This Issue A Positive School Culture P.1

Holy Week P.2

Learning Fairs P.3

Parents & Friends P.4

Community News P.6

Yr 6 Stations of the Cross P.10

Yr 2 Design & Technology P.11

Dates to

Remember

Friday 30th March Good Friday

Monday 2nd April

Easter Monday (Pupil Free Day)

Tuesday 3rd April

Easter Tuesday (Pupil Free day)

Monday 9th - Friday 13th

April Year 6 Camp

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Teaching and Learning

Over the past few weeks, examples of rich learning activities have been occurring all around the school. It is extremely rewarding and affirming to see and hear children share and celebrate what has been occurring in classrooms. In Year 2, I was extremely fortunate to see and listen to the importance of procedures and how this style of writing is used in our everyday lives. The Year 6 students recently presented their learning on the three levels of Government in Australia and our Year 4’s are busily adding the finishing touches to their writing.

A Positive School Culture Last week, the students in Year 4 – 6 participated in the faction swimming carnival. Many highlights were evident by the friendship and successes of the students however, what was highly evident was the supportive culture of families within the school. I sincerely thank all parents who volunteered to ensure the carnival was a success and those that attended to celebrate their students’ achievements. It is easy to take these things for

granted and I am extremely grateful for the parent support at St Francis Xavier Primary.

Year 6 Students Final Relay

Happy Easter As we enter Holy Week, it is an opportune time to reflect on what differs us from other schools. As Christians, we consider ourselves to be the Body of Christ. We try to continue to embody God's love in and for the world. As the bible tells us, “If it is not done in love, it is a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Let us remember this unconditional love that was shared by Christ through his death and resurrection and keep it at the forefront of how we show love to those who are entrusted to our care. Enjoy the time with family and friends during this holiday period. I look forward to seeing all families and students return on Wednesday 4th April.

God Bless

Ben Doyle Principal

From the Principal’s desk…

05

2 8 t h M a r c h

2 0 1 8

I S S U E

F O R T N I G H T L Y

N E W S L E T T E R

St Francis Xavier

Primary School

We are called to provide an exemplary Catholic Education.

Join Us

Thursday 29th March 2J Assembly @ 2.20pm in

the Undercover area

Easter Egg Raffle Draw

Wednesday 4th April Parent Cyber Safety Session

@ 5.30pm St Lawrence’s School

Thursday 5th April

Interschool Swimming Carnival @ 4pm

Geraldton Aquarena

Friday 6th April 3D Parish Mass @ 12.05pm,

SFX Cathedral

Wednesday 11th April

Pre-Primary Parent Information Night

@5.30pm School Library (crèche provided)

This Week’s Value

SELF-CONTROL Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. At St Francis Xavier we show self-control to ourselves, others and the community by: • Taking time to plan

before we act or speak. • Being aware of situations

and how others might be feeling.

• Taking time to consider our actions and their impact.

Harmony Day Dress Up

Following on from the Singh Sister’s Indian Dancing Incursion last week, on Monday we held our Harmony Day activities. The activities included students coming dressed up in outfits from a different country. It was great to see the variety of traditional

dress being worn. Students were asked to bring a gold coin donation to go towards Project Compassion. Just over $300 was raised on the day.

The other main activity was a prayer service for the whole school after recess. Students and staff came together to pray for a world where everyone is treated with respect and inclusivity, starting with ourselves.

Project Compassion Evangeline is strengthening Aboriginal culture while making a living and creating opportunities for her community.

Featured in Project Compassion during 2016, Evangeline went from seeking employment to being a Senior Arts worker and an inspirational leader for youth. Her work at the non-profit Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation has supported the organisation’s growth and it is now a major employer for young people in the remote Northern Territory community.

Please donate to Project Compassion 2018 and help provide employment and training for First Australians, allowing them to remain on country and keep their culture alive, essential for a just future.

Holy Week During week 9 the school will be celebrating Holy Week, the lead up to Easter. Students will have a variety of opportunities for prayer and to learn about the Easter Story. Service times are attached

to this newsletter.

“The capacity to

learning is a gift; the

ability to learn is a skill; the willingness

to learn is a choice…” Brian Herbert

With Christ as our light we aspire to nurture the whole person in a community centered on gospel values.

Discipleship

Contact Us

admin@sfx.wa.edu.au

(08) 99211 711

We are committed to providing an education that empowers all to become life-long learners.

Learning

Swimming Carnival Well done to all the students who participated in the faction swimming carnival on Friday 23rd March. It was fantastic to see students trying your hardest and representing your faction. Nagle Faction was victorious on the day. It was also a tight competition for second place, which was eventually held by Griffin ahead of Xavier, leaving Thomas fourth. Congratulations to the following students who are our champion and runner up champion swimmers: Year 4 Champions Tia Gildersleeve & Alexander Travasso Runner Ups – Eve Broad & Gus Osborn Year 5 Champions Kaley Lynas & Mathijs Travasso Runner Ups – Saskia Newman & Kingston Warren Year 6 Champions Abbey Carter & Rhama Evans Runner Ups – Kailani Grant & Brodie Gray 2018 Record Holders Abbey Carter (Year 6) 50m Butterfly 35.56sec 50m Backstroke 37.56sec 50m Breast stroke 48.84sec 50m Freestyle30.31sec Rhama Evans (Year 6) 50m Butterfly 37.34sec 50m Freestyle 30.63sec

Mathijs Travasso (Year 5) 50m Breast stroke 45.50sec 50m Backstroke 41.60sec 50m Freestyle 33.47sec Alexander Travasso (Year 4) 25m Backstroke 22.19sec Kaley Lynas (Year 4) 50m Backstroke 48.25sec The school community would like to thank all the parents, teachers and students who assisted on the day. Without your help, the carnival would not have run so smoothly. Thanks are also extended to the Management and staff of the Geraldton Aquarena.

Winning Faction - Nagle

Most Cooperative Faction - Thomas

Learning Fairs & Student-led conferences

Over the coming weeks, students in Year 3 – 6 will be sharing their learning through three-way conferences. These conferences

provide a forum for teachers, students and parents to acknowledge student progress and achievement. Students typically lead by explaining their learning achievements, as well as areas for further improvement. Students use their work samples to substantiate their discussion when sharing their learning. Three way conferences are designed to: • help students demonstrate

evidence of their learning • teach students the process of

reflection and self-evaluation • facilitate the development of

students' organisational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence

• encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue

• encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their learning

• and increase parent understanding of their child’s learning.

Please note: if there is a conversation you need to have with your child’s teacher without your child being present, please book a time to speak to the teacher at a later date.

P&F News P& F Meeting As a parent of a student at the school, you are automatically a part of our Parents & Friends Association and are invited to attend our meetings. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th May at 5.30pm. Second Hand Uniform Shop The second-hand uniform shop is open every Monday morning from 8.20am – 9.00am and Wednesday afternoon from 2.50-3.00pm during the school term. Donations of all St Francis Xavier uniforms are gratefully accepted and can be dropped off at the front administration office during school hours, or directly to the uniform shop during opening hours.

Health Care Card Tuition Discount Scheme If you hold a Health Care Card or a means tested Centrelink Concession Card you are entitled to a discount of tuition fees. Applications need to be in by the end of the term.

Smartriders St Francis Xavier Primary School is now registered as a participating school so you will be able to order your child’s SmartRider card online at this web address: https://idcards.monitorwa.com.au The card will be sent to us for forwarding to you or your child.

Lost Property Over the past term there has been a reduction in lost property. Thank you to all the parents who have clearly labelled their children’s belongings. Any lost property that is collected can be found in the wet area tubs. Please ask a staff member for assistance.

Compassion ⸭ Honesty ⸭ Respect ⸭ Inclusivity ⸭ Self-control

Compassion ɸ Honesty ɸ Respect ɸ Inclusivity ɸ Self-control

Community News

The last of the olive trees and benches have been installed at the Cathedral Precinct to complete the Midwest Garden (Stage 3). Staff at St Francis generously sponsored an olive tree dedicated to past and present staff and students at the school. Campaign Coordinator, Mrs Gerry Eastman expressed her sincerest thanks for the staff support.

Compassion ɸ Honesty ɸ Respect ɸ Inclusivity ɸ Self-control

Is your son or daughter interested in playing AFL football in 2018? Would you like them to play with a junior football club that is totally independent of any of the Great Northern League Football clubs and is run by a group of family orientated football mums and dads? We put our children first and strive to develop the social side of the sport as well as the physical football development side. St Pats Football Club has vacancies for children wishing to play in each of its U/8, U/10, U/12, U/14 and U/16 teams. Please register your child’s interest by applying online through: https://membership.sportstg.com/regoform.cgi?aID=5794&formID=36056&cID=89997&nfEntityID=89997&nfEntityTypeID=3 Or through https://play.afl/ and typing in your postcode then scrolling through the clubs until you get to St Pats Football Club. Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/St-Pats-Football-Club-Geraldton-536181203071580/ Contact Game Registrar Kim Keefe through the Facebook page for more information. Junior AFL Football in Geraldton commences on the first week back at school after the term 1 school holidays.

ST PATS FOOTBALL CLUB

Compassion ɸ Honesty ɸ Respect ɸ Inclusivity ɸ Self-control