Newsletter-Term 2-Week 6-Friday 3rd June 2022

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

At a recent meeting with the Board of Directors of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited, I discussed a number of concerns specific to our school for which I believed they could offer support. I raised the concern of the parent pick up issue in which our local council has failed to provide safe and sufficient access to our school on both Martin and Crane streets,  and specifically during times where parents from our neighbouring schools are also trying to access parking. As many of you know, the damage to the road surface on Martin Street from the council garbage trucks has rendered a fair section of this pick up area effectively inaccessible. Although the Council's Local Traffic Committee did resolve to sign out Martin Street frontage as a Drop Off / Pick Up zone, it was subject to our school completing extremely expensive preliminary road works on the council's property. The DLCSL Board of Directors has resolved to provide us with stronger support to prompt more effective action from Ballina Council in relation to this matter, so hopefully we will see an improved parent pick up facility in the near future. 

We commenced our Kinder 2023 enrolment interviews this week and had the great privilege of meeting some wonderful new families and many younger brothers and sisters from our existing families. I frequently hear that our new families have chosen our school to educate their child due to very positive feedback from existing members of our school community. It is certainly reassuring for me to hear this, but it really comes as no surprise. The reputation of our school is not simply testament to the manner and expertise of our school staff, but the collective contributions of all members of our school family who strive to build a loving community rich in the mission of Jesus Christ. I thank you for your continued commitment to this. 

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby

Principal

School Calendar-Term 2

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Pentecost

On Sunday the 5th of June the Catholic Church celebrates Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost marks the beginning of the time of the Church. Filled with the Spirit, the apostles preach in many languages, symbolising the universal nature of the Church’s mission. All people, regardless of race or language, are welcome in Christ’s Church. Indeed, membership in the Church is not based on ethnic origin but on love, the greatest of the Spirit’s gifts. Everyone moved by love is a son or daughter of God.

Confirmation

This wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit will be received by our Confirmation candidates next Thursday the 9th of June at 5.00 pm. During the day on Thursday, our school’s candidates will come together with the candidates from Holy Family and the local State Schools for a fun reflection day in our school hall. We keep these students in our prayers as they complete their final preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Matthew Ritchie

Assistant Principal Mission

Parish News...

Parish Information

Revised NSW Government Restrictions for Places of Worship

• Hand sanitiser is provided at entrances to our Churches
• Masks are not mandatory, personal choice can be made if you prefer to wear a mask
• Receival of Holy Communion in the hand only
• Singing is allowed
• Social distancing may be maintained if practical
• Density limits are not mandatory
• If unwell please stay home until you feel well again

Parish Mass Times

Learning & Teaching News...

On Thursday morning lots of our Kindergarten parents attended an information session about how our students learn to read and do mathematics at home. We had a great session in the Library learning about what to do before reading a book, during reading when students are applying their reading strategies and practical ideas after reading a text. We got to see a Kindergarten student’s reading in action. We also viewed some practical writing activities that link reading and writing. We differentiate these tasks to meet the needs of the learners. At St Francis Xavier we meet every student where they are at, every child's growth is different. We give time and support to those in need, always extending and enriching students to reach their full academic potential.

In Mathematics, we looked at how students learn about number. We discussed the importance of knowing the number symbol, number name (five), and the quantity that it represents.

5 FIVE

We discussed the indicators that children understand quantity. Children must learn how to count objects accurately through:

• developing a stable counting sequence (stable order)
• learning to use only one count term for each object (one-to-one correspondence)
• knowing that the last number counted is the number of objects in the set (cardinality).

We played a range of games to build their knowledge of counting, place value, addition & subtraction, and multiplication and division. A link for further ideas to incorporate numeracy at home can be found at https://www.numeracyathome.com/11-ways-to-maths

Any Kindergarten parents wanting further support with home reading or maths are welcome to book a one-on-one session with me and their child. Email me at lisa.conte@lism.catholic.edu.au

JAPANESE
This week in Japanese the students in Year One were learning to count, read and draw numbers in Japanese in a range of different ways.

Lisa Conte

Leader of Pedagogy

Canteen News...

We Need Volunteers for our School Canteen

Tammy is looking for volunteers for the canteen. If you are able to spare a couple of hours, between 9am and 11:30, once a month please contact the school office on 66863370 or contact Tammy in the canteen and let her know what day suits you.  Please note: to volunteer in the canteen, you will need to be double vaccinated and upon signing into the school, the office staff will need to sight your COVID vaccination certificate.

Canteen Roster-Week 6

Monday, 6th June to Friday, 10th June

Chicken Sub & Wrap Day-$4.90

We will be having a Chicken Sub & Wrap Day on Wednesday, 8th June. 

Please order via the QKR App no later than Tuesday, 7th June at 8:30am.

Please note that no other items are available for lunch and late orders will not be accepted. 

Sushi Day Special-Term 2

$3.90 each - Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian

Please note that all sushi orders need to be placed via the QKR App by 8:30am Monday morning prior to Sushi Day. 

Week 7	Tuesday, 7th June
Week 9	Tuesday, 21st June

Sports News...

St Francis Xavier Athletics Carnival

The annual St Francis Xavier Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday, 16th June (Week 8) at Xavier Catholic College. The carnival will be a modified version with only competitive track events being run on the day (100m, 200m, 800, and 1500m). These events need to be completed prior to the Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival which is in Week 2 of Term 3 on Thursday, 28th July at Geoff Watt Oval, Alstonville.

Shot Put and Long Jump events are all completed at school during PE lessons.

Paddy Wilde

Sports Coordinator

Student Awards...

Term 2-Week 6

Congratulations to all our award recipients this week.

Happy Birthday....

Friday, 3rd June to Thursday, 9th June

Wishing all our students a wonderful birthday!

K2023 Enrolment Information...

Library News...

Book Club

The brochures for Scholastic Issue 4 were distributed to the students on Wednesday, 1st June. The due date for orders is Wednesday, 15th June. 

Parent Reminders...

Queens Birthday - Public Holiday

Monday, 13th June 2022

School Closed