St Francis Catholic Primary School - Tannum Sands eNewsletter

From Mrs Suthers' Desk- Principal

This week we held our first School Board meeting for the year. It was wonderful to see such a dedicated group of diverse members coming together with a shared commitment to supporting our school. The role of the School Board is invaluable in helping to guide decision-making and ensure that our CEDR policies and school guidelines continue to reflect the needs of our students and school community. A highlight of the evening was sharing a lovely meal together—a symbolic reminder of the unity and collaboration that underpin our work. I sincerely appreciate the time and expertise each member brings to the table, and I look forward to the meaningful contributions we will make together throughout the year.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who attended the induction sessions this week. It was fantastic to welcome a mix of new and returning parents, grandparents, and parishioners who have generously offered their time to support our students, families, and staff. Our school is incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and engaged community, and your willingness to be involved makes a real difference in the lives of our children.

Your support, whether through governance or hands-on volunteering, strengthens our school and enriches the experience for everyone. Thank you for being part of our journey in making St Francis a place where students feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to thrive.

From Mrs Linforth's Desk- Assistant Principal Curriculum

NAPLAN: Years 3 & 5 from 12th March

Every year, all Australian primary schools have Years 3 and 5 undertake NAPLAN testing.

Year 3's writing test is done with pencil and paper, however, all other tests are completed on our school Chromebooks, using a lockdown browser.

All classes have already started their preparation and Year 3 have begun using Chromebooks to become familiar with the devices.

The public demonstration site can be found here. Students can practice navigating the tests and become familiar with the type of questions that may be asked. Please see your class teacher as soon as possible with any questions you may have regarding NAPLAN.

When NAPLAN results are released later in the year, it is important for Year 5 parents to keep these in a safe spot as high schools request them with enrolment.

NAPLAN info for parents

Changing Expectations- Sr Kym Harris osb

Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the last of the ‘Christmas Celebrations’ – the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Forty days after his birth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple. There, two old people recognised him for who he truly is – the Saviour. They had spent years in prayer and expectation of their Saviour…and probably their ideas were somewhat like ours would be, a type of superhero - a person wise, strong, powerful, able to take control of any situation. But what God presented them with was a small baby in the arms of two poor parents. Their faith was such that they could sweep aside their expectations and greet the coming of their God, their Saviour, as he truly was.

We all have expectations in life – on God, ourselves, even our children. And, at times, they can do us a lot of good. But if we are too set in our ways, our own ideas, they can blind us to where and how God truly is working in our lives and the lives of those we love. Take time this week to prayerfully ponder where and how you could see God at work in yourself and in your child/ren. Be prepared to be surprised.

Loving God, open my eyes to see your presence in my life and the lives of those around me. Widen my vision to see you at work where I don’t expect. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Student Protection

Student Protection is taken very seriously within our school and Diocese. Each year all staff undertake mandatory student protection training at the beginning of the year. This year our School Student Protection Officers are Mrs Samantha Suthers, Mrs Meredith Grove, Mrs Leann Hansen, Mrs Deb Whitfield, Ms Melissa Davey and Miss Ebony Johnson-Torr. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Our St Francis Team 2025

Our teachers at St Francis Catholic Primary School are committed to providing excellent teaching and learning opportunities for all students. How grateful we are for their experience and dedication to creating nurturing learning environments where students thrive.

Year 6 Conservation Excursion

I loved planting trees and looking through the microscope - Jacob
My favourite activity was the tree planting because we were able to plant many different trees - Jude
My favourite activity was planting the plants with my friends so when I’m older I can visit them and see the plants -Will
I really enjoyed planting the trees and I also enjoyed looking at different types of birds and water bugs -Jovan
I enjoyed planting, bird watching and looking at the water bugs -Oliver
I liked learning that you can’t drink water that is too clean otherwise it will weaken your body - Max
I really loved looking at the bugs and water studies -Hannah
I enjoyed planting the trees because I know they will grow and make a great habitat for animals -Riley
I greatly appreciated the opportunity to plant trees -Gracie
I think it was a really good experience that was both fun and interesting -Sianna
I really enjoyed planting trees because they are good for the environment and can make a habitat for endangered species -Felicity
I enjoyed planting trees with my friends and learning about the machine that can measure water for how clean it is - Ane
I enjoyed looking at the water bugs because Riley and I thought we caught a stick, but it was a bug in disguise -Ariana
I really enjoyed tree planting because I love trees and they produce fresh air for us -Sienna
I really liked the water bugs because I learnt some interesting facts about them, and I got to see a fishing spider -Laili
I really loved planting the plants and I liked looking at the bugs under the microscope - Oakleigh
I enjoyed watching the fish jump out of the water and the water move -Evan
I enjoyed planting the trees and putting them in the ground -Sophie
I enjoyed the tree planting because we got to dig holes -Ruby
Mrs Watts enjoyed getting to know the wonderful students in year 6 - Mrs Watts

Year 6 Excursion

Have you downloaded the Parent Orbit app? This is the one-stop shop for all news and dates for school. Please reach out to the ladies in Administration if you require log-in details.

The key features of the Parent Orbit App:
• Instant Notifications: Stay up to date with the latest announcements and important
alerts on your smartphone (be sure to enable Notifications)
• Events and Payments: Easily approve excursion attendance or make fee payments
• Medical Details: Keep your student’s medical details up to date
• Attendance Tracking: Easily track attendance and notify the School of your student's
absence
• Event Calendar: Stay informed about school events, meetings, and important dates
• Parent-Teacher Interviews: Schedule parent-teacher interviews and receive
reminders (Week 9 this term - 25th and 27th March)
• Academic Reports: View and download your student’s school reports

From the Sports' desk:

PORT CURTIS: Netball Trials

Well done to Ane Jansen Van Rensburg and Felicity Suthers who tried out for the Port Curtis School Sports netball teams this week. Congratulations to Felicity for making the 10-11 years team.

PE : BASKETBALL

We have hit the ground 'running' in sport and PE this term. This week, our talented coaches, Nadine and Gavin from Gladstone Amateur Basketball Association started their four-week coaching program of all classes. Their focus changes from Preps to Year 6 and it is great to see the wonderful hand-eye coordination, team spirit, and resilience of players developing. The coaches are funded by our Sporting Schools Grant for Term 1. The coaches commended students yesterday on their wonderful manners and especially the cheering from the sub-bench during mini-games.

PORT CURTIS TRIALS: 10-12 years

Please refer to the school calendar (linked in Parent Orbit app) for Port Curtis sporting trial dates. Following Port Curtis School Sport on Facebook will keep you up to date of any changes. Nominations are due to Kylie_Linforth@rok.catholic.edu.au two weeks before the trial date. When more students wish to trial than the school can nominate, a school trial will take place. The 2025 permission form is found here and on Parent Orbit (under the left-hand menu).

CROSS COUNTRY:

In Week 9 of this term, our whole school is involved in the Cross Country Carnival. The track loops around the school grounds, over grass, hills, gravel, and low gulleys. Age Champions are awarded in the 9-12 year old categories and Port Curtis trials (next term) are for the top four runners in the 10-12 year categories.

Distances:

Preps, Year 1 and Year 2 students: one lap (approximately one kilometre)

Year 3 and students up to 10 year olds (born 2015): two laps (2 km)

11 and 12-year-olds (born 2013 & 2014): three laps (3 km).

Pupil Free Day Date Claimer

Tuckshop

Every Day Counts

WOULD YOU LET YOUR CHILD MISS A YEAR OF SCHOOL?

One day off each fortnight is equal to missing more than a year of schooling by the end of Year 12.

A reminder to our families to develop good habits with your child by ensuring they always attend school, unless there is reasonable excuse. The more time your child has at school, the more likely they will achieve in their learning

Absentees are to be lodged via the Parent Orbit App. If you require assistance with your login details, contact Mel or Ash in the office 4994 8320.

Parents & Friends Association

Welcome Banquet 2025

Looking forward to seeing you all at our Welcome Banquet this evening!

It will be from 5pm, with the playgrounds and oval available for our kids to have a play.

Please bring along a plate of sweet or savoury finger food to share, BYO drinks and camping chairs or picnic rugs.

While you're here, have a look through the preloved uniforms available for sale, with payment via EFTPOS or exact cash.

Guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times.

Term 1 Sign Up Genius

Click here for the Term 1 Sign Up Genius

Sign Up Genius is how our families can find out what help is needed at P&F events, and volunteer to help out. It’s a handy website that breaks down the what and when, so you can sign up in advance knowing what suits your schedule and commitments.

Please have a look at this Term’s Sign Up Genius and consider putting your name down to help out where you can. We hope to hold events that bring fun and memories for our students, while building a sense of school community – but they won’t happen without your help!

Interested in Getting Involved?

Our first Parents & Friends meeting will be held on Friday 14th February at 8:30am in the staffroom. All welcome! Younger siblings are welcome to attend.

Come along for a coffee and find out how you can get involved, big or small, while we discuss the plan of activities and events for 2025.

We still have vacant committee positions so we ask that you consider taking up a role. Please have a read through the below role descriptions, some are event specific while others require a small contribution throughout the year.

If you’re interested but unable to attend, please reach out via email SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au. Minutes from the meeting will be published in the following week’s school newsletter.

2025_P_F_Committee_Roles_Responsibilities.pdf

Term 1 Parents & Friends Dates:

Thursday 6^th February	Link to the Term 1 Sign Up Genius emailed to all families
Friday 7^th February, 5pm-6:30pm	Welcome Banquet
Friday 14th February, 8:30am-9:30am	Parents & Friends meeting
Tuesday 4th March, 8am-9am	Shrove Tuesday – pancakes at drop off
Friday 28th March, 5:30pm-7:30mp	DISCO!

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

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

Parents & Friends Group

In the Family

We keep Mrs Julie Ellem in our prayers after the recent passing of her Father.

Important Dates for Term 1

Important Dates for Term 1 (please check the calendar in Parent Orbit for the most up-to-date information):

7^th February: Guitar lessons begins today for registered students

8^th February: Gathering Mass & Blessing at 1:30pm

8^th February: P&F Welcome Banquet 5pm

10^th February: Port Curtis AFL trials for registered students

12^th February: CAP swimming for those who are nominated

13^th February: Port Curtis Hockey trials for registered students

13^th February: Port Curtis Basketball trials for registered students

14^th February: P&F Meeting 8:30 am-9:30 am

17^th February: Awards Assembly 2:15pm

18^th February: Open classrooms to families 3pm-4pm

21^st February: Bishop’s Inservice Day- Pupil Free Day

3^rd March: Port Curtis Tennis trials for registered students

3^rd March: Awards Assembly 2:15 pm

4^th March: Shrove Tuesday

5^th March: Ash Wednesday

6^th March: Port Curtis Football (soccer) trials for registered students

7^th March: Port Curtis Rugby League trials for registered students 11-12 years

7^th March: Leadership Day / Retreat for Years 5 & 6

10^th March: BIEEC excursion for Year 4 students

11^th March: BIEEC excursion for Year 5 students

12^th March-24^th March: NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

13^th March: Port Curtis Touch Football trials for registered students

17^th March: Awards Assembly 2:15 pm

17^th March: CAP golf trials for those who are nominated

20^th March: Bishop Michael and Director Michael McCusker visiting

25^th March: Cross Country Carnival 8:30am-10:30am

25^th March: Parent / Teacher Conversations (bookings will open one week before through Parent Orbit App)

26^th March: Facing Island excursion for Year 6 students

27^th March: Parent / Teacher Conversations (bookings will be through Parent Orbit App)

3^rd April: Port Curtis Rugby Union trials for registered students

4^th April: Last day of Term 1

21^st April: Easter Monday – Public Holiday

22^nd April: Term 2 Commences

Community News

Messy Church

We would be delighted if you, your children and your family would join us for Messy church at any of our Anglican Church. Creativity, crafts, music, dancing and a meal.

At St Mark's Corner Malpas & Sayre Cres, Boyne Island.

Boyne Tannum Netball Association Sign On Day

Gladstone Regional Libraries

Gladstone Regional Libraries are asking for feedback to help us get a better read on our locals library experience and needs, and we’d appreciate your assistance in sharing this with your networks.

We're asking all locals young or old, regular user or not to give us some feedback and inspiration to help Gladstone Regional Libraries meet the needs of our community.

Visit our website or complete the survey via the below link

Gladstone Regional Libraries

Together in Action 2025 Event

20250227_Together_in_Action_2025_invite.pdf

Term 1 Week 2