St Francis of Assisi News
Term 4 Issue 36 19th October 2023
NOONGAR SEASON OF KAMBARANG (OCT-NOV)
PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Thank you to all families for the way children have returned in the first two weeks of Term 4. The majority of children are looking very smart in their summer uniform and with a wave of warm weather, its been much more comfortable for our kids.
ST FRANCIS FEAST DAY
As Ms Campbell alludes to below, last Friday we celebrated our patron Saint, Francis of Assisi with a whole school mass celebrated by Father Marian, the Mission Fete and then staff v students basketball game. It was a great day and we raised plenty of money for charity. Thanks to the Catholic Identity team which is made up of a number of staff who were responsible for the Match the Teacher to their Pet guessing game as well as a beautiful Camino around our school with information about St Francis of Assisi. All these activities enabled us to acknowledge the importance of St Francis to our school.
CONNECTING SCHOOLS GRANT 2023-2024
As shared with our community via our socials, thanks to the efforts of Mrs Kavanagh, parents and our children we have been awarded a Connecting Schools Grant of up to $20 000 for two bike rack shelters. Throughout 2023, through the Your Move initiative which included National Ride to School Day and various other initiatives, Mrs Kavanagh promoted the importance of staying active and reducing congestion by riding or walking to school. Congratulations to all the kids who took the opportunity to ride or walk to school but let's keep it up as the weather gets warmer to continue to promote the message of staying active! Below is a photo of the proposed shelter (installed at Scarborough Primary) once installed outside Kindy and Year 6.
INSTRUMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 - YEAR 3-6
Thanks to Polygon Music, we will once again be offering two families the opportunity to have 12 months of music tuition provided free of charge for their child to learn either drums, guitar, electric guitar or keyboard. Our instrumental program runs once per week in small groups and is open for any child in Year 3-6 in 2024. The scholarships are funded by both Polygon Music and SFOA and aim to support families in financial distress whose child would like to learn an instrument. Should you be interested, please complete the attached application form and return to Mr Cunniffe at mark.cunniffe@cewa.edu.au Applications close on the 10th November.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING - NOV 21st (3:30pm)
This year, the Annual Community Meeting of the School Advisory Council and Parents & Friends association will take place on Tuesday 21st November from 3:30 - 4:30pm. The meeting will be streamed and will outline a review of 2023 for both groups. Staffing for 2024 will also be announced along with school fees and our financial position.
LOCAVORA LUNCH ORDERS 2024
In 2024, we will be providing a full canteen for lunches on Monday to Thursday every week. We have partnered with Locavora which is a local company based in West Perth. Parents will be able to order lunch as late as 8:30am in the morning and will do so via an online portal. This will mean there will be no further Cake Stalls or mid-term Pizza/special lunches as Locavora has an extensive menu of food for children to choose from. Parents can setup their account this year and add credit through the My Wallet feature in preparation for 2024, an attachment below explains this process. A further reminder will be sent home later this term and early next year.
*PLEASE DO NOT PLACE ANY ORDERS IN 2023 AS THESE WILL NOT BE FILLED!
https://schools.locavora.com.au/
INTERSCHOOL CARNIVAL - TOMORROW 20th OCT
Good luck to all our children in Year 3-6 who are participating in the Interschool Carnival tomorrow at Ridgewood Park. The day is focused on participation and friendly competition with a number of other Catholic and independent schools. Thank you to Ms Hamilton for her coordination of the children and supporting them throughout the day - the weather looks perfect so it should be a great day!
I don't purport to fully understand the complexities of the conflict between the State of Israel and the Palestinian territory of the Gaza strip but like all in our community, I am deeply saddened by the atrocities and devastation this violence is having on innocent civilians, including children. I, along with all our staff send our prayers and thoughts to all those affected and hope that the grace of our God will provide light, faith and hope to those in need during such a horrific time. Whilst this conflict saturates the media, may we also continue to pray for those in the Ukraine who are still suffering the horrors of war.
We are extremely fortunate to experience the safety and comforts we have in Australia and it is a timely reminder to be grateful for everything we have. It places some perspective on what we believe are our daily struggles. Hug your children extra tight tonight.
Jason Baker
Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS
Special thanks to Fr Marian, all staff and students for a wonderful celebration of St Francis on Friday - it truly was a special Mass to be a part of. Our Mission Fete was an outstanding success with a great range of activities and an amazing $2000 raised for Wheelchairs4Kids!!
That's 14 wheelchairs!!
Of course events like the Mission Fete would not be as much fun, or as successful without the support of staff and families - thank you.
Thanks must also go out to our staff in the Catholic Identity Team - Miss Giglia-Smith, Miss Cruse, Senora Mignogna, Mr Kinder & Mrs Kinder for all your hard work designing fun and engaging St Francis activities for everyone! A special mention goes out to some of our Christian Service Leaders in Yr 6 - Jack, Jess, Tia and Milani who bravely visited our junior classes to read the story of St Francis - you rock!
ALL SAINTS MASS - WEDNESDAY 1st NOVEMBER
All Saints Mass is fast approaching! All Saints is a solemnity and one of the few remaining Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics. Parents, guardians and extended family are welcome to join with us to celebrate All Saints on Wednesday 1st November at 1:45pm in the SFOA Hall.
2024 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
An expression of Interest for sacraments will come home in week 2 for all Catholic students in Years 2, 3 & 5. If there are any Catholic children currently in Years 3, 4 and 5 who have missed out on receiving any sacraments, please contact me dee.campbell@cewa.edu.au
Pax et bonum - peace and goodness (St Francis of Assisi)
Miss Dee Campbell
CURRICULUM CORNER
Throughout the back end of 2022 and throughout this year, our staff have begun a whole school journey on how Mathematics is being taught. After reviewing the data for our children and research on best practice, we have embarked on implementing a consistent approach to teaching and learning in maths. This has included the use of number talks and fluency games to begin lessons.
This year, we have begun exploring a model of teaching that focuses on hands-on, real world problem solving. Yesterday, Sascha from World of Maths engaged our PP-4 children in a variety of collaborative activities that required the use of mathematical language and risk taking. All children were highly engaged and had a lot of fun trying to solve the math problems. Thank you to Mrs Nicole Bond in 5W, who coordinated the incursion and also all the parents who assisted our younger children. It was a fantastic day that proved Maths can be fun!!!!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Daisy Pull in 3W attends art class with a local based artist, Joanne Coley. Recently, Joanne had her artwork showcased on the Yagan Square Tower and she wanted her students' to feel as amazing as she felt, so she asked Yagan Square to showcase the students work. Of all of Joanne's students, our very own Daisy Pull was chosen from a number of submitted works to be displayed on the huge tower. Daisy's artistic talents were recognised with two of her artworks on display in Yagan Square. An unbelievably exciting and rare opportunity - dare I say, once in a lifetime! Congratulations, Daisy - a massive acknowledgement of your talent.
SPORT NEWS
Year 3 Swimming Lessons
This term all year 3 children will take part in swimming lessons at Water Ponyz, Merriwa as part of their PE lessons. Having such a water-based lifestyle in Australia, the school feels that it is imperative that our students have strong water awareness and an increased level of confidence when swimming. Our students also participate in the interschool swimming carnival in Year 4 onwards, so this gives the students more opportunities to develop their skills. A note with further information went home this week and also is posted on Seesaw.
Year 3-6 Interschool Athletics Carnival
Friday 20th October selected students will represent the school at the interschool athletics carnival. Children were selected based on their performance at our school carnival last term and would have received a letter last week. An events list is posted on the sports notice board outside the hall. The carnival is held at Ridgewood Reserve and spectators are very welcome to come and cheer on our school. Good luck to all students participating on Friday.
Regards,
Amanda Hamilton
Teacher
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
Reminder school fee statements will be sent home next week to all families via your eldest child. School fees need to be finalised before the end of term 4. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact me ASAP 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
P&F NEWS
As we step into Term 4, the P&F are gearing up for a whirlwind of exciting & fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
We will commence the term with our Sold-Out Paint and Sip event which will be held tomorrow night in our school hall. The response from our school community has been overwhelming, and we can't thank you enough for your support. For those who have secured a spot, get ready for an enjoyable evening surrounded by friends, painting & sipping on some of your favorite beverages.
We would like to thank the following businesses for their donations and support with this event:
- Coles Trinity
- Coles Butler
- Coles Woolworths
- Creative Party Flair
Special mention also to the following businesses who have supported us with holding a stall on the night of the event:
- Artikle Clothing
- Ted's BBQ, Rubs & Sauces
- Tropical Moon Grazing
As most of you would have seen we are holding our annual Colour Explosion School Fun Run on Friday 3rd November. Here is a list of just some of the incentives that are on offer.
PRIZES!!!
Raise $10 to achieve your first incentive prize. From there, you will win more and more as your fundraising total soars! For example, if you raise $100, you will win incentive prize A, B, C, D and E!
SHARED LUNCH!
The class that raises the most money will win a shared lunch with the food of their choice.
SLIME THE TEACHER!
For every student that raises $20 or more they will enter the draw for a "SLIME THE TEACHER " competition
$10 000 JB Hi Fi Shopping Spree
What would your family buy with a $10,000 JB Hi-Fi Shopping Spree?! The highest fundraising student in our school will go into the draw to win!
Win a PlayStation 5 Gaming Bundle!
Do you have a need for speed? The highest fundraising student in Australia will take home an awesome PlayStation 5 gaming bundle, complete with a NEW PlayStation 5 Console, a Steering Wheel, Pedals and two games!
You have to be in it to win it! If you haven’t already, make sure you start fundraising online at www.australianfundraising.com.au. Happy fundraising!
Lastly our final Pizza Lunch will be held on Wednesday 1st November. All cash monies are due Friday 27th October whilst Quickcliq orders are due no later than 6am Monday 30th October.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over the next month:
Alexis Nilson, Nadia Mahony, Jacob Hansen, Gurhukamvir Gill, Noah Stanisic, Violet Gray, Mason Carrara, Jeremiah Odongo, Jeremiah Limbo, Addison Dillon, Ella Ladner, Leo Rankin, Sebastian Hinschen, Lachlan Webb, Deng Atuer, Zoe Van Der Brugghen, Cody Yates,
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 20 October - Merit Assembly (8:45am) / Interschool Athletics Carnival (Yr 3-6)
Friday 20 October - P&F Paint and Sip (6:00pm)
Tuesday 24 October - Year 3 swimming lessons
Friday 27 October - Year 4 Class Mass (8:45am) / Kindy Gymbus incursion
Friday 27 October - PP excursion to AQWA / World Teachers Day
Monday 30 October - Faction Captain voting / Year 2 Boogie Bounce incursion
Tuesday 31 October - Year 3 swimming lessons / SAC Meeting (6:00pm)
Wednesday 1 November - Yr 3 Bunnings incursion/P&F Pizza Lunch/ All Saints Mass (1:45pm)
Friday 3 November - Merit Assembly / 'Friends of Francis' raffle draw (8:45am) / P&F Colour-A-Thon
UNIFORM SHOP
The uniform shop is open on Monday afternoons from 2.00pm to 3.00pm during school term.
** Please note all children going into Year 1 next year require the full school uniform. Uniform fittings are available by booking on the jfe website.
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
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/