Newsletter-Term 4-Week 8-Friday 2nd December 2022

Principal's News...

Stay tuned for Mr Gubby's update on Year 6 Canberra Excursion in our next newsletter.

PACER Information 

Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER)

Our Year 6 students have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital.  Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.  To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $90.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards the costs.  This rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

School Calendar-Term 4

Year 6 Graduation

Thursday, 15th December 2022

Start arriving at the Church from 9am for a 9:20am start. 

Term 1 2023-Start Dates

• Friday, 27th January 2023-Staff Administration Day (staff only)
• Monday, 30th January 2023-MAI (Years 1 to 6) & Best Start Assessments (Kinder 2023)
• Tuesday, 31st January 2023-MAI (Years 1 to 6) & Best Start Assessments (Kinder 2023)
• Wednesday, 1st February 2023-First day of Term 1 2023 (Years 1 to 6) & Best Start Assessments (Kinder 2023)
• Thursday, 2nd February 2023-Best Start Assessments (Kinder 2023)
• Friday, 3rd February 2023-Best Start Assessments (Kinder 2023)
• Monday, 6th February 2023-1st day for Kinder 2023

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Advent

Sunday the 27th of November marked the beginning of Advent. The Advent Season is a very special time of year that sometimes gets lost in the bright lights of the Christmas season it precedes. The first day of Advent is the first day of a new Liturgical (or church) calendar and begins a four-week period of preparation in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s birth in the world as it is today.  It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, special music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is.

Retrieved on 1/12/2022 from https://www.ourlittleroses.org/blog/what-is-advent-season/

St Francis Xavier and Nano Nagle Feast Days

Our school has been blessed with two very special feast days occurring since my last newsletter. Monday last week was Nano Nagle’s feast day and this Saturday is St Francis Xavier’s feast Day. These are the most important feast days for our school each year as they represent our heritage and our future. We were named after St Francis Xavier and formed by the Presentation Order in July 1892. Our school values of prayer, education, justice, compassion and hospitality are drawn from the shared charisms of both of these famous Catholic figures.

To mark Nano Nagle’s special day the Presentation Sisters of Lismore made special lantern badges for every student and staff member in our school. It is such a thoughtful gift that the school community can wear proudly to remember the founding sisters of our school and many other Presentation Schools around the country. A message is below from the Presentation Sisters to our school community.

St Francis Xavier is the Patron Saint of our school, the Parish and our local Catholic High School, Xavier College. He was a man who brought Christianity to many parts of Asia as well as one of the founders of the Jesuit Order. A religious order renowned for its dedication to academia and educational excellence. St Francis Xavier’s famous quote is ‘to be great in little things,’ which he did in his dedicated service to the local poor.

St Francis Xavier’s feast day is being celebrated twice this week. We held a whole school Mass yesterday afternoon and there will also be a Parish Mass this Saturday at 12 noon. The Saturday Mass will cater a light lunch after the service. All are welcome to attend on Saturday.

Parish News...

Update to Places of Worship

Easing of restrictions within our Churches from November

• Collections by way of passing the plate may recommence. Plates to be sanitise before and after use.
• Communal sign of Peace may be exchanged physically.   It is up to the individual.  Bowing and waving are also commonly being used.
• Administering the Eucharist on the tongue may recommence. As far as possible those who receive on the tongue should come after those who receive on the hand. This is for the safety of the person distributing Holy Communion and those later in the queue.
• Offertory procession to recommence. If you would like to be involved in this, please advise the Parish Office and a roster (if needed) will be prepared for our weekend Masses.

Parish Mass Times

Learning & Teaching News...

Dear Parents and Families,

MAI Assessments 2023

Mathematical Assessment Interviews are an important component of understanding your child’s mathematical ability and developing learning and teaching experiences to support their next steps in learning.

In Week 10 step by step instructions will be shared with you, enabling you to book a time and date for your child’s MAI in 2023.

Year Three - Bob’s Zoo

In Year Three, during English, our students have been learning to write informative texts. The students have been researching facts about Australian animals and they have physically created Bob’s Zoo within their classroom. They brought their informative texts to life by orally presenting them through the use of digital technology in the form of makey makey’s. The audience actively interacted by pressing the buttons at each enclosure to hear facts, recorded by our students, about blue tongues, green sea turtles, koalas, platypus, tasmanian devil, and kangaroos. Thank you to our Year Three parents, and Kindergarten classes, for being such a supportive audience and giving us such an engaging purpose for writing and speaking.   Link to gallery below.

A big thank you to Domino's Pizza in Ballina for supplying the pizza boxes for our makey makey task!

Year Four

This term in Science and Technology, year four students have been learning about how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion.

As part of their learning, they were set the following task:

How can you design a complex machine to help you with a simple task at home or school?

On Monday, students spent the day creating their complex machines. Some of the simple tasks that the machines were able to perform were: making a sandwich, pressing a button on a computer and tipping a glass of water.

We are so pleased with the efforts of all students involved.

The Year Four Team

Chris, Kelly and Georgie

Parent Helpers Needed

We have been blessed to have purchased new home readers for classes across Kindergarten to Year Three. We have over 1000 readers that need covering! We would love your support in helping us so that we have them ready for the start of 2023. If you could spare half an hour, one hour or one day please join us in the Library on either, or both, Monday, 5th December and Monday, 12th December from 9 am to 3.15 pm.  We value your support and can’t wait to share the beautiful books with our students!

Kristie Coster-Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Lisa Conte-Leader of Pedagogy

Sports News...

St Francis Xavier Competitive Swimming Carnival

Last week on Friday, 25th November, St Francis Xavier held their Competitive Swimming Carnival at Ballina War Memorial Pool. The competitive events serve as a selection trial for the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival next year. Sunny conditions welcomed our swimmers and, apart from a few hiccups with technology, managed to complete all competitive events. A big thank you to the parents who were able to assist with Timekeeping. Your help was greatly appreciated. Congratulations to the winning House,  who finished on top with  points. The final standings were:

• 1st - Power - 528
• 2nd - Murphy  - 277
• 3rd - Cole - 237
• 4th - Doyle - 139

Also a big thankyou to Mrs Turner, Mr Ritchie, Mr Hosie, Mr Kliese, Mrs Niland, Mrs Hosie and Mrs Clarke who assisted with the running of the day.  

Congratulations to the following Age Champions:

• Junior Boys Champion: Maverix Thomas
• Junior Boys Runner-Up: Luke Dogan
• Junior Girls Champion: Madeleine Druzynski
• Junior Girls Runner-Up: London McGregor
• 11 Years Boys Champion: Thomas Briggs
• 11 Years Boys Runner-Up: Archie Scott
• 11 Years Girls Champion: Isabel Hudson
• 11 Years Girls Runner-Up: Alysha Miller
• Senior Boys Champion: Lachlan Colegate
• Senior Boys Runner-Up: Harley Ainsworth-Puglisi
• Senior Girls Champion: Alexandra Dogan
• Senior Girls Runner-Up: Ava Morley

Students who finished in the top three times in events across all heats were selected to attend the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival @ Alstonville Aquatic Centre on Monday, 14th February 2023.

Diocesan Summer Sports Trials

The Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials in tennis were held in Lismore on Tuesday, 22nd November. It was a great day of tennis with many close sets in both boys and girls. Congratulations to Gali Amit who showcased his tennis skills on the court during the day.

Gali will now attend Polding selection trials in Lismore on Friday, 10th February 2023. Congratulations Gali.

On Friday, 25th November Dekyra Layton and Jack Keough attended the Diocesan Touch Football Trials in Lismore. Both students played well gaining positions in the possibles and probables teams however, were not selected in the final team. Well done Dekyra and Jack for reaching this level of competition.

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 4

Week 9

Monday, 5th  December- Friday, 9th December

Week 10

Monday, 12th December- Thursday, 15th December

Wednesday Specials-Term 4

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.

Tuesday Sushi Day

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

Student Awards...

Term 4-Week 8

Congratulations to all student's who received an award this week. 

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all our student's a wonderful day!

Friday, 2nd December to Thursday, 15th December

Xavier Catholic College News...

Year 7 Book Pack Information

The Xavier Catholic College Book Packs for Years 7 can be purchased via the Winc Portal. Specific pack details are linked below, including the access code to complete book pack orders:

Free Delivery: for orders placed on or before 20th December 2022

• Year 7 Book Pack (Technologies: Navy apron will be issued during class)

Parent Reminders...

Students NOT Returning in 2023

As we have a number of perspective students on our wait list, parents of current students NOT intending to return to St Francis Xavier Primary School in 2023 are asked to notify the school in writing as soon as possible.

We are currently in the process of planning our 2023 classes and this information is essential.

Pupil Free Day

Friday, 16th December 2022

(Staff Development Day)

Newsletter Update

We now publish our School Newsletter on a fortnightly basis. The newsletter will be published in Week Two, Four, Six, Eight and Ten of each Term. All important notices and events will be communicated via Compass on a regular basis. Our school Facebook page will be updated regulary with exciting events that have happened at school.

School Assembly Update

School Assemblies are now on a fortnightly basis, in line with our Newsletter. 

Student Absences

Parents are reminded that if your child/ren are absent from school you must follow the following steps:

• Reply to the text message that is sent via Compass before 3pm, or
• Email the school office on balp@lism.catholic.edu.au

All absences must be received in writing. 

Notification of Extended Leave

All notification of extended leave MUST be submitted prior to the  leave commencing. 

Travel outside of the school holiday period is counted as an absence for statistical purposes.  If your child/ren are absent for 10 to 100 days, please ensure that you complete a Form A4 Notification Extended Leave Travel (available at the School Office or click on the link Extended Leave Form).  An absence in this case will be recorded using the Code ‘A’ (Unjustified Leave).

In exceptional circumstances parents may complete a Form A1 Application for Extended Leave-Travel for consideration, explaining why an absence for extended leave is in the best educational interest of the student.  The Principal may accept or decline this application. 

Please note relevant travel documentation such as an e ticket or itinerary (in the case of non-flight bound travel within Australia only) must be attached to these applications.

Please note, a return text message notification will NOT be accepted for Extended Leave. 

Compass Events-School Excursions/Events

The Compass Event Module will be where you will receive all the information about an excursion or an event. It will also be where you are required to give consent and make payment. 

The Event Module has replaced the hard copy note that would normally be sent home.  If you receive an event notification or email, this means your child/ren are required to participate in the event. Please do not disregard the notification or email. If you have any questions about an event, please contact the class teacher or the school office.

Parents are required to action the Excursion Event in Compass prior to the due by date that is stated in the event, unfortunately if you miss the due date your child/ren may miss out on attending. Event notifications will come via email and Compass notification on your Compass App. 

A kindly reminder that this is a new process for everyone, parents, teachers and administration staff, we are all learning together.

School Uniform

With the warmer weather upon us, please make sure your child/ren are in our summer uniform as per our School Uniform Policy.

Parent Sign In

All parents are reminded that if they are entering the school grounds, for what ever the reason, you MUST sign into the school via the Ipad in the front office or via the QR codes at our gates. There are no exceptions. 

Student Travel to and from School

Students are supervised at school from 8:30am. If your child/ren are walking, riding or being dropped off, they should not arrive before 8:30am. When they do arrive at school they are to sit under the Shelter Shed until instructed by the teacher on duty. 

When leaving school, students depart in one of four ways:

Bus - Children are to sit in bus lines and wait for teachers’ instructions to board their bus.  Bus pass forms are available online.

Bike - Students are to move quickly to their bikes or scooters and walk these to the gate at the front of the school.  They must not ride these on school premises and they should take the shortest and safest route home.

Walking - These children should leave through the front school gate without delay.  Any child needing to cross Swift Street should wait at the crossing and be directed by the Crossing Supervisor.

Pick up - Children being picked up should wait in the School Hall with the supervising teacher until collected and then leave with their parent or guardian. Students should be collected no later than 3:20pm. 

Lost Property

Our Lost Property box is full to the brim with unnamed hats, jumpers and lunchboxes.

If your child has lost an item, particularly a jumper, please ask them to speak with a teacher and take a look in lost property.

All of the jumpers look quite new and it would be a shame to see them go uncollected.

Please label all your children’s belongings.  This includes hats, jumpers, lunchboxes, storage containers.  It is important that all student’s belongings are clearly named, and we recommend checking that the name is still clearly visible throughout the year.  Please note all named items are returned to students.

School Fee News

Please note that School fees for all families not on an official payment arrangement with the school office this year, are now well overdue, and must be finalised in full within the next seven (7) days. 

If there is a genuine financial difficulty in meeting this request it is imperative that an appointment is made with the Principal in order to discuss a suitable payment arrangement.

It is an expectation that payment arrangements are strictly adhered to at all times.  If payment instalments are in arrears it is also imperative to contact the school immediately to discuss the issue with the Principal. 

You can access and pay your fee account through the Compass App or at the School Office.