2025 Term 3 Week 5 Newsletter

Prayer Focus

From the Principal

Funding for Oval Drainage

Despite the recent wet weather, our students continue to enjoy plenty of opportunities to play and be active. Every class has daily access to play either in the hall or under cover areas, unless the rain is particularly heavy. We also make use of the outdoor basketball court and oval whenever conditions allow.

Unfortunately, our oval remains waterlogged for long periods after rain, making it resemble more of a marsh than a sports field. Over time, we have explored many potential solutions to this challenge. Like many schools across the region, we face the reality that major infrastructure upgrades often require long-term planning and significant funding.

We have worked closely with the Health and Safety team and prepared business plans for consideration by the Diocese of Lismore. At present, funding across the Diocese is being directed to essential priorities, including the ongoing rebuilding of schools affected by flooding.

We also thank Amy Ross for her efforts in applying for grants, none of which have been successful to date. 

The most effective long-term solution for our school is to install proper oval drainage in 2026. This would mean students could play on the oval when the weather allows, following rain, rather than having to wait weeks for the ground to dry out. We therefore need to raise at least $35,000 from our community to help make this vision a reality.

How you can help:

• Make a donation towards the oval drainage project
• Bring in items for the fete
• Volunteer your time for the school fete
• Bring family and friends along to the fete
• Sell raffle tickets
  

Your generosity - whether through time, donations, or spreading the word - will help give our students a safe, dry, and vibrant oval to enjoy year-round. Together, we can make it happen. Thank you for your support.

Attendance Matters

Fete News

A big thank you to all families who have been supporting Fete preparations with donations and selling raffle tickets, the response has been wonderful!

Showbags are now on sale via Flexischools - be sure to order one so you don’t miss out!

We have extended the window for Tombola Jar donations for another 2 weeks. Here are some themed jar suggestions:

🍭 Sweet Treats Jar – Lollies, chocolates, and mini biscuits.

🧸 Kids’ Fun Jar – Small toys, stickers, bouncy balls, and bubbles.

🖍 Craft & Create Jar – Coloured pencils, markers, stickers, and mini craft kits.

💅 Pamper Jar – Lip balm, nail polish, bath bombs, and hand cream.

🎲 Games Jar – Mini puzzles, playing cards, dice games, and brain teasers.

🎉 Party Jar – Party blowers, balloons, glow sticks, and confetti poppers.

☕ Coffee & Chocolate Jar – Coffee sachets, hot chocolate mix, and chocolates.

🌿 Relax & Unwind Jar – Tea bags, candles, herbal bath salts, and soft socks.

🐾 Animal Lovers Jar – Pet treats, keyrings, and animal-themed stationery.

We are also accepting donations of clean jars and containers - glass or plastic - that would be suitable for making up tombola prizes. 

The volunteer roster for stalls will be shared soon and all families are encouraged to consider signing up for a time slot if possible. We have lots of great stalls this year, more than ever, but that means we need LOTS of people to help! 

Faith & Mission

Father’s Day Celebrations – Friday 5 September

We warmly invite all families to join us as we celebrate the special fathers and father figures in our lives.

Event Schedule:

• Breakfast: 7.30am – 8.30am (sausage sizzle with vegetarian option)
  
  
• Father’s Day Liturgy: 9.15am, led by Stage 2
  

Students are encouraged to wear their favourite team jersey in support of Jersey Day.

Complimentary self-serve tea and instant coffee will be available, with barista coffee for purchase from the canteen (please allow for wait times due to demand).

Important Catering Information
To help us prepare, all families wishing to enjoy the sausage sizzle must place their order through Flexischools by Tuesday 2 September, 3.00pm.

We look forward to coming together as a community to honour and celebrate all the wonderful dads and father figures who make a difference in our lives.

The Father's Day Breakfast will need some parent helpers (preferably Mums) to help cook and serve on the day.

Please click on the link below if you are able to volunteer some time.

Charism Day - Date Saver

Assembly - Week 6

All Things Learning & Teaching

Book Week - Dress Up Parade & Book Fair

Our Book Fair will be open on Friday, 22 August
8.30am-8.50am and 11.10am-1.00pm

Years 3-6 Public Speaking Competition

2025 marks the fourth year of the Clarence Schools Public Speaking Competition, and we are excited to once again be involved in this wonderful opportunity for our students to develop their public speaking skills.

Classroom Speeches – Week 8

The first round of speeches will be held in classrooms during Week 8 of Term 3. Students will be required to prepare and present a speech based on the allocated topic for their year level.

We ask that you support your child in preparing their speech at home. Students are encouraged to memorise their speech rather than read directly from palm cards; however, palm cards may be used for support. Practising in front of a mirror or recording themselves can be helpful for students to reflect on their use of expression, gestures, eye contact, and timing.

Speech Submission Deadline

All students are required to bring their completed speech to school by Wednesday 3rd September to allow time for rehearsal and feedback in class before presentations in Week 8.

Regional Final – Week 10

One speaker from each grade will be selected to represent our school at the Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking Competition, which will be held on:

📍 St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour

📅 Monday 22nd September 2025 (Term 3, Week 10)

🕘 9:00am – 2:00pm

Finalists from the following schools will be participating:

Mary Help of Christians Sawtell, St Augustine’s Coffs Harbour, St Francis Xavier Woolgoolga, St James Yamba, St Mary’s Bellingen, St Joseph’s Maclean, St Joseph’s South Grafton, St Mary’s Grafton, St Mary’s Bowraville, and Mount St John’s Dorrigo.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing our students grow in confidence and skill through this experience.

For further information regarding the speech topics, time limits and marking rubric for your child's year group please refer to Compass news feed / email sent out last week.

Communicating Diversity

Diwali - Date Saver

A Focus on Inclusion

Be an eSafe kid: Webinars

As a follow-up to our National Week of Action - Bullying No Way! Stage 2 and 3 students have participated in webinars hosted by the eSafety Commissioner. 

This week, Stage 3 participated in a webinar called "Be an eSafe kid: Your choices in chats!" Many Year 5 and 6 students from around Australia joined in to explore how their choices in online chats can positively influence their online friendships and peer wellbeing. They navigated scenarios like fake accounts and problematic group chats and discovered how an upstander can choose empathy and respect.

Last week, Stage 2 participated in a webinar called "Be an eSafe kid: Being online should be fun for everyone!" The webinar was designed to help students in Year 3 and 4 explore online friendships and cyberbullying through relatable school scenarios. Students learned how to check in with a friend and show kindness, respect and empathy to build more positive peer relationships online.

For more information about eSafety, children can access the eSafetykids website. It is a resource designed to help kids navigate a variety of online issues.

eSafety’s live parent webinars give parents and carers the latest information about online issues and trends and provide strategies to support their children to have safe online experiences.

Sporting Roundup

Jump Rope for Heart 

Thank you to ALL the students, teachers, staff and families who got involved with Jump Rope for Heart this term and to all the families that came to our Jump off Days this week!

We’ve loved seeing the many smiling faces skipping on the playground, in sports lessons and during sports club in the mornings. Students have been very enthusiastic and worked hard to improve their skills.

Together the students have recorded over 130 hours of skipping and we have raised over $5000! This money will all go towards vital heart research and education programs, so well done!

Stay tuned to see who our top fundraisers are and which students have earnt prizes this year!

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday 26th August the following students will be representing the Clarence Zone at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival:

We wish them all the best and know they will represent our school with pride!

Sport Club

A reminder that as a school we offer Sport Club three mornings a week. 

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings the students are welcome to join Sport Club at 8:30am.

Next week we will move to ball games in the hall after a fun five weeks of skipping. 

Last term, siblings Noah and Chloe de Campos competed in some of the biggest Jiu Jitsu tournaments in Brazil and the USA — and brought home some incredible results!
Sul American – Chloe 1st, Noah 3rd
Brazilian Nationals (8,000+ competitors!) – Noah 1st, Chloe 2nd
Pan Kids (World Championships) – Noah 2nd
They trained up to 7 hours a day while still keeping up with their schoolwork. We are so proud of their hard work, sportsmanship, and amazing achievements.

Over the weekend, a number of St Francis Xavier students from Woolgoolga District Netball Club participated in the Grafton All Age Carnival with some amazing results.
8-10 Years Div A Woopi Waves- Runners Up 
8-10 Years Div B Woopi Wipeouts- Winners
11-13 Years Div A Woopi Wildcats- Winners
11-13 Years Div B Woopi Warriors- Winners
Congratulations to Emily Ashcroft, Matilda Maley, Mia Gulliford, Charlotte Becker, Audrey Pillippidis, Emily Wright, Chloe Cropper, Lahni Davoren, Taya Wrigley, Ava Amos and Gabriella Hoyle!

Term 3 Sport Date Saver

Wellbeing Corner

Wellbeing Wednesday

Postitive Behaviour Support (PBS)

School Community Forum

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED for Bunnings BBQ - Saturday 23rd August

We are still looking for volunteers for our Bunnings BBQ fundraiser this Saturday.

Please click on the link below to donate your time.  All funds raised will go towards the school oval upgrade. We thank you in advance for your continued support.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Click on the link below to read the minutes from the previous meeting held on 11 August.

Next Meeting

The next School Community Forum meeting will be held on Monday, 8 September at 6.30pm in the school library.  There is a Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend in person.

Salina McIvor
President

School Fees

School Fees Payment Reminder

2026 Fee Schedule

Please find below the schedule of school fees for the 2026 academic year. Fee levels have been set to sustain high-quality Catholic education, taking into account rising operational costs and shifts in government funding. We recognise the financial pressures that families may face and strive to offer flexible payment options to accommodate different circumstances. More information is available on the Enrolment and Fees page of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools website. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work together to provide an exceptional educational environment for your children and young people.

Playgroup

Business Directory

The St Francis Xavier Primary School Business Directory is 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.

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Gold Token winners

Well done to all token recipients for this fortnight and congratulations to the Gold Token recipients.  Keep up the great work everyone!

Open Day

2026 Enrolments

Parenting in the Age of Distraction

Mary Help of Christians are hosting a live webinar organised by the Diocesan Parent Assembly on Wednesday 27th August. Parents are invited to register using the link below and Zoom in from home.

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!