St Francis of Assisi News
Term 1- Issue 23 23rd March 2023
PRAYER
NOONGAR SEASON OF BUNURU (FEB-MAR)
PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
On Sunday, we celebrated the Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday. Laetare is Latin and means to rejoice. As a Catholic Community, we continue to observe prayer, fasting and almsgiving throughout the Lenten period. Next Friday, 31st March will be a FREE DRESS DAY for a gold coin donation. All monies raised will go towards Project Compassion.
KINDY SIBLINGS 2024
We are beginning the process of Kindy Enrolment Interviews for 2024. Any siblings of existing SFOA children are guaranteed a place in the 2024 Kindy Program but they need to complete the details in the link below. Once parents have completed the necessary information, they will be asked to complete an application form and attend a Kindy Enrolment Interview. Places always fill very quickly for our Kindy Program so if you have a child born anywhere between 1st July 2019 - 30th June 2020, they will be eligible for SFOA Kindy in 2024.
https://forms.office.com/r/GqZJTmihv2
TERM 1 SOCIAL REPORTS
A reminder to parents that in Term 1, staff will provide a social report on your child's progress. This report outlines how your child has transitioned into the expectations and routines of their year level. Academic progress is formally reported on at the conclusion of Semester One. Parents are welcome to organise meetings with teachers should they wish to discuss their child's academic progress. These social reports will be made available in Week 10.
NAPLAN
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 children for the way they approached the National Literacy and Numeracy Assessments over the past two weeks. We could not fault their application and effort and we are confident the results will reflect their great attitude. Thanks to Mr Clarke and the Year 3 and 5 teachers for the preparation this term in administering the assessments.
HARMONY DAY 2023
On Tuesday, we celebrated Harmony Day as a recognition of the wonderfully diverse cultural community we have here at SFOA. Children were asked to wear orange or their cultural dress and it was fantastic to see children proudly displaying their cultural heritage. Over 60 flags were displayed that represented the countries in our community. Some students welcomed parents and children with African Djembe drums in the morning as we celebrated our diversity. Last Friday, our year 4's presented a moving assembly item that addressed inclusivity, diversity and the theme of Harmony Day - Everyone Belongs! See a couple of photos below.
YEAR 3 RECONCILIATION
Next Tuesday, a number of our Year 3 children will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St Andrew's Parish at 6pm. This is the first Sacrament since being baptised that the children have received and we wish them well in the next stage of their faith development. The Sacrament of Reconciliation focuses on restoring our relationship with God through asking for forgiveness and saying sorry for some of the choices we have made. Thank you to all the parents who have supported their children at the workshop and commitment masses this term and to Ms Campbell, Mr Kinder and Miss Cruse for their support in the classroom.
NATIONAL RIDE 2 SCHOOL DAY - TOMORROW!
There is more information on this below, but our school is participating in the National Ride 2 School Day tomorrow, Friday 24th March. Mayor Linda Aitken will be in attendance to welcome children to school on bikes and scooters. We are encouraging our parents to ride to school with their children and start building those healthy habits! I asked Mr Clarke if he would like to kit up in full lycra for the occasion and before I could finish my sentence he was squeezing into his bike shorts!
COMMUNITY LUNCH & STATIONS OF THE CROSS
This year, on the last day of term 1, Thursday 6th April, our children will re-enact a solemn reflection on the Stations of the Cross. This will be performed in the hall at 11:30am, then will be followed by the Community Lunch at 12:30pm on the areas outside and around the hall. We would love to see a big turnout from all the parents to the Stations of the Cross as we reflect on the most important liturgical time in our Catholic Church. Then parents are welcomed to stay on for Community Lunch to end a busy term.
When: Thursday 6th April
Time: 11:30am
Who: ALL parents
The 11th Commandment - 'thou shall not discuss the Eagles this season'. Have a great fortnight ahead.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
FIRST RECONCILIATION 2023
The students preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation took part in a Christ-filled and fun-filled retreat on Tuesday. The students participated in a range of activities designed to deepen their understanding of the sacrament and to bring them closer to God. A great day, lead by the wonderful team from 24/7 Youth Ministry.
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday 28th March at 6pm, at St Andrew's Parish Church.
Please keep these children in your prayers.
PROJECT COMPASSION
As we continue our Lenten preparation, SFoA supports the amazing work of Project Compassion throughout Lent. You will see Project Compassion boxes in all the classrooms for the remainder of term. Please give generously. All money raised goes to Project Compassion to support communities in need here in Australia and throughout the world. Click on the link to watch videos about a few of the communities supported in 2023. Project Compassion 2023.
Yr 2 Mass - Friday 24th March 8:45am
Parents, grandparents and caregivers are invited to join with the Year 2 classes in celebrating Mass with us on Friday 24th March. The Mass will be live streamed for family unable to attend.
“For it is in giving that we receive.” St Francis of Assisi
Dee Campbell
Assistant Principal RE
NATIONAL RIDE 2 SCHOOL DAY
Dust off your bikes, get your helmets ready! SFOA is celebrating National Ride 2 School Day tomorrow, Friday 24th of March! There will be stickers, music and a lot of fun! Get on board for this wonderful morning celebration! Please see the information below for more information on the most important aspect of Bike Safety and Feel Good Fridays.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Josh Russell from 2W who was awarded his Ninja Black Belt in Taekwondo on Saturday, 18th March. Josh has been training hard and is very proud of this amazing achievement. I will think twice about Josh visiting the Principal's office in the future! Congrats Josh!
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
Those families who haven't returned their payment option form, please do so immediately. If we haven't received the forms by Wednesday 29th March, we will be contacting you. This form is a legal agreement between the school and parent. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact me on 089562 9528 or finance@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
All families on Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) need to provide the school with their current card to continue receiving the discount for 2023. If your card has expired, please bring in your new card to the school office ASAP.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
SPORT NEWS
Interschool Swimming Carnival Year 4-6
Congratulations to all our swimmers today who participated in the Interschool Swimming Carnival. They all shone and swam enthusiastically. Thank you to Mrs Linda Ridley and Mrs Katerina Hubkova and parent helpers who helped support the children at the Carnival.
Term 2 Cross Country year 3-6
In Term 2 we will begin Cross Country Training in preparation for our school cross country carnival which is on Wednesday 7th June. Training will be run every Tuesday morning beginning in Week 2, 7:45am-8:10am for year 3-6 students only. This is a good opportunity for children to build on their fitness and stamina. Successful children at our school carnival will then be invited to participate and represent our school in the interschool carnival.
Please note running club will still be on every Thursday for K-6 children.
Kind regards,
Amanda Hamilton
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Miakol (6B), Riak (3B) and Adau (1B) who welcomed a baby brother into their family last Thursday, 16th March. Little Dhieu is his name and we wish all of them health and happiness with the new addition to their family.
P & F NEWS
As always, it is a busy time for the P & F in term 1 and that means notes and reminders are being communicated in high volume, but we just want to make sure everyone knows what is happening.
We had our first pizza lunch for the year. A big thank you to Stephenie Kunder and Claudette Samuels, who championed the event. Also, thanks to the pizza delivery team, who ensured the pizzas were delivered hot and on time. The P & F made a profit of $450 that will go towards our fundraising goals for the year.
The P & F have engaged the Class reps for each year group, and notes were sent home with the QR codes to join your child’s year group FB pages. Thanks to Jacqui for championing this and the volunteers for stepping up and taking on the class rep roles for 2023.
Upcoming P & F events:
- Cake stall – this Friday with the Pre-Primary and Year 6’s providing all the goodies for the cake sale. Please don’t forget your 50c piece for the day. Volunteers will be required to work on the stall.
- Cadbury Easter Egg chocolate fundraising – the Easter Bunny has been busy, and the eggs have all been delivered. Hopefully, you are all selling like mad, with the funds due back on the 29th of March.
- Easter raffle – The letters have gone home this week. The important dates to remember are:
- Donations are due Monday 3rd April for the Easter hampers,
- Raffle tickets and money are due by Wednesday 5th April,
- Volunteers will be required for hamper making.
- Community Lunch – Thursday 6th April – more information to come.
Competition time (not run by P & F)
Catholic School Guide and Intergrate AV are giving one lucky entrant the opportunity to win 2 amazing prizes valued at over $2000! Details are in the poster below.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over this week and over the next two weeks:
Darcy Morrison, Harley Murphy, Noah Thompson, Keira Drummond, Tatenda Mandirahwe, Adau Chol, Cleo Underwood, Brandon Durer-Jones, Emma Kovac, Daniel Deng, Liam Empeigne, Zayden Evans, Noah Stone, Braxton Stankevicius, Theo Bakker, Jessica Leahy.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 24 March - National Ride to School Day/Year 2 Class Mass (8:45am)/P&F Cake stall
Monday 27 March - Year 4 excursion to Shipwreck Museum
Tuesday 28 March - Year 3 Reconciliation (6pm at St Andrew's Church)
Wednesday 29 March - Benedict Feast Day
Thursday 30 March - 'The Whadjuk Gift' Year 5 excursion / Lenten Reconciliation (Yr 4-6)
Friday 31 March - Free Dress Day (gold coin donation) / Merit Assembly (8:45am) / Lunch with Leadership
Tuesday 4 April - P&F Meeting (8:45am) / Yr 2 Easter Hat Parade / Social Reports go home
Wednesday 5 April - Year 5 debates (parents invited)
Thursday 6 April - P&F Easter Raffle (8:45am)/'Friends of Francis' faction reward/P&F Community Lunch (12:30pm) / Last day of Term 1
Friday 7 April - Tuesday 25 April - School holidays
Friday 7 April - Good Friday
Sunday 9 April - Easter Sunday
Tuesday 25 April - ANZAC Day Public
Wednesday 26 April - Students commence back at school for Term 2
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop is open Mondays during the school term from 2:30pm - 3:30pm. Uniform can also be ordered online: sales@jfe.net.au (school code: 2147)
Where: Operating out of the demountable at the rear of the school!
Ph: (08) 9204 1701
Email: mailto:sales@jfe.net.au
Address: 1/85 Guthrie St, Osborne Park 6017
IRENE McCORMACK CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Irene McCormack Catholic College are holding an open morning on Saturday 25th March, please see the information below.
CONTACT US
Mon-Thur: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 3:30pm
Email: admin@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Location: 1051 Connolly Drive, Butler WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9562 9500
Facebook: facebook.com/stfrancisbutler
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stfrancisbutler
ST ANDREW'S CATHOLIC PARISH
Mass Times:
Saturdays - 6:00pm
Sundays - 7:30am, 9:00am, 5:00pm
Parish International Food Night
Saturday 6 May, 7pm / St Andrew’s CPS Hall
To celebrate the many different cultures we have in our community please join us for the Parish’s first International Food Night. Please bring a plate from your country of origin to share (can be sweet or savoury). We are seeking performers of different cultures for the night - so if you would like to get a group together contact Veronica for more information 0402 290 827.
Email: standrewsclarkson@gmail.com
Website: http://www.standrewsclarkson.com/
Location: 53 Belleville Gardens, Clarkson WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9407 7512
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclarkson/