Dear families,
We have already reached the end of week 3! There have been so many events and activities happening this term, along with daily learning routines. Our learners have been working hard to achieve their new learning goals, refined by their semester one reports, and we are seeing great progress every day, through our regular progress monitoring-especially in Maths and English.
NAPLAN results were distributed recently to families of children in year 3 and 5. I was pleased with how well we performed overall in this year’s NAPLAN tests, which were conducted earlier in the year than previously, and reported on using a completely new set of performance standards. Our overall school performance was rated as Strong and encouragingly, where it was identified that students required additional support, we already have measures in place to support these learners. My sincere thanks to Nives Kresevic, and the year 3 and 5 teachers for their oversight of the assessment cycle.
Last night our Wakakirri dance troupe performed at this year’s event, in the Norwood town hall. I was a privilege to be present for their performance and I was blown away by how polished and professional their performance was. It is a credit to the students themselves and the outstanding coaching and leadership of Emma Gill and Olivia Bozzon. Our troupe were awarded a notable mention in a number of areas, especially in choreography, which was superb!
On Thursday, our SACPSSA Cross Country team competed at the 2023 carnival. It was a hugely successful event for St Francis, with our year 4 group winning the divisional age title, Chanel Maio winning Gold in the year 4 age group, Cooper Nicholson gold in the year 5 age group and Stephen Rapuano won Silver in the year 4 age group . There were many other notable performances as well. Sincere thanks to James Daley and James Goldy for their efforts in preparing the team, and in organising the carnival participation.
This week, we welcome for the first time, children who will be starting school in term 1 2024, in our “Little Francis” transition program. This is an exciting time for them and for us, and I thanks Leonie Fitzgerald and the reception team for their coordination and support of the program, which will run all the way through to week 7 of term 4.
This Saturday evening, we host our quiz night. With over 10 tables now sold, it promises to be a night of fun and frivolity-but most importantly, community connection. Sincere thanks to Terri Sparrow and the P & F for bringing the night to life. I look forward to seeing many of you there!
As you will by now have seen, our building is really beginning to take shape, and we can now get a sense of what it will be like. I understand that constraints the project has placed on the full functionality of our school, but give thanks every day that we still have great facilities and-importantly-expansive grounds for the children to be able to play and learn. Having been involved in projects in the past where play areas have been significantly disrupted, believe me, it is a blessing to have what we do! Once the project is completed and our full grounds and play areas are restored, our school will provide the kind of outdoor spaces other schools only dream of-bring on 2024!
Social