Term 3 Week 10
Weekly 5 with Leadership
Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,
This morning we gathered as a Franciscan Catholic school family for our Feast Day celebrations. Whilst the actual feast day of Saint Francis is celebrated on October 4, the final day of term has traditionally been our school’s celebration.
The gathering at Canoe Point, with the dappled sunlight and cool breeze, with the sounds of birds, and insects crawling on our mats and through the grass provided a wonderful backdrop to our time of celebration and gratitude. Birds in Umbria, a region in Italy where Francis lived, were an ever-present backdrop. Jon Sweeny in his book, ‘Feed the Wolf’, recalls ‘there are many stories of Francis being close to birds, wolves, bugs, fish and rabbits. Beyond the sweet gentleness of these anecdotes, there is something more. He was paying attention to the rhythms and ways of the natural world.’ In Gospel texts, Jesus uses the natural world as a backdrop to his ministry, through his praise of creation, in the parables told such as the Sower and the Seed, in the land he traversed, and as a place to pray. Through experiences such as today where we gather in Creation, we are invited to explore the rhythm and ways of the natural world in the presence of an awesome God.
On Wednesday afternoon, parents were emailed an announcement from our Director, Mr Michael McCusker, regarding the Principal for 2025. It is wonderful to congratulate Mrs Samantha Suthers on her appointment to this role at St Francis Catholic Primary. Sam is currently Principal at St Joseph’s Blackall, married with two daughters who also attend St Joseph’s. Our community looks forward to welcoming Sam in the coming months.
The Spirit moves within our school community, wishing all a safe, restful, and nurturing break with your children.
God’s blessings,
PAX et bonum - Peace and all goodness,
Meredith Grove
(Principal 2024)
From Libby's desk - APRE
This Friday the 13th of September is a very special day for our school. Students, teachers, parents, parish and the wider community will come together, at Canoe Point, to celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (1181 to 1226), we know as Francis of Assisi, was born in Italy. Francis as a poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans.
He was a man of God who lived a life of simplicity and humility. Although he was born into a wealthy family, Francis chose to live differently to his family and friends by giving up material wealth, importance and an easy life.
Francis discovered God in all his glory: through nature and the beauty of creation. Through Saint Francis of Assisi, we come to know our God more deeply by appreciating the simple things in life, by being aware that we are interconnected with all of God’s creation, and by reverencing our earth and all living things. St Francis is a tangible presence in our daily lives at school.
Loving God,
by whose gifts Saint Francis was confirmed to Christ in poverty and humility,
grant that, by walking in Saint Francis’ footsteps,
we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity,
come and be united with you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen
2025 School Fees
Recently, parents received information regarding 2025 School Fees. Catholic Education and St Francis Catholic Primary remain committed to offering excellent teaching and learning in a faith-based environment, supporting families who seek this for their children. Our Principal, Mrs Meredith Grove, welcomes parent queries and conversations.
Affirmation Awards
School Assembly
Snake Safety
Parents & Friends News
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to support the Movie Night last week! We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the amazing volunteers who helped make the night a huge success. Your efforts, whether it was setting up, selling snacks, or cleaning up afterward, did not go unnoticed. We couldn’t have done it without you!
As we start looking ahead to 2025, we would love to hear from you! What events or initiatives would you like the P&F to run next year? How can we best support the school community? Whether it’s ideas for new activities, resources to provide, or suggestions on where to allocate funds, your input is invaluable. Please share your thoughts and wishes with us by emailing sfts_pandfsecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au
Finally, we wish you all a safe and enjoyable September holiday. Take time to relax, recharge, and create more special moments with your loved ones.
Warm regards,
P&F Team
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Swimming Carnival - Wed 20 November
Whooping Cough
With cases reported in the Gladstone/Boyne/Tannum area, please see information below:
Happy Holidays
Around our Community ...
Seagrass Beds - A Community Project
There is an opportunity to volunteer for a CQUniversity-led citizen science project to collect seagrass flowers from Pelican Banks in Gladstone for use in seagrass restoration.
Seagrass flower collection forms a part of the Reef Islands Initiative, a Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF) program.
The seeds collected will be processed and used in restoration projects, with the aim of identifying the most effective methods for dispersing seeds, leading to successful seedling establishment.
Collection dates for Gladstone are:
- Sunday, 29 September
- Saturday, 16 November
To register to attend email cmerc-admin@cqu.edu.au. Individuals can also email for any further enquiries.
Required on the day: A wide-brim hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants, wetsuit boots or old sneakers, sunscreen and a water bottle.
Registered participants meet at the Curtis Ferry (complimentary tickets for registered participants).
Please see below link for CMERC official link.
This is a fantastic oppurtunity for families and community members to get involved in and to give back to the Coastal ecosystem we all love and enjoy.
https://www.cqu.edu.au/news/1169673/calling-on-gladstone-community-for-coastal-marine-support