Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

Term 2 - Week 2

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

Welcome back to Term Two! I trust you all made the most of the beautiful weather in the precious time that families can spend together over the Easter season. It has been wonderful to see so many families at school ready to help their children embrace new learning opportunities, new challenges and new friendships in this new term.

COVID Updates

We had a number of positive COVID cases reported in the first week of Term 2. Thankfully at this stage, there have been no student cases reported this week. As you will be aware, we will continue to send an alert home on Skoolbag any time that we are made aware of a positive case who has attended school in the 48 hours prior to taking their positive test.

An increase in numbers is not really a surprise, especially considering the fact that household contacts can now attend school, rather than isolating for 7 days which had previously been the case. As long as students and staff are symptom-free, have a negative rapid test on 5 of the 7 days and wear a mask whilst at school (8 years and older), household contacts are allowed to attend school as normal.

The school now has 2 air purifiers in every classroom, as well as many more scattered throughout the school. Hand sanitiser and soap is readily available and doors/windows remain open whenever the weather allows them to be. We will continue to be vigilant and do everything we can to make the school the safest place it can be for our entire school community.

Visit from the Mayor of Frankston - Cr Nathan Conroy

We welcomed Mayor Nathan Conroy to the school on Tuesday this week. He spoke with the Grade 6 students about the role of Frankston Council and the work it is doing in our local community to make Frankston the best place it can be. He also spoke about some major upcoming developments that the Council is focused on, including huge improvements at both the Pines Swimming Pool and the Frankston Basketball Stadium. The students asked some very insightful questions and gave the Mayor feedback on issues they believe are present in the area.

Winter Uniform

From the beginning of Week 3 (next week), all students should be wearing their full Winter Uniform. The exception to the Winter Uniform which the school allows is that if any student wishes to continue wearing shorts throughout the year, that is fine.

A few very important reminders ;

No hoodies/casual windcheaters can be worn at school. On cold days, students should wear the school jumper and can wear a coat or jacket over the top of their school jumper.
Navy socks/tights are worn with the winter uniform. White socks can be worn with the sports uniform. Socks should never have logos or writing on them.
School shoes should be 100% black and worn every day that there is no Physical Education class.
If a child wishes to wear a beanie at school, there are school beanies available to be purchased from the uniform shop for $18.
Plain stud earrings and sleepers worn in the ears, plus watches, are the only acceptable jewellery that can be worn to school. Chains can only be worn around the neck if they are for religious reasons or otherwise approved by the Principal. Chains should always be worn under the school uniform.

I will be sending home 'Out of Uniform' notes to students next week if the correct school uniform is not being worn to school. I will be particularly focusing on school shoes and correct socks, as there seems to be more and more students wearing their casual runners or 'logo' socks when they shouldn't be. I realise that things happen and on any given morning, a top may go missing or a sock can't be found. If your child does need to come to school in the incorrect uniform, please write a quick note to the classroom teacher so we are aware.

School Photos

School photos are taking place on Monday 16th May. Forms were sent home with students earlier in the week.

We have a morning booking with our photographer, so I would expect that the first class photo will be taken at roughly 8:55am. It is very important that students arrive at school on time on this day. If you are late, there is a definite chance that your child may miss their class photo.

It is also essential that the correct school uniform is worn on this day. Please do not send your child in their sports uniform or runners.

Welcome

This term we warmly welcome two new students into the St Francis Xavier community.

Javea (Grade 5/6T)
Logan (Grade 3/4B)

Javea and Logan have both made fantastic starts and we wish them all the very best during their time here at S.F.X.

Drive Through in the Morning

I know I say this every year, but please remember that parents must stay in the car if you are using the school drive in the morning. I have noticed that over the last week, there have been a number of parents getting out of the car to open doors and help children get out of the car. The school drive through should only be used if students are able to independently open their car door and exit the vehicle on the passenger side. Car seats do pose difficulties if they are strapped into the passenger side of the back seat. Where possible, please aim to have car seats fitted on the driver's side of the car, which allows a much smoother passage for students as they exit. And please remind students to have their bag with them in the car, not in the car boot.

Prep Enrolments 2023

Now is the time to enrol your four or five year old to start Prep at St Francis Xavier in 2023. If you need an enrolment form, please contact the staff in our school office as soon as possible. If you know someone who is looking for a school for their child, why not suggest St Francis Xavier as a great school to consider? I am always happy to take prospective families on a personal school tour.

Have a brilliant weekend everyone.

Steve Peart

School Principal

HERO Awards

Term 2 - Week 2

A big congratulations to our current leaders, !