St Francis of Assisi School Newsletter Term 3 4.09.2024

From the Principal

Dear Parents

ICT

Yesterday you will have received a letter which details significant enhancements to our ICT offerings here at SFOA, aimed at better preparing our students for the future.

Beginning in 2025, we will transition from the current Bring Your Own Device model to a more robust school-managed program. This shift will ensure that all students from Reception to Year 6 have equitable access to high-quality digital technologies, including school-managed MacBooks for Year 3-6 students and classroom iPads for our younger learners.

The new program will also incorporate a range of digital tools and support services to enrich the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.

Please read the details of the letter send through Audiri yesterday afternoon.

Camp

Last week our Year 5/6 students travelled up to Belair for our annual camp. Over 70 students and 8 staff attended the camp which was an exceptional experience. I travelled up on Tuesday afternoon and stayed the evening with the campers which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I ran a brief reflection with the students on the Tuesday night and asked them to name someone on camp who they were proud of and why. The reflections were profound and meaningful. Children were proud of other people’s leadership – sometimes that was in a group activity, other time it was telling people to be quiet in the middle of the night. Others were proud of people scaling the tree as part of the activities, or even being away from their families for this time. By putting the focus on others, we drive an ‘others focussed’ culture amongst our students.

The joy comes from making someone else happy from the words that are shared. There are of course times for self-pride – but these moments are best felt when they are validated by a caring other. Sometimes a parent, a teacher, a member of leadership or principal.

Sports Day

Sports Day is our final community event of an extremely busy Term 3 calendar. We’ve had Grandparents Day, Book Week Parade as well as Father’s Day. All of these events have been extremely well attended and the general feedback from families is that they have been meaningful for all involved.

Sports Day will be held on site and will run from 9pm to 1:30pm - a full schedule will be released next week.

On site we will have a coffee van as well as some antipasto Platters available for pre-order on QKR from next week.

All children will receive a complimentary sausage as part of lunch, and there will be some sausages available for purchase for families.

A reminder that Sports Day’s at school are largely around participation and the ability of children to exercise teamwork and sportsmanship. Our engagement as parents and staff members should reflect this.

Leave

During Week 9 and 10 of this term Mrs Melissa Canil will be completing a 2-week stint as Acting Deputy Principal of St Thomas School, Goodwood. This is an excellent opportunity for Melissa, and we look forward to welcoming her back in Term 4.

God Bless,
Scott