St Francis of Assisi News

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

The last couple of weeks have not been easy for our families with the extreme heat, but credit to our staff and kids for managing the uncomfortable weather. With a few lunch breaks spent inside, it hasn't been ideal but hopefully we are over the worst of it and can get back to kicking soccer balls and running around at lunch times!

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

It was an amazing turnout last Friday at the annual P&F Family Fun Night. With over 550 RSVP's, there were a lot of smiling faces as children made their way around to one of the many fun activities the P&F put on. A huge thanks to the P&F Committee and all our parent volunteers for their support of the evening. As a free event for new and existing families, it's a great way to start the year as a school community.

PARENT INFORMATION VIDEOS

Thank you to all the parents who have taken the time to view the short parent information videos prepared by the staff. With busy calendars and multiple commitments after school, we appreciate the convenience of parent information being readily available. If you need any clarity or would like to discuss your child in further details, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher to discuss. We encourage parents as part of the learning journey in partnership with our teachers.

RUNNING CLUB - FRIDAYS

A reminder that Running Club (Miss K's Kilometres Club) takes place on Friday mornings with a great playlist and good vibes. Parents, we would love you to participate with your child but if not, please feel free to help out marking laps at the end

PUBLIC HOLIDAY AND PUPIL FREE DAY

A reminder to parents that the beginning of Week 6, Monday 4th March is the Labour Day Public Holiday. Then on Tuesday, 5th March there is a pupil free day. The staff will be working through some professional learning around student emotional regulation, achievement data and work, health and safety in a school setting. Please contact Camp Australia via their website should you need outside school hours care.

Have a great fortnight ahead.

Best Wishes

Jason Baker

Principal

RECONCILIATION COMMITMENT MASSES

If your child is receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, they must attend ONE of the Commitment Masses this weekend. At the Mass both parents and children will be asked to pledge their commitment to the sacrament, and children will be asked to hand in their completed pink commitment card. This is one of the few commitments expected for your child to be able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

St Andrew's Church, Clarkson Sat / Sun Mass Times

SATURDAY 6pm

SUNDAY 7:30am, 9am & 5pm

RECONCILIATION WORKSHOP

The Reconciliation Parent/Child Workshop will take place next Tuesday (28th February) at 6pm in SFoA Hall. This is an opportunity for you to work closely with your child one on one, supporting them on their faith journey. The workshop is fun and interactive. it also provides opportunity for parents to ask any questions they may have. This is the last of our commitments prior to receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Lent - What my Lent Does For Others

Every Lent is a new beginning. Sometimes beginnings are welcomed, other times not so much! We welcome Lent as a time to make our faith fresh once again, but we know from previous Lents that it can be hard to keep going - and Lent is for a long time! We might ask ourselves what Lent is really for.

The focus on Lent should not be on what we give up, but more what we are being given. We are offered the self-giving love of Jesus, which we celebrate in Holy Week. This love from God conquers all else in the world - our sins, wars, violence and hatred. Lent pours the grace of forgiveness into our world, needed individually and as a people. We are being given the love, mercy and compassion of God, and in return God is asking us to show the same love, mercy and compassion to others, particularly others most in need.

Lent is our time of saying 'yes' to a partnership with God to save the world from the effects of our sins.

Maybe we can ask 'What does my Lent do for others?' instead of just focussing on what we are doing for Lent. It is a time of renewal - a time to show love, forgiveness and care for others.

The goal of every Christian is to leave Lent a stronger and more vital person of faith than when we entered.

PROJECT COMPASSION

This year proceeds donated to Project Compassion will benefit children and families in the Ukraine, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mozambique, India, Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Solomon Islands. Please give generously. As little as 5c a week can make a huge impact.

God Bless

This week we provide an insight to our Pre-Primary W teacher, Mrs Young. Mrs Young has come to us from Francis Jordan Catholic School in Currambine and brings a wealth of early childhood experience to our staff and children. However, we realise that's not the nitty gritty parents want to know so we have been given a glimpse into Mrs Young's personality with the questions below. We hope you have enjoyed your start at SFOA!

1. Book or podcast recommendation?

Nanberry - a great Aussie book for pre-teens but To Kill a Mockingbird is my all time favourite.

2. If I weren't a teacher, I would've been.....?

I’d be an events organiser! Or run a Christmas shop!

3. My most treasured wardrobe item?

Jeans

4. Toilet roll - Under or Over?

I don’t care, as long as it is replaced when it runs out!!

Welcome Mrs Young!

Congratulations to the McAllister family, Rylan Hitchcock (4W), Jedd Hitchcock (2W) and Isla McAllister (KW) on the birth of their new baby brother, Corbyn John McAllister! After a 34 hour labour, he decided enough was enough and broke free on the 10th February at 6:45am weighing just 2.75kg and measuring 46cm long. That makes number 6 for the McAllister family so we hope things are calm and settled at home! Ha!

Dear Parents,

Those families who have not returned their Payment Option form please do so by 3pm this Friday 23 February.

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

An sms was sent out to all families yesterday asking for up-to-date family details including emergency contact information. It is of the utmost importance that we have the latest information for your children.

To view the family detail form, please click on the link

https://forms.office.com/r/Ux1FD1yXC5

Miss K's Kilometres has been off to a great start. We have had over 90 students participate the last few weeks. Some students are so eager to get out and be active. Please encourage your child to continue this on the weekends as this not only improves their physical health but also endurance, focus and happiness.

A reminder to parents whose children attend after school sports to please supervise siblings rather than let them run around the hall. The coaches find it difficult to deliver the sessions when siblings are crossing the court or jumping up on stage. Also, please ensure your child is picked up on time as the coach needs to attend other clinics. We appreciate your cooperation.

Ms Meagan Kruenert

Sports Teacher

It was a great night last Friday, when the P & F organised the Family Fun Night, the first event of the year. There were many fun activities for the kids and it was a nice way to greet the new families at school. We are very grateful to the volunteers and the following businesses who helped make the evening possible:

• Pop Magic
• Patchy Party Ponies
• Perth Bubble Soccer
• Mobile Laser Quest
• Gym Bus
• Kristal Kreations Face Painting
• Perth Reptile Company
• R4W Coffee
• Sweets on the Run Perth Ice cream van
• Woolworth Butler

We are launching the Cadbury Easter Egg fundraiser as our next activity. A note was sent home this week and if you want your family to join in, please complete the form and put it in the P & F box in the office by Thursday 29th February (Next Thursday). This is a wonderful chance to help our school and have some tasty chocolate treats.

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

Sebastian Quiceno, Jack Seddon, Piper Bradley, Anisa Hargrave, Louis Benton, Ryan Pervan, Luisa Freitas Libardi, Harley Murphy, Noah Thompson, Elliott Guelfi, Damiano Dako, Sahara Makawa, Leo Watson, Savannah Smith, Gabriell Donio, Caihla Walsh-Cuthbert, Semerra George, Gabriela Hampson-Villalobos, Charlie Rasheed, Alexandra Tangifua, Ajok Athoi, Austin Samuels, Gavin Balin, Nicolas Newton

We wish you all a wonderful day!!

Friday 23 February - Year 6 Class Mass (8:45am)

Saturday 24 February & Sunday 25 February - Reconciliation Commitment Masses

Tuesday 27 February - Yr 6 Beach Safety/Kindy incursion/Reconciliation Parent Workshop (6:00pm)

Friday 1 March - Merit Assembly (8:45am)

Monday 4 March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 5 March - Pupil Free Day (no students)

Wednesday 6 March - Yr 3 Reconciliation Retreat

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

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

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.