Dear Families

ASH WEDNESDAY, OPENING SCHOOL MASS AND LEADERSHIP INDUCTION CEREMONY

Yesterday we celebrated, as a school community, Ash Wednesday, our Opening School Mass and Leadership Induction for 2021. Thank you to the many parents and grandparents who attended - it was great you could join us. We pray that God will bless and guide us as we begin this new school year at St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

Many thanks to Father James and Father Josh who celebrated Mass with us. A big thank you to Ms Lisa Conroy, Religious Education Coordinator, our Year 6 teachers who coordinated our Mass and to the staff and students for their preparation. It was a wonderful celebration.

During Mass we inducted our Year 6 students into their role as school leaders. Each child received a leadership badge, and in return, they presented the school with their leadership promise for the year. I am looking forward to working with Year 6 throughout the year as they care for the other members of our school community. A big thank you to the Year 6 teachers for ensuring the students were prepared in taking on this role.

Thoughts for Lent

Mend a quarrel

Search out a forgotten friend

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust

Write a love letter

Share some treasure

Give a soft answer

Encourage youth

Manifest your loyalty in a word or deed

Keep a promise

Find the time

Forego a grudge

Forgive an enemy

Listen

Apologise if you were wrong

Try to understand

Flout envy

Examine your demands on others

Take pleasure on the beauty and wonder of the earth

Speak your love

Speak it again

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

It was terrific to see so many parents taking the opportunity to meet teachers and attend our Parent Information Night last Monday evening. It is so important that a strong partnership is established as soon as possible between parents and teachers.

I would like to thank the teachers for all their hard work in preparing for this night and for staying back after work to present this information. They are truly a dedicated group of people.

Parents/Teacher Interviews will occur next week which will give you, as parents, the opportunity to have a sit-down chat with your child’s teacher and express your child’s successes and challenges and what you hope they will accomplish in the 202, school year.

A note with information and how to book was sent out on Tuesday through SZapp and can be found within this newsletter.

ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Each year, the school looks at areas of improvement and sets goals based on data and feedback. This year the teachers presented our focus for the year at our Parent Information Night.

We have set 3 areas for review and improvement this year.

1. To improve the quality of writing across all grades.

Our focus will have 2 parts

• Using regular conferencing with individual students to guide the teacher’s direction in lesson planning.
• Strengthen a school wide spelling approach that is consistent and differentiated to suit the needs of all students

2. To improve student achievement by using effective evidence – based/informed practices

• We will use succinct, displayed visible learning intentions and success criteria which are referred to during lessons to strengthen the teachers’ and students’ understandings.
• We will also enhance clarity, capacity and efficacy in conceptual inquiry when teaching Religious Education. 

3. To strengthen student performance in Mathematics

• We will be involved in school based Professional Learning and coaching combined with external Professional Learning focussed on strengthening our capacity to deliver high quality, evidence based instruction that features precision teaching practices.

If you have any questions about our Annual Improvement Plan, please feel free to come and see me.

LOCAL SCHOOLS COMMUNITY FUND – SENSORY PPLAYGROUND

It is with great excitement that I announce the opening of our sensory playground. We were very fortunate to be awarded the Local Schools Community Grant which went a very long way to make this possible.  A would like to publically thank Mr David Smith MP, Federal Member for Bean, for facilitating this community project and for his continual support of our school.

I would also like to thank the Community Council for donating some of our fundraising efforts to supplement this project.

Due to Covid-19 we had to scale the playground back a little however; we look forward to adding to this over the coming years. I am very grateful to Jeff Alcock who did the majority of the work himself. With parents not allowed on site we were unable to have assistance in the way of working bees.  This job was certainly outside Jeff’s duties and I am sure you will join me in thanking Jeff for his dedication to the students in our school.  

FRONT OFFICE REFURBISHMENT

We are nearing the completion of our Front Office refurbishment, with the hope that we can open in the next 3 weeks. The staff have been allowed back into the staffroom and the rest of the area is very close to completion. With carpet laid, there is not much left to do. We are looking forward to some of the furniture being delivered next week. Thank you to Catholic Education for your support with this project.  

OFFICE HOURS

This year our Front office hours are as follows:

Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm.

Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm.

Please note that if you need to pay school fees or discus your school fee account, Susan Rowell, our Finance Manager, works till 2.00pm on a Monday and 2:50pm Tuesday through to Thursday. Fridays, Susan is available till 3:30pm.  Susan can be contacted in the office during these times or by email susan.rowell@cg.catholic.edu.au 

PLAYGROUP

Playgroup will recommence in 2021 and is due to start on Monday 1 March (Week 5). Our playgroup runs every Monday morning from 9:30 – 11:00am in our BASCA building with Mrs Liz Shore being the coordinator. Everyone with small children (all ages are welcome) are invited to come and meet new parents, share a cuppa and allow your children to participate in some fantastic activities. Please invite your friends, families do not have to have children in our school to attend, everyone is more than welcome. We are really excited to see you all again.

This year we invite those who are attending playgroup to visit our library between 9:00 and 9:30am on Monday mornings. Feel free to come in and read your child a story, you are also very welcome to borrow a book and take it home. Mrs Cossettini would love to meet you.

HOURS OF SUPERVISION

Please be aware that the hours of supervision here at school are between 8:30am and 3:30pm. Our morning assembly commences at 8:55am on a Monday morning and is a great way to gather together as a school community and welcome each other in prayer. Lessons commence each morning at 9:00am and conclude at 3:05pm. When children arrive at school in the morning they should make their way directly to the hardtop area where they will be supervised from 8:30am by a teacher on duty. Children should not be inside the building or in their classrooms before school. Kindergarten children will stay at their playground each morning. 

We have noticed that some children are arriving at school prior to 8.30am. The school provides before school care (BASCA) for families needing care for their children before school. Many parents do the right thing and pay for their child/ren to be cared for. If you need to have your child at school before 8.30am please contact BASCA on 62928034.

We also ask that you assist the school in the interests of the pupils’ safety by ensuring that your child does not or remain at school after 3:30pm. Children who remain at pick-up from 3.30pm will be asked to make their way down to BASCA.

LATE DROPOFF/EARLY PICKUP

A reminder that if your child arrives to school after 9.00am, they need to be signed in at the front office to complete a late slip for the classroom teacher.

Students leaving early need to be signed out at the front office.  If you need to pick up your child early, this should be done before 2.45pm.  After this time it becomes quite difficult to locate students in a timely manner before the afternoon transition begins.

Please keep in mind that student break times are 11.00-11.30am (recess) and 1.15-2.00pm (lunch) and it can be tricky to locate students during play time.  Please consider these timings when picking up students early from school.

EMAILS
I have talked to the teaching staff about when it is appropriate to answer emails. Please know that teachers are not able to check or answer emails immediately. If you have urgent information that needs to be actioned, please email the front office staff. Teachers spend most of their day either teaching your child or preparing for lessons. The staff will endeavour to get back to you by the end of the day however, with meetings etc this is not always possible.

I have also asked the staff to be mindful of their family time. Often emails appear in an inbox of an evening. Teachers will respond when they are back at work the next day.  The teachers are more than willing to communicate with you, however, it will be when they are not busy working with children.

Peace and best wishes

Kate Markcrow

Principal

A reminder that our school swimming carnival is being held this Monday 22 February at Queanbeyan Pool. 

We are looking forward to a fun day and remind you of the following:

• Children who are racing in the 200m Individual Medley need to be dropped at the pool for a 9.15am start
• Buses will leave school at approximately 9.15am for students in Years 2 to 6, and 10.30am for Kinder and Year 1
• Students must be sun-smart throughout the day, please remember a hat, sunscreen and water bottle
• Please bring a packed lunch, the canteen will be available for the purchase of snacks
• Students may wear their house colours with their swimmers underneath.  Don't forget a towel and change of underwear.

Please give the office a call if you do not know your child's house and colour:

• Morrison - RED
• Polding - BLUE
• McCormack - GREEN
• Cunningham - YELLOW

Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to assist on Monday.  A note went home today to all parents who have been allocated a job for the day.  A reminder to please ensure you have your WWVP card with you on the day.

A reminder that Parent Teacher Conferences are taking place next week on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 February.

Parent_Teacher_Conferences_Term_1.pdf

Please log into SZAPP or follow this link to book a time to meet with your child's teacher https://stfranciscalwell.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/19

School fee statements for Term 1 2021 were emailed to all families last week.  If you didn't receive your fee statement by email, please let me know and I can send through a copy or update your email address if required.

Term 1 fees are due for payment by Friday 19 March 2021, unless paying by regular instalments.

If you would like to set up a Bpay or Direct Debit to pay your fees in regular instalments through the year, please send me an email and I can help with calculations if required.  

A reminder that St Francis Calwell uses the QKR! by Mastercard app for school payments including the canteen.  Please ensure you have updated your settings for the 2021 year levels for your students.

HOT DOG DAY - Wednesday 24 February

Orders for next week's Hot Dog Day close on QKR! at 5.00pm tomorrow, Friday 19 February.

Any help on the day between 11.30am and 1.00pm would be greatly appreciated. There will be no usual lunch orders on the that day but the Canteen will be open for counter sales at recess and lunch. 

On Monday 22 February from 9.00am to 12.00pm we will be making batches of honey joys for the Hot Dog Day lunch so if you have any spare time to make up a batch see you at the Canteen.  Please email me crosbieka@gmail.com if you can help.

Kind regards

Kathie Crosbie - Canteen Manager

6294 7477

If you and your child are having some difficulties with morning drop offs at school, here are a few quick tips to help make things a little easier. 

1. Create a goodbye ritual. Having a goodbye routine provides comfort and familiarity so your child knows what is to come. This can be as easy as a special goodbye handshake or hug or a goodbye saying such as “See you later alligator” 
2. Never make comparisons. Don’t chastise your child and say “Tommy doesn’t cry when he gets dropped off”. 
3. Don’t sneak away. It may be very tempting to quietly sneak away but your child can become more distressed if you suddenly disappear.  
4. Remind your child that you will be coming back. When you pick your child up at the end of the day, reinforce the idea that you came back just like you said you would.  
5. Don’t prolong and drag out goodbyes and hang around the school. As hard as it can be at times, do your best to appear calm and in control of your emotions. Model this behaviour for your child. 

If you want to know more, here is a link to some more information. 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/behaviour/common-concerns/separation-anxiety 

The Clothing Pool is open at the following times:

• Tuesday afternoons 2.45 - 3.30pm
• Friday mornings 8.45 - 9.30am

The Clothing Pool is located in the hall foyer.  When attending the Clothing Pool, please ensure you check in using the Check In CBR app, and adhere to social distancing requirements at all times.  Only one family will be served at a time.

The Clothing Pool sells second hand school uniforms and we accept donations of good quality pre-loved uniforms.  Please bring your donations to the front office.

Thank you to our parent volunteers for providing this service to our school community!

Remember to STOP for our supervisor

A school crossing supervisor is supporting our school each morning and afternoon to increase safety for children. Please support this initiative by driving safely near the school and encouraging children to use the supervised crossing.

Our crossing supervisor is responsible for controlling a busy environment, which includes managing the flow of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists during peak times. It is important for motorists to drive at a speed which allows them to safely stop when the supervisor enters the road. Please be patient and allow the crossing supervisor and other pedestrians to safely clear the road prior to proceeding.

The school community is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the basic crossing supervisor procedures: 

• The supervisor will ask pedestrians to wait in a safe location by the side of the road
• When it is safe, the supervisor will stop traffic
• The supervisor will blow their whistle twice to indicate it is safe to cross. 

The School Crossing Supervisor program is delivered by Transport Canberra and City Services’ School Safety Program. If you have any feedback about the program, please contact TCCS.   

Please be patient, polite and respectful to our supervisor, they are committed to keeping our students safe.

A reminder that orders for the first issue of Scholastic Book Club are closing tomorrow,  Friday 19 February 2021.

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