Dear Parents and Carers,

We have several parents, staff members, and students in our community who are currently unwell and in need of our love, support, and prayers. As a Catholic school, we believe in the power of prayer and community support. We invite you to for all those who are sick or unwell in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Tell Them From Me Survey

We finished the survey with 56 responses, which is in line with the number we received in 2023. These reports will arrive next week, and we will use them to help inform our Annual Improvement Plan, which the leadership will begin developing early next term for 2025. Thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete the survey.

3/4 Toilet upgrade

This project is still on track to be delivered at the end of the term. All levelling has been completed this week, and sheeting will begin next week. 

Father’s Day Afternoon Tea

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made our Father's Day BBQ last Friday a resounding success! Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm truly shone through, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

The event was a wonderful celebration of our community, bringing together families, friends, and staff to honour our fathers and father figures. From delicious food to outdoor activities, it was a joy to see so many smiles and connections made, reinforcing our community's vibrant and inclusive nature.

You received a feedback form via Compass today. Please take some time to give feedback on the event.

Late Drop Offs

As part of our legal requirements, if you are dropping your child/ren off after 9am we ask that you please accompany them into the front office to sign them into school. We are unable to do this for you and the students are also unable to sign themselves in. We appreciate that mornings can be hectic times but a minute to sign your child into school is necessary. Thank you for your support of this.

Blessings and Best Wishes

Sean Rutledge

Principal

SACRAMENT of EUCHARIST

This week begins the Parish celebration of our Year 5 children receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist. While most of our StFA children are not receiving the Sacrament until the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of September, Ben Ryan will receive his Sacrament alongside 39 other children from the Parish this weekend. We send prayers and best wishes to Ben as he makes this monumental step in his faith life.  Overall we have 101 children in the Parish receiving the gift of Jesus' Body over the next 3 weekends. Please keep all these children, but especially the 26 children from here at St Francis in your prayers.   

Lord Jesus,

Bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

May this day be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to You for comfort,

guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Amen

Sunday Gospel Reflection- Mark 7:31-37

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Jesus heals the deaf man.

Strangely, this week’s gospel about the healing of a man who was deaf and dumb is less about healing than it is about Jesus being the Messiah. The theme is set up in the first reading when the prophet, Isaiah, describes the signs by which the coming of the Messiah will be recognised: the blind will see; the deaf will hear; the lame will leap; and the dumb will speak. When Jesus healed the man in the gospel story the crowd were admiring of what he had done. They even exclaimed, ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’ These words are a direct echo of the Isaiah text – they were recognising Jesus as fulfilling the prophecies of the promised Messiah.

However, the passage also demonstrates to us that Jesus was trying to show the people that he was not exactly the Messiah that many of them were anticipating. This healing story takes place in the region of The Decapolis – south-east of the Galilee region and populated mostly by Gentiles. By travelling in this area and working miraculous healings, Jesus is making the point that his mission is to all people, not just ‘the Chosen People’ of Israel. He commands the crowd who witnessed the healing to tell no one about it but, filled with the idea that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for, they broadcast the news. Jesus wanted their silence because he knew that they did not fully understand the sort of Messiah that he was. Only when they understood that this Messiah must suffer and die would he have allowed them to speak of his deeds.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Have a great Week

Sharee Thomas

REC

Dear Families,

Just wanting to update the community on what percentage of attendance will receive a certificate for Semester 2 this year.

As the expected level of attendance sits at 90% we will be awarding students with an attendance certificate if they reach 95% or above. This allows for students to be sick and be able to stay at home to get well.

Any issues or concerns please email Mrs Annie McArthur on annie.mcarthur@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Enjoy your weekend!

Congratulations to Taylor Kontny and Felix Botticchio in Year 5 who both represented the ACT in Cross Country Events!

Taylor represented the ACT in both the Cross Country and Relay events in Victoria earlier this term. Taylor came 31st out of 36 of the fastest kids his age in Australia ?. This was his first National and we don't think it will be his last.The ACT team received a trophy for the most improved relay team also.

On Saturday Felix completed in the Australian Cross Country Championships down in Launceston. He had to meet a strict selection criteria to be even considered for the A.C.T team. He did extremely well and was selected to be apart of the team. He competed in the U12’s age group running 3km. It was an a extremely cold and muddy run!! With over 40mm of rainfall on the course on the 48hrs before race day. Wind chill worse than Canberra!!! With a temperature of 6 degrees. He came 44th. He showed a huge amount of courage, grit and resilience to just keep going despite the challenges of the weather.