Principal's Report

Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

Term 4 - Week 6

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

It was lovely to welcome our 2027 Foundation students back to SFX on Tuesday for their second Orientation session. We now have a wonderful group of 21 children preparing to begin their schooling journey with us next year, and it has been great to see them becoming more familiar and comfortable with their new surroundings. We look forward to welcoming them for their final two Orientation sessions over the next fortnight, when we will also have the excitement of introducing them to their 2027 Grade 6 Buddies. I suspect our current Grade 5 students even more excited about this than the Foundation children themselves are! It is always a special part of our transition program, helping our youngest students feel connected, supported and welcomed even before their first official day at school.

CCTV Camera Installation

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and wider school community, we have recently installed five CCTV cameras at St Francis Xavier Primary School. These cameras are all located externally at the front of the school or within the staff car park.

The decision to introduce CCTV in these particular areas has been made to act as a deterrent and reduce the likelihood of criminal activity, vandalism and other inappropriate behaviour occurring in these locations. We believe this additional measure will help support the safety and security of our school environment.

There are no CCTV cameras located inside the school buildings or within our school playgrounds.

The school has also developed a CCTV Privacy Notice, which outlines important information regarding the purpose, location of the cameras, use and management of CCTV footage, including how recorded information is handled and protected. A copy of this notice has been attached to this week's newsletter for families to read.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to take steps to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in our SFX community.

School Fees

The 2027 School Fee Schedule is included in this week's newsletter and is being shared with all families to assist with planning for the year ahead.

We are always very conscious of the financial pressures many families are experiencing, and our focus is to keep school fees as low as we possibly can while ensuring we can continue to provide quality learning opportunities, resources and support for our students. We are proud that our school fees remain, in almost all cases, lower than those of other Catholic primary schools across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas.

For 2027, we will be introducing a Tiered Fee Model. We encourage all families to take the time to read the accompanying School Fees letter, which explains how this model will operate and what it means for individual families.

I would also like to remind families who hold a Health Care Card or other eligible concession cards that it is important to notify the school office and provide the relevant details. These concessions may make families eligible for significant discounts on their school fees, and we want to ensure that everyone who is entitled to assistance receives it.

We understand that every family's circumstances are different. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your family's circumstances, please don't hesitate to contact the school office. We are always happy to have a conversation and work with families wherever possible.

Italian Day

Italian Day is taking place at St Francis Xavier on Monday 23rd November! Signora Kelly has spent a huge amount of time organising an amazing day where the students will;

-Dress in Italian Flag colours

-Play Bocce

-Have gelato

-Play Tombola

-Make Fairy Floss

-Decorate biscuits with green, red and white icing

-Complete a variety of other Italian themed in their classrooms

Final Assembly

The final whole school assembly for the year will take place on Monday 7th December, commencing at 2:15pm in the Red Centre. At this assembly, the following will take place;

-Presentation of the following awards, Living in Faith, Dunkley Shield, Principal's Award +  General Excellence awards

-Running Club awards

-Grade 6, 2027 School Leader announcements

Parents are most welcome to attend.  

Running Club

Thursday, December 3rd will mark the final session of Running Club for the year. This is the last chance for students to add laps to their personal tallies, which they have been building throughout the year. Medals will be presented at the final assembly to students who have reached major milestones. We hope to see many keen runners for the final two sessions, and we trust the weather will cooperate!

Christmas Carols

We will be holding a Nativity Christmas Carols  afternoon at 2:00pm on Thursday December 10th. All classes will perform a couple of Christmas carols in front of the school. 

Last Day of 2026/ First Day of 2027

I would like to confirm that Tuesday 15th December is the last day of the year for students at SFX in 2026. 

On this day, we will gather together in the church for an end of year celebration Mass, which will commence at 1:45pm. We will then return to school ready for a 3:15pm dismissal. On the last day of school, it is tradition that all of the Grade P-5 students form a big path across the basketball court and cheer for our Grade 6 students as they are dismissed through the Green Gates for the last time. It is a wonderful memory for them to take away for their time here at school. 

The first day of school for students in 2027 will be Thursday 28th January, starting at 8:45am.

Key dates remaining for 2026

Friday 13th  November            School Assembly at 2:30pm

Friday 20th  November            Grade 5/6 Arthurs Seat Eagle Excursion

Monday 23rd November           Italian Day

Wednesday 25th November    School Movie Night

Thursday 3rd December          St Francis Xavier Feast Day- whole day of activities

Friday 4th December                Student Showcase of Learning 2:00pm - 3:30pm    

Monday 7th December             Final School Assembly + Awards @ 2:15pm

Tuesday 8th December            Year 7 2027 Orientation Days for Grade 6 students

                                                           Grade P-5  'Meet your 2027 teacher' activity at 12:00pm.

Wednesday 9th December      School Choir Excursion

Thursday 10th December        Christmas Nativity Afternoon - 1:30pm in the Church         

Monday 14th December          Grade Six Big Day Out 

                                                           Grade Six Graduation evening

Tuesday 15th December          Whole School End of Year Mass (1:45pm start)

                                                           Last day for Students, who will be dismissed at 3:15pm.

Steve Peart

School Principal