Week 6 - Term 1

Dear Families,

We are already halfway through the term, and so much has been achieved so far! Our students are working hard towards reaching their individual goals, and it’s wonderful to see their dedication. Likewise, our teachers are committed to providing purposeful learning experiences for all students, ensuring the best opportunities for growth and development.

Thank You for Your Engagement!

A special thank you to the families who joined us for the picnic and the Open Class Morning this week. Strong family engagement and connection with your child’s school have a positive impact on both their learning and wellbeing. Your participation is truly appreciated.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Celebrations

Sincere thanks to Angela De Nadai for coordinating our Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday celebrations. A big thank you as well to all the parent and parish volunteers who helped cook the delicious pancakes—what a wonderful way to celebrate together!

Swim Trials

Congratulations to the students who attended the swim trials recently, preparing for the upcoming SACPSSA Swim Carnival. Best of luck to those competing!

NAPLAN Testing

NAPLAN testing for students in Years 3 and 5 will begin next week and continue for two weeks. Many thanks to Nives Kresevic, Corinne McKenzie and David Giannotti for their hard work overseeing the preparation and implementation of these assessments.

Respectful Relationships in Schools

Please take a moment to read the letter sent via SZapp from Trish Jarvis, President of Catholic School Parents SA, regarding respectful relationships in schools. This is an important message from our peak parent body in Catholic Education SA, and we encourage all families to read it.

Year 6 Camp

Next week, our Year 6 students will be attending camp at Finnis on the Fleurieu Peninsula from Wednesday to Friday. A heartfelt thank you to James Daley for coordinating the camp, and to the Year 6 staff for all their planning and preparation to make this a memorable experience for our students.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in the coming weeks. Students and families have been preparing for this significant occasion under the guidance of Angela De Nadai and the parish team.

School Board AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the St. Francis School Board will take place on Wednesday, March 19th. We strongly encourage all families to attend. There will be several vacant positions on the board, and we invite parents to consider nominating for a position. A separate letter will be sent with further details.

Mid year reception transition

Next Friday, we will welcome students who are commencing in term 3, for our ‘Little Francis’ transition program. We are all looking forward to meeting these students as they prepare to transition into ‘big school’ for the first time, in July. Many thanks to Leonie Fitzgerald for her coordination of the transition program.

Thank you all for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

As a school we celebrated Ash Wednesday with a Liturgy of the Word in the church.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of 40 days of Lent.  Ash Wednesday is observed by having the mark of the cross made on our forehead with ashes.  The ashes are made from the blessed and burnt Palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. The sign of the cross symbolises repentance before God and is also a reminder that God is gracious and forgiving to all who seek to open their hearts to change.
The themes of Lent are fasting, giving to the poor, good works and prayer.  This year the Project Compassion theme is “Unite Against Poverty this Lent.”. During Lent the Church recalls Jesus’ life and ministry.  Traditionally, Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and good works. (taken from CROSSWAYS – Religious Education framework)

Feast of St Patrick March 17th

March 17th is the feast day of St Patrick. St Patrick was born in Roman Britain around the end of the fourth century and he died in Ireland about the middle of the fifth century.  St Patrick faced hardship as a missionary bishop in Ireland, and opposition even from his friends and fellow Christians. He worked to conciliate, to evangelise, and to educate local leaders and their families. He is remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care, for his humble trust in God, and for his fearless preaching of the gospel to those who had enslaved him in his youth.

Specially honoured in Australia because of the many Irish people who came to settle here and brought with them the faith and zeal of St Patrick.  The Catholic Church in Australia was largely founded by the Irish missionaries and Irish migrants.

Feast of St Joseph

On March 19th, we celebrate the feast of St Joseph, husband of Mary.  A carpenter, though born of the royal house of David, Joseph was an upright man who, as husband of the Virgin Mary, cared for Mary and the child Jesus. Venerated in the East after the fourth century, and his followers flowered in the West during the fifteenth century, following the development of nativity plays, the Christmas crib, and increased devotion to Mary.

Class Masses and Liturgy of the Word Term 1

March 12th    Year 1 Christ the King Church at 9:15am
March 19th    Reception RLF, RRC & RTP Liturgy of the Word Christ the King Church 
March 25th    Year 2 Palm Sunday Liturgy time tbc
April  2nd       Year 4 Christ the King Church at 9:15am
April  7th        Year 2 Palm Sunday Liturgy time tbc

NB please check with class teachers for confirmation of Mass times

Wishing all a year filled with joy and hope