saint francis xavier primary school · term 2 2021 week 3 whole school photo daytuesday, 4th may...

Growth Through Love & Loyalty

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dear Parents,

It was a pleasure to share in the celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia with our students

and parents during our Catholic Schools Week activities this week. Although I was unable to attend today,

by all accounts, the children really enjoyed the activities throughout the week. As usual, we were all

impressed with the effort of our children in dressing up as teachers on Monday – some of them really nailed

it!! The spirit of Catholic schooling has its foundations in Australia in the tireless missionary works of a

number of religious orders. The educational mission of such orders as the Mercy Sisters, the Presentation

Sisters, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Christian Brothers and the Marist Brothers and

Fathers has at its heart the dignity of each student in a Christ- centred community. The face of education in

our country has changed dramatically in 200 years, and whilst it should have always been central to the

mission of every Catholic school, the value and dignity of each individual child has become even more

important. Even reflecting on my own experience of schooling throughout the eighties, and teaching since

the late nineties, I have seen a dramatic shift in focus towards supporting children at an individual level.

Our common staff goal this semester is to further improve the standard and effectiveness of our feedback to

students to enhance their individual learning experiences. This will look different from one-year level to

another but will support a whole school initiative to improve this dimension of our learning environment.

Although it was much quieter than usual, the ANZAC Day Wreath

Laying Ceremony was as special this year as always. We

commemorated the sacrifices of the ANZACs and reflected on the

freedoms we have inherited as a result of these sacrifices and those

of our Defence personnel over the last hundred years. Our school

captains, Skye and Max represented us proudly as they lay a wreath

on behalf of our school community. I commend both of them for

their commitment and reverence during the service.

It was great to see a sound turn out to our Kinder Information

Session on Tuesday night. Thank you to all staff who supported the

evening and to all our parents, existing and prospective, who were

able to attend. As we have commenced our Kinder enrolment process

for 2022, I encourage you to recommend our school to friends and

family who are looking to place a child in Kinder (or any other year

38-50 Swift Street, BALLINA NSW 2478 PO Box 1647, Ballina NSW 2478

Phone: (02) 66863370 Web: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL – Week 2 – Term 2 2021

http://[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


level for that matter) next year. I really believe our community is as strong as the relationships between our

faith, our staff and our families. So if you have any friends in mind who you feel would fit into our school

community and support our values, please direct them to make contact with Karen, Kathy or Kealey in our

school office.

Peace in Christ,

Daniel Gubby

Principal

School Calendar

TERM 2 2021

Week 3 Tuesday, 4th May WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Sacramental Parent Meeting 5.30pm

Kinder 2022 Interviews

Wednesday, 5th May Pupil Free Day (Staff Proclaim Day)

Thursday, 6th May Kinder 2022 Interviews

Mother’s Day Stall (8:30am to 9am)

Friday 7th May Assembly- Prayer Year 5

Kinder 2022 Interviews

Mother’s Day Breakfast BBQ (7:30am to 8:30am)

Mother’s Day Stall (8:30am to 9am) only if stock available

Zone Cross Country (Lismore Turf Club)

Sunday, 9th May Mother’s Day

Week 4 Monday, 10th May Kinder 2022 Interviews

Tuesday, 11th May Kinder 2022 Interviews

NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Wednesday, 12th May Kinder 2022 Interviews

NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Thursday, 13th May Kinder 2022 Interviews

NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Friday, 14th May Kinder 2022 Interviews


Assembly- Prayer Year 2

Week 5 Tuesday 18th May Sacramental Parent Meeting 5.30pm

Friday 21st May Assembly-Prayer Year 4

Week 6 Wednesday, 26th May Diocesan Cross Country- Grafton

Friday 28th May Assembly- Prayer Year 1

Polding Touch Trials – Port Macquarie

Week 7 Friday 4th June Assembly- Prayer Kinder

Week 8 Thursday, 10th June Sacrament of Confirmation 5.30pm

Friday 11th June Assembly- Prayer Year 6

Week 9 Monday, 14th June Public Holiday (Queens Birthday)

Friday 18th June Assembly Prayer Year 3

Week 10 Tuesday 22nd June Spelling Bee 11.45am K-2 & 12.30pm 3-6

Friday 25th June Assembly- Prayer Year 4

LAST DAY TERM 2

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL…

Dear Families and Friends,

In addition to supporting student learning and achievement, at St Francis Xavier we also focus on ongoing

professional learning and development for teachers and staff to support school improvement. Term 2 began

with a professional learning day: Building a Culture of Feedback. We had the opportunity to participate in a

professional school network to deepen our knowledge of giving effective student feedback and exploring a

range of feedback strategies to implement within the classroom to improve student growth and achievement.

We explored the importance of developing assessment capable learners who respond to questions for


learning (see Learning and Teaching article). All teaching teams developed a goal focused on student

feedback in the classroom to move learning forward. We’re looking forward to another exciting and busy

term as we work together to support students to achieve their learning goals!

In addition to classroom learning and teaching, we have celebrated Easter with our Easter reflection and

Easter Hat Parade, engaged in Chemistry Science shows, commemorated ANZAC Day and celebrated

Catholic Schools Week (see Newsletter Week 3). Welcome back to another vibrant school term!

ANZAC Day 2021

Although we were unable to commemorate ANZAC Day together as a school

community, a number of our families and teachers joined together on the 25th April

at 6am to ‘Light up the Dawn’ in honour of our

nation’s veterans. This was a time of quiet

contemplation as we remembered the ANZACs

who served in World War 1 and all those killed in

military operations. It was also a time to call to

mind our current serving military members.

Our St Francis Xavier School Captains, Skye and Max, alongside

Mr Gubby, represented our school community at the ANZAC

Day Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the

Ballina RSL Memorial Park.


Art Enhancement

Our exciting Art Enhancement program has begun this

term with the establishment of a partnership with artist

Amelia Kalifa. In Term 1, Hallie Watt successfully

applied for an Arts Partnership grant to make this

initiative available to our Art Enhancement students.

This project focuses on the design and establishment of

an interactive community art project involving the use

of Digital Technologies. The students had their first

lesson with Amelia last week via zoom. We can’t wait

to invite our community into our school to see their art

installation!

Science Shows

On Wednesday of Week 1, all students engaged in a high-energy,

interactive Chemistry Science show. This looked at the properties of

materials, chemical reactions and how we interact with and use the

chemical world around us. We experienced explosive gases,

combusting powders and metals, freezing liquids, colour changing

reactions, and slimy gooey polymer worms. Students laughed, gasped

and covered their ears as they observed the exciting experiments.

Kristie Coster

Assistant Principal

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION…

Parish Mass Times

SFX Ballina Parish

(max 195 people) Lennox Head

Parish

(max 75 people) 6.00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 5.00 pm Saturday

Vigil Mass 9.00 am Sunday 7:30am Sunday

11.00 am Sunday

All weekday Masses will be at 12.00 noon in SFX Church with a capacity of 195 people at each Mass,

including our weekend Masses. Registration is essential.

If you wish to attend a Mass, please contact the Parish Office on 66811 048 by 12 noon on Fridays to

register your name and contact details or you can use the QR codes available upon entry.


2021 Sacrament of Confirmation in the St Francis Xavier Parish

Thank you for enrolling your child in this Sacramental program. The first Confirmation Family Session will

be at St Francis Xavier school library, not the hall as previously advertised.

Confirmation Family Session One

Tuesday 4th May 5:30 - 6:30 pm at St Francis Xavier Library

This session will be for those children enrolled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and their parents.

During this session, you and your child will learn about the first two topics that will be covered in the

classroom (Remember Baptism and Called by Name). This session will involve activities and discussion in

small groups.

Weekend Masses During the Weeks of Preparation

15th and 16th May, 22nd and 23rd May, 29th and 30th May, 5th and 6th June

Your family is invited to select and attend one of our parish Masses each weekend. The children making the

Sacrament of Confirmation will be involved in a special way at each of these Masses.

The Mass times are: St Francis Xavier Church Ballina - Sat 6:00pm / Sun 9:00am and 11am

Holy Family Church Lennox Head - Sat 5:00pm / Sun 7:30am

Confirmation Family Session Two

Tuesday 18th May 5:30 - 6:30pm at St Francis Xavier Library

This session will be for those children enrolled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and their parents.

During this session you and your child will learn about the final two topics that will be covered in the

classroom (Life in The Spirit and The Sacrament of Confirmation). This session will involve activities and

discussion in small groups.

Sacrament of Confirmation Reflection Day

Thursday 10th June 9:00 - 2:30pm

This will be held in the hall at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina. Children do not have to wear their

school uniform but are asked to wear red on this day. Red is the Liturgical colour of Pentecost and the Holy

Spirit. Lunch will be provided.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thursday 10th June 5:30pm

Bishop Gregory has asked that families be seated in the church by 5:30pm as he would like the opportunity

to meet you all. The liturgy will then follow. We will organise for each child to be photographed as they

are confirmed by Bishop Gregory. These images will then be emailed to each family.

Catholic Schools Week

It was great to see the children dressed up as their favourite teachers on

Monday to start off Catholic Schools Week. We thank those parents who

could join us for our picnic and school assembly today. The children all

enjoyed the treat of an ice block to finish the week.


The Chosen

If you haven’t yet checked out this television drama based on

the life of Jesus, you are in for a treat. It is the first multi-

season series about the life of Christ and Season One was the

highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time.

Viewed through a freely downloadable App or on YouTube,

Season 2 premiered on Easter Sunday to wide acclaim and

with great anticipation.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vidangel.thechosen&hl=en_AU&gl=US

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXOFnNTULFaAnj24PAeblg


HAPPY BIRTHDAY….

30th April to 6th May

STUDENT AWARDS…

Kinder Learning & Class Awards

Polly Meany Ava-Jae Cartledge Elliot Rohn Jack Geddes Henry Hall

Year 1 Learning & Class Awards

Joy Meany Oscar Washington Jaden Gibbs Josie Davy


Xavier Andrews Einin Shannon Guneet Virk Oliver Church


Damien Hernage Emma Piercy


Indiana Hughes Lachlan Jacobsen Cody Prowse


Hayley Geddes Rhyah Bateman Ryan Waldock Matlida Hoey Zali Raudonikis


Madison Keough Luca Maddalena

MJR Awards

Indiana Buchan Lottie Lubrano Indiana Peachy Poppi Muldoon

Grace Hosie Nash Whitton Lachlan Andonov

Welcome Awards

Bonnie Chason Aiden Beniwal

Gabriel Lyons

Mya Poptie

Rhys Suffolk

Ryan Waldock


LEARNING & TEACHING…

Feedback Strategies

Staff have been engaging in Professional Learning about feedback strategies.

Teachers are providing clear learning intentions and co-constructing the

success criteria with students. This ensures the students have ownership of

their learning and can ask themselves:

1. What am I learning?

2. Why am I learning it?

3. How do I know how I am doing?

4. How can I improve?

5. What are my next steps?

In Year 2 this week I saw our students researching and completing a writing

task of how to instruct the class on how to do a 3-minute exercise workout. The students were seeking

feedback about their writing in various ways from their teacher, peers and by self-checking the criteria.

They are using strategies to independently check their learning by reflecting on the learning intention,

success criteria and using the word wall. This enables them to identify how they are going and where to

next in their learning. It was so exciting to see their engagement and ownership of their writing. Well done

Year 2!

CANTEEN NEWS…

Canteen Roster – Term 2 – Week 3 2021

Monday, 3rd May to Friday, 7th May

Date Parent Helpers

Monday, 3rd May HELP NEEDED

Tuesday, 4th May Hayley Piercy, HELP NEEDED

Wednesday, 5th May PUPIL FREE DAY (Staff Proclaim Day)

Thursday, 6th May Christiana Whitty, HELP NEEDED

Friday, 7th May Sue Keough, HELP NEEDED


Tammy is looking for volunteers for the canteen, if you

are able to spare a couple of hours, between 9am and

11:30, once a month please contact the school office on

66863370 or see Tammy in the Canteen and just let her

know what day suits you.

Wednesday Specials Term 2

Tuesday Sushi Day - Term 2

Date Weekly Special

Week 3 Wednesday, 5th May PUPIL FREE DAY

Week 4 Wednesday, 12th May Sliders Day

Week 5 Wednesday,19th May Pasta Day

Week 6 Wednesday 26th May Chicken Sub/Wrap Day

Week 7 Wednesday 2nd June Pie & Sausage Roll Day

Week 8 Wednesday 9th June BLT Day

Week 9 Wednesday, 16th June Sausage Sizzle Day

Week 10 Wednesday, 23rd June Roast Beef & Gravy Roll Day

Special Days have changed to Wednesday and

our Sushi Days have changed to Tuesday.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON OUR WEDNESDAY SPECIAL DAYS STUDENTS

CANNOT ORDER ANY OTHER FOOD

NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED


COST - $3.90 each - Sauce 20c each - Chicken, Tuna, Avocado or Vegetarian

SPORTS NEWS…

Polding Winter Sports Trials

Last Friday, 30th April, St Francis Xavier had four students competing in the Polding Winter Sports Trials

in Bathurst after gaining selection at the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials last term. To reach this level on the

representative pathway is a fantastic achievement. The students were wonderful ambassadors for the school

and gave their respective trials 100%. Congratulations to: Marley Donald (Hockey), Zali Raudonikis

(Netball), Max Buchanan (Boys Soccer) & Lillian Bruncke (Girls Soccer).

NSW PSSA Girls Hockey Championships

Congratulations to Marley Donald who was selected in the Polding Team for Girls Hockey. Marley will

now compete at the NSW PSSA Girls Hockey Championships in Unanderra from the 18th -20th May. Well

done Marley and best of luck!

St Francis Xavier School Cross Country

Last Friday, St Francis Xavier held the annual school Cross Country Carnival at Kingsford Smith Park in

Ballina. The weather was ideal for competing and the students' efforts running the course are to be

commended. It was great to see so many parents and grandparents supporting the students as they

completed the course. Also, a big thank you to the parents who assisted on the day. Your help was greatly

appreciated.

Congratulations to Doyle who finished just ahead of Cole on the overall points table. Well done Doyle!

Cross Country House Points

Congratulations to the following students who finished in the top 5 in their respective age groups and will

compete next Friday, 7th May at the Richmond Zone Cross Country Carnival in Lismore.

Week 4 Tuesday, 11th May

Week 6 Tuesday, 25th May

Week 8 Tuesday, 8th June

Week 10 Tuesday, 22nd June

1st Doyle 124 Points

2nd Cole 113 Points

3rd Power 97 Points

4th Murphy 89 Points


8 Yrs Boys 8 Yrs Girls 9 Yrs Boys 9 Yrs Girls

1st Luke Dogan Isla Parker Gali Amit Willow Gordon

2nd Oscar Donald London McGregor Beau Bruncke Liahn Chan-Gale

3rd Fletcher Bernardes Skelton

Lincoln Lockwood

Einin Shannon Luke Bell Alysha Miller

4th Reef Molyneux Jessica Aslin Chase Thompson Madeleine Druzynski

5th Henry Buchanan Indi Williams

Archie Scott Emma Piercy

Marley Rizzo

10 Yrs Boys 10 Yrs Girls 11 Yrs Boys 11 Yrs Girls

1st Jack Keough Alexandra Dogan Kaden Clark Marley Donald

2nd Lachlan Colegate Saoirse Lockwood Jett Haley Erika Wisemantel

3rd Kai Colegate Emmie Nesbitt Cody Flatley Freya Cowan

4th Nash Gasnier Alexandra Rizzo Jacob Fear Amahli Scott

5th Callan Ross Peyton Whitty Jye Miller Zahlia Chilcott

Aliyah Gerada

12/13 Yrs Boys 12/13 Yrs Girls

1st Yali Amit Skye Dogan

2nd Jay Bernardes Skelton Liliana Thompson

3rd Kyran Hannah Madison Keough

4th Finley Wallace Summer Nesbitt

5th Oliver Scott Paris Kelly

Year One Boys Year One Girls Kindergarten Boys Kindergarten Girls

1st Braxton Whitton Josie Davy Maxon Andrews Olivia O’Brien

2nd Elijah Pearson Grace Rohn Koah Matheson Winnie Gordon

3rd Charlie Clarson Ruby Siviour Ryan Piercy Tyler Smith

4th Jaden Gibbs Grace Hosie Joshuah Jacobsen Mabel Hudson

5th Teo Amit Mabel George Leo Marboeuf Stella McOmish


Pupil Free Day

Wednesday 5th May 2022 (Staff Proclaim Day)

AFL School Blitz Program

This Term Stage 2 (Year 3 & 4) have been fortunate enough to participate in

a four week AFL Program offered by QLD AFL and run by AFL

Development Officers. This is completely free of charge. The students are

enjoying learning about the various skills required to play the game such as

kicking, handballing and bouncing.

Paddy Wilde

Sports Co-Ordinator

____________________________________________________

Parent News…

Enrolling for Kindergarten 2022 Now!

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Enrolment packs are available from the school office or on the school website. If you

need more information, please contact us on: 66863370 or visit

www.balplism.catholic.edu.au

We are a feeder school for Xavier Catholic College

http://www.balplism.catholic.edu.au/


SCHOOL PHOTO DAY INFORMATION…

TUESDAY 4TH MAY

Photo Envelopes were sent home on Thursday, 31st March. Please read the following important information.

Photo envelopes MUST be returned by Friday, 30th April.

No late cash orders.

Please make sure your child returns their own envelope, even if

payment is made online and if payment is in a sibling’s

envelope.

Sibling envelopes are available from the school office, upon request. Please note online payments for

sibling photos cut off is 7am on the day of photography.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

NCCD Information…

Please click on the links below to view NCCD Information 2021.

NCCD Parent Letter

NCCD Information Sheet

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Community Notices…

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Ballina Council School Zone Parking Enforcement Program –

“No Apologies, No Excuses”

Please click on the links below to view the school zone safety

information from Ballina Council.

Road Safety Around Schools

Recurring Parking Offences

Safe Parking in School Zones

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AR1D__AdowTuIZpOTFMEaZ_fV3WRph0a/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVDgIht0I5muNjxsAQ-YtZ7mc55p5Qwo/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N5xn5-Un54cCsO_8t_XuwoJlY9HW_ir0/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1omD4Z0wJGY8y2fHeZoRjqlmlZgZeq0cN/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_YU7k4gsZULHMDyp1lSMSdNzrYH15GtS/view?usp=sharing


I AM A GIRL

I CAN DO ANYTHING

FREE this Saturday, 1st

May at the BISC 9-1pm

Click on the link to find

out more

https://www.bnsw.com.au/

i-am-a-girl-i-can-do-

anything/

https://www.bnsw.com.au/i-am-a-girl-i-can-do-anything/



saint francis xavier primary school · term 2 2021 week 3 whole school photo daytuesday, 4th may...

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