St Francis Newsletter

Principal's Update

Dear Families,

 

As we begin Term 4, we could not have a better start to our term than celebrating St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day which was celebrated on 4 October. Due to our Year 6 students being on camp during the first week we will celebrate our Feast Day on Friday 17 October with the Blessing of the Animals liturgy at 9.15am.  

 

I share with you the prayer that St. Francis wrote...  

  

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

where there is injury, pardon; 

where there is doubt, faith; 

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light; 

and where there is sadness, joy. 

  

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, 

to be understood as to understand, 

to be loved as to love. 

  

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  

Amen. 

Blessing of the Animals & St. Francis of Assisi Awards 

Blessing of the Animals

On Friday 17 October we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the Blessing of the Animals at 9.15am with Fr. Jake Mudge. 

 

I am hoping that our parents and grandparents might be able to support the children in celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. I ask that children be allowed to bring their pets (cats, dogs, goldfish, horses, etc) to school for the Blessing of the Animals on Friday 17 October at 9.15am.  

 

I also ask that our parents and grandparents then take the pets home once the blessing is completed. We will finish the Blessing and announce our St. Francis Award winners by 10.30am.  Thanks in advance.  

 

St Francis of Assisi Awards  

The criteria for students chosen to receive the St. Francis of Assisi Award was predicated on the words of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. 

  

Two students (a boy and girl) have been chosen from each year level that live out the Gospel in their everyday life.  This is not an academic award but an acknowledgment for those students who strive for justice, are considerate of others, puts others before themselves, is a cheerful giver, believes in the goodness of others, and lives the Good News. 

Class Placements for 2026 

Our staff will be working on Class Lists for 2026.  There are many factors to consider in this process.  Teachers spend many hours ensuring your child is placed in the best learning environment possible.  Any requests for class placement must be based on educational reasons and must be put in writing and given to the Principal no later than Monday 20 October, 2025.  Rather than ask for specific teachers, parents are requested to write down the type of teacher skills that would benefit their child. 

  

Please note that not all requests can be honored. 

Term School Closure Days & Public Holidays 

Please note that our school will be closed on the following days: 

  • Wednesday 29 October - Bendigo Cup Holiday 
  • Monday 24 November – Report Writing Day 
  • Tuesday 25 November - 2026 Planning Day 
  • Wednesday 17 December - 2025 Planning Day (Last day of the school year for teachers) 

 

This means the last day of the school year for our children will be Tuesday 16  December. The school will finish at 3.20pm on this day. 

2026 Pupil Free Days 

We have received, from Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL), the Student Free days for the commencement of Term 1, 2026. I share them with you now to help you plan:

 

  • Tuesday 27th January              First Day for CESL School Staff (no students) 

  • Wednesday 28th January       Staff Planning & CESL Induction process (no students) 

  • Thursday 29th January            Staff Planning  

  • Friday 30th January                  Students Commence   

Year 6 Camp 

Our Year 6 children and staff are now at the Cave Hill Camp in Beaufort and will return on Friday 10 October. 

I thank our staff for preparing so professionally for the camp and pray that all enjoy a wonderful camp experience. Travel safely.  

Summer Uniform - repeat 

Please note that children may wear either their summer or winter uniform during the changeable weather conditions. All children will need to be in full Summer uniform by Monday 20 October. 

Parents & Friends Meetings for Term 4 

All parents are invited to attend the Parents and Friends meeting that are held in our staff room on: 

  • Thursday 16 October at 7.30pm 
  • Thursday 20 November at 7.30pm 

Please come along and assist our community.  

 

Advisory Council Meetings for Term 4 

Our Advisory Council members are invited to attend our Term 4 meetings on the following dates: 

  • Wednesday 22 October at 5.30pm 
  • Wednesday 26 November at 5.30pm 

 

There will be significant decisions needing to be reached during these meetings – I hope that all can attend.  

Assemblies

Our Term 4 assemblies will be held on: 

  • Friday 10 Oct @ 2.45pm - 2 M & 2E presenting (Miss Hughes and Mr Edwards classes) 

  • Friday 24 Oct @ 2.45pm - 1R & 1M presenting (Mr Ryan and Miss Shanahan’s classes) 

  • Friday 14 Nov @ 2.45pm - 1W & 1SF presenting (Miss Wade and Mrs Simpson/Mrs Floods classes) 

  • Friday 28 Nov @ 2.45pm - Fdn M & Fdn D presenting (Miss Maud and Mrs McNamara’s classes) 

  • Friday 5 Dec @ 2.45pm - Fdn W & Fdn B presenting (Mrs Williams and Mrs Burns/Miss Barbetti's classes)

 

All family members are invited to attend each of our assemblies.

Shed Unavailability

The shed will be unavailable fortraining use on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 4 Nov - Set up for Instrumental concerts

  • Wednesday 5 Nov - Instrumental Concerts

  • Thursday 27 Nov - St Kilian's School Concert

  • Thursday 11 Dec - Yr 6 Graduation Mass

 

Christ has no hands but yours.  

Tim Moloney 

Principal