Welcome to Week 4. Slowly and surely, we are working through the challenges of the return to school process after our staggered start to the beginning of this year. Thankfully our community has not been too adversely affected by COVID outbreaks, although I’m sure that if you are one of a handful of families who have been in isolation during these last 3 weeks you may have a different view! We will be doing the best we can over the coming weeks to ensure that the children are provided with the best possible teaching and learning programs as we work through potentially disrupted routines for children and staff. There may be some occasions where your child/ren do not have their regular class teacher in the classroom. While I am confident the learning program will remain largely the same, we will do the best we can to provide continuity of staff, unfortunately this may not always be possible. As always, please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns as we move forward.

At this time in South Australia, some restrictions have been eased in the school setting for Weeks 5-8. The most significant of these to our school are;

• Resumption of interschool sports competitions
• Return to extra-curricular activities such as instrumental lessons & chess lessons
• Parents/visitors being able to attend for specific outdoor events – eg Community Prayer
• Volunteers being able to attend school sites as required by the school

In line with the resumption of these activities we still need to be mindful of some restrictions which are still in place such as;

• Face masks continue to be required for adults/visitors on school grounds and encouraged for students from Yr 3-6 when indoors
• Parents/caregivers must remain outside and not enter classroom spaces
• Social distancing for adults and masks on the school grounds are still required
• Current testing/isolating and quarantine guidelines will be updated via a letter for families later this week

Project Compassion Launch

We are very privileged as a school and parish community to be chosen to host the launch of the 2022 Caritas Project Compassion campaign here at St Francis on Shrove Tuesday. We will welcome His Grace – Archbishop of Adelaide, Patrick O’Regan to celebrate Mass, with invited guests, Dr Neil McGoran – Director of Catholic Education SA, Mrs Kirsty Robertson - CEO of Caritas Australia and The Honourable Mr Vincent Tarzia, Member for Hartley in attendance. Originally, this Mass would have been a whole school community celebration but unfortunately with current restrictions, only our Year 6 children will be able to attend. Parents are most welcome though and we hope you can join us to launch the Caritas Australia Appeal on Tuesday 1^st March.

We look forward to more and more school-based programs and activities resuming over the coming weeks. I encourage you to stay positive, keep connected to the school and across all that is happening in our community as we travel this journey together.

Have a great week.

James Meiksans

It was wonderful to welcome back all our students last week on St Valentine’s Day. We understand there are some families that are isolating or unwell and we keep them in our prayers. We often hear the words of the apostle Paul’s famous letter at weddings but I am sharing it with you today to remind us that our Catholic faith is based on the greatest commandment – ‘Love one another’. During this global pandemic, we can find comfort in these words and model this in our daily interactions.

‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…it always protects, always trusts, always preserves.’1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Next week we being our Lenten Journey starting on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time to get closer to God and we teach our children ways to do this through actions. You may like to say this prayer at home with your children.

Prayer for Ash Wednesday

God our Father, as we begin this holy season of Lent, help us to see that your merciful love is with us always, even when we wander far from you. With the help of your grace, may our prayers and sacrifices over the next forty days lead us closer to you and to each other, the poor, the sick and the lonely so that together, we can fulfil your promises for all who live in your love. Amen

Sacraments

In Term 4 last year we saw nearly 40 students make their First Reconciliation. These students will soon begin preparing to make their First Eucharist and Confirmation in May. The Sacramental Program has changed slightly to ensure that we are following the Archdiocese Policy for the catechesis of children. Students from age 7 years and above can enrol in the Sacrament Program and all students from outside the school and from the school will be completing the program together. We follow a Parish-based, Family-centred and School supported program. The new program will begin in Term 3 this year. Family Workshops are postponed at the moment until restrictions ease.

School Events

Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions we were unable to have a beginning of year Mass as we normally do. We can recommence Community Prayer in Week 5 in the Piazza and parents are invited. 

On Shrove Tuesday students will enjoy pancakes in their classrooms supplied by the canteen. Ash Wednesday will look a bit different this year. Each class will have their own Liturgy as we are unable to gather in cohorts or as a whole school.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Melissa Canil

APRIM

Please follow the link to the latest issue of the Southern Cross Newsletter 22/02/2022

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