Learning and Teaching

Caring for Others Action Team Welcomes Mercy Place Residents

On Monday, July 22, students from the Caring for Others Action Team had the pleasure of welcoming residents from Mercy Place Aged Care to St Francis de Sales for a fun-filled afternoon of friendship and teamwork.

The students and residents worked together in teams to participate in a cupcake decorating competition, showcasing their creativity and enjoying some delicious sweet treats along the way. Following the competition, everyone joined forces to complete a baking-themed word search, encouraging collaboration, conversation, and plenty of laughter.

It was wonderful to see the connections formed between generations as students and residents spent time getting to know one another, sharing stories, and working together. The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful interactions that highlighted the importance of community and caring for others.

Please enjoy the photos below, which capture this special afternoon of friendship, teamwork, and fun.

Caring for Others Action Team

SOCCER FUN DAY

Friday June 26th

What a great day we had today for Soccer Fun Day! It was fantastic to see all the students and teachers in their soccer/sports tops or colours.

SENIORS

Seniors were involved in House Soccer 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 Patrick House for winning their competition! Both levels will be presented with their trophy, that will have their House engraved on it for 2026 and displayed in our trophy cabinet ready for next year’s competition.

STAFF/PARENTS VS GRADE 6 SOCCER MATCH

Following the Senior soccer matches, the whole school went out to the soccer pitch to cheer and support the Grade 6's, staff and parents in their soccer match. Everyone had a great time!!! Students could be heard cheering from the front of the school!!!!

We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Staff/Parents in their win!! Well done to both sides for their sportsmanship and humour during the match.

JUNIORS

Juniors were involved in rotational soccer activities from 11.30 – 12.50. Students rotated around 8 activities focussed on developing their soccer skills. We would like to thank the Grade 6 students who volunteered to run the Junior rotational activities. They demonstrated great leadership skills and assisted 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 pizza 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.

Giuliana & Lulli

SENIOR SPORTS

For Terms Three and Four Inter-school Sport, Grades 5 and 6 students will be participating in one of the following sports: Cricket, Tennis, Basketball, Handball and Softball Four games and a lightning premiership against local schools have been scheduled.

The schools we are playing, dates and locations for these events are as follows:

Friday 31st of July Coral Park Primary School– Home Game
Friday August 7th Lynbrook Primary School – Away Game
Friday August 14th St Kevin's Primary School– Home Game
Friday August 21st Hampton Park Primary School – Away Game
Friday August 28th Kilberry Valley Primary School- Away Game

Tuesday September 1st Lightning Premiership

DISTRICT ATHLETICS

Our District Athletics Team have been selected and are training hard to represent St Francis DeSales Primary School for District Athletics which will occur on

Tuesday 18th of August at Casey Fields Athletics Track.

Lulli Barbakos

Physical Education Teacher

Senior Sports Coordinator

lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES

JUNIORS

In Term 1, Students practiced fundamental skills like jumping, hopping, catching, and throwing during Term 1. To highlight these core abilities, a variety of exercises and tools were used.

With the use of hula hoops, the children were able to express their creativity in a variety of ways. An obstacle course was used to warm up the students in a fun way. I also devised games that gave the pupils a fun way to improve their throwing and catching skills while having fun. Take the golden infant and plunder the nest, for instance. The entertaining game "Rob the Nest" was designed to incorporate skills like throwing and catching. Golden Child utilised a rebound net to toss and catch a ball rather of shooting a goal.

They were able to accomplish the skill while also having fun because athletics was broken down into a simpler manner.

In Term 2, Students participated in games like pickleball, badminton, and tennis that allowed them to improve their hand-eye coordination beyond what they were accustomed to and strengthen their foundational abilities.

Additionally, gymnastics was introduced so that the pupils may perform unconscious body movements, such as forward and backward rolls, handstands, and balance beams. Knowing that there are safe ways to move your body allows you to appreciate the safety procedure.

SENIORS

Term 1

Students participated in exercises that emphasized flexibility, strength, power, agility, and health and fitness components throughout the first term. They had to complete tests including the Beep Test and a 12-minute run to gauge their level of fitness. They also talked about how they deal with exhaustion when playing sports. In order to assess flexibility and highlight the importance of stretching, the Sit and Reach test was used.

Additionally, students took part in the Vertical Jump, commonly known as the Sargent Jump, which evaluates their strength and power. Over the course of two weeks, a decrease in this test's performance could be a sign of central nervous system weariness.

Students started experimenting with gymnastics during Term 2, learning how to do a handstand, forward roll, and backward roll under supervision. The gymnastics classes were fun for them.

The students were exposed to invasion-based games like football (AFL) and soccer, as well as striking and fielding sports like tennis and badminton that require them to figure out teamwork and winning tactics. Encouraged pupils to think critically when, where, and how. When is the ideal time to pass the ball. Where should we go in order to benefit

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

JUNIOR SPORTING EVENTS

SPORTING SCHOOLS - TAEKWONDO CLINICS

We would like to thank Melbourne Taekwondo Centre for providing our students with the great opportunity this term of experiencing taekwondo. A big thanks also to Harrison and Kieran for running the sessions and keeping our students engaged while learning new skills. We really appreciate their efforts.

If your child is enjoying the Taekwondo Clinics and you are looking at enrolling them into an after-school club, details for Melbourne Taekwondo Centre who have been running our clinics have been included.

WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS

SFS LEAGUE STARS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

We would like to thank NRL and Ali for organising our after-school League Stars Program. The students had a great time and hopefully some of them will join a local club. Thank you also to the coaches Vaughn and Tiffany that shared their skills and ensured the students had a great time.

SFS TERM 3 AUSKICK CENTRE COMING!!

I am very excited to announce that SFS will be having their own Auskick Program running on our oval next term beginning in Week 6 on Wednesday August 19th from 3.20pm – 4.20pm. Tyler is happy to run a separate group for the girls if we have enough registrations. There will be 4 sessions and the cost will be $55. Like last year students who register will also receive a pack sent to their home.

If you would like your child to attend, please use the QR Code on the flyer or the link below to register your child. HURRY SPACES ARE LIMITED AND FILLING UP FAST!!

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/099c1b

I will also send information via nForma but remember confirming nForma does not register your child. You need to register your child with AFL for them to be involved.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

AFL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

With the upcoming school holiday period fast approaching, AFL Victoria will be delivering a range of exciting AFL School Holiday Programs across the region.

The AFL School Holiday Programs provide children with a fun, inclusive and engaging environment where they can learn new skills, make friends and enjoy football-related activities throughout the day.

You are able to use the QR codes on the flyer included, or the registration links below to register your child for this fantastic opportunity.

NAB AFL Auskick (4-7):

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c8684c

NAB AFL Superkick (8-12):

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/afefe5

I hope the students and families have a great holiday. Relax and return to school energised for some new sporting and incursions next term.

Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Giuliana

Extra-Curricular Coordinator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au