Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Welcome to the Week 6 newsletter! Due to inundating parents with communications, I will try to be brief.

NEW FAMILIES

Welcome to Cody Yates in Year 5B and Isabella Case in Year 5W who commenced at SFOA over the last week. We hope both Cody and Isabella and their families are made to feel very welcome in our St Francis community.

LATE PICKUPS

I remind parents and families that we return your children to your care when school finishes at 2:45pm. You are responsible for pick up, or arranging your child's departure from school grounds by 2:55pm. Staff are not rostered to supervise students beyond that time. It is unfair on students and staff when parents regularly are late collecting their child. Students can become anxious, and staff are kept from lesson preparation and other administrative duties.

MASK WEARING

Our Year 3-6 have been vigilant since the mandate of mask wearing was introduced. There is no mandate for younger children at this time, but we would encourage parents of children in K-2 to consider wearing a mask if possible.

Children in K-2 who arrive to school with a mask, will be encouraged by teachers to wear it throughout the day, without touching it or pulling it down when talking. If your child wears a mask to school, we will assume the parent wishes them to wear in the same manner as the 3-6, which is only to be removed for eating.

COVID UPDATE

With the latest changes announced by WA Health to close contacts and isolation, we are currently working on sending out communications that are clear and consistent across WA Catholic schools.

I will be providing COVID Update #6 as soon as I am able to clarify the recent changes.

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENT

Congratulations to Mrs Katherine Anderson (3W) who has accepted a position at Holy Rosary Doubleview, as the Year 2 teacher beginning in Term 2. Mrs Anderson is a long-standing staff member of SFOA and is no doubt looking forward to the challenges of a new school after 15 years of service to our community. Mrs Anderson may return to our community in 2023. We have already begun our process of appointing a replacement for 3W. I'm sure you will all join me in congratulating Mrs Anderson and wishing her well.

MERIT AWARDS

Congratulations to this week's merit award winners who will receive their certificates on Friday morning in front of their peers. Videos of the presentations will be shared via SeeSaw. Some classes have been in isolation, therefore, will complete their merit awards next week.

It has been a challenging fortnight, but our prayers and thoughts continue to go out to those suffering in Ukraine, as well as the east coast floods. I'm sure there are many of our community members who have direct connections to both. We continue to pray for the safety of those affected in both regions.

The further sad news of the passing of two cricket greats in Rod Marsh and Shane Warne also came as a shock to sports lovers like myself. It is a timely reminder to cherish every moment and be grateful for what we have.

Please stay safe and hug your loved ones tight.

Jason Baker

Principal

Dear Families,

LENT

During Lent we are called to live like Jesus. We are called to prayer, to give to the poor and less fortunate and to abstain or fast to strengthen our faith. What does that mean for children?

Prayer

Children are invited to pray each day in class, but during Lent we encourage children to keep other children who are living in difficult conditions (eg children in the Ukraine, and children in other countries experiencing humanitarian crises, close in our hearts. We also say special prayers for our family and friends who may be ill or suffering. Please also keep our SFoA families and friends affected by COVID-19 in your prayers.

Alms Giving

We encourage all children to give to Project Compassion during Lent to help other children less fortunate than we are. Almsgiving is a sign of our care for others and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us. Almsgiving by Christians is illustrated in the Bible, in Acts 4:33–37. During Lent you might reflect on the many ways in which we are privileged. Let’s be courageous enough to make changes and go without during each week of Lent. Perhaps it’s forgoing a few snacks, ice creams, McDonalds... the many small luxuries we consume each week. We can place the money saved in our Project Compassion boxes. Your commitment to Project Compassion is your response to the call to BE MORE for social justice.

Abstinence & Fasting

Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent. Abstaining from meat traditionally linked us to the poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals. In young children, we DO NOT encourage them to fast from healthy foods, including meat, due to their age and the need to provide for their growing bodies. Instead, we encourage them to fast from things that are not necessary to survival, eg. fast food, cool drink, easy snacks. We encourage them to choose other ways to ‘fast’ such as fasting from social media, technology (for fun), fasting from arguing with parents or fighting with siblings. Discuss ways your family can fast this Lent - the words of Pope Francis at the top are a great conversation starter with children.

The goal of every Christian is to leave Lent a stronger and more vital person of faith than when we entered.

PROJECT COMPASSION

This year proceeds donated to Project Compassion will benefit children and families in the Ukraine, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mozambique, India, Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Solomon Islands. Please give generously. As little as 5c a week can make a huge impact.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

The children preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation have managed to participate in the workshop and continue to prepare in their classes as 22nd March approaches. Next week (Wednesday 16 March) all Year 3 children and a few Year 4s will take part in a Retreat Day facilitated by 24/7 Youth Ministry. The children are asked to wear their SPORT UNIFORM on this day - not their faction shirt. Children are asked to bring recess and lunch as normal.

God Bless

Miss Dee Campbell

Hugo (2B) and Marx (PPW) Miranda-Becker on the arrival of their little brother Thomas. To Sylvarna (6W) and Linkyn (3W) Newton on their baby sister Adelyna. Finally, Kindo Anikpi (PPB) welcomed a brother, Hasa! Everyone has been very busy with newborns.

Wishing all families some peaceful nights ahead!

The social worker provides counselling to help students and their families deal with social and emotional issues relating to school or affecting a child’s academic performance. Ms Julie Ford can work with your child and provide a space where children can openly express themselves about their fears/worries. Sometimes this involves de-catastrophising a child's thinking and breaking the unhelpful thoughts. Ms Julie can help your child to clearly identify how they are feeling and together develop coping strategies specifically to suit that child.

Some resources that may help support families:

*Your GP

*Beyond Blue Covid Mental Wellbeing Support Service 1800 512348

Supporting you through the Coronavirus pandemic - Beyond Blue

*Ngala Parenting Line 93689368

Ngala Parenting Line - Ngala

Please see the attachment below on Current Covid Anxiety in Children.

Ms Julie Ford

Social Worker

When: Every Tuesday/Thursday

Time: 8:00am - 8:20am

Where: Hall

Come in and grab some toast with vegemite or jam and start your day right!

Friday 11 March - Merit Assembly (via SeeSaw)

Tuesday 15 March - Year 6 Beach Safety

Wednesday 16 March - Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat

Tuesday 22 March - First Reconciliation 12pm at SFOA (no parents)

Friday 25 March - Year 5 Class Mass 8:45am (No Parents - streamed)

* Please note the uniform shop is operating ONLY for online orders, orders must be placed by Monday morning 9:00am. Due to restrictions we are unable to have children do try-ons.

Monday: 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Where: NEW LOCATION - Operating out of the demountable at the rear of the school!

Ph: (08) 9204 1701

Address: 1/85 Guthrie St, Osborne Park 6017

Email: mailto:sales@jfe.net.au