Term 2 Week 8
Weekly 5 with Leadership
One thing that has struck me so far after a week in Meredith’s shoes is the amount of positive feedback for our school community that I have received. Often as a teacher, we tend to hear from concerned parents, when things aren’t going well. Whereas this week, I have spoken to parents about different agendas but have repeatedly been told, “moving away from St Francis is not even an option for us” or “my child is so happy here”, “the teacher knows my child so well!” Visiting classes with engaged learners and calm, consistent teachers is the perfect recipe for progress in learning.
With teachers currently finishing assessments and writing Semester One reports, they are celebrating in the growth and progress they are witnessing. As with our Term One and Three Parent Teacher Conversations, reports are a way to check in on how students are going and where to next. Please ensure you have downloaded the new Parent Orbit app which will provide direct access to Parent Lounge. From here, you will easily access report cards in Week 10, submit notices of absence for the current term, book parent interviews at the end of Term 3 and keep up to date from the school calendar.
One mindset we are focussing on as a whole school at present is that the Number One role for students arriving every day that THEY ARE LEARNERS - both in and and out of the classroom. Some gorgeous reflections from students have been read on their Seesaw journals that I think as adults, we can learn a lot from…..
Year 5 responses include:
Jovan: I learn at St Francis by listening, asking, showing that I am concentrated and putting my hand up to say something about the concept and saying the answer. If I don’t know the answer, I try to figure it out but if i need help, it is ok to ask the teacher or a classmate.
Flynn: I am a learner at St Francis because every day I try my hardest to do the best Ican. I am very eager to learn, it can be any subject that I want to learn. My strength is in learning about the history of our world. I also love learning about subtraction, addition and multiplication. Whenever I do a test or just a subject, I push myself to the limits. I am always trying to help people when they are struggling and I never refuse to do a test. I never think negative about myself because I know that will bring me down and then I will not be able to focus on my assignment. I hope to get high marks because then when I grow up to live a good life, I will get a good job. I will never refuse to help.
Year 6 responses included:
Eesha: I am a learner at St Francis by working as a team and always setting expectations at school. Having a healthy mindset is important. I think that being a learner is not just about learning, but also being a role model for younger kids and showing them that learning is the best way to stretch your brain and explore new things along the way.
Simon: I am a learner every day at St Francis because I work really well with groups and try my best in every subject. I listen and encourage other people and ry to use the spirit of Jesus every day.
Madison: Being a learner: focus on work tasks, growth mindset, having a go, thinking of positives, eye contact, respectful, being a good sport, being empathetic, being encouraging to others, trying my hardest, working as a team and listening to others.
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
Kylie Linforth
Acting Principal
Free Online Tutoring
Year 3 - 6 Bush Dance
Howdy Partner!!! Dust off your dancing shoes and cowboy hats and get your Bush Dance moves ready …
Families please join us on the last day of the term to watch Year 3-6 show case their bush dancing moves from 8.35-9.45am. Please come dressed in your country best for a bit of good ol' country fun ...YEEHAW!!
Winter Warmth Appeal
As we head into the colder months, spare a thought for those in our community who are struggling to keep warm and put food on the table.
Help with the essentials. Your donation can help give vulnerable people immediate relief, providing warm clothes, blankets and non-perisable food items this winter.
Please place donations in the tubs located in the school hall or at the office - thank you.
Fee Advice #3
Please find attached Advice #3, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the new Federal
Government Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on School Fees for Catholic Schools. Advice
#3 outlines the direct nexus between the Federal Government means-tested Capacity to Contribute of
each school and School Fees.
It also provides the CEDR School Funding Guiding Principles that inform the development of the new CEDR Adapted Cluster School Fee model, that will commence from 2025.
Award Affirmations
Parents and Friends group news
Did you know that all parents are automatically members of the St Francis Parents and Friends Group?
The newly elected Core Committee are here to represent the interests of the whole parent body. Together we provide a formal structure and support network for parents to participate in the activities and decision making processes at the school and to work for the benefit of the school and their children.
Looking forward to the rest of the year, the P&F Core Committee would love to hear your input on ways to build our school community and engagement. Keep an eye on your emails next week for a survey from the P&F aiming to gather your feedback and ideas on which activities and events you'd like to see supported.
In addition, you can contact us at any time via the P&F email, the feedback & suggestion box at the school office, or attending the general meetings (see flyer below).
SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au
We appreciate and encourage your thoughts and involvement which nourish the St Francis community.
Parents & Friends Group
Tuckshop News
Our wonderful Liri is changing course with a family business and will be finishing as our tuckshop convenor once the position is filled. We are so grateful for the care provided in all food prepared by Liri and her volunteers. Please forward this advertisement and the application link to friends who may be interested.
Around our community ...
ARC is set to showcase exquisite puppetry, an enigmatic host, audience interaction, and a world of rare and exotic animals. This profound experience embraces the natural world and the creatures that cohabit our Earth. Renowned as innovators of physical and visual theatre, Erth, the company behind ARC, has spent three decades exploring the depths of the past. With ARC, they look unblinkingly to the future, as this menagerie of animals transforms the stage before your very eyes.
Here's a glimpse of what you can expect from ARC:
• Intimate, magical encounters with rare and vulnerable species.
• Thought-provoking questions about our collective and individual relationship with nature and loss.
• A mesmerizing 55-minute experience recommended for children aged 5 and above.
Gladstone Seafarers 2024 Duck Derby
We are seeking your support with our annual fundraising event.
The 2024 Duck Derby is taking place on Saturday 31st August 2024. All you need to do is follow the QR code on the flyer to buy your duck!
Good luck and we thank you for your support of the Gladstone Seafarers Centre.
League Stars Holiday Clinic
This school holidays the NRL will be hosting a League Stars Holiday Clinic for our aspiring or continuing players to rip into. We encourage young people from all abilities and experiences to join us in exciting games and activities that develop their ball skills, coordination and team work with their mates and new friends. Please register via the link below.
More details below;
WHEN: Thursday 27th June 9AM – 12PM
WHERE: Briffney Creek Junior Fields, Clinton
WHO: U9-U12s Boys & Girls
Supported Parenting Course for Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander Families
Come and join Strong Communities and Safely Attached at our First Nations Circle of Security Parenting in Gladstone in Term 3 2024. We create a safe & supportive space where you matter. Caregivers come together weekly to explore parenting in a non-judgemental space, supported by caring facilitators to share stories of your parenting successes or struggles, learn some new skills and increase your children’s self esteem & self worth.
There is childminding & transport available, but you must register otherwise you may miss out. No cost to attend but must be able to attend all 8 sessions.
📆 Wednesday for 8 weeks, commencing the 17th of July 2024🕛 12:30pm to 2:30pm📍 Gladstone, QLD (Address provided on registration)
Register via:📲 admin@strongcommunities.org.au or☎️ 0433 019 172
