Term 4 Newsletter, 25th October 2024
Principal's Message
World Teacher’s Day 25 October
One of the many events or significant occasions occurring this term is the annual World Teachers Day. This year’s theme, “Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education” is a particularly poignant one. It underscores the importance of education in shaping and valuing the expertise that we have at St Francis de Sales. It highlights the significant role our educators play in guiding and inspiring students to become active and responsible participants in shaping the world ahead. It is vital that we as recipients of their knowledge and skills, acknowledge the contributions that teachers have made to our lives and the lives of our children.
When I look back over my career and schooling, it is those teachers who make the most of each moment and build connections/relationships with their students. It is these teachers that leave the best impression. They too are the ones who also stop and take time to really get to know kids and not just the ones in their class.
I would like to say my personal thank you to the teachers who give of their time and who make the most of teachable moments. Thank you for trying another angle to explain how something works. Thank you for volunteering to take a small group who may find a particular concept challenging. Thank you answering the thousands of questions. Thank you for extending the classroom beyond the four walls of the classroom. Thank you to all staff and volunteers. I have witnessed many of you teach…you may not have been intentional but through the giving of your time and genuine desire to see students succeed, you too have made a difference.
World Teachers Day was celebrated yesterday at St Francis de Sales. In the busyness of life, we sometimes let occasions such as this slip by without saying anything. I hope our teachers feel the greatness of teaching and receive the due recognition they deserve. A simple thank you is such a powerful gift.
Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal
During Term 4, Vinnies begins its annual Christmas Appeal, seeking donations and funds to help support people during the festive season. It is estimated that there are over 750,000 children across Australia living in poverty with many families and individuals feeling socially isolated. The Christmas Appeal aims to support families and individuals who are struggling by helping to pay bills, provide food, clothing, hampers and presents during the festive season.
During Term 4 we invite you to participate in the Christmas Appeal by donating goods or gifts to add to hampers which will be given to families and individuals in our local community. This could consist of Long-Life Milk; Milo; Jelly; Long Life Juice; Christmas Cake; Pancake Mix; Cordial; Lollie's; Rice; Cereal; Fruit Mince Pies; Biscuits-Sweet and Savoury; Tinned Vegetables; Pasta; Pasta Sauce; Spreads - Jam, Vegemite; Gravy Mix; Soup etc.
Show ‘n’ Shine – done for 2024
Thank you to all for your wonderful support and contributions that made the Show ‘n’ Shine one of the best ones yet. I believe we had around 50 car and bike entries this year, which is a great response from our community. Massive thank you to those parents, especially our Year 4/5s, who made the effort to either be there in person or provided home-bake. A very special mention to Mrs. Jess Johnson for taking the reins in the preparation, organisation and running of the event. Ladies (and some dads), a huge job and managed very well. Great work.
School Fees for Term 4
Please be diligent and finalise your school fees for term 4. If you haven’t received the email, please contact the office. Your prompt payment allows us to successfully pay for class resources and extra-curricular activities. It also enables us to confidently enter the new year in a good financial position to continue to offer quality teaching and learning experience, state of the art facilities and desired staffing levels. Your continued financial commitment to the school is an investment in your child’s education and future.
Upcoming Dates
Term 4 Dates (please refer to our online calendar for our most up to date list of events for the year) https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar
Upcoming dates for term 4
Week 5
Fri 1 Nov – All Saints Day; Back Plains Speech Competition – congratulations to Katherine, Sophie and Olive
Sun 3 Nov – Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser – helpers needed – please see Facebook post
Week 6
Tues 5 Nov – Melbourne Cup
Week 7
Mon 11 Nov – Remembrance Day Liturgy – 2:15pm all welcome to attend
Thurs 14 Nov – Prep 2025 Transition Day – (9:00-10:30am)
Week 8
Mon 18 Nov – Swimming Lessons (please see recent announcement around swimming)
Thurs 21 Nov – Swimming Lessons
Fri 22 Nov – Swimming Lessons
Sun 24 Nov – Family Sunday Mass – 9:30am
Week 9
Mon 25 Nov – Swimming Lessons
Tues 26 Nov – Swimming Lessons
Wed 27 Nov – Swimming Lessons
Thurs 28 Nov – Swimming carnival – 9:00-11:00am
Fri 29 Nov – End of Year Awards / Carols – 5:30pm
Week 10
Mon 2 Dec – Report Cards published to the Parent Portal
Tues 3 Dec – Year 6 Transition to Clifton High School
Wed 4 Dec – Graduation Liturgy 5:30pm and Dinner for Year 6
Thurs 5 Dec – End of Year Mass 9:00am; Shared Morning Tea, Year 6 Fun afternoon
Fri 6 Dec – Christmas Disco – 9am to 11am (Last Day of School)
God bless and thanks for reading…
Cheers,
Brendan
Middle Leader News
Collecting student data offers numerous benefits that enhance educational outcomes and decision-making processes. By gathering data on academic performance, attendance, and behaviour, educators can gain valuable insights into individual student needs and progress. This information enables personalised learning, as teachers can tailor instruction and interventions to address specific strengths and weaknesses.
In the upcoming weeks, your child/ren will be participating in a variety of data collection processes. Teachers will be able to pass on the information collected to you. We will support your child through this process, and all they need to do, is to try their very best.
Mrs. Busiko
Prep/1/2/3 News
Our math cycle of learning focuses on measurement for the next few weeks. We will spend a week each on length, mass and capacity. We have so far enjoyed exploring informal and formal measurements of length. Children engage in the practical learning experiences in order to make more abstract connections to problem solve.
We have been exploring ways we remember Mary's story. Mary is such a positive role model for us. The children have created a picture of her in real life.
Everyone has completed their information reports. This was a massive writing task, and all of the children were persistent and committed to their writing task. We are now creating poems for our chosen animal.
This week we are beginning our reading testing for the term. The greatest gift for a prep teacher is to teach a child to read. I look forward to sharing the students' progress with you.
Mrs. Skillington
Yr. 4/5/6 News
Week 4 camp to Maroochydore was amazing. The Year 5 and 6 students had a wonderful time working as a team and trying out some new activities. All the students are to be commended on their participation, cooperation and resilience. Camps are wonderful to grow your child's confidence and persistence.
Thank you to Mrs. Malbon and Mrs. Groombridge for looking after the Year 4s and teaching them all about note taking and information reports. This will be useful in week 5, when we begin our information reports on an Asian country. In Week 8, we will have a class feast!
Thank you to the Year 6 parents who have sent through the photos. Please keep them coming as soon as possible.
Year 5 parents, you will receive an email regarding year 6 2025 shirts next week. Please read the instructions carefully.
Mrs. Busiko
P.E. News with Mr. Red & Mrs. Malbon
The students have continued their cricket skills focusing on catching, bowling and throwing. In rip tag, students have learnt the rules of the game, how to pass and evade the opposition by dodging and weaving. Some pickleball skills have also been taught due to the recent rain we have last week. Please email me (Mr. Red) with any swimming nominations that you may have. We are looking forward to swimming and our swimming carnival is in week 9 (as per the dates in calendar).
Yours in all things sporty,
Mrs. Malbon and Mr. Red
Teacher Appreciation Day
A shout out to our wonderful St Francis De Sales teacher's, we are so fortunate to have you. We appreciate all you do for our students and families.
Tips for High School
Being Organised
Print out multiple timetables
Timetables are lists that tell you where and when you need to go to get to your class. Stick them to things you can’t lose like folders or workbooks. Keep a copy in your pencil case and bag as a backup.
Make sure you can find the front office
The people at the front office will be able to help you with where you need to be if you get confused.
Have a map of the school
A map will help you find where you need to go, or at least find your way back to the front office. Colour in the rooms your classes are in to help you remember them.
Keeping Up with Study
Homework club
Find out if your school has a homework club that meets before or after school (or sometimes at lunch) and go to this if you can.
Find some study buddies
Find people doing the same subjects as you and do homework as a group. This is more motivating, keeps you organised, and you can help each other.
Print out Term Planners
Many subjects/classes with have a Term Planner which has a list of what topics you will be studying each week. Print these out and stick this in your workbook for the subject. This helps you prepare and know what you missed if you were away.
Look over what you will be leaning before you get to class
This will help get your brain ready to learn. The more times you look at work the better you will remember it. It also allows you to find out what the hard parts are, so you have time to get help with these.
Ask for Revision Tests
A “Revision Test” or “Practice Test” is a test very similar to a real test coming up. These are the best way to study for a test. Sometimes teachers give them to the whole class before a test, sometimes you might need to ask.
Managing Stress
Have strategies to let stress out
Make sure you have some (at least 2-3) strategies/activities to let stress out (e.g., that are fun or relaxing) that you can do at school (e.g., read a book, do colouring/drawing, go for run, kick a ball etc.). Make sure you have a strategy you can use in class as well (e.g., 5 finger breathing, square breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, positive self-talk etc.)
Learn more about stress management
Programs like https://www.momentumhub.org.au/ are free and have great tools to learn more about managing stress, anxiety and mood.
Make sure you have someone to talk to about stress
Have a list of safe people you plan to talk to when you get stressed (e.g., parents/guardians, grandparents, extended family etc.). Talk to someone before you go over 5/10 stressed; don’t wait until you are at 7/10 or 8/10 stressed or you can become overwhelmed. Counsellors at https://kidshelpline.com.au/ (1800 55 1800) are always available to chat and are happy to talk about anything no matter how big or small. If you haven’t called or (or text chatted) with Kids Helpline before, do a practice run and contact them with your parents/guardians first so everyone knows how it works. This way you’ll feel more confident calling them when you have something on your mind.
Mr. Christopher Byrne
Guidance Counsellor