Week 3 Tuesday 26th October 2021 ISSUE:18

Catholic Education South Australia
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Community Prayer in Piazza 3/4CF- Friday 29th October, 8.55am

All Saints Whole School Mass - Monday 1st November 9.30am

Athletics Carnival - Monday 1st November 

Children's University Graduation - Tuesday 3rd November Bonython Hall

Swimming Week for Receptions - Year 4 - 15th -18th November

Sports Medal Presentation Assembly - Monday 22nd November 2.30pm

Instrumental Concert  - Tuesday 23rd November 5.30pm

Blessing Of the Cribs Liturgy - Friday 26th November 9.30am

Whole School Picnic - Friday 26th November 11.30 - 2.30

Sports Day - Thursday 2nd December

 

Please use the following  link to access the full Term 4 calendar.

Term 4 Calendar

 
 
 
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From the Acting Principal

We have had a smooth beginning to Term 4 and it is fair to say that the warmth and sunshine of Spring have certainly been welcome. It was wonderful to gather together for whole school Mass to celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, acknowledging our Patron Saint. It has also been great to see our parents and carers joining with us on site again, at Mass, at Community Prayer, at the Reception Assembly led by RP & RCH and also at the Morning Tea hosted by our Parents & Friends Committee.

 

We have received an update from Catholic Education South Australia today announcing that volunteers are now welcome back in schools. This is indeed good news and has been much awaited by a number of our keen parents and carers who would like to be able to offer their time and service more. We are very grateful that we have such a giving community that wants to contribute so generously. If you would like to resume your volunteering role (eg classroom reading) and you have current Volunteer Registration, please contact your child’s class teacher to arrange this. A reminder that parents, visitors and volunteers are still required to wear masks at school and to keep physical distance. Our Volunteers also need to sign in at the Front Office and wear the Volunteers Badge when you are here.

 

A session for new Volunteers seeking Registration and for all those who require or need to update their Induction, will be held next week at school (also via Teams online) on Wednesday 3rd November at 2.30pm in the Resource Centre. Please register your interest by contacting the Front Office with your name and intention to attend in person or online.

 

This Friday we will acknowledge World Teacher’s Day. This is held internationally in early October. As it falls during the school holidays for many parts of Australia, we celebrate a little later. At St Francis, we acknowledge ALL our Staff on this day as educators for your children. Please join with me in thanking them this Friday for their commitment to our students and community that makes St Francis such a special place! You can also find out more at www.worldteachersday.edu.au.

Uniform Review Update

Our Uniform Committee have continued to meet over the course of Term Three and have made great progress towards a recommendation for School Board for a new school uniform. As you can appreciate this is a complex process and has many factors to be considered. As mentioned previously the objective of the Review was to prepare a proposal for a uniform that is: cost effective, comfortable and good quality, ethically sourced, contemporary in design and reflective of our school, whilst being non-gender based. 

At School Board this evening the proposal for the Uniform items and the Uniform Policy (including a phased transition) will be discussed and the outcome will be shared with the community. We appreciate that our families have been very patient whilst this process has unfolded. A number of factors have interrupted the process, including COVID of course and a delay with the move of JS Sports  (Belgravia) factory to a new site at Mawson Lakes. We hope to have more information to you very soon.

 

Each year our senior students are invited to participate in the Student Voice Postcards Initiative by the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Mrs Helen Connolly. With this newsletter you will see a graphic that has some more information about this initiative. We really value this project as it gives an authentic voice to our children. The information received from the 41,000 postcards that are sent out is collated and compiled into a report. You are able to read the report based on last year’s information at the website: http://commissionerspostcards.com.au/reports/

The 2020 Report is titled “The Things That Matter 2” – Views of 8-12 year olds on life, school and community. I have taken a few key points from the Report and list them here, but I really encourage you to have a look at it for yourself when you have a few moments spare!

 

Extract from 2020 Report: What is the best thing about being a kid?

Playing, having fun and being healthy, active and creative

Learning new things about yourself and the world

Spending time with family, friends and pets

Being free from adult responsibilities, particularly not paying bills and taxes

 

What is the worst thing about being a kid?

Not having a say on things that affect you

Lack of freedom and independence

School and homework

Being bullied

Growing up

 

What would make things better for kids in South Australia?

Help everyone have a home, food, education and enough money

Cheaper or free education or sport

Making school more interesting and practical

More free places, activities and transport for kids to have fun and be safe in the community

Adults listening more and being kinder

Help the environment and animals

 

What do 8-12 year olds want to do when they finish school?

Get a good job, do well and help others

See the world

Have a happy and healthy family

Keep learning

 

For further insights into the voices of our young children, please take a read of the Report. We look forward to our students having the opportunity to contribute their voice to this initiative later this term.

Wishing you all a wonderful week and take the time to enjoy this sunshine!

Belinda Burford

 
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Aprim News

We have 20 students who have begun the Sacramental Program this year in preparation for their First Reconciliation on November 10th with the Parish Sunday School children. If you have registered your child please ensure you return the registration form with payment and a copy of Baptism certificate to the Parish office directly. Please contact me if you have any questions. We keep these children in our prayers as they prepare for this Sacrament with their families. Fr James Grant and Fr John met informally with School Staff last week and we look forward to having Fr James join our school community more over the course of the term.

In Week 1 we celebrated a whole school Mass for the Feast of St Francis. It has been a while since we have gathered for a whole school Mass and it was a joyous celebration of our patron Saint. We have also recommenced community prayer in the Piazza every Friday morning. We will gather on All Saints Day (Nov 1) for another whole school Mass and parents are welcome to join us. This Friday 3/4CF will be leading Community Prayer in the Piazza.

What will you share with your children about Halloween?

Halloween is becoming a popular celebration in Australia and I would like to share with you some thoughts about the Catholic view on Halloween. On the 1st and 2nd of November Catholics focus on All Saints Day and All Souls Day. We will be having a whole school Mass on All Saints Day to celebrate those people who lived a Christian life. On All Souls Day we pray for those who have died and remember Jesus rose to eternal life.

All Saints is a solemn feast and a holy day of obligation for Catholics. It was originally called ‘All Hallows’ Day. Hallow means saint and is also used in the Our Father ‘hallowed be thy name’ meaning Jesus` name is holy.

The Catholic tradition of the word Halloween came from the fact that Catholic feasts begin celebrations the night before with a vigil, fasting and prayer. This became known as ‘All Hallows Eve’ shortened to Halloween.

Originally in our Catholic tradition all significant feasts began their celebrations with a vigil the night before and people would prepare by acts of prayer and fasting. Later this celebration became known as All Hallows Evening shortened to Halloween!

As a Catholic school we pray for and recognise Saints and those who have died. Explaining to children the connection of Halloween to All Saints and All Souls Day helps them understand the Catholic context of praying for those how have died and recognise our special Saints.

Melissa Canil

 

 

Wellbeing News

Wellbeing News

Our Chaplain Philip has begun a new program this term for students who will benefit from additional emotional support. This program is called ‘Peaceful Kids’ and involves teachings students self-regulation strategies, mindfulness and gratitude. Resilience is one of the skills we teach our students through Social Emotional Wellbeing programs. This week I am sharing an article with you from Maggie Dent who is an expert Australian parenting author.

Helping our Kids Master Disappointment by Maggie Dent

Hasn’t 2021 been a year full of disappointment?! From loss of job opportunities, travel opportunities, closed playgrounds and schools to forced separations from loved ones…it has been one endless ride full of disappointment. Interestingly, after eight months I have noticed that I cope with disappointment so much better. So obviously there is a lot of truth in the saying, practice can improve performance.

The same goes for our children. There has been a tendency in recent years for parents to protect their children from moments of failure or discomfort because it can create emotional distress. I often suggest that we need to change the rules of the party game, Pass the Parcel, back to the old rules where there was only one winner! The reason I suggest this is that under five is a really important window in which children can learn about disappointment and, even more importantly, how to manage it. Yes it’s not nice when we don’t win, or we don’t get what we want or others behave in ways that we would prefer they didn’t. Our response to these moments is disappointment and it is a normal human response to those situations.

What does this have to do with helping our children with disappointment?

It means that if we are able to allow our children to experience as many authentic moments of disappointment as possible with our guidance and support, they will gradually create neural pathways that will help them manage and cope. Yes, from not being allowed a biscuit before dinner, not being able to get a pony, not having yet another story before bed, not being allowed to go naked in public…the list goes on from toddlerhood to teenage-hood. So many wonderful opportunities to practice understanding and navigating disappointment.

The difference between feeling ashamed and disappointed

Children who have been shamed when they experience quite normal toddler and infant experiences will tend to create the architecture that will make disappointment a reason to feel ashamed, rather than just feeling disappointed.

If we are able to acknowledge that some developmentally normal behaviours are exactly that – rather than assign a meaning that our little ones are intentionally being destructive – then we are already helping them create more resilience and capacity for overcoming failure and disappointment.

These same steps can be applied with our little ones as they get older with the addition that we start the process by validating how disappointment feels. It sucks! This is so helpful as it shows we understand how they feel and that it is absolutely normal and healthy to have that response when things don’t go the way we want them to. I think it is helpful for us grown-ups to model managing our disappointment as well. We need to keep reminding our children that even though it isn’t a pleasant feeling, disappointment is a normal response.

It does create a flood of different sensations throughout the body, depending on our prior experiences and our own unique temperament. There is no question that optimistic individuals can navigate disappointment a lot more effectively than our more pessimistic individuals! It seems some of that tendency may come in on our DNA and the more pessimistic child will need to work harder at being able to master the hidden gifts that disappointment can bring into their lives.

There are two different ways we can be disappointed.

One way we can be disappointed is through things that are out of our control such as changes made by others, like what happened during the shutdowns. This can also be around things that get cancelled, not being invited to a birthday party or a wedding.

Secondly, there are the disappointments that can come from things we do have control over like forgetting your lunchbox, losing a much-loved jacket, causing a friendship conflict because we said something mean or failing a test we never studied for.

This is an important thing to teach your kids – early and often. There are some things we can fix and some things we just have to learn to accept and adapt to.

The more that our children practice overcoming setbacks in moments of disappointment, the better they get at it. Rather than avoiding moments of disappointment, we need to be embracing them as a form of training for life. I know it’s easier said than done!

As parents we can be enthusiastic and encouraging about recovering from life’s challenging moments. I always found it helpful to look for the learning experience that was often hidden under each moment of disappointment. The failed test was often a chance to explore gaps in one of my son’s learning or more-often-than-not a lack of preparation!

Setting a new goal following a moment of failure, can also be helpful as it refocuses a child towards a future possibility of success, rather than leaving them stuck in a pile of disappointed muck.

We are meant to fall out of trees and we are meant to graze our knees when we run too fast. We can certainly lose our minds when we lose a game or miss a goal or target. However, recovering from these moments is what matters the most. Every one of those moments has a gift of grit for us and our children.

Playing endless games in real time with real humans is the other best way of learning how to lose and recover. No digital device will ever give you an authentic experience of disappointment and recovery. Indeed, in the virtual world you are often encouraged when you fail to have another go quickly, rather than feel the emotions that disappointment can bring. This can mean that children simply choose avoidance and distraction rather than authentic coping mechanisms.

Here are some tips to help you build disappointment ‘smarts’ in your kids:

  • Always validate how it sucks and feels unpleasant.
  • Don’t avoid or minimise the emotions that arise.
  • Teach strategies to shift the emotional energy – deep breaths, walking, patting the dog, playing music.
  • How can you make it right? Celebrate effort and persistence.
  • Do you need my help?
  • Remind them of previous moments of disappointment that they have overcome.
  • Remind them about learning to be stronger and grittier.
  • Choose an affirmation that works “I have got this” or “I am, I can, I will,” or “I am more than this…”
  • Reassure them of your love for them which does not change when things go badly – You love them always and forever – no matter what.

Accepting, understanding and even appreciating the role disappointment can play in raising a competent, confident, resilient child might not be something you have pondered on before.

We cannot leave it to chance to raise our children to believe that this rollercoaster ride we call life will ever be a peaceful field of daisies without any prickles.

 

 
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The Southern Cross Newsletter

Please follow the link to the latest edition of the Southern Cross Newsletter, 26/10/2021

 

Uniform shop

All Parents needing to purchase new school Uniforms, please remember you must make an appointment first and not just show up at the shop.

Uniform Shop Hours:

  • Mondays - 8am -12pm
  • Tuesdays - 1pm -5.30pm
  • Wednesdays - 8am - 12pm
  • Thursdays - 1pm -5.30pm
  • Fridays - Not open
  • Saturdays - 9am -12pm

Please ring Michelle - 0451 725 600 during uniform shop hours.

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. 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, you can place an online order and simply collect in store or have it sent directly to the school. https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/pages/uniform-shops

 

 
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