From the Principal

Disruption to Day 1 of NAPLAN 2026

I’m writing to provide you with an update following the technical issue that affected NAPLAN online testing across Australia on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Like many schools nationally, we experienced temporary interruptions to the NAPLAN platform. We understand that disruptions during a national assessment can be concerning, and I want to reassure you that our staff supported students calmly and confidently throughout the day.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), together with ACARA, confirmed at 1pm on Wednesday that the issue was resolved. As it was late in the day, we decided to resume the writing online test for Year 5 students the following day. The disruptions did not affect Year 3 students as they had a pen and paper writing test.

Schools received clear guidance to ensure NAPLAN continues fairly and consistently for all students. This advice confirmed that students whose test was paused or delayed would receive additional time matching any time lost.

At St Francis de Sales the technical issue disrupted the Writing Test for 45 of our Year 5 students, just as they were about to receive the stimulus material for the writing topic. Our students did not see the topic on Wednesday. As this was at the start of the test for St Francis de Sales students they did not lose any time and thus no extra time was required. When we resumed the test on Thursday, our students continued with the unseen topic from the previous day. There were 5 students who were locked out before entering the test, these students were presented with a new topic stimulant for the next day.

At some schools the technical issue occurred as they were planning or had started to write. The following day these children continued with the writing topic they had started and received additional time matching any time lost.

At St Francis de Sales, we have a strong, consistently high performing result trend for writing from testing in previous years. We expect that this will continue as we have a strong targeted, explicit teaching approach to supporting student learning.

Testing has continued as planned for Year 3 and Year 5 students with all students completing the Writing and reading test by Thursday and the Writing Conventions Test on Friday. Our Year 3 and 5 students just have the Numeracy test to complete nest week on Monday.

Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

SIBLING Enrolments are Due Now for Prep 2027 at St Francis de Sales

If you have a child (sibling) due to start school in 2027, please submit your enrolment application by Friday 20 March 2026. Thanks to the many parents who have already submitted their application.

Interviews for siblings wishing to commence school at St Francis de Sales in 2027 will be completed this term.

Interviews for new families will commence on Wednesday 1st April.

Word of mouth stories about our great school community is the BEST promotion.

Introducing nForma First Aid

This week we changed to using nForma First Aid!!

No more paper forms lost in school bags!!

Please download the app if you have not done this already.

nForma is a comprehensive school management system that includes a first aid module, allowing school staff to log, track, and notify parents about student health incidents, visits to the sick bay, and medical details directly through a user-friendly, centralized parent portal and app.

Key features of the NForma first aid system include:

Electronic Notifications: Parents receive an electronic notifications for first aid, allowing them to stay updated on their child's health.
Detailed Reporting: The system enables staff to document incidents, treatments, and further actions required.
Centralized Access: The parent portal/app allows for viewing reports in one place.
Integration: It integrates with student medical details, making it easy to manage health information.

Parents will get an email notification when their child has received First Aid treatment. You do not need to contact the office. We will continue to contact you if there is any major injury of concern.

Have Your Say TODAY!!

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) invites current families to take part in a short online survey about school choice and their experience as a MACS family.

The survey explores what influences families’ choice of Catholic education, what supports satisfaction and belonging, and what matters most at different stages of schooling. The findings will help inform future planning across the MACS system.

🕒 Takes 10–15 minutes

🛡️ Responses are confidential

🎁 A chance to win one of five $100 eGift Cards

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACSFAMILY

Your voice matters. By sharing your experience, you are helping shape the future of Catholic education for current and future families.

Prize draw terms and conditions:

https://www.edified.com.au/post/macs-parent-survey-prize-draw

Eligibility for 2026 Concessional Fees

Parents with Health Care Cards that are eligible for the The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program. The card must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for whom the concession is to be applied.

The expiry date of the card must be after 1 January of the year for which the concession is to be applied. If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year. If a family becomes eligible during the course of the school year, then a pro‐rata concession will be granted.

Important notes

The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian/carer responsible for the school fees who holds the eligible card.
A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
All families receiving or requesting a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered.
Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a Direct Debit Request (DDR) service agreement or Centrepay deduction arrangement. Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
Should an application be considered ineligible, the applicant will be notified that the application has been declined.

A nForma Notice will be sent to all parents. Please indicate if you have or do not have an eligible health Care Card. If you qualify as you posses a valid Health Care Card, you need to complete the attached forms and email or bring them to the office by 1st March so that your application can be processed.

All parents are required to complete the fee agreement. Parents who are paying fees by installments are encouraged to set up a direct debit payment for 2026.

Payment for fees is essential and a matter of justice.

If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship, you are encouraged to arrange to meet with the Principal.

Save the Dates:

School Photo Day - Wednesday, 18th March, please avoid making appointments on this day. Wear Correct Summer uniform, with clean shoes and hair longer than shoulder length tied back.

School Closure Days: Friday, 24th April for staff Professional Development and Monday, 27th April for acquittal of Time in Lieu for Term 1 staff additional after school hours. (e.g. P/T Interviews and Twilight Sports). Kharisma Kids will be operating on these two days.

Christine White

Principal