This week we had a lovely re-connection with St Francis Xavier College.

On Monday, Year 11 students came to work with Year 3 students. They listened to our students read some of their favourite books and talked together about them, helping with their comprehension and encouraging a love of reading.

On Wednesday Year 10 Physical Education students, as a requirement of their coursework, designed and ran small group games for our Year 6 students. There were a number of ex St John the Apostle students who attended. It was lovely to see them again.

Later that day former St John the Apostle teacher, Mrs Melanie Monaghan, brought Year 9 students currently learning about sustainability to help us in our kitchen garden. They were able to complete a few more of the garden beds. We're looking forward to planting next week.

It has been a joy to work again with SFX staff and students. We're very fortunate to have such a close and mutually beneficial relationship between our schools. I'm thankful to the many staff at both schools that make this possible.

NAPLAN

This week concludes the bulk of the NAPLAN assessments for Years 3 and 5 students. I would like to thank our Coordinator Mrs Bree Dess and their teachers for preparing the students, ensuring technology worked smoothly and administering the assessments in a calm and supportive manner. Our students responded very positively.

Journey with Jesus

Yesterday our Year 6 students participated in a Journey with Jesus retreat day ran by our Youth Minister Lachlan Bull and a support team from CSYMA Youth Ministry in our Archdiocese.

Year 6 is a formative time for children. They see that there is no one older than them at school. They have now reached the end of a journey. They have a greater sense of how much they have grown. They understand a little more about responsibility and autonomy and are just beginning to define and then assert their own identity as separate to their family. This is the beginning of a new journey they are about to embark on.

The Journey with Jesus day is an opportunity to celebrate their uniqueness, to be reminded that they are made in the image and likeness of God and to understand that they are loved. It is a day of song, reflection, scripture, story and prayer.

The feedback we received from the team was that our students were outstanding. Thank you to Lachlan and his team for leading our students through the day with such enthusiasm and care.

Late arrivals and early pick ups

A new sign in/out kiosk has been installed in the Front Office as part of a new administration package being implemented across all Catholic schools in our system.

Beginning Monday, if your child arrives to school after the morning assembly has finished they will need to be signed in at the Front Office by a parent/guardian. This will mean finding a park and coming in to the office foyer to sign them in.

Additionally, should they be picked up early for any reason, they will need to be signed out by the attending parent/guardian using the new sign in/out kiosk.

These procedures help schools to meet their requirements for accountability around student attendance and safety.

Year 4 1-to-1 Chromebook launch

This Monday we officially launch our Year 4 1-to-1 Chromebook program for students and families.

The students were introduced to these devices last term. They have been learning how to use them effectively and to use some of the features provided to practice skills and communicate their learning in all curriculum areas.

We would like one parent for every Year 4 student to be present at the meeting.

We look forward to the new and exciting opportunities for our senior students. 

Enrolments for 2022

We are now in the enrolment period for 2022.

If you have a child currently in pre-school and will be enrolling them for Kindergarten then please be sure to do this before 28 May. Please go to our school website to lead you through how to do this or contact Leanne at the Front Office with any questions.

If you have a child in Year 6 and look to enrol them in St Francis Xavier College for Year 7 then you will need to do this by 28 May. Please go to their website for all of the information you need.