Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Thank you for your attendance at the recent Parent Information Sessions and the P&F Family Fun Night! The feedback was very positive about holding the face-to-face meetings prior to the Family Fun Night as it provided an opportunity for parents (and their children) to ask questions and get some clarity around the expectations of the year ahead. The attendance was higher than expected and staff feedback has been great. I am always happy to receive any feedback should parents wish to pass on their thoughts but believe this initiative will continue into future years.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Thank you to the P&F Executive as well as the numerous volunteers who supported the Family Fun Night on Friday. We had over 700+ RSVP's and a great turn out for a night of pony rides, dodgeball, facepainting, magicians, reptiles and the always popular, gym bus! This is a wonderful way to start the school year and an opportunity for new and existing families to be part of our community. Even better, thanks to all the fundraising efforts of parents and the P&F, the event is FREE!
KISS AND DRIVE - Pick up and Drop off
I have noticed a number of adults getting out of their cars at Kiss and Drive both in the morning and after school. A gentle reminder to parents that if you are using Kiss and Drive, the expectation is that children should be able to enter and exit a vehicle independently. This includes putting on their seatbelts independently and collecting their own school bag. By adults getting out of the car, you are holding up the cars in line, which can bank back to the service station or interrupt the flow of traffic on Connolly Drive. We have been advised by WA Police that they will issue fines to stationary cars holding up traffic as it is an illegal practice and also very dangerous. If your child is not capable of attending to their own seatbelt or retrieving their bag, some independent practice will be required before continuing to use the Kiss and Drive. Also, if you have a grandparent or relative doing drop off or pick up, please remind them not to exit the vehicle for any reason whilst in the Kiss and Drive.
THE LUNCHBOX HUB (LOCAVORA) 2025
A reminder that lunch orders are available every day from www.lunchboxhub.com.au If you are transitioning from Locavora, you will need to log in and reset your password. Otherwise, you can set up an account and take advantage of the various lunch options available daily. Instructions have been attached.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS - Wednesday 5th March
Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, followed by Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent. Lent is a Christian observance that lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays, leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. The season is a time of reflection, fasting, and penance in preparation for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Wednesday afternoon, we will celebrate mass at 1:40pm with children from Year 1-6 where they will receive the Ashes (which are burnt palms from Palm Sunday last year) with the words, 'Repent and believe in the Gospel'. Children in Kindy and Pre-Primary will not attend mass but will have ashes distributed by leadership. Parents are encouraged to attend and support a significant event in the liturgical calendar.
UPCOMING MARCH STATE ELECTION
On March 8th, there will be a State Government Election and an opportunity for parents of children in Catholic Schools to have their say on ensuring a more equitable funding solution for Catholic Schools. Attached below is a letter from Catholic Education WA (CEWA) Executive Director, Mr Wayne Bull and Catholic School Parents WA Executive Director, Mrs Siobhan Allen, outlining the requests made by CEWA to the incoming State government in support of capital funding. Parents are urged to read the attached and contact the local representatives for the major parties to inquire about their stance on capital funding for our children.
2025 PUPIL FREE DAYS AND TERM DATES
The term dates and pupil free days are attached, along with important Term 1 events. Please diarise these to ensure you are aware of non-school days throughout 2025 and any relevant events for your children in Term 1.
Footy season is just around the corner and there is plenty of hope in the news cycle for both West Coast and Freo teams. As a West Coast supporter, this is usually the most promising time of year! Have a great fortnight ahead.
Best Wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
YEAR 6 CLASS MASS
This Friday the 28th February, our Year 5 and 6 classes will be celebrating a class mass organised by the Year Six team. During this mass, three of our Year 5 students Katie, Aria and Elizabeth will be commissioned as our newly trained Altar Servers. A massive congratulations to the girls on this wonderful achievement and we look forward to seeing you altar serve in the masses this year.
CARITAS PROJECT COMPASSION 2025
Our Project Compassion campaign will begin next week with promotional material and money boxes being provided to each classroom. The Caritas theme for 2025 is Unite Against Poverty. Together with Catholic schools and Church networks, we continue to work with all people, with shared hope and compassion, towards a world where we can all thrive and reach our full potential. There will be a 'crazy hair day' on the 28th March where all gold coin donations will go towards Project Compassion.
SHROVE TUESDAY AND ASH WEDNESDAY
To celebrate Shrove Tuesday on the 4th March, the Year Six Christian service leaders and Mr Haydon will lead the whole school in explaining the origins of Shrove Tuesday and the significance of this day for the Catholic community. Ash Wednesday signifies the start of Lent and will be celebrated through a whole school mass at 1:40pm in the hall on Wednesday the 5th March. All are welcome to attend.
Sarah Kavanagh
Assistant Principal
This week, we introduce our Year 2B teacher, Miss Mairead O'Farrell. We pose the hard hitting questions to Mairead to find out a little bit more about her!
- Where is your home town in Ireland and what is it famous for? County Cork- It's best known for people coming to kiss the Blarney Stone which apparently gives you the 'gift of the gab'
- Strangest Australian slang term that you are still yet to use? Smoko or Mate
- Three people (alive or dead) you would have around your place for dinner? My grandparents, Adele, MÃcheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
- You are given a last meal, what would it be? Chicken curry, rice and chips
- Most listened to song on Spotify? Adore you- Fred Again
Welcome Miss O'Farrell! We're expecting big things on March 17th!!!!!!
I received communication this week from the State Team Manager of Calisthenics Association of WA to advise that Daisy Pull had been selected to represent WA at the Australian Calisthenic Federation’s AusCali Carnivale in Adelaide in July this year!
Daisy has been mentioned before for her achievements in Calisthenics but being selected as one of 21 girls in the Sub-Junior Tier 1 aged 8-10 years, as part of a total team of 102 girls representing Western Australia is an amazing achievement worth celebrating! Congratulations on your selection Daisy, and we can't wait to hear how you go on the National stage!
Dear Parents,
Thank you to all parents who have returned their payment option forms. Families who have not yet given their forms, please do so ASAP. All payments for school fees have to commence by tomorrow, Friday 28th February.
Please remember to send in your current Centrelink concession card to continue receiving the discount for 2025.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
Happy Birthday to the following students who recently celebrated their birthday and who are celebrating their birthday over the next two weeks:
Paddy Bradley, Cassius Lawrence, Jack Seddon, Jasmine Gray, Louis Benton, Ryan Pervan, Damiano Dako, Luka Kovac, Hetvik Vyas, Leo Watson, Nicholas Donatti, Ajok Domkoc, Savannah Smith, Gabriell Donio, La'Keysha Bak Anei, Savannah Diaz, Jamie Hayman, Semerra George, Gabriela Hampson-Villalobos, Charlie Rasheed, Sophia Hopwood, Oliver Whitehouse, Ajok Athoi, Austin Samuels, Gavin Balin, Amelia Burke, Damien Mundawaro.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
Enrolment for Musicorp's music program is still open for Term 1 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi! If your child is interested in exploring the world of music and learning an instrument at school, we encourage you to sign them up today. There are plenty of instruments to try such as Violin, Guitar, Piano, Drums, and more!
For a full list of instruments we offer, to enrol or gather more information, please visit the website at https://rent.musicorp.com.au/tuition_online_eoi/ or you may contact Musicorp directly on 1300 858 911.
Sibling Discount Scheme Application form
If you have a child/children attending both St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School and Irene McCormack Catholic College (IMCC) you may be eligible for a discount on tuition fees at IMCC. Please see information below. All forms need to be in at the SFoA office by tomorrow Friday 28th February 2025.
Irene McCormack Catholic College Sunset Tours
Join IMCC for their first Sunset Tour of the year on Thursday, March 27th. This year they are combining the tours with their popular Sounds at the Sunset event. Register now to secure your tour spot!
Tours: 4:00pm or 4:30pm
Food Trucks: 5:00pm
Performances: 6:00pm
Raffle: End of the Concert
Scan the QR code or click the link to register
https://IMCC.formstack.com/forms/sunset_tour_27th_march_2025_registration
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclarkson/