2024 Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
Prayer Focus
From the Principal
Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
This week, we recognise Teacher Aide Appreciation Week and thank them for their significant impact on students and teachers. We express our deepest gratitude to the outstanding learning assistants who play a crucial role in our educational community. Their support, patience and enthusiasm enrich the learning experience and make a world of difference in the classroom. Thank you to our Learning Assistants for their hard work and unwavering commitment to our students' success.
Before/After-School Care at St Francis Xavier
We are considering possibly offering an out of school hours care service at our school to support our families better. To help us gauge interest and understand the specific needs of our community, we would like to know if you are interested in having before-school care, after-school care, or vacational care. Your feedback is invaluable as we explore this option, so please complete the survey to share your preferences and needs. Your input will help us tailor the services to fit our school's community best and provide the support that families require.
Attendance Matters
Teach your child the essential skill of being organised.
Start with assisting them to pack their bag and lay out their uniform the night before. You are helping them on the path to self-responsibility.
Teaching your child organisational skills is a valuable and empowering endeavour that sets the foundation for self-responsibility and a sense of control over their own lives. Here are some tips to help your child develop organisational skills, starting with preparing for school:
- Establish a Routine. Create a consistent daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, and leaving for school. A structured routine provides predictability and helps your child develop a sense of time management.
- Prepare the Night Before. Encourage your child to pack their school bag and lay out their uniform the night before. This proactive approach reduces morning stress and ensures that everything needed for the school day is ready to go.
- Use Checklists. Create checklists for morning and evening tasks. Checklists provide a visual guide for your child to follow and help reinforce the habit of being organised. As their skills improve, they may not need the checklist.
- Model Organisation. Lead by example. Children often learn by observing, so showcasing organisational habits reinforces the importance of being well-prepared.
- Adjust and Adapt. Recognise that organisational needs may change over time. Be flexible and willing to adjust strategies based on your child's evolving responsibilities and needs.
Caroline Lewis
Principal
Faith & Mission
R U OK? Day - Thursday, 12 September
R U OK? Day is the National Day of Action to remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever you spot signs someone you care about might be struggling with life. For students, learning how to support their peers and talk about how they feel is an important life lesson. This year, the RUOK? Day focus is around how to ask a friend “Are you OK?” On Thursday 12 September, students are invited to wear YELLOW in support of this important day.
Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission
Spotlight on Reading
The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge for 2024 has officially come to an end. We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated this year. Their enthusiasm for reading and dedication to finishing the challenge is a fantastic achievement.
Throughout the challenge, students explored a wide range of books, expanding their imaginations and enhancing their literacy skills. Whether students completed the challenge or simply enjoyed the journey of reading, their efforts are highly commendable.
We would like to give a special shout-out to Sidney Hargraves and Elizabeth Hadlow, both in Year 1, for successfully completing the challenge! Your commitment to reading at such a young age is inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of your achievement.
Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged our readers throughout the challenge. Let’s continue to foster a love for reading and look forward to next year’s challenge!
Suzie Coster
Leader of Learning
A Focus on Inclusion
Paralympic Games Paris 2024
It has been wonderful to watch the Paralympic Games in Paris over the last week. Our Paralympians have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and talent, representing not just themselves, but all of us. From swimming and athletics to basketball and wheelchair rugby, their performances inspire and unite us in the spirit of inclusivity and excellence.
It has been particularly exciting to watch a past student of St Francis Xavier School compete in multiple swimming events. Madeleine McTernan attended our school and St John Paul College before moving to the Gold Coast to pursue her swimming career.
Maddie participated in the Women’s 200m Freestyle S14 final on Sunday and placed 5th place! What an achievement. She also competed in the Mixed 4x100m Freestyle relay S14 on Monday and placed 2nd! A silver medal for Maddie and her team! Maddie will compete in the Women’s 100m Backstroke S14 heats on Friday 6th September at 6:45pm. Please watch her swim and cheer her on!
Photos courtesy of Madeleine McTernan’s facebook page.
Congratulations once again to all our Paralympians! Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they have made us all incredibly proud.
Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion
Sporting Roundup
Congratulations to the Woolgoolga Whales under 12 boys soccer team and the Woolgoolga Starfish under 12 girls soccer team on qualifying for the Grand Final this weekend! These teams have a number of St Francis Xavier current students and former students and are coached by St Francis Xavier parents. The big matches will be held at the Coffs Harbour Stadium on Sunday - Good luck boys and girls!
Barney Barselaar Cup
This annual memorial event is coming up on Wednesday, 18 September at the High Street soccer fields. This year for the first time we have eight schools participating including Corindi, Mullaway, Woolgoolga and Sandy Beach Public Schools, Mary Help of Christians Sawtell and St Augustine's Coffs Harbour Primary Schools and Bishop Druitt College. This year, also for the first time we have six newly qualified referees from Woolgoolga High School donating their time for the day. Good luck to the St Francis Xavier school team!
Elective Sport
Stages 2 & 3 are particpating in Elective Sport on Fridays for the rest of the Term. There are a variety of sports the students are enjoying; Hockey, Baseball, Crossfit, Gymnastics, Tennis and Surfing.
Hannah Haworth
Leader of Sport
Parent Forum
Parent Forum Meeting
The next Parent Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 9 September at 6.30pm in the school library. There is a Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend in person.
Parent Forum AGM - Monday, 4 November
The Parent Forum at has been doing a fabulous job, especially in their fundraising efforts, which have led to improvements in both the matrix and nature playgrounds. As we approach our upcoming AGM, we are seeking individuals who are interested in taking on roles such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the school office by Friday 6 September.
Triva Night - Saturday, 7 September
Tickets are selling out fast for our Trivia Night!
Tickets are available for purchase on Flexischools until 2.30pm Friday 6th September.
For more information please refer to your Compass News Feed.
Please email any questions to yarrowsail@hotmail.com
Pie Drive Fundraiser
As we continue to foster a strong sense of community and support for our students, the Parent Forum is excited to announce our upcoming fundraising initiative, the St Francis Xavier Pie Drive. This event not only promises to delight with delicious pies but also serves as a crucial fundraiser to support our school's programs and activities. The pies are from the famous Timbertown Pies, located at Wauchope. The pies will be delivered by Timbertown Pies in a refrigerated truck and will be frozen on arrival. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days or frozen for months. Why not stock up the freezer for the nights where work, children’s sports or family walks on the beach keep you out of the kitchen.
How to Participate:
- Ordering: A price list is attached, Orders must be placed through Flexischools. Ordering will close on September 9.
- Payment: Payment will be made in Flexischools when you place your order.
- Pick-Up: The pies will be available for pick-up at school from 3pm to 4pm on Tuesday 24th September or alternatively you can let us know if you would like your child to bring them home.
We encourage you to share this fundraiser with friends, family, and neighbours. The more pies we sell, the more we can accomplish together! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school if you need more information.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to a successful Pie Drive and appreciate your contributions towards enriching our students' educational journey.
Yarrow Wade
Parent Forum President
Awards
Congratulations to all our award recipients at last week's Assembly. Certificates of Recognition, Pen Licences, Jump Rope for Heart participation and Diocesan Athletics participation awards were all presented. Keep up the great work everyone!
Gold Tokens
Well done to all token recipients this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!
