Principal's Report
Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report
Term 2 - Week 6
Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,
It goes without saying, but you would all be aware that various colds, influenzas and other illnesses are widespread in the community at present. Most work forces are under stress due to staff shortages at the moment. The education sector is certainly no different.
Staff shortages in schools are caused not only because staff are unwell, but also because so many are required to stay home and look after their own children who are unwell. Just about every Teacher Relief Agency is fully booked many days in advance, which is making replacing staff a challenging task at times.
Thankfully up until now, we have been able to manage staffing at St Francis Xavier fairly well and have not been required to split or merge classes. I need to thank both our ongoing and casual staff for their flexibility, patience and willingness to always go above and beyond to ensure continuity of learning for all our students. I would like to especially acknowledge our amazing Deputy Principal Ms Marion, who continues to work her magic from a staffing and timetabling perspective to keep things moving smoothly. Classroom teachers ensure that their planning is detailed and up to to date, meaning that when relieving staff are required in their classroom that any disruption to the teaching and learning program are limited.
Can I say a huge thank you to all families who have kept their children at home to recover when they have coughs and runny noses. In the vast majority of cases, one or two days at home seems to make all the difference. It also means that any bugs they have are not being circulated throughout the school which is so important.
I also ask that if you have a child who struggles to blow their own nose, please help them to learn this skill at home. It seems to be an issue at the moment and not just with the Prep-2 students either! Blowing your nose and disposing of tissues hygienically is something that all students are required to manage themselves. The staff do their very best to help from a distance, but the main support needs to be provided at home so students are able to manage this independently when at school. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. All children have completed activities to celebrate NRW and will continue to do so throughout this week.
Dear God,
We who have come from every land give thanks for our country Australia.
This earth that feeds us, the shores that bind us, the skies that envelop our freedom.
We give our thanks and praise.
Let us look back with courage;
See the truth and speak it.
Let us look around with compassion;
See the cost and share it.
Let us look forward with hope;
See what can be and create it.
Amen.
Cross Country
Last week, a group of students from Years 3 - 6 travelled to Woodleigh School to run in the 2022 Cross Country. We are so proud of all the children who wanted to represent their school. Cross country running is an extremely challenging discipline and the children who competed showed real grit and determination when they ran the challenging course. Not only are we proud of their efforts, we are proud of the way they behaved. They demonstrated the values of respect, encouragement and sportsmanship.
I would like to especially mention Kira in Grade 5, who won her race by a considerable margin. With between 50 - 100 students competing in every race on the day, finishing first was simply an outstanding achievement. Well done Kira!
Child Safety Standards
St Francis Xavier is committed to providing and promoting a child-safe environment for all students to ensure learning is maintained to an optimal level. To assist us in ensuring the highest possible standards are always met, a set of seven Child Safety Standards has guided and informed our practices since 2017. From 1 July a new set of eleven National Child Safety Standards are to be implemented.
In short, these new standards build on the current practices and are responsive to the current climate around Child Safety Standards, the four key changes include:
● To involve families and communities in organisations efforts to keep children safe
● For a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
● To manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
● In relation to governance, systems, and process to keep children and young people safe.
Kaboom Sports Day
Next Tuesday the Kaboom Sports team will be visiting St Francis Xavier to run a 90-minute Olympics-type program with the students. All students will participate in a range of physical activities and games, with the aim to have a bit of fun, keep healthy and develop important teamwork skills. We are keeping fingers crossed that the weather looks after us on the day.
Students should wear their PE uniform to school on this day.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent-Teacher meetings will be held on Tuesday 21st June, from 1:30pm to 8:00pm.
Information on how to book your appointment will be sent home early next week. Just a reminder that if you attend a PSG meeting for your child beforehand, then you do not need to make another appointment for a Parent-teacher meeting.
Please be aware that school will finish at 1.00 pm on Tuesday 21st June. Students should be collected from the Green Gates between 1:00pm - 1:15pm.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
Schools continue to complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) every year. It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or 'help' at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps the government plan for the needs of students with a disability. For more information, please read through the document below.
Prep Interviews
Interviews for our 2023 Prep class begin next Wednesday. We look forward to welcoming new families to S.F.X and also the children of existing families who will be meeting with us over the coming weeks.
If you know anyone who is looking for a school for their child for the 2023 school year, please let them know that they are welcome to phone the school office to make an appointment for a school tour and a conversation with me. I would be delighted to showcase our wonderful school, its students and all it has to offer.
Have a brilliant weekend everyone.
Steve Peart
School Principal