Term 3 Week 1

Weekly 5 with Leadership

Welcome to Term 3. Already children are engaged in their learning. Staff and students are well-rested, ready for nine more weeks of learning.

We welcome ten new students to our school community. Please ensure you say hello to any new parents you see around.

We sadly farewell our Finance Administrator, Ms Michelle Croft, who has been with us for 11 years. Michelle is moving into the local industry to share her wisdom and meticulous finance skills. Ashlee Armfield is our new Finance Administrator. Ashlee and her family have moved from NSW - please pop in and introduce yourself.

Liri had her last day in the tuckshop today as her family are the new owners of Boyne Island Motel and Villas. Our new tuckshop convenor is Ms Anne Brookes. Be sure to let us know when you can volunteer in the tuckshop. Not only do you get to meet new friends, but you get to nourish hungry tummies on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Keep an eye out on Seesaw and the school Facebook page for lots of events coming up over the next fortnight. Week 3 is Catholic Education Week and there are wonderful opportunities through the week to join in. 

Students have started bringing in entries in the school's Art Competition which will be showcased at A Night at the Gallery.

Tickets are now on sale via Parent Orbit Events & Payments "2024: A Night at the Gallery" - adults are $10 each and children are free.

Dust off your jackets and heels, sequins and sparkles for a night to be remembered - 25^th July from 6-8 PM. There will be live piano, cheese and crackers and every adult ticket includes one drink. Each child accompanying their parents receives one free soft drink or juice. 

Pax et bonum

Kylie Linforth

Acting Principal

From Kassie's desk - APC

This week in my newsletter article I’ll discuss with you the term ‘Executive Functioning’ and its importance for our learners and children.  

Executive function enables us to set goals, plan and to get things done.  We use executive function when we perform daily activities such as planning, organising, strategizing and paying attention to and remembering details.  Kids rely on their executive functions for everything from taking a shower, getting dressed to packing their school bag or writing an information report.

Neuroscientist, Bill Jenkins, likens executive functioning to an internal ‘air traffic control system.’  Just as an air traffic controller has a number of aircrafts to manage at various stages of their flights (take off, changing altitude, altering direction, landing etc), the brain’s executive function enables us to focus on a number of things at the same time, make errors and revise plans as necessary and resist.

Executive function depends on three (3) types of brain function all of which are interrelated and we continue to develop until the age of 25:

*Working memory - Working memory allows us to hold and store bits and pieces of information in our mind and mentally work things out.   The capacity of our child’s working memory and ability to store multiple things depends on their stage of development.  

What might working memory look like in children?

Think of your child’s Working Memory visually as a post-it-note.  Depending on their age and executive function, they may have a relatively small post-it note (able to hold just a few instructions/bits of information) or they might have quite a large post-it-note (able to mentally work with lots of information).  Children with poor Working Memory find it challenging to follow simple instructions and retain concepts.  Our role as parents and teachers is to grow our child’s Working Memory.  

*Self-Regulation - Self-regulation is being able to manage distractions while staying focused on a task.  As core Executive Functions, our self-regulation and working memory work together to help us stay focused on a goal or carry out a plan, blocking out internal and external distractions.  This can be tricky for kids (and us) in this digital age where there are many distractions competing for our attention.  

What might self-regulation look like in children?

This relates to things such as your child’s ability to control their impulses and attend to their learning or a task for a period of time. For example, sitting upright during carpet time when their urge is to lay down and roll around or attend soccer training when they’d rather lay on the couch.  Children who struggle with self-regulation may struggle to complete tasks in a timely manner as they are often easily distracted.  

*Cognitive flexibility - Cognitive Flexibility is linked to creativity and involves being able to think in different ways, see new possibilities and perspectives.  Often children can feel frustrated because their original plan has failed and are unable to conceive of an alternative way of solving the problem.  

Stay tuned…as in next week’s newsletter, I’ll share with you practical ways you can support and develop your child’s executive functioning at home. 

From Libby's desk - APRE

P&F News

Welcome back to Term 3 and a huge thank you to all who attended our first Coffee Catch Up on Wednesday, it was a wonderful opportunity to welcome new families and form new relationships within our school community. 

Our first P & F event of term 3, A Night at the Gallery will take place July 25th, in conjunction with Catholic Week, highlighting this year’s theme: Faith, Hope and Love.  

This event supports student creativity and engagement in our thriving St Francis Community.  

Exclusively featuring the artwork of St Francis students, in a variety of mediums. See their wonderful Lego, drawing, painting and building creations on display throughout this special evening. 

• Adult entry $10 includes 1 complimentary beverage 
• Students free 

Music teacher Li Ping will be providing entertainment on piano and there will be  raffles and money boards on the night.  

Tickets are now available on Parent Orbit events and payments. Student artwork submissions must be presented to school by July 19.  

Need a spare something?  Second hand uniforms are available with a donation box stationed in the assembly hall this week. All items $3.

We’re thoroughly looking forward to a spectacular and engaging term 3.  

Please remember, you can contact us at any time via the P&F email: SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au and the feedback & suggestions box at the school office.   

We appreciate and encourage your thoughts and involvement which nourish the St Francis community. 

Parents & Friends Group 

Save the Date! Friday 6 September 2024

Save the date!  Movie night will be held this term, Friday September 6th. 

We need you! All these wonderful events need wonderful volunteers.

Please check your emails for the upcoming Sign Up Genius links in order to help out. By planning ahead we can all contribute to these great community events.

Library News

Rumbles Quest - student notes came home today

News from the Snack Shack

In and around our Community ...