Principal's Update
Dear Families,
I hope you all enjoyed this Easter break with your family and friends. I hope you all had the opportunity to rest and enjoy this amazing autumn weather.
Easter is the heart of our Catholic faith. It celebrates Jesus’ Resurrection, through which God’s love overcomes sin and death and opens the way to new life. For Catholics, Easter is not only a remembrance of an event in the past, but a living reality that shapes how we understand hope, forgiveness and renewal today. It reminds us that God is always at work bringing life from darkness, and it calls us to live as people of hope, compassion and love in our school community and beyond.
Pupil Free Day - Monday 20 April
Last Monday, we had all the staff from across Catholic Education Sandhurst come together online for our Professional Learning Day, Ambitiously Sandhurst. The staff were presenting with three keynote speakers. Dr Jared Cooney Horvath (Learning Made Easy), Dr Nathaniel Swain and Katie Webster (Teach Well).
Jared Cooney Horvath drew on his experience as a classroom teacher and neuroscientist to support staff in better understanding how children learn best. Using research from his books 10 Things Schools Get Wrong and Digital Delusion, he helped teachers separate common myths about learning from what the brain actually needs to learn effectively. This work strengthened teachers’ ability to make informed decisions about instruction, motivation, mindset, and the thoughtful use of digital technologies in classrooms.
Dr Nathaniel Swain worked with staff to explore the power of whole‑class teaching in supporting all students. He challenged the idea that meeting diverse learning needs always requires constant individualisation. Instead, Dr Swain shared strong research evidence showing that clear, well‑structured whole‑class instruction can be one of the most effective ways to support learning for every child, particularly those who need the most support.
Finally, Katie’s from Teach Well worked with staff to strengthen classroom practices that promote full student participation and regularly check for understanding. The focus was on ensuring that every student is actively engaged in learning, with frequent opportunities to show what they know. Teachers explored the use of clear cues and consistent routines, creating predictable classroom environments that reduce cognitive load and support sustained engagement for all learners.
Together, these sessions reinforced our shared commitment to research‑informed teaching that supports every student to learn and thrive. By strengthening our understanding of how learning works and sharpening our instructional practices, staff are well equipped to continue delivering ambitious, high‑quality learning for all students.
ANZAC Day
This weekend marks one of the key celebrations in our Australian Calendar, ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day provides an important opportunity for our school community to educate children about the freedoms we enjoy today, and the Australians who fought and died in service to our nation. Through remembrance and reflection, we honour their courage, sacrifice and commitment, and help students develop a deep respect for the values of service, resilience and peace.
Remember, O Lord,
all those the brave and the true, who have died the death of honour
and are departed in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life.
In that place of light from which sorrow and mourning are far banished,
give them rest, O Lord, thou lover of men.
And grant to us who remain the spirit of service
which may make us worthy of their sacrifice,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
ANZAC Day Commemorative Merchandise
We have a selection of ANZAC Day merchandise available to purchase in the school office. If families would like to buy a badge or wristband etc., please bring cash to make your purchase. Items are $2, $3 and $5.
Staff on leave during Term 2
The following staff will spend some time away during Term 2:
Marg Brohm will be away for the first week.
Alicia Mansfield will be away for the first 2 weeks of term.
Grace Scalora will be away for the first 4 weeks of term.
Tim Moloney will be away for the first 8 weeks of term with Principal Enrichment.
Whilst Tim and Grace are away, Dave Waters and Luke Freeman will be Acting Principals during Week 1 and Marg Brohm will be Acting Principal from Week 2-4 of Term 2.
When Grace returns, she will take over as Acting Principal and Marg Brohm will take over as Acting Deputy Principal.
Tim Moloney will travel to England to visit several academies and schools to learn about systemic change processes. It should prove to be a wonderful learning opportunity.
2027 Enrolment
Parents and students can view our school from the 4th - 8th May with our student-led tours. Our students will offer their unique perspective about our school.
Please note that enrolments are open now and will close on Friday 22 May. These dates are the same for all Bendigo Catholic schools.
Parents will be notified if they have been successful in their enrolment by Friday 29 May.
Enquiries: School Office (03) 5439 3191
See our website www.sfstrathfieldsaye.catholic.edu.au for our Information Booklet
and enrolment application forms.
Prepare to change over to winter uniform
The weather, over the next few weeks, can vary greatly in temperature. Subsequently, for the first four weeks of Term 2 students can wear either summer or winter uniform. However, all students are required to be in the Winter uniform by Monday 18 May.
Hats are to be worn during the first four weeks of Term 2.
Learning Conversations - Week 4, Term 2
In Term 2, these conversations will take place in Week 4, from Monday 11th to Wednesday 14th May. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, students and teachers to discuss how we can work together to continue to ensure our children are feeling safe and are learning to the best of their ability.
Please click on this link and use the code 3adxn to make your bookings.
Bookings will OPEN on Wednesday 29 April @ 9.00am.
Bookings will CLOSE on Friday 8 May @ 11.00am.
Term 2 Public Holidays & Pupil Free Days
Just letting all families know that St. Francis of the Fields Primary School will be closed on the following dates in Term 2:
Friday 5 June - Student Wellbeing & Safeguarding PD (Pupil Free Day)
Monday 8 June - King’s Birthday Holiday
Shed Unavailability
The shed will be unavailable for training use on the following dates in Term 2:
- Thursday 7 May (afterschool) - Set up for Mass on Friday 8 May
- Monday 11 May - Sunday 31 May - Deb Balls
- Thursday 18 June (afterschool) - Set up for Mass on Friday 19 June
Assembly
6M will lead our next school assembly on Friday 24th April from 2.45pm in the Shed. All parents, grandparents and guardians are most welcome to attend.
Wishing you a great Friday and a wonderful weekend. Hopefully it’s a good one for Pies supporters, with Nick Daicos taking home the medal.
Kind Regards,
Dave Waters
Acting Principal
Scholastic Book Club
Welcome back to Term 2.
Issue #3 Book Club has been sent home with your children this week.
All orders are to be completed online by Friday 8th May.
Just a reminder that your purchase benefits your child both for their home reading and reading from the school library ...... $623 worth of books were purchased for the school library during term 1 - all using the bonus points that are accrued from your purchases, so thank you so very much.
