Issue #2 - Term 2, 2022

It has been a busy few weeks at SFX with building openings, sacraments, and assemblies. It is fantastic to see us meeting as a whole school again, and the community is really enjoying being back together.

With COVID still active amongst staff and students at the school, we need to remain vigilant. Remember, if your child is not feeling well, please do not send them to school. 

Enjoy this edition, and please diarise the Term 3 key dates including our Quiz Night which is on Friday, 26th August. There are exciting times ahead at SFX with events starting to happen again!

Reports will be sent home to all families on Monday, 4th July. The semester one report is a guide as to how your child is travelling against the achievement standard for that year level. Below is the Achievement Key for Subject Areas outlining what the grades mean. The report that we send home at St Francis Xavier's is designed to keep you informed of where your child is at and what areas can be developed for further improvement. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the report, please make an appointment to see your classroom teacher. 

Achievement Key for Subject Areas

A  -  Excellent achievement of what is expected at this year level
B  -  Good achievement of what is expected at this year level
C  -  Satisfactory achievement of what is expected at this year level
D  -  Partial achievement of what is expected at this year level
E  -  Minimal achievement of what is expected at this year level 

At our recent Assembly we went through some uniform reminders with the children. We ask that children wear the school uniform correctly and with pride, and we thank you for your support in ensuring that this occurs.

With this cold weather, jackets, scarves and beanies are being worn by our students. Please make sure the children are wearing a school jacket, and if wearing an optional beanie and scarf, they must be the school beanie and school scarf that are both available through our Uniform Shop and the Front Office. A mid-layer jumper is also on the way, and we anticipate this being available for sale at some stage next term.

As you would be aware, our Reception students are proudly wearing the "new uniform", with the "old uniform" having been phased out over the last two years. A reminder that in 2023, ALL students are expected to be in the complete "new uniform". 

We would like to advise families that Uber Eats IS NOT encouraged at school for children attending St Francis Xavier's.

Should your child forget their lunch, or you forget to order it, we are able to make a sandwich for them. Uber Eats orders have been arriving a few times a week, and it is getting to the stage where some children are now asking for it - this is not something we wish to promote in our school.

Your assistance in refraining from ordering Uber Eats for your child when at school is very much appreciated.

Earlier this month, it was with great pride and gratitude that we celebrated the Official Opening and Blessing of our Ignatius building. We were delighted to gather for a Whole School Liturgy and to have present Archbishop O'Regan, our Parish Priest - Fr Manu, The Hon Blair Boyer MP - Minister for Education, Training and Skills and Member for Wright, Mr Tony Zappia MP - Federal Member for Makin, Professor Denis Ralph - Chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, Dr Neil McGoran - Director of Catholic Education South Australia, as well as other invited guests.

Archbishop O'Regan spoke to our children about his dear friend, “Iggy”. St Ignatius was of course one of St Francis Xavier’s closest friends in the Jesuit society. Archbishop O’Regan asked us to remember this dear friendship as we enter our beautiful new building every day. May our building be filled with laughter, joy and forgiveness just like the friendship held by St Francis Xavier and St Ignatius. 

On Friday, 8th July we will be celebrating Pyjackie and Donut Day. The Donut Day is a reward for the children for their outstanding behaviour at our school opening. Pyjackie Day (pyjamas and trackies) ties in with the Vinnies Winter Appeal, and we are asking children to wear either a trackie, pyjamas or a onesie, and families to donate a non-perishable food item (canned product) to help the homeless in our community. Children may wear slippers in class, but will need appropriate footwear for outside activities/breaks.

Please help us to help others. #vinnieswinterappeal

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

A reminder that the Carignane Street carpark adjacent the Front Office IS NOT a Kiss & Drop zone. This carpark is for PARKING ONLY in the appropriate bays.

Should you wish to pick up your child via Kiss & Drop, you will need to utilise the Park Lake Drive carpark.

If utilising the Kiss & Drop zone in the Park Lake Drive carpark, we ask that you DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR, and that you please DRIVE DOWN TO THE LAST AVAILABLE CARPARK. Please DO NOT LEAVE GAPS OR PARK AT THE MOST CONVENIENT PARK TO THE GATE. Should you wish to leave your car, please access the available parking bays.

Whilst out of our control, it has been observed that many cars are stopping illegally and dangerously on the road whilst waiting to access the Park Lake Drive carpark. As previously advised, staff are on duty at the Park Lake Drive carpark until 3:35pm, so leaving your pick-up until around 3:25pm - 3:30pm will alleviate traffic congestion and make your pick-up much smoother and safer.

We thank you for your ongoing cooperation, and would appreciate this information being passed on to family members and/or friends who pick up children on your behalf.

Our Culture of Learning

We are involved in the Partners in Inclusive Practice Project with Gleeson College and Our Lady of Hope, and recently participated in two workshops.

The first workshop was the launch of the SPELD SA Sounds Write Program, which aims to strengthen our teaching and learning of phonemic awareness and skills, and aligns with the Heggetry and Kilpatrick Phonological activities already running across the school.

The second workshop focussed on Executive Functioning, which is a term to describe the neurological processes involving mental control and self-regulation. This professional learning deepened our understanding of the cognitive skills required for task participation and completion. We gained knowledge of practice and strategies to help our students strengthen their executive functioning skills in areas such as organisation, time management, task initiation, working memory, self-control and attention, just to name a few.

The SPELD presenters shared this quote with us, and I find it fitting in a community of thriving people, capable learners, leaders for the world God desires...

“Remember the expert was originally a beginner”

Congratulations to our students on receiving their Sacraments (Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion) over the last few months, and to their families who continue to nurture and guide them on their faith and life journey.  

A special thank you to our staff and to both our Parishes for all their hard work in supporting our families in preparing the children throughout the program. 

We congratulate these children and pray that the Holy Spirit whom they have received in a very special way, will lead them into a deeper knowledge and love of God. 

A note from St David’s Parish regarding this year’s Sacramental Program was sent out to families early last week. If your child is in Year 3 or above and would like to participate in this year’s Sacramental Program, please refer to the note or contact Denise at the Tea Tree Gully Parish 8264 4694. 

We thank Father Manu from the Para Hills/Modbury Parish for celebrating Mass with us last week. Also, we extend our appreciation to the Year 4 classes for hosting this reflective Mass with the theme of the Eucharist.  

During the Mass we remembered what Jesus told us about the breaking of the bread. The breaking of bread, which happens at every Mass, is a sign of God’s presence here and now, and is also a challenge to us to share our lives with God’s people as one community. Father Manu explained that the meaning of the word Eucharist is “community”. 

Our Year 4 Sacramental students participated in special roles during the Mass, and this was a lovely opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate those students who have celebrated their Sacraments of Initiation over the last few months.

Thank you to all families and staff who attended our Family Mass on Sunday at Holy Trinity Church. A special thank you to our families who participated in readings. Father Manu and the parishioners were very grateful for our attendance and participation. We look forward to celebrating Mass as a community again next term. 

Grandparent support in our Garden
Ray Gardner has been supporting our school in the garden every Thursday afternoon. We are very lucky to have Ray as a volunteer, and we sincerely appreciate all that he does to support our school.

Landcare Australia Grant
SFX was successful in being selected for a Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant of $1,000. The grant will go towards establishing a bush tucker garden in our Kaurna Garden.  

Our school continues to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal, and we thank those families who have already so generously brought in non-perishable food items. There is still time to donate if you wish to!

As you are aware, we are holding Pyjackie Day on the last day of Term 2. We are asking children to bring in a can (non-perishable food item) to support the Appeal, and students are able to wear pyjamas, trackies, a onesie or oodie.

We thank you in advance for your support... Helping us to help others.

#vinnieswinterappeal