Learning and Teaching
LS1 Juniors
On Friday the 29th of May, all the Junior students went on an excursion to CERES Environmental Park in Brunswick East.
They participated in a program called ‘Zero Waste’ which tied in perfectly to their Inquiry unit this term which has been looking at how we can be stewards of our world. The students were so excited to attend and travel there by bus.
When we arrived, the students participated in three main activities. The first was an activity where they learnt about composting. The students delighted in the fact they got to hold real worms and learnt about their important role in nourishing and aerating the soil.
The second activity was a fun recycling activity where the students learnt how to make paper out of recycled paper. The students mixed paper and water to create a pulp, which they then spread out and dried to create a new piece of paper.
Lastly, the final activity was an exciting bush walk along Merri Merri Creek where students were shown how the rubbish is caught in a giant metal sieve that acts as a rubbish filter. The students then went on a treasure hunt for rubbish using thongs around the creek to help clean up the environment.
The students had the most wonderful time at CERES and all came home with memorable experiences and new and interesting knowledge on how they can be a better citizen and look after their world!
Mavis Brownfield
LS1 Junior Team Teacher
mbrownfield@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
LS1 Seniors
Narrative Writing – Clinic 3 (Years 5/6)
This term, students in Clinic 3 have been developing their narrative writing skills by crafting imaginative and engaging stories.
They have focused on creating strong story openings, building tension through well-sequenced events, and using descriptive language to paint vivid pictures for their readers. Students have also explored how authors use character actions, dialogue, and setting descriptions to enhance their narratives.
We are proud of the creativity and effort students have demonstrated as they continue to grow as confident and effective writers.
Tamara Busbridge
LS1 Senior Team Teacher
tbusbridge@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Environmental Science Update: Term 2 Highlights
Our students have been busy exploring the natural world this term! From microscopic food chains to hands-on learning, St Francis de Sales students are leading the way in caring for our environment. Here is a look at what Juniors and Seniors have achieved so far.
Seniors
Our Senior students have been diving deep into ecosystems to understand how energy moves between producers, consumers, and decomposers. Seniors have displayed commendable dedication, participation, teamwork, and strong organisational skills in Environmental Science.
- In the Garden: Students explored our school garden to identify living organisms and map out how they connect.
- In the Classroom: Seniors are currently collaborating in teams to research, draw, and design detailed food chain posters for a selected habitat.
Juniors Become Environmental Stewards
The Junior students began the term studying seasonal changes and how they impact plants, animals, and humans.
- Nature Watch: The children shared fantastic observations about brown leaves, chickens moulting, and family dogs growing thicker winter coats.
- Chicken Care: Juniors have practised being gentle stewards of God's creation by showing kindness and calmness while feeding our school chickens.
- In Weeks 4 and 6, students learned to identify recycling symbols on everyday packaging to sort waste efficiently at school and home.
- CERES Excursion: A recent trip to the CERES Sustainability Centre gave the Juniors a firsthand look at sustainability in action, inspiring them to make eco-friendly choices every day.
SFS Community Garden & Garden Grubs
During regular garden visits, both Juniors and Seniors have examined ways to a thriving, sustainable patch:
- Companion Planting: Students explored how to use natural pest control by planting specific species that repel unwanted insects.
- Seasonal Crops: The classes investigated which crops grow best in current weather conditions to ensure a healthy harvest.
- Garden Grubs Club: Our passionate lunchtime garden club members have shown immense enthusiasm, caring for the beds while discovering the tiny creatures that call our garden home.
Sustainability in Action: SFS Joins ResourceSmart Schools
We are proud to announce that St Francis de Sales is now an active member of ResourceSmart Schools (RSS), a free Victorian Government program. This framework guides us in reducing our carbon footprint through practical, everyday changes.
Our primary focus this year is Waste. We are already becoming 'waste smart' by:
- Sorting our daily rubbish accurately into the correct bins.
- Continuing to compost school food scraps.
- Directing chicken waste into our garden beds to enrich the soil by composting.
Be Waste Smart and Earn Money for SFS via the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic)
We are excited to share that St Francis de Sales is now a registered donation partner with CDS Vic! This initiative keeps recyclable containers out of landfill, while raising valuable funds for our school's future environmental projects.
How you can help:
Drop off at school: Collect eligible 10c containers at home and drop them off directly at the school office.
- Scan at a refund point: Take your containers to any local CDS Vic depot ( Find my Local Depot). Scan our school details below before deposit to send the 10c refunds to the registered SFS school bank account!
Rebecca Soysa
Environmental Science Teacher
St John's Taster Day with the Grade 4's
Today, our Grade 4 seniors took an exciting step toward the future by attending the St John’s Taster Day. The excursion gave our students a fantastic snapshot of what high school life looks like, and they jumped into the experience with incredible energy and curiosity.
Upon arriving, we received a wonderful, familiar welcome from two of our past students, Izaiah and Toby!
They proudly guided our current seniors to the common room, where we met with the Principal, Mr. Tim Hogan. From there, our students split into three groups to experience a rotating schedule of high school classes: Science, Health & PE, and Music.
Our first stop was the Science Lab, where we were greeted by science teacher Mr. Cox. After putting on their official lab coats, the students listened eagerly to some fun science facts before diving into a hands-on experiment. The highlight of the session? Making—and tasting—their very own homemade sherbet!
After a brain-boosting science session, it was time to head to the Gym for a well-deserved lunch. The students were treated to a delicious spread of lunch rolls, popcorn, fresh fruit, and juice boxes.
Once fueled up, they transitioned straight into Health and Physical Education. The students took on a dynamic 10-station circuit designed to challenge and develop a wide range of physical skills. It was brilliant to watch everyone work together, cheer each other on, and simply have a ball.
Our final session of the day brought out everyone's creative flair in the music department. Students split into specialised sections—including percussion, piano, guitar, and vocals. Demonstrating amazing teamwork and focus, they combined their talents to learn and perform a collaborative rendition of "Believer" by Imagine Dragons.
To wrap up the day, we took a wander around the beautiful grounds to admire the impressive facilities St John's has to offer.
It was a truly wonderful day—not only because our Grade 4's got to step into the shoes of high schoolers for a day, but because we got to see our past students thriving and excelling in their new environment. We could not be prouder of how our seniors represented our school!
Enjoy our video
Rosie Joseph
Senior Teacher/Learning Leader
rjoseph@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.a
SOCCER FUN DAY
WHEN: Friday June 26th
WHERE: SFS
WHAT: Fun Activities and Outdoor Soccer Activities
WEAR: Your soccer team colours, sports tracksuit or shorts and runners. If you don’t have a soccer team you can wear green and gold to represent our Aussie soccer teams.
Program: 8.50 – 10.15 Senior House Soccer Matches
10.20 – 10.45 Staff/Parents vs Grade 6 students Soccer Match
10.50 – 11.05 P&F Pizza Fun Lunch
11.05 – 11.25 1ST Lunch Recess
11.30 – 12.50 Junior Soccer Rotations
1.00 Dismissal
SENIOR SPORTS
Inter-school Sport
On Friday our Grade 5/6’s played against Coral Park Primary School. The weather was cold and wet and most enjoyable playing Interschool Sport. Our senior students are enjoying the morning and being able to experience the competition mode. The students are practising their skills and tactics and preparing for the Lighting Premiership which will be held on Friday 19th of June.
We are very proud of our students, and I commend our students in their competitiveness and showing respect to each other and the students from Coral Park Primary School.
INTER-SCHOOL SPORT
The schools we are playing, dates and locations for these events are as follows:
- Friday June 12th, Kilberry Valley Primary School-Home Game..
- Friday June 19th, Summer Lightning Premiership
Venues for each sport are as follows for Lightning Premiership:
- Soccer - Melbourne City Synthetic Pitches (Casey Fields)
- AFL 9’s - Oval 2 (Casey Fields)
- Netball - Casey Stadium
- Volleystars - Casey Stadium
- Teeball - Oval 3 (Casey Fields)
NOTE: IF THERE ARE ANY PARENTS THAT CAN ATTEND THE LIGHTNING PREM AND HAVE A CURRENT WORKING WITH CHILDREN CARD, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Our District Athletics Team have been selected and are training hard to represent St Francis de Sales Primary School for District Athletics which will occur on Tuesday 18th of August at Casey Fields Athletics Track.
Lulli Barbakos
Physical Education Teacher
Senior Sports Coordinator
lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
JUNIOR SPORTING EVENTS
SPORTING SCHOOLS - TAEKWONDO CLINICS
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Students will have their last taekwondo clinic in Week 10 on Monday 22nd June. Please ensure your child is wearing their sports uniform for the day.
Reminders will also be placed in Morning Gathering as well as in the Newsletter.
If your child is enjoying the Taekwondo Clinics and you are looking at enrolling them into an after-school club, details for Melbourne Taekwondo Centre have been included.
WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS
ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE – FIRST AID IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM
The First Aid in Schools Program run by St John’s Ambulance has been organised for all students Prep – Grade 6 on Monday June 15th. Please ensure your child is wearing their sports uniform on this day so they are comfortable doing the activities.
“The St John First Aid in Schools Program is designed to educate children on how to assist in emergencies, whether at home, at school, or on the sports field. St John Ambulance Australia is committed to promoting the importance of first aid in the community and believes that there is no better place to start than in our schools. Every child in Australia should have access to vital first aid knowledge and with the First Aid in Schools program this is possible. The First Aid Schools Program is a FREE program run by St John Ambulance Australia providing basic first aid training to school students across all states and territories in Australia.”
Students will learn various skills at each level based on the DRSABCD (Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation) Action Plan for First Aid:
All students have already completed the standard module last year. As a result, they will complete alternative modules this year to broaden their understanding.
- Prep – Standard Module: Storybook
- Gr 1- Bones, Bumps and Bandages
- Gr 2 - Standard Module: Danger, Response, Send for help
- Gr 3 & 4 – Anaphylaxis
- Gr 5 & 6 – Asthma
As it is a free incursion we are asking students to make a gold coin donation that we can then give to St John’s Ambulance as a donation.
SFS LEAGUE STARS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
What a great time the students had on Wednesday in our third League Stars After School Clinic!!!
Students were engaged in a variety of activities learning new skills. There was much laughter and energy in the Hall.
The remainder of the sessions are on the following dates:
- Session 4 - Wednesday 10th June 3.15-4.00
- Session 5 - Wednesday 17th June 3.15-4.00
- Session 6 - Wednesday 24th June 3.15-4.00
To pick up your child on Wednesdays after the League Stars Clinic, the door to the hall will be open so you can enter there and students will be in the Hall. Please ensure you are there by 3.55pm to collect your child.
SFS TERM 3 AUSKICK CENTRE COMING!!
I am very excited to announce that SFS will be having their own Auskick Program running on our oval next term beginning in Week 6 on Wednesday August 19th from 3.20 pm – 4.20 pm. Tyler is happy to run a separate group for the girls if we have enough registrations.
There will be 4 sessions and the cost will be $55. Like last year students who register will also receive a pack sent to their home.
If you would like your child to attend, please use the QR Code on the flyer or the link below to register your child.
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/099c1b
I will also send information via nForma but remember confirming nForma does not register your child. You need to register your child with AFL for them to be involved.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
AFL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
With the upcoming school holiday period fast approaching, AFL Victoria will be delivering a range of exciting AFL School Holiday Programs across the region.
The AFL School Holiday Programs provide children with a fun, inclusive and engaging environment where they can learn new skills, make friends and enjoy football-related activities throughout the day.
You are able to use the QR codes on the flyer included, or the registration links below to register your child for this fantastic opportunity.
NAB AFL Auskick (4-7):
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c8684c
NAB AFL Superkick (8-12):
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/afefe5
Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Giuliana
Extra-Curricular Coordinator