St Francis of Assisi News
Term 4 - Issue 15 22nd October 2020
PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Welcome back to the last term of the year! As communicated in my letter to all parents at the end of the holidays, I trust everyone enjoyed the relaxing two week break and had the opportunity to spend time together as a family. Over the past fortnight it has been wonderful seeing the children return and get back into the routines of learning.
NEW STUDENTS & FAMILIES T4
This term we are pleased to welcome the following children and their families to the community of St Francis of Assisi CPS.
Eloise McAlister (PPB)
James Grantham (1B)
Harry Brown (1B)
Olivia Brown (3W)
Jake McAlister (3W)
Jaiden McGuire (3B)
Matilda Vine-Inott (3W)
As has become customary, Miss Julie Ford our Social Worker will welcome our new families with a coffee/tea morning next Friday 30th October at 8:30am. I'm sure parents and children will make our families feel very welcome. On a sadder note, next Friday we will farewell Kiara Brace from PPW whose family is moving to Brisbane. Wishing them all the best on their new journey!
CONGRATULATIONS AVA RILEY 2B
As mentioned in my last newsletter, we are always looking to celebrate the achievements of our children in our community. Ava recently competed in the 'Follow Your Dreams' competition and received a first prize for her lyrical dance! Ava's hard work and perseverance in dance over the last 3 years has come to fruition with this achievement! Congratulations Ava, I look forward to seeing your best moves at the disco. A picture of Ava is included with her winning trophy. If your child has succeeded in a passion within our community, please let me know as I'd love to share the news with our community.
ST FRANCIS FEAST DAY MASS & MISSION FETE
It was a great way to end the first week back at school in Term 4, with our St Francis of Assisi Feast Day Mass and Mission Fete. Father Dariusz celebrating mass was a great way to start our recognition of St Francis of Assisi. Although his Feast Day actually falls on the 4th October, celebrating our connection to the Patron Saint of the Environment and Animals was a lovely way to start his feast day. Thank you to Miss Campbell, the teachers who read and the parents who made time to attend mass.
After recess, our annual Mission Fete got underway! A couple of hours of fun and frivolity to raise funds for our chosen charity. Besides filling up on sugar and lollies, it was great to see the stalls that had games, books and other creative activities for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to all the parents for their generous contributions and also volunteering their time to assist with the stalls. We ended the day with our staff v students basketball game which always gives someone bragging rights (and us teachers pride ourselves on making sure its us!)
BOOK WEEK PARADE
Yesterday we held our annual Book Week parade celebration. Although Book Week was moved this year, it didn't stop any of our community from getting involved, with some fantastic costumes and characters on display. Whilst it is a great opportunity to get dressed up and have some fun, it also highlights the importance of reading and getting our children involved in books. This year's theme was Curious Creatures, Wild Minds and I definitely think a few of us left the hall curious about some of the characters we saw on display! A special mention to Princess Fiona (Mrs Mac 3B) and Neytiri from Avatar (Miss Campbell) who were outstanding! Book prizes were awarded to a child from every class. Today and Monday we have author visits, including Jevita Nilson, who is a part of our parent community as an author, but also the parent to Zachary in PPB. We thank her for sharing her passion with our community!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - November 25th @ 6pm
Early notice for parents that our School AGM will take place on Wednesday 25th November at 6pm in the hall. All parents are encouraged to attend as we summarise some of the fantastic achievements of our school throughout a disrupted 2020. As a sweetener, all class teachers for 2021 will be announced on this night, so don't miss it!
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER 2021 (formerly School Board)
I am calling for nominations for a new School Advisory Council member to join our experienced and passionate group of individuals to support our school vision moving forward. Previously known as the School Board, the School Advisory Council is responsible for a range of decisions around the financial stability of the school. A complete description of the School Advisory Council responsibilities can be found here: https://bit.ly/3obaiOg Should you be interested in nominating, please email mailto:jason.baker@cewa.edu.au and I will discuss further.
CLASS LISTS & TEACHER REQUESTS 2021
A reminder to parents that we take a very measured and balanced approach when preparing class lists and student placements for each year. Classes are always evenly distributed according to academic, social and emotional needs. We aim to ensure children have at least one friend in their class, and with 60 children to place in each year level, meeting every parent request is unrealistic. I ask parents to please trust that each classroom teacher takes into account your child's personality and learning needs and unfortunately, we cannot meet parent requests as this has effects on numerous other considerations and children. When making these decisions we have to take into account the needs of all children.
SCHOOL PHOTOS - November 3rd & 4th
A reminder to parents that School Photos will be taking place on November 3rd and 4th this term. The photo note was sent home yesterday informing all parents when the class will be having their photo taken. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct summer uniform for photo day.
SUMMER UNIFORM TERM 4
As we are now in Term 4, we have transitioned to our school summer uniform. A reminder to parents that uniform is a requirement of attending St Francis of Assisi and we pride ourselves on wearing our uniform correctly, this includes appropriate hairstyles. I will be closely monitoring the standard of uniforms and hairstyles, and following up with parents whose children do not meet our expected standard. Please see below for the uniform requirements for Term 4.
2021 KINDY TSHIRT DESIGN
We are excited to announce the design for our new Kindy tshirts for 2021. These will be available for purchase later this term for all new Kindy children next year. A picture of the design can be seen below. The designs were drawn and voted by our Year 6 children and the following two children will be rewarded with a prize for their winning design:
Chanelle Hartstonge (6W) - winning design
Noah Hakesley (6B) - 'Kindy Little Legends' tagline
WORLD TEACHER'S DAY - FRI 30th OCT
Next Friday, 30th October is World Teacher's Day in Australia. We will be celebrating as a staff by wearing casual dress on the day. Please take the time to pass on your thanks to the wonderful job our teachers, Education Assistant's, Admin staff and Groundsman do for our children! Without their efforts we wouldn't be the fantastic community we are. They deserve all the gratitude in the world for the care and passion they put into teaching the SFOA children.
What a past weekend of sport we had to enjoy! Although the Fever didn't get up in the netball and the Wallabies' Eden Park hoodoo continued, I enjoyed the buffet of sport that was on offer, including the NRL and AFL prelims. Good luck this weekend to any of you who support the Storm or Panthers in the NRL, or the Cats or Tigers in the AFL. Let's hope for a couple of cracking games! While supporting your favourite teams, don't forget it's also Telethon Weekend, which is a great cause to also support!
Have a great fortnight ahead.
Jason Baker
Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS
Last Friday we came together as a school community to celebrate the feast of St Francis. It was a fabulous day, enjoyed by all. The day started with a whole school mass officiated by Fr Dariusz. Mass was enhanced by wonderful, joyful singing by all the children, lead by the amazing choir. A special highlight was a special version of 'Padre Nostro' (Our Father in Italian) beautifully sung by a small group of students with Senora McDonald. A BIG thank you to all who were involved in the mass, including music, readers, altar servers, choirs, and everyone who attended.
Next was the Mission Fete! WOW! There was something for everyone to enjoy - quizzes, basketball shots, coin toss, 'chocolate' wheel, bottle flips, snacks, crazy hair and nails and books - just to name a few. Thank you to the staff and students for their preparation, and to the parents who were able to contribute their time to make the Mission Fete such a success.
Staff vs students basketball is always a highlight, and was popular once again. Congratulations to the staff on their win - it wasn't easy!
CONFIRMATION
Please keep checking seesaw for updates. A parent information note will be posted on Seesaw, and a Confirmation Card Details form will go home this week. It is really important that ALL the information is completed and returned to school by Friday 6th November.
ALL SAINTS MASS
All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, and we will hold a whole school mass at 1:45pm on Friday 30th October. All parents are welcome. I would love to have a parent volunteer for a reading please!
CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL
I can't believe I am writing the word 'Christmas' already! The Christmas Hamper Appeal will begin on Monday 9 November. At the end of week 3 I will post a list of possible items for the hampers on Seesaw.
"For it is in giving that we receive." St Francis of Assisi
Miss Dee Campbell
SPORT NEWS
Interschool Sports Carnival Years 3-6
Selected students in Years 3-6 are taking part in the Interschool Sports Carnival tomorrow at Ridgewood Reserve. Students will be participating in a variety of running events and shot put and turbo javelin. The students were selected based on performance at our school sports carnival and in sport lessons. The list of events and approximate times is displayed on the noticeboard outside the gym. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and support the children however are not allowed in the school tents. There will be an area for parents and please remember to be Covid-safe and maintain appropriate distancing.
Term 4 Before and After School Activities
There are still places available. Please see the information below for registration and payment details.
Regards,
Amanda Croxall
Teacher
LIBRARY NEWS
The 2020 Book Week Parade winners were:
Siara Westerhout (KB) - The Hungry Caterpillar
Nyah Childs (KW) - Witch: Room on the Broom
Harrison Hansord (PPB) - Moon Face
Bianca Banghi-Lago (PPW) - Snail: The Snail and the Whale
Logan Bakker (1B) - Tree Cutter from the Lorax
Chase Carrara (1W) - Paddington Bear
Sebastian Schippers (2B) - Robot
Braxton Stankevicius (2W) - Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood
Lily Hicks (3B) - Shelby Snaps
Tiarne Connell (3W) - Olaf from Frozen
Jack Heydon (4B) - Bad Guys
Billy Boschman (4W) - Ninja Kid
Catherine McAuley (5B) - Smurfette
Ethan Harms (5W) - Robot
Archie O'Hare (6B) - Shigaraki
Emily Whitehouse (6W) - Belle from Beauty and the Beast
SFOA BREAKFAST CLUB
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!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who recently celebrated a birthday or who are celebrating a birthday over the next few weeks:
Mason Carrara, Elsie Gibb, Jeremiah Odongo, Ella Ladner, Kayarnah Farmer, Jeremiah Limbo, Bianca Banghi Lago, Teddy Pallister, Ava Javadi, Leo Rankin, Suzanna Chol, Andrew George, Deng Atuer, Zoe Van Der Brugghen, Akiyo (Margaret) Batali, Brendan Tooker, Isaac Canzirri, Jayden Heath, Alijok Chol, Summer Richardson, Digby Aaskov, Ciara Nanovich, Mark Aragon.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Fri 23 Oct - Merit Assembly/Interschool Athletics Carnival
Mon 26 Oct - Library Incursion (PP - Yr 2)
Tues 27 Oct - P&F Cake stall
Thurs 29 Oct - Yr 5 Wheelchair Basketball Incursion
Fri 30 Oct - All Saints Day whole school mass (1:45pm)/Yr 5 Sleepover/World Educator's Day
Mon 2 Nov - Author Incursion (Yrs 3-6)
Tues 3 Nov - School Photos (K, PP, Yr 1, Yr 2, Yr 5, Yr 6)
Wed 4 Nov - School Photos (Yr 3, Yr 4, Yr 6 Graduation Photo)
Thurs 5 Nov - Confirmation Student Workshop (1:45pm)
Fri 6 Nov - Year 4 Performance Assembly
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
Thank you to those families who have already paid their school fees, if you have not attended to your fees please do so ASAP. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, either contact me on 9562 9500 or email geneve.bastian@cewa.edu.au
Please update your expired health care cards in order to continue receiving the discount for this year.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
UNIFORM SHOP
Monday: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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:admin@jfe.com.au
IRENE McCORMACK CATHOLIC COLLEGE FOOTBALL & SOCCER TRIALS
VACATION SWIMMING
Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.
VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break. Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.
Your children can start as young as five years old.
Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim
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
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/