From the Principal

Multi-purpose Hall Update

Our architects are now on a tight timeline to get our plans submitted to obtain a building permit and get plans out to tender by October. We have received cost estimates and have been refining our plans to keep to our $4 000 050 budget.

Our biggest decision has been considering various building materials for the outside facade, particularly for the south and east wings, the design and colour. We have considered use of bricks to the use of colourbond sheets and also the use of painted fibre cement sheeting. While bricks is the more expensive option we have decided to use bricks as it will add continuity from the west facade and a nice substantial quality to the design. It is also a more durable and low maintenance product compared to fibre cement sheets and will eliminate the need to constantly up-keep and re-paint in the future.

There has been wide consultation regarding the colour for this fourth building. Many views have been considered from continuing the multi-colours from the west facade, to the use of red, orange, green or purple.  

The most important vote was that by our children: it was:

Red - 18

Green - 164

Purple - 121

After considering the many views and the many votes received it was almost even, but with green just nudging ahead. So we have decided to use green for our new building!! It will give each of our house teams a building in their house colour. I know that whatever was your colour choice, you will embrace and be excited to see this amazing new building take shape in 2022. 

Making use of OUR Land

By now you would have seen the signs indicating the sale of the land belonging to the Archdioceses of Melbourne, that was set aside for building a church ( behind the basketball courts on Henning Avenue). We have always known this was not our land and have known that it may be their intention to sell their land one day. This sale is now imminent. However, we have not been satisfied with the communication to the school or to Fr Des about their intention to proceed with their plan in 2021. 

 We voiced our dissatisfaction in Term 1 after being informed by parents, that they saw that the land was being re-zoned to residential, on Facebook Community pages. Then this week for sale signs went up in the wrong location all without any correspondence to the school!! Needless to say the sign was moved from Paterson Drive to Henning Avenue, after my objections. 

We have been finally notified in writing of the intention to sell the land yesterday afternoon Thursday 24 June! Fr Des and I will certainly be corresponding in writing to the Archdiocese of Melbourne to ensure improved communication from here on. We anticipate a new fence will be erected in Term 3, and we want to ensure this is done with proper notification and with safety as a priority.

Meanwhile this week we have relocated the soccer goals on to our school land. We are fortunate to have vast areas of land that were not being used. There may need to be some relocation of goals till we settle on the optimum position in relation to buildings and fences. 

We look forward to exploring some additions to our playground for semester 2 thanks to the fundraising of our P&F.

Accessing the Electronic School Report at SFS 

 As in 2020, your child's mid-year report is available electronically and can be accessed via the NForma Parent Portal. 

There is a link to the Parent Portal on the school website under News.

Alternatively please click the url below:

https://parent.nforma.ct.com.au/app/index.html?schooldomain=sfslynbrook#/login

Username

New families this year will receive an email with a generic password and login. You can reset your password. Please save this information for future use. 

Families who received the report electronically last year from St Francis de Sales, can view each child’s report by entering the same username and password as you did previously. 

Username: Use your email shared with the school.

Password: The password you previously set. New families the generic password sent to you by email.

Forgotten passwords: If you have forgotten your password, please follow the 'forgotten password' link. 

Please note that your new password needs to be at least 7 characters long and must include at least one non alpha-numeric character, e.g. *, - / or similar.  If you have requested a password reset and the email does not appear, please look in your junk/spam folder for an email from no-reply@nforma.com.au. 

 If after following these steps, you are still experiencing difficulty please contact the school during school hours. We congratulate our children on their achievements this semester and hope you have found the report informative. Please do not hesitate to contact the Home Group teacher if you wish to discuss your child's report.

Remembering Brad Scicluna

On Wednesday afternoon, the children from RA participated in a paraliturgy to celebrate the memory of Bradley Scicluna (Olivia and Charlotte's Dad) who sadly passed away in 2020. We were joined by Catherine Scicluna and her children Olivia ( Past Pupil) and Charlotte (Yr 5), Brad and Catherine's parents and close family. It was very special to gather in prayer and song. Members of RA, Rozeta, Rachel, Ange and Christine represented our school community in a touching and special paraliturgy.

We asked Catherine, Leo (Brad's Dad) and the girls to select a tree of significance to them rather than the school deciding the type of tree. They selected a beautiful orange tree as Brad loved citrus trees. The family planted the orange tree in remembrance of Brad in our community garden. Brad was an active member of our school community and it is fitting that we have such a lovely tree planted in his memory. Catherine shared, "Brad truly loved being part of the SFS community." I know we will all enjoy the lovely fruit as it flourishes and grows. Drop by and see our new orange tree. It will need lots of love and tender care as it establishes in the garden.

We hold the Scicluna family in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace Brad and thank you from all of us at St Francis de Sales.

Heartbreaking Staff News

It with immense sadness that I write to tell you the heartbreaking news that Amelia's baby girl passed away yesterday. Amelia just started maternity leave on Tuesday 22 June. We hold Amelia (Senior Home Group teacher LS3, AL), Ashley, their children and family in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers. Amelia's mother only recently passed away and her grief is unimaginable. We ask our SFS community to pray for Amelia, her family and her baby girl at this time. We will be there to walk with her in the journey ahead. God bless baby Lyall and may she rest in peace in God's loving arms. 

Parents of seniors in LS3 may gently let your children know this sad news. Please let us know if your child needs support in the term ahead.

Happy Holidays

We have all done an amazing job navigating the challenges of Term 2, 2021. This term has once again highlighted the great partnership we have developed between home and school. I commend parents and staff for navigating the challenges and maintaining the learning and support so that our children continued to learn and flourish despite the circumstances faced. I am immensely proud of our school community.

We have an exciting Term 3 to look forward to with a school production and a school review. Our teachers have been busy planning for the learning opportunities to match the personal needs for our children. We look forward to our building plans being finalised ready for tender and completing the interviews for our Foundation students for 2022!! 

Now it is time for a well earned rest for our students and staff as we enjoy a mid-year break. We look forward to welcoming our student back on Tuesday 13 July for the start of Term 3. Monday 12 July is a professional learning day for staff on Religious Education.

Happy Holidays and stay safe.

Christine White

Principal