From the Principal
Have you seen a Laughing Horse?
Well Rosie did on an excursion with our Juniors. It must have been Mr. ED!!
A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
And no one can talk to a horse of course
That is, of course, unless the horse
is the famous Mr. Ed!
Rain Hayne & Shine
As the saying goes 'Rain, hail or shine, out we go.' Well it certainly was not a day for hail, but it was a little overcast and cool and there was a brief shower. However nothing at all could quell the excitement of our juniors who headed out on an excursion this week.
They headed off out on buses for an excursion to Rain Hayne & Shine, a farm in Balnarring (Mornington Peninsula). They saw sheep, goats, alpacas, calves, poultry, emus, rabbits and guinea pigs in patting areas and pigs. There was a tractor ride and by all reports they had a memorable day of learning and FUN!! There will be more to report in the Learning & Teaching news.
Tamara had a little lamb it followed her to School!
Our Class of 2023 makes us so very PROUD!!
Last week Ange and I started to have some chats with our Class of 2023 before they graduate and head off to various secondary schools. We wanted to chat to them about their experiences at St Francis de Sales and listen to their feedback. It was the highlight of our week. Our Year 6 students spoke so eloquently, with great enthusiasm and honesty about their experiences. It was such a pleasure to have this time for a chat and to listen to their reflections of their final year and of their time at St Francis de Sales. Here our some of their feedback to us:
What I like about St Francis de Sales....
I like how the teachers are kind, helpful and support us.
I like how our school is open and there are no walls separating home groups.
I know the teachers in my learning space and they know me.
At first I was not sure but gradually I got to know my teacher and I developed a positive relationship with my teachers.
We have a greater connection with our teachers and we use their first name when speaking with them.
We feel comfortable to talk to our teachers and I share a lot with them.
We can talk to our teachers if we do not understand and they help us.
Learning I have enjoyed this year...
I like the harder challenges we get to stretch our learning. This is really enjoyable than repeating things I already know.
Being part of extension Maths
Learning about the Gold Rush and going to Sovereign Hill.
Learning about Australia and the continents in the world.
Loved science experiments.
I like RE inquiry and we learn more about Jesus.
Using strategies to extend my answers in reading.
I loved financial maths and found it very helpful.
My writing has really improved.
Love our art shows.
Acting in our new hall for our production. I found it fun.
I loved Twilight Sports.
I love our house competitions.
Going on our school camp.
Being part of Minni Vinnies and going on an excursion to Nazareth College.
I love our specialists subjects.
Selecting a sports we like for Interschool sports. I love interschool sports and playing against other schools.
Going to St Patrick's Cathedral as a school ambassador.
Teachers have supported me...
With scaffolds to support my writing.
by really explaining things well with examples and demonstrations.
by recognising when I am having difficulties with my learning and making time to work with me to help me understand.
by monitoring me when I am learning and having a go.
by extending my thinking in reading.
by providing opportunities for hands on learning, to see it being modeled.
by helping me understand things more deeply in maths.
by sharing stories from books to extend my creativity.
with opportunities to learn so much about science and I loved that they gave me explanations about why things happen.
by helped me overcome my anxiety when I was younger. I am more confident now.
with explanations and the ability to go over things.
by listening to me, comforting me and helping to build my confidence.
If we do not understand or make a mistake the teachers support us to understand.
Leadership opportunities
In PE I get to lead the group as a senior for warm ups.
In action teams we get a lot of student agency. I got to go to the Aged Care, Lynbrook Community Center and to the kindergarten.
We have responsibilities in our Learning Space.
In our solar buddies action team, I got to guide the group. We made solar lights that we sent to other countries to help families.
Going out to the community and making links to make a difference.
We get to lead groups and share learning.
Being part of Minni Vinnies. I liked meeting the people who run it at and hear about the issues we can help with.
As seniors we lead by example.
Working in the sustainable action group in the garden. We learnt about composting and growing seedlings.
I like to be involved in solving student problems.
Raising money for world problems.
Talking to the community and helping with problems.
We plan to meet up with these students and others to hear their ideas about ways we can be even better in coming days. We can all be very proud of our senior students and their ability to participate in this dialogue and engage in meaningful and constructive sharing of their reflections and ideas.
Date to Remember - Working Bee 2
Please join us for our last working bee for 2023 and help us complete some important tasks. The working Bee will be held on
Saturday, 25th November 9am - 12 noon
Please respond on Operoo if you are able to help. There will be a thank you sausage sizzle when the working bee concludes.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Christine White
Principal