Dear Parents & Caregivers,
A sincere thank you to the staff and parents past and present for their attendance at our recent 20 Year Anniversary. For those parents unable to attend, we were fortunate enough to hear from both inaugural staff (Mrs Anderson) and students (Mr Kieran Parkes - Head of Year 7 @ IMCC) address the children and share some of their fond memories of being foundation members of our school.
I feel very privileged to lead this community and have a small contribution to the legacy of our founding Principal, Mrs Anne Nolan and also Mr James Danaher before me. The quote in our hall encapsulates our journey over the past 20 years, 'Start with what's necessary; then do what's possible; suddenly you are doing the impossible.'
P&F EXECUTIVE 2025
At the conclusion of 2024 all of our P&F Executive Members have concluded their two-year term and the roles will be open for nomination. If you are interested in undertaking a formal role with the P&F, please email jason.baker@cewa.edu.au. prior to November 12th.
There are four roles that need to be filled:
- Chairperson
- Deputy Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
The existing P&F members will be free to nominate again for a further two-year term. Should we receive more than 4 nominations, an election will be held at the Annual Community Meeting on the 19th November where those nominating will need to address the community with a short 1min speech about why they would like to nominate and what they may bring to the role. Should we only receive the four nominations, these individuals will be elected unopposed as per the Terms of Reference. There is an expectation that P&F Executive members are actively involved in the organising, coordinating or volunteering at the P&F run events. They must also attend the termly P&F meetings. Details of the roles and responsibilities of the Executive can be sourced from the P&F.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING - TUESDAY 19th NOV 3pm
Each year, we hold our annual community meeting of the School Advisory Council and P&F Executive in the school hall to conclude the year. Parents are encouraged to attend and recap on the school year, both financially and academically. Reports are prepared and delivered by both bodies and we also announce the class teachers for 2025 along with associated school fees. The meeting will take place at 3pm in the hall.
BOOKLISTS 2025
In 2024, we introduced a Book Fee levy for our parents in order to reduce the burden on parents over the summer period. There was a very favourable response by parents to not only the reduction in cost, but also the benefits to their family and children. This will again be applied in 2025 where parents DO NOT need to source stationary. rather parents pay a book fee levy and the materials are delivered in bulk to the school and sorted for your child to access. The associated school fees and levies will be communicated at the Annual Community Meeting on Tuesday 19th November at 3pm.
CLASS LISTS & TEACHER REQUESTS 2025
In preparation for the 2025 school year, discussions and meetings are taking place with teachers, students, support staff and leadership. Many hours are spent taking a very measured and balanced approach when preparing these lists and placing children in classes. Classes are always evenly distributed according to academic, social and emotional needs.
Processes are in place across the school so that each child nominates five 'smart partners' and we guarantee at least one smart partner is placed with your child. The discussion with children is not about choosing only 'friends', but other children in the year group that they believe they work well with or may be a good role model. This may not necessarily be the children they play with at recess or lunch. Every child's personality, learning and social needs are taken into account and we balance the classes accordingly. With over 460 children in the school and only two classes each year to choose from, it is impossible to accommodate all parent requests. I appreciate parents know their child and want the best possible outcome for them, but please trust that we are striving for the same outcome for the needs of every individual child in the school. I ask that parents please do not contact teachers to make class or teacher requests. If teachers have had that discussion with parents, that information is passed directly onto me.
Each year, given the opportunity and conditions, the children flourish, adapt and grow to their classroom environment and manage their friendships both within and outside the classroom. Once children are advised of their class lists, parents should be placing the focus firmly on the classroom space being for learning and the playground, a place to further foster connections.
INSTRUMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2025 - YEAR 3-6
Thanks to Polygon Music, we will once again be offering two families the opportunity to have 12 months of music tuition provided free of charge for their child to learn either drums, guitar, electric guitar or keyboard. Our instrumental program runs once per week in small groups and is open for any child in Year 3-6 in 2025. The scholarships are funded by both Polygon Music and SFOA and aim to support families in financial distress whose child would like to learn an instrument. Should you be interested, please complete the attached application form and return to Mr Cunniffe at mark.cunniffe@cewa.edu.au Applications close on the 15th November.
COLOUR EXPLOSION P&F EVENT FRIDAY 8th NOV
A reminder that fundraising has started for our annual P&F Colour Run from 1:45pm on the 8th November. This was a huge success last year with lots of money raised for our school and a lot of fun for the children. The monies raised this year will contribute to the upgrade of the Kindy/PP playground. A reminder that any child who raises $20 or more goes into the draw to 'SLIME A TEACHER' on the last day of school! If you haven't created a fundraising account as yet, follow the link below to get started. Thank you to our parent volunteers and the P&F for their work on the Colour Run as we are confident it will be a great fundraising initiative again in 2024.
www.australianfundraising.com.au
Tomorrow is All Saints Day and our school will mark the occasion with Mass in the afternoon with Father Darek. In Roman Catholicism, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of the dead. While All Saints and All Souls Day are no longer holy days of obligation in Australia, the Church encourages prayers for the faithful departed and, in some parishes, names of those who have passed are often placed in the Church so the parish community can remember them in prayer. Our prayers and intentions throughout November are with any community members who have lost a loved one.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
Congratulations to George Phillips who participated in the WA BMX State Championships over the school holidays and at the beginning of the term participated in the Australian BMX Nationals Titles. George was lucky enough to meet Olympic Gold Medallist, Saya Sakakibara and the Bronze Medallist Romain Mahieu from France. Although his age isn't scored, he placed 5th in both finals and had an absolute blast. Can't wait to see George in Brisbane 2032!
On Sunday Paige, Elsie and Vivienne (3B) netball team, the U9 Butler Seaspray were selected to represent Joondalup Netball Association to play at half time for the Aus vs NZ Constellation Cup at RAC Arena on Sunday! Whilst the result didn't go the Diamond's way, the girls did so well competing in front of a packed arena with over 1500 people!! Well done to our netball superstars!
Dear Parents,
Next week all families on payment plans will receive their school fee statement. Please check your statement carefully. Remember that families who are not on a payment plan need to finalise their full school fees by the 31st October 2024. If you have any queries, please contact myself on 08 9562 9528 or email finance@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
As always we are grateful to those families who continue to support our children by paying their school fees promptly.
All families on Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) need to provide the school with their current card to continue receiving the discount for 2024. If your card has expired, please bring in your new card to the school office ASAP. If we do not receive your HCC you will be charged the full fees.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over the next two weeks:
Lennon Ryan, Thomas Hennessey, Aviana Chauhan, Skye Schulz, Harper Mungall, Rian Yapp, Luiza Vaz Duffy, Wieu Kuach, Frankie Biggs, Domonic Scalisi, Ethan Canzirri, Tejveer Mehta, Hope Angela Brecio, Olyvh Milton, Lilly Smith, Jacinta De Dut, Jack Witham, Flynn Richards, Hollie Keogh, Eden Stipinovich, Bianca Banghi Lago, Logan Marais, Ava Javadi, Sebastijan Rados, Ava Victorien, Zoe Van Der Brugghen.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stfrancisbutler
Email: standrewsclarkson@gmail.com
Website: http://www.standrewsclarkson.com/
Location: 53 Belleville Gardens, Clarkson WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9407 7512
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