Dear Parents and Carers,

As we journey towards the great feast of Pentecost and the Confirmation of our Yr 6 students in Week 7, I am reminded of the words of Peter Steele SJ from The Mind's Guests:
“…you might remember where God started in loving you. It wasn’t that you were brilliant, beautiful, and the best thing since sliced bread, but that you were someone in need. If you don’t… recognise someone in need of your loving contribution, chances are that you are not listening enough.”

Steele’s insight points to the heart of love: it is gratuitous, unearned, and offered especially where we are in need of God’s healing touch. Love is not something we deserve; it is something we receive unconditionally and, in turn, offer to others. As we reflect on this message in the context of Easter and Pentecost, I encourage you to consider the needs around you – within your families, our school community, and even in the faces of strangers we encounter each day.

Who can you reach out to? A neighbour, a colleague, a family member, or someone who may be struggling in ways we cannot see? Love is most powerful when it meets a need, and each of us has the ability to contribute to the healing and compassion that the world so desperately needs.

End of Official Enrolment Period

The official Catholic Education enrolment period comes to a close today, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our Year 6 leaders who volunteered their time and energy to take interested families on tours of our school. They truly embodied the spirit of St Francis, offering warm and welcoming insights into our school community. The feedback from the families they showed around has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their gratitude for our students' kindness and enthusiasm. Well done Yr 6!

It is not too late to enrol, with some spaces available in some grades for 2026. If you would like to tour, please contact the school office. A reminder that those students in the ELC need to complete a new enrolment form for Kinder 2026. The enrolment forms for K-6 can be found here Enrol Now! @ St Francis of Assisi Primary School - Calwell

Committee Work

I will be away from school from the 10th to 13th June on a panel organised by Catholic Education. Mrs Annie McArthur will lead the school capably in my absence.

I hope you and your family enjoy a safe and happy couple of long weekends ahead.

Blessings and best wishes

Sean Rutledge

The Ascension of the Lord Solemnity  Luke 24: 46-53 

The two men in white who challenge the disciples are the same ones who in Luke’s version of the women at the tomb of Jesus say: ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?’ Today’s feast is in one way also about our mission, sent as we are like them, clothed with the promised gift of the Spirit. Jesus is among us inviting us to spread his message of reconciliation and forgiveness, especially to those closest to us - family, friends, workmates and colleagues. We will always find him in the mix and muddle of daily life. Is this why those disciples were so full of joy when they returned to Jerusalem even though their friend and teacher was no longer physically with them? May their joy be infectious as we celebrate today’s feast and continue to seek the living but often unrecognisable risen Lord Jesus. 

It is this gift of wisdom, with perception and knowledge, that Paul wishes upon the community at Ephesus. The power given to believers becomes a potent force in and through them and us, and will help us to discover how we can be effective witnesses to the saving power of mercy and forgiveness through Christ. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Sacrament of Confirmation

Earlier this week the Year 6 students were privileged to participate in a day of prayer around the Sacrament of Confirmation. There were ar variety of activities that connected the students to how the Holy Spirit shows up in their lives and the gifts they can show to others.

Please continue to pray for our Year 6 students as they make their final preparations for the Sacrament which will be held on Tuesday 10th June and Celebrated by the Vicar for Education Fr Richard Thompson.

VINNIES WINTER APPEAL

Yesterday, via compass, families received information about how we as a school will be supporting St Vincent de Paul. We are inviting families to contribute pantry staples, which Vinnies will use to create hampers for families in need. Acknowledging the rising cost of living, we’ve limited each grade to just one item to make participation more manageable for everyone.

ELC- Tea/Coffee/Milo

Kinder - Pasta Sauce

Year 1 - Jam/Honey/Spreads

Year 2- Taco or Curry Meal Kits

Year 3 - Pasta and or Rice

Year 4 - Cereal

Year 5- 2 Min Noodles

Year 6- Long Life Milk

Pantry item donations can begin immediately and may be brought to your child’s classroom any time up until June 27th where we will also have a pyjama day to celebrate the wonderful generosity of our families.  

If you would also like to donate pre-loved winter items such as clothing, blankets, or sleeping bags (in good condition), we kindly ask that you hold off on bringing these in until Week 9.

Have a great week!

Sharee Thomas

REC

? Congratulations to Our Reading Stars! ?

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the amazing achievement of nine dedicated students who have each read 40 books and successfully completed the St Francis of Assisi Reading Challenge this week!

Holly Kennedy

Olivia Watson

Alyssa Larkins

Cali Anderson

Ethan Steele

Hazel Baker

Eva Meere

Isabelle Leighton

Claire Leighton

Completing this challenge is no small feat, and you’ve shown what can be accomplished with perseverance and a love for books.

To all our students: you can do it too! Keep turning those pages, exploring new worlds, and working toward completing the St Francis of Assisi Reading Challenge. We can’t wait to celebrate even more reading champions in the weeks to come! REMEMBER to write down every book you read or have had someone read to you!

Here is a photo of some of the books you can choose from (note: there's sooooooo many more!), once you have completed the challenge:

Happy reading!

We’re thrilled to announce the date for our 2026 School Fete — mark your calendars for Saturday, 28th March! Preparations are already buzzing behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to bring you a fun-filled day for the whole community.

But the excitement starts even sooner...

Our first official fundraiser kicks off next Friday, 6th June!
Let’s turn up the fun with Silly Socks and Crazy Hair Day!
Students are invited to wear their wackiest socks and/or most outrageous hairstyles. In return, we’re asking for a gold coin donation (or more if you’re feeling extra generous!) to help us get the ball rolling.

The 2026 Fete will be raising funds to support some exciting school improvements — stay tuned for more details!

We’d love your support to help make this event a huge success. Speaking of which, our next Fete Committee meeting is coming up, and we’d love to see some fresh faces join in the fun and planning! Thursday 5th June @ 5:15pm in the staffroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support — let’s make this the biggest and best fete yet!

TRP recognised in British Journal of Psychiatry

The Resilience Project promotes resilience and happiness by focusing on cultivating gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness (GEM). It's a program that aims to build positive mental health and well-being for students at St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

As many of you will know, the School Community Council funded four TRP sessions throughout the year.

The program, developed by Hugh van Cuylenburg, has recently been recognised in the British Journal of Psychology as having immense benefits for students.

The study found improved mental health outcomes for students, including reduced depression and anxiety, if adopted over the six years of a student’s journey through secondary school.

The study, done in collaboration with the Resilience Project and Resilient Youth Australia, was conducted by PhD candidate Dr Roshini Balasooriya Lekamge and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Click here to see a lovely clip from Hugh van Cuylenburg speaking about this on Instagram.

Don't let this sweet opportunity pass you by!

Have you seen all the scrumptious flavours on offer with our Billy G's Gourmet Cookie Dough fundraiser? There are 10 to choose from - doughn't be the one that misses out!

So far Caramel White Choc and Choc Chunk are the leading favourites or why not give the new Cinnamon Donut flavour cookie dough a try!

Orders will close June 6th!! Register today and Order yours at: www.cookiedough.com.au

2026 Fete announced

We’re thrilled to announce the date for our 2026 School Fete — mark your calendars for Saturday, 28 March!

The 2026 Fete will be raising funds to support some exciting school improvements — stay tuned for more details!

We need your support to help make this event a huge success

Speaking of which, our next Fete Committee meeting is coming up on Thursday 5 June at 5.15pm. We’d love to see some fresh faces join in the fun and planning!