Newsletter-Term 4-Week-10-Thursday, 15th December 2022

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of sharing in the Canberra excursion experience with our Year 6 team. Due to other prior commitments, Mr Cook was unable to attend, but Mrs Gubby was able to
fill his place along with Mrs Miles and Mrs Bertram. We were blessed with perfect weather for the duration of our trip as the children engaged in a range of wonderful experiences in our nation’s capital. I have no doubt the children will hold their memories of the excursion throughout their lives. I thank the staff who attended for giving their time to organise and support our Year 6’s.

Our Carols on the Green was a great success last week - it was lovely to see so many parents
comfortably interacting again as we celebrated the Birth of Christ our Saviour in traditional school
fashion. We appreciate that the last couple of years have prevented such opportunities and look
forward to embracing as many opportunities to re-engage with our families next year. I had the
great privilege of announcing our 2023 school captains. I thank all of the 16 children who nominated for the leadership roles and congratulate Charlotte Doyle and Callan Ross (Captains), and Ava Morley and Lachlan Colegate (Vice Captains) on their appointments to their respective roles. These children will be formally inducted early next year.

On Tuesday this week, many of our Year 5 children presented themselves as House Colour Captain
nominees. I congratulate the following children on their successful applications to the respective
House Captain positions: Alex Dogan and Rab Downie (Cole), Noah Clarson and Sienna Judge (Doyle), Jack Keough and Marlee Balcombe (Power) and Saoirse Lockwood and Harley Ainsworth- Puglisi (Murphy).

This morning we held a beautiful Graduation ceremony for our Year 6 children. I wish them all the
very best of success as they venture on to high school next year. May you take with you loving
memories of our school and an understanding that you will always be members of our parish school community.

I welcome to our staff next year Ms Pamela Kirkley (Counsellor) and Miss Kasey Miles (Kinder). I look forward to working with these ladies in their new roles.

As this is our last newsletter for the year, I will take the opportunity to acknowledge quite a few
people for their respective contributions to our amazing school this year. Three of our staff members retired this year after many years of dedication to our school and to Catholic education. I acknowledge and thank Mrs Kerrily Jelfs, Mr Marty Fitzpatrick and Mrs Lyn O’Neill for their commitment to our children and their dedication to our school.

Thirty-six of our Year 6 families will be leaving our school after graduation today. I thank all of these families (listed below) for their respective contributions over the years. I also thank a number of other families throughout the grades who will be relocating for 2023. I wish all those who are leaving us God’s blessing for the adventures ahead. I hope you take with you loving memories of your time at St Francis Xavier School. 

Throughout the year we have been blessed by the contributions of numerous parent volunteers. We
really value your involvement in our community and thank you for making this commitment to
support our school as you do.

I thank our wonderful staff for their tireless efforts to provide our children with rich and engaging
learning experiences. Much of their commitment to their roles is unseen, but certainly appreciated.
And I thank Fr Peter for his spiritual guidance and continued support for our parish school.

May God bless every member of our school family over this Christmas break. I pray that you keep
safe and enjoy the spirit of Christ in spending time with family and friends.

Merry Christmas
Dan Gubby.

School Calendar-Term 1 2023

Assistant Principal Mission News...

St Vincent De Paul Visit

As a big thank you to our school for all our fundraising efforts over the last two years, Margaret and Mick from St Vincent De Paul came out to talk to our assembly. Mick spoke about how we are truly living out the message of Jesus by helping the most vulnerable in our community. They presented our SRC with a special certificate of appreciation for the front office. 

St Francis Xavier Parish and Primary families have been extremely generous with their support for the homeless, Caritas and Catholic Mission with over $20 000.00 raised. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed. Nano Nagle and St Francis Xavier would be very proud of how we are demonstrating their value of Justice.

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas

Christmas in western culture has become an enormous event of celebration and gift-giving but where is Jesus in all of this? I ask that we pause during this busy period to remember why we celebrate Christmas every year. Below is a reflection on the meaning of Christmas that I wanted to share from H Riggleman (2019).

Decorated Christmas trees are everywhere you look. Presents crowded for space under the tree and families coming together for a turkey feast. Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts? Is it the annual economic boost?

The Christmas season, especially in the West, is a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular traditions. What’s interesting is the etymology of the word Christmas. It literally means Christian Mass. It’s a shortened form of Christ’s Mass.

Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith. It’s also a celebration. It’s when Christians celebrate God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. The Bible tells of his birth hundreds of years before, fulfilling prophecies.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

Matthew Ritchie

Assistant Principal Mission

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...

THANK YOU!

A big thank you to all of our wonderful parents and grandparents who covered over one thousand home readers for our K-3 students. These are now ready to be distributed to our classrooms for use in 2023. We are very appreciative of your time to benefit our avid readers. A special thanks to Ashley, Brooke and Rita who have taken home hundreds of books to cover. Providing engaging and high interest readers is a priority to support our learners in developing their reading skills and love of reading. Please encourage your child to care for them when they bring them home next year. If you have any readers at home please return them to the school. 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PARENT ASSEMBLY

On Monday evening the Catholic Schools Parent Assembly Cluster Coordinator, Leanne Robbins, organised a special workshop "Starting Kindergarten with Confidence" presented by Parent Educator and Occupational Therapist Angela Lockwood. Angela shared an array of strategies to further support our 2023 Kindergarten students transition to school successfully. Simple things like practicing dressing themselves and packing their own bag on a holiday outing will further support them to do this once they arrive at school. Holiday suggestions include imaginative play, craft and outdoor nature play activities to further build their fine and gross motor skills, rather then screen time. Having these skills on board will further support their confidence and equip them to feel calm when starting school.

PLAY-BASED INNOVATIVE GRANT

Earlier in the year we were blessed to have received an Innovative Grant from the Catholic Schools Office to inspire our students to learn through play. Both St Francis Xavier Primary School and the CSO funded this initiative in Kindergarten for both indoor and outdoor play. Our students have loved learning through play, supporting their transition from Preschool to school.

Sports News...

Future Tennis Star

Over the last few months Gali Amit has been travelling the countryside competing in a variety of Tennis Tournaments across the state.

In  October, Gali travelled to Bathurst to represented North East region Under 10 for NSW State team’s championship.

In November, Gali went to Penrith, for the Under 10 NSW  Champion of Champions . He came 7th overall which is a fantastic achievement.

On the 10th to 14th December, Gali represented the Under 11 North East Tennis Team to compete in the Queensland state teams event in Brisbane.

Congratulations Gali on your wonderful achievements in tennis this year.

Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival

The Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival will be held at Alstonville Aquatic Centre on Monday, 13th February 2023.

Students who place in the top three times in their events will be selected to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Kempsey on Friday, 3rd March 2023.

The Carnival will commence at approximately 9:45am and conclude by 2pm.

The total cost to attend is $8.15 which covers bus transport to and from the venue. No sports levy will be charged. The Catholic Schools Office is now covering all sports levies at Zone and Diocesan levels. 

There is no Pool entry cost for students (Richmond Zone covering). Pool Entry for spectators is $5.50

A canteen will be available on the day to purchase food. Healthy snacks and a water bottle are recommended.

A Compass Event will be sent home to parents in the first week back at school. 

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 1

Week 1

Monday, 30th  January- Friday, 3rd February

Week 2

Monday,  6th February- Friday,  10th February

Student Awards...

Term 4-Week 9

Conratulations to all our students who received an award this week.

Star Awards

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!

Friday, 16th December 2022 to Thursday, 3rd February 2023

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.

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.

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. 

Community News...

Year 6 Class of 2022