Dear Parents,

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

This Friday is World Teacher’s Day. It is a great day that recognises all the hard work that teachers do in nurturing your young children. I am so very blessed to be able to lead such a dedicated group of teachers, assistants and administrative staff who work harder than any other staff that I have known. This was clearly evidenced during our remote learning period this year.

The extra work that our staff takes on is above and beyond, with our teachers giving up lunch breaks, weekends, evenings with their family and holiday time to ensure that the children in our school receive every possible opportunity to succeed at school and enjoy the learning environment that we are so fortunate to have.

I am sure you will join me in thanking such a dedicated team. Feel free to drop your child’s teacher an email expressing your ‘vote of thanks’.

FRONT OFFICE REFURBISHMENT

Our Front Office will be undergoing a refurbishment, with Catholic Education funding this project. From today, we will be relocating the Front Office to the music room just inside the main corridor. Please know that Covid restrictions are still in place and parents are unable to proceed past this point.  Works will commence on the 9^th November and it is anticipated that this project will be completed by early 2021.

PRINCIPAL’S LUNCH

Next week I will host the first of my Principal’s lunches for the year. The children will meet me in the hall and we will watch a movie together, however due to Covid restrictions and the inability to share food, we will be unable to supply lunch. The children will be treated with a packet of popcorn or crisp chips that they can enjoy whilst watching the movie. More information will be provided to those students who have earned their 3 blue wrist bands during the year. I will host another lunch closer to the end of the year for those students who are very close.  

STAFFING

Congratulations to Miss Holly Haling who is Acting Religious Education Coordinator for the next 4 weeks whilst Ms Lisa Conroy is on Long Service Leave.

Congratulations to Simon Hargraves, Tim O’Brien and Anna Corkery who have all been reappointed in classroom teaching positions in 2021. We also welcome to our staff Miss Natalie Radanovich, Mr Tom Johnson, and Mrs Amanda Ducker who will join us next year. We also welcome Mr Jeremy Stevens who, will not only be joining our teaching staff, but will become a member of our School Leadership Team. All are experienced teachers who have worked at other schools within our Local and wider Catholic School community.

COLOUR RUN 2020

As mentioned earlier this term, we intend to have our school’s Colour Run this year. We have set the date for Friday 27^th November. This day will not be a fundraising day but just a day of enjoyment.  All children will participate in Year groups and have a wonderful day challenging themselves to our super –fun obstacle course. Due to some Covid restrictions still being in place, we will have to limit the number of adults on site. We will only be allowing volunteers in the school canteen and those who are willing to help out with the obstacle course at school on this day. 

Further information will be available soon.

SCHOOL CANTEEN

Our school canteen manager started last week and was overwhelmed with lunch orders. There were far too many for just one or two people. If you are available to assist with the canteen could you please email kathleen.crosbie@cg.catholic.edu.au

If Kathy does not get any further assistance then the Community Council might have to reassess the viability of this service.

A big thank you to Belinda Stewart and Lil Rundle who were able to help Kathy last week.

KINDER ORIENTATION

The first of our Kinder Orientation Days will be held on Thursday 12 November. This will be a great day where we will greet our new Kindergarten students for 2021. We have had to modify the day this year due to Covid however, we are still excited about welcoming our new little students to our school.

Families who have children starting Kindergarten next year should have received an email this week with further information.

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 two or 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

Celebration Thank you

The children who participated in our Seasons for Growth Program this term celebrated their success with friends at a party this week. Thanks to all the parents who supported their children in this very worthwhile program and sent in treats on the day! They were very spoiled for choice.

A huge thanks also to Mrs Susan Harris, our school chaplain, who companioned students with me, with her usual dedication, care and creativity!

Thank you to all the families who supported our Book Week celebrations last week.  The children had so much fun.  We were very lucky with the weather and we were able to celebrate our book parade as a whole school outside on the hardtop.  Visit our school Facebook page to re-watch the parade.

Thank you to all the families who purchased books from the Carnival Book Fair.  We sold $7,000 worth of books.  From these purchases, Carnival books give the library a commission to help replace furnishings and buy new resources.  Reorders have been placed and delivery is due this week depending on the couriers.

Thank you to the following families who kindly donated a Carnival Bookfair book back to the library: 

• Tyler & Charlie Cotton
• Caitlin Murray
• Annie Baker
• Mackenzie Wells

The Book Week competitions were very popular with many entries. Congratulations to all the winners:

Teacher Pet Competition - $10 book voucher

Yr 6: Felicity 6N, Jazmyn 6K, Izzy 6K

Yr 5: Seth 5K

Yr 4: Harrison 4N

Yr 3:  Alexis 3D

Yr 2: Rose 2D

Yr 1: Jude 1K

K: Liana KN

Monster Creation

Winner: Maddison 2D

Annabelle 2D

Rory 1N

Harrison KD

Lana 1N

Daniel 1K

Natasha 3K

Maddi 4D

Colouring Competition

Kinder: Kayla KN, Ella KN, Mikaela KK

Year 1: Willow 1N, Rory 1N, April 1N

Year 2: Bianca 2D, Sofie 2K, Willow 2K

Term 4 Fee Reminder

A reminder to all families that Term 4 fees are due for payment by Friday 27 November 2020, unless paying by regular instalments. 

If you are paying by regular instalments, please ensure your payments are sufficient to have your school fee account paid in full by the end of Term 4. If you need any assistance calculating your instalments through till the end of the year, please get in touch with me and I will be happy to help.

School fees may be paid by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Bpay, QKR or you may phone the front office to pay over the phone with your credit card.

Leaving Families

If your family will be leaving St Francis of Assisi Primary School and not returning in 2021, please ensure your school fee account is finalised prior to the end of Term 4.  Please contact me if you foresee any issues settling your account prior to the end of term.  

Update Direct Debit Instalments for 2021

School fees for 2021 are under review, and will be considered for approval by the Community Council later this term.  Once approved the 2021 fees will be communicated to all families.  There is likely to be a small increase in fees for 2021 including the Tuition Fee set by Catholic Education and local school levies.

If you are paying your fees by instalments, it is important to update your payments to keep your school fee account up to date in 2021.  Early in Term 1 next year, please email me susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au to update your Direct Debit instalments for the year.

Kind regards

Susan Rowell

Thank you for your support with the school's Cookie Dough Fundraiser.  To date we have sold 437 tubs of cookie dough...that's a lot of cookies!

A reminder that online sales close next Wednesday 4 November 2020.  Any cash sales must be delivered to the front office by next Wednesday too.

The latest issue of Book Club came home with the students yesterday.

Orders must be placed by next Friday 6 November 2020.  Sorry but no late orders will be accepted.

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