Term 4 Newsletter 24th November- 2023

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES

The year has come to an end and what a year it has been…

As this is the last newsletter of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of our community for their support, dedication and commitment to St Francis de Sales. We are fortunate to have devoted, committed and amazing staff that have worked tirelessly to assist your children to achieve academic growth and getting to know Jesus better. For this I say a big thank you to all the staff and to all the students for their efforts this year. I am very grateful to have a great team and I sincerely appreciate all that you do!

I am so proud of our staff for their valuable contributions, love and desire that they have for this school and what they bring to the each role across our school. We have been very blessed to have amazing staff in these roles and we look forward to a wonderful 2024!

This time of year, brings some sadness as we say goodbye to staff, parents and students who have helped us throughout the year. All the very best with what adventures you take and may God’s blessings be upon you always.

St Francis is very lucky to have the support of many generous families who will pitch in to lend a hand whenever it is needed.  We have been able to come together and support one another. For the energy and passion of our families, I say thank you to you.

To the graduation class of 2023, our warmest congratulations and well done. As you grow into young ladies and gentlemen, we trust that the skills, values and attributes you have learnt and developed at St Francis will stand you in good stead for a bright, happy and successful future.

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the opportunity to take a break - however brief - from regular day-to-day affairs. I hope this year that you can use this time to reflect on items that are most important, rather than on what is most urgent. As an educator now for nearly twenty years, I have grown to appreciate how easily the urgent can push aside the important, but I strive daily to focus on the important – our children, families and friends! I hope that, during the holiday break, you will also be able step back and focus on the important topics in your professional and personal lives. Best wishes for a peaceful and joyful holiday.

Areas we are focusing on in 2024

• Familiarisation of the new Australian Curriculum (Version 9) and Diocesan Approach to Reading
• Develop expected dispositions (qualities) of successful learners.
• Embed our Benedictine values into our community.
• Foster a deeped connection to Good Samaritan through service learning.
• Develop a whole school approach to student behaviour management and wellbeing

Report Cards 2023

These will be distributed via email in the last day of school, Friday 1 December. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please do this as soon as possible.

Booklists will posted on our website, emailed and sent in hard copy next week. Texts books, exercise books and reams of paper will be placed in your term one fees. Please ensure that the necessary items on this booklist are all purchased. Please be careful when purchasing items especially stationery items, so that they are not distracting to your child and others in the classroom.

Outstanding School Fees

It is most important that your prompt attention to ensure all outstanding school fee invoices are paid by the end of school term. This is an extremely busy time of year and chasing up overdue accounts draws precious time and effort away from other school initiatives and activities. The school too, has many financial commitments to fulfil by the end of the year and over the school holidays. Your support in paying your fees and levies in full will greatly assist the school to continue to provide and upgrade school and classroom resources.

Upcoming Dates

Term 4 Dates   https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

Week 9

• Monday 27 Nov – Yr 5/6 Cricket Match vs State School 11:30 – 2:00pm
• Wednesday 29 Nov – Graduation Liturgy 5:30pm – Church; 6:30pm Dinner
• Thursday 30 Nov – End of Year Mass – 9:00am – Church; Shared Lunch at 11:00am
• Friday 1 Dec – Last Day of School – Xmas Disco 9:00am – 11:00am

I will email and send an SMS when next year’s calendar has been finalised on our school’s website https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

Many richest Christmas blessing and thanks for reading this year…

Brendan

MIDDLE LEADER

CURRICULUM  COORDINATOR 

The last two weeks have been filled with students trying new experiences. From the Year 5/6 Camp, Swimming lessons and the School Carols/Musical, it has been wonderful to see the students have a go at new skills and learnings.  

 Friday Night  

Tonight, our Year 5/6 students will grace the stage to lead our School Musical/ Christmas Carols. The students have been busy creating the props and learning lines and actions as well as learning new songs! A reminder that the students need to come dressed in Christmas gear, or a Christmas coloured shirt for the night. We will then proceed into the 2023 Awards before sharing dinner. Please bring a salad to share if your eldest child is in Year 5/6 or a dessert to share if your eldest child is in a lower grade. Please remember to bring along drinks for your family. It will be a great night.  

 Camp 

The Year 5/6 Camp was held at Tallebudgera last week. The students joined with the Year 5/6 students from St Patrick’s Allora, to participate in some fun and new activities. Paddle Boarding, Archery, High Ropes and The Giant Swing and Beach Games were among the favourites. Camp is always a wonderful time for students to try new activities and be encouraged by their classmates when they are challenged. It is always wonderful to reinforce skills involving organisation, time management and listening. Please see below some pictures from the camp.  

Camp

Prep/ Yr 1/ Yr 2

P/1/2

As we are now in the final days of the 2023 school year, I’d like to share some of the notable classroom and school highlights through the eyes of the Prep/1/2 students. Students were asked to name two or three learning activities that they consider to be the ‘highlights’ of the 2023 school year.

Blake – technology time, Georgia bringing her puppies to school, art and craft.

Bryce – designing and constructing a troll bridge, our excursion to Toowoomba to see Mr Stink and swimming lessons.

Hunter – technology time, Georgia bringing her puppies to school and art.

Charlie – swimming lessons, classroom co-operative learning time and our excursion to Toowoomba.

Isaac – silkworms and reading.

James – designing and making projects and our excursion to Mr Stink.

Georgia – dancing with Nell and Zarah at the Father’s Day Liturgy and bringing my puppies in for show and tell.

Hunter – making our zipline in science, learning about Georgias puppies, having a classroom shop to learn about money.

Nell – dancing at the Father’s Day Liturgy, swimming lessons, our class excursion to RAFF and the park.

Tommy – making a zipline in science, learning about and seeing Georgia’s puppies, having a classroom shop to learn about money.

Zarah – making a zipline in science, Georgia’s puppies, swimming lessons.

On behalf of the Prep/1/2 staff, I’d like to acknowledge and thank our families for your continued support and commitment. It has been a pleasure to be a part of your child’s learning journey,  watching them grow and learn socially, emotionally and academically, in an environment where they feel connected, engaged and challenged.

We look forward to working with you and your children again in 2024. Have an enjoyable and safe break!

YEAR 3/4

Year 3/4   

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for a wonderful year. I feel very blessed to be trusted with your children and take this role seriously. I appreciate your openness and willingness to support your child's learning. For some families we've spent many years together and have shared treasured memories. Your children have a special place in my heart.

Wishing you a safe and blessed Christmas shared with family and loved ones. 

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2024.

Year 5/6 News

Year 5/6

What a wonderful year we have had in 5/6. I would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Andrea Lewis for being my teaching partner over the last two years. I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the indelible impact she’s had on all of us. Mrs Lewis’ passion and unwavering dedication has been a beacon of inspiration. Her patience, kindness, and the genuine care she’s shown to each student has created an environment where students felt supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. While we will miss your presence dearly, Mrs Lewis, we wish you all the success and happiness in your future endeavors! 

Very soon, St Francis will we be saying farewell to our Year 6 students. As you spread your wings and move on to new adventures in secondary school, remember that you carry with you the knowledge, skills, and cherished memories from your time here. Embrace the challenges ahead with the same spirit that has defined your years at St Francis de Sales. To our Year 6 graduates, we applaud you for your hard work, resilience, and the positive impact you've had on us all. Your journey doesn't end here; it's a stepping stone to even greater achievements.  

May your future be as bright as the potential we see in each and every one of you. Congratulations, Year 6! Shine on and know that you will always have a special place in the heart of St Francis de Sales.  

SPORT

PE with Mr Red

 Swimming 

Our recent swimming lessons and carnival were a tidal wave of success, and we couldn't be prouder of each and every student. In swimming lessons, we witnessed incredible growth and development. From conquering that first nervous splash to confidently gliding through the water, the progress has been nothing short of spectacular. It was a joy to hear teachers praising the improvements in skill and confidence.  

And let's not forget the grand finale – the Swimming Carnival! The pool echoed with cheers as students showcased their newfound swimming prowess. We saw sportsmanship that would make dolphins proud! Whether students were the fastest fish in the pool or they cheered on their friends from the sidelines, you were all champions. 

Past Students Caitlin and Madeleine Lucas – St Francis de Sales Graduates become NET Missionaries 

In January next year, past St Francis students Caitlin and Madeleine Lucas will be leaving paid work to become full-time volunteers with NET Ministries Australia. NET, which stands for National Evangelisation Teams, seeks to fulfil its mission of encouraging young people to love Jesus and embrace the Church by running retreats called Encounter Days, youth groups, young adult discussion groups, university ministry and a variety of other activities that seek to meet the needs of the young people. 

 Caitlin and Madeleine are raising $6500 each to go toward food, accommodation, and other essentials across the year. To assist in fundraising efforts, the girls are holding a trivia night on the 2 December 2023 from 4-6 at O’Shanley’s Irish Bar and Restaurant.  There will be a Christmas raffle and a stall at the next Clifton markets.  If any of these appeal to you, the ladies would appreciate your support at these events. 

 Caitlin and Madeleine also ask for your support in the form of intercessory prayer for the sisters, their teams, and for the young people they will be ministering to. Caitlin and Madeleine will send updates throughout the year to the parish and school to let you all know what life as a missionary looks like and all the exciting things we will be sharing with young people all over Australia and New Zealand.   

P & F UNIFORM SHOP

Uniform Shop Co-Ordinator: Kylie Hay

Contact Details: kurlz@live.com.au or 0487 582 107

Uniform Shop Days: MOST Thursdays & Fridays

If you would like uniforms, please fill in the updated Invoice Sheet and email or text Kylie to either arrange a time to meet or for the order to be sent home with your child. If you have an old invoice copy, please bin it and replace with our updated one. This can be found on the Facebook page or request one from me directly.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

• We have some good quality second hand winter uniforms and also summer uniforms available for $5 per item if you’re looking for an extra jumper, shirt, shorts etc. Please note that only limited sizes and items are available but you are welcome to request second hand if available.
• We are no longer stocking the following items however we still have limited stock available for a discounted price if you would still like to purchase them.
  • Green Fleece Vest $10
    • Sizes 4,6,8,12 & 14 available
  • Long Sleeve Boys Polo Shirts $15
    • Sizes 4,10,12,14 & Small available
  • Girls Green Long Formal Pants $10
    • All sizes except 10 available
  • Girls Green Long Sports Pants $15
    • Sizes 4,6,8,10 & 16 available

If you urgently require uniforms on a day other than Thursday or Friday, please let me know and I can arrange this with the staff at St Francis De Sales. Please note I do work and will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

STUDENT PROTECTION CONTACTS

Feeling Safe- All students have a right to feel safe and be safe.

If you are concerned about any form of abuse that is immediate, you should call 000. A significant risk or harm to a student, whether or not you have formed this belief on reasonable ground, should immediately be raised with one of our Student Protection Contacts.

ADMINISTRATION

School Fees:

We do recommend the setting-up of a direct debit facility to pay regular amounts into the school account. This alleviates overdue bills.

SCHOOL Bank Details

BSB: 064786

A/C: 100023789