St Francis of Assisi News

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Congratulations to our Year 3 children who are receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this evening at St Andrew's Parish. They have participated in a parent workshop alongside and on Wednesday 24:7 Retreats led a day of reflection and fun activities around the importance of repairing our relationship with God. This is a special and important step in their faith journey and we wish them well as they continue to grow in grace and receive God's forgiveness and mercy. A special thanks to Mr Kinder, Mrs Anderson and Ms Campbell for their preparation of the Sacrament. Also to the wonderful parents who are sharing this journey with their children.

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

On Tuesday, while children enjoyed the additional day of the long weekend, the staff came together to work through some professional learning around various topics. This included an evidence-based social and emotional regulation framework from Yale University, RULER. As a staff, we have been working through elements of the program and how it can benefit us as adults and consequently, our children.

Staff also spent time completing various work, health and safety modules as part of their professional learning in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for staff, families, children and visitors.

NAPLAN YEAR 3 & 5

Next Wednesday, 13th March our Year 3 and 5 children will begin sitting the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) annual assessment that measures their skills in literacy and numeracy. It is administered to students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. NAPLAN aims to provide parents, teachers, schools, and governments with information about how students are performing in these key areas and to help identify areas where teachers and students may need extra support.

The assessments cover a range of skills including reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The results of the tests are used to measure student progress over time, identify areas of strength and weakness, and inform teaching and learning practices in schools.

As a parent, it is important to understand that NAPLAN is just one measure of your child's academic performance and should not be seen as the sole indicator of their abilities. It is also important to provide support and encouragement for your child during the NAPLAN testing period, remembering that it is an assessment like many others the children complete.

Later this year, parents of children in Year 3 & 5 will receive a report of their child's NAPLAN results which will show how their child performed compared to the national average. This report can be a helpful tool in understanding strengths and areas for improvement, however, it is also important to consider other factors such as classroom performance, teacher feedback, and other assessments.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's academic performance please speak with your child's teacher further information and support. Remember, the most important thing is to support and encourage your child as they navigate through their educational journey.

SOCIAL REPORTS - WEEK 9

A reminder that in Week 9 a social report will come home for every child in PP-Year 6. This is a snapshot of your child's transition into their year group this year and comprises a range of social and work related habits. A formal academic report and meetings are scheduled in Term 2.

BENEDICT FEAST DAY/CRAZY HAIR FOR CARITAS - FRIDAY 15th MARCH

As per Miss Campbell's details below, a reminder that next Friday 15th March, will be our Benedict Feast Day celebration. We have also coordinated a fundraiser for Caritas on the same day by all children wearing their best Crazy Hair - please just bring a gold coin donation! It's safe to say, myself and Mr Clarke will not be participating.

Footy season has returned and that dead space between summer and winter sports has finally ended! (Although, I have been enjoying the NBA and NZ v Australian test series). For us West Coast supporters, it looks as though it will be another tough 6 months ahead, whilst the Purple Army are offering a little more hope. Either way, for everyone's sake let's just hope Collingwood don't go back to back!

Have a great fortnight ahead.

Best Wishes

Jason Baker

Principal

SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

Congratulations to all children who are receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation tonight! We look forward to seeing you all, with your parents at 5:45pm at St Andrew's Church, Clarkson, tonight.

Please continue to keep these children and their families in your prayers.

LENT - PROJECT COMPASSION

Project Compassion seeks to help people both here in Australia and overseas to live a better life. This Lenten season Project Compassion have released videos of people who have benefitted from the support of Project Compassion. You can find out more about Ronita, Leaia and Memory here. These videos remind us that not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to clean, running water, a good education and healthy food. Project Compassion boxes are in each class. Small donations each week can make all the difference in someone else's life.

COMING UP IN TERM 1

CRAZY HAIR DAY

On Friday 15th March, we will be having a Crazy Hair Day to raise money for Project Compassion. This is our major fundraiser for PC, so it would be wonderful if all children could please support Crazy Hair Day. Gold coin donation please!

BENEDICT FEAST DAY

Friday 15th March is also our Benedict Faction Feast Day! The day's timetable will look like this:

8:45am Whole School Liturgy

9am Merit Assembly (ALL children return to class.)

12:30pm - 1:10pm Benedict Faction Lunch (PP - Year 6)

1:45pm - 2:45pm Benedict Faction Games

If there are any Benedict parents who would like to join us for the afternoon games (1:45pm - 2:45pm) please contact me at dee.campbell@cewa.edu.au - maximum of 8 parents. Please no younger siblings.

LENTEN (EASTER) RECONCILIATION

Children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who are baptised Catholic, and have already received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, will receive Reconciliation on Thursday 21st March between 12:00pm and 1:10pm. This will take place in the school hall. Staff will be in attendance.

Year 2 CLASS LITURGY

The Year 2 Class Liturgy will take place in the school hall on Friday 22nd March at 8:45am. Parents and relatives are welcome to join us.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

On Thursday 28th March (the last day of school) The Year 6s will lead us in a re-enactment of Holy Week, culminating in the Stations of the Cross. We encourage all families to join us, and then stay for the Community Lunch.

"Let us not grow tired of doing good in active charity towards our neighbours." Pope Francis.

Have a blessed week.

Dee Campbell

Assistant Principal

This week's staff spotlight is on our new Kindy B Education Assistant, Ms Sharon Gonzales! After working in childcare, Sharon has thoroughly enjoyed her start at SFOA and the joy she gets from those Kindy children. We took some time to give Sharon the hard hitting questions.

1. First ever job?

Junior in Accounts Payable.

2. Streaming service series recommendation?

The Office, I have so many but this is one of my favourites!

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A bird, I would love to be able to fly.

4. Favourite activity to relax?

Go to the movies or watch a movie on Netflix.

4. Toilet roll - Under or Over?

Over

I hope you're teaching those Kindy B kids that 'over' is the only way to go with the toilet roll! Welcome Ms Gonzales.

Congratulations to Noah Thompson (1B) and Isaac & Antonio Magistro (1W) who competed in their Little Athletics Championships over the past two weekends. The boys received 6 medals each over the two weekends of competition which is a stellar effort. Unfortunately, due to Year 1 homework commitments, they will be absent from the Paris 2024 Olympics!

Congratulations to the Simm family (River in Kindy W) on the recent arrival of a baby boy Cohen Rae Simm.

Dear Parents,

Those families who have not returned their Payment Option form please do so ASAP.

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

Please ensure your child is bringing a water bottle to school everyday, especially in this hot weather.

If your child has nominated themselves for the upcoming Interschool Swimming Carnival (Year 4-6 ONLY) in Week 8, it may be beneficial to provide an opportunity for them to practice their strokes leading up to the carnival. Whether that may be at the beach, in a local pool or swimming lessons, it is a fantastic way to build their confidence before the carnival.

Thank you to parents who have been prompt with picking their child up from afterschool sport, as this allows the coaches enough time to pack up before their next lesson.

Miss Meagan Kruenert

Sports Teacher

We appreciate all the families who are selling the Cadbury Easter Egg boxes that were distributed this week and helping the P & F to raise funds. The monies for the boxes are due by 22nd March ($80 per box). You can pay in cash, through QuickCliqs or EFTPOS at the school.

We are getting ready for our annual Easter Hampers and Raffle. You will get a note soon with all the information on how to contribute to the hampers, sell the raffle tickets, and to offer your time to help prepare the hampers.

The next P & F meeting is on Tuesday 12th March at 8:30am in the school office. Everyone is welcome!

Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over the next two weeks:

Jasmine Gray, Mckenzie Peacock, Ben Swan, Charlie Hayman, Nohn Kiir, Isaac Magistro, Antonio Magistro, Nicholas Donatti, Ajok Domkoc, Theory Saggers, Savannah Diaz, James Stratfold, Jamie Hayman, Aloyo Sebit, Chet Rudduck, Charlie Jones, Lauren Clark, Oliver Whitehouse, Amelia Burke, Damien Mundawaro, Joshua Epple, Dylan Korzhov, Ryan McCombie.

We wish you all a wonderful day!!

Thursday 7 March - Sacrament of Reconciliation (6:00pm)

Friday 8 March - Yr 4 Performance Assembly (8:45am)

Tuesday 12 March - Yr 2 excursion to Cockman House/ P&F Meeting (8:30am)

Wednesday 13 March to Friday 22 March - Yr 3 & Yr 5 NAPLAN

Friday 15 March - Merit Assembly (8:45am) / Benedict Feast Day / Crazy Hair fundraiser

Tuesday 19 March - Interschool Swimming Carnival / Kindy Dinoworld incursion

Wednesday 20 March - Yr 4 excursion to WA Shipwreck Museum

Thursday 21 March - Harmony Day / Yr 4-6 Easter Reconciliation

Friday 22 March - Year 2 Liturgy (8:45am) / Lunch with Leadership

Please see the flyer below to read Camp Australia's latest newsletter.

Open Morning - Saturday 23 March

IMCC are holding an open morning on Saturday 23rd March with tours at 9:00am and 10.30am. To register online visit www.imcc.wa.edu.au. For more information, please see the flyer below.

The Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday mornings from 8:00am-9:00am during school terms.

Where: Operating out of the demountable at the rear of the school!

Ph: (08) 9204 1701

Email: mailto:sales@jfe.net.au

Address: 1/85 Guthrie St, Osborne Park 6017

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/

From the beginning of this year there will be a childrens' Mass every first Sunday of the month. Children from Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to attend with their parents. The first Mass will be held this weekend Sunday 11th February at 9am.

St Andrew's Parish Mission Event 2024

An all-new Parish Mission Event presented by Bruce Downes - The Catholic Guy, will be held at St Andrew's Parish during Lent 2024.

Come along to four inspiring sessions that will take you on a life changing journey.

Be Changed... Be Renewed... Be Inspired.

Commencing Monday 11th March until Thursday 14th March 2024.

There will be two opportunities to attend on each day (8:30am and 7:30pm with Mass being celebrated prior to the start of the event at 8:00am and 7:00pm).

Free Admission (there will be a collection after each session).

We encourage you to share this information with family and friends.