Principal's Update

Dear Families,

It is so hard to believe that 12 months has passed so quickly and this is the final newsletter for the year.  Sadly, we will miss people in our lives who are important to us - from the Staff, we farewell:

• Kate Gundry - retirement

• Annette Exell - retirement

• Cobi Maxted

• Hamish Morcom

• Will Edwards

• Reine Jones

• Danyon Cullen.  

Furthermore, I will miss the Year 6 Children and pray that they will enjoy the changes and challenges that will be theirs in the future.  Hopefully they will never forget the “family” of St. Francis of the Fields Primary School and how we have been part of their lives for the past 7 years. 

We will also miss our parents whose children will be leaving for secondary school.  My thanks will remain with each of these parents – those who have worked shoulder to shoulder for the benefit of St. Francis of the Fields Primary School.  Thank you! 

As educators we are entrusted with supporting the ideals that each family wants for their children.  Each family at St. Francis of the Fields Primary School is so varied – each family has been gifted with their own talents and challenges.  It is my belief that all parents want one fundamental ideal fulfilled in the education of their children – that their child is loved and nurtured so that they will feel challenged in a positive manner to reach their potential best. 

Each one of the teachers of St. Francis of the Fields fulfil this ideal - they love the children in their care – this does not happen in every school - I pray that each child and parent realises how fortunate they have been to have been blessed with such teachers. 

From all the staff at St. Francis of the Fields Primary School, we hope you have a very holy, merry and safe Christmas!! 

Prayer: 

Today the message of Jesus, Mary and Joseph endures. The message of this family challenges our self-centredness, self-interest, our pride, our pursuit of fame, pleasure and comfort.  As we celebrate Christmas this year, it is helpful to recall that their message calls us to life through the service and care of others, especially the poor and those in need.  It is helpful to recall that this family and its example, its message is presented to us as a clear illustration of the way to reach enduring peace and happiness...to be remembered, to make our mark. 

May Bethlehem's road rise up to meet you 

May the Christmas star light your way 

And may there be peace in your heart and in your home. 

May you be filled with the joy of this Christmas season 

May Bethlehem's road rise up to meet you  

May the angel choir ring in your ear "Christ is here, Christ is here" 

In those who suffer, and have no food, 

in those who have no home at all. 

in those who cry out for what I take for granted. 

May Bethlehem's road rise up to meet you 

May the Christmas star light your way 

May you seek His face as all wise men still do 

In the love of your family and your friends near and far.  

Till you find him and see that God is with you 

That God is in you. 

Amen.  

Week 3 of Advent – Joy 

Prayer: 

 Lord Jesus, as we light the pink candle, we celebrate the joy You bring. 

Fill our hearts with happiness and gratitude. 

Help us to share joy with our friends, family, and everyone we meet. 

Thank You for loving us so much. 

Amen. 

Week 4 of Advent – Love 

Prayer: 

God of love, as we prepare for Christmas, 

remind us that Your greatest gift is Jesus. 

Help us to show love through our words and actions. 

May our hearts be ready to welcome Him with love and faith. 

Amen. 

Graduation Mass 

Our Year 6 Graduation Mass held last night, Thursday 11 December, was a beautiful celebration and farewell for our Year 6 students.

Special thanks to the Year 6 teachers, Luke Crameri, Holly Ryan, Rachelle Mangan and Rhys Zera for preparing our students for their special celebration.

Thanksgiving Mass 

Our whole school came together, with our staff, to celebrate the 2025 year with our Thanksgiving Mass today at 9.15am. We thank Fr Jake and Fr Henry for their tireless work attending all of our masses and liturgies throughout the year.

Last day of school - 2025 

Please note that school, for students, finishes on 

Tuesday 16 December at 3.20pm.  

I urge all parents to remind their children to enjoy the end of the year in a respectful manner to all students, teachers, parents and, of course, St. Francis of the Fields Primary School. 

This will also be the last day for After School Care. 

Dates for our 2026 Foundation Students 

We were so impressed with our 2026 Foundation students during their transition and orientation days. To replicate the success of Orientation Day and to continue the smooth transition to school we will be providing the following opportunities for our 2026 Foundation children: 

Sunday 'Welcome Day' - Sunday 25 January 2026 at 10.00am 

• All new families and children are invited to come to St. Francis of the Fields school to see their classroom (desk, bag locker etc), practise walking to their classroom from your chosen drop off location and enjoy a play on one of our many playgrounds!  

• We encourage students to come dressed in their school uniform to get all those 'first day' photos taken on this day. This will mean photographs will not need to be taken in the classrooms on their first day of school as the noise of additional people in the classroom can cause some children levels of anxiety. 

Rainbow Run – Thank you!! 

Thank you to our P & F Committee for their work in preparing and organising the Rainbow Run for the benefit of our students. A special thank you to Nicole Emmerson, Megan Merrett, Kate Fraser and the band of past students who worked tirelessly to set up on such a warm day. 

We took in a total of $25,215.80. The exact amount we will receive is unsure at the moment. The money raised will go towards new outdoor basketball/netball facilities behind our shed or heating and cooling in our shed.  

Well done! 

2026 Class Teachers - Repeat

The Class Structures for the 2026 Year have seen some changes from this year. 

This time of year is always an exciting and nerve-wracking time. Will our children be placed with their friends?  Will my child be placed with the teacher that I want? 

Please note that we have many parent requests – some of which are contrary to each other.  One parent will request, “Can Timmy be placed with Roger?”  Whilst Roger’s parents will ask that they be separated. 

At these times we need to trust that each teacher at St. Francis of the Fields knows, loves and cares for your child.  They have worked diligently on class lists for many hours trying to ensure each child will flourish in 2026. 

Parents have an enormous role in how their child views the changes for 2026. 

A positive parent will reassure that any new change will be a blessing – an opportunity for new friendships to be fostered and a chance to learn from a teacher who will support and care for them.  These parents will find that their child develops resilience – an essential commodity necessary for adult life. 

As a parent you have a choice – do I speak glowingly of the changes that my child faces, or will I model disappointment and anguish with my child? 

Term 4 School Closure Days

Please note that our school will be closed on the following days: 

• Wednesday 17 December - 2026 Planning Day (Last day of the school year for teachers) 

This means the last day of the school year for our children will be Tuesday 16 December. The school will finish at 3.20pm on this day.  

Christ has no hands but yours.  

Tim Moloney 

Principal 

Farewell and Congratulations Yr 6's

On Thursday night we farewelled our Class of 2025 – Yr 6’s. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours and thank them for being such a wonderful part of the St Francis Community.

We would like to congratulate our Yr 6 Award winners:

St Therese’s Parish Kennington Award

• Will Penno
• Ava Giffard
• Chloe McSwain
• Matilda Palmer

St Francis of the Fields School Award

• Emerson Arundell
• Daniel Gleeson

Strathfieldsaye Lions Club – Leadership Scholarship

• Eden Rogers
• Gemma Short
• Axis Wharton
• Nash Dickson

AWG Psychology – Social Justice Award

• Tilly Stewart
• Mila Johnson

St Francis Music Award

• Isla Hogan

St Francis Indonesian Award

• Mackenzie Jackson

St Francis Visual Arts Award

• Trixie Carr

St Francis Sustainability Award

• Paige De Jong

SSV Academic and Sporting Achievement Medal

• Layla Hand
• Lyla Edwards
• Milanke Haasbroek

St Francis Science Award

• Dustin Hoctor
• Georgia Campi

We also thank and farewell the following families who are leaving the St Francis Community at the end of 2025: