From the Principal

A Very Happy Father's Day to all our Father's, Granddads, Pa's, and extra special people who are a father figure in our life. We wish you a very special day and we thank you for the vital role you play in the lives of our children by your everyday acts of love, support, care and understanding. We hope you do get to relax and know how important and precious you are.

On Friday at St Francis de Sales, we were able to once again have our Father's Day breakfast. It was great to have so many able to enjoy a scrumptious bacon and egg roll prepared by our P&F. This year father's and special people were able to join us for Morning Gathering in the Learning Space and stay awhile for the start of our partnered reading session. Thanks to the members of the P&F who were up early to get breakfast ready and organised the Father's Day raffle and stall. The children enjoyed their shopping trip to select a special gift. I hope you enjoy their gift especially selected just for you.

Building Update

This week the ceiling of the multipurpose hall was installed and preparations have begun for the delivery of bricks. It would be nice to have a few more sunny days to help dry the land around the site.

In addition, a new gas line has been laid around the building. This week the old line has needed to be isolated resulting in our gas supply being disconnected. The new gas line is being completed and may be connected in the next week but will definitely be completed for the start of Term 4.  In the interim, we ask all children and staff to wear an extra warm layer of clothing for the next two weeks or at the most the next nine and a half days as we complete this essential work. 

Congratulations to Andi

St Francis de Sales Primary School congratulates Andi for qualifying for the Nationals Cross Country Race. Andi ran last weekend in Adelaide and came eleventh in her race. We are just so proud of her incredible achievement. Andi trained several times each week before school with Lulli, Kristy and Imasha. Kristy and Imasha flew to Adelaide to support Andi and cheer her on. We were all so excited and so very happy for Andi. Andi is the first student from our school to reach such heights by qualifying for the Nationals. This is no easy feat! On the day of the Nationals she competed with 45 other best runners from each state and territory. Coming eleveth was outstanding!! Team Victoria came second and Andi was awarded a medal. Congratulations Andi!

PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held at SFS from 2.30 pm - 8.30 pm on Thursday, 15th September.  You can book interviews at a time that suits your family.  You can book via the School App or by going to www.schoolinterviews.com.au 

NAPLAN 2022 Reports

The 2022 Naplan Reports for Year 3 and Year 5 students have arrived. Parents of Year 3 and Year 5 students will receive their child's report today (Friday). 

Early analysis of the results are extremely positive for St Francis de Sales. While we have the National Mean for each test, we are still waiting for the publication of State Mean for each test for 2022. As we look at our five year trend results, while keeping in mind there was no NAPLAN testing in 2020, our mean results for Year 3 and Year 5 are better than our mean results in previous years and better than the state average/mean in nearly all areas tested. In Reading in Year 5 we were just 1 point under the highest State Mean over the past 5 years (2021). While in Grammar and Punctuation in Year 3 we were 6 points lower than the Highest State mean ( scored in 2019) and in Numeracy we were 4 points less that the highest state mean (2019). In Year 3  Reading, Writing and spelling we have had a higher mean result than the state or our own previous results over the past five years. In Year 5, in Writing, Spelling, Grammar 7 Punctuation and Numeracy we have a mean result better than the state and better than our own mean result over the past five years.

We are delighted with the 2022 results of our students. It shows improved results and growth in our trend results. This indicates that this years cohort did well and our school improvement plan has lead to enhanced teaching & learning. Considering we have had interrupted learning as a result of COVID, we are delighted that our Year 3 and Year 5 results reflect that together we were able to sustain student learning despite the many lockdowns we experienced. A great credit to all involved - students, staff and parents. This is something to be proud of and definitely worth celebrating!!

The Individual Student Reports Information Sheet for Parents and Carers is available to read in languages other than English.  Please refer to the VCAA website.  Go to 

https://vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/parents/index.aspx 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): 

Monday 29 August – Friday 16 September 2022

You would have received an email this week with a link to the MACCSIS survey. We ask that you please take the time to respond. If you did not receive the email, please check your spam mail and contact the school.

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school. 

All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. 

The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Please help us collect valuable information about our school by participating in MACSSIS 2022.

Please let us know when you complete the survey by taking a photo of the finished screen and sending it into the school via your child or email it. We will put you into the SFS MACSSIS raffle draw to win. 

First prize is a $100 gift voucher or 

$100 School fee discount.

Happy Father's Day. Go the Pies!!

Christine White

Principal