Week 6 - Term 4

Dear parents & caregivers,

We are fast approaching the end of another year at school, and here at St Francis, preparations are well advanced for the 2022 school year. In recent weeks, a number of key appointments have been finalised. I am delighted to share with you the appointment of Mrs Angela DeNadai to the position of APRIM, commencing January 2022. Angela is currently the APRIM at St John the Baptist school, Plympton-a position she has held for the last 12 years.

Angela is a very experienced and capable APRIM, who has a demonstrated capacity for leading the Religious Education program, building strong personal relationships and nurturing the faith formation of students and staff. She worked very collaboratively with the Parish at Plympton, and built strong school-parish partnerships.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank and congratulate Mrs Helen Wilsdon-Smith for many years of wonderful service at St Francis and she leaves a lasting legacy, which Angela is well placed to continue! In addition to her fraction of time as APRIM, Angela will undertake a couple of other roles - which will become more apparent in due course-meaning she will be with us in a full time capacity.

I would also like to welcome Ms Corinne McKenzie, who will take up a permanent position in year 5 in 2022. Corinne is a very experienced educator who has been working at Our Lady of Mt Carmel school in Pennington for the last 8 years.

In announcing these positions, I would also like to acknowledge the retirements of Mr Richard Bailey and Mrs Helen Noonan at the end of 2021. Both Richard and Helen have made wonderful contributions to the St Francis community, and we sincerely thank them for many years of service to us, and to Catholic Education in SA. They will be properly farewelled at our end of year mass on Wednesday 8th December.

Our staffing profile is nearly complete, and once it is, in our week 8 newsletter, I will provide you with an overview of class teachers, specialists etc for the 2022 school year. During that same week, the children will visit and spend time with their new class and teacher, in preparation for the commencement of the 2022 school year.

COVID mandate in education

I’m sure you will have all seen or heard about the latest Government direction related to COVID-19 vaccinations in Education and care settings. From our perspective, this is a positive step in ensuring the ongoing safety and well-being of your children and of all who are a part of our community. This is a wide ranging direction that captures staff, contractors and-importantly-volunteers. A Seesaw message was sent on Wednesday and I ask that you read it carefully so that you fully understand this latest direction.

Recently, I was informed that three of our students had been successful in winning positions in the SAP Soccer program for 2022. Congratulations to Hudson, Peter and Stella who trialled over three days, and were selected in the squad! We wish them every success.

Our Master Planning process continues apace, and we have another meeting next week, to look at proposed stages of this exciting program. One element of this process will be the temporary addition of another transportable building at the end of this year, to all ow us to have an extra year 2 class in 2022. There will be further information regarding the room allocation of classes, in our next edition, along with staffing information.

A reminder to all families of the community Carols evening and picnic, on Friday December 3rd. All classes have been busy rehearsing their carols, and it promises to be a great way to celebrate the end of the school year.

Remembrance Day

“Just as my Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

My commandment to you is this: love one another, just as I have loved you.

The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them.”

John 15: 9, 12-14

We commemorated Remembrance Day on the 11/11 not to glorify war, but to honour those who have died, so that we might live in peace. In honouring their memory, we continue to pray for peace in our world.

Veteran Ken Whitton recited the Ode of Remembrance and Nicholas Lopresti played the Last Post.

Special thanks to the Year 6 leaders in the Gathering group, Isabella, Mary, Audrey, Ruby and Angus, who led us so beautifully in our liturgy to commemorate Remembrance Day. Thank you also to Zane and Jai for their assistance with the power point.

As a Catholic school we participate in the Church’s mission, “to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18), forming students’ minds, hearts and consciences to give witness to a faith which does justice with love.

WHOLE SCHOOL SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE NON PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS FOR SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

MONDAY NOVEMBER 15 – MONDAY OCTOBER 29.

In this social justice initiative, we endeavour to live out the Vinnies’ motto of; RENEW, REBUILD AND RESTORE. To give a hand up to those in need rather than a hand out.

The basis for an understanding of justice by students in a Catholic school is found in the life of Jesus. Jesus reached out to the marginalized and outcast members of society and his ministry was inclusive of people across the social spectrum.

Jesus took action to draw attention to the corruption and injustice he saw in his community and challenged many of the social structures that undermined the dignity of people.

He tried to change the conditions in which people lived. He invited his followers then and now to do the same.

All families are asked to contribute to this Whole School Social Justice initiative, which will run for two weeks, from Monday November 15 until Monday November 29 2021.

Each year level will concentrate on bringing in different hamper items.

This will assist Saint Vincent De Paul with their collection of a wide variety of goods for their Christmas hampers.

All donated goods will assist Vinnie’s to package hampers to distribute during the Christmas season to those in need.

While the following is a guide for families as to what to bring in for the appeal, please donate what you can.

Year 6: Christmas pudding, cake, bon-bons or long life custard or milk.

Year 5: mince pies, tinned fruit, tea bags or coffee.

Year 4: cracker biscuits, pasta sauce or tinned ham, Christmas wrapping paper.

Year 3: sweet biscuits or tinned tuna.

Year 2: sweets/lollies, cordial or a packet of Gravox.

Year 1: jelly crystals, baby food, packets of pasta or rice.

Reception: tinned vegetables – carrots, peas, beans, corn or beetroot.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of our social justice initiatives to give a ‘hand up’ to those in need.

In the words of St Francis of Assisi,

“Preach the Gospel always and when necessary use words.”

School Tennis Tournament

Week 5 saw our annual school tennis tournament begin. With 3 timeslots of games throughout the day, many students have signed up to play. The matches are a 1 set game, with not tie breakers, sudden death at deuce and the students generally umpire their own games. The games have been played in great spirits with lots of encouragement from players and spectators alike. There have certainly been some heartbreak matches with being knocked out looming for the unlucky competitors. Well done to all players who have made it to the final for each of the singles draw. We continue our program now for the doubles and will finish off our tournament next week with all of the finals matches being played. Good luck to all students who are still playing in the competition.

On Tuesday Nicholas Cavanagh and Archie Atyeo from Year 2 come out and sat courtside and observed a game each. They were taking notes and watching on from the best seats in the house. After the match they gave me a match report from the games they viewed and these are their words.

Nicholas Cavannagh - On Tuesday 16th November Michael P and Giuseppe played against Max J and Dante L. There were lots of nice hits over the net and even some good aces served.  It was a great game, played in fantastic spirit! All players worked hard and tried their best. Well done on a great spectacle.   At one point Nicholas quoted that the “Game is in good shape”.

Archie Atyeo - On Tuesday 16th November the game was played by Imani R and Lily S against Aria D and Ella N. Aria began the game by serving. During the early games there were lots of good shots by all players. Ella was a standout server by hitting a number of aces on her serve game. Throughout the match though both teams were a little unlucky at times on their own serves by faulting and sometimes even double faulting. All of the girls played well and in great spirit. Well done to Aria and Ella who were the winners at the end of the match.