Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

Term 2 - Week 4

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

There will be changes to the provision of rapid antigen tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.

RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term. However, from Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that your child complete a RAT twice a week as previously advised.

RATs will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (five negative tests over a seven-day period) or who have symptoms. The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers have tests should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.

Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.

Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation and support during this time.

NAPLAN

Our students in Years Three and Year Five participated in the annual Naplan testing program last week. The children are assessed in the following curriculum areas:

Reading
Writing
Language Conventions and Spelling
Numeracy

We will expect results and reports later in the year. When these become available, we will share them with all parents and carers. Thank you to our NAPLAN coordinator Miss Melissa, who organised the transition to online NAPLAN testing for the first time at S.F.X. I would also like to thank the teachers who ensured a calm and supportive test environment for all students. Well done to all students for their participation.

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council (SAC) will meet tonight for the the second time this year. The items on the agenda at this meeting include:

Our Literacy Leader Melissa Sotelo, presenting a snapshot of the Literacy program at S.F.X
New Child Safe Standards - July 2022
Enrolment update
Frankston Hospital development update
Policy development
The Circus Crew Program update - Term 3
Fundraising money - what should we buy?

Sincere thanks to the 10 members of the SAC who give up their time throughout the year to work with the school and provide suggestions and feedback in a range of areas.

Although the team is currently full, we will most likely be looking for some new members to join the group in 2023. I will provide updates later in the year through the newsletter should positions on the SAC become vacant.

Cross Country

I would like to wish the small team from St Francis Xavier all the very best at the District Cross Country event tomorrow. The students will travel to Woodleigh and compete in either 1.2km or 2km races. Cross country is certainly one of the more challenging sporting events that is held each year. I admire the determination, resilience and courage of all the students who will be taking part. Hopefully the extra running laps make all the difference!

Frankston Hospital Development

You will have noticed that the Frankston Hospital development has now started. The junior students in particular have been thrilled to watch the excavators and diggers working their magic.

The $600 million dollar project includes more beds, new operating theatres, improved mental health and oncology services and new maternity, obstetrics and paediatric wards.

It is pleasing that Peninsula Health and the construction group responsible for the build have been extremely proactive in regard to consulting with the school about various aspects of the project. I have made them aware that I do have concerns in regard to potential noise, dust, traffic and parking issues that may present themselves over the next 4-5 years, especially as construction ramps up. This development is so important for the local community and will be amazing once completed, so we look forward to working closely with all of the stakeholders to come up with solutions which will mitigate the impact on all aspects of our school.

School Closure Day

Just a final reminder that next Tuesday 24th May is a school closure day for teacher professional development.

Have a brilliant weekend everyone.

Steve Peart

School Principal

Wellbeing

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