Term 1 Week 9
Weekly 5 with Leadership
Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,
I write my Weekly 5 this week following my three days at the Catholic Schools Principals’ gathering in Rockhampton.
These days provided a rich array of professional learning opportunities with the opening address by our Diocesan Director, Leesa Jeffcoat. Leesa’s address reminded Principals of the centrality of our Catholic identity and the choice offered to parents for excellence in learning and growth of the whole child in a faith-based setting. 2025 is a Jubilee year for the Catholic church with Pope Francis deeming the theme to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ for a world in need of light, love and peace.
The topic of Privacy and Information Sharing in the school context was led by Leah Mooney, Director of KPJG Law who outlined the importance of regulatory compliance in protecting individuals from harm and maintaining trusting relationships within a school context. A systems approach, rigorous processes around security of information and opportunities such as this address are critical factors around ethical use and safe storage of personal information.
Chris Smyth, former Director of Schools, Diocese of Armidale in NSW, shared the drivers for school improvement recognising the importance of Professional Learning Communities committed to improving learning, faith and wellbeing for students and staff. With reference to Lynn Sharratt, a distinguished practitioner, researcher and presenter in the field of education, Chris addressed the 14 parameters that drive school improvement and exponentially improve the achievements of all children within a culture of learning.
On Wednesday, the Queensland government released a response to a review of the non-state schools’ accreditation framework under which Catholic schools operate, with the current government accepting in-principle 21 of the 24 recommendations with the remaining subject to further consideration. Catholic and other non-government schools are built on the rigour of these frameworks which ensure a culture of academic excellence providing a faith-based choice for parents.
As we move into our final week of Term 1 and continue our pilgrimage to Holy Week, I pray for God’s blessings on our students and families.
PAX et bonum - Peace and all goodness
Meredith
Weekly 5 with Leadership - APC
As I reflect on the busy term we have had, I am so grateful for our teaching staff. The extended days of parent-teacher conversations this Tuesday and Thursday were perfect examples of their professionalism, pride in their students, and commitment to their role as an educator. I asked a few of our staff why they love teaching at St Francis Catholic Primary School:
Deborah Whitfield: Foundation staff member: Being a Prep teacher and watching the kids grow and progress over the years is what I love about teaching at St Francis.
Sharyn Dicker: Foundation staff member: Year 2 teacher, Specialist Arts teacher and ESO: Working in this natural environment, the outdoor learning opportunities like the beach and river are unique. Everything we do is Franciscan.
Sharon Romagnolo: Year 2 teacher. I love the way everyone treats each other, especially the children we have.
Leann Hansen: Year 1 teacher: I love my Year 1B class! My teaching friends - coming to work each day with people who you can laugh with is wonderful.
Rebecca Ross: Inclusive Curriculum Teacher: The connection to our environmental spaces and the close-knit environment is just beautiful.
Sarah Clark: Year 1 teacher and Inclusive Curriculum Maths teacher: The Franciscan Spirituality in our daily lives is special. I love our connectedness to nature.
Rebecca Prichard: Prep teacher. Seeing how the students first come to school and then what they achieve and develop in their academic and personal growth is so rewarding.
Kate Hewitt: Year 4 teacher: It feels like a family. I love the resources we have available to us, both material and human resources, especially the Inclusive Curriculum Team!
Kylie Hennessy: Year 4 teacher & Inclusive Curriculum teacher: My colleagues - supportive teaching partners who have shared goals for our students to succeed.
Vanessa Fogarty: Year 2 teacher: The Catholic culture, striving to be the best loving version of ourselves that is embedded into everything we do makes teaching at St Francis Catholic Primary School special.
Holy Week
First Holy Communion
P&F News
A BIG thank you and congratulations to everyone at St Francis that helped raise money for Care for a Cause. The money raised will go towards things like protecting the turtles, planting more trees and protecting our precious coral.
A special mention to Sawyer Tierney (Prep A) who raised a massive $835 for this great cause.
Prep Enrolments now open 2025
In and Around our community ...
Things to do over the Easter holidays ...
Looking for things to do in and around Gladstone over the Easter holidays. There is heaps going on the the local libriaries and heaps of free things too ...