St Finbar's Newsletter

Principal's Report

We've had a very sporty week this week with two students competing in the Regional Cross Country event, and the Soccer and Netball Lightning Premierships taking place, under very cold and damp conditions -  see Tania's Sport page for more details and results. Our mural in the courtyard is well under way (see further down for some photos) and is looking great so far. 

 

I'd just like to remind everyone that students are NOT to be on the playground without a parent present until 8:35am when we commence supervision. Thank you to those parents that wait with your children, either in Drive Through or on the playground until the staff come on duty.  

Respectful Relationships

For many years now, Monday afternoons at 2:30pm have been dedicated to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at St Finbar's. We use the Respectful Relationships program as the basis for our teaching. 

 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Respectful Relationships cluster day, along with Laura Zeeng (Wellbeing Leader) and Sigrid Happell. It was great to hear from other schools as to how they are implementing the program at their schools. 

 

One of the key things that differentiates Respectful Relations from other SEL programs is the units on Gender and Identity (Unit 7) and Positive Gender Relations (Unit 8), which we cover in Term 4. The St Finbar's  School Advisory Council recently looked at the content of each of these two units from Prep to Year 6 and unanimously agreed that it was appropriate content for our students. One change that we will implement this year is sending an Operoo to all families towards the end of Term 3, with a summary of the content to be taught at each year level and allowing parents the opportunity to opt out if they feel it is not appropriate for their own children. 

 

We have also booked Cath McCallig from Sex Ed 4 Schools, to deliver sessions around Protective Behaviours to each class. Cath has worked with us  here at St Finbar's for many years teaching age-appropriate content around body parts, and early warning signs. 

We have deliberately booked Cath to work with us in November to coincide with the Respectful Relationships content that will be happening in the classrooms at this time - we believe that the two programs complement each other well. Cath will run family sessions in the evening via Zoom as well, we'll let you know the date as soon as it is confirmed. 

2024 Semester One Reporting (by Callum Mills)

On Wednesday June 26th between 1:00-3:00 PM, the Semester One Reports for each student will be released to the community via the nForma Online Portal. 

 

What you need to do:

  • Check the email account that is attached to the email address you have provided the school. Please wait until after 1:00 PM on Wednesday June 26th (this applies to new families also)
  • Check both the inbox and spam folder for an email from no-reply@nforma.com.au
  • In the email you will receive a direct link to the portal for your family as well as a temporary password 
  • Click on the link to the portal and enter the temporary password
  • You will be prompted to create a new password 
  • You should then have access to the portal which will include the 2024 Semester One Report as well as any previous reports that have been distributed via the portal. 

 

It is recommended that this process be completed on a desktop/laptop computer rather than a smartphone or tablet (however, this is not essential). nForma strongly suggests that all access is cleared and recreated with a new temporary password each semester to enhance the level of security for such confidential information. We will be following this advice each semester and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

If you have any difficulties accessing the portal or your child’s report, please contact our Learning & Teaching Leader, Callum Mills via email cmills@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au.

 

Please be mindful that a high volume of emails and requests can come through once the reports have been distributed. The school will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible regarding your request. 

 

Podcast - Alastair Clarkson

The Year 6 Podcast Leaders, Dane & Luke, had a very special guest on the podcast channel this morning - Alastair Clarkson. Dane & Luke spoke with Alastair about his career, his philosophy on leadership, and discussed some tips for young people who want to succeed in their passions. We thank Alastair for giving up some time to visit St Finbar's.

 

The podcast can be found at HERE

 

 

Kids on Key's Got Talent

 

Recently many of our students participated in the Kids on Key Talent Show. Well done to William J from   who received 2nd place in the Beginner 2 Section playing keyboard. Click here for a full recap of the day by Cath Dowling. 

 

 

New mural 

If you've been in our playground this week, you've probably noticed that our new mural is currently a work in progress. It has already dramatically brightened up our courtyard area. 

Thank you to the team from Hey You! Murals who have had to battle the inclement weather this week as they worked on the mural.

 

Around the classrooms 

I visited the Year 4 Maths Enrichment session with Mrs Allen today. The students were able to talk me through the various methods that they had used to solve a particularly difficult mathematical problem. Year 1 have been learning about writing narrative stories recently, and are using aspects of the Seven Steps to Writing Success program. Today's focus was on writing an Exciting Ending to their story. 

 

 

Lost Property

Our lost property area is looking very full at the moment, including six woolen jumpers and four winter jackets. We always endeavor to return items when they are clearly labeled but often the names are faded beyond recognition or have ex-student names on them (presumably from items being passed on). 

 

 

Take care and God bless. 

Michelle Hill,

Principal