Newsletter-Term 1-Week 2-Friday 9th February 2024

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

After a gentle start to the school year with our MAI and BestStart assessments last week, it was all systems go this week! It was great to see everyone again and to welcome many new families to our school, especially our Kinder families who are embarking on their children’s schooling journey for the first time. I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas break, ready to take on the adventures of 2024, and I look forward to working with you all throughout the year, as together, we continue to nurture our children’s passion for learning.

First Week of 2024

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Over the last six months we have seen an increase in the demand for enrolments in our school. We are currently filled to capacity in most year levels and adding to our wait lists. Many of our new students come from families new to the area. As we establish our 2024 Class Parent Liaison system, I hope to see our parent community reach out to welcome these new families to support their transition to our school and the Ballina community in general. More information about the Parent Liaison system will be shared at class level next Tuesday night during our Parent Information Evening.

Periodically we are required to remind parents of our school policies and standard operating procedures. Our school has around 50 policies on file – many of which are more relative to the management of the school which affect the students indirectly, while others are more specific to the specific needs and expectations of the students and staff. Certain key policies are accessible on our school website for you to access at any time. All policies at some stage in our compliance cycle are required to be reviewed and updated as necessary. Whether this requires input from our parent community or not, you will be notified of any updates as they occur. At the start of each school year, our staff engage in reviewing our school’s expectations around Child Protection. Please review our Child Protection Policy and Procedures document for specific details on measures we take to protect all of the children in our school.

One of the wonderful attributes, contributing to our school’s great reputation in the community is the welcoming spirit we exhibit towards each other, irrespective of our differences such as socio-economic background, race or faith. When we pass through the gates of our school, we are all just as important as each other. As we seek to live the values of Christ, we expect that all members of our school community follow our expectations and values. Whilst we endeavour to cater for the individual needs of each child in our school, which might require different approaches at times, certain general guidelines ensure a consistent standard is expected of everyone. For this reason, our school expectations which are a condition of enrolment at SFX are not negotiable. Please ensure your children meet all expectations to minimise the need for such basic matters to be addressed by school admin.

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby

School Calendar...

Assistant Pincipal Mission News...

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This coming weekend's reading is from Mark 1:40-45 - Jesus cures a person with leprosy, who reports his cure to everyone. Jesus is faced with a choice and by choosing to heal, he is showing compassion for the sick. 

This weekend’s Gospel invites us to think about the choices we as individuals and families make. As a family, discuss the choices you make and how they may affect others. How does your family go about making a decision? How does your family communicate your choices with others? 

All our choices reflect our faith. Pray together, asking God to help your family show compassion to others in your decision making. 

Source: https://www.loyolapress.com 

Ash Wednesday

This year, the Season of Lent begins on Wednesday 14 February. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a season of repentance, fasting and awaiting Christ's Resurrection. It is a solemn reminder of our need for reconciliation with God. 

As a school community, we will mark the beginning of Lent with a Liturgy at 12pm in the School hall for Kindergarten to Year 2 and Years 3 -6 will attend Mass in the Church on Wednesday 14 February. 

Project Compassion

Lent also marks the beginning of Project Compassion. The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘For all Future Generation’. We will be sharing stories and raising much needed donations for Caritas Australia through our support of Project Compassion this year. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is open to students in Year 4 and above and have completed the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Please note the following dates in preparation for the Sacrament

• First Family session - Tuesday 27 February at 5:30pm 
• Second Family session - Tuesday 12 March at 5:30pm
• Sacrament of Reconciliation - Tuesday 19 March beginning at 5:30pm in the Church. 

If you wish for your child to complete their Sacrament of Reconciliation, please complete the Google Form before the first Family session. 

Beginning School Mass - Year 6 Leaders Induction

Our Year 6 Leaders Induction Mass will take place on Wednesday, 21st February beginning at 12 noon in the Church. We welcome our families and school community to join us for the induction of our school Leaders for 2024. 

Incitare

Incitāre means to stir up, incite, urge, spur - when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives we are invited to spread the good news to all we encounter.

This one day retreat, invites our Year 6 students to participate in group activities with other Year 6 students from our local Catholic Schools. The students will experience faith nurturing activities and skilling for being faith leaders in their respective schools.

Incitare will take place on Tuesday 27 February at Tullera Hall, Lismore. This year, we are fortunate enough to have 11 of our Year 6 students attend. 

We look forward to hearing from these students and for them to share their experiences of Incitare in the coming weeks. 

School Values Focus - this year we will be focusing on the School Values for a 2 week block each term. This will allow us to focus on the value at a deeper level and to allow the students to demonstrate the value in action. 

The Values will be mapped to align with events and or special times at school, in the community or in the Church’s calendar. 

• Weeks 2 / 3 - Hospitality - Welcome back to the 2024 school year. We welcome the new families to our school community
• Weeks 4 / 5 - Compassion - We begin the Season of Lent and prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus
• Weeks 6 / 7 - Justice - We share the stories of others through Project Compassion during the Season of Lent
• Weeks 8 / 9 - Prayer - Holy Week and Easter. We remember the sacrifice of Jesus during this time
• Weeks 10 / 11 - Education - Catholic Education Week

Expression of Interest - Musical Instruments

Students, do you play a musical instrument? Would you like to learn a musical instrument? 

Our expression of interest is now open for those who play or would like to learn a musical instrument and possibly be a part of the school band. 

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument or can already play, please complete the Google Form by Friday 23 February to register your interest. 

School Attendance - Help your child to have a positive start to the year by building the habit of good attendance.

Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:

• Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school. Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.
• Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead. 

• Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.

Help your child establish a positive and consistent attendance habit, setting the foundation for a successful 2024 school year. 

Watch this clip by Michael Hawker for strategies to help an anxious child return to school.

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,

Welcome to another great year of learning at St Francis Xavier Primary School! It was wonderful to have our existing students return to school this week, with smiles on their faces, and to welcome many new families and students to our school, inlcuding our Kindergarten 2024 cohort.

Mathematics Assessment Interview Data (MAI)

During the fortnightly Professional Learning Team (PLT) meetings, teachers have been analysing 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.

Parent Information Evening

Our Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday, 13th February. Teachers will facilitate two sessions. Session 1 - 5:30-6pm, Session 2 - 6:05-6:35pm. These sessions will be held in your child’s classroom.

We encourage you to attend if you are available as they are an opportunity to connect with your child’s class teacher, hear key information regarding their school year, and ask any questions that you may have. We hope to see you on Tuesday!

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. They are an opportunity to check-in with how your child has settled in, and discuss early progress and 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.

School Improvement Plan 2024 - Learning and Teaching

Our over-arching goal for our 2024 School Improvement Plan is to ‘create rigorous, dynamic and engaging learning environments, with an embedded culture of feedback, in which all are accountable for learning (students and teachers)’. This is a continuation of last year’s learning focus in which feedback processes and strategies are embedded within the writing process to support student learning and growth through goal setting.

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching

Sports News...

Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival

The annual Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival will be held next week on Tuesday, 13th February at Alstonville Aquatic Centre. St Francis Xavier has 45 students competing at this event. Those students that place in the top three in their respective events and age groups will be selected to swim at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Macksville on Friday, 1st March.

Polding Tennis Trials

Gali Amit traveled down to Sawtell for the Polding Tennis Trials which are being held today. Good luck Gali. We are looking forward to hearing how you went. A full report on Gali’s trial will be in the next edition of the newsletter.

Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials

The Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials are open to students in Year 5 or 6 who play their sport at a representative level and/or have displayed considerable talent in their chosen sport over a number of years. These trials are not for students to “have a go”. It is the beginning of the Catholic School Sport Representative pathway.

Rugby Union trials are held the week prior on Thursday, 15th February whilst all other trials will be held on Thursday, 22nd February. A reminder that trials take place AFTER SCHOOL at 4pm and transport to and from the trial venue is the responsibility of the parent/s.

If nominations exceed seven in a particular sport, a trial will need to be held at school in order to select the appropriate number. 

Successful Sporting Schools Grant - Touch Football

Last year Mr Wilde was successful in obtaining a sporting schools grant for Term 1 at St Francis Xavier Ballina. A NSW Touch Football Development Officer will be running the program for Years 3-6 over 4 weeks starting next week.The students will be learning the basic grip and pass technique, agility and running with the ball, running lines and weaving, scoring tries, beating defenders and drawing and passing. These skills are all taught through fun and engaging drills and games.

AFL Clinic 

Ballina JAFC are once again offering a fantastic AFL program at Fripp Oval in Ballina. An eight week program for $90 is excellent value and their AFL Auskick starter pack is one of the best “grass roots” offers going around. This program is highly recommended!!

Paddy Wilde

Sports Coordinator

Canteen News...

Canteen Roster-Term 1

Week 3 

Monday, 12th February - Friday, 16th February

Canteen Roster-Term 1

Week 4 

Monday, 19th February - Friday, 23rd February

We Need Volunteers for our School Canteen

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

Please click on the link below for QKR App Instructions

Canteen Special Day-Thursday

Sushi Day-Thursday

Student Awards...

Congratulations to all of our students who received an award!

We would like to warmly welcome all of our new students and their families to our school community.

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!!

Friday 9th February  to Thursday, 22nd February 2024

Parent Reminders...

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 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. 

Road Safety is a Back to School Essential

As children return to school, it is essential to keep safety in mind. Talk with your children about safely getting to and from school.

● Keep children safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.
● Keep children safe by walking distraction-free. Expect your child to take off their headphones while walking.
● Keep children safe getting on and off the bus. Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the road's edge. Always meet your child at the bus stop. Never meet them on the opposite side of the road and call them across. Wait until the bus has gone before crossing the road.
● Keep children safe while using wheeled transport. Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place – it is the law. Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective equipment.

Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say.

Please click on the link below for more information. 

• 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. 

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. 

Community News...

The Resilient Kids Program - Tweed & Richmond Schools Only

Families can access free services for their children and young people through the Resilient Kids Program. The Resilient Kids Program will implement mental health and trauma-informed support for primary and secondary school-aged children impacted by the March 2022 Northern Rivers flood events. It is funded through a $10 million grant from the National Emergency Management Agency and is being delivered by Healthy North Coast.

Social Futures is delivering counselling services for children, young people and their families that can be accessed through wellbeing hubs situated at:

● MURWILLUMBAH-Murwillumbah Community Centre Knox Park. Monday to Friday.

● MULLUMBIMBY-Byron Youth Service. 34 Gordon Street Mullumbimby. Monday and Thursday.

● BALLINA-Social Futures. 32 Swift Street Ballina. Monday to Friday

● LISMORE- Social Futures. 29 Molesworth Street Lismore. Monday - Friday

 ● CASINO CASPA -Services. 104 Centre Street Casino. Wednesdays

 ● KYOGLE- Laneway Community Space. 161 Summerland Way Kyogle. Tuesday

Families can complete the Resilient Kids Enquiry Form and a Social Futures team member will be in contact to discuss your child’s referral, https://socialfutures.org.au/service/resilient-kids/ or ring 1800 719 625 for further information.