SFX SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES 2021

Mercy Charism, Writing, Problem Solving, Wellbeing and Partnerships

TERM 4 WEEK 3 18 Oct-22 Oct Mon 18 Oct: Student Council Meeting Fri 22 Oct: Crazy Sock Day-Gold coin WEEK 4 25 Oct-29 Oct Thur 28 Oct: St Francis Xavier Feast Prayer Celebration

MISSION FAIR

Fri 29 Oct: DAY FOR DANIEL

World Teacher’s Day

WEEK 5 1 Nov—5 Nov Mon 1 Nov: All Saints Day Tues 2 Nov: All Souls Day Melbourne Cup Day Thur 4 Nov: Prep Transition Fri 5 Nov: HOUSE DAY TWILIGHT MARKETS WEEK 6

8 Nov—12 Nov

Mon 8 Nov: Student Council Meeting

Thur 11 Nov: Remembrance Day

Prep Transition Day

WEEK 7

15 Nov—19 Nov

Tues 16 Nov: Bruce & Denise Morcombe visit

School Captains Noms

Wed 17 Nov: Safety Circus

Thurs 18 Nov: Prep Transition Day

Fri 19 Nov: HOUSE DAY

Friday 15 October, 2021

Dear Parents,

Two weeks of this last term of school have already come and gone. Such a busy

term and so much more to come. This week has been particularly busy with all

our classes and almost all of our children participating in the Eisteddfod. I had

the privilege of attending each of our class performances this week and I have to

say how pleased I was with the way the children represented our school. Verse

Speaking is a long and proud tradition at St Francis Xavier. And each year the

children step up and give their very best. You might ask what is the benefit of

such an activity? This year’s adjudicator, Olivia Hill, told audiences that in this

day of technology, it is so very important to remember oral communication skills;

to learn how to use voices well with pace, pause, emphasis and pitch. Choral

Speaking develops life skills such as communication, discipline and confidence. It

also embraces inclusivity. She also went on to say how lucky we are in Mackay

to have Choral Speaking included in the Eisteddfod program as many of the

bigger centres no longer do. So, a very big thank you must go firstly to all the

teachers who very generously gave their time (and patience) to prepare the

children. We are very fortunate at our school that we have so many teachers

willing to take on this very big task. Thank you to the wonderful children who

worked so hard and responded so well to their conductors and finally thank you

to the parents who supported both their children and our school throughout the

competition.

The results were as follows:

Prep Second Place

Year 1 First Place and overall winners of Year 1 trophy

Year 2 First Place

Year 3 Second Place

Year 4 Second Place

Year 5 First Place and overall winners of Year 5 trophy

Year 6 First Place and overall winners of Year 6 trophy

Have a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,

St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Mackay

Strategic Priorities 2021

1. Catholic Identity and

Ethos

• Effective Teaching and

Learning

(NSIT Domains 2,5,6,7,8)

1.1 To embed and align Catholic Social Teaching and the Mercy charism throughout the Curriculum and the Teaching and Learning Framework.

Goal: To educate our school community on who the founders of our school are and what values they have imparted.

2.1 That our school has a culture of data informed practice where every student is engaged and learning successfully in their own ways.

Goal: To embed 6 + 1 Writing Traits to improve student writing. Goal: To plan and deliver deep learning opportunities in Mathematics enabling students to become proficient in problem solving strategies and terminology.

3. Pastoral Support and

Wellbeing

(NSIT Domain 3)

4. Leadership, Partnerships and

Resourcing

(NSIT Domains 1,4,9)

3.1 Based on the Diocesan Wellbeing Framework implement a student wellbeing program that focuses on each child being the best version of themselves.

4.1 To enhance and develop parent and community partnerships to improve student learning. Goal: To inform our parent body about our spelling practices and changes to spelling homework.

Assistant Principal Religion Education

Amanda Griffin

This week’s MJR focus is “Resilience”.

In life we have to deal with some problems that come our way. Most of our problems are small and annoying and we might handle them by being negative, by moaning, groaning or sulking.

We all have these moments, and an important life skill is to be able to bounce back which is often hard to do. A more positive way to handle these situations is to say I can manage it, I can deal with it, I can get over it or I will move on.

So next time life gives you a bump or you have a hard decision to make, remember to focus on the positive and bounce back up more resilient for the experience.

SOCKTOBER

Socktober is recognised in the Catholic Church as World Mission Month, a time when Catholics all over the world join to support and celebrate global missionary work. Socktober encourages us to engage in missionary awareness with our children by using our heads to enquire about the reality of the world around us, using our hearts to feel empathy for those in situations of great need, and using our hands to take action for them in whatever way we are able.

Please see the Socktober website for more information. Socktober : Home

As a school we will be fundraising for Socktober by holding a Crazy Sock Day on Friday 22nd October.

Students will need to wear their full school uniform with any socks of their choice. A gold coin

donation will be required.

SOCTOBER ~ CRAZY SOCK DAY

Friday 22 October, 2021

Gold coin donation

Assistant Principal Administration

Mary Oxenham

St Francis Xavier School Awards

Each year, we present a number of awards to our students at the end of the year. The Spirit of St. Francis Xavier Awards were begun in 2016 and below are the criteria teachers use when nominating their stu

Criteria for the Spirit of St Francis Xavier Awards

One female and one male student are to be nominated from each class and may be nominated for this award more than once. Representatives from all year levels, Prep to Year Six classes are eligible receive this award.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Student has demonstrated by his/her behaviour a generosity of spirit and positive attitude toward peers, staff and visitors to the school, including parents.

This could include: -

Demonstrating compassion, respect, co-operation, courtesy, good grace, dignity and/or kindness

Being prepared to be of service to others and willing to accept responsibility and volunteer appropriately

Demonstrating the ability to organise and work in groups both effectively and harmoniously

Demonstrating a commitment to the school community through participation in a range of activities including music, sport, community service, and house activities

APPLICATION TO SCHOOL LIFE AND INTERACTION WITH PEERS

Student has demonstrated consistently high or improvement in his/her work habits and an acceptance of and respect for fel-low students.

This could include: -

Demonstrating consistent effort in academic activities

Demonstrating enthusiasm, a positive attitude and application to tasks

Displaying a consistently high standard of time management, organisation, focus and independence, or improvement in these areas.

Accepting new challenges and being prepared to take risks in learning

Willingly embracing fellow students with sincerity, empathy and sensitivity

Exhibiting good grace, dignity and kindness in his/her manner and behaviour

Being deemed to be a fine role model for fellow students.

Enthusiastically participating in the life of the school and encouraging other students to do likewise.

This year’s Art Competition saw 180 fabulous entries from all year levels. After the judging by all classes,

the People’s Choice Award went to Hunter Brown from Year 4. Congratulations Hunter!

We again invited Mr Bradley Short, a very talented artist in his own right, and owner of Milton Framers to

provide a Judge’s Award. Bradley, whose two daughters both attended our school, is a keen advocate for

giving children as many creative experiences as possible. He believes that as more and more mundane

jobs are given over to technology, it is the student who is the creative thinker who will succeed in the

workforce, no matter to which field they are drawn. This year, our winner of the Judge’s Award is Sara

Zaja from Year 6. Congratulations Sara, Mr Short was so impressed by the individuality your drawing!

Ms Rostirolla loves the Art Competition, as it was she who introduced it to our school when she was our

APRE back in 2011. Her Principal’s Award this year went to Georgia Eva from Year 5. Congratulations to

Georgia for your beautiful drawing. Ms Rostirolla said of the peacefulness was so obvious. She loved it!

We also sincerely congratulate the students listed below who received commended awards for their art entries.

Thank you to all who entered and we hope you will do so again next year.

Congratulations to the winners:

ART COMPETITION WINNERS FOR 2021

Judge’s Commended Choice 1st Place: Sara Zaja 6N

Runners Up: Jasmin Samson 2C & Natalie Homewood Prep W

Principal’s Commended Choice 1st Place: Georgia Eva 5W

Runners Up: Monet Hallam 5G and Sara Zaja 6N

People’s Commended Choice 1st Place: Hunter Brown 4B

Runners Up: Luke Hall 4B and Jessie Connor 6R

Assistant Principal Curiculum

Jodie Benfer

BOOKLISTS ~ 2022 Booklists have been handed out to students today. Book packs may be ordered online as per instructions outlined on

the front page of the booklists. Purchasing book list requirements through the school, ensures that your child will have

the correct items and material. If you wish to utilise this year’s book pack service, you may either order online or use

the hard copy handed out to the students. All orders need to be placed by Monday 25th October. Collection of book

packs will happen in Week 9 TBA.

2022 Prep Book Packs will be available for pick-up on the Parent Information Night and Orientation Day. Further details

on collection procedures will be outlined in a newsletter closer to the collection date.

What to do with the list…

If you choose to order on-line the following instructions will guide you through the process.

1. Enter https://mackayschoolsupplies.com.au/ into a web search engine (Google Chrome is the best platform)

2. Scroll and select St Francis Xavier

3. This will bring up all the booklists for each year level. Click on the appropriate Year level for 2022

4. Select the items you wish to order. Please note: items from home/previous years are also noted on the list.

5. You will need to ZERO any items that you DON’T wish to purchase. If you wish to purchase extras these are on a

separate list, you will find them if you scroll down further.

6. Proceed to checkout - payment methods include Visa or MasterCard.

If you choose to use the traditional paper method, a collection box in the office will be available.

> Please select the items you wish to purchase.

> Please complete your order form carefully and keep a copy as a record of what you have ordered.

> Unless indicated, please ensure your child’s name is clearly marked on all items.

> Payment methods include cash, cheques made payable to Mackay School Supplies, Visa or MasterCard.

IF PAYING CASH PLEASE ENSURE EXACT MONEY IS ENCLOSED, NO CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN.

All orders to be delivered to the school must be submitted online or to the

school by MONDAY 25th October. If you order after this date you will need to

collect your book pack from Mackay School Supplies.

NEW ADDRESS 54 VICTORIA STREET (diagonally across from courthouse)

At this time of the year, plans are being made for 2022 and the key factor upon which

planning is based is enrolment facts and figures. Whether it’s class composition, number of

classes, number of staff members or budget planning, it is essential to be as accurate as

possible in predicting the number of students at St Francis Xavier come January next year.

Can I ask then, that you keep us informed about potential moves between now and the

beginning of the year?

Thank you for helping us to be well-prepared for the year ahead.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2022?

PAT TESTING

During Weeks 1 to 4 all children from Years 2 – 6 will be participating in PAT Tests (Progressive

Achievement Tests) for Reading and Mathematics. These tests are a set requirement from CEO

and all schools have been participating in them since the end of 2018. Each classroom teacher

administers the tests, and all students participate in the test on an iPad. The tests are designed

to improve student learning by informing instructional decisions and providing a means to

monitor student progress. Our Year 4 and Year 6 students are also participating in trial PAT

adaptive tests for both Mathematics and Reading. PAT Adaptive assessments create an

individualised test experience for an even more precise picture of student achievement. We

will be starting to utilise PAT adaptive from the beginning of 2022 for students in Years 2-6 in

Term 1 and then again in Term 3 for students who have difficulties in Mathematics and

Reading to give us further information on where they need further support.

CLASS CAPTAINS

Term 4 ~ 2021

Prep C

Estelle Webb

Prep S

Addison Heinke

Prep W

Mia Harrison

1D

Samuel Sheales

1S

Kalea Mejieli

1EM

Darcy Vella

2M

Eden Woodward

2C

Taj Herrington

2H

Jax Renwick

3M

Nicholas Garcia-Rosa

3H

Finn Rushe

3R

Yenika Nunesco

4SB

Jet Chetcuti

4DS

Tracis Benfer

4LK

Kalli Lincoln

5W

Zachary Hansen

5G

Natalie Caporn

5L

Mia Holmes

6N

Connie Walker

6W

Cydney Steindl

6RG

Will DiFilippo

Today, we presented our class captains with their badges for Term 4, 2021.

These students have been elected by their fellow classmates to represent their class to the whole school community.

Class captains follows and models the school’s mission statement where we Learn, Love, Live the Gospel and Celebrate Life.

Congratulations to the following students:

All students in P-6 will be able to purchase an armband for $10. The pre purchase of an armband will

give the students access to ALL the stalls, games, haunted house and inflatables at the Mini Fair. Please

be aware, you will need cash to purchase from the Trash and Treasure stall. All food will be pre

ordered only through the tuckshop.

Students do not have to buy an armband; they are able to just bring cash on the day and pay for each

stall and game as they go.

The Prep and Year 1 students will be able to use their armbands to access the three inflatables and the

haunted house prior to the commencement of the fair (8:30 – 10:30am). It will also give them

unlimited access to ALL stalls and games during the fair (11:30-1pm).

Armbands must be pre-purchased! Please send along your $10 in an envelope to your classroom

teacher by Friday 22 October. Armbands will be distributed Thursday morning before the fair starts.

St Francis Xavier Mission Fair

Thursday 28 October, 2021

CHORAL SPEAKING CHOIRS

YEAR 6—FIRST PLACE

OVERALL WINNERS OF YEAR 6 Trophy

YEAR 2—FIRST PLACE YEAR 3—SECOND PLACE

PREP—SECOND PLACE

YEAR 4—SECOND PLACE

YEAR 1—FIRST PLACE

OVERALL WINNERS OF YEAR 1 Trophy

YEAR 5—FIRST PLACE

OVERALL WINNERS OF YEAR 5Trophy

St Francis Xavier Opti-Minds team will be participating in the State Finals in the theatre at Pioneer State High School this Saturday 16 October at 8.30am.

Good luck to the following students:

Stella Derbin, Olivia Kelly, Mia Jackson, Claire Youman & Piper Osei- Wusu

St Francis Xavier Catholic School are proudly partnering with rebel in their rebel Community Givebacks program which entitles our school to receive 5% of all our members purchases at rebel back as credit to spend instore on sports equipment or teamwear! To support our school all you need to do is join the rebel active loyalty program and link your member account to our school next time you visit your local rebel store. A friendly team member can help you do this instore and you’ll also receive some great benefits like

exclusive member offers and access to VIP experiences, rewards and competitions for being a rebel active member. Just remember to swipe your rebel active loyalty card instore or log into your account online when making a purchase at rebel and our school will receive 5% back as credit to spend on sports gear!

Thanks for your support.

Our Very Own Futsal Star Congratulations to Liam Manning in Year Four who was selected to represent the QLD Country Under 9 Maroons Futsal Team. He competed at the National School Futsal Titles in Brisbane last school holidays and his team came away with a gold medal and Grand Final Winners! Liam particularly stood out to scouts at the Championships and was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the Grand Final match. At the conclusion of the competition there were only 9 players chosen to go further and represent the Australian Allstars Team. Liam was one of those 9 players selected. Liam, we here at St Francis Xavier are so very proud of you and wish you all the best at your next Championships. Well done! Mrs Haley Saye—Co-ordinator

PREP SWIMMING LESSONS

Future Australian Olympians in the making!

Our Preps at their last swimming class for the year.

Scholastic Book Club- issue 7 out now

Book Club provides a fun and convenient way of bringing the best in children's literature into your home. It’s packed full of exciting books from best-selling authors, popular titles and series that kids love, as well as products and books that make perfect gifts for younger siblings who may not be at school yet.

Ordering from Book Club is easy—simply go online and place your order or hand your student order form and payment in to the library (correct change would be appreciated) and then Scholastic’s ‘book elves’ take care of the rest. Before you know it, your child will have a lovely surprise to take home once their order is delivered to their classroom.

When ordering from Book Club, you are not only helping your children, but you are also helping your school—20% of your spend goes back to your school in valuable Scholastic Rewards, which are used to buy classroom/library resources.

Orders for issue 7 will close 3pm Thursday 21st October 2021.

For more information about Scholastic and Book Club, visit www.scholastic.com.au or come and see me in the library before school.

Thanks

Stacey McSherry—Library Co-Ordinator

P&F - What's Happening

P &

F M

EETI

NG

RE-SCHEDULED DATE:

Tuesday 19 October, 2021

6.00pm

St Francis Xavier Staffroom

All welcome and encouraged to come along!

Uniform Shop

Just a reminder that the uniform shop is open every Monday morning from 8.15am - 8.30am in the school hall.

Don't forget your cash!

MONSTER CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

There may not be NORFAIR this year, but our parish is selling tickets in an

amazing raffle. With a First Prize of $10 000, tickets are great value at

$5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 10 December, just in time

for Christmas. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Tickets are available online, outside the churches before and after weekend Masses and from St Joseph's Parish Office

(Monday - Friday 9am to 2:30pm phone 49574855).

COMMUNITY NEWS