Welcome to the last newsletter of the school year! There has been so much to celebrate in amongst a year of uncertainty and general upheaval due to COVID. Last Thursday was indeed a great celebration for the children, families and staff as we came together for Sports Day. The weather was perfect, and the day ran extremely smoothly. Congratulations to Joseph- (Red) for winning the Spirit Cup and to Clare – (Gold) for winning the coveted Sports Day Shield. It was a wonderful day, the children displayed qualities of great cooperation, commitment and teamwork and a successful day was had by all. Special thanks go to Adrian Gatto our PE teacher, who always provides great activities and a well-planned day for our students. Support from parents on the day is always appreciated and helps the day to run well. We were also lucky to have adult supporters attend to cheer the children on as well. What a great end of year celebration this turned out to be!

Tomorrow we will gather for our End of Year Mass as a School Community at 9:30am in the Parish Church. It will be an opportunity to offer thanks for the year of 2021, celebrate the Graduation of our Year 6 students moving to high school next year and to say farewell to staff who are finishing their time at St Francis of Assisi School. At this time, we recognise and say farewell to Ms Claire Cooper who has been working in a support role in the area of English as an Additional Language during this year.  Ms Kieren Gulpers, who has been with us for the last 2 years and will be commencing a new role at Emmaus School, Ms Anne Mercorella, who has been a member of staff since 2007, and has secured a position at St Ignatius College, Ms Josie Cochrane who has officially resigned her position here after more than 20 years’ service. We also farewell Ms Belinda Burford who has been our Deputy Principal for the last 3 ½ years and has now won the position as Principal at St Thomas School, Goodwood. We thank all these people for their amazing contributions to the life of the students and Community of St Francis and we wish them every success for the future. I am confident that each and every one of these people will be an asset to their new community.

Reports and class placements will come home this evening. The Report provides a summary of your child/ren’s learning across the year and highlights their strengths, achievements and areas for potential growth. Please take the time to read and understand the comments that have been written in the various subject areas as this is where the insights about each child’s learning will occur. We all want our children to be A grade students, unfortunately, this is not always achievable in every subject area for every student. Take the time to focus on the positives that come from the comments and set some future learning goals with your child. This is a much better way to get the most out of the Report that your child receives.

Regarding class placements, teachers spend countless hours trying to get this right, with a whole range of social/emotional, learning and behavioural needs to take under consideration, in balance with the needs of the whole year level cohort of children. We invited families to share any thoughts with us about class placements several weeks ago and these were taken into consideration along with many other pieces of the giant jigsaw puzzle, for which there are many possible combinations. As a result of this, placements are now finalised and cannot be changed. The domino effect for every child moved creates an enormous ripple and impacts many others. Your support in encouraging your child to be happy, show resilience and approach the new year with a positive outlook goes a long way to helping them settle with their new peer group very quickly. Your support with this is appreciated.

In closing we look forward to a safe, happy and holy Christmas filled with joy in the birth of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to celebrate well with your family and keep Jesus at the heart of Christmas.

I wish you and your family every blessing for the festive season and look forward to a prosperous 2022 school year.

James Meiksans

Over the last two weeks, in amongst the fullness of our school calendar, I have caught brief moments where I found myself reflecting on my time here at St Francis and how much has happened in those few years. During this time I have connected with so many people in our community – students, parents, extended family members, and parish members. This part of my role remains my greatest joy. Feeling connected and that sense of belonging is the reason why we keep returning day after day to a community. The importance of this is never to be underestimated. I have been enriched by the St Francis of Assisi community and for that I am very grateful. As I prepare to move to my next community I will take many fond memories of my time here, the people I have met and the moments we have shared together.

In just a few years I have seen a number of changes, initiatives and events take place in our school and I have enjoyed being part of the Staff team, bringing these to bear. Some highlights would include: Planning and attending the Year 6 Camp to Canberra, AFL Max Camp, many excursions, especially the School Picnic & Swim Week, Graduations, development of Staff Professional Learning Teams and supporting Literacy improvement, connecting with the re-established P & F, refurbishment of the Year 5/6 learning area, Uniform Review and implementation of new Uniform Policy, planning for new Nature Play spaces. A particular highlight is also the time spent in the classroom, with Yr 5CB in 2019 and RL Italian this year.

My role has seen me learn and grow in many ways. As you can imagine, my role is certainly challenging, yet also varied and with many opportunities present. I like to keep a positive mindset and always seek to extend my capacity. For this reason I am now accepting the challenge for a new role, where I can apply my knowledge and experience gained from this community. It is sometimes hard to explain ‘why’ when I am asked the reason I am leaving, especially when a 5 year old is asking the question! My best answer is that I have been offered a chance to learn and grow more, and as a teacher, and a life-long learner I will never say ‘no’ to that. It is my hope for all our students, that they also will embrace any opportunity that sees them ‘learn and grow more’.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all in the St Francis of Assisi community for your support of me during my time here. Thank you for all our conversations, interactions, and shared experiences and most importantly, thank you to the students who have brought a smile and a laugh to each and every day of mine. I wish you all the very best and may God bless you abundantly as you move forwards together living out the joy of St Francis in this community. May peace and love fill your Christmas season and New Year too.

Belinda Burford

It is hard to believe I am coming the end of my first year at St Francis. I want to thankyou all for welcoming me so openly into your community and I am excited for what 2022 will bring. Tomorrow we celebrate our Graduating Class and the ending of a school year with our Annual End of Year Mass. Attendance to this Mass is only available through registered tickets to ensure we are following the COVID safe rules of our Parish.

Thankyou for your generous donations to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Vinnies presented us with a certificate at Assembly and were very impressed with the amount of donations received this year from our community. These donations will bring joy to those families in need this Christmas. Thankyou.

I want to wish you all a blessed and safe Christmas. May the joy of Christmas fill your hearts and homes and I look forward to see you all return in 2022 with smiles on.

Melissa Canil

Please find below an article that will help to support your child as they prepare for the 2022 School Year from Madhavi Nawana Parker

https://positivemindsaustralia.com.au

Worried about your child’s class placement in 2022?

It’s perfectly normal for you and your family to be thinking a lot about this. Afterall, children spend all day at school.

It’s only natural to have a preference for a particular teacher and normal to feel worried or disappointed if they don’t get them.

It’s important to know that a child’s emotional adjustment to leaving this year’s teacher and preparing for next year’s teacher is interconnected with your feelings about it.

Make sure if there are any special reasons you feel your child will benefit from a particular teacher or cohort, that you express these to your school early, before they start configuring classes.

Here are some ways you can help make the transition smoother for your child if you or they didn’t get the news you were hoping for.

Hear out your child’s feelings but try and avoid fixing their feelings by adding your own feelings, judgements and solutions. Feelings need to come out, be present and move through. They don’t have to be excited about the teacher they got, to learn from that teacher in the long run. The feelings you see in that initial moment aren’t necessarily reflective of how they will feel long term - especially if you don’t react with them. Humans need time to process change. When news is fresh, we can go through many feelings of resistance and uncertainty. That doesn’t mean that what’s coming is necessarily bad. You can gently say something like, ‘you really wanted X , so of course you’re disappointed. I understand. We can talk more after a cuddle/ play/ hot chocolate. (Basically, you want to avoid talking while their logical brain is switched off and emotions are high). Listening calmly and quietly is golden.

Avoid looking upset about the placement in front of your child. If they are upset, they will naturally look to you to help them feel better. This doesn’t mean you have to fake being excited if you’re not (they’ll see through that) but it does mean you do your very best to be calm, confident and if you can’t be hopeful, try and be neutral. Children need us as an emotional compass when they experience uncomfortable feelings.

Before you go in to pick them up on the day they receive their placement, remind yourself to try and trust the process. There are multiple layers to how class placements are allocated that couldn’t possibly be explained completely. School leaders and staff put in huge amounts of thought into student personalities, learning styles, teaching styles, class size, who asked to have who in their class and much more that is happening behind the scenes we’re not aware of.

Schools genuinely do their best with this decision. If you’re upset, it’s possible they are too but when weighing everything up, had no other direction to turn. Supporting your child’s teachers and school is a crucial part of your child’s psychological and academic success there.

Your reaction to next year’s teacher news is hugely important to your child. Your confidence, hopefulness and regulated emotion is crucial. If you’re not happy, try and keep these feelings in the back ground and discuss them privately with another adult. Children are too young to take on their parent’s worries. If there is a genuine problem, take logical action without involving your child in the stress associated with it.

Your child’s emotional connection to and respect for their teacher and school is deeply connected with your connection to and respect for their teacher and school.

Children learn, grow and strengthen in resilience by being with a broad range of personalities and communication styles. When things are unrealistically perfect and easy, they can get stuck in their comfort zone. To build confidence for later on in life, you need to experience a broad range of peers and situations and discover that through talking about feelings, asking for help, establishing boundaries and building your social emotional skills, you can handle a lot of what life has in store. Be there to hear their thoughts and feelings out, but above all show you have confidence in your child to get through. If situations are dangerous, toxic or damaging your child’s learning and psychological health, always talk to school staff and if necessary, other experts to ask for and seek help. Seek out the support of a health professional too if necessary. On the surface, do your best as your child’s most important adult and leader to show your confidence that your child will be safe and cared for, always.

Do something heartwarming and compassionate for yourself. If you’re upset and stressed it’s not because you’re weak or incapable. It’s because our children hold our hearts and when they hurt, we hurt. You need to look after yourself first and foremost.

The advice above is general and based on general child development, resilience and confidence research. It is written with the very best intention to help you. Without knowing your individual circumstances it’s not intended to replace your expertise as a parent or the expertise of educators and health professionals. Always seek tailored expert advice if you feel your child’s physical or psychological health is at risk in any way.

Wishing you all the very best with class placement news if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hang in there beautiful parents  

Madhavi Nawan Parker

Lara from RL with her ballerina friends amongst the Jacaranda trees in Prospect.

Three Way Conferences have been scheduled for Friday 28th January 2022. These Conferences give you an opportunity to meet with your child’s new Teacher before the new school year begins. To co-ordinate the interviews we are using the online booking system again to assist parents in securing your preferred interview time with each of your children’s Teachers.

Bookings for Three Way Conferences with the Teacher can only be made online.

The online booking system is very straight forward, and user friendly on a mobile, IPad or computer.

Please use the following URL to access the site for making the booking:

Parent access URL login: https://sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=921

• Parents will need to initially provide an email address, OR mobile number.
• Then you will be directed to put in your name and all of your children’s names and their year levels.
• Possible classes for your children’s year levels will show.
• Choose which class your child is in for 2022 and all available time slots for that class will then show. If a time slot is gray, it is not available or has already been booked.
• Choose a time slot which is suitable for you. Click on it and the booking will be made for you.

The following link is instructions for parents.

Parent instructions:https://sobs.com.au/docs/sobs-pt3-parents.pdf

Parents have from Tuesday 7th December 4pm until Tuesday 25th January 2022 11.59pm ONLY to make an online booking with their child’s teacher. After this time/date the online booking system closes to allow Teachers preparation time. Parents will no longer be able to book an Interview or change their times but can view their booked times. 

Please ensure you have chosen the correct class for your child/children and are not booking them into the wrong class.

**CLOSED December 18th 2021- January 9th 2022.

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR A COPY OF THE NEW UNIFORM

Middle years 3 - 6 new uniform collection

Early Years R - 2 new uniform collection

Uniform Shop Sales Assistant: Michelle Flanigan

Contact number: 0451 725 600

Email: cambelltown@belgraviasports.com.au  

PLEASE BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TO ATTEND THE SHOP

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.

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

What if I know exactly what I need?

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 1.

Online shop: accessible 24/7: delivery to school in last week of the school holidays.

https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/collections/st-francis-of-assisi-school