St Francis of Assisi News
Term 1- Issue 21 23 February 2023
PRAYER
NOONGAR SEASON OF BUNURU (FEB-MAR)
PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
I trust parents are enjoying the warm weather and children returning to the routines of school. This week we began our preparation for Easter with the Season of Lent. Beginning yesterday, our Ash Wednesday service allowed us to reflect about the three aspects of Lent:
1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Almsgiving
As we enter into this holy season, we are reminded to prepare ourselves by giving our time or donations to Project Compassion, finding time for daily prayer, and fasting from something we enjoy. These three aspects of Lent have been discussed with the children and highlight our connection to Jesus in preparing for his death and resurrection over Easter.
YOUR MOVE SCHOOLS 2023
Those parents who are connected to our socials would be aware that we have joined the Your Move Schools initiative. This program encourages children to walk, ride or scoot to school as often as possible!
The flyer attached outlines our 'Feel Good Fridays' where children will be rewarded by walking, riding or scooting to school. Besides the obvious environmental and health benefits, this initiative will allow us to apply for some government grants to support our outdoor learning spaces. So this Friday, get moving to school by walking, riding or scooting and see our resident Sustainability Champion - Mrs Sarah Kavanagh from KB to get your prize!
RECONCILIATION PARENT/CHILD WORKSHOP
On Wednesday, our Year 3 children along with some IMCC students attended our Reconciliation Parent Workshop presented by Mr Kinder, Miss Cruse and Ms Campbell. Thank you to all the parents who attended and shared in the Sacramental journey with their children. It was wonderful to see parents engaged on the faith journey of their children and working alongside them to deepen the understanding of forgiveness and restoring our relationship with God. A big thank you to Mr Kinder, Miss Cruse and Ms Campbell who did a fantastic job presenting the workshop and engaging with parents and children.
FEEDBACK - PARENT INFORMATION VIDEOS
Thank you to those parents who took the time to watch the recent Parent Information Video Presentations prepared by classroom teachers. The purpose of the videos this year was to provide an alternative and flexible way for parents to find out about the classroom routines and expectations by presenting the same information received in person, through a multimedia method, rather than a single parent night. To date, I have received some very positive feedback regarding the flexibility of watching the presentations at a convenient time. However, we always welcome parent feedback and we are asking parents to complete a short 3 question survey about the parent information video presentations. This will help inform any further conversations regarding these parent nights in the future.
https://forms.office.com/r/7fKn1dD1uE
FAMILY FUN NIGHT - TOMORROW 5-7pm
Our wonderful P&F are gearing up for a great turnout tomorrow evening for the annual Family Fun Night! There are a number of FREE great activities for the children and an opportunity to get together as a community to being the school year! Activities include Go Karts, Animal Farm, Gymbus, Face Painting and a Silent Disco. A sausage sizzle will be available to purchase (cash only) along with a coffee van and ice cream truck. A big thank you to the P&F volunteers that have coordinated the evening - with over 500 RSVP's it's sure to be a cracking evening! We hope you can all make it!
On behalf of the school community we wish Mrs Mieschbuehler well as she begins her parental leave this week. Mrs Mieschbuehler and her husband Simon are preparing for the birth of their second child. We look forward to meeting the new addition soon. Mrs Kaitlin Kinder has been transitioning into the role of Drama teacher for our Kindy - Year 2 and will officially take up the position from Week 5.
Another week in the books, another deplorable batting effort from the Aussies in India. However, Our Australian Women's T20 team continue to dominate world cricket!
Have a great fortnight ahead.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
Year 6 Beach Safety
Year 5 Pancake Tuesday
Reconciliation Parent Workshop
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
FIRST RECONCILIATION 2023
Thank you to all the parents who came along to the workshop on Tuesday night to support your child on their journey to receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. The remaining commitments are CHILD ONLY and during school times. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday 28th March at 6pm, at St Andrew's Parish Church.
SACRAMENTS 2023
Sometimes we do not have a copy of the baptism certificate on file, and your family may miss out on receiving important information about the sacraments. Please make sure your child's records are up to date.
If there are any baptised Catholic children in years 5 and 6 who have NOT already received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, can you please contact me directly by email: dee.campbell@cewa.edu.au
SHROVE TUESDAY
Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent begins. Traditionally people used to use up all the 'extras' or non-essential food items (butter, bacon etc) on this day in preparation for Lent - a time of abstaining from the luxuries and focusing on what is important. This morning our wonderful Year 6s ( and some equally wonderful Year 5s) distributed pancakes to the classes. I attempted to produce some really terrible gluten free pancakes, but provided other, more tasty gluten free treats in the end.
ASH WEDNESDAY
It was lovely to see some of our parents were able to join us for the Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday. It is always special to share these liturgical experiences with you.
Thank you to our Fr Marian, our Yr 6 Christian Service Team & Mr Gorman, the Choir & Mr C and our Altar Servers - you were amazing!
Yr 6 MASS - TOMORROW
Tomorrow our year 6 classes will celebrate the Eucharist at 8:45am in the Hall - all parents and family are encouraged to join us.
LENT
Lent, is a period of about six weeks before Easter. It is a time in which Christians are asked to be quiet and thoughtful, preparing themselves for Easter. We are encouraged to pray, give money to charities (alms giving) like Project Compassion, and give up some of the things we might otherwise do for pleasure OR make an effort to treat other people better. The period of Lent ends at Easter, a time of great celebration as we think of how Jesus died on the cross but then rose again from the dead.
Lent is traditionally forty days long because the Bible says that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, preparing for his death and resurrection.
PROJECT COMPASSION
As part of 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 next 6 weeks. 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.
“For it is in giving that we receive.” St Francis of Assisi
Dee Campbell
Assistant Principal RE
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
If you have not returned your payment option plan form please do so by tomorrow Friday 24th February. It is imperative that we receive this form from ALL families. In the payment option an opportunity to pay by credit card was offered but unfortunately our school (SFOA) is not registered for NAB Transact. We apologise for this inconvenience. If you still wish to pay by credit card you are welcome to come to the school office and pay via credit card on the Eftpos machine.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact me ASAP on 9562 9528 or email 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
FAMILY CONTACT DETAILS
If you have recently moved, changed contact numbers or email addresses, please update the office ASAP. We need to have the most up-to-date information and emergency contacts on record for your child.
SPORT NEWS
Thank you.
Amanda Hamilton
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the Knowles family (Charlie in Year 2 and Oliver in Pre-Primary) on the recent arrival of a baby girl 'Lily'. After three boys, I'm sure Lily will rule the roost over her brothers and have mafia-like protection throughout her life. Wishing the family well as they navigate a team of 4 children.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over this week and over the next two weeks:
Piper Bradley, Ryan Pervan, Anisa Hargrave, Louis Benton, Harley Murphy, Elliott Guelfi, Damiano Dako, Luka Kovac, Leo Watson, Caihla Walsh-Cuthbert, Jamie Hayman, Savannah Smith, Gabriell Donio, Gabriela Hampson-Villalobos, Semerra George, Charlie Rasheed, Austin Samuels, Gavin Balin, Alexandra Tangifua, Ajok Athoi, Oliver Whitehouse, Nicolas Newton, Ravinderjeet Singh, Theo Bakker, Jessica Leahy.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 24 February - Year 6 Class Mass (8:45am) / P&F Family Fun Night (5:00pm-7:00pm)
Tuesday 28 February - Year 6 Beach Safety / School Advisory Council Meeting (6:00pm)
Friday 3rd March - Year 5 Performance Assembly (8:45am)
Monday 6 March - Labour Day public holiday (no school for students)
Tuesday 7 March - Pupil Free Day (no school for students)
Friday 10 March - Merit Assembly / 'Friends of Francis' draw
Tuesday 14 March - P&F Meeting (8:45am) / Year 6 Beach Safety
Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March - NAPLAN Testing Window
Wednesday 15 March - P&F Pizza lunch
Friday 17 March - Year 4 Performance Assembly (8:45am)
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
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/