Principal's News

Mr Brian Anderson

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

We're halfway through the term, and I'm delighted to see the continued improvements across the school.

Robotics and Coding Lessons

Our students are thoroughly enjoying our weekly Robotics and Coding lessons. The feedback has been excellent, and these lessons will certainly become a staple in our Science and Technology curriculum in the future. I am also working on bringing additional activities during recess and lunch to further fuel their passion for coding and robotics.

Passive Play Clubs

Our passive play clubs have been very popular during recess and lunch, with many students participating. A big thank you to Mrs. Kyriakou for facilitating these worthwhile activities.

Disco Success

Our recent disco was a great success, and I want to extend my gratitude to all the parents

who contributed. Special kudos to Mrs. La Grazia, Mrs. Rabbitte, Mrs. Saliba, and Ms. Zullo for their expert organisation, time, and energy. Many thanks to Jacks Meat in Canterbury for donating the sausages for the night and for their continued support since 2020. We raised $4,603.15, which will go towards expanding the synthetic grass on the infant playground. Work should begin in the next few weeks.

https://meat2urdoor.com.au/

New Shade Cloth

I am currently working with SCS to ensure the replacement shade cloth on our infant playground is more durable and covers a larger area. More details will follow.

Easter Egg Raffle and Mother’s Day

Our Easter Egg Raffle is now up and running. We would like our kindergarten mums to help organise the wrapping of the prizes. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday, 10th April, at the morning assembly.

Mother’s Day is soon upon us too, and we need some Year 1 parents to help with the stall. Please contact Maya Saliba 0468 912 662 if you can help with ordering items and/or managing the stall. Our Mother's Day Breakfast and Prayer Service will be held on Friday 9th May from 8.20am.

NB: As with any fundraising, participation is not compulsory for families.

Parents and Friends Meeting

Our Parents and Friends meeting was held on Monday, 11th March, in our new Year 6 classrooms. The night allowed Mrs. Scullion and myself to present our goals for the year. Mrs. Rodrigo, our new Coordinator, also shared her remit with families, detailing her work across K-2. The meeting was very successful, and parents had the opportunity to collaborate and share their ideas. Thank you to all who attended.

Since I have returned to SFX, I have been looking for more ways to hear a broader range of parent ideas and suggestions. Tomorrow, we will launch a short survey with questions regarding fundraising and potential additions to the school uniform. These surveys will be termly and will give families an outlet to have their suggestions heard. The survey will be sent via email tomorrow and will be open for a week. Parents are also most welcome to chat with me in the morning and after school.

Road Safety

As our school population grows and more parents drive their children to school, traffic

volume is increasing. I have started the process of applying for a road crossing supervisor position on both sides of the school. Funding comes from the State Government, and the government employs the supervisors. It is a long process, but I will persevere to provide additional safety measures for our community.

I also ask families to be mindful of their little ones before and after school. I have witnessed pre-schoolers running across the playground and near the open gates. Preschool children and our students, when dismissed to their parents, are the parents' responsibility. Please ensure you take adequate care of your children when entering and exiting the school.

Additionally, please be mindful of where you park. Every time we have a significant school

event, there seems to be a driveway in Forbes or Leopold Street blocked.

Please be respectful of our neighbours, and if there are any concerns, please inform me immediately.

Sydney Catholic Schools New Teachers Mass

Tonight, the leadership team and I will accompany Miss Buckley, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Tropeano to St. Mary's Cathedral for the annual Sydney Catholic Schools new teacher mass. I am sure you would agree these three teachers have accomplished much in their first few weeks at SFX. We are fortunate to have them on the team.

Our new Executive Director, Mrs. Danielle Cronin, will also be formally commissioned by His Grace Archbishop Fisher after the mass. Danielle attended our 95th Anniversary Mass in February and had already heard of the great reputation SFX enjoys. Danielle was very impressed with the school, the children, and the staff on her visit and was delighted to see the additions to the school over the last year. We look forward to seeing Danielle’s vision for Sydney Catholic Schools transpire over the next few years. She has spoken to the senior leaders regarding ‘Magis,’ the Latin term for ‘More’ and ‘Greater.’ This concept supports Danielle’s vision for achieving greatness for every child in a Sydney Catholic School.

Our SRC Assembly was a lovely opportunity for our community to come together this morning. Congratulations to our new SRC, and huge thanks to the outgoing group of children.