St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Lynbrook Newsletter

From the Principal

Concert Extravaganza

Andrew Chinn from Butterfly House had us all singing and dancing in our seats. well some of us also had starring roles leading the concerts. There were shimmy champions, singing with gusto and special butterfly bows to complete the show. to say we had a great time is an understatement!! We all were in the zone and loved the entire concert led by the wonderful Andrew Chinn

 

 

This was the first time we took our entire school t St Kevin's church and school. We meet the entire St Kevin's school. As it was a Wednesday preps from both school however were not present The day commenced with Mass in the church. It was really special to be part of over 700 children praying and singing so reverently together. We were there to celebrate the Jubilee year and the theme being Pilgrims of Hope.

 

It was a fantastic day for juniors and then seniors to be introduced to new hymns after Mass, time to work with a buddy class and then attend the concert to end a great day. Coming together was also special as children and staff from both school had an opportunity to spend time together over lunch breaks and share this wonderful experience together.

We feel incredibly proud of the children and staff who worked together, participate with great enthusiasm to make it a memorable experience for all.

Pilgrims of Hope - Video

 

Enrol Now for Prep 2026 at St Francis de Sales

 

If you have a child (sibling) due to start school in 2026, please submit your enrolment application by Friday 14 March 2025. Thanks to the many parents who have already submitted their application.

 

We will be completing interviews for siblings wishing to commence school at St Francis de Sales in 2026 this term. 

 

Please inform neighbours and friends who will have a child eligible to start school in 2026 to book a tour. We have tours nearly every morning at 9 am. We will be commencing interviews for new families at the start of Term 2.

 

Help promote our school and share stories of the great learning and extra curricula  opportunities we provide. 

 

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

NAPLAN 2025

 

This year's NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy) is to be conducted in Term 1.  The formal test window for NAPLAN 2025 will be 12th

- 24th March.

  • Wednesday 12 March Writing (Paper Year 3, Online Year 5)
  • Thursday 13 March Reading (Online Year 3 & 5)
  • Friday 14 March Language Conventions (Online Year 3 & 5)
  • Monday 17 March Numeracy (Online Year 3 & 5)
  • 19-25 March Catch up testing

Parents should note that catch up opportunities for the writing test can only be scheduled for students in Year 3, in the case of student absences. Catch up writing tests are only allowable in Year 5 if there is a disruption to the test due to technological issues. NAPLAN tests are conducted online for all subjects, except for Writing in Year 3, which is conducted on paper.

 

We encourage all students to participate in NAPLAN, however there are circumstances where families may wish to withdraw their child from taking part. In this instance we encourage you to reach out to either your child's Home Group teacher, or speak to Angela Faiola, Deputy Principal before Tuesday 5 March. 

 

 

Testing adjustments are available for our students with formal diagnoses, or who usually receive significant classroom adjustments; further information will be sent to all families in Year 3 and Year 5 next week regarding this. Parents seeking additional information about NAPLAN, including test demonstration pages, are encouraged to visit the NAP website:

 https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-

School Advisory Council

  • Christine White the Principal (ex officio)
  • Fr Fabian Smith the Parish Priest (ex officio) (custodian of mission)
  • Angela Faiola  the deputy Principal (ex officio)
  • Rozeta Ambrose Religious Education Leader / Parishoner
  • Sharon McNultyPresident parent of Year 6 students.
  • TBA Maintenance Team Coordinator
  • Courtney Thursfield Parent of Year 6 student
  • Tristan Patton Parent of Year 6, Year 3 and Year 2 students
  • Dwij Senaratne Parent of Year 2 student
  • Vaithilingam Kirubanandan Parent of Year 1 student
  • Sabrina Benlian Parent of Year 4 student P&F representative

Expression of Interest

Expression of Interest in writing is invited from parents interested in joining the St Francis de Sales School Advisory Council. Please refer to the information outlined about the purpose and role of the School Advisory Council in the following documents. Please email principal@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au by Thursday 7 March 2025.

When making this appointment we will keep in mind the need for a balance of gender, cultural diversity and skill sets in forming the council. With the vast number of current School Advisory Council parent members with children in the senior part of the school, we are seeking to make this appointment from a parent with a child in Foundation, Year 1 Year 2 , Year 3 or Year 4.

 

 

 Purpose of the School Advisory Council 

The board of MACS has responsibility for the strategic direction and oversight of the operation and management of MACS schools, including St Francis de Sales Primary School. Clear lines of authority, reporting and delegation from the MACS board through the Executive Director delegate the day-to-day operational management of St Francis de Sales Primary School to its principal. (School Advisory Council Manuel)

 

 While the School Advisory Council does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority, it supports the principal and school leadership and provides an important connection to the parish. 

 

The School Advisory Council’s role, is to give consideration to, and advice on, important school matters in order to support the principal and the strategic interest of the school’ (Working Together in Mission p. 18).

 

The following are some examples of the many ways the School Advisory Council may support the school and the principal:

  • articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission 
  • promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture 
  • promoting faith formation and development 
  • supporting school policies as required 
  • giving advice to the principal on issues such as school improvement plans and enrolment trends
  • engaging in discussion with the principal about the annual school budget and other financial matters 
  • giving advice to the principal about the school master plan 
  • providing capital resource planning and maintenance support to the principal.

Car Park and Drop Off

A reminder to parents that the car park in the school grounds is ONLY for staff use. We just have enough parking places for our staff. 

 

The Drop off Zone is just a Kiss and Go Zone. Parents are asked NOT to get out of the car so that the traffic can move and children can be safely dropped or picked up without unnecessary delay.

 

Parent parking is only available in the Drop Off Zone before 8am, 

between 9:30 am - 2:30 pm  and after 4pm.

 

 

2025 School Fees 

Statements / Invoice were sent home last week. 

Please check your child's school bag.

 

Do you have one of these cards?

 

CSEF—Camp, Sports and Excursion Fund)

 

If you do, you may be eligible for $150 for each of your children from the government to go towards your swimming fees, excursion fees or camp fees.

 

It’s easy—just fill out the CSEF form available from the school office and present your current Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and we will do the rest for you.

 

Applications should be completed and lodged with us as soon as possible in Term 1. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card, you may be eligible for CSEF. This allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. 

 

 It is essential that you have a fee paying agreement with the school. You can get a discount by paying your fees upfront this term. Alternatively you may pay by the term, month, fortnight or weekly. Which ever way you choose please let us know by completing the fee agreement.

 

Paying fees by a direct debit is encouraged.

 

 

Attention Year 5 Families:

Applications for enrolment in Year 7 at most Catholic secondary schools for 2027 are now open. Please note that the application period will close on Friday, 15th August 2025. Please check directly with schools to find out about their Open Days and School Tour Times.

Year 7 offers will be sent out in October 2025.

 

 

 

Christine White

Principal