Principal's Report

Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

Term 2 - Week 5

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

It's been another week of freezing mornings, but thankfully beautiful blue skies during the day and even a bit of sun popping through from time to time. 

National Reconciliation Week

Next week, we will be recognising National Reconciliation Week - a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. 

Celebrating this important week in primary schools helps nurture respect, understanding, and connection among our youngest learners. At St Francis Xavier, our students will begin the week with a whole school prayer service on Tuesday morning, where we will reflect on the significance of reconciliation and our shared responsibility in working towards a more just and inclusive nation. Throughout the week, students will take part in a variety of classroom and school-wide activities that deepen their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and inspire them to take positive steps towards unity.

School Feedback

We’re currently reflecting on how we share and celebrate the many strengths of our school with the wider community, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. As a parent, your perspective plays a vital role in shaping how we present our school to others.

I invite you to take a few minutes to complete a short, anonymous survey that forms part of a broader review of our marketing and communications. Your feedback will help us understand what drew you to our school, what you value most, and how we can continue to grow and welcome new families into our community.

There are two versions of the survey—one for families with children in Prep and Year 1, and another for families with children in Years 2 to 6. Your honest input would be greatly appreciated.

Prep and Year 1 - https://forms.gle/58dvUJtr3hjoaqeA8

Year 2 - Year 6 - https://forms.gle/53ZZo5XXGbiEyJir6

JPC Food Drive

As part of our ongoing commitment to living out the values of compassion and service, we are proud to support a wonderful outreach initiative led by John Paul College. They are currently collecting non-perishable food items to stock their Food Van,  an amazing community which is used to help support families in our local community who are experiencing hardship.

We have been invited to contribute to this mission, and we are asking our St Francis Xavier families to be as generous as possible. Donations of snack bars, muesli bars, protein bars, small packets of chips or Tiny Teddies, canned goods (such as tuna, beans, and soups), tuna ready meals, chips, and crackers would be greatly appreciated.

All donations can be sent to the school office, and we will arrange for them to be delivered to John Paul College. Your support will go directly to those in need and help spread kindness and care throughout our wider community. Thank you for helping us make a difference.

Uniform

As we settle into Term 2 and the cooler weather sets in, it’s time for students to transition to the winter uniform. We encourage all students to wear their full winter uniform to stay warm and comfortable. However, we understand that some students prefer to wear shorts all year round, and this is still permitted. Warm jackets can be worn to and from school, but please ensure that the school windcheater is worn underneath. Hoodies are not permitted.

A reminder that the sports uniform is only to be worn on Wednesdays and Thursdays for Physical Education and Fitness classes. 

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, students must wear the normal school uniform which includes all black shoes.

Thank you for helping us maintain our high uniform standards.

Welcome Back Miss Ash

We are very excited to welcome Miss Ash back from Maternity Leave next week! She will work in 3/4B on Wednesday and teach Health/Fitness classes for all classes every Thursday.

Key dates for the diary

Friday 23rd May           Grade 4-6District Cross Country at Ballam Park (selected students)

Thursday 29th May     Grade 5/6's watching the JPC Musical - 'The Little Mermaid'

Tuesday 3rd June         Grade 5 transition day at John Paul College

                                             Assembly @ 2:30pm. Preps presenting their learning.

Thursday 5th June         Grade 5/6 excursion to the Melbourne Zoo

Monday 9th June           School Closure Day - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 10th June        School Closure Day 

Wednesday 11th June  Grade 5/6 Lightning Premiership Day

Sunday 15th June           Grade 4 Sacrament of First Eucharist

Tuesday 1st July              Assembly @ 2:30pm. Grade 3/4D presenting their learning.

Dear God,

Thank You for the beautiful land we live, learn, and play on. We remember and thank the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the first people who cared for this land for many, many years.

During Reconciliation Week, help us to listen, to be kind, and to stand up for what is fair. Teach us to walk together in peace, and to build a future where everyone is respected and included.

Amen.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Steve Peart

School Principal