Term 2, Issue 1

Dear Families

We are well and truly into the colder weather and we are all welcoming the much needed rain.

Twilight Nature Play Festival

Please join the school community for our first ever Twilight Nature Play Festival, a special event that brings to life our school’s theme of Compassionate Action for a Caring and Sustainable World.

Join us for an evening of outdoor adventure, creativity, and connection with nature, proudly presented by our Sustainability Committee in collaboration with Nature Play SA. Click here for flyer

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, 5th June
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: SFX Oval
Cost: $10 per family
Register via QKR by Sunday, 1st June – please include the number of family members attending when you register.

All family members are warmly welcome to attend. The evening will feature hands-on nature play activities, opportunities to connect with each other and the environment and plenty of joyful, memorable moments under the twilight sky.

BBQ available on the night – enjoy a relaxed dinner together
Coffee van on site – warm up with a drink as you explore and play

We look forward to seeing many of our families come together for this celebration of nature, community, and compassion.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week was celebrated across South Australia from May 12–18, 2025.

The week is a time to celebrate the outstanding teaching and learning that takes place in Catholic schools every day. It provides an opportunity to:

• Celebrate the excellence of Catholic education in South Australia.
• Reflect on the unique characteristics of our Catholic schools and what makes them so special.
• Raise awareness of the Mid-Year Reception Intake.
• Honour the recipients of the Catholic Education Awards.

A Special Year of Celebration

In 2025, Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) celebrates 180 years of Catholic education in South Australia, coinciding with the Jubilee Year. Our theme for this momentous year is: Pilgrims of Hope.

Pope Francis reminds us:

“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.”

Inspired by these words and guided by CESA’s mission to nurture thriving people and capable learners in the world God desires, we chose a unifying theme for Catholic Education Week 2025:

“Shine With Open Hearts”

This theme reflects the high-quality teaching and learning in our schools, where students shine, live, and lead with open hearts—now and into the future—aspiring to be all they hope to be.

Hope is at the heart of our message, woven into the phrase ‘open hearts’—for when our hearts are open, we embrace hope, compassion, love, and joy.

Quiz Night

The annual SFX Quiz Night is fast approaching and is being held on Friday, 20th June. Please refer to the link below for further information. Tickets are now on sale at $10 each. Start getting your tables together and join the community in a fun filled, action packed night. The night is a good chance to meet new people, support the school and have fun with friends and family.

Click here for flyer

School Camps

This week you would have received a survey about school camps at SFX. Please complete the survey so you can assist and guide us in making decisions about your child’s camp for 2026 and beyond.

Real Schools

In Week 3, Real Schools facilitated a parent workshop in which 13 parents and grandparents were in attendance.

As a school we have adopted a restorative approach, viewing conflict resolution through the lens of Restorative Practice 2.0. This approach is characterised by a holistic working method centered around building a robust relational culture. 

Restorative practices and adversarial methods represent distinct approaches to addressing conflicts, disputes, and wrongdoing.  As a school we will work hard to continue to support your children in challenging situations and give them the tools to repair relationships they may have been fractured at one time or another.

Term 2 Key Dates

Once again, we have another busy term and the following dates are a guide to help you get oraganised for the term ahead.

Thursday 5^th June: Twilight Nature Play Festival

Friday 6^th June: Pupil Free Day

Monday 9^th June: King’s Birthday- Public Holiday

Friday 13^th June: SAPSASA Boys Football Carnival

Friday 20^th June: Quiz Night 7:00pm

Wednesday 25^th June: 9:15am Whole School Mass – Sacramental students

Friday 27^th June: Girls Football Carnival

Tuesday 1^st July: SACPSSA Netball Carnival- boys and girls

Friday 4^th July: Last day of term -School Disco and Pyjackie Day- 3:05pm dismissal

Regards

Jason Mittiga

Principal SFX

Easter Mass Celebration – He Is Risen

At the beginning of this Term, the school community came together to celebrate Easter with a Mass reflecting on the Resurrection of Jesus. This celebration marked the transition from the sorrow of His Passion to the joy of His Resurrection. The Mass reminded us that Jesus shares His new life with us—a life filled with hope, faith, and abundance.

We were privileged to have Father Kym from the Para Hills/Modbury Parish lead us in this special celebration. During the Mass, we also took a moment to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away the day after Easter. To honour him, Mrs. Samarzia lit a candle in his memory, and Mr. Esposito led a Litany of Thanks. During this tribute, students and staff reflected on words that described Pope Francis, such as mercy, courage, compassion, and love, honouring his lasting impact on the global faith community.

Project Compassion 2025

We are thrilled to share that this Lenten season, together we raised an incredible $2,690.20 for Project Compassion. This amazing achievement reflects the true spirit of our school and the values we hold dear - service, compassion, and respect.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated RE Committee, made up of our inspiring Year 6 student leaders, who led several initiatives to support this cause. Through their leadership and the generosity of our entire school community, we have made a real difference in the lives of those living in poverty.

Thank you for living out our mission and walking in the footsteps of St Francis Xavier.

Upcoming Liturgical Events

The following liturgical events are scheduled in the coming weeks:

Pupil Free Day – “Made in the Image of God” Professional Development

• Date: Friday, June 6th
• Time: All Day

Tea Tree Gully Parish

Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion Rehersal

• Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 6:00pm
• Location: St. David’s Church

Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion

• Date: Saturday, June 14th, 10:00am
• Location: St. David’s Church

Modbury/ Para Hills Parish

Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion

• Date: Saturday, June 7th, 6:00pm
• Location: John XXIII Chuch

Room 2 Community Prayer

• Date: Friday, June 20th, 9:00am
• Time: 11:00a.m.

The Learning Assistance Program - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Learning Assistance Program focuses on the wellbeing, social and emotional needs of students through the powerful and positive contribution of volunteers (mentors).

LAP mentors work with students on a one-to-one basis for one session per week, devising with the teacher, coordinator and student, a plan of activities tailored to that student’s particular needs. Sessions are between 30 - 45 minutes, depending on the time a volunteer can spare, or the time the teacher has recommended for that session.

Mentors are carefully matched with students to build upon the student's strengths, interests and abilities.

Being part of LAP is very rewarding and a great way to be involved in the school community.

If you or a family member / family friend are a registered volunteer and would like to assist with this program, please contact the Front Office, or email Marian Mullen: mmullen@sfx.catholic.edu.au

School Sport SA (SAPSASA) Tea Tree Gully Athletics & Cross-Country Carnivals

Students from SFX recently competed in the School Sport SA – Tea Tree Gully Athletics Carnival (Week 9, Term 1) and the School Sport SA – Tea Tree Gully Cross-Country Carnival (Week 2, Term 2).

Selection trials were held over several weeks, with many students participating in trials and carnivals for the first time. Both events saw strong team performances and outstanding individual efforts that we would like to recognise.

The following students have been selected to represent the Tea Tree Gully District at the upcoming School Sport SA State Athletics Championships at Athletics SA Stadium in September:

• George C – High jump
• Jacob I – 100m and high jump
• Indianna G – 200m

Additionally, the following students will compete at the School Sport SA State Cross Country Championships at Oakbank Racecourse in June:

• Tate D
• Holly A
• Eva D
• Mitchell B
• Jacob P

School Sport SA State AFL Boys Football Carnival (26-28 May)

• Jacob P
• Noah M
• Mitchell B

School Sport SA State Netball Carnival (18-20 June)

• Indianna E
• Allegra P
• Keira S
• Holly A (Reserve)

School Sport SA State Boys Netball Carnival (23-25 June)

• Noah F
• Jacob P
• Jayden B
• Jacob I
• Jude P

Congratulations to all students who took part in the carnivals. Both carnivals showcased great competitive spirit, and the students were, once again, excellent representatives of the SFX community.

SFX Cross Country Team (Left) and SFX Athletics Team (Right)

Physical Activity Leaders (PALS) – Scott Hughes, Health & Physical Education

We would like to acknowledge and welcome our newest badged leaders at St. Francis Xavier’s School (SFX).

Recently, twelve Year 5 students were identified as having leadership potential in the area of physical activity and each of the students have been awarded the title of ‘Physical Activity Leader’ (PALS) for 2025.

These students are developing the capacity to support junior primary (JP) students’ movement competence through Physical Education (PE) and physical activity. The PALS leadership role is designed to grow in complexity over the year as students develop their ability to lead.

Recently, the 12 students, pictured below, attended the annual Student Leadership Workshop, hosted at SFX by the South Australian Council for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (ACHPER SA) in partnership with the South Australian Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association (SACPSSA).

The workshop focused on establishing an effective student leadership initiative to support Daily Physical Activity and promote an active curriculum, as well as strategies to engage Junior Primary students in regular physical activity.

To date, the PALS have been involved in JP PE, assisting with the teaching and learning of fundamental movement skills, and have started leading warm up activities at the beginning of lessons. This learning is setting the foundation for the PALS to lead more complex activities in Term 3, culminating with them running Reception Physical Activity in Term 4 with each of the 7 Reception classes.

Congratulations to our 2025 PALS on this significant leadership achievement!

• 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)

On Thursday, May 8th, SFX celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day.

On this day, we saw many classes take their learning outside, embracing the opportunities to explore, imagine, and create in nature! 

Our Year 1 classes held a math lesson in the Kaurna Garden, while our Year 4's held a math lesson near the oval. We also saw our Year 3 classes working in their books on the oval. 

Some of our most joyful childhood memories come from playing outside. Outdoor play isn’t just fun, it also helps children develop essential life skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.

On Friday, May 9th we celebrated Mother's Day. With morning treats and dancing before the school day began, students and their wonderful mums gathered together to share some special moments.

The court was filled with smiles, laughter, and music as everyone joined in for some fun dancing. It was a lovely way to show our appreciation for all the amazing mothers in our school community.

Thank you to everyone who came and made the morning so memorable!

Our Reception classes had an exciting adventure to the Road and Cycle Safety Centre. The students learned all about staying safe near roads through fun, hands-on activities. They practiced using pedestrian crossings, spotting traffic signs, and navigating roundabouts.

With the help of friendly volunteers, everyone had a turn riding bikes, and some even used balance bikes! The students wore helmets and rode safely through the mini roads, complete with traffic lights and line markings. It was a fun and important day, helping our young learners become confident and careful on the roads.

On Friday, May 16th, SFX proudly acknowledged National Walk Safely to School Day with a community walk beginning at the Jubilee Community Centre.

We were thrilled to see over 100 parents and students join us for the walk, creating a lively and positive start to the day. It was a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together, enjoy the fresh morning air, and promote the importance of a safe and active commute to school.

Walking to school helps build healthy habits, reduces traffic congestion, and gives students a great start to their day, feeling more alert, focused, and connected to their community.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the morning such a success!

This week at SFX, we acknowledged National Reconciliation Week with a range of meaningful initiatives that brought our school community together in the spirit of respect, reflection, and connection.

The week began with cohort Liturgies to commemorate National Sorry Day, offering students time to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations’ survivors, and reflect on the importance of the healing process. We also took part in a special tree-planting event where each cohort planted one of seven native trees in the Bulturro-Pari Kaurna Garden as a symbol of Reconciliation. The process symbolised growth, unity, and our shared commitment to Reconciliation.

On Tuesday, the Year 3 cohort welcomed Mr. Simon Kelly, a relief teacher at SFX, and former member of CESA’s Aboriginal Education team, to display a rich collection of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island instruments. Students learned about the cultural significance of these instruments, including how they are made, the materials used, and the stories they help to tell. 

On Wednesday, students enjoyed National Reconciliation Week Donuts courtesy of Vilis, with 50 cents from each donut purchased being donated to the Tjindu Foundation. The Tjindu foundation is a not-for-profit that drives positive outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia. We are proud to have raised over $350.00! 

Today, we were honoured to gather as a community to experience a Welcome to Country, and a Smoking and Cleansing Ceremony, led by Kaurna Elder, Uncle John Lochowiak. This provided a powerful opportunity to learn cultural protocols, and reminded us that every day we live, work, play, and dream on Aboriginal lands. 

We all have a role to play when it comes to Reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. Together, we continue to walk the path of Reconciliation, learning from the past and working toward a more united future.