Newsletter-Term 3-Week 3-Friday 5th August 2022

Principal's News...

Dear Parents, 

As you know we have commenced our parent feedback survey, Tell Them From Me. Although we
always welcome your feedback, it is often difficult as a parent to know when to do this and exactly
what to say. The formal survey provides an opportunity to put aside a short amount of time to
respond to a series of questions relevant to our school that will assist us in improving the standard
we offer. We are always looking at ways to improve and maintain our high standards in all aspects of school life.

Having completed almost all of our Kinder 2023 enrolment interviews, I have found that I spend
some time with new families explaining what distinguishes us as a Catholic school. Certain rituals and visuals may be obvious indications that we are a Catholic school, but to be truly Catholic in our
approach must be experienced in how we interact with each other in our community, to set a clear
and encouraging example to our children. The Mission of Christ in itself is not difficult to understand, but in reality it can be difficult to practise. What distinguishes us as a Catholic school should be evident in our understanding of this message from the Gospel of Matthew, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (25:40). We practise looking for God and goodness in each other every day. We treat each other with respect, understanding that we are all made in the image of God. Whilst there is a lot more to being Catholic than simply this, as a foundational belief, seeing God in each other and treating each other with dignity, compassion and love can be practised by all in our community, irrespective of where we are on our individual faith journey. Our school community is all the richer for our collective efforts to practise our school values.

During NAIDOC Week, each class created a Deadly Door to celebrate the theme of “Get Up! Stand
Up! Show Up!”. I had the pleasure of judging the doors with our IEW, Jada Williams. Whilst a high
standard was set by all classes, we were particularly impressed by the efforts of our Year 1 classes
and our Year 6 classes. Congratulations on your designs. All children from these classes received a
special bookmark to commemorate their win.

Peace in Christ,

Dan Gubby

Principal

School Calendar-Term 3

Assistant Principal Mission News....

Tell Them From Me School Survey

On Wednesday the parent link for the Tell Them From Me School Survey was sent out via Compass. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. If you are having any issues accessing the survey or would like further information please contact the office.

School Disco

The SRC students are organising a school disco on Friday the 19th of August. This will be the first disco in two years and I am sure it will be a great night together. The Kindergarten to Year 2 disco will be from 5.00 pm to 6.15 pm and the Year 3 to Year 6 students will be from 6.30 pm until 8.00 pm. 

NAIDOC Liturgy

Last Friday we held a special NAIDOC Week Liturgy in the hall. During the liturgy a poster book created by our students was presented to Mr Gubby that celebrates the lives of many of our indigenous heroes. A big thank you to our indigenous students and to Mr O’Dwyer for the efforts that went into creating this special book for our library.  

Term 3 Sacramental Program

The Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be celebrated this term. All students from Year 4 and above who have undertaken the Sacrament of Confirmation are welcome to take part in these sacred celebrations. If you would like your child to be part of the sacramental program and they have not received any of the other sacraments, please contact the Parish Office. 

There will be three family session evenings and weekend masses to attend. Sacramental students are required to participate in the family sessions and all of the Year 4 students will learn about the sacraments as part of their Religious Education curriculum. 

Sacramental Dates

• Reconciliation Family Session 1- Tuesday, 23rd August at 5:00 pm (Week 6) 
• Parish Welcoming Mass for Candidates- Weekend of 27th and 28th August
• Sacrament of Reconciliation- Tuesday, 30th August at 5:00 pm (Week 7)
• First Holy Communion Family Session 1- Tuesday, 6th September at 5:00 pm(Week 8)
• First Holy Communion Family Session 2- Tuesday, 13th September at 5:00 pm  (Week 9)
• Student Reflection Day- Thursday, 15th September (Week 9 at Holy Family)
• Sacrament of First Holy Communion- Sunday, 18th September at 11.00 am (End of Week 9) followed by a bbq lunch at the school hall.

Term 3 School Masses

All families are welcome to attend our whole school masses during Term 3.

• Monday, 15th August at 2.30 pm (Holy day of obligation for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
• Tuesday, 6th September at 2.30 pm (Celebration of the beginning of the Season of Creation)

Matthew Ritchie

Assisstant Principal Mission

Parish News...

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 not mandatory, but encouraged
• Density limits are not mandatory
• If unwell please stay home until you feel well again

Parish Mass Times

Learning & Teaching News...

Dear Parents and Families,

At St Francis Xavier, we use technologies to facilitate authentic learning opportunities that foster engagement and creativity. Last week, our Year 6 students engaged in an online learning experience with the State Library NSW.

In the fantasy novel tradition, students developed an epic adventure story by creating a hero character to journey across their magical story map, encountering dangerous obstacles and mythical beasts along the way.  

This virtual excursion encouraged our Year 6 students to think imaginatively and use a different set of skills to express themselves. 

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

My New Gallery

Book Week News...

Our Book Week celebrations will be held in Term 3, Week 5 (Monday, 15th August - Friday, 19th August).  During this time we celebrate being readers and authors and engage with texts through activities and experiences. We’re incredibly excited that this year, we’re able to invite our family community to join us for some of the events! Please see the information below for further details about our Book Week celebrations. All parents, families and friends are invited to join us for the activities in red below.

Book Week Events

Sports News...

NSW PSSA State Netball Championships

Last week Zali Raudonikis competed in the NSW PSSA State Netball Championships in Sydney at Olympic Park. Zali was selected in the Polding Team earlier on in the year. Over the course of the three days of competition, Zali’s Polding Team played thirteen matches with seven wins and six losses with Polding finishing equal eighth with South Coast. Well done Zali! We are extremely proud of your achievements.

NSW PSSA Cross Country Championships

As reported in the Week One newsletter, Luke and Alexandra Dogan travelled down to Sydney to compete in the NSW PSSA Cross Country Championships on Friday, 22nd July. This saw the two SFX students running against the best primary school runners in the State in their respective age group. Congratulations to Luke and Alexandra finishing in the top 20. An outstanding achievement at this level of competition.

Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival

The 1500m Races were run last Monday afternoon, 25th of July at Hepburn Park, Goonellabah. SFX had 12 students competing at this event. All students are to be congratulated on their effort in warm conditions as all races were run at a frantic pace. Well done to Luke Dogan (1st in 9 yrs boys), Alexandra Dogan (1st in 11 yrs girls) and Erika Wisemantel (2nd in 12 yrs girls).

 On Thursday, 28th July SFX had 48 students competing at the Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival at St John’s College Woodlawn. We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day and the track was dry and in perfect condition with the rain we received late last week barely impacting the running surface of the track.

A huge thank you to St John’s College Woodlawn. Their support in all facets of the day was greatly appreciated.

The students competed to the best of their abilities on the day with SFX finishing fourth. Congratulations to Holy Family who were the overall winners.

Well done to Alexandra Dogan who was joint 11 Years Girls Richmond Zone Age Champion.

Special mention to Isla Parker (Junior Girls) and Erika Wisemantel (Senior Girls) who both finished third on their respective Age Championship Points Table.

Best of luck to the following students who were selected to compete at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday, 10th August.

• Isla Parker
• Luke Dogan
• Isabel Hudson
• Lachlan Colegate
• Alexandra Dogan
• Erika Wisemantel
• Taya Coates

Well done boys and girls!

SFX Athletics Carnival

After a count back on points and race positions, we would like to announce and congratulate Ryan Waldock on achieving the result of joint Senior Boys Age Champion. 

Paddy Wilde

Sports Coordinator

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.  

Canteen Roster-Term 3-Week 4

Monday, 8th August to Friday, 12th August

Wednesday Specials Term 3

All Wednesday Specials orders to be placed via the QKR App by 8:30am Tuesday morning prior to the Wednesday Special Day. Our preferred method of ordering and payment is through our Qkr App, however cash is still accepted at the Canteen.

Hotdog Day

Wednesday, 10th August

Cost: $4.00

It’s Hotdog Day (Frankfurt and choice of sauce on a long roll) on Wednesday, 10^th August 2022.  Please place the order via the QKR App by Tuesday, 9^th August 2022.

Please note Canteen will not be open for any other food on Wednesday, 10^th August. Please order via the QKR App by Tuesday, 9^th August 2022 at 8:30am.

NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED

Sushi Special Day

All Sushi Orders need to be placed via the QKR App by 8:30am Monday morning prior to Sushi Day

Week 5	Tuesday, 16th August
Week 7	Tuesday, 30th August
Week 9	Tuesday, 13th September

Student Awards-Term 3-Week 3...

Congratulations to all of our students who received an award this week

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!

Friday, 5th August to Thursday, 11th August

The School Photographer News...

School Disco News...

School Disco

Friday, 19th August 2022

 Kinder to Year 2 -Infants Only (5pm to 6:15pm) 

Year 3 to Year 6 - Primary Only (6:30pm to 8pm)