2025 Term 2 Week 9 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

Drive Thru student pick-up service – Launching next term 

We are excited about our new Drive Thru system, which will commence in Term 3, starting Tuesday 22 July. Collection and dismissal points will be as follows:

• Queen Street Drive Thru

• Personal pick up from Green Zones 

• School Bus

• Walkers and bike riders

• Aspire OSHC (onsite) and Woolgoolga Community OOSH

Please note that parking will not be available on Queen Street in the afternoons. Families are encouraged to use alternative parking on Maldon Place, the High Street council car park (a 4-minute walk), or Nelson Street. We appreciate your support in keeping our pick-up process safe and streamlined.

Further details about the Drive Thru and all afternoon dismissal points is attached below. Please read this information carefully to support a smooth transition. 

Improving Sun Safety: School Hat Survey

We're exploring new school hat options for enhanced, year-round sun safety. We would appreciate your feedback on the choices below to help us make the best decision for your children. Please click on the link belowto complete the survey:

 https://forms.gle/ms4HcexbJoWqB2Ba6

Winter Uniform

With the cooler weather upon us, it is timely we remind families about uniform options. Girls can wear navy blue tights under their culottes, or the unisex long pants for both boys and girls. These are suitable for any day of the week, including sports day. Tracksuit pants are not part of the school uniform.

The long pants are normally available at Stitches in Market Street, Woolgoolga however they are out of stock at the moment. The long pants are on order and will be in stock again soon.

The school office has some secondhand uniform items available for purchase including long pants.

Please check that your child’s name is clearly visible so that lost items can be promptly returned. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to check all your child’s belongings - hat, jumper, jacket, drink bottle, lunch box - and relabel if necessary, as labels do tend to fade with washing.

Aspire OSHC at St Francis Xavier

We are excited to welcome Aspire OSHC to St Francis Xavier! Starting from Tuesday 22 July, Aspire OSHC will be offering high-quality Before and After School Care right here on our campus.

Engaging Vacation Care programs will commence on Monday 29 September.

This service is designed to support our families by providing a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for children outside of regular school hours.

Please use the link in the attached flyer to enrol into the service.
If you have any queries, please use the contact details on the flyer.

We look forward to seeing our students thrive in this new space in the hall!

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

Save the date!

This year we will be celebrating Charism Day on Friday 26 September. Our annual observance of St Francis Xavier’s feast day in early December has traditionally been our celebration of all things St Francis Xavier, however this is such a busy time of year that we thought moving this celebration to another time of year might allow us more space to connect this special day with other factors that contribute to our school’s distinct catholic identity. Mercy Day falls during that week, providing a great opportunity for us to celebrate our Mercy foundations. In addition to the celebration of Mass, our Colour Run will also take place on this day. Save the date on your calendars! 

First Holy Communion Retreat and Celebration

On Friday, our First Communion candidates took part in a special retreat day in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The retreat offered a time for prayer, reflection, and learning, helping the children grow in their understanding of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist and the importance of this step in their faith journey.

Over the weekend, these students gathered with their families and parish community to celebrate their First Holy Communion at Mass. It was a joyful and sacred occasion, filled with reverence and pride as the children received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. We congratulate each of them on this significant milestone and thank their families, teachers, and the parishioners for their guidance and support throughout this special time. 

NAIDOC Week Assembly

We warmly invite all parents and parishioners to join us for our upcoming NAIDOC Week assembly, a special event led by our Indigenous students. This is a meaningful opportunity to come together as a school community to celebrate and honour the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy," invites us to recognise and celebrate the leadership, resilience and aspirations of young First Nations people. Our students have prepared a thoughtful and powerful assembly that brings this theme to life, and your presence would be a valued show of support. 

Vinnies Winter Appeal

This year Mini Vinnies is supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal and the new Vinnies Van which has just begun operating in Woolgoolga. The Van will be operating each Monday afternoon, outside the Neighbourhood Centre. Vulnerable people will be able to access food, a hot/cold drink, a friendly face to listen and provide information about access to other services.

If St Francis Xavier families could donate ONE good quality item to the Winter Appeal, that would be much appreciated. We are asking for blankets, cotton bags and towels (if new please leave tags on). We will be collecting items from now until the second week of Term 3. Donations can be sent into your child’s classroom. Thank you in advance for your generous donations. 

Grandparent's Day

Premier's Reading Challenge

All St Francis Xavier students Yrs 1-6 are invited to join in the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC).

The PRC is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period, from now until 19 September.

To complete the challenge:
·  Stage 1 can read or experience at least 20 books
·  Stage 2 can read at least 20 books
·  Stage 3 can read at least 15 books

Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2025 challenge is to encourage students to make time to read. Last year saw more than 216,000 children from around the state participate.

Your child’s username and password have beensent home today. They can login via this link:
https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/

Book suggestions are available here:
https://prc.median.com.au/BookList

Every student who completes the challenge, and completes the online record reader form, will receive a Certificate of Achievement. We look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible take part in the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Sporting Roundup

Athletics Carnival Results

What an incredible day we had at the 2025 Athletics Carnival! The energy was electric, the sportsmanship was outstanding, and the competition was fierce - but friendly. A huge thank you to all who made this event a success and a huge thank you to the parent volunteers who helped throughout the day. Without you this event would not have run as smoothly as it did. 

The Age Champions and Runners Up were acknowledged at Friday's Assembly - the students who displayed all-round excellence in multiple events across the carnival.

Congratulations to McAuley House for winning the 2025 Athletics Carnival!

Good luck to the school team particpating at the Zone Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour next week!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Jump Rope for Heart

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart in Term 3 – a fantastic fundraising and physical activity program by the Heart Foundation.

By participating in Jump Rope for Heart this term, we expect to get our students moving. We’ll have skipping ropes available on the school grounds and are encouraging everyone to help raise funds for lifesaving research and support programs. 

In the first 5 weeks of Term 3, your child will learn new skills, increase their physical activity, and learn about heart health. The program will end in Week 5 with class ‘Jump Off ‘ sessions where your children will get to enjoy and show off their new skipping skills.

When you register your child online, you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors. Register and create a secure webpage at www.jumprope.org.au/parents.  

By signing up online, you and your child/ren can: 

• Easily raise funds online.
• Track skipping skills progress and earn virtual badges along the way.
• Post updates to your page so family and friends can follow their progress. 
• Access additional skipping resources.

Visit www.jumprope.org.au/parents for all the information that you need.

Thank you for getting involved in Jump Rope for Heart!

Koa and Bobby are members of the Woolgoolga High Sports Academy Surf Team and competed in the inaugral Coffs Coast Classic Surf Comp last week against eight other high schools from the region and beyond. In small, contestable and challenging waves at Mullawarra beach last Wednesday, amid fierce competition, these two Year 6 students surfed all the way to the final against a field of 28 year 7, 8 and 9 students. All the early morning training paid off as Koa finished 3rd and Bobby 4th in this awesome celebration of surfing and sporting achievement in our local area. Thanks to the team at Woolgoolga High and Woolgoolga Boardriders Club for organising the event.

Wellbeing Corner

Community Tuckerbox 

Last week, our school community truly shone during the Community Tuckerbox Cook-Up! We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every family and staff member who generously donated items.

Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to prepare a fantastic 50 meals! These delicious and nutritious meals will directly support families right here within our school community, offering a helping hand when it's most needed.

Your kindness and willingness to contribute made a real difference, showcasing the incredible spirit and generosity that makes our school community so special. Thank you for helping us nourish and support our families! We are hoping to do this again in the future and would love to have your continuous support. 

Wellbeing Wednesday

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

As we round out this term, our final fortnightly focus for all students is a crucial one: "I will return to my class promptly after the bell."

This isn't just about getting from one place to another; it's about making the most of every school day and showing respect in our learning community. Here's why this focus is so important:

• It Maximizes Learning Time: Every moment in the classroom counts! When students return promptly, lessons can begin on time without interruptions. 
• It Builds Good Habits for the Future: Punctuality is a key life skill. Developing the habit of being on time now will serve our students well throughout their academic journey and into their future.
• It Ensures Safety: Knowing where all students are, especially during transition times, is vital for their safety and supervision. Prompt return to class helps us ensure everyone is accounted for.

School Community Forum

Community Fete - Saturday, 25th October, 12pm-4pm

Fete Sponsorship

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Community Fete on Saturday, 25th October! This fun-filled afternoon 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 a 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, 27 June, 9.00am-10.00am.

Market Stalls required for the Fete

Soft Drink Can donations needed

Major Raffle Prizes - tickets on sale from 22 July

Next Meeting

The next School Community Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 11 August at 6.30pm in the school library.  There is a Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend in person.

Whole School Disco - Friday, 27 June

The School Community Forum will host a Disco for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 on Friday, 27 June with entertainment by The Toads. 

Please refer to Compass for further details.

Salina McIvor
President

Playgroup

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.  If you are interested, please complete this Google form.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 17

Next

Awards

Well done to all students who received a Certificate of Recognition or a Pen Licence at the recent Assembly!

Gold Token winners

Well done to all token recipients for this fortnight and congratulations to the Gold Token recipients with a special mention to Harper who has received three Gold Tokens in the last couple of weeks!  Keep up the great work everyone!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

2026 Enrolments

Last day of Term 2/First day of Term 3

Handballs for Sale

St John Paul College news

Please click on the link below and follow St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour to see the many wonderful academic and sporting achievements by their students, many of whom are former students of St Francis Xavier, Woolgoolga!