Newsletter-Term 4-Week 8-Friday 6th December 2024

Acting Principal News...

Dear Parents,

We have entered the season of Advent, a time of preparation and reflection. While this period often includes festive celebrations and the joy of gift-giving, it also invites us, as Catholics, to pause and reflect on the true ‘reason for the season.’

Christmas is filled with beauty and meaning. It marks the birth of our Saviour—a powerful moment wrapped in humility, as Jesus was born to a humble family in a simple stable. For children, this time is also about the joy of anticipation. For them, the wait for Christmas can feel endless, much like the ancient Israelites’ long wait for the Messiah.

This season, light holds a special symbolism, representing love, hope, and goodness. Perhaps you’ve already begun decorating your homes with lights, reminding us of how Christ brings light to the world. Here at school, we guide our students to prepare for Christmas by thinking, praying, and seeking goodness in themselves and others.

On a practical note, teachers are working hard to finalise Semester 2 reports, which will be available on Compass next Friday, December 13. Staff are also thoughtfully finalising class placements for 2025, with a strong focus on each child’s learning needs. Students will find out about their 2025 classes during Step Up Day next Thursday 12th December.

Thank You for a Wonderful Parish Schools Day!

A heartfelt thank-you to our school community for your incredible support of Parish Schools Day last Tuesday. While I was unable to attend personally, I’ve heard glowing reports of the fun and enjoyment our students experienced through the many varied activities on offer.

The event was not only a wonderful celebration but also a great success in supporting a worthy cause. Together, we raised an impressive $2387.60 for Catholic Missions—a fantastic result that reflects the generosity and spirit of our community.

A special mention must go to the Year 11 students from Xavier Catholic College, whose valued help and support were paramount in ensuring the smooth running of the day. Their dedication and leadership allowed our students to fully engage with the activities and understand the importance of coming together for a shared purpose.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this event such a memorable
and meaningful day.

Join Us for Carols on the Green!

Get into the festive spirit and join us for Carols on the Green on Tuesday, 10th December, from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
Our talented students, along with the school choir and band, will delight us with performances of two Christmas songs from each class. It promises to be a heart-warming evening filled with music and cheer as we celebrate this special time of year together.

• Important Information: Please note there will be no canteen facilities available, so don’t forget to bring along your picnic baskets, snacks, and drinks for the evening.
• What to Bring: Pack your picnic blankets, chairs, gather your loved ones, and enjoy a magical evening of carols under the stars. We look forward to seeing you there!

As we journey through Advent together, may we all take time to embrace the joy, love, and hope of this sacred season.

Take care,

Tony Hunter-Acting Principal

Students NOT Returning in 2025

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 2025 are asked to notify the school in writing as soon as possible.

We are currently in the process of planning our 2025 classes and this information is essential.

School Calendar...

Term 4

Term 1-2025

Assistant Principal Mission News...

The Second Sunday of Advent - Year C

This coming weekend's reading is from Luke 3:1-6 - John preaches repentance and baptizes in the region of the Jordan.

During the season of Advent, we choose many activities for our families to participate in as we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Jesus at Christmas. John the Baptist reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. 

As a family, as you gather to read this weekend’s Gospel, talk about how John the Baptist called upon the people to prepare the way of the Lord through repentance. Invite each family member to pray in silence for something they would like forgiveness for in this Advent season. 

Source: https://www.loyolapress.com 

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

The season of Advent launches our St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. Each year, we think about those who are less fortunate than us at Christmas time and those in our communities who need a little extra support. 

This Year St Vincent de Paul are seeking gift vouchers as a means of supporting those in need. 

These may be vouchers for the supermarket, a visa gift card or a voucher for a specific shop or restaurant in town. 

If you are able to support the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal, please drop in your vouchers to the school office. These will be delivered to St Vincent de Paul in Ballina before the end of term. 

Your support of those in need in our local community is greatly appreciated. 

Exuro Retreat - Year 5

Last Monday 25 November, our Year 5 students participated in a retreat - Exuro. Exuro is Latin for ‘on fire’ and is a student discipleship formation program designed to strengthen the Prayer life of our Year 5 students. 

We thank Oliver and Eliza (our Youth Ministry Officers - Richmond Region), Laurie (YMO - Tweed region), Bianca, Hogan (DLCS), our Year 5 Exuro participants Vincent; Mila; Jaxon; Vance; Lily; Hugo; Cassie; London; Lilla, Miss Kearney and Miss Sullivan for a wonderful day of learning and reflection. 

At the end of the day, students were encouraged to write a Prayer. This Prayer could be about whatever the students desired. Here are some examples below…

RSL sub-Branch - ANZAC Day

The Ballina RSL sub-Branch are offering an exciting opportunity to students in Year 5 and above to join the Drumline and Youth Marching Band for the ANZAC Day parade. If this is something you are interested in, please see flyers attached. 

CONNECT gathering for Year 6 students

This Saturday 7 December, our Year 6 students have been invited to participate in a gathering, CONNECT. 

This gathering allows for the youth in our Ballina Parish to come together for an evening of fun and games and to meet other students who will also be attending Xavier Catholic College in 2025. 

So far, there are 71 students registered from across the region, with 33 of our Year 6 students currently registered. 

Attendance Information - Each day’s learning builds on what has been learnt before. 

Regular school attendance is crucial for several reasons, and the cumulative nature of learning is one of them. Here are some important points:

• Sequential Learning. Subjects are structured in a sequential manner, where concepts and skills build upon each other. Each lesson introduces new material that relies on the foundation established in previous lessons. Consistent attendance ensures that students don't miss key building blocks in their education.
• Practice and Reinforcement. Learning is not just about exposure to information but also about practice and reinforcement. Regular attendance allows students to engage in activities, discussions, and assignments that reinforce what they've learned, contributing to retention and understanding.
• Social and Collaborative Learning. Beyond individual learning, school is also a place for social and collaborative learning. Regular attendance allows students to participate in group activities, discussions, and projects, fostering social skills and teamwork.
• Building a Growth Mindset. Consistent attendance fosters a growth mindset, where students develop the belief that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset is essential for tackling challenges and embracing a lifelong learning attitude.

School attendance is not just about being physically present; it's about actively participating in the learning process, building a foundation of knowledge and skills, and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Each day of school offers a valuable opportunity for growth and development, making regular attendance a key factor in a student's educational journey.

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. 

• Indigo Bungate - Year 1
• Vance Gisen - Year 5
• Charlie Mattinson - Year 5
• Flynn McKay - Year 5
• Nash Whitton - Year 5

Kasey Miles-Assistant Principal Mission

Parish News...

St Francis Xavier Church-47 Cherry Street, Ballina

Holy Family Church-94 Ballina Street, Lennox Head 

Parish Mass Times

St Francis Xavier Church Ballina

Saturday Vigil Mass-5:30pm

Sunday Mass-9am & 11am

Weekday Masses-12 Noon (Tuesday to Friday)

Holy Family Church Lennox Head

Sunday Mass-7:30am

Learning & Teaching News...

KINDERGARTEN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: EXPLORING THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

In Kindergarten, students have been deepening their understanding of the true meaning of Christmas in their Religious Education lessons. Through exploring the gospel stories, they have learned about the birth of baby Jesus and the significance of this special event in the Christian faith.

To help them grasp the sequence of the story, students were asked to recreate the nativity narrative through illustrations. This activity not only reinforced their knowledge of the key events but also encouraged them to reflect on the meaning of Christmas in a personal and creative way.

Some of their beautiful illustrations, which capture the key moments of the story, are showcased below. These images demonstrate the students' understanding of the story and their growing connection to the values of love, hope, and peace that Christmas represents.

It has been a joy to see the children engage with this important story and share their own interpretations of the nativity!

YEAR 6 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: EXPLORING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

In Science & Technology, Year 6 students have been investigating how electrical energy can make our everyday lives easier. Their key learning focus has been on the principle that energy is always conserved in the universe, and it simply changes from one form to another.

To explore this concept, students experimented with creating a simple electrical circuit. Using materials like 1.4-volt batteries, light bulbs, connecting wires, and optional electric motors, they had the opportunity to build and test circuits to see how electrical energy is transformed into other forms, such as light and motion.

One of the key questions they discussed was: How does electricity transform in a light bulb? This sparked a lot of thoughtful conversation as students explored the idea that electrical energy is converted into light and heat in the bulb.

After their investigations, students drew and labelled diagrams of their circuits, clearly showing how electrical energy flows and changes form. These diagrams helped to solidify their understanding of the energy transformations happening in each circuit.

Here are some photos of the students in action, demonstrating their creativity and curiosity during this hands-on learning experience.

YEAR THREE VISIT TO ST ANDREWS AGED CARE

On Monday Mrs Fitzbugden, Mrs Morley and Mrs Loadsman took Year Three students to St Andrew's Aged Care for their final 2024 visit. Barkley, our school therapy dog, also went along for the visit. He was such a hit that the nursing home wants Barkley to be a regular visitor! They sang the residents several songs and then spent time with the residents talking, playing games and exchanging stories. A big thank you to Kellie from St Andrew’s for her support in developing this school partnership.

YEAR THREE POETRY

In English the Year Three students have been learning to write poetry. Check out some of their amazing poems below:

YEAR FOUR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

This Term, Year Four students have been exploring the sun and its effects, with a special focus on designing an undercover space at school to protect students from the harsh midday sun. Mary McEvily Butler, the CSO Digital Technologies Coach, recently visited Year Four to introduce them to a new software called Tinkercad, which they’ve been using to bring their designs to life. The students have thoroughly enjoyed learning Tinkercad and have had a great time creating their shaded areas using this innovative program.

YEAR ONE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & MUSIC

In Year 1, students have been engaging in an exciting cross-curricular project that combines Science & Technology with Music. As part of their studies, the students were tasked with designing and creating a musical instrument using recycled materials. The aim was for the instrument to produce sound through one of three methods: blowing, striking, or shaking.

This hands-on project allowed students to explore the scientific concepts of sound and vibration, while also giving them the opportunity to apply their creative skills. Through trial and error, they discovered how different materials and shapes can affect the sound their instruments produce.

Once their instruments were ready, students showcased their musical creations in a special performance for their Kindergarten peers. Each student played their unique instrument to accompany a song, demonstrating both their musical abilities and their understanding of how sound is made.

This project not only helped students develop their problem-solving skills but also deepened their understanding of the key concepts in sound and music. It was a fun and educational experience that integrated Science & Technology with the arts in a meaningful way!

BEST START & Maths Assessment Interviews (MAI’s)

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students will have a staggered start in 2025 as they participate in a Statewide assessment called Best Start and a Maths Assessment Interview (MAI). The purpose of these one-hour interviews is to help the teachers understand your child's literacy and numeracy knowledge. These interviews will commence on Monday 3rd February 2025 and conclude on Friday 7th February 2025. Kindergarten students will commence their first day of school on Monday 10th February 2025. Parents will receive a Compass message with a link to book their preferred date and time at the end of Term 4.

Years 1-6

Students in Years 1-6 will participate in a 30 minute Maths Assessment Interview with their classroom teacher. These assessments will be held in their child’s 2025 classroom. They will occur from Monday 3rd February to Thursday 6th February 2025. Students in Years 1-6 first day of school for 2025 will be Friday 7th February 2025. Parents will receive a Compass message with a link to book their preferred date and time at the end of Term 4.

Lisa Conte-Leader of Pedagogy

Sports News...

Diocesan Summer Sports Trials

Last week, the Diocesan Summer Sports Trials were held at various venues across Lismore. St Francis Xavier had 11 students competing in the sports of Basketball (Vincent Benfield) and Tennis (Teo Amit & Ruby Hernage) on Tuesday 26th November and Touch Football (Fletcher Bernardes Skelton, Nash Whitton, Braxton Whitton, Cannon Hamilton, Molly Gerada, Jessica Aslin, Indi Williams and Einin Shannon) on Thursday 28th November .

Congratulations to Teo Amit who was undefeated in all of his tennis matches and was selected to compete at the Polding Boys Tennis Trials.

Congratulations also to Vincent Benfield who was selected to attend the Polding Boys Basketball Trials. 

Both Polding Summer Sports Trials for Basketball and Tennis will be held next year in Tamworth on Friday 7th February.

St Francis Xavier also had three students selected to attend the Polding Touch Football Trials, Fletcher Bernardes Skelton (Boys), Molly Gerada and Indi Williams (Girls). All three students played well in all of their Pool matches and impressed selectors in the Probables/Possibles game at the conclusion of the day. The Polding Boys & Girls Touch Football Trials will be held on Friday 27th June 2025 at Port Macquarie.

Selection at the Polding Trials will see them compete at the NSW PSSA State Carnival in their respective Sports. Well done boys and girls on reaching this level on the representative pathway.

Polding Boys Cricket Trials

On Wednesday 4th December this week Vincent Benfield attended the Polding Boys Cricket Trials held in Lismore. A changed format saw the net session eliminated with two centre wicket sessions. In extremely humid conditions Vincent batted and bowled well and impressed selectors with his fielding and chat in the field. As a result he was selected in the Polding Boys Cricket Team to compete at the NSW PSSA State Cricket Carnival next year. Congratulations Vincent!

K-2 Cricket Skills - Striking & Overarm Throw

In PE lessons, the infants students have been learning about the two-handed strike and overarm throw. These are important fundamental movement skills in the game of cricket and many other sports such as softball.

Rugby League Blitz Program

Last Term, St Francis Xavier was offered the opportunity of participating in a free Program run by the NRL. This was a result of our continued participation and support of local Rugby League Gala days such as the Brian Kelly Cup (Ballina) and the Matt King Cup (Casino).

The “NRL Primary Schools Development Blitz” program caters for students of all ability levels and provides an opportunity to learn how to play Rugby League through specifically designed sessions that optimise both safety and skill development; 

• All session plans and activities target specific skill development outcomes (fundamental Rugby League skills & movement skills) & basic game concepts (rules, objectives, tactics etc.)
• All activities are non-contact (i.e. no tackling is permitted)
• Sport Australia’s Physical Literacy Framework has helped shape program design – session plans and activities have been developed to address gaps in physical literacy and develop the necessary skills, confidence and motivation to participate in sport.
• Participants will work collaboratively and cooperatively in small teams to further build their personal and social skills
• Each activity can be modified (i.e. be simplified or made more challenging) to ensure different stages of development are catered for effectively

This week on Wednesday and Thursday the students in Year 1-5 participated in theses sessions with Game Development Officer Northern NSW, Maxwell Bear.

The Sessions will continue next week on Tuesday through to Thursday giving our Kinder and Year 6 students the opportunity to experience the fun.

Skipping Showcase Next Week

Over the last 5 to 6 weeks the students have been learning how to skip. Sounds easy doesn’t it, but it’s not…I am extremely proud of what all of the students have achieved over the duration of the Term. Perseverance was the key word we learnt at the beginning of the skipping unit and they have all persevered...It was so encouraging to see students not only skipping in the morning, lunch and afternoon tea but also at home. The students are now super keen to show off their skills. Unfortunately, I will only be selecting a few students from each Year to demonstrate their skipping skills. 

The Skipping Showcase will be occurring next Wednesday 11th December at 2:30pm in the Hall. Parents are more than welcome to come and watch the amazing rope-wielding talents.

Kai Kanyaro Karting Success!

My name is Kai Kanyaro..also called BEENZ and, I love Karting 

I zoomed my way to winning the Queensland and New South Wales State Titles, winning ORANGE PLATES and  setting lap records in both events because, you know, why just win when you can go super-duper fast while you're at it? 

But it didn’t stop there—I raced in an Endurance Race series against boys aged 12 to 15. They thought they had it in the bag, but nope! I beat them every single time and set lap records at every race, leaving them scratching their helmets. 

My first-ever Grand Prix at Lakeside was unforgettable—I not only won but also smashed the lap record there, too. Karting is my favorite thing in the world because it's like playing tag at 100 kilometers an hour! I love hanging with my friends, battling wheel-to-wheel, and flying through turns so fast it feels like I might just lift off. There's nothing like the roar of the kart and the thrill of being so close to the ground you could almost high-five the track (don’t try that, though). 

It’s all about driving on the edge, having fun, and hanging out with my friends.

Luke Dogan NSW Representative Plaque

On Tuesday 20th August this year Luke Dogan travelled interstate to Victoria to compete at the National Cross Country Championships. Luke finished 10th place. His NSW Team came 1st with five boys finishing in the Top 10. Congratulations Luke on receiving your NSW Representative 2024 Cross Country Plaque!

Paddy Wilde-Sports Coordinator

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 - on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or 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.

Canteen Roster-Term 4

Week 9

Monday, 9th December to Friday, 13th December

Canteen Roster-Term 4

Week 10

Monday, 16th December to Tuesday, 17th December

REMINDER

Canteen is  CLOSED on Wednesday's

Sushi Day-Thursday

All orders need to be placed by 8:45 am Tuesday.

Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian-$3.90

Week 9

Thursday, 12th December

Student Awards...

Congratulations to all of our students who received a

Learning or Class Award!

Lottie Loughrey	Huey Martin	Mason Curry
Rosie Goodlet	Tao Stewart	Tarah Winkler
Olivia Rosewarn Reed	Leeuwin Brown	Egodi Ezeanata
Jude Peate	Oliver O'Donnell	Owen Williams
Oscar Booy	Tyler Eggleton	Finn Budnick
Eli Bogetti	Georgia Rule	Braxton Whitton
Kellah Pholi	Kai Kanyaro	Jaden Gibbs
Stevie Gifford	Elijah Pearson	Archie Tozer
Oscar Washington	Yuuna Yagi	Jack Hughes
Marley Harrison	Cannon Hamilton	Lincoln Lockwood
Alice Lett	Damien Hernage	Xavier Ritchie
Knox Davidson	Makayla Washington	London McGregor
Mila Wilson	Lucas Land	Sienna Pearson
Victoria Reddan	Elliot Rohn	Olivia O'Brien

Happy Birthday...

Wishing all of our students a wonderful birthday!!

Friday, 6th December to Tuesday, 17th December 2024

Bryson Martin	Lewis Chapman	Ariel Barnes
Knox Thomas	Jaxten Swansborough	Spencer Baldwin
Archie Tozer	Elijah Pearson	Rafael Samaradellis
Lottie Lubrano	Honor Hodges	Molly Gerada
Violet Bogetti	Makaira Pignat	Conrad Short

Student Travel...

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. 

Parents are reminded not to ask their child/ren to wait outside the school fence or in an unsupervised area. This is for the safety of the child/ren. All students MUST be collected from the School Hall or Martin Street Gate.  

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.

Parent Information...

• Q-When should a parent/visitor sign into the school?
• A-All parents/visitors when entering the school grounds, for what ever the reason, MUST sign into the school via the iPad in the front office or via the QR codes at our gates.  There are no exceptions.  This is to ensure we are keeping our students safe whilst at school.

• Q-Where do I find my School Fee Account details?
• A-Parents are emailed a statement from Catholic Schools Office at the end of each month with all account details.  Or alternatively you can access your Compass account to check your fees. 

• Q-When does the School Newsletter come out?
• A-We publish our School Newsletter on a fortnightly basis.  The newsletter is 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 regularly with exciting events that have happened at school.

• Q-What are the School Bell Times?

Please note- Supervision of students begins at 8:30am and finishes at 3:30pm.  Please do not drop your child earlier than this and remember that after school care arrangements need to be made if your child cannot be picked up before 3:30pm.

• Q-What do I need to do if my child is late to school?
• A-Parents MUST come into the school office to drop their child off. This gives the parent the opportunity to provide the reason for the late arrival at that time.  Your child needs to collect a late slip from the office. Parents are reminded not to enter a late note in Compass for their child.  To be compliant with the attendance SOP, we need to ensure that child safety is maintained as far as possible. 

Community News...

School student travel information for parents and students-2025

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Xavier Catholic College-Year 7 2025

Requirements List for Year 7 2025

Please note the cut off for free delivery is 6/12/24. I have attached the instructions/requirements list.

Simply visit wincschools.com.au and follow these four steps. 

1. Search for your school, Xavier Catholic College, Skennars Head, NSW and enter your school access key 7RQ3W if required. 

2. Complete the student’s details and select Year 7 2025. Simply select all relevant subjects. 

3. Review your requirements list and make changes if required. Please note: some list items have been denoted by your school as a prerequisite for the subject or year. 

4. Proceed to checkout. Please note: For home deliveries only, if you have more than one student at the same school, please repeat the above steps.   

Delivery Fees: Free Delivery: for orders placed on or before 6th December 2024 $16.95 delivery for orders placed after 6th December 2024. Please note: Orders under the value of $60 will incur a delivery fee.