Principal's Report

Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

Term 3 - Week 1

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

Welcome back! I trust your children enjoyed a break from their usual school routine and had time to play, to rest and to spend time with family. The staff and I are rested and re-charged too. We look forward to working with your children as we delve into what will be an extremely busy Term Three. 

Circuit-Breaker Lockdown

I am extremely hopeful that this current lockdown period finishes on Tuesday night, meaning only three days of Remote Learning will be required. Please don't hesitate to contact me at school if you have any queries or concerns. I will keep you all updated with any information we recieve as soon as it comes to hand. 

NAIDOC Week

The last week of the school holidays was NAIDOC week. 

NAIDOC week marks an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around Australia. NAIDOC, stands for National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Commemoration and has all Australians celebrating every second week of July. 

Over the first two weeks of this term, the teaching and learning program in all classes will have a focus on learning about Indigenous culture and demonstrating our appreciation of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. 

New Website 

Our new school website is up and running!

                                                  www.sfxfrankston.catholic.edu.au

I would encourage all families to take some time to browse through the new website. It contains a new welcome video, lots of new photos, videos and information about the school. We will be regularly updating the website with new photo galleries, children's work samples and other things that will hopefully ensure that both parents and students want to keep checking in to see what has gone up. 

If you are yet to return the Photographic Permission Form which went home last term, could you please do so as soon as possible. Without this form, we will not be able to include your child's image on the website or any other social media or advertising materials. A copy of the form is attached below if you need to print out a new copy. 

Assemblies

Although COVID restrictions in schools have slightly eased over the past couple of weeks, one of the rules that remains in place is the 1 person per 2m2 restriction. For us, this means that the most people that can gather in the Red Centre , our biggest area, is 180. This number includes students and teachers, meaning that only a limited number of families could gather in that space with the students and staff at any given time.  

We are greatly missing families attending assemblies and have been for over a year now. 

What we plan to do is invite families of each class to a special 'class led' assembly either this term or next term. By doing this one class at a time, our numbers will not exceed the limit for that area. At these assemblies, that particular class will present something to the audience for around 10 minutes. 

The table below indicated which assembly each class has been assigned to. If you would like to attend the assembly linked to your child's class, there is no need to book. You can just turn up on the day. Assembly will begin at 2:30pm and you will need to scan in using the QR Code scanner and keep a face mask on during the assembly. 

TERM 3

TERM 4

Obviously if there is any further easing of restrictions and we can move back to inviting parents to attend any assembly they want, we will do so immediately. Fingers crossed for some good news in the near future!

Drop Off / Pick Up times

In the morning; 

The Green Gates will open at 8:15am each morning. Please avoid dropping students at school before this time as there is no supervision timetabled until 8:15am.  

The bell will then ring at 8:40am. This is the time that students all line up in their classes on the basketball court. Teachers then collect the students from this area and take them to the classroom. We aim for the teaching and learning program to begin at 8:45am. 

Please aim to have your children at school before 8:45am. A I have said on numerous occasions, we have a large number of students who are regularly arriving at school between 8:45am and 9:00am, which is difficult for both the student, their teacher and their classmates. I am hoping we can drastically reduce the number of late arrivals over the course of this term. 

In the afternoon; 

Children are dismissed through the Green Gates at 3:15pm each day. Teachers will supervise the children in this area between 3:15pm and 3:30pm. Children should be collected at any time during this 15 minute period. 

I understand that on rare occassions, circumstances mean that children need to be collected slightly after 3:30pm. If this is the case, please call the office to let us know that you may be late and what time you expect to arrive at school. 

Take care this weekend.

Steve Peart

School Principal