Term 1 Week 6

From Samantha Suthers' Desk - Principal

As we journey through the season of Lent, we are reminded that this is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—a sacred period of 40 days that prepares us for the joy of Easter. Lent calls us to reflect on our lives, seek renewal, and grow closer to God.

One of the key themes of Lent is temptation. We often feel alone when faced with difficult choices, but especially in these moments, we need to remember a few important truths:

• Temptation itself is not a sin—only when we freely and knowingly choose to act on it does sin come into play. While it can be helpful to discuss temptations during Reconciliation, we do not need to confess them as though they are sinful actions.
• Temptations often appear as good things, but they can have a sting in the tail that leads to negative consequences. Being mindful of our actions and their impact helps us grow in wisdom.
• The more we give in to temptation, the more desensitised we become. We can form habits that lead us to believe our actions are 'not that bad,' making it harder to recognise the need for change.

The temptations Jesus faced in the desert tested His humility and commitment to embracing human weakness. He was challenged to use His divine power in ways that could have led Him away from His mission. Yet, Jesus remained steadfast, choosing to walk the same path as us, demonstrating that we, too, can rely on faith and strength to overcome temptation and choose a life guided by God.

Lent is not just about giving things up—it is about embracing life to the fullest. It is a time to deepen our faith, grow in self-awareness, and become more intentional in our love for others. As a school community, let us use this Lenten season to support one another, reflect on our choices, and strive to live in the light of Christ.

May this be a time of renewal for all of us as we prepare for the joy of Easter.

From Kylie Linforth's Desk - APC

Next week, our Year 3 and 5 students will begin their NAPLAN tests. Attached is some information on each test.  Please see your class teacher or myself, if you have any questions or concerns.

It is very important that they come to school each day well rested and with a fully belly, with a drink bottle and nutritious lunchbox. Most importantly though, is a mindset where they give it their best and try their hardest.

NAPLAN dates: All tests begin at 9 AM sharp so it is important to arrive at school on time.

Week 7 Wednesday 12th March - NAPLAN writing test

Week 8: Monday 17th March - NAPLAN Conventions of Language test (Spelling, punctuation, and grammar).

Wednesday 19th March - NAPLAN Reading test

Friday 21st March - NAPLAN Numeracy test

From Meredith's Desk - APRE

An exciting opportunity for students in Year 5 and 6 to enter the 2025 'Young Voice Award'.  This year's theme is 'Voices of Hope' echoing the Jubilee theme 'Pilgrims of hope' and entrants are invited to tell a story about people, places and communities that embody hope. 

Entries must be received by ACU by Friday 9 May, please see the form  link for more information.

Year 6 School Leaders for 2025

Affirmation Awards Week 6

Our St Francis Team

There are so many facets of school life that support safe and thriving learning environments for our students.  This week we acknowledge the commitment and support of our School Board and our Parents and Friends Executive Committee.  Our school vision and mission is at the core of St Francis school life and is nurtured by committed adults who support the Catholic identity of our school.

Music fills the soul and lifts the spirit! How blessed are our students to have the expertise of the music tutors at St Francis Catholic Primary, offering tuition opportunities to students from Year 3 to Year 6.

Gladstone Region School Bus - CDC

CDC Gladstone provides the school bus services for the Gladstone region.

For Bus Timetables and Bus Route Schedules please use the below link to the Gladstone CDC website.

https://cdcqueensland.com.au/school-services/gladstone-schools/

The Gladstone CDC office's address is - 9 Lyons Street, South Gladstone and their contact number is (07) 4972 1670

Morning and Afternoon Routines

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. 

We would also like to remind everyone about the end of day school bells. The bus bell rings at 2:37 pm to allow children to reach the bus, which should be clear of the car park before the final bell. At 2:45 pm, the final bell will ring, marking the official end of the school day. As part of our duty of care, all students must remain with their classroom teacher until the 2:45 pm bell rings. We kindly ask that you do not collect your child as soon as they arrive at the undercover area, as students are not permitted to leave the gathering area until 2:45 pm. We understand this may take some adjustment, and traffic flow may be slightly impacted, but student safety is our top priority, and students must not be in the car park before 2:45pm to allow parents to drive into our school grounds safely.

Year 6 Classroom Teacher

Earlier in the week, the following information was shared with the families of the Year 6 students.

I am writing to share some exciting news with you. Mrs Libby Wilson has been offered and has enthusiastically accepted the role of Assistant Principal Religious Education at St Therese's Catholic Primary School in Monto. This is a fantastic opportunity for her, and we know she will bring her passion and dedication to her new school community. Monto is truly fortunate to have her.

To ensure a smooth transition, we will be advertising for a new Year 6 classroom teacher this week. At St Francis Catholic Primary School, we prioritise consistency and student well-being, and Libby has been diligently preparing the classroom to support this change. Our goal is to make the handover process as seamless as possible, keeping the needs of our Year 6 students at the heart of our planning.

We are committed to providing ongoing support during this transition and will keep you informed throughout the process. The new teacher will commence their role at the beginning of Term 2.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

We are seeking applicants for the position of 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟔) to join St Francis Catholic Primary School Tannum Sands

.𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1285

Outside School Hours Care

We are seeking enthusiastic applicants to join our Outside School Hours Care team, particularly for Vacation Care over the Easter holidays. 

.𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1286 

Regional First Nations Education Liaison Officer - Gladstone Region

Catholic Education are currently calling for applications for the position of Regional First Nations Education Liaison Officer for the Gladstone region.

Applicants can be directed to apply here - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1277.  

Parents and Friends News

NEON Disco

Get Ready to Glow! The NEON disco is happening on the 28th of March and the countdown is on. Wear your brightest neon outfits and get ready for a night of music, dancing and fun.

We’re still looking for parent help to bring this amazing night together for our kids. Check out the Sign Up Genius to see what’s needed. Thank you!

Parents & Friends Facebook Page

If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look at the new P&F Facebook Page. Like and follow us to stay connected to P&F events and initiatives. Link below or search “St Francis Tannum Sands P&F” in Facebook to find us.

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

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

A big shout out to the Mission Explorers for their amazing work coordinating the selling of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. The Parents & Friends Group was pleased to support their efforts by contributing $100 to assist with covering costs and contributing to their CARITAS fundraising. Well done! 

St Vincent De Paul Society

International Women's Day

Community News

QCWA - International Women's Day

Gladstone Harbour Festival Fun Run

Sharks Camp 2025 - April 

GET IN QUICK LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!! Sharks Camp is a four-day volleyball camp designed to cater to athletes of all skill levels. With elite development opportunities available and pathways into club and state-level volleyball, this camp has something for everyone!

Dates: 8th April | 9th April | 10th April | 11th April

We usually hit capacity pretty quickly, so if you're interested sign up today to secure your spot!!

Visit our website for more information https://sharksvolleyball.com/sharks-camp.