St Francis of Assisi School Newsletter 21/03/2024
2023 AGM Report
Writing the 2023 AGM report as the Principal who has started in 2024 is somewhat complex. I have drawn on colleagues to focus on the achievements on 2023, but also used this report as a lens to look forward into 2024.
2023 saw the resignation of Principal James Meiksans from St Francis of Assisi, Newton. It’s important to acknowledge the significant work of James throughout the years as the school transitioned from an R-7 school to an R-6 school. This change across the system brought many challenges regarding staffing, and I know there was significant work completed by James in this space. I’d like to thank James for the work that he completed during his time at SFOA as well as his broader career in Catholic Education.
We also thank Angela Morrison and Kerri Dent for their leadership across the past 18 months respectively. The role of Acting Principal is a challenging one to navigate, especially across longer periods of time. I’d like to thank both Angela and Kerri for their time at SFOA and wish her them all the best in their future roles.
2023 saw the opening of the Nature Play area on the Eastern Edge of the school. The spectacular area is used strongly by our students and adds to the wide array of play opportunities for students at SFOA.
There were also a wide array of community events including the biannual Dance Concert held in a marquee in the piazza area, as well the Quiz Night ran by the P and F committee. I’d like to thank the P and F for their ongoing work to building community at our school.
Our enrolment profile remained steady with 250 students attending the school at the August census.
During term 4 the school launched the 2024-2026 strategic plan which will guide the future work of the school moving forward. Part of this strategic plan is to re-establish our school, as the school of choice in the East in both a space of enrolment growth and high-quality teaching and learning.
Staffing
At the conclusion of 2023 Alison Hubner-Booth was seconded to the Catholic Education Office to be a part of the Learning team in the system. We wish Alison all the best in this role for 2024.
Moving into 2023 we welcomed Carla Maio, Kayla Russell, Sarah Tirimacco into classroom teaching positions at our school. We have also welcomed Louise Belperio into a Front Office Admin position at the school.
Furthermore, with the support of CESA we have employed Ms Michelle Page to Assistant Principal Learning Diversity at St Francis of Assisi. Michelle will play a crucial role in being a direct point of contact for families when working in a disability space.
At the beginning of the year as a leadership team we identified we were considerably under resourced regarding Education Support Officers at our school. Education Support Officers support students and teachers at school in a variety of ways, however the predominant use of ESO’s is to support students with adjustments to their learning. Often the need for these adjustments is based on disability.
By the end of Week 8 the school has employed 7 new Education Support Officers to fill various roles across the school. These range from supporting students with disability, as well as running our various intervention programs. We are also introducing a new intervention program called Reading Tutor, which is a 1 to 1 program for students who need significant intervention.
Connecting in, Reaching out – 2024/2025 Theme
At the 2024 Launch Night we launched our theme for the next two years which is ‘Connecting In, Reaching out’ This will guide our strategic direction as a school board, staff, parent and student body as we move towards our 60th Year in 2025. ‘Connecting in’ speaks of the desire to tighten our practices as a school at an organisational level, ensuring that the school operates in an efficient, highly professional manner.
Reaching out speaks of the idea that our students and families exist as one element of a larger Newton community. We are currently establishing some exciting community partnerships, and looking at ways that our students can contribute to the wider Newton area.
Master Plan
In 2024 we will commence the development of a Master Plan for St Francis of Assisi, Newton.
The School Principal and Board are responsible for ensuring the school has the appropriate land, physical spaces, and facilities to realise its potential, coordinated by a plan to continually refresh and upgrade facilities in response to changing needs and community expectations.
Master Planning will consider SFOA’s expectations regarding future enrolments, educational requirements, and community expectations. It should consider the adequacy or otherwise of the land currently available and whether it would be beneficial to acquire additional land in the future. Consideration may also be given to opportunities or obligations to share with the local parish and/or other organisations, to work cooperatively with other schools and issues arising from competition with other schools.
A Master Plan will usually identify the relative priority order of several future development projects, which may span the next 10 to 15 years, or longer. The Master Plan will explain (from a facilities development perspective) where the school is now, where the school wants to be, and how it will get there. The Master Plan also needs to recognise that circumstances and priorities change over time, and therefore needs to be flexible and attentive to the changing landscape of education.
Teaching and Learning
At present the leadership team alongside the teaching staff are reviewing the current educational practices at the school. Consistency across R-6 is paramount to having strong programs that support student learning and wellbeing.
We have recently launched Initialit program for our Reception Students. Initialit is an evidence-based whole class literacy program developed by Macquarie University. This program provides all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to be successful readers.
Conclusion
As we traverse into 2024 we head into an exciting period at St Francis of Assisi, Newton.
At times of change we look forward, but also look backwards for guidance. St Francis of Assisi has some wonderful quotes attributed to him but none more important than the following.
‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’ – St Francis of Assisi
God Bless,
Scott March
Principal
Baptism
On Saturday 2 of our students were baptised as Catholics in the Newton Parish. Kezekia, Mubarak and their younger sister Nyibol Barach joined God’s Family. Miss Cavuoto, Mrs Tirimacco and myself were the Godparents for the children and felt very blessed to support the Barach family in their faith journey. If you are interested in Baptising your child please come and speak to me, it is never too late for your child to be initiated into the Catholic Community.
St Joseph’s Day – Tuesday 19th March
In 1866, a young 24-year old Mary Mackillop together with her Parish Priest Father Julian Tenison Woods began an order of sisters who were to be very different in the sense that instead of being behind the walls of a convent, they were to live amongst people, especially the poor, in groups of 3 or 4, own nothing, ask for donations and do what they could to help others. Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods chose the saint of St Joseph to be the patron saint for this order due to the understanding that Joseph, as the chosen earthly father of Jesus, was a humble man. In fact, the scripture they chose to base their order and work was from Micah 6:8 “Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly”.
Today we reflect on St Joseph and the founding work of the Josephite order who begun our School in 1965 with only a few Josephite nuns.
Social Justice Leaders
Yr 6 Social Justice Leaders are running a stall on Wednesday to raise money for Project Compassion. They are selling jelly, cookies, cupcakes and lemonade which will be made by the students. All proceeds are going towards Project Compassion, Caritas` Lenten Appeal.
Harmony Day
This week classes will reflect on Harmony Week which commenced on Monday. Australia first observed ‘Harmony Day’ on 21 March 1999, carrying the message ‘Everyone belongs’, Harmony Day encourages Australians of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to participate in their community, get to know one other, and understand and trust each other, respecting our cultural and religious differences. Acknowledging each other and our diversity helps us to grow as a community and as individuals, and in appreciating the world in which we live. As Catholics we support this vision
Melissa Canil
APRIM
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Dear Parents,
We are looking for players to join the St Francis of Assisi Netball teams the Sapphires and the Diamonds. Male or females can play as it is a mixed team competition.
Netball is being played for the Winter season,Term 2, 2024 and Term 3, 2024, at Golden Grove Recreation Centre.
7&Under and 9&Under play on a Monday afternoons from 5pm.
11&Under and 13&Under play on a Friday afternoons from 5pm..
Payment is via the QKR app.
Registrations close 24th March.
Please see attached for more information.
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Please use the link for some free and paid classes through the Campbelltown Library for the School Holidays.
https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/school-holiday-programs
The School Holiday Program is jamed packed full of activites for children and families, with many of them (see below) being suitable for CHILDREN'S UNIVERSITY VALIDATION.
Sew a card -Begin to Sew { 8-12 year olds}
The Joy of Slime; {8-12 year olds}
Soap Donuts Workshops {12 - 16 year olds}
Flower canes workshop {10-13 year olds}
Dragon Mobiles Sculpture {9-13 year olds}
Cold rolls & Rocky Road Cooking class {7-9 year olds}
Please find attached the St Francis of Assisi School calender for Term 1 2024
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![Screenshot 2024-08-14 100319](/files/23136/472x600/Screenshot_2024-08-14_100319.png)
Important Dates
Class Liturgy 3/4D
Year 6 Reflection Day
Assembly 2:15pm in MPF led by 5R
Easter Week Community prayer 8.55am - Palm Sunday led by 1/2V
Holy Week Community prayer 8.55am - The Last Supper led by 3/4Z
Holy Week Community Prayer 8.55am - Stations of the Cross led by 6V
GOOD FRIDAY
EASTER MONDAY
Swimming Carnival - SA Aquatic Centre Oaklands Park
Carnevale Day
Family Mass _5pm
Term 1 Concludes - 3pm
FUTURE DATES
TERM 2
TERM 2 BEGINS - Monday 29th April
PUPIL FREE DAY - Monday 7th June - OSHC available
TERM 3
PUPIL FREE DAY- Monday 22nd July and 27th September - OSHC available
TERM 4
PUPIL FREE DAY Friday 14th December - OSHC available
Is your child due to start school?
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SFOA Merchandise
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SFOA Umbrellas are now available on the QKR! app. Get your orders in quick - limited stock available!
OSHC
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CLICK HERE to enrol online!
Available before / after school hours with Vacation Care during school holidays.
The Southern Cross Newsletter
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Uniform Shop
Opening Hours & Uniform Prices
By Appointment Only: BOOK HERE
10 Newton Road, Campbelltown
Phone: 8336 2602
Parish Bulletin
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Latest Parish bulletin available here
Catholic Schools Magazine
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