Principal Update

An update from our Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and Friends,

On Monday afternoon our school community paused to commemorate ANZAC Day and pay our respects to those who have fallen in defending our freedom and way of life. Please join me in the following ANZAC Day prayer at this poignant time of the year.

A Prayer for ANZAC Day:

God of love and liberty,

 we bring our thanks this day for the peace and security we enjoy, 

which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. 

We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. 

That the liberty, truth and justice which they sought to preserve may be seen and known in all the nations upon earth. 

This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

On Easter Monday, the death of Pope Francis marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church and the world today. Pope Francis has been remembered as a humble man, a man wanting to bring the world closer together and a man who was a strong advocate for the vulnerable, displaced and oppressed. Aligning is papacy with St Francis of Assisi he was a great advocate for creation and nature with mercy and forgiveness central to his beliefs. Pope Francis will be sadly missed, and we wish the Cardinals well as the conclave begins next week to select the new Pope.

Welcome back to Term Two, I trust everybody had a joyous Easter season and a restful break, returning to school re-energised and full of enthusiasm. 

Late last term the School Advisory Council met for our first meeting of 2025. The Advisory Council is again being chaired by Paula Rudd and Paula leads a small group of strategic thinkers, committed to assisting in providing the best Catholic education for our community. I look forward to working with the School Advisory Council over the next 12 months plotting a strategic path under the guidance of the College Vision Statement and School Improvement Plan. It gives me great pleasure to introduce the School Advisory Council to our community.

• Paula Rudd – Advisory Council Chairperson
• Jamie McDowall – Advisory Council CES Ltd Representative
• Father Jophin
• Steven Caldwell
• Jodie Coutts
• Kristy Bourke
• Amy Meyland
• Rosina Gemmill – Deputy Principal
• Natasha Boase – Advisory Council secretary.
• Matt Carver 

Please note that new members to the School Advisory Council are always welcome. If you are interested, please contact Natasha Boase at the School Reception.

Community Open Day / Open Day:

St Francis Primary School will be open to the public on Sunday morning May 18 between 10 and 11am. This provides an informal opportunity for prospective families or community members to come and view the school in a relaxed, low-key environment. 

A more formal Open Day program will take place on Monday May 19. This day begins at 9.30am with a short presentation, DVD presentation followed by school tours. This will be followed by morning tea and the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. However, if these two dates and times don’t suit, please ring and make an appointment for another time and we will be more than happy to provide a tour and a cuppa and chat about St Francis being a possible school for you.

Year 7, 2026 Parent / Guardian Information Evening @ SMOTA:

Attention Grade 6 families:

On Monday evening May 5, SMOTA will be conducting an Information Evening for current Grade 6 families in the Nathalia area. The night begins at 7.30pm in the St Clare Auditorium and involves a promotional DVD, presentation on what to expect in Year 7 @ SMOTA and an opportunity to ask questions of students and the leadership team over a cuppa at the end. The presentation will run for about 45 minutes, and I encourage everybody to attend.

With Peace and Good Will,

Matt Carver

Principal

St Francis Primary School