Newsletter-Term 4-Week 6-Friday 17th November 2023

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

Despite moving even closer to the end of the year, we still have a lot to cover before we break for
Christmas.  On Wednesday 29th November we will join with our colleagues from Holy Family and
Xavier Catholic College as we celebrate the Feast of St Francis Xavier in our Parish Schools Day.  Our
Carols on the Green on December 5th is our special annual celebration of our year together and a
celebration of the Birth of Jesus.  We all look forward to welcoming our school families to this event
as we share in the joy of our Christmas season.

We did make efforts to arrange for a traditional “after hours” disco, however due to the busyness of
our calendar, we were not able to lock in a suitable evening date and have decided to run our two
discos (infants and primary) on the afternoon of December 8th.  This day will be a general fun day for
our children that will include our annual 100 Seconds Times Tables Challenge at 9:30am and a
Teachers vs Students Netball comp after lunch.  The children are welcome to wear appropriate,
respectable sun smart free dress on the day – disco theme is encouraged.

On Wednesday 13th December we will celebrate the Graduation of our Year 6 children as we reflect
on their time at SFX. This celebration will also mark the conclusion of enrolment at SFX for a number
of our school families. We look forward to engaging with you and recognising your commitment and
contributions to our school over the years.

A special tradition at our Graduation service is the handing over of our school symbols from our
current School Captains to our School Captains for the year to come. Last week we received a large
number of nomination letters from our current Year 5 children who will now present short speeches
to the children from Years 3 to 5 before they cast their votes. The staff will also contribute to the
vote and our School Captains and Vice Captains will be determined and announced at our Carols
Night. Any children then wishing to nominate for Sports Captain roles will present their speeches to
their respective house colour groups on Tuesday December 12th.  Knowing our current Year 5
children, I have great faith that we will again have a great student leadership team in 2024.

On Friday last week, our Vice Captains, Lachlan and Ava represented our school at the
Remembrance Day service at Crowley Care.  On Saturday, our Captains, Callan and Charlotte
represented our school in the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the RSL.  All four children represented our
school very proudly.  Well done captains on showing such reverence and respect in commemoration
of our fallen service men and women.

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby.

School Calendar-Term 4

Term 4

2024 Term 1 Dates

Tuesday, 30th January	Administration Day (STAFF ONLY)
Wednesday, 31st January	MAI-Years 1-6 Best Start Assessment-Kinder
Thursday, 1st February	MAI-Years 1-6 Best Start Assessment-Kinder
Friday, 2nd February	MAI-Years 1-6 Best Start Assessment-Kinder
Monday, 5th February	First Full Day of School for Years 1-6
	Best Start Assessment-Kinder
Tuesday, 6th February	Best Start Assessment-Kinder
Wednesday, 7th February	First Full Day of School for Kindergarten

Assistant Principal Mission News...

The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

This coming weekend's reading is from Matthew 25:14-30 - Jesus tells the parable of the talents, in which he teaches about the importance of using the gifts that God has given to us in service to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus speaks of the parallels between faithfulness and responsibility.  “As children prove themselves trustworthy, they can be trusted to take on greater responsibilities.  Jesus teaches us in this parable that when we show ourselves to be trustworthy in small matters, we can be trusted to participate in greater matters of responsibility”.

As a family, choose one thing to do this week to serve others.  Serve in the work of the Kingdom of Heaven and use your talents to help and serve others (Matthew 15:14-30).

Source: https://www.loyolapress.com

Parish Schools Day

Parish Schools Day will take place on Wednesday, 29th November at Xavier Catholic College Skennars Head. Along with students from Xavier Catholic College, we will join Holy Family Catholic Primary School for a day of fun and celebration. 

So, what is Parish Schools Day? 

On this day, we celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier - the Patron Saint and namesake of our School.  The theme of Parish Schools Day this year is ‘Better Together”.

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another” (1 Peter 4:8).    

Students will participate in train rides, face painting, giant slides, rock climbing wall, dodge cars, laser skirmish, giant soccer and much, much more. 

Please note: this event has been paid for from the extra-curricula levy, however, consent is required to attend. If you have not given consent in the Compass Event, we ask that you do as soon as possible.  Any student without consent will be unable to attend. 

We thank the Xavier Catholic College staff and students for their planning and preparation of what is to be a wonderful day with our Parish Schools. 

Parent Voice Night - Wednesday 8 November

Thank you to the 11 parents who attended the Parent Voice Night last Wednesday, 8th November. During this evening, we looked at the data from the Tell Them From Me survey completed in May this year. 

We had 39 out of 280 parents complete this survey this year, a number we would like to increase in 2024. 

The key themes from the evening were:

• Parents feel welcomed and informed
• Parents support learning at home - student learning
• Safety at School (Bullying and belonging) 

The input and feedback from the parents in attendance was invaluable and will guide our work into the new year. 

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Card Competition

The St Vincent de Paul Christmas Card competition is on again. If you would like to create a Christmas card, scan the QR Code (see flyer) or visit this webpage for more information and to submit your student’s entries. Winners will be announced before the end of Term 4.

Registration via the website https://youthnsw.vinnies.org.au/christmascardcompetition/ 

Entries due by Monday 4 December. 

Whole school Mass for Term 4

Our whole school Mass for Term 4 will be held on Thursday, 23rd November at 2:30pm in the Church.  All are welcome to attend this Mass. 

Our Year 6 Graduation from St Francis Xavier School will take place on Wednesday, 13th December.  Our Liturgy will begin at 9:30am in the Church, followed by the Awards presentation. 

Socktober / Crazy Sock Day

This year’s theme is Kicking Goals for Good in 2023. This year, we will be kicking goals - literally, to raise much needed funds to support Timor-Leste. 

Next Monday, 20th November students are invited to wear their crazy socks and kick goals to raise funds for Catholic Mission.  Students will participate in a Socktober Shootout, with some of our staff acting as the goalies. 

Our SRC students will collect the sponsor forms to tally the goals and assist in giving a sweet treat at the end of the day. 

A school-wide (not year level) prize and certificate will go to the boy and the girl who raises the most money for Catholic Missions. 

Class times for the Socktober Shootout are as follows if parents would like to join in the fun:-

• Kindergarten - 12:45 - 1:45pm
• Year 1 - 2:15 - 3:10pm
• Year 2 - 2:15 - 3:10pm
• Year 3 - 9:00-10:00am
• Year 4 - 11:45 - 12:45pm  
• Year 5 - 10:00 - 11:00am
• Year 6 - 10:00 - 11:00am

We thank you for your support of Catholic Missions and our Socktober event.

Light of Jesus Awards

Congratulations to the students who were awarded a Light of Jesus ticket at our last Assembly.

Congratulations to the following students on receiving 10 or 25 Light of Jesus Tickets. They now receive a certificate and a blue or yellow armband plus a free drink voucher from Zarraffa's Coffee Ballina. 

• Clover Greenhalgh - Kindergarten
• Tahlo Makin - Kindergarten
• Jazz Smith - Kindergarten (yellow band)
• Oscar Booy - Year 1
• Polly Meany - Year 1
• Ruby O’Donnell - Year 1 (yellow band)
• Sienna Pearson - Year 1
• Luna-Rose Davidson - Year 2
• Ryan Piercy - Year 2

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...

Year Four Writing

In Year Four, the students have been writing character descriptions. As a class, they chose different characters to describe and the class had to guess the character based on the description. It was a lot of fun and the quality of descriptive language used was outstanding. 

“Lian” by Evie

Lian is ready! When adventure calls, she is on it. She is a very confident, determined, brave twelve year old. Lian has long brown hair with a short fringe, which blows in the wind while she runs at top speed. She also has brown eyes with a hint of red that matches her dark sunburnt skin. Lian knows when it's time to step in. She has a kind, smooth, strong smile. Lian protects her family at all costs, even if it puts her in danger. She is like a cat ready to pounce at any time. Lian also has freckles scattered across her face and a high necked pink and grey jumper. But her two piercings are what is really important. Her first piercing symbolises her kind and caring side but her second piercing symbolises her resilient and courageous nature. Her piercings are like birthmarks to her. They have been there for as long as she can remember. And they always will be.

“Miss Karen” by Alice

Miss Karen is a devil. If you cross her path, congratulations, you made it to hell. Karen, I  mean Miss Karen, is a very rude teacher and she always has a scrunched up nose. Her husband wishes he never married her. One time she went to the coffee shop and the girl put full cream milk in her coffee but she wanted skim milk. She caused a whole scene and demanded to speak to the manager. While the girl was trying to calm her down, Miss Karen pretended that the girl hit her. When the manager finally came out, Miss Karen was then banned from the shop for the rest of her life. Her students are trying to get her fired because she never shows mercy to them. She’s never calm and always yells every minute of the day! Once a boy accidentally touched her hair and she overreacted and whacked him with her whacking stick. There is only one student in the whole school who she likes… her daughter! She treats her like an angel. Miss Karen is the ugliest thing in the whole entire world. She has dark, short, triangular hair, her eyebrows are shaped like a V, her mouth is always open showing her disgusting rotten teeth. Her glasses are black and her whacking stick has very weird patterns that look like they are from a different planet. Her double chin reveals a gross mole because apparently she eats babies for breakfast! Now you know all about Miss Karen and why we hate her! We hope you never meet her.

 "Lacey" By Einin

Lacey was a teenager with glowy hazel doe eyes and soft fair skin. She had light brown silky hair and a slight smile. Lacey put on her favourite dress and ballet flats. She straightened her hair and blow-dried her curtain bangs. After that, she put on her pink corset and her lip gloss and a little bit of blush. Lacey was ready for her first royal ball. Lacey was walking through the garden waiting for the Queen. She squealed with joy because the cherry blossom trees were flowering. Her flowy dress was blowing in the wind and her eyes were glowing in the sunlight. Her hourglass figure looked professional in the dress and she was ready for the ball. Once Lacey entered the ballroom, she saw the golden chandeliers and the expensive wallpaper. She swayed her way through the ballroom and slightly danced. As soon as the Queen saw her, she placed the tiara on Lacey’s round head and soon after that, she danced the night away.

Year Two Writing

In Year Two the students were writing the text to match the wordless picture book of The Boy and The Elephant by Freya Blackwood, The emphasis was on using figurative language.

Each morning I get out of bed, and I get ready for school. I put on my shirt, tie up my shoes, straighten my tie, and pack my bag. I step out into the hustle and bustle of a concrete jungle. When I make my way through the crowds, no one notices me. When I get to school I feel like everyone is my enemy. I’m like the devil, no one wants to go near me. I feel like a miserable street dog, whilst everyone else is happy like sprouting flowers in the sun.

By Enzo

I’m a tortoise that walks lonely and slowly out of hibernation. I’m an invisible soul who waved and noone waved back. I sit as lonely as a pen without any ink. I’m the water in my shell and I never want to come out.

By Ari

Lisa Conte-Leader of Pedagogy

Japanese News...

Taiko and Dance

The last 2 weeks have been particularly busy at SFX for engagement with Japanese culture. Last week traditional dancer Kouya Mizuki shared some Nihonbuyo dance, which is based on the techniques of the traditional Kabuki dance.  Charlotte and Quinn  from Year 6, looking right at home dressed in Kimono, helped Mizuki Sensei to teach the whole assembly some dance movements to the well known song Sakura Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). 

This week we had Bryon Taiko visit our school to work with the students in class workshops and a whole school interactive performance.  Staff and students thoroughly enjoyed the days.

Japanese Photos

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Byron Taiko offers a new beginner drum course starting Friday 17th November 2023 at Byron YAC.

Welcoming over 10yo (For under 10yo, 1 x Adult + 1 x Kid $180 pack available)

enquiry - info@byrontaiko.com

This weekend on Sat & Sun there is a Free community event at YAC  Byron Taiko performance and FREE workshop Sunday 4:30 - 5:30pm 

                              https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1144955 

         More details about classes for 2024 can be found on their website. 

                                                https://byrontaiko.com/

Canteen News...

We Need Volunteers for our School Canteen

Tammy & Kaylene are looking for volunteers for the canteen. If you are able to spare a couple of hours, between 9am and 11:30am - Monday to Thursday, once a month please contact the school office on 66863370 or contact Tammy or Kaylene in the canteen and let them know what day suits you.  

Canteen Roster-Term 4

Week 7

Monday, 20th November - Friday, 24th November

Canteen Roster-Term 4

Week 8

Monday, 27th November -Friday, 1st December

Wednesday Specials-Term 4

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON OUR WEDNESDAY SPECIAL DAYS STUDENTS CANNOT ORDER ANY OTHER FOOD ITEM FROM THE LUNCH MENU

Sushi Specials Term 4

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

Student Awards...

Congratulations to all of our students who received an award.

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!!

Friday, 17th November to Thursday, 30th November

Parent Reminders...

Students NOT Returning in 2024

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 2024 are asked to notify the school in writing as soon as possible.

We are currently in the process of planning our 2024 classes and this information is essential.

Student Messages

If you need to contact the school to give your child/children a message regarding a change to arrangements for after school transport, please ensure you phone the school office prior to 1:45pm to ensure the message can be delivered in time. Unless it is an absolute emergency, we are unable to ensure messages can be delivered at such short notice and PLEASE NO EMAILS to notify your child/children of any changes, as we cannot guarantee that the message will be delivered in time to your child.

All after school care arrangements should be relayed to your child/children prior to arriving at school and in the case of infant’s children, the teacher should also be notified of any change to arrangements, particularly in relation to bus travel, by a written note/email.

As you can appreciate the school is a very busy place at home time, so your assistance and consideration in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

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. 

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

All absences must be received in writing. If your child/ren are absent for 3 days or more due to a medical illness, you are asked to supply a medical certificate. This can be uploaded onto Compass or emailed to our school office. 

Student Partial Absences

Parents are reminded not to enter a partial attendance note in Compass for their child/ren. To be compliant with the attendance SOP, we need to ensure that child safety is maintained as far as possible. Parents are to come to the school office to drop/collect the student. This gives the parent the opportunity to provide the reason for the early departure/late arrival at that time. 

Xavier Catholic College- Year 7 2024

Community News...