Term 2 Newsletter 16th May 2025

Principal's Message

BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT

Welcome to week four, how quick has term two gone? Thank you also for your cooperation in organising your children to get to school on time, with the correct uniform. The recent chilly weather has meant those jumpers and long pants will be needed for the next few months. I have noticed some smart-looking kids walking around our school, looking their best. I have also observed impressive behaviour from students across all year levels, including looking teachers in the eye and saying good morning. It is a simple gesture but demonstrates tremendous respect and confidence. I have also seen an improvement with my own children at home.

Last week, I had the opportunity for some professional learning around the areas of Religious Leadership and staying in the present. Leadership, across our school community and in our daily lives doesn’t rest with the principal of the school, or with mum or day. We all have our own part to play in being our own leaders in life, especially our children. Staff continually focus on the question… ‘how can I be the very best version of myself today?’

Giving our children the sense of achievement, success and positively allows their brain to develop into a growth mindset (Carol Dweck’s work) in which they see opportunities or challenges as learnings rather than obstacles. Allowing our children to fail, make a mistake or try for themselves enables their brain to develop and learn. This mindset establishes a foundation of trust and independence with themselves and creates a platform for learning throughout life. These directly relate to our recent Learner Qualities of Confidence, Cooperation, Resilience and Persistence.

I believe raising and rearing children is one of the hardest roles in life, as each situation/moment or event, is not always the same and each decision made can have two sides to an outcome. Both maybe right at the time, but which one is the best answer. These decisions, as with life, require right judgement, patience and understanding and values, we teach and educate here at St Francis de Sales, and I am sure also at home. Knowing when to step in and not, knowing when to give the child space and when to have a chat is all about the journey. Moments that need for us, to be present in the moment.

Having the opportunity to be in the present, in the moment allows us to be fully aware of what is around us. Life is not static; we must ride the ebbs and flows of what life brings us. Challenges, disappointments, successes, sadness, ups and downs is all a part of life. Celebrate the here and now, apologise if a mistake has happened and focus on what is now. If we are still holding on to things in the past, are we truly able to spread our wings or does this feeling from the past weigh us down?

 I urge you to listen to a wonderful presenter named Rob Bell, who explains to us that a ‘New Spirit’ is needed. If we can be fully present in the here and now, we can be open to the things in the future. What is needed for today, is a new spirit – Rob Bell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6xRYunuf4M

Here are helpful hints to be more present in your daily life:

• Celebrate the little things/success
• Understanding that you don’t have all the answers
• Limit the amount of time on social media or devices
• Listen without tending to respond – just be there, in the moment
• Take time to really breathe
• Be grateful for things each day and if possible, say them to those people

Belated Happy Mother’s Day

Last Sunday, we celebrated one of the most special days of each year – Mother’s Day. I pray that this was a special day for all mothers, grandmothers and guardians of our St Francis de Sales School community. Please be assured that your love, care and support of your children is greatly appreciated by all here at St Frannies, we really appreciate what you do. I trust you all were spoilt rotten.

PREP AND ENROLMENTS FOR 2026

Several interviews have taken place for Prep 2026. Please continue to promote and talk about our beautiful school within the community. If you know of any families with Prep aged children, please encourage them to make contact with Jennifer in the front office or visit our website https://www.clifton.catholic.edu.au/

CHANGES TO CALENDAR EVENTS:

The list of school events is located on the school’s webpage – https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

This is a great way of keeping up to date with upcoming events. Emails, notifications and Facebook posts will also occur throughout the year to inform and remind you of upcoming events etc. Please see the next couple of events happening very soon: -

Week 5

Mon 19 May – Empire Theatre Visit

Thurs 22 May – National Simultaneous Reading event with Treasure Island – 9:30am; Dress up like a Farmer Fundraiser – gold coin donation

Fri 23 May – Pick up Pie Drive Orders; Walk to School morning

Sun 25 May – Family Sunday Mass – 9:30am

Week 6

Thurs 29 May – Be a preppie morning – 9:00am to 10:00am

Fri 30 May – Under 8s and Gala Day

Week 7

Fri 6 June – Reconciliation Week Liturgy

Week 8

Tues 10 June – High Jump 9-12yrs – 10:15am start (weather depending)

Wed 11 June – School Officer thank you day

Thurs 12 – Be a preppie morning – 9:00am to 10:00am

Week 9

Wed 18 June - 800/200m/ball games events at St Francis – just our school

Fri 20 June – Athletics Carnival combined with St Francis and St Patrick’s at St Francis

Week 10

Fri 27 June – NAIDOC Celebrations and Semester One Report Cards emailed out to families

Thanks for reading…

Regards,

Mr. Red

Middle Leader News

Enhancing Sentence-Level Comprehension in Reading

Sentence-level comprehension is a crucial skill in literacy, allowing readers to extract meaning from individual sentences before integrating them into a broader understanding of a text. Strong comprehension at this level ensures accurate interpretation of information, fosters critical thinking, and improves writing abilities. In the next few weeks, our teachers at St Francis de Sales will be assessing your child's comprehension of text. 

To build sentence-level comprehension, readers must focus on syntax (sentence structure), vocabulary, and context clues. This has been a focus of our learning this term. Studies show that students who understand complex sentence structures, such as compound and subordinate clauses, demonstrate higher levels of reading fluency (Snow, 2002). Additionally, vocabulary knowledge plays a vital role—familiarity with word meanings directly influences comprehension success (Nation, 2001).

One effective strategy is sentence deconstruction, where students break sentences down into their components (subject, verb, and object) to clarify meaning. Another method is contextual analysis, where surrounding words and phrases help decode unfamiliar terms (Beck et al., 2002). Regular practice with varied sentence structures enhances reading proficiency and prepares students for more advanced texts. In our classrooms, teachers have been all completing a 'Sentence Spotlight.' We say, "Which word tells me who, which word tells me how." etc. We have also been incorporating this into our writing lessons to stretch out sentences. 

Ultimately, fostering sentence-level comprehension strengthens overall literacy and encourages confident, independent reading. Teachers, parents, and students can work together to apply these strategies, ensuring a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Mrs. Busiko

Prep/1/2 News

This term, our students have been diving into Possum Magic, discovering its rich language features and connections to Australian geography. We've explored contractions and commas, analyzing how Mem Fox uses them to create rhythm and flow.

Beyond the text, the story has guided us through Australia's states and territories, as we mapped Grandma Poss and Hush’s journey. From Queensland’s lamingtons to Western Australia’s pavlova, we've connected literature with the country’s diverse culture and flavours.

In Mathematics, students have been working on understanding three-digit numbers, strengthening their number sense and problem-solving skills. By breaking numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones, they’ve developed confidence in working with larger values.

We also want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our P-2 students for leading our Mother’s Day liturgy with such respect and love. Their kindness, thoughtfulness, and leadership made the celebration truly special, honoring all mothers and caregivers in a meaningful way.

Billy

On the weekend I went to my Nanny's house. I went to celebrate Mother's Day and I wore my mario shirt. I saw my cousins. I saw my Aunty Donna. I had a finger bun. 

Nell

On the weekend we celebrated Mother's Day. I got mum a jewellery box and I wrote in Mum's card. My cousins came over to our home. 

Hain

On the weekend we celebrated my mum's birthday. We had a cake from my sister and my cousins. I didn't like the coffee flavoured cake.

Mrs. Skillington

Yr. 3/4 News

Last week the 3/4 classroom hummed with excitement and heartfelt devotion as students created their Mother’s Day Portraits, flowerpot craft and student written poems. It is in these moments that one is reminded of the beauty of guiding young minds – not just in learning, but in expressing gratitude, creativity and emotion. No doubt there were many blessed mums last Sunday. 

For the students of Years 3 and 4, learning times tables and division facts becomes an exciting adventure when movement games are involved. This week tossing a ball while skip counting by 4s and 8s and racing to the whiteboard to solve equations in relay games has kept our active year 3/4 students engaged and eager to participate. With laughter, teamwork, repeated practice and a bit of friendly competition, students are well on their way to improving, and for some, perhaps mastering their multiplication and related division facts. Keep persisting Team 3/4! 

Yr. 5/6 News

Religion

In Religion, students have been learning about who Jesus was, how he is portrayed in the Bible, and how believers see him in the modern world. Discussions have focused on his teachings, historical significance, and the ways different Christian communities interpret his role today. This has encouraged thoughtful reflection and deeper understanding of faith and spirituality.

Mathematics

Year 6 students have completed their unit on graphing, demonstrating strong skills in reading and creating various types of graphs. Now, they are working on patterning, function machines, and long division, refining their problem-solving strategies and mathematical reasoning.

Year 5 students have been working on location, shapes, rotations using angles, and scales in measurement. Their understanding of coordinates and transformations has improved, and they continue to apply these concepts through practical activities.

English

Students have been learning how to write restaurant reviews, producing thoughtful and well-structured critiques. Some reviews are particularly well written, and we think they could be sent to the Clifton Courier as a potential article.

Next week, students will begin working on their movie reviews, preparing for their speaking presentations. They will develop their analytical skills and learn how to present persuasive arguments in front of an audience.

Mrs. Busiko

P.E. with Mr. Red

PE with Mr Red

We have begun our unit on Athletics for this term. The students will be partaking and developing their skills in Shot Put, Discus, High Jump, Long Jump, 800/200/100/80/60m and ball games.

Starting in Week 7, before school Athletics practise will begin at 8am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. All students can join in and practise. We will culminate these activities with our athletics carnivals (please see dates above).

Yours in sport,

Mr. Red

Be A Preppie Morning-29/5/25