Term 4 Newsletter, 8th November 2024

Principal's Message

Checking in…

The final few weeks of the school year are often considered a crazy time not only in schools but in all aspects of our lives. End of year camps, assessment & reporting, concerts, graduation, carnivals, staffing, budgets, and planning for the following year, plus preparing for the impending Christmas holidays and family get-togethers, tend to swamp us at a time when our energies may be low.

At the end of each term, especially Term 4, we are more likely to be sensitive because we are run down and in need of that well-earned break. Our resilience is low, and we are emotionally drained. This appears to be the norm at this time every year. The important thing though is how we all—parents, staff, and students—respond to this challenge. Monitoring our thinking, attitude, talk, and behaviour is particularly important at this time of year.

The Executive Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, Dr Pat Coughlan, spoke to all Principals of schools and Senior Leaders from the office about how important it is ‘to turn toward each other, not turn on each other.’ A relevant and popular saying Dr Pat used was, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’ When we come together to support one another, talk positively about our shared prosperity and purpose, and remain curious and open to change in order to learn and grow, we remain strong allies for one another. 

Standardised Testing

Each year, students are tested on a range of standardised tests to see how students are going with their learning. These tests are used to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas where students may need additional support. The data collected from PAT assessments is used to inform teaching strategies and identify trends in student learning.

PAT results can be a good starting point to help you understand how your child is doing. A single test however should always be considered alongside other assessment information throughout the year. An important fact to remember is these tests are a single point in time, and from time to time, a student or two, might not always achieve their best, in these types of assessment (something we all consider). If you have any questions or would like further information about your child’s results, please contact your child’s teacher for more details.

Show ‘n’ Shine – done for 2024

I am very pleased to announce that this year the St Francis de Sales community raised $2,417 which will go directly towards subsidising the 2025 Tallebudgera Camp for Year 5/6. This is a massive achievement from all involved and we should all be very proud. Well done team and here's to the 2025 Show ‘n’ Shine.

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Please continue to support our Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal - this could consist of Long-Life Milk; Milo; Jelly; Long Life Juice; Christmas Cake; Pancake Mix; Cordial; Lollie's; Rice; Cereal; Fruit Mince Pies; Biscuits-Sweet and Savoury; Tinned Vegetables; Pasta; Pasta Sauce; Spreads - Jam, Vegemite; Gravy Mix; Soup etc.

Swimming 2024

Please see the letter that was sent out two weeks ago which has all the details for swimming 2024.

School Fees for Term 4

I cannot stress the importance of finalising your school fees for Term 4 2024. Please make the necessary arrangements for this to be done immediately. Please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.

School Goals Review and What Are Our Next Steps…

We are currently reviewing our school goals from this year and planning on our goals for 2025. These goals are developed from our recent SRIP 2018-2022, Perception Surveys, previous Annual Action Plans and our Strategic Plan. The purpose of this design is to collaboratively plan and explicitly state what our school goals will be for 2025. Our plan will be made available in the next edition. I will also be able to share some of our highlights and achievements from the year.

Staffing for 2025 – Letter to come next week

Next week you will receive a communication letter that will outline the 2025 staffing arrangements. We are very fortunate to have experienced and dedicated staff that share a passion and commitment for excellence in teaching and learning. Their passion, vibrancy and level of curriculum knowledge will assist the students for a smooth transition next year. I am very confident this model will support your child. Like always, please come in and see me if you have any questions or concerns about staffing for 2025.

We are looking for a Tuck shop Helper/s for Fridays for 2025…

• can you help?
• do you know of someone that can help?
• nominate your person to Mr. Red?

If we are not able to find any helpers for Friday Tuck shop, the service maybe not available next year, so please have a think and let Mr. Red know.

Upcoming Celebrations

Over the next couple of weeks, St Francis de Sales is celebrating a number of events which include a Swimming Carnival, Awards Night, Graduation Liturgy and End of Year Mass (please see dates below).

Please place these into your calendar and you are most welcome to attend all of these events. Please stay tuned to Facebook, as a post will be made about our Awards Night and catering for the night. Please RSVP your attendance so we can prepare for the night.

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

Upcoming dates for Term 4

Week 7

Mon 11 Nov – Remembrance Day Liturgy – 2:15pm all welcome to attend

Thurs 14 Nov – Prep 2025 Transition Day – (9:00-10:30am)

Week 8

Mon 18 Nov – Swimming Lessons (please see recent announcement around swimming)

Thurs 21 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Fri 22 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Sun 24 Nov – Family Sunday Mass – 9:30am 

Week 9 

Mon 25 Nov – Swimming Lessons

Tues 26 Nov – Swimming Lessons, Individual Medley 200M 2:00pm

Wed 27 Nov – Swimming Lessons,

Thurs 28 Nov – Swimming carnival – 9:00-11:00am

Fri 29 Nov – End of Year Awards / Carols – 5:30pm

Week 10

Mon 2 Dec – Report Cards published to the Parent Portal

Tues 3 Dec – Year 6 Transition to Clifton High School

Wed 4 Dec – Graduation Liturgy 5:30pm and Dinner for Year 6

Thurs 5 Dec – End of Year Mass 9:00am; Shared Morning Tea, Year 6 Fun afternoon at I-Play (Twmba)

Fri 6 Dec – Christmas Disco – 9am to 11am (Last Day of School)

Looking forward to what will be an exciting and rewarding next couple of weeks. God bless and thanks for reading…

Cheers,

Brendan

Middle Leader News

As the school term progresses, we are continually inspired by the resilience and determination of our students. Despite the challenges and demands of their academic and extracurricular activities, they have shown remarkable perseverance and adaptability. Whether it’s tackling difficult work tasks, participating in sports, or engaging in creative projects, our students consistently rise to the occasion.

One of the key aspects of resilience we have observed is their ability to manage time effectively and balance various responsibilities. Students have been proactive in seeking help when needed, collaborating with peers, and finding innovative solutions to problems. This resilience is not only helping them succeed academically but also building essential life skills that will serve them well in the future.

Moreover, the support from teachers and parents has been instrumental in fostering this resilience. Through encouragement and guidance, our students are learning to navigate obstacles with a positive mindset. We are proud of their achievements and the growth they have demonstrated this term.

As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting our students in every way possible, ensuring they continue to thrive and develop their resilience. Let’s celebrate their hard work and dedication as we look forward to the rest of the term.

Mrs. Busiko

Prep/1/2/3 News

Our students have successfully completed their habitat dioramas. These creative projects have been a wonderful way for them to explore and understand different animal environments.

This term, we’ve had a blast with various activities designed to make learning about measurement fun and engaging. The hands-on experiences have helped solidify important concepts in a memorable way.

We were thrilled to celebrate our learning this term with an open classroom event. A big thank you to all the parents and guardians who could join us. Your presence made the day even more special! 

We also took time to celebrate Mary, Our Mother, reflecting on her importance and the values she represents.

In the coming weeks, we will be diving into mapping in Math. Students will describe features of a map and create simple instructions, enhancing their spatial awareness and understanding of geography.

We are also learning to examine health messages and how they inform our decision-making and behaviours. This will help students understand the impact of health information on their choices and actions.

Mrs. Skillington

Yr 4/5/6 News

This term, our students have been diving into the rich and diverse cultures of Asia through an engaging project. Each student has chosen an Asian country to research and will be presenting their findings in Week 7. These information reports will cover various aspects such as geography, culture, and significant landmarks. This activity not only enhances their research and presentation skills but also broadens their understanding of the world. We are eagerly looking forward to the presentations, where students will showcase their hard work and creativity.

In Week 8, Tuesday 19 November, we will celebrate their efforts with a shared lunch. Each student will bring a dish from the country they have studied, allowing everyone to experience a taste of different Asian cuisines. This shared lunch is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with each other and appreciate the culinary diversity of Asia. We encourage parents to support their children in preparing these dishes, making it a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Please remember that your food needs to be nut free. 

In addition to their geographical studies, students have been exploring the life and significance of Mary, the Mother of God. This project involves researching various images of Mary, understanding the different names she is given, and learning about her role in the Catholic Church. Through this study, students gain a deeper appreciation of Mary’s influence and her importance in the Catholic faith. They have been particularly interested in the various titles she holds, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Lourdes.

Mrs. Busiko

P.E. with Mr. Red & Mrs. Malbon

In Pickleball, students have learnt how to score, how to control the ball using the racquet and variable hitting strengths focusing on the target over the net. In cricket, we have worked on batting and target throwing. In the coming weeks, we will see some assessment and the start of swimming lessons. Please email me (Mr. Red) with any swimming nominations that you may have. We are looking forward to swimming and our swimming carnival is in week 9 (as per the dates in calendar).

Yours in all things sporty,

Mrs. Malbon and Mr. Red

Tips for High School- Social

Friendships

Stay in touch with friends from primary school
Before Year 6 ends, organise to keep in touch with your existing primary school friends over the holidays and into Year 7 even if they are not going to the same high school. Making time on the weekends or after school to meet up helps keep old friendships strong and means you will always have friends to talk to. This is especially important during the beginning of Year 7 when you may not have had time to make new friends yet.

Look for friendship opportunities
Join a club, team, volunteer group or after-school activity to find people with similar interests as you. Make eye contact and smile at people to look approachable. Try making small talk with someone who’s sitting alone at lunch or on the bus. Ask people questions (e.g., their interests, favourite subjects etc.) to get to know them and remember to listen attentively. Check out https://young.scot/get-informed/a-shy-persons-guide-to-making-friends-at-school/ or https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/making-friends for extra tips and examples.

Notice people with similar values to you
Look for people who are inclusive, kind and fair. Be careful of groups who exclude others (e.g., because they don’t look a certain way, don’t do certain things etc.), or who spread gossip about people. These people are likely to exclude you and gossip about you if there is a disagreement. Similarly, be wary of people who ask you to tell big secrets about yourself early on. Trust needs to be earned. Try sharing smaller things first (things you don’t mind becoming public) to see if your new friends can be relied on. Avoid people who pressure you to not have any friends except them; try to have some friends from different groups so you always have someone to hang out with if there is a problem with a friendship group.

Check out https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-10/Good-Childhood-Friendship-Guide-Young-People.pdf for extra hints and tips for healthy friendships.

Communicating with Teachers

Classwork
Be proactive in asking for your teacher’s help, that is, ask for help before you get behind. Put your hand up to ask questions, or to ask the teacher to do a worked example on the board so that you can understand the work better.

Assignments
Similar to classwork, if you don’t understand part of an assignment, ask your teacher about it before you get behind. Politely ask them if they can explain it using different words, demonstrate the process with something similar, or give an example that won’t give away the answer.

What if I’m shy?
If you are too shy to ask questions in front of other people, you can also ask your teacher after class (e.g., during breaks by going to a staffroom). Teachers are generally very happy to help, and excited that students care enough about their learning to come and ask for help. Even if you are shy at first, it is a good idea to build your confidence by asking small questions first (that you are more comfortable with) and working your way up to bigger questions later. This way, if you really need to ask something, you’ll be able to, and you won’t miss out. Check out https://studentfutures.org/communication-for-teens/how-to-talk-to-teachers-tips-for-student-success/ for extra hints and tips for effective communication with your teachers.

Bullying

What should I do if I’m bullied?
Talk to someone. You're not on your own. Tell a teacher or someone at your school. Talk to your mum or dad or carer, one of your family, a grandparent, friend or someone else who you know will listen to you. Also, remember the counsellors at https://kidshelpline.com.au/ (1800 55 1800). Ask people to help you work out what to do. If things don't get better after you've told someone, don’t give up, tell them again or tell a different person. Check out https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-young-people for additional advice and information.

Mr. Christopher Byrne