Term 1 Week 10

From Samantha Suthers' Desk - Principal

As we reach the end of our first term together, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome I have received as your new principal. It has been an absolute pleasure to witness firsthand the wonderful community that St Francis truly is.

Firstly, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our dedicated staff. Your commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment for our students is truly inspiring. Your hard work and passion do not go unnoticed, and I am deeply appreciative of all that you do.

To our families, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Your involvement and encouragement play a crucial role in the success and well-being of our students. It is evident that St Francis is blessed with a community that values education and works together to achieve the best outcomes for our children.

And to our amazing students, thank you for your enthusiasm, kindness, and hard work throughout this term. Your energy and eagerness to learn make our school a vibrant and joyful place to be. I am so proud of each and every one of you.

Reflecting on this term, I am reminded of the many highlights that have made it so special. From our engaging classroom activities to the various school events and excursions, it has been wonderful to see our students thrive in so many different areas. The spirit of collaboration and the sense of belonging at St Francis is truly remarkable.

As we approach the Easter break, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday. May this time be filled with rest, reflection, and joy with your loved ones. Let us also remember the true meaning of Easter—a time of renewal, hope, and the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. I encourage you to take this opportunity to reconnect with your faith and cherish the blessings in your lives.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, filled with relaxation and quality time with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready for Term 2. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and strive for excellence in all that we do.

Term 1 Snapshot

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From Meredith Grove's Desk - APRE

Gullarn ngheeree - Welcome to this beautiful place,

This week, our students journeyed through Holy Week, a reflection beginning with Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of Passover.  A much-loved  rabbi (teacher) from the Galilee region, Jesus’ arrival into the city brought great joy from fellow travellers who waved palm leaves and lay cloaks on the ground. Encounters throughout this week reveal that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
(Matthew 21:8-9)

The Gospel of John reflects on the last meal Jesus had with his disciples where he washed the feet of his disciples, a job that was normally left to the servant of the household - with a clear message of service and love:  ‘Go and do the same’.  Giving praise to His Father, the breaking of bread and sharing of wine at this meal provided words that would sustain the Disciples through the coming days and months ahead. “When you do this, remember me” forms the new covenant (promise) to always be with his followers; this covenant is indeed the basis of Christian faith today.

Our students travelled gently and solemnly through Good Friday, remembering Jesus’ death.  Children brought forward crosses of many textures, colours and sizes into our sacred space. For Christians, the cross is so much more than Jesus’ death; it is a reminder of the greatness of God, His love for all people and the invitation to love God and to love one another. The cross connects believers to the mystery of Easter and the Resurrection central to Christian faith, with a strong belief that just as Jesus was present with his disciples, He is very much present in our everyday lives. That Christ suffered and overcame death provides strength through life’s most troubling and sorrowful times.

With eyes focused on Easter joy - we are invited to be Easter people, living the Kingdom of God every day!
May this joy bring your family and friends many blessings.

PAX et bonum - Peace and all goodness,
Meredith 

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From Kylie Linforth's Desk - Sport

New dates for our Cross Country Carnival:

Week 2 of Term 2: Tuesday 29th April 1:30-2:45 PM for 9-12 year olds AGE CHAMP races

Week 3 of Term 2: Tuesday 6th May for Prep to Yr 3 (born in 2017) 1:30-2:45 PM.

Football Queensland & Brisbane Roar

St Francis Catholic Primary School is excited to announce that the Football Queensland & Brisbane Roar After School Program is coming to our school!

Key program details can be found in the attached flyer. All participants must be registered prior to the clinic starting, using the link below.

Register here: https://registration.squadi.com/userRegistration?organisationId=0f742cbf-573b-412e-8006-8af2cdaf3e83&competitionId=39cbffa0-f8ec-4b78-a4dd-30bb47c434dc 

For any questions, please contact the FQ x Roar team at community@footballqueensland.com.au.

Parent Communication - Feedback!

At St Francis, we are committed to fostering a strong and supportive school community. Effective communication between the school and our families is a key part of this commitment. To help us improve and ensure we are meeting your needs, we are seeking your feedback on our current communication practices.

We would love to hear your thoughts on:

• How effectively we communicate important information and updates
• The clarity and frequency of our communications
• Your preferred methods of communication (e.g., email, newsletters, social media, etc.)
• Any suggestions you have for improving our communication

Your feedback is invaluable to us and will help us enhance our efforts to keep you well-informed and engaged with your child's education and school activities.

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts by clicking on the link below. We thank you in advance for your time and input.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being an integral part of our school community.

Affirmation Awards Week 10

Good Luck Mrs Wilson

This week we farewell Mrs Wilson as she embarks on her new journey to St Therese's Monto as APRE. The Year 6 children demonstrated just how well they can keep a secret and threw her a surprise party with some assistance from special helpers. Thank you Mrs Wilson for a fantastic first term with our Year 6 group. We welcome Mrs Laura Farrell for the remainder of the year.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day Commemorations

Thursday 24 April at 8.30am - Anzac Day School Prayerful Reflection - Families are welcome to join our school community at the school flagpoles as we commemorate ANZAC Day. Students and families are welcome to bring flowers should they wish to place them throughout the reflection.

Friday 25 April - Boyne/Tannum Community March - Please assemble in the carpark of Boyne Plaza by 8.30am. Wear school uniform and hat, and bring a water bottle.

Poppies for Sale at the office for $1 - All proceeds go to the Boyne/Tannum RSL

Year 4 Letters to Pope Francis

Our Year 4 class recently wrote heartfelt letters to Pope Francis, and we are thrilled to share that these letters have safely arrived in the Holy Land! 

We are overjoyed to know that their messages will be taken to Pope Francis for him to read. This incredible opportunity has filled us with immense pride and joy, knowing that our students' words and prayers will reach the Holy Father. 

A big thank you to Mr Pitt for his initiative and guidance.

Let's continue to keep Pope Francis in our prayers as he embarks on his holy mission.

https://x.com/AusAmbHolySee/status/1907378106979041300

Healthy Harold Visits St Francis

2026 Prep Enrolments

Term 2 Volunteer Induction

School Board Update

This term our School Board has been very busy reviewing key guiding documents and helping to refine practices at St Francis Catholic Primary School. A huge thank you to our Board members for their time and ongoing support.

We extend our gratitude to Mrs Laura Farrell for her dedicated service as the Chair. As she begins her new role as the Year 6 classroom teacher for the remainder of the year, she has stepped down from her position.

We warmly welcome Mr Jared Boyle, who has graciously taken on the role of Chair for the remainder of 2025. We look forward to his leadership and the continued positive impact of the School Board.

Thank you once again to all involved for your commitment to our school community.

Lunch Clubs

Uniform Reminders for Term 2

As we move into Term 2, we would like to remind all students and parents of the hair expectations outlined in our current Uniform Policy:

Hair Guidelines

• Extreme Hairstyles: Hairstyles that draw attention to the student through cut or colour, or the use of additive products, are not permitted.
• Long Hair: Hair that is below shoulder length must be worn tied back.
• Accessories: All ribbons, headbands, and other hair accessories must be in school colours (black, white, navy blue, or green only).

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that these guidelines are followed, helping to maintain a respectful and focused learning environment for all students.

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 Wearitto is located at 190 Goondoon Street, Gladstone and trading hours are:

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

Parent & Friends News

DISCO

What a night!! Thanks so much to all the parents and guardians who bought their kids along last Friday night. We hope all our kids had an amazing time and made some lasting memories.

A massive thank you to all the volunteers who made the magic happen. We appreciate all the time and energy you put in. A big thank you also to Wayne Dunnett for his audio and lighting equipment and expertise, setting the scene for a great disco. 

If you have any feedback on the disco, both things that you liked or could be done differently next time, please let us know by messaging the P&F Facebook Page or emailing us. We'd love to hear your thoughts to help continually improve these events for our kids and school community, contact details below.

HOLY WEEK

The P&F was proud to support the Holy Week reflections this week, with Easter Eggs and lollypops provided to each class for Easter egg hunt activities. We hope our kids enjoyed them.

MOTHERS DAY GIFT STALL

We will be holding a gift stall for Mother's Day this year. Students will have the opportunity to purchase an item or two from the stall to bring home for the special Mother figures in their lives. It's always interesting to see what items they choose! The stall will be held during the week before Mother's Day (Sunday 11^th May).

More details to come in next term's newsletters and via the St Francis Tannum Sands P&F Facebook page. 

STAY IN CONTACT

The P&F Committee is always willing to hear from you. We can be contacted via email SFTS_PandFSecretary@rok.catholic.edu.au or by messaging the St Francis Tannum Sands P&F facebook page.

Upcoming P&F meetings

All are welcome at P&F General Meetings 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

Chanel College Open Night - Year 7 2026

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

Gladstone Basketball Association

Gladstone Council - Moonlight Movie Event

Goals Football Development - April School Holiday Clinics

⚽️ April school holiday soccer clinics are back with Goals Football Development!! Very limited places remaining                   🥅 Run by A-Diploma candidate coach! 
 Links for booking below:
💚 https://www.trybooking.com/CUVFB
🧡 https://www.trybooking.com/CUVFM
❤️ https://www.trybooking.com/CUVIP

Young Engineers Workshops - Central Queensland University

Art Classes - April School Holidays

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

Mother's Day Classic Walk/Run

Billie Jean King Cup - School Offer

A Great offer of exclusive 50% discount on tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup, where Australia’s top female tennis stars will compete on home soil against Kazakhstan and Columbia!
In addition to this offer, kids aged between 3-11 years old go FREE!

📅 Event Date: 10-12 April 2025 
📍 Venue: Pat Rafter Arena 
🎟️ Discount: 50% off standard ticket prices for partner - school students

To secure your discounted tickets, please visit and share the link with your students: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/2823005?did=50off