I also have three amazing children who are currently navigating university and senior high school. Outside of the classroom, you will most likely find me battling through a CrossFit workout, on evening walks with my husband and our dog - Benji, or at the local theatre as musical director for our upcoming local shows.
I am looking forward to meeting you all.
Specialist Lessons
Students are enjoying our new specialist lessons in Spanish, Physical Education (PE) and the Arts, and are thriving under the expertise of our specialist teachers, Alex Speirs for Spanish, Hannah Haworth for PE and Ellie Stretton for the Arts. These dedicated educators bring depth, passion and a wealth of knowledge to their subjects, significantly enriching the learning experience for our students.
Spanish classes have transcended basic language learning, immersing students in a cultural journey led by an expert passionate about the language and its cultures. This approach has made Spanish a highly engaging and beloved subject among our students.
PE has been redefined, moving beyond traditional sports to emphasize overall physical health, teamwork, and personal fitness. Our specialist PE teacher’s comprehensive approach ensures that every student finds joy and value in staying active.
The Arts, with a spotlight on Music in the first semester, has allowed students to explore the vast world of music under the guidance of an experienced teacher. This program encourages creativity, performance and appreciation of music, highlighting the importance of the Arts in education.
Overall, the specialist lessons have not only enhanced our curriculum but have also provided our students with unique opportunities to explore and develop their interests and talents. The impact of these classes is a testament to our commitment to offering a well-rounded and engaging educational experience.
During Week 2 and Week 3 of Term 2, St Francis Xavier will be participating in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) surveys. These surveys are conducted by an independent research company called The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys. We kindly ask both teachers and parents to complete the survey using the link that will be provided next term.
Additionally, students in Years 4 to 6 will also be asked to complete the survey. If you do not wish for your child/children to participate, please contact the school by Friday, 5 April.
Your feedback is highly valued, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could spare some time to complete the surveys. The process is anonymous and typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
As with any survey, the more people who contribute, the more accurately we can capture valid information to draw conclusions and make plans for the betterment of our school community.
These surveys are particularly beneficial as they provide us with valuable feedback on various aspects of school life, including student engagement with learning, peer and teacher relationships, and family and community connections. We analyze this data meticulously to:
- Highlight and celebrate the strengths of St Francis Xavier.
- Identify areas for improvement.
- Inform our school planning and strategic priorities.
Participation in these surveys is entirely voluntary. Once a report has been generated and our staff has analyzed the survey results, we will ensure that parents are informed about key aspects of the data.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in this endeavor. Your input is crucial in shaping the future of our school.
New Chickens
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of some delightful additions to our school campus - four adorable chickens have joined our community! These charming creatures have already begun to make themselves at home in our school's chicken coop, and we couldn't be more excited to introduce them to you all.
Not only will they provide educational opportunities for our students to learn about animal care and sustainability, but they'll also bring joy and a sense of connection to the natural world right here on our campus. Furthermore the eggs will be used by the Canteen.
As we prepare to embark on this journey with our new feathered friends, we invite you to join in the excitement by suggesting names for our chickens. Stay tuned for more updates as we get to know our chickens better and explore the many ways they will enrich our school experience. In the meantime, please feel free to visit the chicken coop and say hello to our newest friends.
Caroline Lewis
Principal
Faith & Mission
Catholic Education Week 2024: Innovation and Faith
Our school will join with more than 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). This will take place in Week 11, Term 1 from April 8-12.
This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith’. The transforming power of innovation and faith working in unison to ensure our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10).
For many of the great innovators throughout history, their faith motivated them to explore and understand the wonders of the universe. Our Catholic schools walk alongside clergy, parishioners and families to prepare and nurture our future innovators and faith leaders on their journey.
We would like to extend a warm invitation for you to participate in our Catholic Education Week Liturgy and Sharing of Learning Classroom visit on Friday, April 12. Please take the opportunity with members of our parish and wider community, to experience innovation and faith in our Catholic school. Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing you during our celebrations for Catholic Education Week in 2024.
Mother’s Day - Save the Date
Friday, May 10
Coffee van 8:00am-9:00am (for those who can’t attend the morning tea after the Liturgy)
Liturgy and morning tea 9:15am
Tickets wil be available on Flexischools $1 per person
Send in a favourite photo with Mum or significant mum-figure (one per family please) to be included in a special Mother’s Day slideshow. Email to katrina.ryan@lism.catholic.edu.au by the end of Term 1.
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
All Things Learning & Teaching
Parent Reading Information Night
Are you a parent of a K-2 student? Are you wondering how to help your child with reading at home? You are warmly invited to attend our Reading Information Night on Tuesday, 9 April. It will be a practical and informative evening full of ideas and information for you to explore all things reading and how to help your child with developing this important literacy skill. Come along if you are after some tips and tricks for reading with your child at home and fostering a love of literature with your children. See below for details.
We will have limited child minding available for families during our Reading Night, Tuesday 9th April.
Parents are encouraged where possible to make alternative arrangements for their children, however if you require care for your child/children we ask that you please fill in the form below to secure a spot.
Michaela O'Shea-Miller
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Spotlight on Library
We are thrilled to announce that St. Francis Xavier is participating in the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC). This annual statewide initiative aims to foster a love of reading among students and encourage them to explore quality literature for leisure and pleasure.
What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?
The PRC is not a competition but rather a challenge designed to inspire students to read more and read widely. It encourages students to embark on a journey through the world of literature, discovering new stories, ideas, and perspectives along the way. By participating in the challenge, students have the opportunity to expand their imagination, enhance their literacy skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of reading.
How does it work?
Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books, with at least 20 of these books coming from the relevant Challenge booklists. They can choose up to 10 personal choice books to complete their challenge. Reading can be done independently or with the support of parents, carers or peers.
For students in Year 3 to Year 6, the challenge is to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books should be selected from the relevant Challenge booklists, with the remaining 10 being personal choice books.
All students received their usernames and passwords inside the front cover of their reading logs or home diaries last week.
What are the benefits
Participating in the PRC offers numerous benefits for students. It not only helps improve literacy skills such as comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency but also nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. Moreover, reading for pleasure has been linked to better academic performance, increased empathy, and reduced stress levels. By taking part in the challenge, students can unlock these benefits while embarking on exciting literary adventures.
Recognition and Rewards
All students who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by our school’s PRC coordinator will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of NSW. This certificate serves as a tangible recognition of their dedication and achievement in the world of reading.
Let's embark on this reading adventure together and celebrate the joy of reading at St. Francis Xavier! For more information about the challenge, including booklists and reading records, please click on the link below or contact our school’s PRC coordinators, Mrs Coster or Mrs Kelly.
Suzie Coster
Library Manager/Leader of Learning
Sporting Roundup
Congratulations to all our Cross Country age champions, runners up and of course, 2024 Cross Country Carnival winners - McAuley House.
Best of luck to the students who have qualified for the Zone Cross Country Carnival in Grafton during Week 11.
Running Club
Hannah Haworth
Leader of Sport
Student Wellbeing
The Year 6 Cultural Diversity Team led our school Harmony Day Arts and Crafts pop up stall to create our Harmony Day school poster. It was terrific to see the Cultural Diversity Team encouraging so many students across the school to celebrate Harmony Day together.
Bec Gale, Josh Dalton & Helen Hunt
Wellbeing Team
Canteen News
The popular 'freshly baked Banana Bread with lashings of butter' is available on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunch and recess for $3.00. Please pre-order on Flexischools ONLY.
Toasties are always a favourite, particularly when the weather cools.
The following toasties are available on Wednesdays ONLY:
Cheese $3.30
Cheese & Ham $4.50
Cheese & Tomato $3.90
Cheese & Ham & Tomato $5.00
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:
Kind regards,
Caroline Burbridge
Canteen Supervisor
Parent Forum
The next Parent Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 20 May at 6.30pm in the school library. There is a Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend in person.
Certificates of Recognition
Congratulations to all Certificate of Recognition recipients at the last Assembly. Keep up the great work!
Pen Licences
Well done to the Stage 2 and 3 students who have earned their Pen Licence!
Gold Token winners
Well done to all token recipients and congratulations to the gold token winners!
Important Reminders
Maldon Place
We have had numerous complaints from residents in Maldon Place that cars are blocking their driveways in both mornings and afternoons on a regular basis. Please be very aware of not parking in resident driveways when dropping-off or picking-up in Maldon Place.
Gates at Hall, Bus Bay and Maldon Place
Each morning at 9.00am the Hall, Bus Bay and Maldon Place gates are locked for child safety reasons. The only entry to and exit from the school after 9am is through Queen Street (accessway/school office).