Term 4 Newsletter, 31st October 2025

Principal's Message

World Teacher’s Day 30 October

One of the many events or significant occasions occurring this term is the annual World Teachers Day.  This year’s theme, “Celebrating teachers” is a particularly poignant one. It underscores the importance of education in shaping and valuing the expertise that we have at St Francis de Sales. It highlights the significant role our educators play in guiding and inspiring students to become active and responsible participants in shaping the world ahead. It is vital that we as recipients of their knowledge and skills, acknowledge the contributions that teachers have made to our lives and the lives of our children.

When I look back over my career and schooling, it is those teachers who make the most of each moment and build connections/relationships with their students. It is these teachers that leave the best impression. They too are the ones who also stop and take time to really get to know kids and not just the ones in their class. 

I would like to say my personal thank you to the teachers who give of their time and who make the most of teachable moments. Thank you for trying another angle to explain how something works. Thank you for volunteering to take a small group who may find a particular concept challenging. Thank you answering the thousands of questions. Thank you for extending the classroom beyond the four walls of the classroom. Thank you to all staff and volunteers. I have witnessed many of you teach…you may not have been intentional but through the giving of your time and genuine desire to see students succeed, you too have made a difference.

World Teachers Day was celebrated yesterday at St Francis de Sales. In the busyness of life, we sometimes let occasions such as this slip by without saying anything. I hope our teachers feel the greatness of teaching and receive the due recognition they deserve. A simple thank you is such a powerful gift.

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

During Term 4, Vinnies begins its annual Christmas Appeal, seeking donations and funds to help support people during the festive season. It is estimated that there are over 750,000 children across Australia living in poverty with many families and individuals feeling socially isolated. The Christmas Appeal aims to support families and individuals who are struggling by helping to pay bills, provide food, clothing, hampers and presents during the festive season.

During Term 4 we invite you to participate in the Christmas Appeal by donating goods or gifts to add to hampers which will be given to families and individuals in our local community. This could consist of Long-Life Milk; Milo; Jelly; Long Life Juice; Christmas Cake; Pancake Mix; Cordial; Lollies; Rice; Cereal; Fruit Mince Pies; Biscuits-Sweet and Savoury; Tinned Vegetables; Pasta; Pasta Sauce; Spreads - Jam, Vegemite; Gravy Mix; Soup etc.

Show ‘n’ Shine – done for 2025

Thank you to all for your wonderful support and contributions that made the Show ‘n’ Shine what it is. Even though numbers were down from previous years, our fundraising efforts have begun.

In February next year, we will hold a raffle to support our fundraising efforts. Massive thank you to those parents, especially our Year 4/5s, who made the effort to either be there in person or provided home-bake. A very special mention to Mrs. Jess Johnson for taking the reins in the preparation, organisation and running of the event. Ladies (and some dads), a huge job and managed very well. Great work. 

School Fees for Term 4

Please be diligent and finalise your school fees for term 4. If you haven’t received the email, please contact the office. Your prompt payment allows us to successfully pay for class resources and extra-curricular activities. It also enables us to confidently enter into the new year in a good financial position to continue to offer quality teaching and learning experience, state of the art facilities and desired staffing levels. Your continued financial commitment to the school is an investment in your child’s education and future. To avoid a phone call, please attend to your school fees.

Upcoming Dates

Term 4 Dates (please refer to our online calendar for our most up to date list of events for the year) https://sfdssclifton.schoolzineplus.com/calendar

Week 4

Fri 31 Oct – World Teacher’s Day; St Francis de Speech Competition

Week 5

Tues 4 Nov – Melbourne Cup Race

Fri 7 Nov – Back Plains Speech Festival

Week 6

Tues 11 Nov – Wed 13 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Tues 11 Nov – Remembrance Day Liturgy – 2:30pm MPC

Week 7

Tues 18 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Wed 19 – Fri 21 Nov – Tallebudgera Camp

Week 8

Tues 25 – Wed 26 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Tues 25 Nov – possible step-up day for P-Yr.5 – to be confirmed

Thurs 27 Nov – Swimming Carnival

Fri 28 Nov – Carols and Awards Night – 5:30pm MPC

Week 9

Tues 2 Dec – Yr.5/6 Cricket Match

Wed 3 Dec – Yr.6 Graduation Liturgy – Church and Dinner – Bowls Club

Thurs 4 Dec – End of Year Mass, Shared Christmas Lunch, Movie afternoon

Fri 5 Dec – Xmas Disco 09:00 am– 11:00 am school finishes

God bless and thanks for reading…

Regards,

Brendan

Prep/1/2 News

As we wrap up our Measurement unit, students had a blast at our Dino Dig, applying their understanding of length, mass, and capacity in a hands-on way. In Science, we’ve been investigating how living things change over time, with our “beans in a bag” experiment sparking lots of excitement—hopefully they’re thriving in your gardens at home!

With the end of the year fast approaching, we’re making a final push in all areas. Please continue supporting home reading—our Preps are working hard to build fluency and confidence. We’ve also been diving into Australian animal information reports, and the students have created magnificent posters showcasing their research and creativity. Their enthusiasm and effort have been outstanding!

Thank you for your continued support. We’re so proud of the progress our learners are making!

Mrs. Skillington

Yr. 3/4 News

It’s been a productive few weeks in the Years 3 and 4 classroom, with students diving into rich learning experiences. 

In Mathematics, we’ve explored the world of fractions and shapes. Students have developed a deeper understanding of how to recognise, locate, and represent fractions and mixed numerals. Using number lines, hands-on fraction art activities, and movement, learners have brought fractions to life. Students have also explored quadrilaterals and their unique properties. They’ve learned to identify and describe shapes based on the number of sides, types of angles, and the presence of parallel lines—building a strong foundation in spatial reasoning and mathematical vocabulary. 

In English, students have been writing thoughtful letters to characters in stories, expressing empathy, curiosity, and imagination. Miss Shanaz has shared parts of her life story coming from Iraq to Australia and has inspired the students to share a part of their own life story. These writing tasks have supported the development of speaking and listening skills, as students share their ideas and respond to one another with respect and insight. 

In Religious Education, we’ve reflected on the Parable of the Lost Sheep, exploring its message: God loves each of us deeply and personally, and will never give up on us. Through storytelling, discussion, and creative response, students have connected this Gospel story to their own lives: looking out for others, welcoming everyone, and celebrating when someone finds their way back to love and belonging. 

Today we say farewell to Miss Shanaz, our dedicated second-year practicum student teacher, who has worked closely with the Year 3/4 students and teachers over the past three weeks. Miss Shanaz has been a valued member of our classroom and school community, bringing enthusiasm, compassion, and a genuine commitment to student learning. We sincerely thank her for her contributions and wish her all the very best in her future studies and continued journey in education. We hope to see her again in the future! 

Mrs. Malbon

Yr. 5/6 News

Year 5/6 have been buzzing with excitement over the past fortnight as students dived into our new electricity kits. This week, they put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test by designing and building their own wire loop games—complete with buzzers and lights! Each student challenged their peers to guide a metal hoop along the wire path without triggering the buzzer or light. Along the way, they also learned how to represent their game designs using the appropriate scientific symbols in their circuit diagrams.

In Literacy, students have been exploring the influence of media through our unit, “Hot off the Press”.  Year 5 students have jumped straight into the world of journalism, crafting newspaper reports about a stolen famous painting. Meanwhile, Year 6 students have been building on their writing skills by scripting news reports and transforming them into dynamic film segments. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to blend creativity with real-world communication skills!

In Mathematics, students have been deepening their understanding of division by exploring remainders as fractions and decimals—right down to tenths and hundredths.
Year 6 students have taken this further by converting fractions related to probability into decimals and percentages. Across both year levels, students have participated in hands-on investigations involving probability, data collection, and interpretation, making for a rich and interactive learning experience.

In HASS, our “Needs and Wants” unit has sparked thoughtful conversations around how human resources play a vital role in meeting our everyday needs. A key focus has been the importance of farmers within the supply chain, with students recognising just how essential they are in ensuring we have access to food and other necessities.

With several important assessments coming up in the next few weeks, students are encouraged to prioritise rest and self-care. Getting plenty of sleep and looking after their wellbeing will help them stay focused and perform at their best.

Mrs. Burrows

P.E with Mr. Red

Cricket Skills in Full Swing! 🏏

This term, our students have been enthusiastically developing their cricket skills during PE lessons and lunchtime sessions. From mastering the basics of batting and bowling to refining fielding techniques, students have shown great commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Our younger students have been learning hand-eye coordination through fun drills and modified games, while older students have been focusing on game strategy, communication, and technique. It’s been wonderful to see students encouraging one another and celebrating each other's progress.