St Francis Catholic Primary School - Tannum Sands eNewsletter

A Message from Leadership

St Francis Shines at the Rockhampton Diocese Challenge Cup Carnival

This week, I’ve had the privilege of travelling to Rockhampton to coach our amazing St Francis netball team at the annual Rockhampton Diocese Challenge Cup carnival. This incredible event, which has been running for 19 years, brings together over 800 students from 31 Catholic primary schools. Participants travel from Mackay, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Tannum Sands, Biloela, Monto and as far west as Springsure, Emerald, Clermont, Barcaldine, Longreach, and Blackall, for three unforgettable days of netball and football competition, camaraderie, and community spirit.

Our St Francis girls have truly outdone themselves, showcasing not only their growing skills but also their resilience, determination, and teamwork. So far, they’ve achieved an impressive record of 5 wins and 2 losses, and it has been a joy to watch them grow in confidence with every game.

Team sports like netball and football don’t just build physical fitness- they also nurture essential life skills and values that align with our Catholic teachings. Participating in events like the Challenge Cup fosters:

Resilience: Our girls have faced tough teams, but they’ve continued to persevere, learning from every challenge and bouncing back stronger. This resilience will serve them well in all aspects of life.
Collaboration: Success on the court requires working together, supporting one another, and recognising each team member’s unique talents. These games have strengthened the bonds of friendship and community within our team.
Confidence: From the first whistle to the final goal, it has been wonderful to see the girls grow in self-belief, celebrating their achievements and learning from their setbacks.
Sportsmanship: Whether in victory or defeat, our St Francis team has shown respect and kindness towards their opponents, reflecting the values of dignity and fairness.

As a Catholic school, we value the opportunity to bring our community together in the spirit of healthy competition, teamwork, and shared faith. The Challenge Cup isn’t just about sport- it’s about building relationships, nurturing character, and celebrating the gifts that God has given each of us.

Congratulations to our St Francis netball team on their incredible efforts so far! We are so proud of you, and we look forward to cheering you on in the finals today. No matter the final scores, you’ve already achieved so much- and you’ve done it with grace, determination, and a whole lot of heart.

Let’s continue to support and celebrate the wonderful achievements of all our students as they represent not just their school, but the values we hold dear as a Catholic community.

Go St Francis!

Mrs Samantha Suthers- Principal

Catholic Education Week - Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August

From Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August, we join with Catholic Schools all over Queensland as we celebrate Catholic Education Week. As Communities of ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ we recognise the importance of living in and engaging every day in our school community and the richness we experience from engagement with our wider community.

Our week includes engagement with the St Peter Chanel Rosary group, residents from Bindaree Aged Care, special time with Fr Peter, and an invitation for grandparents and elders to spend time with our Prep to Year 2 students.

Students are invited to create an entry in the ‘Lego World’ exhibition based on the theme of ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ with the hall open before and after school for an opportunity to view the students’ creations. Our week of celebrations culminates on Friday with a Liturgy, followed by lunch activities and time spent at Canoe Point.

We look forward to these celebrations together!

Mrs Meredith Grove - Assistant Principal Religious Education

Weekly Reflection - Precious in Your Sight

I recently changed my addiction: from one computer word game to another. Oh yes, I know you’ll say it’s not a real addiction; it isn’t drugs or gambling or porn. It hasn’t consumed my life, yet. You might say to me that, while it wasted time, it provided relaxation…except that it hasn’t. It has provided ‘distraction’…and that is what addiction is really about: being distracted from ourselves.

Our lives are precious, so precious we find ways to tone down the mystery that we are. We can distract ourselves by abusing something that is good: drugs, sex, money, midday TV, computer games. (If used the right way these would enhance our sense of preciousness.) Or we can try to justify our worth by excessive work or by putting impossible standards on ourselves, and then bash ourselves up when we don’t attain them.

Or we can stop, take a deep breath and accept that we are precious in the eyes of God. We can stop the frenetic life, stop the distractions, live under the gaze of God’s love and allow the mystery to work its magic grace within us. A few moments each day, perhaps at the beginning and at the end can help recalibrate our hearts and lives to what they deeply yearn. We are made in love for love.

Loving God,
let me accept how precious I am in your sight.
Let me enjoy the wonder of my being,
accept the mystery of who I am
and then learn to live and grow in love.
I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Amen

Sr Kym Harris osb

NAIDOC School Mass - Rockhampton

Celebrating Culture and Community at the NAIDOC School Mass in Rockhampton

On Tuesday, 15th July, Laili-Bell, Mrs Ellem, and Mrs Hamilton proudly represented our school at the NAIDOC School Mass held at Holy Family Church in Rockhampton. They joined with students and staff from across the region to honour and celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Unfortunately, Will was unwell and unable to attend.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” was brought to life through a beautiful liturgy filled with prayer, reflection, music, and cultural expression. The congregation was warmly welcomed with a traditional Acknowledgement of Country, and the Mass featured readings, hymns, and symbols that celebrated the deep spiritual heritage of First Nations peoples.

Laili represented our school with pride and respect, participating reverently in the celebration and taking the opportunity to deepen her understanding of Indigenous culture and spirituality. It was a meaningful reminder of the importance of reconciliation, mutual respect, and unity within our Catholic school communities.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Diocese of Rockhampton and the Catholic Education Office for organising this special event. A big thank you also to Chanel College for their kind invitation and support with transportation.

Attending the NAIDOC School Mass was a powerful and inspiring experience that continues to strengthen our shared commitment to walking together in faith, justice, and reconciliation.

Monday 21st July

Rumbles Quest Begins - Years 1 to 6

Rumble’s Quest is a robust and reliable measure of social and emotional well-being for primary school children. It is presented as an engaging computer game that makes it easy for children to respond to questions in a natural way.

Rumble’s Quest offers a scientifically validated process for assessing multiple dimensions of child wellbeing. It uses age-appropriate methods designed to help 6- to 12-year-old children report directly about their experiences of the world.

Rumble’s Quest is an effective tool for assessment, program planning, and program evaluation. It helps schools to:

understand children’s strengths
plan supportive action in response to identified opportunities for growth
Review the effects of those actions once undertaken.
Rumble’s Quest provides primary school children with an opportunity to report their wellbeing across four domains central to their lives at this stage of development:
- Attachment to school
- Emotional and behavioural self-regulation
- Social confidence concerning peer relationships
- Supportive environments and relationships with caring adults
The game incorporates fun tasks that challenge children to exercise executive skills such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, impulse and attention control.

Please ensure you have accepted/declined the Rumbles Quest event on Parent Orbit.

Any questions, please reach out.

Kylie Linforth

Assistant Principal Curriculum

Awards Assembly

All welcome to join our fortnightly Awards Assembly starting at 2.10pm in school hall.

Tuesday 22nd July

NSIT - National School Improvement Tool - DAY ONE

The National School Improvement Tool (NSIT) is structured around nine interrelated domains that guide school improvement efforts. These domains are:

1) an explicit improvement agenda,

2) analysis and discussion of data,

3) a culture that promotes learning,

4) targeted use of school resources,

5) an expert teaching team,

6) systematic curriculum delivery,

7) differentiated teaching and learning,

8) effective pedagogical practices,

and 9) school-community partnerships.

This week, we have four visitors on the panel to interview our staff, students, parents, board members and our Parish Priest. Expert guidance from the visiting panel will help our Leadership Team assess current practices and monitor the improvement of our school over time. Every school implements this tool every five years.

Private Music Lessons

Instrumental Lessons are POSTPONED - Miss Erin Moynihan will be away. Lessons will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd July.

Great news - the school band will be putting an entry into the 2025 Gladstone Eisteddfod, well done team!

If you would like any information regarding our instrumental music or piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Physical Education Lessons

All students will participate in PE Oztag lessons today with Mrs Sarah Clark.

Students are to wear their sports shirts. Hats and water bottles are essential.

Digital Technologies Lessons

Students from Years 3 to 6 will participate in Digi Tech lessons today with Mrs Jan Arthur. They are learning all about Digital Citizenship and how to stay safe online.

Tuckshop Day

Wednesday 23rd July

NSIT - National School Improvement Tool - DAY TWO

Class visits, parent and student interviews take place today.

Private Music Lessons

Guitar lessons today with Wayne.

If you would like any information regarding our piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove. If you would like any information regarding our guitar lessons, please contact Mrs Kylie Linforth.

Piano lessons today with Liping- it is delightful to hear that some of Liping's students will also be participating in the 2025 Gladstone Eisteddfod.

If you would like any information regarding our instrumental music or piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Instrumental Music Lessons with Miss Erin Moynihan today. Great news - the school band will be putting an entry into the 2025 Gladstone Eisteddfod, well done team!

If you would like any information regarding our instrumental music or piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Lunch Club

Singing Club with Mrs Prichard and Miss Erin - Please meet in the Music Pod for Eisteddfod Rehearsal

Thursday 24th July

NSIT - National School Improvement Tool - Day Three

Further discussions and reviews take place today. Staff are provided with a feedback session after school.

Specialist Lessons today:

Performing Arts Lessons

Students from Prep to Year 2 will participate in Performing Arts lessons today with Mrs Sharyn Dicker.

Visual Arts Lessons:

Students from Years 3-6 will participate in Visual Arts lessons today with Mrs Melissa Hartsorn.

Private Music Lessons

Piano lessons today with Liping- it is delightful to hear that some of Liping's students will be participating in the 2025 Gladstone Eisteddfod.

If you would like any information regarding our piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Lunch Club

St Francis Catholic Primary Playgroup

Exciting News from St Francis Catholic Primary School!

We are thrilled to announce that our new Playgroup is starting this term.

When - Every Thursday from 8.45am till 10.15am

Why - A wonderful opportunity for parents to connect and for children to play, learn, and grow together.

Who - Everyone is welcome!

A huge thank you to one of our amazing parents, Chloe, who will be leading this exciting initiative. She is looking forward to meeting you and making this a fun and welcoming space for all.

Come along and join the fun - we can't wait to see you there!

Friday 25th July

Bookfair WISHLIST Library Visit

Students will visit the Library and write down their wish lists for Bookfair.

P & F Meeting

Private Music Lessons

Piano lessons today with Liping- it is delightful to hear that some of Liping's students will be participating in the 2025 Gladstone Eisteddfod.

If you would like any information regarding our piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.

Lunch Club

Tuckshop Day

2026 Prep Enrolments

Prep 2026 Enrolments Are Open!

Interviews have started- don't miss the opportunity to secure a place for your child in our welcoming and nurturing school environment.

Contact us today on 49 948 320 or enrol online via:-

https://enrol.sftsrok.catholic.edu.au/primary-school-enrolment/start

St Francis Enrolments

Tuckshop News

Our School Tuckshop is urgently needing volunteers for the following dates:

- Friday 25th July

- Friday 1st August

- Friday 8th August

- Friday 15th August

If anyone is able to assist on any of these dates, please call the school office on (07) 49 733 600 or send email to infosfts@rok.catholic.edu.au

Our tuckshop relies on volunteers to operate, therefore, your help is very much essential and valued!

We thought we would try our Class Roster System that we were using last year - Our 5A & 6A Classes will be responsible for volunteering in the Tuckshop in Week 2 if possible. If anyone is able to help please let the school office know.

2025 Premier's Reading Challenge

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Parents & Friends Association

NEXT P&F MEETING – Friday 25th July from 8:30am

Who can believe it’s already Term 3 ?!

We’re kicking things off with a P&F Meeting next Friday and we’d love to see you there. Come along for a relaxed coffee, a friendly chat, and the chance to be involved in the exciting plans and events coming up this term. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents and have your say in what’s happening at our school. Everyone is welcome.

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 https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/CVYUCnx1Nqu5XA4DF9f2iJRCpF?domain=facebook.com