Dear Families
Thank you for a wonderful school term and for all your support. The children are working extremely hard, and your Parent Teacher Interviews would have reflected this.
Role of Parents in our School
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children's education, both inside and outside the classroom. By fostering a positive learning environment at home, they encourage academic growth and emotional well-being. Parents who are actively involved in their child’s education, whether through helping with homework, attending parent-teacher conferences, or simply showing interest in their child’s day-to-day experiences, provide a foundation for success. Their involvement not only boosts a child’s motivation but also reinforces the importance of education, demonstrating that learning is a priority in their family’s values.
Moreover, parents contribute significantly to the school community by participating in various activities and supporting the school’s goals. Volunteering for school events, fundraising efforts, and joining parent associations helps schools enhance resources, organise programs, and build a strong, supportive environment for all students. When parents collaborate with educators, it strengthens the bond between home and school, creating a cohesive support system that benefits students. Through their active participation, parents ensure that schools have the resources and engagement needed to create enriching educational experiences.
Attached to this e-News is an article from the Parents Federation for your information.
Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday, 13th May at 6:00pm for our Real Schools Parent Information evening. Led by Jemma Rust, the evening will provide information about how Real Schools is supporting studetnts, sataff and families through restorative practices and strong relationships.
School Board Elections
We are excited to welcome our new Board Members; Frank Allan, Adrian Ploksts and Rohan Tedmanson, who bring a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to the mission of our school. Their diverse backgrounds span various industries, from finance and technology to education, ensuring a dynamic and well-rounded board. With their leadership, strategic vision, and passion for making a positive impact, we are confident that they will help guide our school towards continued growth and success. We look forward to the valuable contributions they will make as we work together to achieve our goals and drive meaningful change.
New Transportable Classrooms
If you have been anywhere near our school oval in the last few days, you will have noticed two new transportable classrooms being delivered. These transportable classrooms will be used by Mid-Year Reception students commencing this July and for future mid-year intakes.
The Pope Francis building, while only five years old was designed to have three Reception Classes in Term One, plus one Mid-Year Reception class and a room for Curious Xaviers. We now have five Reception classes commencing in Term One each year necessitating these new rooms. The transportable classrooms will be moved from their current position, closer to the Pope Francis Building and commissioned during Term Two in preparation for our new Reception students commencing in Term Three.
Holy Week
Our Palm Sunday liturgy on Monday was a vibrant and meaningful celebration, marking the beginning of Holy Week with a powerful reflection on Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The children gathered, waving palms and singing hymns, symbolising the joy and anticipation of Jesus' journey toward the cross.
Today we moved into a profound and moving Stations of the Cross re-enactment, where each station was brought to life with deep reverence. The dramatic portrayals of Christ's suffering and sacrifice resonated with all present, allowing us to walk alongside Jesus on His path of ultimate love and sacrifice. This combination of joyful celebration and solemn reflection set the tone for the days ahead, inviting us to enter more fully into the mystery of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.
Sports Day
Our school’s Sports Day was a huge success, filled with excitement and friendly competition. The children participated enthusiastically in every event, showing great sportsmanship and fairness throughout the day. Whether it was the relay races, the sack races, or the tug-of-war, every student gave their best effort while respecting the rules and encouraging their peers. It was heartwarming to see the sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the students, creating an atmosphere where everyone felt included and supported. In the end, it wasn’t just about winning but about enjoying the experience and making lasting memories together.
Congratulations to the MacKillop Team who won the Team Chants, Lake Run and the overall Sports Day Trophy.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation- Tea Tree Gully Parish
Congratulations to the 19 students from St. Francis Xaver’s Catholic School who celebrated their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday, March 25th, at St. David’s Parish Church. This significant sacrament marked an important milestone in their spiritual journey, and we are incredibly proud of them. Our students joined their peers from Our Lady of Hope and St. David’s Parish School for this beautiful occasion, fostering a sense of community and shared faith.
For those unfamiliar with the sacrament, Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a deeply personal and spiritual practice where individuals confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution, marking the healing and renewal of their relationship with God. This sacrament is a powerful expression of God's mercy and love, offering the faithful a chance to seek forgiveness, experience spiritual growth, and continue their walk with Christ.
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations once again to all the students who participated in this special sacrament. We also recognise the ongoing support of their families, whose prayers, encouragement, and love were integral in guiding them to this point.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the students will next receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion on Saturday June 14th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. David’s Parish Church. These sacraments will mark another important step in their spiritual lives, affirming their commitment to the Catholic faith and deepening their relationship with Christ and the Church.
Palm Sunday Liturgy
This year, our Palm Sunday Liturgy was a truly memorable and heartwarming occasion, hosted by our Year 3 classes. The celebration marked the beginning of Holy Week (which commences this coming Sunday in the Church calendar), as we came together to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
The liturgy began with a beautiful and joyful procession. Students, led by the Year 3 classes, waved palms they had made themselves, filling the air with energy and excitement. As the Year 3 students entered the sacred space, the entire school community joined in, waving their palms in unison while singing, “Hosanna! Bless our King,” echoing the praises sung by the crowds in Jerusalem as they welcomed Jesus into the city.
Following the procession, the students took on the important task of retelling the gospel story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Their storytelling was both moving and powerful, helping everyone present to reflect on the deep meaning behind the day. We were reminded not only of the celebration and joy that accompanied Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem but also of the journey that would follow, leading us into the solemn observance of Jesus' Passion and the joy of Easter.
This Palm Sunday liturgy was a beautiful way to begin our journey through Holy Week as a school community. It provided us all with a moment to pause and reflect on the message of peace, love, and sacrifice that Jesus brought into the world. We are grateful to our Year 3 students for their thoughtful participation and to all families who joined us for this special liturgical celebration.
Year 6 Camp
During Week 6, the Year 6 students were fortunate enough to have amazing weather on their camp to Adare at Victor Harbor. The three-day trip involved lots of active events that they could participate in, starting with mini-golf and a guided tour of Granite Island. On day two, students rotated through activities such as boogie-boarding and raft making at the beach, mountain bike riding and canoeing. That evening was both memorable due to the epic talent show contest showing some clever singers, improv actors, dancers and a battle of the wits between Mr Stagg and Malik to see who knew more capital cities. The last day wrapped up with some time spent at the beach volleyball site and some very tired students.
Camp was such an amazing time! Students were so well-behaved and represented our school well. It was heart-warming to hear the different venues praise their responsibility and manners in the way that they conducted themselves. We had quite a few students who would notice something that would need doing, like carrying extra food or supplies, lifting more kayaks than they used to store, clean off plates and utensils after eating that were not theirs, or comfort their peers who were having a moment. It was beautiful to see their teamwork and lots of happy memories made!
HASS Special Speaker
On Monday, 24th March, Fida Hussain spoke to the Year 6 students about his personal journey to Australia. He shared about how he arrived and the tribulations he encountered to get him to where he is now. It was a thought-provoking first-hand perspective and one that the students have really benefitted from hearing. This ties in with our HASS current topic and had students coming up with questions to ask a primary source about migration to Australia and the motivation of people migrating to Australia since Federation and throughout the 20th century. Thank you Fida for sharing your wisdom with our classes.
Think U Know Presentation
In Week 10, the Year 6 students were visited by three members of SA Police to present some helpful information about online safety. They shared ways that students should protect their personal details and ‘red flags’ to look for when gaming or on platforms where strangers can communicate with them. Lastly, they spoke about what they can do to get help. Students were really respectful and understood the message of thinking about how much of their personal information can be easily shared in photos and videos online. Hopefully this will help them when the time comes that they are on social media!
School Sport SA – Tea Tree Gully District Softball Carnival
SFX recently attended the School Sport SA – Tea Tree Gully District Softball Carnival
Softball Carnival. It was a fantastic day of good spirit and teamwork. The boys’ team, with many players having softball or baseball experience, played incredibly well, showing great teamwork and finishing tied for First Place with two other schools.
The girls’ team, with a few players new to the sport, made impressive progress throughout the day. The more experienced girls took the time to teach their teammates the rules, skills, and strategies, leading to significant improvement. By the end of the carnival, the girls had a blast and showed how much they had grown as a team.
A special thankyou to Deanne Roberts and Dallas Pearks for coaching the boys’ team and Mr O’Leary for coaching the girls.
Physical Activity Leaders (PALS)
Each year, 12 students from the Year 5 cohort are selected as Physical Activity Leaders, known as PALS. These students have been identified as having leadership potential and the capacity to support junior primary (JP) students’ movement competence through physical activity. This leadership role grows in complexity over the year as students develop their ability to lead:
- In Term 1, PALS will support Mr Hughes during JP Physical Education (PE) classes.
- In Term 2, PALS will lead a whole class warmup activity during JP PE.
- In Term 3, PALS will lead plan and lead a small group activity during JP PE.
- In Term 4, PALS will plan and lead whole class daily physical activity with selected JP classes.
In Term 2, students will attend the annual SACPSSA & ACHPER (SA) Student Leadership Program, which will be held here at SFX. Around 60 PALS from CESA schools attend to learn how best to fulfil their role.
The Student Leadership Program aims to create opportunities for our PALS to work together to enhance the physical activity, physical education and R-2 extracurricular sports programs at SFX. The program also focuses on the meaning of effective leadership and strategies to implement student leadership at SFX. Later in the year, our PALS will produce a short video which demonstrates and celebrates how they have used their leadership skills to improve the physical literacy outcomes at SFX.
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as PALS for 2025:
Joseph N
Noah F
Annalise B
Asha H
Matilda Al
Darcy M
Ellie C
Mason M
Chiara B
Eva W
Eva D
Taylor M
Absent: Chiara B
Mr Hughes
In 2025, SFX continues to be proudly supported by the Drakes Community Dollars program. This means that for every $2 spent at a participating Drakes store in SA, 1c will be accredited to SFX. Although community key tags will still be excepted, we invite all members of the community to download the new myDrakes App on your device. This allows customers to have the ability to support SFX without having to bring a key tag along each time they shop. Each time you shop a portion of your shop will automatically be attribute to the SFX community fund, helping to support Breakfast Club and community members in need.
To help our community please follow these simple steps:
- Simply download the myDrakes app on your device
- Select Settings from the main menu
- Select Community Dollars
- Select St Francis Xavier Catholic School from the list provided or find us using the search function
- Select Save to save SFX as your preferred Community Dollars recipient.
Each time you shop, you will be supporting SFX at the same time and help make a difference to make our community. We are grateful for your loyal support and for supporting the SFX community through the Drakes Community Dollars Program.
Celebrating the Power of Playgroups!
View the link below:
Catholic Education South Australia Celebrates the Power of Playgroups!
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