Newsletter-Term 1-Week 4- Friday 24th February

Principal's News...

Parent Information Night

It was great to see so many parents at our information sessions on Tuesday evening.  Be sure to keep in close communication with your class teachers to ensure the best possible learning experience for your children. If you were unable to attend,  please ensure you receive a copy of the information presented on the night from your class teachers. 

Lent

We commenced the liturgical season of lent this week with Ash Wednesday. I thank Miss Miles for preparing liturgies for both lower and upper primary groups. Ash Wednesday brings us to focus on doing special and thoughtful things for others. Classes can contribute to the school's Project Compassion fundraiser to support. On Tuesday we participated in the traditional feast before the fast of lent with Shrove or "Pancake" Tuesday. I thank our parent helpers, for their outstanding efforts in ensuring quality pancakes were cooked and delivered to all students and staff. 

Canberra Excursion

Each year the question comes up around how our Yr 6 children should travel to Canberra for their excursion to our nation's capital. I would like to explain the school's position on this here so all parents can appreciate why a preference vote isn't appropriate. Our school comprises families from a very diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds. Some cohorts have larger numbers of families who struggle to make fee payments let alone having to find additional funds for  school camps. The difference between flying and catching a luxury coach is around $400 per student. This additional cost makes flying quite prohibitive, and we will not deny any child the opportunity to engage in this camp due to their financial status. The matter of fundraising is often brought up as an answer to this dilemma,  but historically, the greater effort in raising adequate funds to compensate the additional costs for a number of families falls back on these families alone. I have completed the overnight coach journey to Canberra several times and whilst it adds a few extra hours onto the trip, travelling through the night enables the children to sleep through the most part of the journey anyway. There are very tight compliance measures in place to provide coach travel that addresses the safety and comfort needs of students and staff.

Grounds

I'm sure you would all agree that our grounds are currently looking fantastic. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our groundsman, Mr Dave Christie for his attention to detail in maintaining a tidy,  safe and attractive playground for our children. 

Sincerely,

Dan Gubby

School Calendar-Term 1

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Ash Wednesday

This week marks the beginning of the Liturgical Season of Lent. On Wednesday, we came together as a school community to ask for the forgiveness of our sins and to be marked with ash in the sign of the Cross. The meaning behind tracing a cross on our foreheads with ashes is a summary of our Christian life. The ashes remind us of our life from birth to death “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. The ashes are also a sign of victory. Just as Jesus conquered death, we acknowledge our sins and are faithful to the Gospel.

This weekend's Gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) reminds us that when Jesus resists temptation he draws on his religious upbringing and tradition. Use this as an opportunity to call your attention to the importance of Scripture in our lives and be confident in God’s protection and faithfulness.

Project Compassion - For all Future Generations

In the lead up to Easter, we recognise the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as we fast, pray and give alms through our support of Project Compassions.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each year level will receive a Project Compassion box for their donations

For more information visit the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

Sacrament of Confirmation

On Wednesday, parents and guardians of students in Years 3-6 would have received a welcome letter via Compass to enrol for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is for students in Year 3, however, we welcome students who are yet to complete the Sacrament to join us also.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Thursday 30 March, with the first Family session on Tuesday 7 March 5:30 - 6:30pm in the School Hall. 

If you did not receive this letter and you wish for your child/ren to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Kasey (kasey.miles@lism.catholic.edu.au).

Light of Jesus Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were our Light of Jesus award winners last fortnight:

• Hugo Leturgie - Yr 4
• Oscar Washington - Yr 3
• Mason Horden x 2 - Yr 2
• Aurelia Houghton - Yr 3

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

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Parish Mass Times

Cyber Saftey....

Cyber Safety and Social Media Sites

We are noticing some social media trends beginning to infiltrate in the older years here at school. This begins to impact learning and friendships as our students become focused on what's happening or not happening on social media.

In order to access social media sites such as Facebook, TikTok and SnapChat, students are required to be 13 years of age. Advising students that what they post on these sites now will remain there forever is important, as future employers may look to social media when offering employment opportunities. Seeking permission and consent before posting images and videos of others is vital, no matter what their age.

In the coming weeks, the Police Youth Liaison Officers will be speaking with our Year 5 and Year 6 students in regards to cyber safety and social media sites.

Mobile phones and Smart watches which are brought to school are to be kept in the school office during the day. Students are asked to place these in the office when they arrive at school and collect before they go home at the 3:15pm bell.

We are seeing a trend in mobile phones/ Smart watches being brought to school and left in bags during the day. This causes concern when devices are broken and or lost.

Please remind your children if they are bringing their phones to school to keep them safe in the office during the day.

In the meantime, if you want to learn more about keeping your children safe on social media, please see the eSafety Commissioner: Online safety website at: https://www.esafety.gov.au    

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are also urging families to be proactive this year by updating privacy settings on children’s devices.The ‘Think U Know’ website is a great place to seek further information regarding online safety https://thinkuknow.org.au/ 

Learning & Teaching News...

Dear Parents and Families,

Our school has partnered with the University of Sydney to participate in professional learning to design and facilitate rich Science, Technology, Engineering (design process) and Mathematics tasks in the classroom. The Year 3 and 4 teachers have participated in a two-day workshop as part of the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy. 

Teachers were introduced to exciting and effective approaches to learning through STEM tasks, gaining a deeper understanding of the design process and embedding technologies into integrated projects. During the learning, teachers designed a wind powered car and a digital car driven by a sphero. They have been inspired and have begun thinking about the tasks they are going to introduce to students this term and next! We can’t wait to share these learning experiences with you.

Sports News...

Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival

Last Monday 13th February, 41 students travelled to Alstonville Aquatic Centre for the 2023 Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival. Cool, overcast conditions and drizzling rain greeted our swimmers as they arrived but as the day progressed the sun came out creating hot and humid weather. Our students performed extremely well on the day with some fantastic results across all age groups. Overall St Francis Xavier Ballina finished 3rd place out of nine schools.

Thank you to Mrs Lynlee Turner and Mrs Kealey Bertram for your assistance on the day.

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top three of their respective races. They qualified to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Kempsey on Friday 3rd March:

• Oliver Seymour-3rd 8yrs Boys 50m Freestyle
• Madeleine Druzynski-3rd 10 yrs Girls 50m Freestyle
• Alexandra Dogan-3rd Senior Girls Backstroke, 1st Senior Girls Butterfly, 2nd Senior Girls Relay
• Maverix Thomas-2nd Junior Boys Butterfly, 3rd Junior Boys Individual Medley
• Reef Molyneux -3rd Junior Boys Individual Medley
• Thomas Briggs-2nd 11 yrs Boys Breastroke, 2nd Senior Boys Relay
• Lachlan Colegate-3rd Senior Boys Breastroke, 2nd Senior Boys Relay
• Harley Ainsworth-Puglisi -2nd Senior Boys Relay
• Callan Ross-2nd Senior Boys Relay
• Emma Patterson-2nd Senior Girls Relay
• Charlotte Doyle-2nd Senior Girls Relay
• Isabel Hudson-2nd Senior Girls Relay

Alexandra Dogan was also awarded Runner Up Age Campion in the Senior Girls. Well done Alexandra!

Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials

On Thursda,y 16th February St Francis Xavier had nineteen students attend the Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials at various venues across Lismore. Congratulations to the following students who were selected to attend the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials in Grafton on Friday, 10th March:

• Rugby Union - Rab Downie
• Rugby League 11’s - Jacob Richardson & Archie Scott
• Football Boys - Callan Ross & Gali Amit

Polding Summer Sports Trials

On Friday, 10th February Gali Amit participated in the Polding Summer Sports Trails in Tennis at Lismore Tennis Courts. Gali was trialing against students from across the state. Gali played well in the warm conditions and impressed selectors with his skill on the court. He progressed to the final stages of the trial however, lost in a tight match at the end of the day, 7 games to 5. Congratulations Gali on reaching this high level on the Catholic school sport representative pathway.

AFL Clinic at School

On Tuesday, 21st February St Francis Xavier had a visit from Tom and Mickayla, QLD AFL Development Officers to run “Taster sessions” for the students. The Year One and Two students had fun playing various games related to AFL. Ballina JAFC is running an NAB AFL Auskick Program starting at the beginning of March. The Auskick Program runs for eight weeks. Each participant will receive an amazing AFL pack including a carry bag, AFL football, a pump, football boots carry bag (very cool!) and a packet of AFL/AFLW playing cards.

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 (next week) 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

Japanese News...

We have had a busy first few weeks back in our Japanese classroom. 2023 is the zodiac year of the Rabbit (Usagi) and many of our classes have been setting goals for the year incorporating the Usagi in their New year celebration activities.  Yr 6 have been designing their Ema boards which are small wooden plaques, upon which people write their prayers or wishes before hanging them up outside shrines. Parents are welcome to have a look at these fantastic Emas which have been hung up on the Japanese room veranda. Our Kinder students have loved learning their greetings and numbers in Japanese and are improving their bowing techniques each week.  Students enjoying Japanese Club on Thursdays have been busy improving their origami skills and creations to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

Japanese Photo Gallery

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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 5

Monday, 27th February - Friday, 3rd March 

Week 6

Monday, 6th March- Friday, 10th March

Sushi Specials Term 1

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

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.

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all our students a wonderful birthday!

Friday, 24th February to Thursday, 9th March

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.

Parent Assembly News...

Parent Assembly is a parent representative body that operates in the schools of the Lismore Diocese. We support parents and carers to be the best parents they can be  and effective partners in their child’s education. 

We do this by providing high quality and engaging opportunities for parents in four key areas:

• Parenting education
• Family faith enrichment
• Parent engagement in learning
• Networking and support amongst parents.  

Every parent and carer is a member of the Parent Assembly but each school aims to have two or more Parent Assembly representatives who help to arrange inspiring and helpful presentations and resources for parents.

The role of the Parent Assembly Representative is an important one and does not require a large time commitment. 

Parent Assembly Representatives: 

• Attend Regional Parent Assembly meetings once a term.
• Collaborate with school leadership and the Parent Assembly team to organise  parent education workshops
• Build communication between the school parent organisation (eg. P&F, Parish School Forum) and the Parent Assembly
• Be a welcoming presence in your school community

If you are interested in joining the Parent Assembly team talk to your principal or email parents@lism.catholic.edu.au

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. 

Xavier Catholic College News...

Community News...

Melanoma March 2023

Melanoma March 2023 Ballina is being held on Saturday, 15th April for the first time in Ballina and is being held in honour of Mikayla who passed away last April after her fight with Melanoma. Mikayla is the daughter of staff member Sharyn Dorey at Xavier Catholic College Ballina.