Dear Families,

This is my last newsletter for the year. I would like to take the time to say farewell to the families within our school community. Yesterday I was so blessed to be able to have a lovely send off from the children. It was very special and enabled me to say my goodbyes.

I am very proud to have led such an amazing school. I thank you all for the opportunity. The last couple of months I have had time to reflect on my leadership over the last 11 years and have many things that I am proud of.

I believe that the excellent teaching and learning that is occurring in all of our classrooms is a culmination of the hard work and many hours of professional learning. I have definitely seen a big improvement in our students’ results and this year our Year 3 students had the third highest reading results (according to NAPLAN) in the Archdiocese. This is certainly a huge accomplishment. 

The classrooms are calm and productive. We have seen a big improvement in children’s engagement in learning. We know that the children in our school all have different needs. The teachers’ ability to cater for all children in our care is second to none. I hope that all children in our school community feel happy, accepted and cared for. This is something that I strive for.

The support programs that are offered by the staff in this school go beyond all expectations. From reading support to well-being, I am truly amazed at how the teachers find the additional time to make each child’s individual need a priority.

Our remote learning program was a huge challenge for all our staff at St Francis. Learning how to deliver a remote program using foreign technology and then putting it into practice to ensure that the kids in our school got the best possible education whilst at home is something that I will continue to be amazed by. The number of emails thanking the teachers and support staff was heart-warming.

Finally, I am proud of the development of the school grounds. In my time as Principal, we have seen the refurbishment of the Year 5/6 block and the administration area. We have also seen big improvements on our playground with areas such as the peace garden and outside eating areas getting a makeover. Our sensory playground was a great success with our children spending many hours pushing each other on the swing or playing tips up, down and through the tunnels.

As I leave, I have gotten word that our application for the refurbishment of our Year 2/3 classrooms has been approved and this project will start the planning phase early next year. I have also ensured that the senior playground equipment will be replaced by early Term 1 2022.

I have always tried to ensure three things in my principalship.

1. That all children are safe
2. That all children are learning to the best of their ability
3. That children are happy at school

Although I cannot make everybody happy all the time, I have certainly tried my best to meet these three goals and I thank you all for the opportunity.

I will miss the afternoon pick-ups where I get to say hello to most of our families and as parents leave on Friday afternoon next week, I will take comfort in knowing each of you and your children as I give you my final wave.

COVID -19

A final update regarding Covid-19 for 2021. We know that St Francis has been very lucky not to have become an exposure site since returning to onsite learning. This is partially due to our covid-safe practices and our school community working together ensuring sick children have been staying at home. Many of our schools in the Tuggeranong Valley have had to quarantine at least one class, with the children needing to isolate for 14 days.

We understand that there may be substantial absences from school next week as we enter the 14 days before Christmas. To ensure that we try and keep the next 14 days covid free, we have cancelled all school events and will keep children in class groups throughout the day except during break times where they will remain in their cohorts.

If you choose to keep your children home from school next week, we ask that you notify your child’s teacher via compass and also send them an email so that your child’s belongings can be sent home with them this week. We understand that there may be some anxiety surrounding this and respect parents’ decisions to keep their children at home.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Last night we celebrated the Year 6 Graduation. This is a major celebration for our Year Six students who, after seven years in primary school, move into the big world of high school. On behalf of the school community I wish all the best to our Year Six students. Farewell too to our many families who move on from St Francis of Assisi Primary School after many years here with us.

The Graduation dinner was a great success. Thank you to Pam Crawford who spoke on behalf of the parents. It was a fantastic evening.

FAREWELL MASS

Unfortunately, due to weather we had to cancel our farewell Mass that was planned for outdoors. The Year 6 students were able to celebrate with Fr James and Fr Josh in a small, intimate mass in the hall.

Fortunately, the rain stopped, and we were able to gather as a school community for the farewell assembly not long after. The Year 6 students were able to pass the light of leadership on to our Year 5 students who promised to be excellent role models for the other children in our school.

We were also able to farewell our staff who are leaving at the end of the year. We thank Marie Taylor, Holly Haling, Steve Joyce, Tianna Cossettini and Jacob Wilson for all their contributions to the school during their time.

During the assembly we were able to announce our captains for 2022.

Congratulations to the following students:

School Captains

• Oliver Hickey
• Peyton Childs

School Vice Captains

• Lily Pendlebury
• William Suchomski- Sheppard

Cunningham

• Daksh Babber
• Crus Hilton

McCormack

• Carly Rundle
• Benji Pearson

Polding

• Keira Kirk
• James Kessey

Morrison

• Mia Skelly
• Josh Schmid

KINDERGARTEN NATIVITY

Our Kindergarten children told the Nativity story this morning with a special concert in the school hall. They have been rehearsing every day to ensure this it was a memorable event. Not only does it tell the story of the birth of Jesus, but it allows us to see the incredible growth our Kinder students have made over the year.  Thank you to our Kinder team for an enjoyable morning.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The last St Francis of Assisi Community Council Meeting for 2021 was held a couple of weeks ago. I would like to thank all members of our Community Council for their hard work and contributions during the year. Our Community Council members are Kate Markcrow (Principal), Tiffany Reedy (Assistant Principal), Nikki Arcidiacono (Staff Representative), Sarah Chifley (Council Chair), Amanda Lenard (Deputy Chair and Secretary), Christina Knobel (outging Treasurer), Cecelia Wykes (incoming Treasurer),  Lisa Hyland, Caroline Kontny, Miranda Westhorp and Jess Cotton. This year the council has been very productive in both leading community events and in working with the staff of the school. I thank them for their time and effort throughout the year. 

I would like to acknowledge Christina Knobel whose time at St Francis has come to an end. Christina has been an invaluable asset to our school, she is the outgoing treasurer of our Community council and has been an important member of the team, from working at fetes to managing canteen funds and ensuring finances are used where needed.  We need more parents like Christina to help our school move forward. The school will certainly miss you.

THANK YOU

I would like to publicly acknowledge the volunteer work of Cheryl Jorritsma, Miranda Westhorp, Belinda Stewart and Pam Crawford. These ladies have supported our school by working in voluntary roles in the clothing pool, canteen, and with school banking. It would be great if we could get some more of our parent community involved next year and share some of the load.  

SCHOOL SECURITY DURING THE BREAK

School grounds are particularly vulnerable during the summer holiday break, so we rely heavily on our local residents and families to keep a watchful eye out for any unwelcome visitors.

Please drive past or walk through the school during the holidays if you get a chance. If you see anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the Police on 131 444. Thank you.

REPORTS HOME MONDAY

The reports distributed on Monday have been prepared in line with the school’s Assessment and Reporting policy and also the Australian Government funding requirements and associated legislative regulations. The teachers have worked extremely hard throughout the year to ensure assessment strategies are implemented to develop clear and fair assessment tasks; to make consistent and reliable judgements about a student’s work; to ensure effective, explicit teaching has occurred and that assessments are placed within those parameters; to ensure that the assessment process is known by the students prior to being conducted; and that assessment data is utilised to inform teaching and learning programs.

When reporting, the teacher is awarding a grade to the student taking into account knowledge, skills and understandings covered up to the point when the judgement is made. This means the staff are making an ‘on balance and professional judgement’ of student progress and attainments.

This Semester has seen children’s learning delivered via remote and face-to-face. Our school reports have reflected this.

This year reports will not be printed. You will be able to access your child’s report via the Compass Parent Portal. If you have any trouble accessing this, please do not hesitate to contact us.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI STAFF 2022

School Leadership Team

Classes & Teachers

Office Staff

Specialist Teachers

Classroom Assistants

CLASS LISTS

Every year at about this time, the talk starts! Who will be my child’s teacher next year? My question is ….. does it really matter?

I often wonder why parents have certain views about different teachers. Is it based on previous experience or gossip? St Francis of Assisi Primary School is fortunate to have a wide range of talented teachers. We have a fabulous reputation in the community for providing excellence. We have experienced and early career teachers. We have teachers with a passion for Maths, for Literacy, for the Creative Arts, for Technology and the list goes on.

Over 7 years at primary school a student will experience a wide range of teachers and gain valuable skills and knowledge from each and every one of them. Parents cannot always shelter and protect their child or choose their teachers for them. A big part of life is learning to deal with a range of people, whether it be other children or adults. It is about building skills and resilience that can be used in later life. Sure some students may not like a particular teacher, but how do they really know if they have never actually been taught by them.

I do not know how many times a student (and parent) has been apprehensive about a teacher, only to find that they then have a great year. How your child responds to the news of their class teacher for 2022 will largely depend on your own response. Whether you are satisfied or not, you need to be positive and encouraging. If your child sees that you are upbeat, then they will be confident and optimistic about the future.

Our staff members are currently in planning mode for next year. Their thoughts are being occupied by class placements. They have been very careful in placing each child into a class for next year, taking into consideration the following:

• Gender: We aim to achieve an even split of boys and girls (this is made easier by the fact that our school does not lose boys in great numbers to single sex schools in the Primary Years).
• Ability: We believe that children learn from each other and that applies to the more and less abled child. Classes operate most effectively when children learn cooperatively from each other, the learning may not just include academic areas but social growth as well.
• Friendship Groupings: This is always problematic because Primary- aged children move in and out of groups on a regular basis, and as you know from adult life mutual friendships can sometimes be one way on occasions.

An additional layer of complexity in this process is the placement of teachers on grade levels. Our teachers work in teams so it is crucial to have the right mix of team members on each year level. Once again we aim to spread the experience and gender of staff across the grades. We also take into consideration the preferred teaching levels of staff and a need to keep staff fresh by moving them regularly across different grade levels. In short putting classes together is somewhat of a giant jigsaw puzzle but at the heart of the jigsaw must remain the needs of the child. Our staff appreciates the huge trust that you place in them to get the jigsaw right!

Tomorrow afternoon, each individual student will get to go to their new classroom for 2022 and spend a little time with their new class teacher. They will bring home a list of their class - so you will know who is in their class.

Thanks for your understanding.

Peace and best wishes

Kate Markcrow  

Principal

Thank you to those families who have already donated to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Please keep sending your donations - the last day for collection will be this Friday 10 December.

Thank you for your support for families in our community.

Congratulations to all of our Term 4 award recipients. 

While we were unable to have our awards assembly this term, Mrs Markcrow has been presenting the awards to each year level this week.

Following approval from the Community Council, the 2022 school fees for St Francis of Assisi Primary School have been finalised.

Please see the attached documents for details of the 2022 school fees, including a calculation sheet to assist in the calculation of fees for next year.

2022_School_Fee_Information.pdf

School_fee_calculation_sheet_2022.pdf

A reminder to please complete the attached systemic discount form if you will have students at St Francis of Assisi Primary School as well as a systemic high school next year, so that the appropriate discount can be applied to your school fee account.  Thank you to those families who have already returned their form.  

Sytemic_Letter_2022.pdf

Please email the form to office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au 

We ask that you add an 'attendance note' to explain any unexplained absences for your child within the Compass Parent Portal. 

To add an attendance note, please follow these instructions:

• You will be notified on the right hand side My News for any outstanding unexplained absences/late for their child.
• By clicking Click here for more information parents are taken to a new page displaying all unexplained absences or late for their child.
• To explain an absence or late for their child the parent must click the check box to the left side of the absence they wish to explain and then the Explain with Attendance Note button.
• The Attendance Note Editor Box is generated and parents select a Reason for the absence/late and write any supporting comments.
• It has now turned an unexplained absence/late into an explained absence/late.

Alternatively you can email the school office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au with details of any absences and we can add these for you.

Thank you for supporting the Canteen during 2021 and a special thanks to all the volunteers who assisted in the Canteen this year.  Whether it was on a regular basis or for special events, I appreciate all your help.

The last day for lunch orders is Thursday 16 December 2021.  The Canteen will not be open on the last day of term Friday 17 December 2021.  

Kind regards

Kathy Crosbie

The clothing pool remains closed at this time.

However if you would like to purchase any items of school clothing from the clothing pool, please send an email to office.stfranciscalwell@cg.catholic.edu.au and we will endeavour to fill your order and send it home with your eldest child for you to pay through QKR! 

Please be aware that not all items of school uniform are in stock.

Thank you

Thank you to our clever students who have been making their very own gif files!

More of our student work will be posted on our school Facebook page.

Please like and follow St Francis of Assisi Primary School on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates, reminders and much more.