Newsletter-Term 1-Week 6-Friday 8th March 2024

Principal's News...

Dear Parents,

I have spent most of the last two weeks at meetings and training days in Coffs Harbour, but as always, with the knowledge that when I’m away, the school is in the very capable hands of our wonderful Assistant Principals and school staff.

Later in the year, we will engage in a cyclical review process which will provide us with detailed feedback in reference to the ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) School Improvement Tool’s 9 domains. Last week’s training was related to this and provided our leadership team with a great insight into the key areas of our School Improvement Agenda that the review will focus on. As always, parent feedback in this process is highly valued along with that of our students, staff, and members of the wider community affiliated with our school. Unpacking the nine domains gave us great reassurance that we are steaming ahead in many areas and it provided us with the challenges of how to make our school even better in key areas.

We welcome Mr James Warren to our Year 6 team. James started this week and will continue as the Year 6 Blue teacher on Thursdays and Fridays for the remainder of the year. Please make him very welcome.

Throughout the year we will participate in various fundraising events, primarily through Catholic Mission and Caritas as the funds go more directly to those in need. As we seek to support those in need around us, we also value the opportunity to build awareness of our friends here at school who might be living with particular challenges. These children might not need our support any more than anyone else, but rather our understanding – to know that they might take a little longer to do things, or they might find it more difficult than most to hear, communicate, socialise, concentrate or move.  In support of children in our community who have specific challenges, we like to celebrate awareness days where appropriate. On Thursday, March 21st this year, we would like to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. The date for this day was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. We invite all of our children to share in the celebration of this day by wearing mismatched socks or their craziest and most colourful socks, whatever takes your fancy! The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down Syndrome”.

One of the guest speakers at our Principals’ conference this week was Roby Curtis, Director of Emmanuel City Mission in Brisbane. Roby is a strong advocate for the homeless and marginalised who really lives the mission of Christ in the complex world of today. From my own personal experience of serving coffee to Brisbane’s homeless many years ago with Rosies Youth Mission, I see the passion of our students to engage in community service. Historically some of our children were engaged in the hands-on practice of serving Ballina’s marginalised at the hot meal centre across the road from the parish office. However, due to evolving safety and child protection rules, I needed to stop this practice. Since then we have engaged with our local preschools and aged person facilities which has provided a rich experience of service for our children. That is Christ living through us today.

Peace in Christ

Dan Gubby

Welcome BBQ...

School Calendar...

Term 1

Assistant Principal Mission News...

Fourth Sunday of Lent

This coming weekend's reading is from John 3:14-21 - Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.

Children who are afraid of the dark often compare John’s observation that darkness is preferred to light. God made us to live in the light of his love. During the season of Lent, we remember God’s great mercy and salvation that we have received through Jesus. 

We know that God forgives us and so during Lent we seek opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

As you gather as a family, sit in the darkness for some time, then light a candle. Talk about how it feels to sit in the dark and then in the light. John's Gospel teaches us that Jesus was the light that came into the world.  

Source: https://www.loyolapress.com 

Andrew Chinn - Butterfly Music

Musician Andrew Chinn will be conducting workshops with our students next Wednesday, 13th March. During the workshops, each grade will learn a song that they will perform at the whole school concert in the afternoon session. 

Our school community are invited to a whole school concert from 2:15pm in the Hall. All families are welcome to attend this concert. 

Holy Week - 'Eyes Closed...Eyes Open' - Stations of The Cross

On Thursday, 28th March at 9:30am, some of our Year 6 students will be presenting 'The Stations Of The Cross' to our school community in the School Hall. All families are most welcome to join our school for this event.

Holy Week is a very important time in our Liturgical Calendar, and the 'Stations of The Cross' tells the story of Jesus' journey, during the week leading up to his crucifixion.

The following Tuesday, 2th April, at 9:30am in the School Hall, the students will conclude the telling of Jesus' journey with our Easter/Resurrection Liturgy. Again, all families are invited to this short presentation.

Xavier Catholic College - “Popstars - the 90’s Musical”

Xavier Catholic College will once again be showcasing their musical talents through the musical “Popstars - the 90’s Musical”. 

As a school we have been invited to attend their matinee performance on Thursday, 4th April. 

A Compass Event has been shared to all families, we ask that you please give consent for your child to attend by Monday, 25th March. The cost of this Event is covered by the Extra curricula levy.

Attendance - Build the habit of good attendance

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Help your child to learn that going to school on time, every day is important.

Reinforcing the idea that attending school regularly is crucial for a positive school experience. Foster a love for learning by encouraging your child's natural curiosity. 

Help your child to see school as a place to explore new ideas, discover interests, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. Foster positive social connections at school by encouraging friendships. Knowing that they have friends to look forward to can motivate children to attend school regularly.

Light of Jesus Awards

Congratulations to the students who were awarded a Light of Jesus ticket at our last Assembly. They now receive a canteen voucher. 

• Mason Curry - Kindergarten
• Yindiana Pitt - Year 2
• Henry Hall - Year 3
• Coen Loughrey - Year 3
• Ruby Waterer - Year 5

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. 

• Andrew Mullagh - Year 1
• Edie McKay - Year 2
• Victoria Reddan - Year 2
• Matilda Watt - Year 2 (green band) x 25
• Monty Zhou-Roberts - Year 2 (green band) x 25
• Stella McOmish - Year 3
• Oliver Rose - Year 3
• Sienna Suffolk - Year 4
• Luke Dogan - Year 5
• Oscar Donald - Year 5
• Molly Gerada - Year 5
• Charlie Mattinson - Year 5
• Flynn McKay - Year 5
• Alex Twiname - Year 5
• Damien Hernage - Year 6
• Jacob Richardson - Year 6
• Oscar Tyrrell - Year 6

Student Representative Council (SRC) Report

We are seeing an increase around the school of students placing rubbish in the wrong bins. This is a big problem environmentally and for other reasons - one, being Ballina Shire Council won’t take our recycling bins because frankly there is too much soft plastic in there!

What the SRC have been doing and what they are going to do in Term One:

1. Discuss the rubbish issues at our school and brainstorm ideas
2. Educate the school community about what goes in what bin at Assemblies
3. Create posters to put on the recycling bins, waste bins, and the organics bins.
4. Write a report for the newsletter each fortnight to educate our whole school community

We look forward to sharing with you next fortnight what our next steps will be in regards to rubbish at St Francis Xavier Ballina.

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...

KINDERGARTEN

In Kindergarten the students have been learning to estimate, count and organise materials. By playing a game of handfuls the students use all of these skills. This task asks students to take a ‘handful’ of counters and estimate how many they have. They then have to count how many they have. Students are asked to organise their count in a way that makes it easy to see the total of the collection. Students participate in a gallery walk and consider the way that others in the class have arranged their collection. The benefits of different arrangements are discussed. Students are then provided the opportunity to re-organise their collection. Sharing their mathematical thinking allows them to justify their reasoning when learning to visualise quantities up to 30.

YEAR THREE

In Year Three the students have been enjoying their new outdoor Creative Arts space. The artistic students enjoyed painting outdoors and appreciating their artworks.

YEAR FOUR

In Year Four Mathematics the students have been learning about length. They were measuring and exploring objects that were twice as wide as they are tall. The students were using centimetres and metres to measure a range of objects.

ORIGAMI LESSON

Zeiss led a very engaging origami lesson for the students of Year Four, capably assisted by Mila and Brax. The students were guided through the process of folding a paper crane. Just about every student finished the lesson with a completed origami crane. It was very challenging for many!

YEAR SIX

Year Six students have been learning about the causes and effects of various natural disasters in their Science and Technology unit. They conducted a fair test to observe the effects of heavy rainfall on an environment by creating small environments and pouring various amounts of water over each of them over a specific amount of time. The students then used digital technology to record and analyse their results.

LIBRARY

Our students are so blessed to have such a wonderful learning environment in our Library. Mrs Rule has purchased a large number of new and engaging books. Our students are loving borrowing them and reading during lunchtimes. During playtime the students can also access mindfulness colouring in, lego, magnetic blocks, feltboards, chess and a range of board games in a quiet space.

Compass-Online Enrolments

Our school has moved from paper-based enrolment applications to online enrolments using Compass.  As an existing user of Compass, you will find a new tile in the Compass app called Family and Enrolments, found under the “More” icon in the Compass app or under the Cog icon in your preferred browser. As a parent, you can update your contact details at any time. We strongly encourage you to log in to confirm your details. If you update your details, they will update across all schools where you have a child enrolled.

See our website for more details on how to enrol and where to get assistance if you need it. 

Online applications for Kinder 2025 are now open. 

Asthma in Schools Information...

All parents are reminded that Asthma Plans need to updated for 2024. These plans can be collected from the school office. These plans will need to be signed by your GP. 

Sports News...

Diocesan Winter Sports Trials

The Diocesan Winter Sports Trials were held this week on Wednesday, 6th March (Hockey) and today, Friday, 8th March  (Boys Football, Girls Football, Rugby League 11’s, Rugby League Opens, Netball) at various locations across Grafton.

Congratulations to Oscar Donald who was selected to compete at the Polding Hockey Trials in Tamworth in May. Great work Oscar!

A full report of the other Diocesan Winter Sports Trials will be in the next edition of the school newsletter in Week 8..

Lismore Diocese Swimming Championships Macksville

On Friday, 1st March St Francis Xavier had 6 students travel three hours south down the Pacific Highway to Macksville Aquatic Centre for the annual Lismore Diocese Swimming Championships. Competition at this representative level is always fierce as students from 34 Catholic Primary Schools across the Lismore Diocese compete for spot in the Lismore Diocese Swim Team. 

The students were only in one or two races - a great display of commitment travelling that distance for a couple of minutes in the pool. Outstanding effort boys and girls! Congratulations to the following students for reaching this level on the representative pathway.

• 8th Junior Girls Breaststroke-Mabel George
• 12th Senior Boys 200m Individual Medley-Thomas Briggs
• 4th Senior Boys Breaststroke-Thomas Briggs
• 7th Junior Boys Relay-Archie Tozer, Oliver Seymour, Teo Amit, Darcy McDermott

St Francis Xavier Cross Country

St Francis Xavier’s annual Cross Country Carnival is on Tuesday, 19th March at the open area of Kingsford Smith Park. Students are to wear their school shirt and shorts or their house colours but can bring running shoes to change into. Girls and boys may also wish to change into bike pants/running shorts prior to running.

• Any students who suffer from asthma need to bring their puffers to their race.
• Students will be taking their water bottles to the venue. 
• Class teachers will be supervising the students walking to and from the Kingsford Smith Park venue.
• Parents/ Carers must give consent for students to attend via Compass by Monday, 18th March.

The St Francis Xavier School Cross Country Carnival is a selection trial for the next level on the Catholic Schools Representative Pathway. The top 5 runners in each age group will qualify for the Richmond Zone Cross Country on Tuesday, 7th May 2024 at Hepburn Park, Goonellabah (TBC).

Note: Students in Year 2 can only attend the Richmond Zone Cross Country Trials if they have turned eight or are turning eight this year. Students in Kinder and Year one do not progress.

• Students who are turning 11 or older this year run: 3 km = 6 laps
• Students turning 8,9,10 this year run: 2 km = 4 laps
• Students younger than this age in Year 1 & 2 run: 1km = 2 laps
• Students in Kindergarten run 500m = 1 lap

Timetable for the day (approximate times only)

Richmond Zone Winter and Summer Sports Trials Information

Over the past few weeks there have been a number of questions and enquiries about the Richmond
Zone Sports Trials. The following information regarding the trails may assist in answering any questions you may have about the process.

The Richmond Zone Summer and Winter Sports Trials is the beginning of the Catholic school sport representative pathway. Students who trial at these events need to be of a representative standard and had experience playing their respective sport for a number of years. This is not a trial for students to get a taste of the sport, participate and “have a go”. Some examples of representative teams include:

• Touch Football - Ballina Bullsharks,
• Cricket - Far North Coast Cricket Academy,
• Football (Soccer) -Northern Rivers Football Academy (formerly Liverpool Academy),
• Netball - Ballina Netball Association
• Tennis - Students should have a UTR (Universal Tennis Ranking).

This does not mean that if a student hasn’t played representative sport that they cannot attend or trial.
It is merely used as a guide.

• The Winter Sports Trials are open to students from Years 5 and 6.
• The Summer Sports Trials are open to students from Years 4 & 5.

There are nine Catholic Primary Schools within the Richmond Zone: St Francis Xavier Ballina, Holy Family Skennars Head, St Joseph’s Alstonville, St Joseph’s Woodburn, St Joseph’s Coraki, St Carthages Lismore, OLHC South Lismore, St Mary’s Casino and St Brigid’s Kyogle.

The four larger schools are permitted to send 7 students to the Zone Trials whilst smaller schools are only allowed to send 5. If the St Francis Xavier numbers for a trial exceed 7 competitors then a selection trial will be held at school prior to the Richmond Zone Trial in Lismore.

The Richmond Zone Sports Council has placed this cap on trials due to the challenges faced by selectors in the past when numbers exceed 50. The Convenors and Selectors for the Richmond Zone Sports Trials are usually teachers who have experience in their respective sports whether it be playing the game, coaching the game or managing a team in some kind of capacity. These teachers, graciously volunteer their time to not only organise the trials but also run the trials straight after school.

Generally an announcement will be made to the grades involved two or three weeks prior to the trials
commencing. Students who are interested in attending can record their name on a sheet which is
located in the classrooms. There is also reminders about the trials in the schools fortnightly newsletter.

The representative pathway is as follows:

School - Richmond Zone - Diocesan - Polding - NSWPSSA - School Sport Australia

There are nine Catholic Primary Schools within the Richmond Zone: St Francis Xavier Ballina, Holy Family Skennars Head, St Joseph’s Alstonville, St Joseph’s Woodburn, St Joseph’s Coraki, St Carthage's Lismore, OLHC South Lismore, St Mary’s Casino and St Brigid’s Kyogle.

At a Diocesan Level Richmond Zone students compete against three other Zones: Tweed, Clarence and Hastings.

At Polding Trials students from the Lismore Diocese are competing against all of the Catholic Diocese north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and South of the Queensland border and all the way out west: Broken Bay Diocese, Bathurst Diocese, Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, Maitland-Newcastle Diocese and Armidale Diocese.

NSWPSSA (State) Carnivals sees the two Catholic Primary School Regions (Polding & MacKillop) compete against CIS (Combined Independent Schools) and 11 other State School Regions or Zones(Hunter, South Coast, North Coast, Sydney East, Sydney North, Sydney West, Sydney South West, Barrier, Western, North West, Riverina). At the conclusion of the Carnival a State team is selected to compete at the SSA Carnival against other States.

If you have any more questions regarding the Richmond Zone Summer and Winter Sports Trials process please do not hesitate to contact me via email on paddy.wilde@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Canteen News...

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.  Volunteers MUST sign into the school via the school office.

Thank you

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who have helped so far within the canteen I am truly grateful for your support. 

Kristie-Canteen Convenor

Canteen Roster-Term 1

Week 7 

Monday, 11th March - Friday, 15th March

Canteen Roster-Term 1

Week 8 

Monday, 18th March - Friday, 22nd March

Please click on the link below for QKR App Instructions

Canteen Special Day-Thursday

Thursdays will now have normal menu available as well as special.

Sushi Day-Thursday

Fish Burger available Friday's during Lent

$5.00

Crumbed fish with lettuce, tomato and mayo on bread roll

Reminder 

Canteen is CLOSED on Wednesday's

Student Awards...

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!!

Friday, 8th March  to Thursday, 21st March 2024

Library News...

Scholastic Book Club Closes on Friday, 22nd March at 9am.

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. 

• Reply to the text message that is sent via Compass before 3pm (preferred method)
• Add an attendance note via Compass; 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. 

Community News...