Term 1 Week 5

From Mrs Suthers' Desk - Principal

At St Francis, we are committed to fostering a strong culture of teaching and learning, ensuring that every child maximises their learning time. To support this, we are introducing a new morning procedure to help children transition into classrooms as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Morning Arrivals:

• If your child arrives after the 8:25am bell but before 8:45 am, they are to head straight to their classrooms. Parents/ grandparents are welcome to walk them down.
• Classroom teachers will mark the rolls at 8:45 am.
• If children arrive after 8:45 am, they must go to the office to be signed in by the front office staff.

This process is designed to minimise disruptions to learning and ease foot traffic in the main office at the start of the day. While we value open communication between parents and teachers, the morning is not a time for parent-teacher meetings, as teachers and students are already engaged in learning. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, we encourage you to arrange a suitable time outside of learning hours.

We understand that mornings can be busy and sometimes stressful, and our goal is to make arriving at school—even a few minutes late—a smooth and stress-free process for both parents and students. Thank you for your support in helping us create a calm and focused start to the school day.

From Mrs Grove's Desk - Assistant Principal Religious Education

Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,

Caritas Australia is an Australian Catholic agency for development cooperation and humanitarian aid. As we approach the season of Lent, as a Catholic school, we are invited to support the incredible work of Caritas Australia, through the support of ‘Project Compassion’.  Since its inception in 1965, generations of compassionate Australians have participated in Project Compassion, making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns. 

Project Compassion has also been vital in helping Caritas Australia to support communities long-term - before, during and after emergencies - through access to education, jobs, health services, agricultural training, domestic abuse support and programs reducing maternal and infant mortality. 

Our St Francis peace prayer, said daily with our students, gently invites us to be peace-makers as we move through our day. “It is in giving that we receive”   reminds us that being generous in spirit through shared resources, in giving of our time, and making deliberate choices to walk alongside another has benefits for us with that feeling of quiet contentment and peace within.

Through fund-raising campaigns such as Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, and other initiatives planned by our Mission Explorers, there is indeed an opportunity to give and also to raise our children’s awareness (and our own) of ways we can be pilgrims of hope in our world.

Throughout the season of Lent, Christians spend time in prayer reflecting on the mystery and joy of a risen Christ.  The Australian Catholics magazine was sent home with your child yesterday with a focus on Easter and the many facets of this celebration. 

PAX et bonum - Peace and all goodness,

Meredith 

Ash Wednesday - 5th March

Our St Francis Team 2025

There are so many facets of school life that support safe and thriving learning environments for our students.  This week we acknowledge our Administration and Finance team for their expert knowledge and also for their pastoral and positive engagement with all stakeholders; our incredible Tuckshop convenor for the provision of nutritious meals and 'delight' to our Tuesday and Friday lunch times; our groundsman for the maintenance of the beautiful gardens and playspaces for our students.  The provision of a school counsellor to our Catholic schools enables short-term support of students for whom the service is invaluable.  In addition, we are blessed as being a base for three Catholic Education consultants providing expertise and critical support to many Catholic schools in our Diocese.

From the sports' desk

Jump Rope for Heart kicks off week term at St Francis Catholic Primary School!

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun, and raise funds for lifesaving research and programs.

This year we’ve got an audacious goal to see our student Heart Heroes to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program!

Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents 

Students will be skipping throughout the term:

      -  before school from 8:15-8:25

      -  in PE lessons, and 

      -  during brain breaks

During this time you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

We will hold our school Jump Off Day on Friday 21st of March, this will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. 

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program! The fundraising page came home this week, please reach out if you need another. 

Kylie Linforth

Assistant Principal Curriculum

Cross Country Carnival - April 1st @ 8:30

Using skipping to build our fitness, the whole school is involved in the fun Cross-Country event on the last Tuesday of the term. All classes will become familiar with the course around our school grounds during PE and Brain Breaks.

Preppies will run with a Year 6 buddy.

Year 6 students stand around the track with water guns to cool off runners if they choose. Students are informed to cross their arms across their chests if they don't want to be squirted. This is the highlight for many students!!

Age Championships are for 9-12 year-olds and the top four runners in the 10-12 year age groups go through to the Port Curtis trials in Benaraby next term (provided they run the whole track).

All are welcome to come along and cheer - parents usually gather in the outdoor classroom near the back of the Prep pods (this is also the starting line).

Bike and scooter safety

It is wonderful to see so many families and students walking and riding to school each day.

Walking bikes and scooters through the blue gates keeps everyone safe.

Please help your child fit their helmet safely. Here are some recommendations:

Parents and Friends News

P&F Facebook Page

Exciting News! We now have a P&F Facebook Page. Like and follow us to stay connected to P&F events and initiatives –

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573112566338

NEON disco

Get Ready to Glow! The NEON disco is happening on the 28^th of March and the countdown is on.

Wear your brightest neon outfits and get ready for a night of music, dancing and fun.

2nd Hand Uniforms

Have you got outgrown school uniforms ? Did you know that you can donate them to our second-hand uniform program by dropping them at the school office.

Your donations help other families and support our school community.

Interested in getting involved ?

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.

“Alone we can do so little,  but together we can achieve so much!”

Parish News

St Peter Chanel - Tannum Sands

Mass Times

5:00 pm Saturday Vigil:   1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday of the month

8:00 am 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month: Liturgy of the Word with Communion

Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)

4:15 pm - 4:45 pm Saturday (1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays of the month)

Rosary

10:00 am Wednesday

St Vincent De Paul Society

Community News

Country Women's Association

International Women's Day

Messy Church - 2nd Saturday of Each Month