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Term 2 Newsletter 10th May 2024

Principal's Message

BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT

Welcome to week four, how quick has term two gone? Thank you also for your cooperation in organising your children to get to school on time, with the correct uniform. The recent chilly weather has meant those jumpers and long pants will be needed for the next few months. I have noticed some smart-looking kids walking around our school, looking their best. I have also observed impressive behaviour from students across all year levels, including looking teachers in the eye and saying good morning. It is a simple gesture but demonstrates tremendous respect and confidence. I have also seen an improvement with my own children at home.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend some professional learning around the areas of Religious Leadership and staying in the present. Leadership, across our school community and in our daily lives doesn’t rest with the principal of the school, or with mum or day. We all have our own part to play in being our own leaders in life, especially our children. Staff continually focus on the question… ‘how can I be the very best version of myself today?’

Giving our children the sense of achievement, success and positively allows their brain to develop into a growth mindset (Carol Dweck’s work) in which they see opportunities or challenges as learnings rather than obstacles. Allowing our children to fail, make a mistake or try for themselves enables their brain to develop and learn. This mindset establishes a foundation of trust and independence with themselves and creates a platform for learning throughout life. These directly relate to our recent Learner Qualities of Confidence, Cooperation, Resilience and Persistence.

I believe raising and rearing children is one of the hardest roles in life, as each situation/moment or event, is not always the same and each decision made can have two sides to an outcome. Both maybe right at the time, but which one is the best answer. These decisions, as with life, require right judgement, patience and understanding and values, we teach and educate here at St Francis, and I am sure also at home. Knowing when to step in and not, knowing when to give the child space and when to have a chat is all about the journey. Moments that need for us, to be present in the moment.

Having the opportunity to be in the present, in the moment allows us to be fully aware of what is around us. Life is not static; we must ride the ebbs and flows of what life brings us. Challenges, disappointments, successes, sadness, ups and downs is all a part of life. Celebrate the here and now, apologise if a mistake has happened and focus on what is now. If we are still holding on to things in the past, are we truly able to spread our wings or does this feeling from the past weigh us down?

I urge you to listen to a wonderful presenter named Rob Bell, who explains to us that a ‘New Spirit’ is needed. If we can be fully present in the here and now, we can be open to the things in the future. What is needed for today, is a new spirit – Rob Bell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6xRYunuf4M

Here are helpful hints to be more present in your daily life:

Celebrate the little things/success.
Understanding that you don’t have all the answers.
Limit the amount of time on social media or devices.
Listen without tending to respond – just be there, in the moment.
Take time to really breathe.
Be grateful for things each day and if possible, say them to those people.

This Sunday May we celebrate one of the most special days of each year – Mother’s Day. I pray that this Mother’s Day be a special day for all mothers, grandmothers, and guardians of our St Francis de Sales School community. Please be assured that your love, care, and support of your children is appreciated by them and us here at St Frannies – we really appreciate what you do. Have a wonderful day on Sunday, hopefully spoilt rotten.

PREP AND ENROLMENTS FOR 2025

A number of interviews have taken place for Prep 2025. Please continue to promote and talk about our beautiful school within the community. If you know of any families with Prep aged children please encourage them to make contact with Jennifer in the front office or visit our website https://www.clifton.catholic.edu.au/

UPCOMING GALA DAYS AND UNDER 8s DAY

On Friday May 24 and again on Friday 7 June, students across the school (Year 3 to Year 6) will be participating in the Sporting Gala days at Allora. This will involve students playing games of Rugby League, Soccer or Netball. As in the past, you will need to provide travel for your child, as this is normally well attended by parents. If you are unable to arrange transport, to and from Allora, please let me know and if you wish your student not to attend, please let me know by Friday 17 May.

On Friday 7 June, the Prep to Year 2, will be participating in a morning of fun and enjoyment at the Under 8s Day, which is held at the Clifton State School. Please also check your emails for further information and Meal Deal orders for this day (paper copy sent home as well).

Thanks for reading…

Regards,

Mr Red

CHANGES TO CALENDAR EVENTS:

The list of school events is 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: -

Week 5

Mon 13 May – Pie Drive Order forms due back

Tues 14 May – Cross Country – Darling Downs

Fri 17 May – Walk to School Safely Day

Week 6

Wed 22 May – Assumption College Visit for Year 5/6

Thurs 23 May – Be a preppie for a morning (Prep 2025 interested students)

Fri 24 May – Gala Sports Day in Allora

Sun 26 May – Family Sunday Mass – 9:30am – Pentecost

Week 7

Fri 31 May – Reconciliation Week Liturgy

Week 8

Wed 5 June – Dress up State of Origin Colours

Fri 7 June – Gala Sports Day in Allora – Under 8s Day at Clifton State School

Week 9

Mon 10 June – High Jump Trials at St Francis – 9-12 years Boys and Girls

Wed 12 June - 800/200m events at St Francis – just our school

Thurs 13 June – Be a preppie for a morning (Prep 2025 interested students)

Fri 14 June – Athletics Carnival combined with St Francis and St Patrick’s at St Patrick’s Allora

Week 10

Fri 21 June – NAIDOC Celebrations and Semester One Report Cards emailed out to families.

Middle Leader

Middle Leader

As a school, our St Francis teachers are definitely a team. During a conversation with Mrs Malbon the other day, she said, "Our St Francis students are 'all' ours. They aren't just one teacher's. That is very true. As a team, we work together to assist your child in all areas of their development, whether it be academically, socially, or emotionally.

I would also like to thank you, the parents for being open and honest as we journey with your child. Our staff all want the best for your child, so it has been wonderful over the last two weeks to have conversations around your child and their school journey. Please remember, that knowledge is power for us. If your child is having trouble with their homework, a social situation or just having a worry about something, please do not hesitate to let us know. When we know, we can keep a look out and support your child.

Report cards will be uploaded in the Parent Portal in week 10. For a Semester One Report Card, it is not uncommon for children to receive a below standard mark of a D. This is because students have not yet reached the end of year benchmark for their year level. If this mark is given to your child, an email will be sent prior to you. If you would like to contact your teacher and discuss marks, please always feel welcome to do so.

Prep/Yr 1/Yr 2/ Yr 3 News

In our Religion lessons we have focused on the seven sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church. I've challenged the children each day to remember all seven sacraments as part of our daily review. We've spent time reading and making meaning of scripture from Luke's Gospel. John the Baptist calls us to turn away from sin by sharing what we have, showing love and giving forgiveness freely.

Our HASS unit has gained much curiosity and interest in our First Nations People's culture. The students loved making Indigenous artefacts, researching facts and note taking to inform their written descriptions. Our second task has called students to choose a totem animal, create a visual image and explain why they chose this animals. We look forward to sharing our work during NAIDOC week later in the term.

One of our favourite daily routines is affectionately called kitty cat. This is our explicit phonics, spelling, handwriting lesson. Each week we review phonics and introduce new phonemes, we segment and blend sounds to spell and write words and we are working on correct letter formation. We have recently enhanced this routine with new resources from Decodable Readers Australia.

We have been striving to catch students being kind and reward them with Kindness tickets. Small acts of kindness can really make a huge difference. These tickets are drawn from the box each week at assembly.

Mrs Skillington

Yr 5/6 News

Year 4/5/6

We have had a wonderful week in 4/5/6. Students have been busy learning about migrants and have been enjoying our new class book, 'Refuge' by Jackie French. The book begins with our character fleeing his country and travelling by boat to Australia. We are all predicting what will happen to our main characters. The boat is currently in stormy weather and is quickly filling with water. A big wave has just crashed over their boat and Farris is unconscious in the water. What will happen?

This week in Religion, we wrapped up or learning about the Holy Spirit. It has been wonderful to see the students' understanding grow around this topic.

In Maths, we are focusing on fractions, location, 2D shapes and chance and data. The students have enjoyed participating in experiments to determine the likelihood of events.

Sport

PE with Mrs Malbon, Mrs Lanagan, Mrs Auger and Mr Red

Athletics has continued over the past two weeks, with students receiving specific training and being taught the specific skills that will help them succeed. We have also spent time coaching soccer, netball, rugby league and ball skills with the students this week.

Recent Representative Sporting Events – 10 to 12 years students

Congratulations to Bryce Bateman and Rhys Gascoyne for their recent efforts at the Darling Downs Rugby League Trials. Rhys was selected as a Shadow for the DD team this year. Well, done gentlemen.

Congratulations to Sophie Joppich in her recent efforts at the Southern Downs Cross Country Event in Warwick. Joseph Ramsey has been selected to trial at the Darling Downs Cross Country next week. Well, done to Sophie and all the best for Joseph.

Yours in sport,

Mrs. Malbon and Mr. Red