From the Principal
As we come to the end of Term 1, 2022 we have a lot to be thankful for. We no longer take for granted our life. It was sensational that we were able to complete an entire term of learning at school without any lock downs!! Together despite positive cases we kept each other safe and were able to keep the school open. It was great to gather for parent/teacher and student conferences face to face. For some parents it was their first time inside the classrooms in ages. We have taken tentative steps to have assemblies on the basketball courts so parents can join in and it was great to have our community gather for Twilight Sports. Our juniors have had golf clinics and we are really pleased to learn that there is now funding for Year 3 and 4 to have golf clinics next term. Our Foundation students have settled in well into school life at St Francis de Sales and it is great to see the learning progress all our children are making. We hope that the recent interviews will deepen the home school partnership as we work together on learning goals that support your child's next steps.
Congratulations to our students for a great start to 2022. A Big thank you to all our staff for all your work to improve learning opportunities for our children and to our to our Parents & Friends for all their support in building our school community as a great place to be. We wish you a very Happy and safe Easter. As we begin Holy Week may the light of Christ surround you and bless you and your family this Easter. Let us as a community grow in compassion and love to connect for a spirited tomorrow and a spirited 2022 school year.
Stations of the Cross Artwork/Prayer by Students
Front Page headlines for SFS - Making a Difference
On Friday we were delighted to present Orysia Stefyn - the chair of the Ukrainian Education Council of Australia representing the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal with a cheque for $3150. A BIG thanks to Mia , Zoe, Kristy and the entire SFS community who supported this fundraiser and made a difference. Your actions is just what LENT is all about - Making a Change and Making a difference. This was certainly a highlight of Term 1 and exceeded our expectations beyond comprehension.
Mia and Zoe presented the money and thanked the community at our assembly on Friday 8 April.
Mia: My name is Mia Figurek. I am of Ukrainian heritage and am very proud of it.
Zoe: My name is Zoe Nguyen, I am one of Mia’s best friends that jumped on board to assist with the fundraiser and am proud of THAT!
Zoe: What is happening in Ukraine at the moment is devastating and if we can impart any wisdom on you today, is that when there is a crisis, any small gesture helps.
Mia: From something as small as an idea to sell ribbons can become something big very quickly and we encourage all of our peers that if you have an idea, to stick to it and ask for help because before you know it, it actually turns into something pretty special!
Zoe: We would like to thank the entire community for their support. Thank you to the teachers and families (particularly Kathy, Jo, Imasha, Laurelle, Meg, Peacelyn, Louise, Rosie, Liliana’s family, Isabella Rozas’ family and Christine) for their yummy daily cupcakes, donations and treats for our bake sale.
Mia: I’d like to thank the girl standing next to me, Zoe, and her mother, Quyen, who jumped on board without being asked and donated a lot of time, delicious sugar cookies and helped me sell the cookies. Thank you to all the other students who just came behind the table and helped us. Thank you to all of the families and students who purchased the cookies and the amazing people who donated money - some students not even taking a cookie as they walked off (special mention to Liam Rojo!)
Zoe: Thank you to Ciro’s Cakes on Ian Street in Noble Park, Elena, Davide and Gianna for your delicious treats (it was really hard to not eat them ourselves rather than sell them!)
Mia: I’d really also like to thank my mother, Marijana, father, Leon, sisters Larisa and Isabela who believed in me, encouraged me and helped me bake and ice the cookies. I think we all deserve a good break from baking!
Zoe: A big thank you also to Giuliana and the mini Vinnies Action team for donation of money and groceries. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement to make changes in our community.
Mia: I would also like to thank Kristy for encouraging me to do something for Ukraine and staying up early in the morning to decorate the yummy, amazing loaded cookies. Thank you to her mum, dad, sister and brother in law also for helping her roll all of the dough!
Zoe: Thank you to Michael Selemba for organizing Stefan to attend today and Stefan Romaniv for making his way to St. Francis de Sales Primary School to accept our cheque - it honestly means a lot for you to put the effort into coming all the way here.
NAPLAN
Naplan Testing will be held in Term 2 for all Year 3 and Year 5 students. This year the children will be doing these tests online for the first time. ( Only writing for Year 3's will be a written test)
There us a site for students to practice NAPLAN tests online in preparation for the real test in May 2022. Click on the link
Students, teachers, parents and carers are invited to use the public demonstration tests to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and related functionalities available in the online NAPLAN assessment.
Some of the key features include a range of question types, onscreen tools, timers and interactive navigation. Students are encouraged to try all the tests for their year level to practise the complete range of question formats available.
Colour My World
We concluded our Term with our annual cross country run. After the finish line the children were able to enjoy a Colour Run!! This was lots of FUN and also helped raise funds for our school. A BIG thanks to Lulli, Giuliana, staff and paremt & Friends for organising such an exciting end to Term 1.
Congratulations - 2022 Cross Country Winners
Car Parking
Please remember the car-park is ONLY for STAFF cars. After drop off and before pick up times short term parking for visitors is available. However the Drop Off/Pick Up zone must be FREE of cars for the safety of children and to ensure the smooth movement of cars.
Professional Learning Days
There are two staff Professional Learning Days at the start of Term 2.
Student return to school on Thursday 28 April.
Have a great Easter Holiday.
Christine White
Principal