So ends another term!

Term Three was another successful term at St Francis Catholic College with a broad range of activities across K to 12.

Of course, as the term drew to a close, the emphasis firmly focused on our Year 12s. However, as you will also see in this newsletter edition, student leadership, student awards, and the quality of our student work also dominated.

I would like to thank the students, staff, and parents/carers for their support, and I commend the students on their tremendous achievements across Term Three 2023.

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

I sincerely congratulate our Year 12 cohort on their graduation.

The Graduation Ceremony itself was outstanding and the Graduation Assembly during the day was very moving and emotional. The Irish Blessing performed by the Junior Choir and sung and acted out by our K-4 students was wonderful. Many Year 12s who would typically not share their emotions publicly were brought to tears.

I commend the students, and I thank so many of our staff for their incredible efforts over the past week - from the Year 12 v Staff Trivia Night, to Jamberoo, to the Year 11 Hosted Barbeque to Kindy’s and Year 12s mingling - it has been a great week. A special shout out to our Hospitality staff (Especially Amber Meadley and Laura Killen) and Year 11 students who catered the Year 12 Graduation Supper so superbly! I also thank our talented music staff and students for their multiple offerings over Graduation Day and Evening.

COLLEGE CAPTAINS VISIT THE BISHOP

Last week, our year 12 2023 Captains and Vice Captains, supported by Mrs Opalnuik, attended the final leadership day of the year at the Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral and complex. 

Student leaders from Diocesan schools across our various regions attended, as well as key staff, including Principals. 

The day was a chance to reflect on leadership learnings over the previous year to consider ways in which student leaders can leave a legacy in their school communities. The day also explored ways to further enhance the capacity of young people, their God-given talents and additional leadership opportunities going forward. 

The Mass was quite a beautiful one, and the luncheon then allowed our young people to speak with key individuals across the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong. I would like to thank all attendees and also extend my gratitude to the outgoing student leaders of 2023. Liam, Courtney, Shandesh and Oscar have been outstanding.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP 

As our College continues to grow, so too, will the number of student leadership roles which students can apply for each year.

I’m delighted to indicate that the number of student leadership positions will be significantly larger as we move forward. The most significant change is the creation of ‘Portfolio’ Positions in Senior Years and Middle Years.

Six Portfolios have now been created and will be utilised in Senior and Middle Years:

• Culture
• Environment
• Learning
• Justice and Solidarity
• Sport
• Wellbeing

I am also delighted to announce that the new student leadership teams for the next four terms have been finalised and will consist of;

Year 12 2024 (for Term 4 2023 and Terms 1-3 2024)

2 College Captains (Nicholas C. & Abigail A.)

2 Vice Captains (Saurav B. & Khloe F.)

6 Portfolio leaders x 2

Culture Portfolio (Danielle M. & Cheryl S.)

Environment Portfolio (Hari S. & Scarlett C.)

Justice and Solidaity Portfolio (Jaidon A. & Honey P.)

Learning Portfolio (Niyath A. & Jessica M.)

Sport Portfolio (Daniel V. & Kye H.)

Wellbeing Portfolio (Joash T. & Liliana A.)

Year 11 2024

6 House Captains

Chisholm - Ella L.

Clare - Olivia S.

Janssen - Tuli V.

MacKillop - Alina A.

Treacy - Tegan D.

Wellington - Sara D.

Year 10 and Year 11 2024

11 Youth Engagement leaders (YEL)

Sophia A.

Rachita G.

Mischa R.

Alansa S.

Samriddhi B.

Irene D.

Maame G.

Namratha M.

Mihika S.

Thalia S.

Aarna V.

Year 8 2024

6 Portfolio leaders

Culture - Harini A.

Environment - Elpidius B.

Justice & Solidarity - Rachel A.

Learning - Jacob M. 

Sport - Kavya K.

Wellbeing - Bunmi F.

6 House Captains

Chisholm - Laverne D.

Clare - Micaela W.

Janssen - Laasya P.

MacKillop - Alexia P.

Treacy - Aaron G.

Wellington - Suhani S.

Year 4 2024

6 House Captains

Chisholm - Ariana M.

Clare - Nathalia P. 

Janssen - Ryan J.

MacKillop - Jovan J.

Treacy - Sienna Z.

Wellington - Madeline S.

I congratulate all students who were successful in their leadership applications. I also commend all students who nominated and/or were part of any of the processes involved in the final selection of these students.

An Investiture Ceremony for those receiving student leadership badges will be held on the first day back of Term Four.

CHRISTMAS STORY ART EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION

I am delighted to announce that three of our students’ entries into the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition have made it to the final. 

There is certainly an extensive range of artistic abilities. In our Stage 3 classes, and having three students selected was a testament to their ability. I congratulate Elyssa S. - Year 5; Abigail P. - Year 5; Victoria G. - Year 6, on their achievements, and I look forward to the Exhibition and Competition Opening and Awards Night which will be held at the Wollongong City Art Gallery from 5:00 pm - 7.00 pm on Wednesday 11 October 2023.

SCIENCE FAIR 

Year 6 students had their Science Exhibition on Tuesday. A broad range of experiments were on show. Students were able to speak freely about their particular experiment and the scientific method involved.

Many of the experiments which I had explained to me seemed logical, and very well thought out. Well done.

BUS UPDATE!!!

Unfortunately, over recent months, despite multiple complaints about the availability of bus services and the service being provided to our students, the issues remain unresolved.

Some good news is that the College has been informed that from 8th October Transit Systems NSW SW Pty Ltd will be taking over the bus routes currently provided by Interline Buses.

I have heard very good things about the management of this company, and so this may be an opportunity for our voice to be heard. Indeed, I look forward to a fruitful and successful relationship with Transit Systems NSW.

I do remind parents/carers, that if we do wish to get the number of services increased, we must have accurate records. The way that this is determined is by the number of students swiping their Opal cards.

Therefore, any student who is catching a bus to or from school must have a valid and operational Student Opal card. On one bus last week, over 20 students either did not have an Opal card with them or the Opal card in question was invalid. Various school-based strategies will be implemented next term to ensure Student Opal card usage is significantly improved. In the interim, can I please request that your child has a valid Opal card and has it with them each time they enter a bus?

Later in this newsletter, in Mrs Lowe’s Pastoral Care section, I also draw your attention to NSW code of conduct for travel on public transport. Typically, our students are very well behaved, however, failure to follow guidelines jeopardise an individual’s travel rights.

BUS INDUSTRY TASKFORCE

If you wish to have a further say on the needs of Public Transport in our area - I encourage you to complete the following survey:

https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/bus-industry-taskforce?tool=survey_tool&tool_id=complete-a-survey#tool_tab 

I will be putting in a longer submission on behalf of our College.

DEEP LEARNING QUESTION

On Compass you will receive a link to one question.

It is only brief - but I’d love to know your thoughts about the qualities which you hold dear. It effectively is asking what you would like your children to be like (which qualities, character traits etc… would you like them to have) by the time they leave St Francis?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

As we close this term at St. Francis Catholic College, our hearts are filled with gratitude. We thank you, Lord, for the challenges that have strengthened us, the successes that have inspired us, and the mistakes from which we have gleaned valuable lessons. In this moment of transition, we seek your presence and guidance.

We remember St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of our college, who lived a life of humility, compassion, and service to others. Like St. Francis, may we be inspired to learn from our experiences and grow in faith as we spend time with our beloved family and friends during this break.

Grant us the strength and courage to carry our faith into our daily lives, to be practical Christians, and to appreciate the kindness of those around us. Help us to emulate the spirit of St. Francis, who saw the divine in all living creatures and shared his love and care with them.

Lord, during these holidays, may we be peacemakers within our families and communities. Keep us safe in our activities, provide us with rest, and bless us with moments of joy and connection. As we return refreshed and ready for a new term, we offer our thanks for our classmates, teachers, parents/carers, and the supportive community that surrounds St. Francis Catholic College.

May we carry the awareness of your presence with us always, just as St. Francis did in his life, as we continue our journey of faith and learning.

Amen