Issue #2 - Term 1, 2021

Already well into Term 1, and so much is happening at SFX! It is great to see the children happy, engaged and working hard in all areas of the curriculum. Our school is certainly a busy place, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENT: By now you would have received email communication about our newly appointed Deputy Principal, Greg Esposito. Greg commences at SFX in Term 2, and we look forward to him joining the SFX community.

I would like to sincerely thank Michelle Thomas for stepping up as Acting Deputy this term, and Rosanna Samarzia, who has filled the APRIM role. Michelle will resume as APRIM in Term 2 and Rosanna will return to St Thomas More.

As always, I thank our families for your continued support.

We are blessed with an abundance of car park spaces at SFX, however, would like to remind families of the information below. Could you also please ensure that this information is shared with others who transport your child/ren to and from school.

Park Lake Drive Carpark and Kiss & Drop Zone

• When entering the Kiss & Drop zone, please move to the farthest available bay. Whilst we understand it is ideal if you get the park with the shade, please remember that children are not dismissed until 3.15pm and therefore, if you arrive early (some arrive as early as 2.30pm), you will have quite a wait in the parking bay.
• As cars leave the Kiss & Drop bays, please ensure that you move your car down to the next available position.
• The Kiss & Drop is designed for families transporting children to/from school to remain in the car. If you intend on leaving the car to collect children from the gate or from their classrooms, please use the carparks, not the Kiss & Drop bays.
• Please be aware of Council signage in relation to no standing areas. There have been a number of complaints from both our own families and neighbours in relation to cars queueing (standing) on Park Lake Drive as well as around the corner onto Carignane Street. Visibility for cars attempting to drive and turn onto the road(s) is severly hampered. Council Parking Inspectors and SA Police will be monitoring this situation, and fines may be issued where rules are not adhered to.
• Children are not dismissed until 3.15pm, and staff are on duty at the gate until 3.35pm. 3.25pm to 3.35pm has been identified as the easiest time for collection.

Back Gate Collection

Complaints have also been received from our own families and neighbours in relation to cars parking on properties, footpaths etc near the back gate. Council Parking Inspectors and SA Police will be monitoring this situation, and fines may be issued where rules are not adhered to.

Please remember that we are all role models for the students at SFX, and common courtesy and manners should be used at all times.

Thank you for your support.

Together with Catholic Education SA, we are excited to announce that for children commencing Reception in the mid-year intake, there will be no school fees charged for Terms 3 and 4, 2021.

If you know of anyone eligible to start school in Term 3 this year, please spread the word! Please contact Sonya on 8251 9555 for any enrolment enquiries.

We wish to advise members of the school community that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday, 16th March in the Piazza of the new Reception building at 6pm.

Our architects will be speaking about our Stage 3 building and you will also be able to see the plans and designs for the rooms. As well, it is an opportunity for you to hear about how the school went in 2020, as well as be a part of our vision going forward.

We do not currently require any new Board Members and look forward to consolidating in the year ahead. We hope to see you there!

Parent Teacher Interviews will occur in Week 9 (week commencing 22nd March). These are important sessions that will assist you in understanding how your child is progressing in the classroom.

Bookings will be via our online booking system "Parent Teacher Online" (PTO), and information regarding how to book will be emailed to families soon.

We were very excited to announce and present to the community, our Student Voice representatives for Semester 1, 2021. Congratulations to these students:

Room 2 - Bella Ennis; Samuel Sicari
Room 3 - Georgia Boog; Penny Nashar

The Seven Steps to Writing Success program has been introduced at SFX to make writing more engaging and interesting for the children.

Our Leadership Team has been visiting classes and sitting in on lessons to see how the program is being implemented across the school. I am really pleased to say that the children are loving it!

The children will gain confidence in each of the 7 Steps building blocks, and then pull it all together to become creative and engaging writers.

Preparation of the site for our new Year 1 and 2 classrooms is complete, and the footings started this week. You may have seen our Facebook update about the Chapel being moved to its new location last weekend - that was quite a sight to see! The Chapel can now be found at the northern end of the oval, and it was extremely important to us that this part of our history remain.

Ash Wednesday is the day following Pancake ‘Shrove’ Tuesday and was celebrated on 17th February.

Ash Wednesday is the first of 40 days of Lent. This is to symbolise the 40 day period of fasting and prayer Jesus served in the desert before his execution by Pontius Pilot.

As Christians we are encouraged to make a commitment to prayer, charity and fasting or self-denial during this period. Many Catholics make Lenten promises or resolutions to mark the importance of this holy season.

Every Tuesday after recess the whole school participates in the practice of Christian Meditation. Christian Meditation is a form of prayer that enables the students to become aware and reflect upon the wisdom of God.

“We sit quietly and pray to God.” Noah McMahon
“I like talking to Jesus and God. It makes me feel good.” Annabella Gerbino
“I feel that Christian Meditation lowers my heart rate.” Madison Barnes
“It’s a great way to connect to God.” Cohen Djorem 

Welcome (niina marni) to our library! 

The library has been a hub of activity already this year with lots of very keen readers enjoying our wonderful space. While COVID prevented us from hosting various planned activities last year, we are hoping that we will be able to bring the students a few more events to enjoy in 2021.
  
Students and their families are welcome to come and visit us from 8.30am each morning or until 4.00pm each afternoon. Students are also welcome to come in for quiet activities during their lunch break from Monday to Thursday.

Unfortunately we continue to have an issue with overdue, lost and damaged books. Please note that student loans are for 14 days and books need to be returned to the library within that time. Students may extend the loan for an additional 14 days, however, they must bring the book(s) into the library and ask a staff member for a loan extension.  

Should you receive an email from the library advising that your child has overdue books, could you please ensure that they return them to the library as a matter of urgency. Should they fail to be returned after reminders have been sent, an invoice may be sent home requesting payment to replace the books. If the books are subsequently found, please return them as soon as possible. An invoice may also be issued where a student returns a library book that is damaged beyond repair.

All students are reminded about overdue books when they come to the library. Going forward, Years 4, 5 and 6 students will also be included (via their SFX student email address) on the overdue notices that are emailed to parents/caregivers. We hope, with support from families, that this will encourage students to take ownership of their loans.

Please note, students who have overdue books cannot borrow until the books have been returned or invoice for lost books has been settled.  

We thank you in anticipation of your support.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is a literacy engagement program that was introduced to encourage a love of reading and to improve literacy skills. The Challenge has now commenced for 2021 and students should have received a PRC reading record form from their class teacher. If they have not received one as yet or would like another copy, they can collect from the library.

A couple of things to note...