Term 1 Week 7

From Samantha Suthers' Desk- Principal

This week, our St Francis community mourns the passing of a dear friend, Tomo. His absence will be deeply felt, not just because of the role he played in our daily routines, but because of the kindness and joy he shared so freely.

As the new principal of St Francis, I may have only known Tomo for a couple of months, but in that short time, I came to see what so many in this community already knew—he was a man of great warmth, quick wit, and quiet dedication. The encounters we shared, the jokes he told, and the small but meaningful acts of kindness he showed will stay with me.

Tomo was one of those unsung heroes who make a school community what it is. He didn’t stand in front of classrooms, he didn’t write report cards or lead assemblies—but his presence was just as important. He was there in our "Kiss and Drop" zone, ensuring seat belts were fastened before shutting car doors, directing traffic with care, and offering a joke or a smile to brighten someone’s day. His actions may have seemed small, but they made a big difference.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Tomo lived this message through his daily acts of service. He showed us that kindness is not measured in grand gestures but in the simple, everyday ways we care for others. His presence was a reminder that community is built on love, service, and selflessness—values that lie at the heart of our Catholic faith.

Tomo’s legacy is not just in the work he did, but in the way he made people feel—safe, valued, and seen. As we say goodbye, let us also remember to honour his spirit by embodying his kindness in our own lives. Take the time to greet someone with a smile, offer help without being asked, and recognise the quiet contributions of those who work behind the scenes to make our school the place it is.

In response to the email I sent earlier this week, several families have reached out asking how they can help. A number of local clubs are contributing funds toward the cost of the wake, and St Francis has also offered their support.

If you would like to donate towards food for the wake, you can make a direct deposit into the following account. Our P&F will collect and pass on all donations. Please reference 'Tomo' in your transfer.

NAME: St Francis               BSB: 034 210               ACCOUNT: 206766                REFERENCE: Tomo

Tomo, we will miss your quick wit, your warm presence, and your unwavering commitment to our community. Thank you for being a part of our journey. May you rest in God’s eternal peace.

From Meredith's Desk - APRE

Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,

For Christians the Bible is a most sacred text, capturing the relationship of God and people across the ages. Like faith, my relationship with the narratives, parables and poems contained within its many books is forever evolving, with each encounter offering another facet of thought.

This Sunday’s Gospel, The Transfiguration of Christ, tells of a time before Jesus travelled to Jerusalem for the final time. Knowing that his arrest is imminent, Jesus seeks time with God, on a mountain inviting his close disciples,  James, John and Peter, with him. Jesus experiences a moment of transcendence where he is drawn into the mystery of God.  Witnessing this encounter, James and John offer to ‘build tents’, to prolong the moment, to remain in God’s light; but Jesus, having drawn strength from his Father, comes down from the mountain to face the reality before him.

Like Jesus, there may be moments that reveal to us the stark polarities of our lives; where life takes us where we don’t especially want to go. There may also be moments of transcendence in our lives; moments when we are conscious of being drawn into God’s mystery, even though these moments may be fleeting.  In such moments, we can be taken out of ourselves, and our senses can be finely tuned into the awesome love and beauty of God. Like the disciples, we may want to hold on to these moments, to prolong the experience, to stay.  The reality of our humanity, however, demands that we move from such moments of transcendence back into the dailiness of life.  We cannot stay on the mountain of light forever.

The passing of our dear friend, Tomo, is a grief that sits heavy in our hearts, his absence brings an ache that is difficult to overcome.  At such times, we are invited to go to our mountain, to be still, to breathe through our anguish and in these fleeting moments, to experience the transcendence of a God who loves.

PAX et bonum - Peace and all goodness,
Meredith 

Holy Week at St Francis

For Christians, the anchor of our faith is Jesus Christ and his teachings of love and compassion.  Our students will gather in class groupings in our final week of term to reflect on Holy Week and the joy of Easter.  Families are welcome to join us.

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris osb

Sharing Compassion

One of the greatest joys in life is sharing passion with another – think about it. Now when you thought about it, you thought about people very close to you - spouse, partner, children, very best friend. But when you consider the words we use in English for sharing passion – ‘compassion’ (Latin background), ‘empathy’ (Greek background), we see that the relationships in which we show these feelings reach a far wider group of people – even people we have never met. Compassion and empathy stretch our minds and hearts and school us into making friends with many people in a variety of ways.

During Lent, Australian Catholics support ‘Project Compassion’. This is the fund-raising drive of Caritas, the international relief, development and social service agency. Throughout Lent your children will hear about the people helped by the projects of Caritas. As they hear they will be invited to help these people, not only through fundraising but also through prayer and interest. For you, as parents and carers, it is an opportunity to widen the horizons of their hearts and minds, to teach them to care for people beyond their own circle.

Loving God, we are each and all your children.
Give us the wide deep love of your holy Spirit that we may recognise all people as brothers and sisters in Jesus.
May we share in his compassionate heart.
We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.
Amen

Parent Teacher Conversations - bookings open

Bookings are open via Parent Orbit for families to book Parent Parent-Teacher conversations for Week 9 of Term 1. 

Year 4 Excursion

The adventure begins....

Once assembled, the year 4 excitedly went for the introduction tour through the beautiful grounds that is the Boyne Environmental Centre.  Two teams were forged and they began their day with a game of Clown Fish versus the Barracuda! Those naughty barracuda had to sneak in and steal the poor clown fish eggs. After the warm up games, a quick morning tea then into activities.

Team one went to the microscope room and learnt about the importance of microscopic zooplankton and phytoplankton and their role in the food webs and chains and how they produce half the oxygen in the world. 

Meanwhile, team two went to the clown fish habitat and learnt about life on the reef. They learnt how animals are often symbiotic with each other and also some animals are even, word of the day, bioluminescent. We also discussed the life cycles of the clown fish and how difficult it is to keep them alive as the water temperature has to be between 23 and 27 degrees. They also helped to care for the fish and even fed Mad Martha. A rather angry maroon clown fish. 

Teams then swapped over and completed the other task. What a wonderful day of learning.

Year 5 Excursion - Written by Cohan

On the 11th of March, Year 5 went on an excursion to BIEEC (Boyne Island Environmental Education Centre). We went there to learn about adaptations which we have been learning about in our science unit.

The excursion was the best fun I have had in a while. At first, we checked everyone was there. Then we started our experience of hands-on experimenting. Our jobs were to be adaptation experts and our first case was which water bugs fed and breathed through their bottoms! During these activities, we got to use microscopes, ID charts and flip books to research which bug we had and what its special adaptations. We even had to call the person we were helping, with a real walkie talkie.

While we did our water bug research, we got called to do a secret mission. We went to their aquarium of fish and sea creatures. There were different species of clownfish, which was interesting. We got to feed a fish of our choice and learnt a lot about those species and why they let some go free. The aquarium was a complicated environment to help the animals survive. 

After lunch, we went back into learning. We talked about the different species of mangrove that we would see and how to tell them apart. We went on a bus to Lions Park to go into a mangrove environment. We got to get muddy and learn about the different species (Red, Yellow and Grey Mangroves). We saw and learnt about how they process the salt to get fresh water and how they breathe during high tide. We also learnt about their scientific names.

While doing all of this, we also learnt and played a new game which I am sure will teach you some things. We had a great big day on the year 5 excursion on Tuesday, the 11th of March.

By Cohan 

Year 5 Excursion

Whole school Cross Country - Tuesday 1st April

Classes have started training on the Cross-Country track during brain breaks and in PE lessons.

The track runs around the school grounds, over grass, gravel, and dirt.

The whole school Jump Rope for Heart has begun, so skipping is helping our runners prepare. You may also wish to join in the Tannum Sands Park Run on Saturdays at 7 AM from Canoe Point. Arrive from 6:45 AM for briefings.

Any parents wishing to help out on the day, please email kylie_linforth@rok.catholic.edu.au

A program will be released in the weeks leading up to the event.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART - register now

Over the coming weeks, your child will learn new skills, increase their physical activity, and learn about heart health. And the program will end with our school-wide ‘Jump Off Day’ on 21/3/25, where your child gets to show off their new skipping skills to their friends.

When you register your child online, you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors. Register and create your secure webpage at www.jumprope.org.au/parents. 

By signing up online, you and your child/ren can:

• Easily raise funds online.
• Track your progress in skipping skills and earn virtual badges along the way.
• Post updates to your page so family and friends can follow their progress.
• Access additional skipping resources.

Your child should have a ‘Parent and Guardian Guide’ flyer to take home, which includes further information on the program. If you didn’t receive this, visit www.jumprope.org.au/parents for all the information that you need.

Thank you for getting involved in Jump Rope for Heart!

Kylie Linforth

School Uniforms

St Francis Uniform Shop

Did you know that Wearitto comes to St Francis every Tuesday?

The shop is open 8:30am -10:30am in Green Pod the room beside the Hub.

Please sign in through the QR code in the office or on the uniform shop door. When prompted for organisation please type 'visitor'.

Alternatively, you can order online and items can be picked up from the office in the afternoon of the next Tuesday after the order is placed:

https://www.wearitto.com.au/schools/st-francis-catholic-primary-school-ts 

Gladstone Trading Hours:

You can also order by using the Parent Orbit App, by clicking on 'Uniforms' on the Orbit's home page. Please see the images below.

Second Hand Pre Loved Uniforms

School Funding in Australia

The below link explains revised school funding in Australia.

Parent Orbit

Parent Actions for Reporting Student Attendance 

Parents may choose from a variety of communication methods to notify the school of absences (phone, letter, email, visit), however the Orbit App or Parent Lounge are the preferred modes. In the Orbit App, parents are presented with five options, these are listed below, followed by an explanation:

• Illness and medical appointments
• Appointment, event or services
• Holiday
• School avoidance or refusal
• Family Reasons
  
• Other explained reason (If Other is selected, a mandatory comment box appears for parents to explain the absence)

Parents and Friends News

In Memory of Mr Paul (Tomo) Thompson

The P&F wishes to acknowledge the recent passing of Tomo, and recognises the significant contribution he has made to our school and wider community over the years. Driving through the afternoon pick up line without seeing his smiling face just won't be the same. We send our condolences to his wife Dorothy and their family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. 

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.

Disco Frequently Asked Questions:

Food & Drinks: Small packets of chips, lollies, soft drinks and juice poppers will be available for purchase via cash or EFTPOS. No dinner items available and the tuck shop will not be open, so please arrange your dinner plans accordingly to best suit your family. You are welcome to bring food if you wish. We ask that all children are sitting while eating and drinking.

Supervision: All children are to be supervised by their parent/care giver for the duration of the disco.

Younger Siblings: are welcome, however must be supervised at all times. A Toddler Space will be set up with colouring and age-appropriate games.

If you have children in both the first and second sessions: At the completion of the first session, students are to leave the hall with their caregiver. If they have older siblings staying on for the second session, the younger siblings can dance on the basketball court supervised by their caregivers. This is to reduce the risk of children being injured on the dance floor.

Please reach out to the P&F if you have any questions via email  SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au or the St Francis Tannum Sands P&F Facebook Page.

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

Year 5/6 Leadership Retreat Morning Tea

The P&F is pleased to support the Year 5/6 Leadership Retreat today by providing morning tea for Year 5 & 6 students attending. 

Upcoming P&F meetings

All are welcome at P&F General Meeting and we’d love you to attend. Younger siblings are welcome. The next meeting dates are:

Term 2: Friday 9th May 2025, 8:30am – 9:30am, staffroom

Term 3: Friday 25th July 2025, 8:30am – 9:30am, staffroom

Year 6 Classroom Teacher

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

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.  

Community News

Gladstone Regional 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

St Vincent de Paul Society

Private Tutor - Voula Watts

Easter In Gladstone - 17th to 21st April 2025

There are a variety of free and ticketed events across the long weekend throughout the region. All event details can be found here:

www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/easter

Gladstone Harbour Festival Fun Run - 18th April