2024 Term 4 Week 7 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

Date Saver

Term 4 2024 

From the Principal

Congratulations to our student leaders for 2025

School Leaders: Bonnie O’Neil and Sam Ewart

Assistant Leaders: Chelsea Lock and Bobby McGuiggan

MacKillop House Leaders: Gabriella Hoyle and Madeline Ross

Ignatius House Leaders: Harper Evans and Georgia Winn

McAuley House Leaders: Max McIvor and Elka Vary

Bannon House Leaders: Jeannie Casper and Willow Simpson

On Friday, 13 December, we will have our Leadership Assembly, where our 2024 student leaders will handover leadership to the 2025 student leaders.

In 2025, we will initiate a student council with representatives from every class from Year 1 to Year 6. The student council will meet monthly and work with the student leadership team. 

Beginner Band

We still have some spots available in our 2025 Beginner Band Instrumental Program so we are now offering the opportunity to our Year 5 students. These students will have the chance to learn a band instrument from the following list from Term 1 2025 and participate in a beginner band starting in Semester 2 2025.

• flute
• clarinet
• trumpet
• trombone
• saxophone
• violin

Group lessons for the instrumental band program will be held every Friday with Mrs Crismale. The cost is $160 for the semester. Fees must be paid in advance at the beginning of each semester. Instruments will be available for hire at $200 per year or you can bring your own.

If you're interested in your child learning an instrument, please click on the link below and complete the google form by Friday, 6 December: 

Attendance Matters

Recognise and praise your child's regular attendance

Recognising and praising your child's regular attendance is a powerful way to reinforce positive behaviour and encourage a strong commitment to their education. Here are some ways to effectively recognise and praise your child's consistent attendance:

• Verbal Encouragement. Regularly express your appreciation for your child's commitment to attending school. Use positive and encouraging language to let them know you notice and value their efforts.

• Positive Notes or Messages. Write short notes or messages expressing your pride in your child's regular attendance. Slip these notes into their backpack or lunchbox as pleasant surprises during the school day.

• Set Goals Together. Work with your child to set attendance goals for each term or semester. Collaboratively establishing achievable goals can instil a sense of responsibility and motivation. 

• Celebrate Milestones. This strategy will be specific to the goals you set together. Acknowledge these achievements and make them special occasions for recognition. Encourage your child to reflect on their own accomplishments related to attendance. Discuss how their commitment contributes to their learning and the positive experiences they have at school.

• Positive Rewards. This does not have to be buying something. It can be a special family activity or extra playtime. 

Positive reinforcement alone may not be sufficient to address deeper emotional or psychological factors contributing to school avoidance. Work closely with your child and school to identify the specific reasons for their reluctance to attend school.

Caroline Lewis
Principal

Faith & Mission

Advent, which begins this Sunday, is a special season in the Church marking the start of the liturgical year and preparing us for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth. During Advent, Christians reflect on the twofold coming of Christ: His first coming as a baby in Bethlehem and His future return at the end of time.

This time is characterised by themes of waiting, hope, and conversion. The faithful are encouraged to prepare their hearts to welcome Jesus, both in the celebration of Christmas and in their daily lives.

Advent is also a time for prayer and reflection, inviting everyone to pause and recognise God's presence in their lives. It is a season filled with anticipation and joyful expectation. 

Here are some ideas for how your family can begins preparations for Christmas during this season of Advent:

• Donate to the Mini Vinnies Christmas hampers (see information below) - involve children in the selection of items to be donated. 
• Make your own Advent calendar with random acts of kindness instead of (or interspersed with) treats. Brainstorm ideas as a family, or look online - there are lots of printable suggestions. 

• Make an Advent wreath using craft materials or real candles that can be lit at dinner each night during Advent.
• Create a Nativity scene using craft materials or Lego to include with your Christmas decorations.
• At dinner each night during Advent, each person shares something they’re grateful for and something they’re looking forward to. Parents can model thinking of others to remind children that Christmas is more about giving than receiving. 
• Come along to our Family Mass this Saturday - all are welcome to join us for our final Family Mass for 2024 and celebrate the first weekend of Advent.

Family Mass

St Francis Xavier Day

Please refer to Compass News Feed for important information regarding these activities.

Parish Fun Day

We are also looking for volunteers to do face painting at the Fun Day. Let us know if you are keen to help with this!

Christmas Concert

Please refer to Compass News Feed for important information regarding the Christmas Concert.

Katrina Ryan
Assistant Principal Mission

A Focus on Inclusion

International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) happens on 3 December every year. International Day of People with Disability is a day to understand and respect people with a disability. 

The 2024 theme is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.

The 2024 UN theme is for more people with disability to be leaders.

This includes leaders

•       For the world
•       In Australia.

Everyone needs to work together to make this happen.

For more information go to:

Fiona Jupp
Leader of Inclusion

Student Wellbeing

During our assembly this week students participated in an activity that highlights how easy it is to go along with the group, particularly when it comes to bullying. If you would like to discuss this with your child, or any social-emotional concerns your child might be having, Kids Helpline have a wonderful interactive resource on their website.

The Kids 5-12 tab allows children to click on the things that worry them, and takes them to illustrated social stories that may help them understand what is happening and what to do. It can also be a useful tool to open discussions with your children about the things that may be worrying them.

If your child is having worries at school, or there's something that may be affecting them at school, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, the Principal, Assistant Principals, or the school Wellbeing Team.

Leanne Kelly
Student Wellbeing Officer

Sporting Roundup

2025 Swimming Age Champions

Congratulations to our 2025 Swimming Age Champions and Runners-up.

Hannah Haworth
Leader of Sport

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

The St Vincent de Paul Conference in Woolgoolga has again requested our support for their Christmas Appeal.

Like last year, they would like to give festive hampers to needy families in the Woolgoolga community.  The hampers will be filled with non-perishable Christmas treats to brighten peoples’ Christmas.  In addition to this, the St Vincent de Paul Conference will provide Woolworths gift cards.

We would greatly appreciate your donations for the Christmas treats.

Some suggestions to donate to the appeal are listed below:

• Biscuits
• Christmas puddings/cakes 
• Pavlova shell
• Christmas chocolates and sweets
• Bon bons/christmas decorations
• Chocolate coated sultanas/peanuts
• Long life custard/cream
• Tins of stone fruit e.g cherries, apricots, peaches
• Mince tarts
• Mixed fruit and nuts

All food items donated must be sealed.

All donations can be left in the office or classrooms.

Thank you for your support.

Yours in Christ,
The Mini Vinnies Team   

Playgroup

We are nearly at the end of the year!

Thank you for supporting St Francis Xavier Playgroup, we look forward to welcoming you all again next year.

Mrs Leanne Kelly and Mrs Niki Wrigley will be facilitating Playgroup on Wednesdays in 2025.

Program for the rest of the year

• Wednesday, 4th December - Nativity story and craft
• Monday, 9th December - School Christmas Concert 5.30pm-7.30pm on the school oval - all are welcome!
• Wednesday, 11th December - Last Playgroup for the year. Please bring a plate to share. Weather permitting we will have our story and picnic on the Nature Playground.

Looking forward to celebrating this special time of the year!

Helen Hunt
Playgroup Facilitator

Parent Forum

Minutes of Meeting - 4 November 2024

Please click on the link below to read the Minutes of the General Business Parent Forum Meeting held on 4 November 2024.

Tea Towel and Tote Bag fundraiser

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all families for your generous support of our recent Tea Towel & Tote Bag fundraiser.

Tea towels and tote bags will be available for collection from the School Office from Monday, 2nd December to Wednesday, 4th December.

Any items that have not been collected by the end of Wednesday will be sent home with students on Thursday, 5th December.

Please note that a limited number of tea towels and tote bags will be available for purchase at the Parent Forum Christmas Stall on Monday, 9th December.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support!

Yarrow Wade
Parent Forum President

Gold Token winners

Well done to all token recipients this week and congratulations to the Gold Token winners!

Award recipients

Well done to all Certificate of Recognition and Premier's Reading Challenge award recipients! Keep up the great work!