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Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you and your families had a chance to relax and take advantage of daylight saving. It is great to see all our students return in their summer uniforms and be ready to start an action packed term.
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY
What a wonderful celebration we had. Yesterday, we acknowledged our patron saint’s feast day (which is really the 4th October) with a day packed with fun and frivolity. We started the day as a whole school community, with a liturgy, prepared by Lisa Conroy, praying that we might be more like St Francis. It was a wonderful, prayerful liturgy and the children were so reverent in their participation. It was also great to hear a message recorded by Fr James, who is taking a well-earned break at the moment.
The children participated in class activities relating to St Francis and were also able to attend an Italian Puppet play.
The weather was perfect for a celebration with everyone happy to be out in the sunshine. A big thank you to Ms Lisa Conroy for preparing the day.
SHOWCASE
Thank you to the many parents and children who participated in the Showcases and Learning Journeys last term. Thanks also to the teachers for their amazing work in preparing the students. A Showcase gives students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning by sharing the process with a real audience.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
A reminder that school photos will take place on Monday 19th October (next week). Please ensure that your child comes to school in their full school Summer Uniform. Your child would have come home with an order envelope. If you have not yet received one, please contact the Front office.
UNIFORM REMINDERS
A reminder that this term all students are required to wear Summer Uniform. We have had some students return to school wearing incorrect socks, incorrect ear rings and mixing sport and school uniforms. Year 6 students can wear their sport ‘Leadership Shirt’ as their sport shirt on sport days only. Our full policy is available under our school website. Click on ‘our school’, then ‘uniform’. Thanks for your understanding and support. Please remember to remove any nail polish that me be left over from the holidays.
STAFFING NEWS
On the last day of last term, I received the great news that we would be receiving an extra class in our staffing allocation for 2021. This will mean that our current Year 2 students will be split in to 3 classes for 2021.
Our school is a great school, and our enrolments are ever increasing. Our biggest advocate for our school is you. It is great to hear the many positive comments and feedback that our parents have, when recommending our school to other families. Thank you!
BOOK WEEK
Next week is Book Week! The theme this week is “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”. I am really looking forward to our Book Week Parade next Friday. Although parents are unable to attend, we will be posting our parade on Facebook. Our Book Fair is on again and Mrs Cossettini has spent many hours getting this ready for the children. Order forms have be sent home with the children this week. The school benefits from this Book fair with some of the profits being donated back to our school library. It is wonderful to see how much our students love reading and exploring the new literature that is being written. Big thanks to Mrs Cossettini for all her work in planning ‘Book Week’ – ably supported by Mrs Jolly in the library too.
CLASS ALLOCATIONS FOR 2021
During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2021. Below is a copy of the ‘Class Allocation Policy’ (available on our website) which aims to ensure there is a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the upcoming school year. My firm belief is that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development.
Could you please have a read and be aware of the following policy? As there are usually three streams of classes each year at St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Calwell, there are different combinations of children in classes. When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration: gender, special needs, work habits, cognitive ability, friendships, behaviour, health considerations, religion (to assist in achieving balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and common names.
Ideally we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics.
Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns will be considered. At St Francis of Assisi, the staff and parents will follow these principles and guidelines when considering placement of students each year:
- Every care will be taken to ensure that each child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development;
- Parents who wish to discuss particular concerns regarding the placement of their children in particular classes should put the concern in writing and address it to the Principal by Friday of Week 4 (Friday 6 November);
- Parent concerns will be seriously considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parent’s requests;
- Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Learning Support Teacher, School Counsellor, etc during this process;
- Taking into account all of the factors listed above, the current class teachers compile class lists during the last week of November and hand to the Principal for confirmation;
- Children will be informed of their class placement for the following school year in December (usually the last week of school) and the opportunity will be provided where possible for them to spend some time with their new class teacher;
- A class lists will be made available for parents during the last week of the year. No changes are made after this time; and
- Throughout this process the Principal, after appropriate consultation, reserves the right to make final professional decisions regarding the placement of children.
Please be aware that requests for particular teachers or for a particular gender of teacher will NOT be considered. Also, we do not accept friendship requests.
Peace and Best Wishes
Kate Markcrow
Principal
Confirmation Reflections
Congratulations to all of our students who celebrated their Confirmation last term!
Yar
When I got home after reading at my Confirmation celebration, I felt like a leader because my teacher believed in me.
Neve
I felt so excited to be continuing my faith journey and this next chapter of my life with the warm caring heart of Jesus.
Matt
The highlight for me was when Father James blessed me during the laying of hands on my head.
Izzy
I felt strong and loved.
Will C
Confirmation means a new start, more responsibility to step up.
Nathan Y
I felt closer to God.
Rachel J
I am connected and reunited with God.
Caitlin
We lit our own special candle.
Jaidyn
The celebration was special with my family there.
Felicity R
Confirmation is a privilege.
Eilis
Father James and Father Andrew blessed us with a cross of oil on our foreheads during the Confirmation.
Clancy
Confirmation is a big thing in my life!
Our School Photo Day is being held this coming Monday 19 October.
Photo envelopes for each student have been sent home. Online ordering is the preferred payment method using the unique 'shoot key' assigned to each child.
Spare envelopes are available in the front office if required. Spare envelopes do not have a shoot key - any parent requiring a shoot key for their child will have to call MSP on 6255 9208 or email canberra.office@msp.com.au to obtain the shoot key (for example separated families needing extra envelopes or misplaced envelopes).
Sibiling envelopes are available at the front office if required. A discount applies to families with three or more children. After purchasing individual packs for each child, a sibilings presentation pack of your choice will be free. Only children who present a siblings order form to the photographer on photo day will have their family/sibilings photo taken.
All children are to wear full summer uniform for photo day - no sports uniform on this day please!
Please find attached a flyer with information about this year's Book Week activities, including the colouring competition (K-2) and quiz sheet.
Curious_Facts_or_Wild_Fiction.pdf
All children will visit the Carnival Book Fair this week. A brochure will be coming home with the children today. Yrs. K- 3 have made a wish list and posted it in See Saw - please log in to see this wish list.
Children may bring a small amount of cash buy books at the book fair however, the parental portal is the preferred method in paying http://parentpayments.carnivalfairs.com.au/
To: Parents and Carers of Students in Catholic Schools
Re: ACT Election
Dear Parents and Carers
Over the past few months, Catholic school communities have worked hard to ensure that all candidates in the 2020 ACT Election understand our policy priorities. Thank you for supporting this effort, and thank you to all candidates who were willing to engage with us.
You will be aware that our priorities for the next ACT Government are:
- Equitable School Funding
- Fund Catholic schools at 25% of the per-student cost of education in an ACT Government school.
- Land Release and Planning
- Make land available for new Catholic schools.
- Improve planning policies to include new Catholic schools.
- Support for Catholic Early Learning Centres
- Provide financial support to Catholic Education Early Learning Centres to support equitable access and construction of new centres.
The Canberra Liberals remain committed to supporting our funding and land release policy priorities. The Liberals plan supports families, while also committing to a review of the curriculum in the ACT. You can find information regarding the Canberra Liberals education policy commitments here.
Despite understanding the cost of living pressures facing all ACT families, both ACT Labor and the Greens have remained committed to planned cuts to funding for ACT Catholic schools. This policy approach will inevitably put upward pressure on school fees.
ACT Labor has committed to continue capital improvement grants to non-government schools, equity grants to support disadvantaged families, and grants for non-government school parent associations. You can find information regarding ACT Labor’s education policy commitments here.
The Greens also support proposed land release for non-government schools. The Greens have stated their priorities as providing ‘nature-based’ play spaces for older schools, and infrastructure available to all schools. You can find information regarding the ACT Greens education policy commitments here.
I am aware that there are candidates from all parties that support Catholic education and who actively advocate within their party for our needs. I encourage you to consider the education policy positions of both individual candidates and parties before voting as this will directly impact the affordability of non-government school options in the ACT.
Thank you again for your support of ACT Catholic schools.
Good wishes
Ross Fox
DIRECTOR
Authorised by Ross Fox for Catholic Education Archdiocese Canberra & Goulburn
To reward your child for their efforts, they can choose incentive prizes based on the total amount of tubs sold.
Login to your Online Fundraising Page at cookiedough.com.au. Once the fundraiser has finished, click the ‘ORDER MY PRIZE’ button via the dashboard. Select up to five (5) prizes to the amount of tubs you have sold.
Prize orders must be submitted by the prize due date of Monday 9 November 2020.
Cookie Dough fundraising information booklets will be sent home with students today. Thank you in advance for your participation and support of the Community Council.
Catholic Education is committed to continuing financial assistance into Term 4 to support families who have been financially impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The position of Catholic education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances.
Where your family is experiencing financial stress due to job loss, being stood down, reduction in work hours, business downturn or closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, full or partial fee relief is available. To discuss fee relief options, please contact the school to arrange a confidential discussion.
Families whose employment situation has not been affected by COVID-19 can support the school by continuing to pay school fees as they fall due. This will support our school to continue providing quality learning in a connected community that nurtures and cares for each other
Your family is an important part of our school community. Your financial circumstances will not compromise the place of your children at our school. If you are experiencing any difficulties, we will confidentially ensure your child is not disadvantaged.
Welcome to Term 4!
Term 4 fee statements were sent to all families this week. Term 4 fees are due for payment by the end of Week 7 - Friday 27 November 2020.
Please let me know if you didn't receive your fee statement by email and I will send another statement through. I can also update your email address for fee statements if required.
Please take the time to read your fee statement and let me know if you have any queries in relation to your school fee account. If you are paying instalments, please ensure that you are paying enough each week/fortnight/month to have your account paid up by the end of the term.
I will be in touch with all families leaving the school at the end of the year, to ensure accounts are up to date before the end of term.
If you have any school fee related queries please email me susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au or I am in the office each week from Tuesday to Friday.
Kind regards
Susan Rowell
A reminder to all families that our school chaplain, Mrs Susan Harris, is here at the school on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.
If you feel your child or family would benefit from speaking with or meeting with Mrs Harris, please contact the school on 6292 4500 to make arrangements.
You can also email Mrs Harris susan.harris@cg.catholic.edu.au
The U8 Jaguars at Brindabella Blues FC were undefeated throughout the entire 2020 season. Congratulations to St Francis of Assisi students Ollie, Ben, Noah, Lucas, Lochie, Lawson, Will and Cayden, and Holy Family students Jayda and Ruby! We were most proud of the respectful and mature way in which they treated their victories, and their opposition players. It was a great demonstration of the values they have learnt at home and school. What a season!
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