From the Principal

Dreams Taking Shape

This week we received the elevation plans for our new Multi-purpose Hall. The dream is definitely beginning to take shape and look real! What do you think of the plans?

The Floor Plan

Now comes the BIG decision - What colour should this building be across the internal sides? Purple? Green? or Orange?  Check out the photos and reply by email or on Facebook. We would love to hear what you think.

Baby on the Way

At the end of next week Amelia LS3 Senior Home Group teacher will be starting Maternity Leave as she looks forward to the birth of her baby in July. We wish Amelia the very BEST as she prepares for this joyous time for her family.

Giuliana who also works with Amelia in AL will continue as our PE Administration co-ordinator and will support us as CRT. However will not be continuing in AL each Monday. Giuliana will be with us at SFS and will be able to support the transition process.

We thank Amelia and Giuliana for their sensational work with our students in AL and in LS3. We look forward to welcoming little baby Lyall and Amelia at SFS in Semester 2.

Returning to SFS after maternity leave we have Meg and Amy. Meg will start with us next Thursday 10 to ensure a smooth transition and Amy will commence the week after on Friday 18 June. We look forward to welcoming two very familiar faces and teachers back to SFS.

Remote Learning

Based on advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, all schools in metropolitan Melbourne will continue with remote and flexible learning, at this stage until Thursday 10 June 2021. So we will continue with the way we have provided access to the curriculum and programs using Google Meets and Google Classrooms for both children working remotely at home and the limited group who have worked from school. We will continue to use the data provided on Operoo to cater for onsite learning for students of essential service workers or for Children experiencing vulnerability known or discussed with the school.

The feedback about teaching sessions that are live and interactive has been extremely positive. We have endeavored to keep the routines of each day as close to normal as possible. Our children have been able to continue with their learning and if they are unable to attend a live session, they can watch the recording posted soon after. Thanks for the great support from parents. Together we are a great team and giving our children the very BEST! This will all support the smooth transition back to school on Friday 11 June.

As we hope this lockdown will be short, we will not be providing devices this time. Most families have been able to juggle the device needs at home. We will contact families, if we have not already done so, who indicated they do not have access and work out a plan to support your child with learning for the four days of restrictions next week.

Please contact the school if your child is experiencing any wellbeing concerns at this time. We can look at ways we can support now and when school returns.

COVID safe practices continue

• stay home when unwell
• ensure physical distancing (1.5 m)
• practise good hygiene
• wear a face mask if over 12 and not a primary aged student.
• avoid interactions in enclosed spaces 
• Hand sanitising is essential for all entering the school.

Student Interviews

Prior to our last review in 2017 and at various moments since, our staff have conducted interviews with small groups of students to gain an insight about their perception of learning. As a staff we gather this information, analysing it to inform our school improvement plan, gauge how we are going and the adjustments we need to make. In the next few days the teachers will be conducting these interviews with small groups or individual student who are at school and also remotely. We look forward to seeing what is revealed in our 2021 interviews.

Staff Professional Development Days

Parents are reminded that the following days set early this term are school closure days and there will be no school. 

1. Tuesday 15 June - School Review Preparation
2. Wednesday 16 June - Mathematics

Beyond BRILLIANT!!

We were meant to have a parent sewing workshop to put together some costumes for our 2021 school production, but lockdown number 4 put a stop to those plans. However, with the help of the parents and friends of Kristy, Laurelle and Rita the sewing elves were hard at work getting on with the job. Even Kristy's aunt with a broken arm was helping - unstoppable!!!   (We know where Kristy gets it from) In addition we have many staff members who have helped out and parents who have jumped in to help. Thanks a million Louise, Kathy, Vivienne, Lorenza, Ursula and family, Reshani and  Melody P and family. We appreciate your generosity of time and effort.

We just cannot thank all these amazing helpers enough. You are beyond BRILLIANT!

LEGENDS!

PREP/Foundation places for 2022 are close to FULL!!

We have commenced interviews for siblings starting at SFS in 2022 already. The lockdown has meant interviews planned this week and next have been postponed. Lorenza will organise a new time for your interview. We are excited to meet our new 2022 Preps!!

Confirmation letters for places for siblings will be sent out before by the end of this term.

Places are filling very fast. If you know someone thinking of enrolling their child for Prep at St Francis de Sales for 2022, please remind them to submit their application by 25 June. Interviews for new families with a child for Prep 2022 will commence in July.

Application close on the 25 June 2021

St Francis de Sales an exciting place to be now ....... in 2022 and beyond!!

Christine White

Principal