St Francis Newsletter

Principal's Update

Dear Families

 

On August 8 every year, many people celebrate the Feast Day of Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop.  

 

Mary MacKillop was born in Victoria in 1842.  She was the eldest child in her family and had 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Mary loved children and became a school teacher. In South Australia she met a priest named Father Julian Tenison Woods, who also wanted to help poor children attend school. Together Mary MacKillop and Father Tenison Woods started the ‘Stable School’ in 1866.  

 

In 1866 Mary MacKillop and Father Tenison Woods started the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites) and in 1867 Mary MacKillop became a nun – Sister Mary of the Cross. Mary and the Josephite nuns set up schools in Australia and New Zealand. 

 

They also set up houses for elderly women, young girls and women without jobs. They gave their life to people in need, often giving comfort to the sick and dying and even visiting people in jail to give them whatever help they could. 

 

At times in her life Mary MacKillop met people who made it hard for her to perform her good works but she never gave up and today the Sisters of St Joseph are still doing the work that Mary MacKillop started all those years ago. 

 

I share with you some wise sayings from Mary MacKillop... 

 

“Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering Whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can.” 

 

“Be eager in your desires but humbly patient in their accomplishment.” 

 

“We must teach more by example than by word.” 

 

 

Learning Conversations 

I hope all students, parents and staff have found the Learning Conversations a time to celebrate the growth that has been made over the first semester – both academically and socially.  

Thank you to all parents for taking the time to support your child’s learning. Thanks also to all class teachers for taking the time to support our students in future goal setting. 

School Fees 

This week we will send out reminders to all families to ensure payment of school fees. If payment of fees is proving a challenge, please speak directly with Tim Moloney ASAP. If I have not heard from you, we will proceed with our Fee Collection protocols. The last phase of this protocol is calling in the debt collectors. 

School Disco - 12 August 

Our Parents & Friends are organising the School Disco for Tuesday 12 August. All children are most welcome to attend.  Gold coin donation taken at the door.

The times of attendance are: 

  • 4.15 - 5.15pm: F - 2 students 
  • 5.30 - 6.30pm: Yr. 3-6 students 

We will need plenty of parent assistance for this evening. If you can help, please contact Nicole Emmerson: bnemmerson@hotmail.com

Update on water damage of Staffroom and Administration area 

Thankfully, plaster has now been reinstalled to both sides of the staffroom wall affected by water. We now await the kitchen cabinetry before reinstating our staff room.  

Thanks to all staff who have coped admirably! 

Pupil Free Day - Wednesday 13 August 

Please be advised that St. Francis of the Fields, along with all Catholic Diocesan schools, will observe a Pupil Free Day dedicated to Staff Spirituality. As a result, our school will be closed on Wednesday, 13 August. 

We appreciate your understanding and support as our staff engage in this important day of reflection and professional growth. 

 

Unfortunately, YMCA ASC will NOT be available at St Francis of the Fields for our Pupil Free Day. Please see the flyer below for details of ASC at St Therese's for this day.

Shed Unavailability 

The shed will be unavailable for training use on the following dates in Term 3:

  • Tuesday 12 Aug - School Disco (Set up will occur from 12noon)

  • Thursday 14 Aug - Whole school Mass setup (afterschool training affected)

  • Thursday 4 Sept - Father's Day Mass setup (afterschool training affected)

Assembly  

3D and 3R will lead our next school assembly on Friday 8 August from 2.45pm in the Shed.  All parents, grandparents and guardians are most welcome to attend.  

 

 

Christ has no hands but yours.  

Tim Moloney 

Principal