Activities and Events
We hope everyone had a restful and wonderful holiday break and are ready for an exciting and productive term ahead.
As we begin the final term of the year, there’s much to look forward to! Term 4 has plenty to offer including the Year 6 excursion, swimming for sport, Diocesan sporting events and some fun end of year activities. Let’s make the most of this term as we work together, learn new things, and create lasting memories.
We are looking forward to the weeks ahead and can’t wait to see all that our students will achieve!
REAL TALK
During the last week of Term 3 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 attended sessions presented by Real Talk Australia. Years 5 and 6 attended two sessions with the first focusing on the importance of self worth, the value of developing healthy relationships and friendships and how making good choices in everyday life reflect these values. They also discussed the influence of the media, including social media, on body image.
Their second session, Let’s Talk: Puberty, fostered a safe space to discuss the physical and emotional changes experienced during this stage of life.
The Year 4 student’s topic was Getting Real in the Digital World that provided them with various cyber-safety tips to help them stay safe online. They also discussed the positive impact making good choices can have as well as the influence that the media and social media can have on their decision making.
DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA
The Crossing Theatre came to life at the end of last term featuring upbeat music and fun dance moves at our 2024 Dance Extravaganza!! The students dazzled the audience with their energetic performances. Our ‘Movie Night’ theme included a fun selection of songs from all our favourite movies such as All Star from Shrek, Revolting Children from Matilda the Musical, Walk the Dinosaur from Ice Age and Danger Zone from Top Gun.
The finale performance dance to Old Time Rock n Roll from Risky Business was a hit and had the audience up on their feet joining in!
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the following for their commitment to putting together this year's show:
- Miss Lauren Grant - In Motion Dance Studio (chief choreographer)
- The St FX staff and students
- Our very supportive families and school community
A selection of photos can be found on the Dance Extravaganza page of this newsletter or you can view a full gallery of photos on our Facebook Page.
KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION PROGRAM
The preschoolers were excited to participate in a Teddy Bears’ Picnic for their last transition day in Term 3. The smiles on their faces showed just how much they loved sharing the day with their special friend. They spent the afternoon in the library with Year 5 Buddies completing a work booklet and reading books together. Their teddy bears were a great conversation starter.
We look forward to seeing the everyone again on Monday for Week 5 of the program.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Staff development is a crucial part of our school environment and is used to enhance skills, improve performance and practices as well as foster a teamwork culture. As such, our staff have been participating in several professional development sessions towards the end of last term as well as the beginning of this Term.
Members from our Leadership Team, Mr Frend, Mrs O’Connor and Mrs McInnes attended a two-day professional development Clarity workshop in Tamworth last term. This session was a continuation of a workshop they attended in Term 2 building on the work of Dr Lyn Sharratt’s 14 Parameters.
The staff development day held on Friday 27th September was led by Mrs O'Connor who shared these developed practices and further information surrounding the 14 Parameters with our staff.
Ms Hogan attended a two-day professional development workshop in Gunnedah last term. This was a fantastic opportunity for administrators within our Diocese to get together and discuss Compass - our Student Information System as well as various aspects of finance and enrolments.
At the end of last term, staff participated in a CPR and Anaphylaxis training session with Mr Cameron McFarlane from the Royal Life Saving Society. We take the opportunity to refresh these important skills each year.
Our staff commenced Term 4 with two staff development days held on Monday and yesterday. Monday's session focused on curriculum planning for Term 4 as well as providing everyone the opportunity to collaborate with their stage partners and spend time in their classrooms preparing for the term. Yesterday, we joined together to attended a Spirituality Day led by Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Kate Frazier from the Armidale Catholic Schools Office.
STAGE 3 - CPR TRAINING SESSION
On Thursday 26th September, our Stage 3 students took part in an exciting and important CPR training session. Guided by a skilled instructor, Mr Cameron McFarlane from Royal Life Saving Australia, they learned how to perform a critical skill that could one day help save a life. The hands-on experience was both fun and educational, with students practicing chest compressions and learning how to respond in an emergency.
Thank you Mr McFarlane for visiting our school and empowering our students who could one day make a difference in someone's life.
CONGRATULATIONS MRS CONROY - TEACHER ACCREDITATION
We celebrated a wonderful professional achievement for Mrs Conroy last term as she was presented with her accreditation certificate as a proficient teacher. Congratulations Mrs Conroy!