NEWSLETTER TERM 2 - Week 4

Thursday, 24th May, 2018

Dear Families,

A warm welcome this week to Belinda Skelton, as

she begins in Room 14. Thank you to the children

and families who have welcomed her so warmly.

Tomorrow we begin the celebration of Catholic

Education Week - a time to highlight the wonderful

experiences that are on offer in our schools. You

may have had the chance to see the insert in The

Advertiser last week, showcasing all our schools

across the state and emphasising our theme of

“where every child matters”. Dr Neil McGoran’s

(Director of Catholic Education) article clearly

highlighted the goal of a Catholic education

experience - thriving people, capable learners,

leaders for the world God desires - Catholic

schools provide children and their families an

opportunity to learn about prayer in our Catholic

Tradition, and to develop the personal and

communal understanding of prayer and liturgy. At

SFX we strive to work in partnership with families,

providing quality contemporary education that

develops the necessary skills and dispositions to

meet the challenges of the future.

At SFX, we are celebrating Catholic Education

Week with numerous events. We are coming

together to celebrate this week with Mass in

Xavier Hall next Thursday, 31st May, at 2pm. Our

Year 5’s are embracing our love of the

environment with their Outdoor Education

experience. This will include a sleep over in tents

tonight. Next week some of our school leaders will

meet other senior leaders at Gleeson College to

connect and learn from each other.

As well, School Boards from our region will spend

time together on Wednesday evening in

discussion and connection regarding the role of

members and how we can enhance our Catholic

schools in the north east of Adelaide.

Earlier this week, Todd, Michelle and I attended a

conference focussing on the development of

Catholic Identity through enhancing staff formation

in our school. The days emphasised the way each

school can build capacity for rich, religious

formation and spiritual leadership within our

community. We developed an Enhancing Catholic

Identity Plan that was informed by our local

context, based on theological reflection and

aligned with system priorities. I look forward to

working with staff through this process, following

the experiences we gained. Thank you to Michael

Cain who was teacher in charge on Monday and

Tuesday this week.

On Tuesday morning a verdict was reached in

Archbishop Philip Wilson’s trial, and you may

have noticed media interest in this matter. For

your information, media statements from

Archbishop Phillip Wilson and the Australian

Catholic Bishops Conference can be found at this

link:

http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/news-

index?article=26570

Please be assured that our school community

takes very seriously our role in keeping all

students safe. If you have any concerns or

questions about our child protection practices,

please contact me.

Wishing all our children celebrating the Sacrament

of Confirmation at St David’s Church on 2nd June

our congratulations on such a joyous occasion.

Regards,

Leonie De Garis,

Principal.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION “May the Ancient Dreaming inform and inspire us. May the resilience of the First Peoples encourage us. May

the clarity and respect of the Prophets motivate us. May the endurance and colour of the land sustain us. May the yearning of all peoples for unity reconcile us.”

(Blessing by Elizabeth Pike)

National Reconciliation Week runs annually from

Sunday, 27th May – Sunday, 3rd June and this

year, coincides with Catholic Education Week.

All Australians are invited to learn more about

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and

histories, to share that knowledge and help us

grow as a nation. The theme is “Don’t Keep

History A Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow” As a

Catholic school, grounded in Gospel values, we

are aware of the importance of Reconciliation.

A belief in the inherent dignity of the human

person is the foundation of all Catholic social

teaching, and Jesus’ command to “love one's

neighbour as one's self”, is an essential part of

this teaching between peace, justice and

reconciliation.

You are warmly invited to celebrate Catholic

Education Week with us at our Whole School

Mass on Thursday, 31st May, at 2pm in Xavier

Hall.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

A reminder that we are asking for non-perishable

food to be sent in to school to be distributed to

those most vulnerable in our community. Items

can be left in your child’s classroom.

Michelle Thomas

APRIM

mthomas@sfx.catholic.edu.au

MASS TIMES

St David’s: Saturday - 5.30pm; Sunday - 10.30am & 5.30pm OLOH: Sunday - 9am St John XXIII: Saturday - 6pm & Sunday - 8am Holy Trinity: Sunday - 10am

CALENDAR DATES

Friday, 25th May Catholic Education Week 25/5/18 – 1/6/18

Year 5 Outdoor Ed Experience

Assembly 9am

Wednesday, 30th May TTG Catholic Community Joint School Board Mtg @ Gleeson

Thursday, 31st May Whole School Mass 2pm

Friday, 1st June “Cuppa & Chat” Science Room 9am

Saturday, 2nd June Confirmation @ St David’s 10am & 1pm

Tuesday, 5th June World Environment Day

Thursday, 7th June Newsletter

Community Prayer Green Room Shelter 9am hosted by Rm 11

Friday, 8th June PUPIL FREE DAY

Monday, 11th June Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

The journey of our Sensory Garden so far …

As we began our Nature Play journey with Simon from Climbing Tree in 2015, some Year 1 and 2 children

came up with a question … what can we do with the space at the end of Room 10? Over the next 2 years,

children in Year 1 and 2 began thinking about their ideas and recording possibilities for the things that they

thought could add to this space.

Last year, the children in Room 12 and 13 decided it was time for ACTION! After exploring our existing play

spaces and then referring back to the previous designs that had been created, the children decided that we

were in need of an outdoor space that could be used for learning, play, and connecting with the outdoors. In

consultation with Mr Thacker and Mrs De Garis, the plans were created for a Sensory Garden at SFX.

On World Environment Day last year, the children from Room 12 and 13 began clearing and preparing the

space as part of an Outdoor Classroom Day. Since then, the space has continued to develop and evolve to

include spaces to sit, a mud kitchen, sand pit, sensory path, noughts and crosses game, a blackboard, and

succulents.

The children have taken ownership of this space, and the additions that have occurred have come directly

from the children and their hopes for the area. We now have a new goal – a woven dome. The Sustainability

Leadership Group and VMC children have taken on this challenge, and will be leading upcoming fundraising

in order to make this next part of their plan happen. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE DETAILS!

We look forward to seeing where our Sustainability Journey will lead us!

Rachael Verringer,

Year 2 Teacher and POR for Innovation in Sustainability.

"Being outside enables connections to be made between the hands, heart and head, laying the

foundations for more complex work as children grow, develop and learn.”

Juliet Robertson

Spotlight on Sustainability @ SFX: Issue 1, 2018

“All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si (Paragraph 14)

Looking for a fun, family day out…

Head along to the World Environment Fair!

Date: Saturday, 2nd & Sunday, 3rd June, 2018

Time: 10am – 5pm

Leading into World Environment Day on 5th June, the World Environment Fair is bringing

together the community to celebrate the environment. It provides a unique opportunity to hear

from environmental advocates, brands and organisations that are passionate about engaging

with, and preserving our environment.

Location: Goyder & Jubilee Pavilions (entrance via Duncan Gallery – Southern End)

Tickets: Adults $15 at the door (or $12 pre-purchased online)

Concession $12 at the door (or $9 pre-purchased online)

Under 18’s FREE OF CHARGE

For more information visit http://worldenvironmentfair.org.au/

GUMBOOTS FOR WINTER!

“When life gives you rain, jump in the puddles.”

With winter fast approaching, we are encouraging

children to bring in their gumboots to change into

for their play breaks!

Not only will this save their school shoes and

sneakers from getting wet and muddy, it will give

them the opportunity to enjoy exploring during the

cooler months!

If you would like to give your child this opportunity

during Terms 2 & 3, please bring their named

gumboots in a suitable plastic bag.

Wipe Out Waste Wednesday is back! SFX is

excited to be part of the initiative to help clean

up and care for the environment.

Starting Wednesday, 6th June, while we wrap

up to keep warm for winter, let’s unwrap our

lunch boxes!

Watch this space for fantastic tips, as well as

simple yet healthy recipes and nutritious

options to put in your child’s lunch box.

GENERAL INFORMATION UNIFORM SHOP – OPENING TIMES

Opening Times: Tuesdays 8.30am - 10.00am & Thursdays 2.30pm-4.00pm To contact the Uniform Shop, please ring: 8251 9562

Please remember that you can also order and pay for uniforms via the Qkr App and once processed, they will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Absentee Advice Please remember to advise the FRONT OFFICE by 9am if your child will be absent, or late for school, for any reason, via: SMS: 0407 641 153 Absentee Line: 8251 9500 Email: office@sfx.catholic.edu.au Via the App

Playgroup Mondays & Wednesdays from 9.00am – 10.50am in Rooms 3 & 4 - Gold coin donation

Changing your email address? If your email address has changed, please go to the school website where you can make all the necessary changes and keep your school contact details up to date: http://www.sfx.catholic.edu.au/change-of-email

Advance Notice School Photos: Wednesday, 24th October (Term 4, Week 2) Sports Day: Friday, 26th October (Term 4, Week 2)

Contact Details School/Postal address: 4 Carignane Street, Wynn Vale SA 5127 Phone: 8251 9500 Fax: 8251 9599 OSHC/Vac Care: 8251 9560 Email: office@sfx.catholic.edu.au

Web address: www.sfx.catholic.edu.au

2018 TERM DATES

Term 2

Tuesday, 1st May - Friday, 6th July

Term 3

Tuesday, 24th July - Friday, 28th September

Term 4

Tuesday, 16th October - Thursday, 13th December

2018 PUPIL FREE DAYS

Friday, 8th June

(Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend)

Monday, 23rd July

(First Day Term 3)

Monday, 15th October

(First Day Term 4)

ADVANCE NOTICE

School Photos

Wednesday, 24th October

(Term 4, Week 2)

Sports Day

Friday, 26th October

(Term 4, Week 2)

St Francis Xavier’s Catholic School

2018 SCHOOL TOUR DATES

Saturday, 28th July 9.30am – 10.30am

Monday, 13th August 9.30am -10.30am

Thursday, 20th September 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Friday, 2nd November 9.30am – 10.30am

How do I register my attendance?

Bookings are essential for the Tours and can be made via the School’s website www.sfx.catholic.edu.au or by telephoning Sonya: 8251 9555

St Francis Xavier’s is once again supporting the Sids & Kids fundraising effort this year, by participating in Red Nose Donut Day on Wednesday, 27th June.

If you wish to order a donut/donuts for your child/ren please complete the order form that was sent home with your child last Wednesday.

Please note that each child requires a separate order form.

Please return order, with correct money, via the classroom by Friday, 15th June.

Donuts will be delivered to each child in their classroom at 1st Lunch on Wednesday, 27th June.

Any queries, please contact Sue @ Front Office 8251 9500. Spare forms available also.

Thank you for your support!

The famous SFX Quiz Night is back!

Saturday, 11th August, 2018 Xavier Hall

An information flyer with full details will be sent home via the classrooms next week.

Updates will also be in future Newsletters/Facebook/etc.

But, make sure you save the date in your diaries now,

so you don’t miss out on this fun-filled, entertaining night for all!

RED NOSE DONUT DAY

Please note that the Uniform Shop is now operating at the new times. The shop will no longer be open on Friday afternoons, but will now open on Thursday afternoons instead. Please see new times listed below:

New Opening Times Tuesdays 8.30am - 10.00am & Thursdays 2.30pm - 4.00pm

Please remember that you can also order and pay for uniforms via the Qkr App and once processed, they will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

To contact the Uniform Shop please ring: 8251 9562