Learning and Teaching
Visual Art News: The HOLT Annual Christmas Card Competition!
As the Christmas season is approaching, our students are invited to enter a festive competition. This year our Federal Member of Holt, Cassandra Fernando MP, is again encouraging our young artists to participate in the HOLT Annual Christmas Card Competition.
The theme this year is “Your Vision of Christmas”. Some visual examples for designing the card may be illustrating a sunny setting of the beach in Australia at Christmas time, a snowy winter wonderland or a word associated with Christmas designed with festive symbols or images.
The winning artwork will be displayed on Cassandra’s front cover of her official 2025 Christmas card. In addition to experiencing this great opportunity, the winning student will receive a $100 gift voucher from Officeworks.
I look forward to supporting all students who are keen to share their talents beyond our school with this Christmas card competition which closes Friday 10th October, 2025. Our young artists are encouraged to come to me to help share ideas, a draft and their final designs, particularly during our Art Club sessions would be preferable.
With the holidays coming up, this would be a great art activity to work on and agree with Cassandra that this competition would be another great way to “showcase the diversity perspectives of our community’s young artists”.
Enjoy creating a Christmas work of art!
Melissa Junkeer
(Visual Art Teacher)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES
JUNIORS
In Term 1, the students engaged in the practice of essential skills such as jumping, hopping, catching, and throwing. Various activities and equipment were utilised to emphasise these fundamental skills. To warm up the students in an enjoyable manner, an obstacle course was implemented. Additionally, I introduced the sport of cricket, which provided a delightful opportunity for the students to enhance their catching and throwing abilities while participating in gameplay.
In Term 2, students engaged in activities utilising equipment such as skipping ropes and Hula Hoops, allowing them to explore their creativity in various ways. Additionally, they were introduced to basketball, a popular sport at our school, where they learned essential skills such as dribbling, catching, and passing. To further enhance their skills, a lively game of "Rob the Nest" was organised, incorporating the dribbling techniques learned in basketball.
In Term 3, the students engaged in exercises aimed at enhancing their body coordination in Gymnastics, including activities such as forward rolls, backward rolls, handstands, and jumping. They derived great enjoyment from the various movements involved. Additionally, they focused on learning different techniques in Soccer and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the game's rules.
In Term 4, students will engage in Tennis, focusing on various skill components such as forehand, backhand, serving, and smashing. They will also learn to identify the appropriate techniques to apply in different scenarios.
I hope the year of Physical Education Classes is a way of the students to gain confidence in their physical abilities across various scenarios on the sports field. Additionally, I wish for them to find enjoyment in their lessons.
SENIORS
Throughout Term 1, as part of the Physical Education curriculum, we have been concentrating on the fitness components of Strength, Power, and Flexibility. The senior students have participated in the Sargent Jump, an assessment that evaluates leg strength and power based on the height achieved. We have also emphasised the significance of the Central Nervous System, which plays a crucial role in our daily activities. Furthermore, the students have been undergoing flexibility tests to assess their hamstring and lower back flexibility. Flexibility is vital for overall health and helps decrease the risk of injuries. Greater flexibility contributes to enhanced strength and endurance.
Students also participated in the Vertical Jump (Sargent Jump), which assesses their power and strength. A decline in performance in this test over a two-week period may indicate fatigue in the Central Nervous System.
The students engaged in various Athletics activities, including Shot Put, Discus, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Hurdles, and Relay. They were instructed on the proper techniques for handling the equipment to maximise their throwing distance.
In our Physical Education lesson, I had the privilege of instructing the students in High Jump. St. Francis has not previously had the chance to enter students in high jump competitions at any level. Despite this, our performance has been commendable when compared to other schools. I would like to express my gratitude to all the students and parents for their contributions in acquiring the necessary equipment for teaching high jump at St. Francis DeSales Primary School. I believe the students are finding it enjoyable. These are exciting times in Physical Education, and I extend my thanks to Christine, all the students, and the parents' association.
During Term 2, our students were taught the various techniques in Hockey and Volleystars. The students participated in skill levels to acquire playing the game of the above sports. Also taught strategies in order to acquire to play competively against another team. The students enjoyed themselves and were able to learn on how to play the games.
During Term 3, the senior students were able to participate in the skills of gymnastics, they are to be commendable in listening to instructions and performing the skills. At times they found it challenging, however, they enjoyed in learning new skills. The following skills were done, forward roll, backward roll, balancing on the balance beam, handstand with my assistance. Also, participating in Badminton classes, some of the students were knowledgeable and were helping other students.
In Term 4, the students will participate in Tennis and Cricket lessons, which is part of the Winter Interschool Sport, hopefully, we will have some Grade 5’s or 6’s assisting the other students. The skills that will learn will be on how to do the forehand, backhand, Volley, Smashes and Serving. Also, strategies on how to win points to win the game against the opposition. In Cricket, on how to bowl and bat in achieving to play the game. The students will also play the game of cricket, being able to understand the rules.
Physical Education Lessons in Seniors, being able to understand the skills that are needed inorder to play the game in the sport competively and also use strategies to benefit themselves and the team.
Lulli Barbakos
Physical Education Teacher
lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
FOOTY FUN DAY
Friday September 19th
What a great day we had today for Footy Fun Day! It was fantastic to see all the students and teachers in their footy sports tops or colours.
SENIORS
Seniors were involved in House Footy Matches from 8.50 - 10.15. Grade 3/4 Houses played first, then Grade 5/6 Houses played. There was a great atmosphere!!! We would like to congratulate Grade 5/6 Patrick House who won their competition and also Grade 3/4 MacKillop House for winning their competition! Both levels will be presented with their perpetual trophy that will have their House engraved on it for 2025 and be kept in our trophy cabinet ready for next year’s competition.
STAFF/PARENTS VS GRADE 6 AFL MATCH
Following the Senior House Competitions, the whole school went out to the football oval to cheer and support the Grade 6s and staff/parents in their AFL match. What a great atmosphere there was!!!
We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the staff and parents in their win!! Well done to both sides for their sportsmanship and humour during the match.
JUNIORS
Juniors had a great time involved in footy rotational activities from 11.35 – 12.35. Students rotated around 8 activities focussed on developing their AFL skills. We would like to thank the Grade 6 students who volunteered to assist running the Junior rotational activities. They demonstrated great leadership skills and helped the Juniors to have a great time! These students have also received points for their House for the Community Spirit they have demonstrated by assisting the Juniors with their rotations.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who participated with enthusiasm and excitement. We would also like to thank all the staff for their support and enthusiasm. Days like this wouldn’t happen without the support of our great staff. And our fantastic P&F who provided our sausage fun lunch to add to the celebrations of the day!
We wish everybody a safe and restful holiday and look forward to next term with new sporting opportunities for the students.
Lulli and Giuliana
SENIOR SPORT
Divisional Athletics
The students have been practising for their events and preparing themselves for the next event, goodluck to the ten students that have progressed to Divisional Athletics, we are looking forward to see how they perform. Some students it’s their first time on the big stage, we wish them luck.
CASEY SOUTH DIVISION
TRACK AND FIELD
CARNIVAL 2025
Wednesday 8th October 2025
Casey Fields Athletics Centre, Cranbourne
Divisional Sport
BASKETBALL BOYS TEAM
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Casey Stadium-65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
CRICKET BOYS TEAM
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Casey Fields – 160 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
Please provide consent for this event via the OPEROO portal and ensure your child’s profile is up to date.
Lulli Barbakos
lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Physical Education Teacher
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
JUNIOR SPORTS
SPORT CLINICS
FOOTY CLINICS
In preparation for our Fun Footy Day Jake took the Juniors for AFL Clinics on Monday. Even though it was a windy day, the Juniors had a great time, learning lots of new skills. Thank you to Jake for running these clinics. The students really enjoyed it!!
WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
SFS AFTER SCHOOL AUSKICK PROGRAM COMPLETED
Thanks to Tyler from AFL for organising all our AFL activities this year. The Auskick After School Clinics have now finished however if students are interested in joining a local Auskick/AFL Program please see the flyer below for details. You can either scan the QR code on the flyer or use the link below for more information.
Narre Warren South & Surrounds Term 4 Auskick
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/e682a4
TERM 4 - SFS AFTER SCHOOL WOOLWORTHS CRICKET BLAST PROGRAM – FREE!!
We have been given an excellent opportunity for Term 4 to have Cricket Clinics run after school (3.30-4.30) on Wednesdays FREE here at SFS. It will be a Woolworths Cricket Blast Program which will only be open to SFS students. This program will be run by Cricket Victoria and sponsored by Woolworths.
The Program will include 4 Cricket Clinics beginning in Week 2. The dates of the clinics are:
Week 2: Wednesday October 15th
Week 3: Wednesday October 22nd
Week 5: Wednesday November 5th
Week 6 Wednesday November12th
Each child, as well as participating in the 4 Cricket Clinics, will also receive a free Cricket Blast shirt and a bucket hat in W/BBL team colours. Students will also be allowed to wear their sports uniform to school on clinic days.
If you would like your child to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity free of charge, please register your child via the QR code on the flyer below. Registration is completed through Cricket Victoria who will also be running the clinics.
Parents are most welcome to attend but will need to be at school to pick up their child by 4.20pm unless your child is going to After School Care. We can organise students to be dropped off there after the clinics. When leaving the cricket program, please walk around the school on the courts area and ensure you use the pedestrian gate at the front of the school near the rainbow playground.
TERM 4 SWIMMING
A reminder to parents that swimming begins the first week back in Term 4. Students will need to wear their bathers under their sports uniform and bring a bag with their towel, undergarments and thongs. Students will put their thongs on before leaving for swimming to make changing easier. They will then put their shoes back on once they return to school.
Thank you to parents who have volunteered to assist in the Junior changerooms. I have now contacted everyone who will be allowed to enter and assist in the changerooms.
Swimming timetables have been uploaded onto the Operoo permission form as an attachment. Please print it off and ensure you have it available at home.
- Monday – LS1 Juniors and Seniors, LS3 Juniors
Tuesday – LS2 Juniors and Seniors, LS3 Seniors
Please ensure your child is prepared for their swimming lesson so our office staff do not need to use their valuable time ringing parents and asking them to bring swimming gear.
Parents please note you are welcome to attend Casey Leisure to view your child’s lesson but photographs and videos are not allowed and only parents who have been contacted by me, are able to assist in the junior change rooms.
A reminder to parents that swimming is an important part of the PE curriculum and all students are expected to attend. It’s imperative that students know how to keep themselves safe around water. If there is a medical reason your child cannot attend a session, they will then remain at school in another Learning Space.
I hope that everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable holiday and look forward to seeing the students ready to enjoy more extra-curricular activities next term.
Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Giuliana
Extra-Curricular Coordinator