Term 1 Newsletter 28th March-2024
Principal's Message
Did you survive?
Being the last newsletter for the term, I would like to extend a very sincere thank you for a wonderful start to the year. It was short in time, but big in achievements. It is only through the genuine positive partnerships that exist here at St Francis that we continue to provide a quality learning environment for your children.
I am so thankful for the continued efforts of our great staff. This Term, has seen the inception of our strategic plan, including our St Francis de Sales values, continuation of our writing, reading and religious education improvement strategies, the talking about our learning dispositions (qualities), engaging / fun lessons (check out our Facebook Page), cross country and many sporting events, various liturgies and religious celebrations, PEN discussions, parent information nights, tuckshop on Fridays, parent teacher interviews, the list goes on!!! All this just doesn’t happen. Behind the scenes, our amazing staff (and parents) that go to great lengths in organising these initiatives, and for that, I sincerely commend them for their time and effort.
The feedback I have received from both teachers and parents following recent parent teacher interviews is most rewarding. There is a real feeling that each and every person wants the best for the children who attend and want the school to continue providing its unique brand of service, care and quality education.
Being a parent is a hard job, a complicated job, and sometimes a lonely job. Probably, it’s the most important job people will ever have because as their child’s first teacher, they will make a difference. Parents here at St Francis have the opportunity to form a viable partnership with their child’s teacher, because together they have a common goal: a successful school year for each child. Teachers need to know that we are all on their side and if we aren’t, we need to be able to express ourselves as to why not.
It’s important to remember that parents and teachers are partners in helping each child achieve a successful transition to adulthood. This combined support is essential if the transition is to be a positive developmental experience for your child. A good relationship with your child’s teacher will make it easier for you to stay informed about your child’s progress across all areas of schooling and to work together if problems arise during the year.
On occasion, you might find that your teacher has constructive criticism about your child; it’s important to keep an open mind to the teacher’s comments. Neither the child nor the teacher is perfect – nor parents for that matter – so, if a problem arises, it’s important to consider both sides of the story. The outcome should be the one that helps your child succeed at school. There needs to be sensitivity that respects the teacher as a well-trained professional and consideration that respects the parents who have special knowledge of their child.
Our teachers and support staff are dedicated and caring and want to excel in their teaching and guidance of young people. Everyone likes to be appreciated and teachers are no exception. If we continue with the “We” attitude and work with our child’s teacher, then our child will have a great school year.
The Hard Work Pays Off
About this time, kids begin to show the tell-tale signs of weariness. Friendships are tested and resilience and persistence starts to drop. It is not only the students who start to feel the strain of a busy school term, parents do as well.
We know the amount of effort which goes into parenting. From the preparedness of each school day and school events to the after school and weekend extra-curricular activities, parents are pushed to the limit. It is at times like these that everyone, especially the significant adults in the lives of children, make a concerted effort to keep going. Don’t forget, your child’s teacher is your ally. The continuation of open communication and support is vital for the ongoing emotional health of your children.
It is vital that parents and teachers continue to promote persistence by encouraging children to keep going and not give in at the slightest hurdle or difficulty. The ability to persist at a task and see it through to the end is one of the most import success attributes that you can develop in a child. There are numerous times in the school year where children must persist rather than give in. A young child learning to tie their shoelace must persist. Students need determination to complete set tasks. Children need to be able to persist when work gets tough, life seems hard or relationships are not so positive. It is vital that they learn to work through difficulties and hang in their when things don’t go their way. Some children are naturally more predisposed to persist than others. They have a determined, even competitive, streak in their temperament that doesn’t allow them to give in.
Research has shown that persistence is one temperamental factor that can be improved over time. Parents and teachers can develop persistence in children and also impede its development by making life too easy for children so that they don’t have opportunities to persist or hang in there.
Parents can be sounding boards for their children’s gripes, but they should show confidence in their ability to cope and get through periods of difficulty. “You Can Do It” is far more powerful in terms of promoting an attitude or persistence than “if it’s a little too hard, then try something else.”
Let children know that there is a direct link between effort and success. In fact, they need to learn that by giving effort they will more than likely experience more success. The ability to persist in the face of difficulties maybe an old fashioned quality but it is one of the best success attributes that children will ever develop. If you detect a drop in persistence, try these practical strategies to rejuvenate effort levels:-
Use and display a vocabulary for persistence. For example, “Hang Tough”, “Work Hard”, “Hang in There”.
Catch them out when they stick at a task. Similar to the effectiveness in catching them out and acknowledging when they make good choices in behaviour. Let them know when they have been persistent and remind them their efforts will pay off. Remind children when they experienced success by hanging in there. Let them know if that their persistence has paid off before and it will happen again.
Talk about hard work with your children. Tell them about family members who work hard. They need to understand that to be successful they need to do things that are not always fun and easy. While it would be good if all work and learning was fun, in reality, this is not always the case.
My best wishes for a safe and Holy Easter season to you and your families. Take the time to be peaceful and prayerful as we approach the holiday period and enjoy ‘down-time’ with family and loved ones. Intentions such as peace and harmony will focus us as we attend Easter Masses and worship services. We have had a productive term. Let’s enjoy the Easter break and look forward to renewing the positive relationships that exist across our school community in Term 2.
Staffing changes to Term 2
As you are aware, Linda Fogarty will now enjoy the retirement life, with Jennifer Petrie settling into her new role here at St Francis. We welcome back Mrs Gina Auger, who comes back from long service leave. During Mrs Auger’s absence, Mrs Leanne Pingel has taken on the full time load of supporting in the Prep/1/2/3 classroom.
Changes to Calendar Events:
The list of school events are located on the school’s webpage – https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar
This is a great way of keeping up to date with upcoming events. Emails, notifications and Facebook posts will also occur throughout the year to inform and remind you of upcoming events etc. Please see the next couple of events happening very soon:-
Term 2 – Week 1
Mon 14 April – Pupil Free Day
Tues 15 April – Tennis SD – Warwick
Wed 16 April – Cross Country – Pilton
Fri 17 April – Clifton Show Holiday
Week 2
Tues 23 April – Cobb n Co Museum School Tour
Thurs 25 April – ANZAC Day – Public Holiday – 10:30am school marching on this day in formal
uniform
Fri 26 April – ANZAC Liturgy 2:20pm
Week 3
Thurs 2 May – Southern Downs Cross Country – Warwick
Regards,
Mr Red
Middle Leader
Thank you for coming along to the Parent-Teacher Interviews over the last two weeks. The teachers appreciate meeting with you to discuss your child. Each student is an individual, and we love to discuss each child and their learning journey. These conversations are so important to build connections between the home and the school.
During your interviews, you may have heard the terms; Below Standard, At Standard, or Above Standard. The ‘Standard’ is based on the expected skills, understanding and knowledge of the End of Year Achievement Standard for child’s Year Level.
What do these terms mean?
Below Standard = D or E on the report card. These marks are given when your child requires support, or explicit teacher support. It is not uncommon, for students to receive a D in the Semester One Report Cards. This means that they are not yet demonstrating end of year capabilities, and really, we don’t expect them to know it all and be able to demonstrate it all in Semester One. They are on their way.
At Standard = C on the report card. It does not mean that your child has scored 50%. This means that your child is demonstrating AT STANDARD knowledge, skills and ability. This means that your child has reached the END of Year benchmark for the topics covered during the semester.
Above Standard = B or A on the report card. To receive a B on a report card, a child needs to be applying their knowledge in new situations. Can they use what they know and use it in a different context?
An A on the report card does not mean 90% to 100%. To receive an A, your child must apply what they know in new and unseen situations. Can they explain their thinking, and can they compare and analyse? Do they ‘go deep’ in their understanding?
Prep/Yr 1/Yr 2/Yr 3 News
Last week we went on an excursion to the Clifton Museum. It is well worth the visit for families and friends. The children were delighted in the changes of the school room compared to our classroom. Mrs Tickner did a wonderful job-sharing ways things have changed over the years. She shared stories of visiting the toilet outside during the night and that she and her siblings shared a room and bed for years. The children loved exploring the telephones, cameras and outdoor machinery. Proudly we have written a report of investigation of how communities have changed.
In the days leading to Easter we have been sharing the story of the resurrection using resurrection eggs. Each day we open a plastic egg revealing a symbol of the Easter story. We read the story and discuss each part of the story.
We have been learning to write persuasive texts. When Mrs D visited, she modelled a write on the topic- surprises! The children have used high modality words to persuade the audience that surprises are the BEST!
.
Mrs Skillington
Yr 4/5/6 News
In the last fortnight, Year 4/5/6 have been learning about the Jewish Faith by learning about the inside of synagogues, about their symbols and how items in the synagogue are used. The students had some wonderful questions. We had a discussion about Jesus being a Jew and discussed that even though Jesus was a Jew, people of Jewish faith do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. We then discussed how Christianity is different from the Jewish Faith.
We then looked at the way Jewish people live their faith week to week through the observance of Shabbat. It was very interesting!
In HASS, we continued our learning on Federation and the Government, by exploring historical policies the government has used to exclude people from entering Australia and excluding various groups from voting. We discussed our democratic system of government, and how our constitution was influenced by America and the Westminster democratic systems.
In English, we published all of our narratives! These are on display in the classroom and are looking great.
Thank you for a great Term One!
Mrs Busiko
Sport
PE with Mrs Malbon and Mr Red
We have begun our Athletics unit, with long jump, high jump, shot put and discus. From the beginning of Term 2, students will experience these rotations, in preparation for our carnival which will be held over the last couple of weeks on term.
Monday 10 June will see 9-12yrs compete in High Jump, Wednesday 12 June will see us compete in the 800/200 metre events and on Friday 16 June will we compete with St Patrick’s, Allora in a combined school carnival at St Patrick’s, Allora.
Cross Country Event
Congratulations goes to McKenna for winning the 2024 Cross Country at St Francis. Please see the results below:-
Event 1 – 8 years Boys
1st James Johnson – Cosgrove
2nd Hunter Olsen – McKenna
3rd Blake Newman – McKenna
Event 2 – 5/6/7 years Boys and Girls
1st Billy Byrne (5 years) – McKenna
1st Olivia Bazley (6 years) – McKenna
1st Vance Bridge (6 years) – Cosgrove
1st Chase Johnstone (7 years) – McKenna
1st Zarah Daley (7 years) – McKenna
2nd Nell Skillington (7 years) – Cosgrove
Event 3 – 9/10 years Boys and Girls
1st James Patterson (9 years) – Cosgrove
2nd Chaz Daley (9 years) – Mckenna
3rd Charlie Harrigan (9 years) – McKenna
1st Olive Newman (9 years) – McKenna
2nd Skyler Moss (9 years) – Cosgrove
1st Henry Johnson (10 years) – Cosgrove
2nd Joseph Ramsey (10 years) – McKenna
3rd Rhys Gascoyne (10 years) – Cosgrove
1st Matilda Skillington (10 years) – Cosgrove
2nd Shaneil Escalona (10 years) – Cosgrove
3rd Charlotte Trimingham (10 years) – Cosgrove
Event 4 – 11/12 years Boys and Girls
1st Emmett Harrigan (11 years) – McKenna
1st Sophie Joppich (11 years) – McKenna
2nd Natalie Patterson (11 years) – Cosgrove
3rd Lexi Logan (11 years) - McKenna
1st Harvey Kuhn (12 years) – Cosgrove
2nd Jackson Kuhn (12 years) – Cosgrove
3rd Theo Carlile (12 years) – Cosgrove
1st Hope Olsen (12 years) – McKenna
2nd Katherine James (12 years) – Cosgrove
All the best to Sophie, Natalie, Harvey, Jackson, Matilda, Henry and Joseph as they represent St Francis at Pilton in the Central Downs Cross Country Event next term.
A massive shout out to Joseph Ramsey (currently in Brisbane swimming his heart out). He is representing Darling Downs at the State Swimming Championships this week. All the very best Joseph – go well.
Yours in sport
Mr Red
PEN 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.
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.
Other Happenings
