St Francis of Assisi | eNewsletter

From the Principal

Hi all,

Welcome to 2025! This year promises to be an exciting one for the school as we celebrate our 60^th year – both celebrating the past but moving forward to a new era here at SFOA.

It’s been pleasing to see a very settled start to the year across the classrooms and in the yard. Much of the cultural work we accomplished last year in how our students enter and exit learning spaces, listen in the classroom as well as play in the yard has transferred across to this year. At the launch night I’ll be able to share more broadly the work we have done in a teaching and learning space that I believe has given us strong consistency of practice across the site.

This afternoon I sat up with the Year 6’s discussing the leadership that lay ahead of them this year. The way they responded was incredible.

Launch Night Details

In Week 4 we will officially launch the year ahead with our Launch Night on Wednesday the 19^th of February form 5:45pm. This will be a casual evening where there will be a complimentary sausage sizzle provided for children and adults as well as open classrooms until 6:30pm. At this point I’ll give an address to the community in the MPF detailing the plan for the school year. We have some exciting developments planned as well as the launch of several initiatives so it should be an informative night. There will be a creche’ available for Year 4 students and below (Year 5 and above are welcome to come to the address).

I.C.T rollout

Over the past couple of weeks, we have completed our 1 to 1 rollout of MacBook’s to our Year 3-6 families. All things considered it has been a reasonably smooth transition with only minor challenges with the devices.

It also comes at a unique time in Primary School education, where we are questioning what role technology plays in classroom delivery.

Technology is a powerful tool for learning—but only when used with purpose.

Our new 1:1 device rollout is more than just providing students with computers; it is a deliberate step toward creating a safe, structured, and meaningful digital learning environment.

A device in the hands of our upper primary students does not mean screen time for the sake of screen time. We take screen time seriously, and our approach is intentional—using technology only when it enhances learning.

The conversation has shifted from "What can be done on technology?" to "Does this piece of work require technology?" This ensures that students use devices for meaningful learning experiences rather than passive consumption.

At St Francis of Assisi, technology is not a gimmick—it is a carefully considered tool that supports deeper learning while keeping students safe and engaged. With this rollout, we are shaping responsible digital citizens, ensuring that every device in our school is a gateway to knowledge, not just a screen.

New initiatives

At the end of last year, we announced many exciting initiatives. Keep an eye out on Audiri for opportunities for your children that are being provided by the school to enhance the educational experiences here.

It’s never been more exciting to be at SFOA.

Scott March