Dear Families,

REMEMBRANCE DAY

This year, Year 3 led our school in a very reverent and somber Remembrance Day liturgy. With the school assembled on the hard top, we paid our respects to those who have served by observing the 1 minute’s silence. As a Principal, I could not have been prouder of our students and the way in which they conducted themselves through this ceremony. Year 3 have also put together a Remembrance Day assembly video which can be viewed on our Facebook page. A big thank you to Miss Gillan, Miss Barr and Mrs Southwell.

PRAYERS PLEASE

Charli Conway (Year 4N) and Scarlett Saaghy (Year 6 2019) and their family lost their older sister last week very unexpectedly. Losing a family member, especially a sister at such a young age is very tragic. I ask that you keep Charli, her mother Claire, Scarlett and the rest of her family in your prayers. We are asking our school community to rally together and provide care meals for Charli and her family. If you are able to help, please call the office for more details. Otherwise donations can be dropped off at school and we will deliver them on your behalf. I am always very proud of being the leader of such a caring and supportive community.

We will have a fundraising day to Support the ‘Blue Datto Foundation’ later in the term.

KINDER ORIENTATION

This morning we welcomed 62 Kindergarten students for 2021. This was an exciting day for our current Pre-Schoolers who spent time with their new classmates and the kinder team. Although it was a little different this year due to Covid restrictions, the children had a very fun day and took home a library bag full of exciting things to make next year’s transition more manageable. This is an exciting time for these students. I thank the Kinder teachers for their work in making this a memorable day for all our new students and their families.

CLASS ALLOCATIONS CONCERNS ARE NOW CLOSED

Thank you to the parents who have written to me to share concerns for class placements for next year. This has now closed as teachers begin putting classes together for 2021. This is a huge job with all teachers considering gender, friendships, behaviour and academic abilities when placing students.

STAFFING NEWS

Next year, Catholic Education has allocated St Francis of Assisi 21 classes. We are currently working on the make-up of this classes. More information regarding this will be made available as soon as decisions have been made.

At the end of this year we farewell a number of staff. Sarah Ciuffetelli and Emma Gillan will take up positions in the Government sector. Katie Brook and Sarah Lehmensich will be on maternity leave.  Peter Collins has accepted a Leadership Position at St Thomas Aquinas West Belconnen. We wish all these staff members all the best in their new endeavours.  

BYOD Meeting

Due to Covid restrictions, we will be unable to hold the scheduled BYOD information evening next Monday. Mrs Cossettini has put together a comprehensive information booklet for Year 3 families and for students who are new to our school next year. The BYOD booklet is available further on in this newsletter.

If you have any specific questions about our BYOD program please send Mrs Cossettini an email debbie.cossettini@cg.catholic.edu.au and she will be able to help you with the relevant information. 

PRINCIPAL'S LUNCH

Last Friday, I hosted the first of 2 Principal’s lunches to congratulate those children who have worked really hard during the year to follow our 4 school rules. Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be a Learner. It was great to see so many happy and cheery students enjoying the movies and eating popcorn. I look forward to our second lunch later this term for those students who are almost eligible. 

COLOUR RUN

We are getting very excited in the lead up to our Colour Run on Friday 27^th November. Mr Collins and his team have been working really hard to ensure the day is a big success. Although it is not a fundraiser this year, the children will be working hard to earn incentive prizes along the way by displaying positive behaviours and earning ‘gotchas’. I am looking forward to a fun day out. More information about the day will come home shortly.

THANK YOU

A very big thank you to Jess Cotton from Community Council who recently organised our Cookie Dough fundraiser. It was a big task and I am very grateful to all the hard work that went in to this. Through Jess’ efforts the school raised $3 262. Thank you so much Jess. Cookie Dough and prizes will be available shortly.

Peace and Best Wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34

October was World Mission Month. This year, we are working to empower children and young adults with a disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. This centre works to care for people who are otherwise lacking support and opportunities to lead a fulfilling life. For more information, visit https://www.catholicmission.org.au/.  

This week the Mini Vinnies worked hard to create posters hoping to raise awareness about the many children around the world who do not have enough food each day. As well as raising awareness, we are hoping to raise some funds for the Arrupe Centre. If you would like to support this cause, donations are being accepted through QKR!

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

This year, Christmas will be like no other. After the year that no one saw coming, many families are without jobs and under increased financial stress, some for the first time in their lives.

Christmas is all about family. Spending time together, sharing a meal and creating meaningful memories. These moments are precious. Unfortunately, many Australian families cannot provide a meal for their family or even a home. This is heartbreaking news to hear.

Your donation can provide the happiest of smiles to young people’s faces when they receive a Christmas present that has been donated and specially wrapped for them. It offers something invaluable- a positive impact and a reminder that they are cared for.

St Francis of Assisi will be launching the Christmas Appeal on Monday Week 6.

Please send in Christmas hamper items, food items or special gifts. 

Each class has a box for donations.  Suggested items are:

Kindergarten – Candy canes or bon bons

Year 1 – Shortbread biscuits or packet jelly

Year 2 – Tinned corn, beetroot or pineapple

Year 3 – Savoury biscuits

Year 4 – Chips, Cheezels, Pringles, corn chips

Year 5 – Tinned fruit

Year 6 – Sweet biscuits or long life custard

Please send an item or two in to school each week till Dec 11th.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions could we please ask that all donations are placed in a plastic bag.

Please find attached a note about the upcoming Ninja Colour Run, being held at school on Friday 27 November.

Colour_Run_Information_Note_Term_4_2020.pdf

A Hot Dog lunch will be available from the canteen on the day, orders open on Monday and must be placed through QKR!  No other lunch orders will be available on the day.

if you would like to volunteer to assist on the day, please complete the slip and return to school as soon as possible.  Volunteer nubmers are limited due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A hard copy of the note will come home with all students next week.  We are really looking forward to this fun event as a celebration of fantastic community spirit throughout 2020!

CAN YOU DONATE A CAR?

No, not the one you drive in but a good old match box car. We want to create an area where kids can build roads, bridges etc and create places to play with cars. We would like a large range of cars for the students. If you can donate old or new cars, one or thousands, then please send them to Karen Western in the Green Room (Learning Support Room). 

CAN YOU DONATE A small OLD DOLL?

We are also looking at creating a play space for dolls that are appropriately dressed. We are looking for plastic dolls of about 10cm in height (no Barbies or dolls of such nature as they will be too big) with fixed body parts. Please do not donate Barbies or similar dolls as they will be too big. If you help us out by getting rid of the old toys, we would love to have them. We promise they will be kept warm at night. Please send to Karen Western in the Green Room (Learning Support Room).

Personalised Plan Meetings

This year, I have written a letter offering parents an opportunity to come and discuss Personalised Plans if I needed to see you. If you have received a letter and not made an appointment could you please follow the link below and book in as soon as possible.

If you did not receive a letter and would like to meet with me to discuss your child’s PP, follow this link to Session Keeper and book a time with me.

https://stfranciscalwell.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/12

I look forward to meeting with you.

Warm regards,

Karen Western

Learning Support

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

A sibling discount of 20% will apply to the CEO Tuition Fee for the eldest child attending an ACT  systemic primary school where they have an older sibling in a systemic secondary school.

In preparation for the 2021 school year, we ask all families to complete the attached form detailing how many students you will have enrolled in systemic secondary and primary schools in 2021.

This information is essential for our accounting system to function correctly.  Please complete the form and return to the front office by Friday 11 December 2020.

systemic_fee_letter_2021.pdf

Many thanks

Susan Rowell

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the BYOD information session scheduled for Monday 16 November will no longer take place.

Please find attached a letter and accompanying booklet with important information about the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program at St Francis of Assisi Primary School for students in Years 4 to 6.

Parent_Info_Letter_BYOD_2020.pdf

BYOD_Parent_Information_2020_booklet.pdf

Please read the information carefully and if you have any further queries please contact debbie.cossettini@cg.catholic.edu.au

A reminder to all Year 5 families that the 2021 Year 6 Leadership shirts are available for purchase for $40.00 each through QKR.

Orders will close next Friday 20 November, please ensure you order and pay before this deadline.

The note is attached below.

Leadership_Shirts_for_2021.pdf

There have been confirmed cases of Chicken Pox in Years 3, 4 and 6 at the school.

Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of Chicken Pox and keep your child home from school if they are unwell.

Please contact your GP for health advice.

The Ninja Colour Run is being held on Friday 27 November and the Canteen is organising a Hot Dog Lunch on this day. 

Orders must be made through QKR.  The QKR App will be open for hot dog orders from 9.00am on Monday 16 November until 9.00am Tuesday 24 November.

The lunch will consist of a hot dog with or without tomato sauce a drink and a sweet treat for $7.00.

Please note: there will be no other lunch orders available on this day.

Now that the weather is warming up, it is a timely reminder to please ensure your child comes to school with a full drink bottle of water each day.

Due to the pandemic, our bubblers were converted to hand washing stations so students are unable to drink from the bubblers at recess and lunch.

Also a reminder that hats are compulsory on the playground.  If you need a new hat they are available for purchase in the front office for $20.00 per hat.  

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