St Francis of Assisi News
Term 4 Issue 39 30th November 2023
GRADUATION AND THANKSGIVING MASS WED 6 DEC 8:45am
NOONGAR SEASON OF BIRAK (DEC-JAN)
PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Welcome to the last newsletter of 2023! Tomorrow, we will move into the season of Birak and if last week's extreme heat is an indication of things to come, we are in for a dry, hot Summer. Traditionally, Birak is known as the fire season with strong easterly winds and an afternoon seabreeze. Many fledglings venture out of nests and reptiles also shed their old skin. Birak is a time of burning in Noongar culture and there are several reasons for this, including fuel reduction, increasing the grazing pastures for animals, to aid seed germination and to make it easier to move across the country.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Our annual Christmas Concert has come and gone and it was another outstanding performance from our children with a great turnout from parents and the community. We apologise for the stream cutting out around the one hour mark - it appears to have been a copyright issue with youtube and one of the songs which is why the stream was ended.
As I mentioned last night, to get 60 children from 4 years of age to 11 years of age, creating their own choreography and dancing as a class is an amazing achievement and a wonderful effort from Meagan and Teagan from Make A Move Performance Program. There were only 8 x half hour lessons this term so the children should be pleased with themselves! A stellar performance - same goes for those staff up on stage. Let's face it, even us staff need our moment in the sun! For the first hour of the concert, you can watch it here on this link:
https://youtube.com/live/7s0Zc9_NWnc?feature=share
Thanks to the Pitch Inn, Passaparola Pizza and the Coffee truck for providing the food and community feeling prior to the concert.
2024 SCHOOL FEE STRUCTURE - BOOKLIST FEE
For those parents who watched or attended the Annual Community Meeting last Tuesday, you would be aware that the fee structure for 2024 has not increased. Tuition, building levy and associated fees will remain the same. However, in 2024 we will be introducing a Booklist Fee. After consultation, we believe there are many benefits to the school undertaking the responsibility of booklists, including:
- Reduced costs
- Reduced parent stress prior to school returning
- Equity of access to learning tools
In 2024, the booklist fee will be added to your school fees and parents will not have to coordinate a booklist (except for a couple of items such as a pencil case or tissues etc). The fee will be $45 for Kindy and $60 for PP - 6. This will enable all school supplies to be ordered by the school and provided for your children. Each child will receive items normally listed on the booklist for the entire year and will access these as necessary. Parents will not need to supply stationary items from a booklist as in past years. The 2024 school fee structure including the booklist has been attached below.
THANKSGIVING & GRADUATION MASS - WED 6th DEC (8:45am)
Our final mass and gathering of the year will take place on Wednesday 6th December. Traditionally, this is our whole school mass to give thanks for the year we have enjoyed and all our successes. It is also an opportunity to formally farewell our Year 6 children as they graduate at St Francis of Assisi. Any staff moving on are farewelled and there is a morning tea (provided by the P&F) for the Year 6 graduates and their family after mass. It is an extended mass and presentation of awards so please be prepared for this to conclude at 10am. This mass will also be streamed and a link is provided below.
https://youtube.com/live/kpdHLUhprJk?feature=share
SEQTA ENGAGE REPORTING - S2 ACADEMIC REPORTS 7th DEC
A reminder that our Semester Two academic reports will once again be released via Seqta Engage on Tuesday 5th December. Please ensure you have your username and password and can access the SEQTA ENGAGE app. If you have any difficulties, feel free to email mailto:ithelp@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
TRANSITION MORNING - TUES 5th DEC
Next Tuesday, our Kindy to Year 5 children will participate in the transition morning. This takes place at 9am where children move up to their teacher for the following year to meet and greet and undertake some small activities. This is also when children are made aware of their classes for 2024 and some can be disappointed they may not be with their best friend. Please assure your child that every child nominates five friends prior to class lists being created and each child has at least ONE of those five in their class. Due to Year 4 staffing, the current Year 3's will have two sets of transition, one on Monday morning and one on Tuesday.
2024 STAFFING
Also announced at the Annual Community Meeting was staffing for 2024. We will be welcoming Mr John Haydon to Year 4B. Mr Haydon comes to us with teaching experience in Esperance as well as most recently at Infant Jesus, Morley. We also welcome Mrs Treasa Young to the role of PPW teacher. Mrs Young is currently at Francis Jordan Catholic School in Currambine and brings a wealth of ECE knowledge. Finally, Mrs Sharon Gonzalez will be taking over the Playgroup and also as a Kindy B Education Assistant. She is currently working in the daycare environment and is familiar with the early childhood framework. Also returning to SFOA in 2024 is Mrs Katherine Anderson, who has spent the last two years at Holy Rosary, Doubleview. All staff are looking forward to joining our community and I know we will welcome them with open arms early next year. Mrs Anderson, Mr Haydon and Mrs Young will all be available for transition morning next week.
Whilst we welcome three new staff, we also will be farewelling some staff both permanently and also on a short term basis. Mrs Joslyn Selyer (4W) and Mrs Angela McBride (3/4 Support) will be taking a year of leave to explore other opportunities, whilst Mrs Katherine Simon has taken a 12 month position at Francis Jordan Catholic School in Currambine. All three are scheduled to return in 2025. We also farewell Mr Jack Carroll who has been an EA at our school for over 5+ years as he completes his Bachelor of Education teaching degree. Finally, Mrs Josephine McDonald (Senora) has made the decision not to return in 2024 and is having a sea change as she retires from Catholic Education after many years as a language teacher. We will farewell all these staff at next week's Thanksgiving assembly. Please see the 2024 Staffing List attached below.
COMMUNITY LUNCH - FRI 8th DEC
A reminder that the last day of the school year is Friday 8th December and the P&F has coordinated a Community Lunch from 12:30pm. It is a great opportunity to come together and enjoy each other's company before we break for holidays. If you are leaving straight after the lunch, please see a staff member (leadership) at the front of the school to sign out via the iPad.
LOCAVORA LUNCH ORDERS 2024
If you are yet to do so, please create an account with Locavora to enable your child to order lunches from Monday - Thursday in 2024. Parents can setup their account this year and add credit through the My Wallet feature and the attachment below explains this process.
*PLEASE DO NOT PLACE ANY ORDERS IN 2023 AS THESE WILL NOT BE FILLED!
https://schools.locavora.com.au/
2024 PUPIL FREE DAYS AND TERM DATES
All pupil free dates and term dates have been finalised for 2024 and are attached below. Please familiarise yourselves with the holiday dates and pupil free days. We have liaised with IMCC to try to align dates where possible as we did in 2023. The important dates for Term 1 are also attached but please check the online calendar for any dates in 2024.
It was a very scary and worrying time last week during the recent bushfires for families in the wider Wanneroo area. Our prayers go out to any families who were affected. We are very blessed to have our emergency services working to support all families and bring the blaze under control and I extend our sincere thanks to any members of our community who work in these services. They are truly an inspiration!
Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the staff, families and children for the past twelve months. As I mentioned at the Annual Community Meeting, I am very grateful and blessed to lead this wonderful community and am thankful each day coming to school to see the smiles and hear the laughter around our school, classes and staffroom. Having said that, I am looking forward to the six week break! It is a privilege to lead this community and I am excited about what's ahead in 2024.
Wishing all families a blessed and holy Christmas season and wonderful new year period ahead. May the holidays be filled with friends, family and loved ones and all children and parents return safely in 2024. Enjoy your holidays and we look forward to seeing you all next year!
Merry Christmas and God Bless
Jason Baker
Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
CHRISTMAS HAMPER DRIVE
Every year as a school community we contribute to the St Vincent De Paul Appeal, by providing hampers for families in need at Christmas. All hampers go to local families associated with St Andrew’s Parish and/or SFOACPS. The drive has started and will end on Monday 4th December. A list of items for the hampers has been attached to this newsletter. We appreciate your generosity and big hearts!
ADVENT
Sunday 3rd December marks the beginning of Advent in the Church. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival.
Usually we do not have the opportunity to experience the fullness of Advent at school due to school holidays beginning in early December. This year the Year 6 Christian Service Leaders have lead the school in Prayer for the last 4 weeks of term, so that we might share in the hope, peace, joy and love of this season as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.
As we approach the Christmas season, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude for the gift of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate with love and reverence. In the midst of the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the warmth of family and friends, let us pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is a time of hope, a celebration of the miraculous moment when God became one of us, entering our world as a vulnerable baby in a humble manger. It is a reminder that love has a name, and that name is Jesus. His life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice exemplify the essence of selfless love, compassion, and forgiveness.
As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate this holy season, let us keep in mind the importance of faith, family, and friends. May the light of Christ shine brightly in our lives, bringing warmth, comfort, and peace to all.
Wishing you and your families a blessed and Merry Christmas!
"Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy." St Francis of Assisi
Miss Dee Campbell
ST ANDREW'S CARE
The Parish of St Andrew's now operates a service called St Andrew's Care. The service helps people in the short term with transportation, meals, companionship and is supported by Catholic Outreach. Please see some information below and feel free to contact St Andrew's Parish if you or anybody you know wishes to access the service.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
This week, we recognise Tamila McLean, who is in 1W. Tamila is at the Piccolo level with the Australian Girls Choir and during the last six months she has been going to singing lessons on Saturday mornings. On Sunday the 5th of November, Tamila sang in the AGC's Annual Concert Production at the Perth Concert Hall. Congratulations Tamila! An audition on The Voice Kids could be calling!
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Savannah Love in Kindy W who welcomed a baby sister to her family last week. Little Quinn is now surrounded by Love, both in name and nature. We hope the family and Quinn are all doing well!
Congratulations also to Kayarnah (Year 3W) and Aazarnah (Year 2W) who recently welcomed a baby sister Aamerah to their family. We wish the family and little Aamerah all the best and hope they are all doing well.
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
Final reminder school fee statements will be sent in Week 9. Thank you to those families who have finalised their 2023 school fees. A 2024 school fee structure, a direct debit form and ACM letter was sent home last week via your eldest child. If you have not received this information, please contact the school office. Parents who wish to set up their direct debits early in January, please send your completed forms into the office by next Friday 8th December.
All families on Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) need to provide the school with their current card to continue receiving the discount for 2024. If your card has expired, please bring in your new card to the school office ASAP.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
P&F NEWS
The P & F would like to thank all the parents, kids, and staff for their support and donations throughout 2023. We would also like to thank the school team who have supported us. We have had a very successful year, introducing a number of new events and fundraising initiatives, which has led to the P & F being able to donate $20,000 to the school for 2023. A fantastic effort from everyone!
Our Executive Committee will remain the same with Rose Canzirri as Chairperson, Stephenie Kunder as Deputy Chairperson, Heidi Durer-Jones as Treasurer, and Erin Hawes as Secretary.
Upcoming events:
- The cake stall is on Friday 1st December with the year 1 and 2’s bringing in the yummy cakes.
- On Tuesday 5th December, the P & F will be putting together the Christmas hampers in the library, if anyone would like to volunteer on the day.
- The last P & F event will be the community lunch on Friday 8th December. The cash orders are due by Friday 1st December and via QuickCliqs on Monday the 4th of December.
- Congratulations to James Stratfold who will get the opportunity to Slime a Teacher on the last day of school.
- Our first 2024 event will be the Family Fun Night on Friday 16th February from 5pm – 7pm. More information to come but save that date!
We wish everyone a wonderful summer holiday and a safe, happy Christmas. See you all next year!
P & F
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over the next week and during the school holidays:
Indiana Empeigne, Tarek Stelio, Nyabuok Kuol, Spencer Head, Penny Pull, Mercedes Ince, Beau Horrocks, Savannah Love, George Phillips, Brianna Marais, Oliver Knowles, Conor Keogh, Lara Schulz, Chloe Anderson, Beny Kulang, Sofia Scrivener, Godwill Geofry, Zoe Stevens, Mireille George, Lia Murphy, Lomena Stipinovich, Henry Durant, Nyawichar Kuol, Janak Singh, Leah Ryan, Marlee Pinkerton, Emma Gerges, Georgia Donatti, Toby Whitehouse, Addison Thomas, Evie Corrigan, Axel Clohessy, Jameel Atcha Koli, Dau Bol, Ned Horrocks, Piper Horrocks, Ava Stankevicius, Brian Freitas Libardi, Hugo Miranda-Becker, Darliah Windeatt, Zara Dos Santos-Viljoen, Meghna Rakesh, Ashlee Schulz, Logan Ravat, Aiveen Greig, Jamie Leach, Kamron Makawa, Harry Brown, Zachary Martin, Corey Morrison, Sean Viviers, Atheena Harper, Bol Bol, Ella-Marie Anderson, Sebastian Schippers, Maria Clara Pires Gil, Zaire Fernandez, Abby Menzies, Logan Hansord, Gabrielle Sofia Flores, Olivia Rebeiro, Ella Kingsley, Sophie Kinsey, Hudson Sibley, Varsha Rakesh, Summer Jacobs.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 1 December - Merit Assembly & Junior Choir (8:45am) / P&F cake stall / Yr 4 excursion
Tuesday 5 December - PP to Year 6 transition morning (9:00am) / Christmas Hamper assembly
Wednesday 6 December - Graduation & Thanksgiving Mass (8:45am)
Thursday 7 December - Yr 6 Beach Day / reports released via SEQTA
Friday 8 December - P&F Community lunch / Last day of Term 4 for students
Wednesday 31 January 2024 - Students return to school for Term 1
UNIFORM SHOP
The uniform shop is open next Monday 4th December from 2:00pm to 3:00pm (this will be the last opening time for 2023).
Uniform Times for January 2024
Mon 29th January - Pre-orders only, collecting via school drive through 10:00am-10:30am (uniform can be ordered online: sales@jfe.net.au (school code: 2147)
Tues 30th January - 12:00pm - 3:00pm Fittings only (appointments to be made via JFE website - appointment times still to be released)
Tues 30th January - 3:00pm - 4:00pm Uniform Shop open for general business
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
CAMP AUSTRALIA
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
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/