Newsletter-Term 1-Week 2-Friday 10th February 2023

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to you all and especially our new families. We are privileged to have the trust of all of you to provide a loving and nurturing educational environment that challenges all children to support their growth. The value of our transition days held last year for our new Kinder children was evidenced this week as our Kinders started their formal schooling with confidence and enthusiasm. No doubt they will all have felt the effects of a long week, and sleep well over the weekend.

Although I have acknowledged our new staff members via Compass, I would like to formally welcome our new Counsellor, Ms Pamela Kirkley, and new Teacher Assistant, Ms Annabel Pezzutti. We have also made the recent appointments of Ms Kasey Miles to the position of Acting Assistant Principal – Mission, and Mrs Joy Hosking and Mrs Tash Howie to our Kindergarten Teacher Assistant roles.

Each year our staff develops a School Improvement Plan based on community survey feedback and student data. The process is very thorough and acknowledges previous successes that we will focus on maintaining in addition to areas of improvement. Whilst we will still focus on many other areas of school life this year, our main goals are:

• To strengthen Tradition and Witness, we will further embed our school values and heritage into our school culture.
• To build staff formation and knowledge through a deepened understanding of the celebration of the Eucharistic Mass.
• To improve Literacy learning outcomes, we will embed a culture of feedback that builds students’ capacity as assessment capable learners.
• To design rigorous and relevant learning experiences using an inquiry-based learning approach to improve student engagement.

We have seen great growth in our students’ writing results over the last couple of years due to a strategic focus in this area and will continue to work on this throughout 2023.

You should receive your children’s Term 1 Class Overviews this afternoon. These provide detailed information about the learning activities and class expectations for Term 1. Whilst Compass is our school’s primary communication source, please ensure you are aware of any additional communication mediums used by your class teachers so you are kept up to date with class events throughout the year. Also, don’t forget that you can make contact with either your class teachers or school administration at any time if you require further information on any matters. Working together for our children will only improve their schooling experience.

Peace in Christ,

Dan Gubby

Welcome to the New School Year...

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School Calendar-Term 1

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Welcome back to what is shaping up to be another busy term here at St Francis Xavier School. I am very much looking forward to being Acting Assistant Principal - Mission for this year and am humbled and delighted to be offered this opportunity. Alongside my work in Kindergarten, I will be overseeing the Key Learning Area of Religious Education and supporting the work of the Parish and the school around the Sacramental Programs, Religious Education programs and our School Annual Improvement Goals for 2023. 

This week’s Gospel…Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week's Gospel is a reading from the Book of Matthew (5:17-37) in which Jesus is teaching about the Law “I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them”.

Matthew's Gospel continues the Sermon on the Mount with a three part instruction by Jesus on the Way of Life in the kingdom of Heaven. Part one deals with the Law and when Matthew speaks of “the Law and the prophets” he is speaking of the whole Scripture. When Jesus brings the fullness of the kingdom, none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be fulfilled. 

(Loyola Press, 2023. https://www.loyolapress.com) 

Project Compassion

The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘For all future generations’. During Lent, in the lead up to Easter, we will be exploring this theme a little deeper and look closely at stories from all around the world - from Nepal to Zimbabwe and even here in Australia. 

Each story will highlight how Caritas Australia works with vulnerable people, empowering them to develop and create change in their own communities. We look forward to sharing these stories with you through the season of Lent. 

What can our donations do?

Our donations can supply art supplies to students in Nepal and Australia. It can be used to promote awareness campaigns on Child protection in Zimbabwe and support households with the cost of early intervention in Vietnam. 

Each Year group, along with the office, canteen and library will have their own donation box. No donation is too big or too small! Each week the donation boxes will be collected, counted and tallied to see our school totals. 

I look forward to sharing these totals with you during the Lenten Season and thank you for your support of this wonderful organisation. 

Upcoming dates

• Beginning School / Yr 6 Leaders Induction Mass - Thursday, 16th February at 2:30pm in the  Church
• Ash Wednesday Liturgy - Wednesday, 22nd February at 2:30pm in the Church
• School Mass - Thursday, 23rd March at 2:30pm in the Church
• Confirmation-Year 3 Students - Thursday, 30th March

Kasey Miles

Assistant Principal Mission

Parish News...

           St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish of Ballina

• St Francis Xavier Church-47 Cherry Street, Ballina
• Holy Family Church-94 Ballina Street, Lennox Head

Parish Mass Times

Learning & Teaching News...

Dear Parents and Families,

A very warm welcome to all our families, especially those who have joined us this year! It has been great to see the smiling faces of our students after the end-of-year break. Thank you parents for preparing your children to be ready for learning.  We have had a very settled start to the year and all students are becoming familiar with their class routines and expectations.  

We thank our teachers for making the first weeks of Term 1 special for their students as they spend time getting to know each other. This builds a wonderful sense of belonging across each class in our school family.

What a great start everyone in Kindergarten has made to school! We are amazed by the children’s eagerness and adjustment to school routines. 

Mathematics Assessment Interview Data (MAI)

During the fortnightly Professional Learning Team (PLT) meetings, teachers have been examining their year level MAI data. This has informed how teachers are differentiating the learning to ensure that each student achieves growth in Mathematics. We thank you for your support that enables us to complete these assessments prior to the first day of school. The knowledge and skills demonstrated by your child in the MAI will be discussed with you further as part of the Parent-Teacher Conferences to be held in Week 8, Term 1.

Save the Date: Parent Information Evening - Tuesday, 21st February

Our welcome and information evening for parents will be held on Tuesday, 21st February in your child’s classroom. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher, hear relevant information regarding their school year, and ask any questions that you may have.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

These meetings are an opportunity to build relationships with families and establish partnerships between parents and school to support student learning. Parent-student-teacher conferences remain one of the primary ways that families and schools meet to discuss a child’s progress and set learning goals. Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will not attend these meetings. Students in Years 3-6 will attend these meetings to share their learning goals. 

These conferences will be held in Week 8, Term 1. It’s very important that all families schedule a meeting time with their child’s teacher. Bookings will occur via the Compass app. You will receive further information in the weeks to come.

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Lisa Conte

Leader of Pedagogy

Sports News...

Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival

On Monday, 13th February St Francis Xavier will be sending 46 students to compete at the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival at Alstonville Aquatic Centre. These students placed in the top three times for various events in their age group at our school swimming carnival last year.

Students should’ve received a timetable outlining the order of events of the day and also an events sheet which indicates the races they will be participating in. Payment and consent is to be completed by today, Friday, 10th February.

Students who place in the top three will be selected to attend the Diocesan Swimming Carnival on Friday, 3rd March 2023.

Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials

The Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials (Rugby Union, League 11’s, League Open, Football -Boys & Girls, Netball and Hockey) will be held on Thursday, 16th February at various venues around Lismore. Only students in Years 5 & 6 who are of a representative standard and play at a high level nominated. If more than five nominations were received in a particular sport, a trial was conducted at school.

Free Woolworths Cricket Blast Program for Girls

In Week Six of Term One Mr Wilde will be running a free Pop Up Blast for girls (Ages 7-12) at St Francis Xavier School for four weeks every Wednesday starting on the 1st of March and finishing on 22nd March.

Each session will run for an hour from 4pm-5pm. Contact Mellissa Norup for additional information: melissa.norup@cricketnsw.com.au

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 11:30am, 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 3

Monday, 13th February - Friday, 17th February

Week 4

Monday, 20th February- Friday, 24th February

Sushi Specials Term 1

$3.90 each Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian-Sauce 20c each.

Week 3	Tuesday, 14th February
Week 5	Tuesday, 28th February
Week 7	Tuesday, 14th March
Week 9	Tuesday, 28th March

Lent Special Term 1

Wednesday, 22nd February to Wednesday 5th April

Crumbed Fish Burger-$5.00 each

Student Awards...

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

Welcome Awards...

We warmly welcome the following students to our school family.

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all our students a wonderful birthday!

Friday, 4th February to Thursday, 23rd February

Parent Information..

Newsletter 

We 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

School Assemblies are 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 is where you 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 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. 

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. 

Road Safety Around the School

In order to keep our students safe, please adhere to the road safety rules around St. Francis Xavier when dropping off or collecting your child.

All roads surrounding and adjoining our school are signed and subject to School Zone Road Restrictions from 8am to 9:30am in the morning and 2:30pm to 4pm in the afternoon on all school days. Ballina Shire Council enforces these road rules and does issue penalties, particularly for double-parking.

There are two private residences, one on the corner of Swift St and Martin St, and one on the corner of Martin St and Crane St. Please ensure you are not parking in these driveways. These driveways need to be kept clear at all times for resident access.

Child Protection Policy

As a matter of practice all staff at our school annually review our Child Protection Policy and Procedures document. This document outlines all staff requirements in the matter of child protection including our responsiblities as mandatory reporters. This document can be found our our website under policies. 

Asthma in Schools Information...

As we begin a new year all parents are reminded that Asthma Plans need to updated. These plans can be collected from the school office. If you indicated your child/ren suffers from Asthma on their Health Details Form at the beginning of the term, you will receive a letter from Dan with the plans attached. These plans will need to be signed by your GP. 

Bus Saftey News...