St Francis of Assisi News
Term 4 - Issue 18 3rd December 2020
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S POST
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
The final newsletter of the year is here! After what can only be described as a very different 2020, parents, children and staff will all be happy to see the back end of this year. Despite the many challenges and disruptions, we could not be prouder of how our community navigated COVID and the unprecedented effect it had on the children and families.
Mr Jason Baker is on leave for the remainder of the year. We keep Jason's family and Jason in our thoughts and prayers throughout this time and respect the family's request for privacy.
With only just over a week to go, there are some important notices below including Pupil Free Days and Term Dates for 2021.
COVID TRAVEL OVER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Please find below a letter for all parents who plan to travel interstate or overseas over the school holiday break. There is a process that involves providing details and letters on the understanding that parents are aware there may be a necessity to quarantine on arrival back in WA.
P&F CLASS REPS 2021
Thank you to those parents who have nominated as class reps for 2021. If you are still interested, please volunteer yourself by contacting the P&F via email: mailto:pandf@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
What a wonderful community event last night with the Make A Move Performance Program Christmas Concert. Thank you to all the children and parents for making this such a festive celebration. Thank you to Tiyarna and Megan from Make A Move, as well as the Year 1 and 2 teachers who coordinated the production. Congratulations to all the children on their amazing dancing and singing, and even our talented staff for their perfectly choreographed performance. No doubt, this will make it's way to YouTube at some point!
YEAR 3 iPAD 1:1 PARENT NIGHT
The presentation from last Wednesday's iPad Parent Night is available on our website under Learning and WellBeing/Digital Technologies. Alternatively, it can be accessed via this link https://bit.ly/2I2TB7o. Thank you to those parents who gave up their time to attend.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM took place last Wednesday and all reports from this presentation can also be found on our website under Our School/AGM. Congratulations to Jacinta Lynton who successfully nominated and was elected to the School Advisory Council in 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Year 6 Graduation/Thanksgiving Mass - Wednesday 9th December @ 8:45am
- Last day of Term Fun Day & Shared Lunch - Friday 11th December (see below)
SCHOOL FEES 2021
As outlined at the Annual General Meeting, there will be a 0% increase to school fees for 2021. Each family will be levied a P&F charge of $10/family. This will assist covering administration costs such as auditing and membership of the Catholic School Parents WA (CSPWA) body which act on behalf of Catholic parents. More information around CSPWA can be found here: https://csp.wa.edu.au/ 2021 school fees have been sent out along with Direct Debit forms. If you are in the position to do so, please set up regular payments via DD or BPay to begin early in 2021. Should you need assistance to do so, please contact: finance@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
FAMILIES LEAVING IN 2020
The following families will sadly be leaving us at the end of this year, so we take the opportunity to say farewell and best wishes on the next part of their journey. It has been a pleasure having you as part of the SFOA community.
Jack Best (KW)
Timothy Douglas (1B)
Emmaline (4B) and Norah Curic (3B)
Alize Smith (5W)
Parker (KW) and Poppy Meachin (5B)
UNIFORM
The Uniform Shop is closed on Monday 7 December but will be open on Thursday 10 December from 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Pick up of Pre-Paid uniform items only will be available on Thursday 28th January from 9:00am - 11:00am. Orders can be placed through JFE, 9204 1701 or email sales@jfe.net.au over the school holiday break.
The Uniform Shop will open on 28th January from 12:30pm - 2:30pm for try-ons - it is compulsory that you book an appointment. You can book by clicking on: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/kiosk?ecode=mbtt6
2021 TERM DATES
Term 1: Mon 1st Feb - Thurs 1st Apr
Holiday break: Fri 2nd Apr - Sun 18th Apr
Term 2: Tue 20th Apr - Fri 2nd Jul
Holiday break: Sat 3rd Jul - Sun 18th Jul
Term 3: Tue 20th Jul - Fri 24th Sep
Holiday break: Sat 25th Jul - Sun Oct 10th
Term 4: Mon 11th Oct - Fri 10th Dec
2021 PUPIL FREE DAYS
Tuesday 2nd March (Term 1)
Monday 19th April (Term 2)
Monday 19th July (Term 3)
Friday 20th August (Term 3)
Monday 23rd August (Term 3)
All of these dates have been added to our live calendar below. We encourage you to bookmark this page on your favourites or sync this calendar with your personal device to ensure you are always up to date with the most accurate information on school dates and events for 2021.
In a year that can only be described as unprecedented, we have a lot to be proud of here at St Francis of Assisi. We have a wonderfully diverse, supportive community that is lead by a committed group of staff. Thank you to all the parents and families for your contributions to our school this year and riding the wave of uncertainty with us all. Wishing you a blessed, safe and holy season of Christmas with family and friends. Enjoy the long summer holidays and we look forward to seeing all the children back with us next year, happy and healthy.
God bless
Dee Campbell
Assistant Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS FOR SVDP
Thank you to all those families who have already supported the Christmas Hamper Appeal. If you have not yet donated, there is still time! The last day for hamper items is Monday 7th December.
THANKSGIVING MASS
Next Wednesday (9th December) will be our final mass for the school year - a Thanksgiving Graduation Mass. Due to restrictions still in place, the number of adults has been limited to invited guests only. The Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2020 will follow the Mass. As a school community we wish the graduating students all the best for the exciting future that awaits them.
ST ANDREW'S FEAST DAY
Thank you to all the children who participated so beautifully in the Mass and celebrations on Sunday at St Andrew's Church. It was a lovely morning, made more special by your willingness to be involved.
ADVENT WREATH
The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: Laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolises the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolise the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolises the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have received--only what you have given.”
― Francis of Assisi
Miss Dee Campbell
SPORT NEWS
Year 6 Interschool Carnival
The Year 6 students participated in their final interschool carnival of primary school. They chose Tennis, Cricket or Indoor Beach Volleyball to participate in. All students participated with enthusiasm and excitement and had a great day!
Year 6 Sailing
Over the past two weeks, our Year 6's have travelled to Hillary's Yacht Club to learn how to sail. The children had a fabulous time learning about the different parts of a sail boat and heading out on the water to sail.
Regards,
Amanda Croxall
Teacher
LIBRARY NEWS
Kind regards,
Marie Gray
Library
SFOA BREAKFAST CLUB
When: Every Tuesday/Thursday
Time: 8:00am - 8:20am
Where: Hall
Come in and grab some toast with vegemite or jam and start your day right!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating a birthday over the next week: Georgia Donatti, Bol Bol. We wish you both a wonderful day!!
IMPORTANT DATES
Fri 4 Dec - PP Performance Assembly/Merit Assembly (8:45am)
Tues 8 Dec - P&F Meeting/Hampers (8:45am) / K-6 Transition Day 9am
Wed 9 Dec - Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass (8:45am)
Thurs 10 Dec - Year 6 Maze excursion/School Reports PP - Year 6 go home
Fri 11 Dec - End of Year fun day (am)/SFOA Community lunch/students finish term 4
Mon 1 February 2021 - Students (PP - Year 6) commence Term 1
SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
School fee reminder statements are being sent out today. Kindly attend to the balances ASAP. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, either contact me on 9562 9500 or email geneve.bastian@cewa.edu.au
Early payments for 2021 school fees can be accepted this year if parents wish to do so. A 5% early discount applies to the tuition fee only.
For health care card discounts to be applied to 2021 fees, we must receive all updated cards by the beginning of Term 1 2021.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
UNIFORM SHOP
Monday: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: NEW LOCATION - Operating out of the demountable at the rear of the school!
Ph: (08) 9204 1701
Address: 1/85 Guthrie St, Osborne Park 6017
Email: mailto:sales@jfe.com.au
**Please note: the uniform shop won't be open on Monday 7th December but will be open on Thursday 10th December 2-3pm instead.
CAMP AUSTRALIA
VACATION SWIMMING
Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.
VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break. Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water. Your children can start as young as five years old. Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim
CONTACT US
Mon-Thur: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 3:30pm
Email: admin@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Location: 1051 Connolly Drive, Butler WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9562 9500
Facebook: facebook.com/stfrancisbutler
ST ANDREW'S CATHOLIC PARISH
Email: standrewsclarkson@gmail.com
Website: http://www.standrewsclarkson.com/
Location: 53 Belleville Gardens, Clarkson WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9407 7512
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclarkson/