Term 3 Week 3
A Message from Leadership
Catholic Education Week Celebrations
This week, we joined Catholic schools across Queensland in celebrating Catholic Education Week. This year was particularly special as our very own Rockhampton Diocese was chosen as the launch diocese for celebrations across the state.
On Wednesday, Mrs Grove, our school captains, and I travelled to Rockhampton alongside the leadership teams and captains from Star of the Sea, St John’s, and Chanel College. Together, we participated in the Opening Mass at the beautiful Rockhampton Cathedral, which was filled with representatives from dioceses all over Queensland. It was a truly inspiring celebration of our shared faith and commitment to Catholic education.
What Makes Catholic Schools Unique
Catholic schools are more than just places of learning- they are communities where faith, values, and education come together. At the heart of Catholic Education is the belief in the dignity of every person, as we strive to nurture the whole child- spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. Through a Christ-centred approach, we encourage a love of learning, a sense of compassion, and a commitment to caring for others and our world.
We are proud to partner with families in this mission, recognising parents as the first educators of their children. Together, we aim to instil in students the values of faith, hope, and love, empowering them to become active contributors to their communities.
Thank You
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and carers for choosing a Catholic Education for your children. Your trust in us to support their primary education is a privilege, and we are committed to providing a nurturing environment where each child can flourish.
Let us continue to walk together in faith and partnership, ensuring that our school remains a place where every child feels valued, inspired, and supported.
Thank you for celebrating Catholic Education Week with us!
Yours in education
Mrs Samantha Suthers- Principal
Our Community of Faith, Hope and Love
Gullarn ngheeree – Welcome to this beautiful place,
The words ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ were very tangible this week in so many different ways as we celebrated Catholic Education Week. In nurturing all aspects of our students’ development, the opportunity to ‘encounter’ the ‘other’ through a vast array of learning experiences invites a spiritual growth in our children, an encouragement to look out into our world with love, compassion, wonder, excitement and thoughtfulness.
Our Facebook posts this week have shared ecological encounters with the natural environment within our school, leaning into the story of St Francis and his deep praise of creation as an expression of God’s love; from prayerful moments of Rosary with our Parish elders; the delights of sharing a morning of learning with our Grandparents; to demonstrating hospitality through lunch and games on the lawn.
I had the privilege of joining our Year 6 students in their time at Bindaree Aged Care for a morning of craft, games and conversation. My heart soared as I witnessed the attentive care and engagement of our young people as residents including Yvonne, Beth and Joan amongst others shared stories that streamed across the many decades of their lives. Moments such as these are golden treasures that will stay with our students.
St Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians of love for one another, and a deep sense of knowing God, who is Love.
Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;
Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable;
Love does not deep a record of wrongs;
Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth.
Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
Love is eternal.
There are inspired messages, but they are temporary;
there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease;
There is knowledge, but it will pass.
For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial;
but when what is perfect comes, then was partial will disappear.
Meanwhile, these three remain: faith, hope, and love;
and the greatest of these is love.”
(1 Corinthians 13 1-13)
PAX et bonum – Peace and all goodness,
Mrs Meredith Grove - Assistant Principal Religious Education
Catholic Education Week Nominee
It is with pleasure that we announce our nomination for Catholic Education Week Award 2025, Mrs Rebecca Prichard, nominated for her contribution to the Catholic ethos of our school and supporting our community to flourish.
Rebecca has been a member of our teaching team at St Francis Catholic Primary since 2020. Rebecca’s commitment to leading a Christian life and living the joy of the Gospel in all aspects of her day shines through.
Rebecca is an experienced Prep teacher and is aware that for many of her students the Prep year is their first experience of Catholic faith and Christian traditions. Rebecca delights in journeying with her students through authentic and enriching opportunities across the Religious Education curriculum and in the Religious Life of our school. Under Rebecca’s care, students in her class experience a diverse range of prayer expressions that invite encounter with a loving God. Music and song are a particular passion for Rebecca, and she enjoys sharing faith through this medium. Rebecca’s enthusiasm extends through to her ‘singing group’, a lunch-time club that occurs weekly with interested students from Prep to Year 6. With actions accompanying many of the songs, these students along with Rebecca often lead our school celebrations and have represented St Francis Catholic Primary in the Gladstone Eisteddfod in the Sacred Songs category.
Rebecca is an active member of the St Peter Chanel church congregation within the Star of the Sea parish where she actively contributes to parish life through ministries of Eucharist, reading and mentor to the altar servers, foundational to our school and parish partnerships.
Rebecca’s commitment to our Catholic faith is a gift to the community of St Francis Catholic Primary school.
Monday 4th August
Gladstone Eisteddfod - Instrumental Students
Students in Instrumental Music will participate in the Gladstone Eisteddfod for the Primary Concert Bands - 8.30 AM session. Wishing our students all the BEST!
Award Assembly - 2.10pm
All welcome to the fortnightly assembly. Instrumental Band will be playing.
Tuesday 5th August
Physical Education Lessons
All students will participate in PE today with Mrs Kylie Linforth today. Gladstone Oztag will be running PE classes.
Students are to wear their sports shirts. Hats and water bottles are essential.
Private Music Lessons
If you would like any information regarding our instrumental music or piano lessons, please contact Mrs Meredith Grove.
Digital Technologies Lessons
Students from Years 3 to 6 will participate in Digi Tech lessons today with Mrs Meredith Grove. They are learning all about Digital Citizenship and how to stay safe online.
Tuckshop Day
Lunch Club
Wednesday 6th August
Prep Vision Screening
'The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program' is coming to our school on Wednesday, 6 August, 2025 at 10.30am.
They are a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep.
Prep families who would like your Prep child's vision screened, please complete a consent form, the online form Closes at Midnight Sun 3rd August. Email reminders were sent to all Prep families earlier this week on Tuesday.
Lunch Club
Parent Webinar - 7pm till 8pm
Thursday 7th August
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 8th August
Calliope Historical Village Excursion - Year 1 & 2
Our Year 1 and 2 students will be travelling to the Calliope Historical Village by bus for an excursion as part of our HASS unit about life in the past.
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.
Guitar lessons today with Wayne - DATE CHANGE TO TODAY FROM WEDNESDAY
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.
Tuckshop Day
Lunch Club
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
Tuckshop News
Our School Tuckshop is urgently needing volunteers for the following dates:
- Friday 8th August
- Friday 15th August
- Friday 22nd August
- Friday 29th 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 3A & 3B Classes will be responsible for volunteering in the Tuckshop in Week 4. If anyone is able to help please contact the school office.
2025 Premier's Reading Challenge
Parents & Friends Association
Celebrating Catholic Education Week
This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week—a time to reflect on the rich tradition and values of our Catholic schools. The P&F were proud to support this year’s celebrations by donating two prizes for the Lego competition. Congratulations to the winners of the Catholic Education Theme category and the People’s Choice Award! It’s wonderful to see our students engaging so creatively with their faith and learning.
Father’s Day Gift Stall – Volunteers Needed!
Our much-loved Father’s Day Gift Stall is coming up on Thursday, 4th September, and we need your help to make it a success! We’re looking for volunteers to help set up on Wednesday, 3rd September & Thursday 4th September, and to assist students with their gift shopping on the day of the stall. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, have a few laughs, and be part of creating special moments for the children as they choose something for Dad, Grandpa or someone special. Even an hour or two makes a big difference—come join the fun!
Last week’s General Meeting Minutes are attached below via the link. Looking ahead, we’ll be trailing our next meeting via Microsoft Teams to make it easier for parents who can’t attend in person. We hope this new option helps more families get involved—we’d love to see you there, in person or online!
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
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
Second Hand Pre Loved Uniforms
Community News
Anxiety Live Webinar Event
Tannum Sands Surf Lifesaving Club - Sign on Day
Gladstone Ports - Port to Park Fun Run
Out of the Box Video Series
Strong Communities - Free Parenting Programs
