Term 3 Week 9

A Message from Leadership

Queensland Child Protection Week at St Francis

This week, St Francis School proudly joins the broader community in recognising Child Protection Week. This important initiative highlights the critical need to protect children and young people across the state. The week raises awareness about child abuse prevention, the importance of education and support services, and the need for collaboration between government and non-government agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. 

As part of Queensland Child Protection Week, Mrs Meredith Grove, Mrs Leann Hansen, Mrs Deb Whitfield, Miss Melissa Davey, and I attended the Student Protection Gathering in Rockhampton. The two-day learning brought together leading experts in child safety, including:

• Commissioner Anne Hollonds, National Children's Commissioner
• Anne Edwards, Executive Director Operations, Queensland Family and Child Commission
• Rebecca Christopherson, Child Safe Organisations Team Leader
• Professor Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University
• Mr Ben Tallboys, Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
• David Stracey, Social Worker

The gathering provided valuable insights into the 10 Child Safe Standards, which form the foundation of best practices in safeguarding children:

1. Leadership and culture: Building a culture of child safety within organisations.
2. Voice of children: Ensuring children are heard and their views are respected.
3. Family and community: Engaging families and communities in safeguarding efforts.
4. Equity and diversity: Addressing the diverse needs of all children.
5. People: Ensuring staff and volunteers uphold child safety practices.
6. Complaints management: Creating accessible and responsive systems for addressing concerns.
7. Knowledge and skills: Providing training to enhance child safety expertise.
8. Physical and online environments: Ensuring safe spaces for children, both physically and digitally.
9. Continuous improvement: Regularly evaluating and improving child safety measures.
10. Policy and procedures: Embedding child safety into organisational policies and practices.

As part of our school’s activities for Child Protection Week, students participated in a special initiative today by wearing a touch of fluoro under the theme “Stay Bright, Stay Safe”. This vibrant event reminded everyone of the importance of being visible and safe in our communities, while reinforcing our collective commitment to child protection.

At St Francis, the safety and well-being of our students remain at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to embedding the principles of the 10 Child Safe Standards into all aspects of school life, ensuring our school is a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children.

Child Protection Week serves as an important reminder of the role we all play in safeguarding our young people. Together, we can continue to build a culture of safety, respect, and care that allows every child to thrive.

Together we can make a difference!

Mrs Samantha Suthers - Principal 

Feast Day Celebrations - Friday 19 September

Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,

Laudato Si’, written by Pope Francis, is a heartfelt call to protect our common home and to live in harmony with all creation. Its title, meaning “Praise be to you,” is drawn from the Canticle of the Creatures written by St Francis of Assisi, whose profound love for creation inspires us to see God’s presence in every part of the natural world. St Francis praised “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon,” celebrating the interconnectedness of all life—a vision echoed in Laudato Si’.

An encyclical is a formal letter written by the Pope to guide and inspire people of faith. This year marks 10 years since Laudato Si’ was published, and what makes it particularly unique is that it is addressed not just to Catholics but to all people around the world. Pope Francis begins with the words: “I wish to address every person living on this planet” (Laudato Si’, 3), inviting everyone to join in caring for our common home.

One of the greatest gifts we can share with our children today is the opportunity to encounter the natural world in all its beauty and wonder. These moments spark curiosity, foster connection, and invite them to experience the presence of a transcendent God—a God who is all around us and revealed through the marvels of creation.

Pope Francis encourages us to embrace ecological conversion, recognising our responsibility to care for the Earth. He invites us to take practical actions: reducing waste, conserving water, protecting biodiversity, and standing in solidarity with vulnerable communities affected by environmental harm.

Together, as stewards of creation, we can answer this call by honouring God’s gift of nature and working towards a sustainable, just future for all.

PAX et bonum,

Mrs Meredith Grove- APRE

Reflection- Sr Kym Harris

The Paradox of the Cross

If you have anything to do with Catholics, you see crosses everywhere. It wasn’t always like that. For the first few centuries, Christians didn’t use the image of the cross at all. In fact, in the first depiction of the Crucifixion, the cross isn’t there at all. Jesus and the two thieves are just hanging mid-air (see  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crucifixion-Christ-Church-Santa-Sabina-Rome-716123.jpg ). Such was the horror of this instrument of torture that the artist couldn’t bring himself to depict it, even though it had ceased to be a way of killing people. Eventually when the cross was depicted in art, it was often loaded with rich and sumptuous symbolism of the glorious life that came through this terrible death. The mosaic from San Clemente in Rome is a prime example (see https://www.christianiconography.info/sanClemente/apse.html . The explanation here is well worth the read.)

I can understand the aversion of those early Christians to displaying the cross. The places where we meet the cross in our own lives are usually places of failure, shame and pain. Too often, we don’t want to go there….and with good reason. We are overwhelmed. Yet when Jesus became human, suffering his terrible Death, he was one with us in the dark and difficult places of our lives…one with us, so he could share with us the grace to turn those situations into places of grace and life. For us to realise this we need to invite him to be with us in our pain and suffering so we can experience his transforming grace. This Sunday the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross. This is a good time to ponder on those dark places in our lives and be open to the transformation Jesus could bring.

Loving Father,
Jesus experienced our life and suffered our death,
that he might offer us the fullness of love.
Give me the courage to face the difficult places of my life
that I might be a channel of your life in them.
I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Star of the Sea Parish Bulletin

Mon 15th, Tues 16th & Wed 17th September

Year 5 & 6 Camp

As part of our Personal Development and Wellbeing Program for our leaders, Year 5 and 6 classes will be attending school camp this year at Chaverim Outdoor Education Centre, near Bundaberg, from the 15th to 17th September.

The camp is an opportunity to nurture each student’s character strengths with a focus on resilience, teamwork, communication, confidence, trust and adaptability. Some of the activities include low ropes, canoeing, rock climbing and the flying fox. The coordinators and teachers at the camp provide adequate supervision and expertise, ensuring the safety of everyone. The students will be split into groups and complete activities on a rotational basis.

A huge thank you to Mrs Melissa McBride, Mrs Laura Farrell, Mrs Rachel Clarke, Mrs Fiona Owen, Mrs Mandy Hamilton and Mrs Samantha Suthers for offering their time to attend the camp with the students. 

Friday 19th September

Feast Day Celebrations at Canoe Point

Parents and friends are most welcome to join students from Prep to Year 6 for feast day celebrations honouring our patron saint, St Francis of Assisi.

This mass is held in the beautiful surroundings of Canoe Point and is followed by a sausage sizzle and beach play celebrations.

This mass is hosted by our Year 6A class, who are invited to be dropped off directly at Canoe Point at 8.20 am.

Prep students may also be dropped off at Canoe Point from 8.30 am. Classes will walk from school, ready to commence this day of celebrations.

Feast Day Tuckshop Orders Close- TODAY

We look forward to families joining us for our feast day celebrations on Friday 19 September at Canoe Point.  To celebrate 20 years of our school, the Lions Club is providing us with a sausage sizzle following mass for a cost of $2.50 per sausage. Please  place family orders via Flexi Schools by Friday 12 September so preparations can occur.

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Guidelines - Consultation Period Open

Over the past several weeks, the St Francis Catholic Primary School Board has been deeply engaged in discussions regarding the use of mobile phones and wearable technologies within our school. At the heart of these conversations was a shared commitment to ensuring that teaching and learning remain the central focus of our classrooms, with minimal distractions for our students.

After much thoughtful deliberation, we are pleased to share with you the draft Mobile Phone and Wearable Technologies Guidelines. These guidelines have been designed with the best interests of our students in mind, striving to create an environment where they can flourish spiritually, academically, and socially. The guidelines aim to foster a culture of mindfulness, balance, and consideration for others, reflecting our Catholic values and the mission of our school. The document below outlines:

• Clear expectations for the storage and use of mobile phones and wearable devices during school hours.
• The responsibilities of students, staff, and parents in supporting a positive learning environment.
• The steps we will take to ensure compliance and maintain a respectful and focused school community.

We believe that these guidelines will contribute to a harmonious school environment where students can engage deeply in their studies, build meaningful friendships, and develop their God-given potential.

As valued members of our school community, we warmly invite your consultation and feedback on these guidelines. Your input is important to us as we work together to ensure the best outcomes for all our students.

Please take the time to review the attached document and share your thoughts by today, Friday, 12th September. Feedback can be submitted via email to info@sftsrok.catholic.edu.au or by visiting the school office to provide written comments.

Following this consultation period, we aim to finalise and implement these guidelines beginning Term 4. We trust that this timeline will provide sufficient opportunity for feedback, preparation, and communication of the expectations with our students before they take effect.

We thank you in advance for your engagement and support in this process. Together, we can continue to nurture a school environment where every child feels supported, respected, and encouraged to thrive.

Sandpit Donations

Term 3 Specialist Lessons

Digital Technologies Lessons- Tuesdays

Students from Years 3 to 6 are enjoying Digital Technologies Lessons with Mrs Meredith Grove. 

Physical Education Lessons- Tuesdays

Students from Prep to Year 6 are thriving in their Physical Education lessons with Mrs Kylie Linforth. Students are to wear their sports shirts. Hats and water bottles are essential.

Years 3-6 also participate in a range of sports every Friday afternoon, including pickleball, handball, soccer and netball. 

Performing Arts Lessons- Thursdays

Students from Prep to Year 2 are enjoying Performing Arts lessons with Mrs Sharyn Dicker, as they prepare for their exciting showcase.

Visual Arts Lessons- Thursdays

Students from Years 3 to 5 are enjoying Visual Arts lessons.

Term 3 Lunch Clubs

Private Music Tutor Offerings

Instrumental with Miss Erin- Tuesdays

If you would like any information regarding our instrumental music or piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Piano with Liping- Tuesdays to Fridays

If you would like any information regarding our piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Guitar with Jed - Thursday 18th Sept

Guitar Lessons will be on Thursday 18/9/25 instead of Wednesday, due to Year 5/6 Camp.

If you would like any information regarding our guitar lessons, please contact Mrs Kylie Linforth.

Upcoming Term 4 Events at St Francis

Swimming Carnival - 14/11/25

Swimming Carnival will be held at the Gladstone Aquatic Centre. 

Celebration Assembly - 19/11/25, 8.30am till 10.30am

Parents and friends are most welcome to join us as we give thanks for the blessings, growth and achievements of our students in 2025.

Carols Evening - 2/12/25, 6pm till 7.30pm

Parents and friends are welcome to join a most beautiful occasion as we look forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Carols takes place in our school hall and under covered area with families invited to bring a blanket and picnic dinner.

Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy and Dinner - 3/12/25 at 5.30pm

A night of special celebrations for our graduating Year 6 class. All are welcome to the liturgy at St Peter Chanel church commencing at 5.30 pm. Parents are then invited to join with their graduating child at a meal at the Tannum Sands Surf Club.  Ticket allocation: Two family members per student.

Mass of Advent and Thanksgiving - 5/12/25, 9am till 10am

Parents and friends are most welcome to join students from Prep - Year 6 for a Mass of Advent and Thanksgiving. This will be held in the school hall.

Playgroup with Chloe!

St Francis Catholic Primary Playgroup

When - Every Thursday from 8.45am to 10.15am

Why - A wonderful opportunity for parents to connect and for children to play, learn, and grow together.

Who - Everyone is welcome!

A huge thank you to one of our amazing parents, Chloe, who will be leading this exciting initiative. She is looking forward to meeting you and making this a fun and welcoming space for all.

Come along and join the fun - we can't wait to see you there!

2026 Prep Enrolments

Prep 2026 Enrolments – First Round Offers Issued!

The first round of offers for Prep 2026 has been issued! Don’t miss the opportunity to secure a place for your child in our welcoming and nurturing school community.

Contact us today on 49 948 320 or enrol online via:

https://www.stfrancis.qld.edu.au/blank-8

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 19th September, as Feast Day sausage sizzle will be held at Canoe Point.  Please place orders via Flexi Schools by Friday 12/9/25 12noon.

Our School Tuckshop is needing volunteers for the following dates:

-        Tuesday 16th September

If anyone is able to assist on any of these dates, please let the school office know on (07) 49 733 600 or email  infosfts@rok.catholic.edu.au

Please see below the Tuckshop Roster for the rest of Term 3 & Term 4. Our tuckshop relies on volunteers to operate, therefore, your help is very much essential and valued! Our

-        4A & 3B Classes will be responsible for volunteering in the Tuckshop in Week 10

-        3A & 2A Classes will be responsible for volunteering in the Tuckshop in Term 4 Week 1

Due to rising operational and supply costs, the St Francis Tuckshop has begun to implement small price increases on some items. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

OSHC

St Francis OSHC School Holidays Vacation Care Program

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
Want to Enrol?
WEBSITE: //www.stfrancis.qld.edu.au/
EMAIL: SFTS_OSHC@rok.catholic.edu.au
CONTACT NUMBERS OSHC MOBILE: 0400 701 721

Parents & Friends Association

Stay In Contact

The P&F Committee are always happy to hear from you. We can be contacted via email SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au or by messaging the St Francis Tannum Sands P&F Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573112566338

School Uniforms

St Francis Uniform Shop

Did you know that Wearitto comes to St Francis every Tuesday?

The shop is open 8:30am -10:30am in Green Pod the room beside the Hub.

Please sign in through the QR code in the office or on the uniform shop door. When prompted for organisation please type 'visitor'.

Alternatively, you can order online and items can be picked up from the office in the afternoon of the next Tuesday after the order is placed:

https://www.wearitto.com.au/schools/st-francis-catholic-primary-school-ts 

Second Hand Pre Loved Uniforms

Community News

Gladstone Council - Sewer Pump Station Renewal & Upgrade

Strong Communities Family Fun Day

Young Engineers workshops in Gladstone

Discount Microchipping Day

Date: Thursday 2 October 2025 

Time: 9am to 5.45pm 

Location: Gladstone Regional Council Pound Facility, 17 Albert Street, Callemondah.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL (07) 4970 0700. No walk-ins accepted. 

Further information here https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/microchipping-day  

Goals Football school holiday clinics

🐦 Early bird discount is available for the first to book, enter code: EARLYBIRD at checkout  
Links for booking below: 
💚 https://www.trybooking.com/DEZMX
🧡 https://www.trybooking.com/DEZOW
❤️ https://www.trybooking.com/DEZRS

Play On Sports Vouchers

If you’re a Queensland parent, carer or guardian, you can apply for a voucher of up to $200 for your child to use for sporting memberships, registration or participation fees with a registered activity provider. Key dates

• 4 August 2025:  Round 1 opens for parents, carers or guardians to apply for vouchers
• 17 Dec 2025 5 PM: applications close (or earlier if fully allocated)

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22863534860&gbraid=0AAAAA92sDPHAQKrn44EQE1fdG0RmPl5c8&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzaXFBhDlARIsAFPv-u8Wcbmqj5dX880VIpT8Ui3cgER6KpaUJjhxbLcKVrtNP27LoIRYVNQaAskbEALw_wcB

Gladstone's Junior Cricket Season

Sharks Volley Ball Camp

Strong Communities - Adults Grief Program

Parent Workshop - Supporting Your Student with Reading

Gladstone Get Ready Photo Competition