SFX SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES 2020

Mercy Charism, Writing, Problem Solving, Wellbeing and Partnerships

Dear Parents/Carers,

FRIDAY 4 December 2020

Week 9

2021

Term 1

Fri 22 Jan

Book packs can be dropped of to school

2:30 - 3:00

Tues 26 Jan

Australia Day

Public Holiday

Wed 27 Jan

School resumes

‘Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it be-comes a memory’

Dr Seuss

Moments are always coming and going, it is sometimes difficult to tell the

value of a moment until it is past. Some moments are ‘big’ and easy to see

their value and feel the change it creates, others seem unimportant at the

time but can have a dramatic effect of our lives.

As our children are moving towards the end of another year, how do we

teach them to pay attention to the ‘moments?’ How do we show them how

to create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime? How do we share

our moments from the past with our children?

These are questions for all of us, and certainly the parents and families of

our Year 6 students. This is an opportunity to ask children about the

funniest thing this year, the best thing you have learnt and the kindest thing

that happened, among many others. Encourage children to actually think

and share a moment: we need to support them to remember so that

moments can be relived.

As our Year 6 children leave our school, we hope the time they have spent

with us, has created many memorable moments for them. We also hope all

our children, staff and parents are able to reflect on the year that was and

take happy memories into 2021.

Matthew 7:7 reminds us of the path we can take when there are

unexpected changes in life.

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.”

This is our final Newsletter of the year! It is a little frightening to be saying that as it seems as though we

began the new year not that long ago. 2020 has been an interesting year, to say the least, not just for

our SFX family, but for humankind worldwide. Even with all that occurred – online learning, COVID

becoming a household word, closer focus on healthy practices, keeping parents and visitors from the

school grounds, cancelling many traditional events and the list goes on, we continued to provide, with

your support, the very best education for our children. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to

say thank you to each of the following…

To our staff who work to high expectations and high accountability with one another, ensuring a shared responsibility for the best learning outcomes for all students;

To our Assistant Principals – Miss Oxenham, Mrs Benfer and Mrs Griffin, for the great commitment and effort given to support all student learning as well as the extraordinary and incredible work they do in setting our school up for success;

To our Board, for their wisdom and advice on so many occasions – their guidance has been a blessing;

To our P & F for their enthusiasm and their commitment to the school throughout the year; To our parents who volunteer to support us in all capacities, even for just a short time this year,

and… To our children whose energy, happiness and love of life and learning lift one’s spirits.

This year we farewell 3 of our staff members.

Amanda Heron – began with us in 2017 teaching Prep, between bouts of study leave, part time work and full time this year, she takes next year to complete her studies in Psychology. We wish her all the very best with all future endeavours.

Karen Linwood – joined us this year from West State School. She has shown great commitment to her teaching in the short time she has been with us. We wish her well as she returns to West Mackay State School in the capacity of Learning Support.

Matt Nicholas – is a long standing OSHC educator whose experience with children and dedication to his craft is commendable. His passion for providing meaningful experiences for the children and for raising cancer awareness is so very much appreciated. We wish him well with whatever life may afford him.

And finally…

Thank you also to all those families who leave us at the end of the year; whether it is because your last

child leaves for high school or because you are relocating. We wish you all the very best for the future

and thank you sincerely for your valued contributions to St Francis Xavier.

My sincere thanks to all members of our school community for supporting us to become what we are

today. I’d like to finish with this Christmas prayer.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth . . .

may we begin to see the world in the light of the

understanding you give us.

As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the

world had ever known,

so may we worship you in meekness of heart.

May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves, in this

season of giving.

Amen.

TEACHING STAFF FOR 2021 – to date

Meagan Wellby, Tayhla Wood, Kylie Norton Fiona Carney, Angela Lamperd, Ellie Laubie Jo Stark, Shelley Stringer, Haley Saye Kirstin Harris, Joan McNeill, Therese McLean Danni Harmer, Shannon Cross, Helena Reitano Trish Brennan, Kathy Douglas, Janine Mullenbach Jacqui Kynaston, Josie Hogan, Tania Wood Tracey Galletly, Maree Poots, Kate Rackham

God Bless

Olivia

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THIS CHRISTMAS

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!"...

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought,

"doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...

perhaps... means a little bit more!"

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND GOALS 2020/2022

1. Catholic Identity and Ethos 2. Effective Teaching and Learning

(NSIT Domains 2,5,6,7,8)

1.1 To embed and align Catholic Social

Teaching and the Mercy charism throughout

the Curriculum and the Teaching and Learning

Framework.

Goal: To educate our school community on who the founders of

our school are and what values they have imparted.

2.1 That our school has a culture of data

informed practice where every student is

engaged and learning successfully in their own

ways.

Goal: To embed 6 + 1 Writing Traits to improve

student writing. To plan and deliver deep learning

opportunities in Mathematics enabling students to

become proficient in problem solving strategies and terminology.

3. Pastoral Support and Wellbeing

(NSIT Domain 3)

4. Leadership, Partnerships and

Resourcing

(NSIT Domains 1,4,9)

3.1 Based on the Diocesan Wellbeing

Framework implement a student wellbeing

program that focuses on each child being

the best version of themselves.

Goal: To identify and enhance the well-being of students through

the introduction of the BE YOU program (which is under the

umbrella of the Diocesan Wellbeing Framework) to the school

community.

4.1 To enhance and develop parent and

community partnerships to improve student

learning.

Goal: To educate parents, teachers and students on our school

priorities and annual goals.

Assistant Principal Religion Education

Amanda Griffin

THE PURPOSE OF THE ADVENT WREATH

The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.

The first candle is purple, it is a symbol of hope. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is pink and symbolises joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

PARISH MASS - BOOKING INFORMATION Link for weekend Mass bookings; https://www.trybooking.com/BKACF

Booking availability commence 9am on the Monday previous. If you are unable to book on line please phone your respective Parish on the phone numbers listed below. For St Patrick’s, St Francis Xavier, St Mary’s and St Michael’s 0460 423 603 or 4957 4807 from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

MASS TIMES

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton website http://rok.catholic.net.au/

Includes updates from Bishop Michael; the diocesan response to COVID 19; prayers and faith resources;

useful links and lots of other information regarding our diocese. Join Bishop Michael for daily mass via

the link above. Pentecost Pilgrimage www.pentecostpilgrimage.com

It is a series of talks, prayers and opportunities to chat with speakers from all around the world engaged

and sharing in the journey to Pentecost - a time when the disciples were unsure and fearful of what was

happening and looked to the Risen Jesus in hope. Check out the website.

You can register at any time.

Assistant Principal Curriculum

Jodie Benfer

Early Book Pack Drop Off

Book Packs can be dropped off to classrooms on Friday 22

nd January 2021

between 2.30pm and 3.00pm.

PREVIOUS YEAR BOOKLIST ITEMS

All items such as dictionaries, calculators, headphones and MJR texts (specific year levels need the same book for the following year), will be sent up in boxes to the next year level.

If any items need to be replaced the classroom teacher will send these home at the end of this year. Art shirts will be sent home at the end of the year as these items usually need to be washed or the children grow out of them.

SCHOOL FEES FOR TERM 4 ARE NOW DUE

If you did not receive your account, please contact Pauline in the office.

Payments can be made in Cash, EFTPOS, Cheque, Credit Card, Direct Debit, BPay or

Internet Banking

INTERNET BANKING DETAILS

A/C: St Francis Xavier School

BSB: 034-210

ACCOUNT: 811093

REFERENCE: Account code top right hand corner of invoice.

If you haven’t finalised your account could you please contact the finance department as

soon as possible.

Pauline Hyde—Finance Secretary

SCHOOL FEES

As we come to the end of the school term, if you haven’t finalised your account yet could you

please contact the Finance Department as soon as possible to rectify. You can also pay by

following the below internet banking transfer, Bpay or credit card. Thank you for your

assistance in getting these accounts finalised.

REEF GUARDIAN NEWS

Over the last few weeks, the Reef Guardian Team have been working hard to come up with an Environmental Charter for our school. The students agreed that the charter would be like a pledge or promise to our school and community. They came up with some great ideas and I important points, such as:

What we can do or already do to make our planet cleaner and greener

The positive influence of our local Yuwi people

Respect for our Catholic Faith and

Effective recycling

After plenty of brainstorming and discussion, the students came up with a very worthy and relevant school Environmental Charter that reflects not only what we aim to achieve at our school, but one that supports real world environmental problems. For a perfect finishing touch, they decided to highlight key words in green and include some amazing artwork to support the written pledge. Well done Team, we look forward to continuing these practices and embedding the new ones in our school next year!

St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School Mackay Environmental Charter

WE:

Educate, inspire and support each other to implement effective and sustainable projects and actions

for a cleaner and greener planet.

Learn from our local Yuibera people’s physical and spiritual connection to the land, water and animals

around us.

Show respect for all of God’s creations, for caring for the earth is a duty of our faith.

Be proactive in reducing, reusing and recycling resources and materials for a positive future.

OZ TAG On Wednesday the Cowboys U11 Oztag team won their semi-final and then progressed on to win the grand final. The team consists of Year 5 students from St Francis Xavier. They all showed great sportsmanship.

Congratulations!