Welcome to the last week of Term 2. The final copies of school Reports are being printed and ready for distribution as I write this newsletter. You will receive your child’s Report on Thursday in a sealed envelope. Take the time to read and digest the contents. Often, parents open the Reports and just look for the number of ‘A’s that are on the page. In my view the most important information in the Report is contained in the comments because it is in reading these that you gain a true insight into how your child is performing, where their strengths are and what the challenges are for them moving forward. If you have met with your child’s class teacher/s last term in Parent/Teacher Interviews, hopefully the information you read in the Report will not be a surprise. Rather, it will confirm your perception of what’s happening for your child in his or her learning. Of course you are always welcome to make a time to meet with the teacher early next term to discuss the Report content if you wish to have anything clarified.

Last Friday the Deputy Director, Mr John Mula visited our school to learn more about what makes St Francis of Assisi school such a great place to be. John was very impressed with a number of things, but the two comments he made consistently across his visit to a number of classrooms and learning spaces was in reference to how calm the children were and how strongly engaged in the learning they were. In every class we visited he was greeted by happy and focused students who clearly were enjoying the work they were doing and were focused on the task at hand. This is an absolute credit to our teaching staff who continue to value quality learning and place this at the centre of everything they do. It is most affirming for me as a Principal to have visitors in our school make comment on the quality of the learning, as this is at the heart of our mission as educators. The fact that the children were all so positive, happy and focused on their learning speaks volumes for the quality programs our teaching staff continue to provide. As we move toward the holiday break I take this opportunity to thank each and every member of staff for the energy and passion they commit to the learning program here at St Francis.

It has been a busy term with many events, but none more important than the celebration of the Sacraments for our Year 3 & 4 candidates in Confirmation and Communion over the last two weekends. Fr Phillip Marshall (Vicar General) and Fr Eldridge did a wonderful job in making these celebrations special for the children and an event in their faith journey that they will always remember. It has been a privilege to witness these young people celebrating these milestones in their life and I wish each and every one of them every blessing as they journey forward, enriched by the presence of Jesus through the Sacraments. We pray for them and their families at this very special time in their faith journey.

We will welcome a new school Chaplain to St Francis of Assisi next term. Phillip Matthews will join us and his main role will be pastoral care and support for children and families. Phillip has been working in this role for the last six years in two other Catholic schools and comes to us highly recommended. Phillip will be with us on a Wednesday and Thursday and you may see him in the yard before and after school. Please feel free to introduce yourself to Phillip when you have the opportunity.

In closing I wish you all a safe, happy and COVID free holiday. We look forward to seeing all the children back on Tuesday 20^th July, refreshed, recharged and ready to learn.

James Meiksans

Over the past two weeks we had 28 of our students complete their initiation into the Catholic Church with the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Fr Philip Marshall VG confirmed the children and reminded them that they are ‘enough’ just the way they are and there is nobody who loves them more in the world than God. Thankyou to Father Eldridge and Father John who supported our children to make their First Holy Communion and shared with them the importance of sacraments being a life-long commitment to the Church.

On Wednesday last week our Year 6’s Gathered for a Reflection Day. The day began with gender specific programs designed around friendships, problem solving and leadership skills. After recess we had a visit from the Director of Catholic Mission – Tony Johnston, who spoke to the children about being a religious leader. The children also learnt about how Catholic Mission helps poor countries overseas. A fun activity that the children enjoyed, was making a soccer ball from everyday materials – plastic bags, socks, string, just like the children in Ghana do. This activity was an introduction to a fundraising event the Yr 6 students will lead later in the year called ‘Socktober’.

Here are some reflections from our Year 6 students.

“I like the rock and water group team challenges because it was challenging and fun”

“It was a time for the Year 6’s to come together and to reflect on our leadership goals and what we have done this year. It was nice to work together.”

“We really liked the girl workshop and to hear her story and know that everybody goes through the same thing and we are not alone.”

“Real girls aren’t perfect and perfect girls aren’t real” was the saying Emma had up on the board.

Blessings for a safe and enjoyable holiday break,

Melissa Canil

APRIM

We thank you Lord, for this term.

For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt.

Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.

Give us strength and courage to do what is right, to be witnesses of our faith.

Help us to give time and effort to help others and to be peacemakers in our family these holidays.

Keep us safe Lord in our activities and give us rest.

Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.

We thankyou Lord for our classmates, teachers, parents and all those in our community.

May we continue to be empowered by hope and inspired by curiosity throughout this school year.

We pray this through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Please see the latest news from the 'Environmental Student Leaders' about the grant which they won from Catholic Education and the plans they have for that money.

Environmental Leadership News

Please follow the link to the latest edition of the Southern Cross Newsletter, 29/06/2021

Please see the attached programme for Vacation care during the July School Holidays

July School Holiday OSHC Programme

For booking visit:https://www.sa.ymca.org.au/what-we-do/oshc

With the end of term fast approaching this is a quick reminder for  parents of our opening hours during the school holidays (we are closed week 1 of the holidays) and reminding them to make an appointment please.

We still require appointments to be made, as we do still need to manage social distancing in store.

JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS OPENING HOURS

Closed 2^nd July - 9^th July

Re-opening Saturday 10^th July 9am

Monday 8am - 12pm

Tuesday 1pm - 5.30pm

Wednesday 8am - 12pm

Thursday 1pm - 5.30pm

Saturday 9am - 12pm

Book your Appointment online now!

Why do I need an appointment???

Due to social distancing requirements we still have restrictions on how many people can be in store at one time. We are expecting a high volume of families in the store during the school holidays. If you do not have an appointment you may have to wait outside until all appointments have been completed first.

How do I book an appointment?

Book online at https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/pages/school-uniform-fittings

What if I know exactly what I need to purchase?

If you know what you need, place an online order and simply collect in store or have it sent directly to the school. All online orders placed in the holidays will be delivered to the school on Thursday of Week 1 term 3. https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/pages/uniform-shops

All children will have received an envelope for their school photos with their names on it.

• You have the choice to place cash, cheque or money order in this envelope and return to the school. Cash MUST be the correct amount.
• Online orders can also be made using the Students Unique 'Shootkey' BEFORE midnight of Photo day.
• Extra envelopes are available form the Front Office if required
• Family photos require a 'Family Photo' envelope, please collect one from the Front Office. Online for Family photos not available.

PLEASE NOTE - Family photos will take place in the MPF from 8.15am.