2024 Term 2 Week 5 Newsletter
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Business Directory
We are excited to announce the development of a St Francis Xavier Primary School Business Directory, designed to serve as a valuable resource for our entire school community. This directory will be made available to all St Francis Xavier families, with the intention of fostering a stronger sense of community and connection among us all. Not only will it facilitate networking and support between our families, but it will also provide our school with access to local businesses capable of meeting any needs or services required. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen bonds within our community while also supporting local enterprises. We look forward to sharing more details with you soon and encourage your participation in this endeavour. If you are interested in participating please click on the link below. Together, we can build a thriving and interconnected school community.
Woopi News article
There is a wonderful article in the Woopi News this month, celebrating 30 years of St Francis Xavier Primary School. Please click on the link below to read the article.
Bus complaints
This year we have received numerous varying complaints about issues on buses. We encourage all families who have complaints to please contact the bus company involved.
Attendance Matters
Being at school regularly helps children develop positive friendships
School attendance is not only about academic growth but also social and emotional development. Here are several ways in which consistent attendance contributes to the formation of meaningful and supportive peer relationships:
- Shared Experiences. Regular attendance allows children to share common experiences with their peers. Being present in class provides opportunities for shared learning, activities, and interactions, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
- Consistent Social Interaction. Attending school every day provides consistent opportunities for social interaction with classmates. Regular face-to-face interactions contribute to the development of communication skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
- Building Trust and Reliability. Being present on a regular basis helps children build trust and reliability within their peer group. Dependable attendance creates a sense of predictability, and peers can rely on each other for mutual support and collaboration.
Caroline Lewis
Principal
Faith & Mission
Baptism
Congratulations to Rory and Brody who were welcomed into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism on Sunday 26 May. May their journeys of faith be filled with love, hope and endless blessings.
Biggest Morning Tea
Thank you to all who contributed to our Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser by baking, buying or volunteering - and especially if you did all three!
First Sunday Family Mass
Stage 3 are hosting this Sunday’s Family Mass. Parishioners will be providing freshly baked scones for morning tea - gold coin donation for the Biggest Morning Tea. We would love to see you there.
National Sorry Day Liturgy
Today we recognised Sorry Day with a beautiful liturgy. We were welcomed to Country by Aunty Angela, listened to and reflected on the Word of God, prayed for peace, justice and healing, and recognised the dignity of all people as ‘made in the image of God’ through song. Thank you to the students who read and led the singing and to our families who came along to support and participate on such an important occasion.
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
Communicating Diversity
Would you like to join our Diwali Team and assist with preparations for our 2024 Diwali celebrations at St Francis Xavier? We are seeking volunteers to assist us with food preparation, serving, decorating, dancing and sharing aspects of the Sikh Culture with our students. If you could help with any of these, please contact the school or email: laura.cooke@lism.catholic.edu.au
Laura Cooke
Leader of EAL / D
Focus on Inclusion
Thank you to our Support Staff
We are blessed at St Francis Xavier School to have many wonderful support staff working with students and teachers to make our school the great place it is! During the month of May we celebrate World Support Staff Day.
We, the teachers and students, would like to take this opportunity to say a great big THANK YOU for all that you do in our school.
You are a dedicated team who give so much love to our students and work so hard behind the scenes in your roles. We appreciate all that you do!
Thank you to Robyn, Lainie and Niki in the office. Thank you to Josh and Bec our Wellbeing Team. Thank you to Dave, Greg and Sleeman in maintenance and cleaning. Thank you to Caroline in the canteen.
Thank you also to our Learning Assistants Mel, Hayley, Di, Amanda S, Amy, Leanne, Amanda M, Sophie and Bronte for all the work you do with our children who need a little extra support. We’re also lucky to have some wonderful casual Learning Assistants in Jo, Kara, Rachelle, Andie and Ariane.
What is the NCCD?
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Sporting Roundup
Athletics Carnival - Save the Date
Jump Rope for Heart
Diocesan Cross Country
Well done to the 12 students who represented the Clarence Zone at the recent Diocesan Cross Country Carnival in Grafton. Congratulations to Ava, Kalani, Mia, Max, Ned and Sam who have progressed to the Polding Cross Country Canrival being held in Sydney on Wednesday 5 June.
Congratulations to Noah and Chloe de Campos with their gold medals from the recent Australian Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournament in Byron Bay. Noah and Chloe will compete in the NSW State competition in Sydney in June and in July they will compete in The Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu, which is equivalent to the World BJJ Tournament for kids.
Hannah Haworth
Leader of Sport
Parent Forum
The next Parent Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 17 June 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 Week 4 Assembly. Keep up the great work!
Pen Licences
Well done to all students who have received their Pen Licence this week!
Student Wellbeing
Buddy Bench for Kindergarten and Stage 1
The Peer Mediators have been busy organising a Buddy Bench for the younger students.
Declan Moore, a Year 6 student, suggested this earlier in the year and we are happy to say that it is nearly here! A Buddy Bench is a way for younger students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to.
Thanks to the efforts of the Woolgoolga Men’s Shed and support from Mr Mifsud, the bench should be installed in the next few weeks.
The Peer Mediators will be introducing the Buddy Bench to the students at the Week 6 Assembly.
Bec Gale, Josh Dalton & Helen Hunt
Wellbeing Team
School Fees Reminder
Trivia Night at SJPC
St John Paul College (SJPC) Year 12 cohort are hosting a Trivia Night at the College on Friday 21 June to raise money for two charities, The Vinnies Van and Life House Pantry. SJPC would like to extend an invitation to parents and carers of our school community to attend the event. Teams consist of 10 players ($15 per person). For further information please contact the College at sjpccoffs@lism.catholic.
Introducing our Chickens
