SFX Newsletter

Principal's Report

Saint Francis Xavier - Principal's Report

 

Term 3 - Week 4

 

Dear Parents and Friends of St Francis Xavier,

 

100 Days of Prep

On Monday, it was simply wonderful that our amazing Prep class was able to celebrate their first 100 days of being students at St Francis Xavier Primary School. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the children got dressed up like people would have been dressed 100 years ago. They also made damper in the pizza oven, played games from the olden days with their Grade 6 buddies and had a bit of a party. 

Congratulations to the Prep children on this milestone and to Miss Melanie,  Miss Karen and Miss Kellie on the outstanding work they have been doing in Prep. 

Commitment to Child Safety and the updated Child Safety Standards

St Francis Xavier Primary School will always ensure that all aspects of Child Safety are our absolute priority. 

 

As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven and legal responsibility to uphold and actively promote the wellbeing and safety of every student entrusted in our care.

 

Our commitment to the protection of students is enabled in our nurturing, respectful and safe community, where the uniqueness and sacred dignity of every young person is celebrated and they are able to flourish in their learning and development.

 

The CECV has recently updated their Commitment to Child Safety Statement, which is fully supported by our school

 

All organisations in Victoria that provide services or facilities for children, including St Francis Xavier Primary School,  are required to comply with new Child Safe Standards. This is to ensure that the safety of children is promoted, child abuse is prevented and allegations of child abuse are properly responded to. 

 

From 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Safe Standards have replaced the seven previous Child Safe Standards (and principles) which had been in place since 2016.

The revised Victorian CSS support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, which were developed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The CSS include new requirements, including:

  • the involvement of families and students in child safety efforts
  • focus on the safety of Aboriginal children and young people
  • management of the risk of child abuse in online environments
  • governance, systems and processes to keep students safe.

The CSS are underpinned by Ministerial Order No. 1359 , which was released by the Victorian Government on 10 February 2022. This order defines the actions schools must take to meet the requirements associated with the new CSS. 

 

The school has a Child Safety Team, who has the responsibility of ensuring that our school is compliant with the new standards. The team consists of;

  • Miss Naomi - (Child Safety Team Leader)
  • Mr Steve
  • Miss Marion

This team will be working hard and meeting regularly to ensure that child safety is always a priority at S.F.X, and that students, staff and families know that there is support available to them from within our school community if they have any child safety concerns whatsoever. 

 

Illness and Masks at School

We are continuing to feel the effects and impact of COVID throughout the school, mixed with the added layer of our normal flu season. We have seen larger than normal numbers of students (and teachers) absent due to sickness. Please continue to monitor for signs and symptoms and keep children at home to avoid the spread of illness’. We all need to take care and look after each other. Summer is just around the corner! Just a reminder, if you require additional Rapid Antigent Tests, please let us know and we can arrange to send a pack home.

 

I am sure you have all heard and read that masks are being strongly recommended for all children over the age of 8. This recommendation has been in place since last year, however with the increase in cases, we are being reminded of the advice. At this stage, our school will not be mandating the wearing of masks, but we encourage children older than 8 to wear masks while indoors. We have masks available at school for any children who need them.

 

Year 7, 2024 Enrolments

Current Year 5 students need to have their applications completed for Year 7 if you are intending to enrol at a Catholic Secondary College in 2024. Please ensure that your child's enrolment forms are handed in to your selected school by Friday 19 August. For all students at S.F.X, our local Catholic Secondary College is John Paul College in Frankston. Please visit their website for detailed enrolment information.  

https://www.sfxfrankston.catholic.edu.au/our-school/john-paul-college-frankston/

 

If you need any support with your application please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

School Closure Day

Just a reminder that the next school closure day at S.F.X is Tuesday 16th August. Staff will be participating in a Faith Formation day. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

 

Steve Peart

School Principal