2025 Term 1 Week 9 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

2025 School Goals 

In 2025, our school aims to deepen the understanding of our charism across staff, students, and families. Initiatives include developing whole-school practices for prayer, creating a Catholic Identity Plan, and incorporating Ignatian and Mercy traditions. Success will be measured by increased awareness of our school values, charisms, and the history of our traditions. Additionally, we will focus on improving student writing through targeted learning goals and the use of differentiated success criteria. Parental engagement will also be a priority, with initiatives such as a new School Community Forum, increased opportunities for informal interaction, and events like the school fete and Learning Showcases. These efforts aim to strengthen our school community and promote a culture of inclusion, connection, and shared growth.

Business Directory

We are excited to announce the development of a St Francis Xavier Primary School Business Directory, designed to serve as a valuable resource for our entire school community. This directory will be made available to all St Francis Xavier families, through our school newsletter and social media, with the intention of fostering a stronger sense of community and connection among us all. Not only will it facilitate networking and support between our families, but it will also provide our school with access to local businesses capable of meeting any needs or services required. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen bonds within our community while also supporting local enterprises. All business wil be advertised in this newsletter. If you are interested, please complete this Google Form.

Notification of Serious Infections

I write to inform you that a student in our school is currently receiving treatment which results in a lowered immune system, which means, the student is more prone to getting ill from infections. As the student is not contagious but has a chronic illness, it is important he/she participates actively in the day to day school program without any major limitations. A major concern is that if this student develops chickenpox, measles, COVID-19, whooping cough, influenza or another serious virus, he/she could become seriously ill.  I seek your cooperation in preventing this situation.

If your child is unwell and has or may have one of these infectious illnesses, I would ask that you please:

• Do not send them to school.
• Notify the School Principal as soon as possible.
• Take them to your GP or medical centre to confirm diagnosis if possible.

Attendance Matters

Faith & Mission

Catherine McAuley’s Easter Message: Be a Light to Others

Easter is a season of hope, renewal, and joy - and for Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, it was also a time to shine light into the lives of others. She famously spoke of being “shining lamps, giving light to all around us,” a powerful metaphor for living with compassion, kindness, and faith.

Catherine McAuley believed that the Easter message of resurrection should inspire us to reflect on how we can bring hope to those around us. Whether through small acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or service to others, we are all called to be instruments of God’s love.

Her legacy reminds us that true celebration of Easter goes beyond tradition - it means living out its message each day by offering light, unity, and mercy to a world in need.

Stage 2 hosting Family Mass

Prayer & Reflection during Lent

During the year of Jubilee, we are challenged to make an extra effort to engage in something that enhances our journey as 'Pilgrims of Hope'. The annual Lenten Taize night, which will be held at St Augustines Church on Wednesday 9 April at 7pm is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with other Pilgrims of Hope. Participants are invited to come along and experience prayer through song, Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation. For those who are not Catholic or who have not attended an event such as this, participation is entirely at your comfort level - there are no expectations. 

If you enjoy singing with others or listening to beautiful music, then this is an evening not to be missed. Taize is a meditative style of sung prayer that involves simple, repeated mantras. Everyone is welcome to be involved in the Choir - no musical experience or score reading skills are required. 

I am encouraging parents and students who enjoy singing to come along and be part of the Choir, led by myself and Mrs Woods from St Augustines school. Videos and sheet music are available for those who would like to listen ahead of time (though not essential). There will be a run through of the songs/chants prior to the Taize evening, from 6:10pm. This rehearsal is to mainly go over the harmony parts, but everyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested, and would like access to the music ahead of time, please email or call me at school. 

I am very much looking forward to this year’s Tazie event and would love to see you there. Please feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested in attending or participating. 

Celebrating LENT, HOLY WEEK & EASTER

During Lent we are raising money for Project Compassion, who support the poor and vulnerable through community building projects around the world. We kicked off our fundraising on Shrove Tuesday and raised just over $200 - thank you for your generosity. Our fundraising continues this term with the annual Easter Raffle. Families are encouraged to donate items for the hampers, with tickets on sale at the front desk (for parents) or at lunch and recess (for students). The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term (April 10).

Families are invited to join us for two special events on Thursday 10 April.

Holy Week and Easter Liturgy at 9.15am - all students will be involved in this liturgy, with each stage leading an event from Holy Week. 

Easter Hat Parade and Raffle 2.15pm - students are encouraged to make an Easter Hat at home for the parade, remembering that the focus of this event is fun and celebration, not the creation of elaborate Easter hats! 

Learning & Teaching

Bush Tucker Garden Planting

This week our ATSI students went to Sandy Beach Reserve to participate in a Bush Tucker Gardening experience. We explored different plants and how they are used for bush tucker and different materials, such as string. We worked together to dig and plant the new trees. You can access the Gumbaynggirr Good Koala Country website for more information about the wonderful work they do.

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 had a wonderful time at Lake Ainsworth! They enjoyed many activities including fencing, starting a camp fire, tug of war, sand sculpting and many others.  Many thanks to the staff members who spent time away from their own families so that Year 6 could enjoy this time bonding and creating special memories.

ANZAC Day March

Spotlight on Learning

Building Relationships and Setting the Stage for a Fantastic Year in Stage 3!

As Stage 3 dove into the new school year, the first few weeks were an exciting time of relationship-building and setting the foundation for a successful year. They focussed on establishing routines to help set up a positive and supportive environment so all students can thrive, both academically and socially.

One of the highlights of the early weeks was the exploration of the book Only One You by Linda Kranz. This beautifully illustrated story tells the tale of Adri, a young fish whose parents share valuable life lessons with him as he embarks on his journey through the world. The book’s message is simple yet powerful: "There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place." Through Adri’s story, the students were able to reflect on their own uniqueness and the importance of making thoughtful choices as they navigate life.

The striking artwork, featuring Kranz’s colorful "rockfish" set against vibrant blue seas, left a lasting impression on Stage 3, sparking deep discussions about individuality, kindness, and the impact each person can have on the world around them. 

In addition to the book, the students participated in some fun activities to help them connect and learn more about each other and their teachers. One of the students’ favourite activities was Guess the Teacher, where students discovered fun facts about all the teachers in our school. Another memorable event was the Desert Island Challenge, where students had to make difficult decisions about which items they would bring with them if stranded on a deserted island. This activity not only sparked creativity and problem-solving skills, but it also encouraged students to think critically about the things they truly value.

This term has been an exciting mix of fun, reflection, and relationship-building, setting the stage for a fantastic year ahead. 

Communicating Diversity

Punjabi Dance Team Update

An enthusiastic round of applause for our Punjabi Dance Team, who have been invited to perform at three events this year, most recently impressing the audience at the International Food & Dance Festival on Saturday! This commmunity event celebrating diversity and inclusion is hosted by the Coffs Coast Multicultural Society. Our students captivated the audience with their grace and vibrant performance, adding to the lively atmosphere of the event, and have already been invited to return again next year!

As we prepare for our 2025 Diwali celebration, we are looking for students interested in joining our Diwali Dance Team. We are also seeking volunteers with experience in traditional or modern Indian dance to help choreograph and guide our students. We have been blessed to have a dedicated and talented parent, Susie Deol, supporting the team this year and are grateful for her continued time and support. A heartfelt thank you to Susie! 

If you would like to get involved please contact the school via phone or email.

Wellbeing Corner

Morning Check-In Support 

What a fantastic start to the year it has been! 

It's been so lovely seeing everyone settle into their new classes and routines. As we transition into Term 2, the Wellbeing Room will continue to be available for students who have been identified by teachers or families as requiring support in the mornings on arrival at school.  

If students are looking for a quiet spot before school for colouring or drawing, they are welcome to attend the library.

If you have any wellbeing concerns pertaining to your child, please discuss this with your child's class teacher.

Wellbeing Wednesdays

Seasons for Growth 

We still have some availability in our Seasons for Growth Program for Stage 2 starting next term.

Seasons for Growth is about learning to live with change and loss. Everyone is affected by change and loss at some point in our lives. At St Francis Xavier we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. 

This program is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 participants and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.

If you think your child/ children would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you require further information please contact alessandra.isgro@lism.catholic.edu.au 

School Community Forum

Community Fete - Saturday, 25th October

Fete Sponsorship

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Community Fete on Saturday, 25th October! This fun-filled day will bring our community together as well as raising funds for much-needed drainage improvements on our oval. Currently, after it rains, the field holds water, making it impossible for the students to play outside for days. With your support, we hope to raise enough money to purchase a drainage system, ensuring the children can enjoy the outdoor space even after it rains.

We are also seeking sponsorship for the fete. If you have any friends, family members, or colleagues who own a business or work at at business, we would greatly appreciate their support! We need large and small prizes for our main raffle and the cent auction, and any contribution will make a big difference. Please, we need your help – without your generosity, we won’t be able to raise the necessary funds to make this essential improvement. Thank you for your continued support!

Join the Fete Committee

We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our committee and help organise the Community Fete on Saturday, October 25th, from 12.00pm to 4.00pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a fun community event while making a positive impact for our school!

Funds raised from the fete will go towards much-needed oval drainage - helping ensure our students will be able to play on the oval once the rain stops. Every contribution counts!

In addition, we’re hoping each class will be responsible for running one stall - so you can be part of a great team while supporting this amazing cause.

If you love planning, are passionate about community events, or just want to help out and have a great time, we’d love for you to be involved! There are lots of ways to contribute, from organising stalls to helping with logistics.

Interested? Please get in touch with the school or come along to our next committee meeting on Friday, 2 May, 9.00am-10.00am.

Easter Raffle volunteers

The School Community Forum are looking for volunteers to sell raffle tickets at Bunnings on Sunday 13 April. All proceeds will go towards school oval drainage. Please click on the link below if you can help out on the day.

Next Meeting

The next School Community Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 24 March at 6.30pm in the school library.  There is a Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend in person.

Previous Meeting

Please click on the link below to read the minutes of the previous School Community Forum meeting.

Salina McIvor
President

Pupil Free Days

Last day for of Term 1 for students: Thursday 10 April

Pupil Free Day/Staff Development Day: Friday 11 April

Pupil Free Day/Staff Development Day: Monday 28 April

First day of Term 2 for students: Tuesday 29 April

Awards

Congratulations to the Certificate of Recognition award recipients at last week's Assembly.  Keep up the great work!

School Fee Reminder

Umbrellas for sale

Kindergarten 2026 Enrolments Open