Welcome back (or welcome for the first time) to the St Francis Catholic College Community. I particularly welcome our very excited Kindy students*, our new Year 7s and all students and families who have joined the College in 2024.

It’s great to start another academic year and see our students return bright-eyed and keen for the learning adventures ahead.

As mentioned at our brief College Assembly the other day, I am excited about the coming year. Our staff have undertaken much preparation and planning for 2024, and there are many things that we greatly anticipate this year - especially our focused approach on New Pedagogies for Deep Learning - and our way of emphasising critical life skills for our students. More details will be shared about this right across 2024.

[*NB: I especially thank Casey Borg from Savy Balloons (https://savyballoons.com/ ), who supplied our Kindy students with the beautiful balloon and photo display. Casey has been very generous in recent years and supplied beautiful balloon displays for various student and school events. A huge thank you!]

2023 HSC Results

Wow!

I congratulate the 2023 cohort on such tremendous HSC results. Not only were the College results the best in the Diocese of Wollongong, but they saw the College rank in the top 150 schools in NSW - quite an achievement for a school in ONLY its second HSC cohort and for a school only seven years old last year.

You can see here a snapshot of our HSC results from 2023:

We look forward to seeing our High Achievers return to the College next week.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Today we held our annual swimming carnival in Years 5 to 12 (and competitors in Years 3 & 4). What a great event it was, and I thank the many parents and carers went to the pool. In particular, I think Mrs Lowe and Mrs Pavlovich for their organisation, our staff and students and our Year 12s who led the way so well and dressed up in various fabulous costumes and outfits (with either a TV or Movie Theme). 

Much energy and enthusiasm were on display and allowed a wonderful community celebration - not to mention - some very talented swimmers and some not-so-comfortable swimmers safely stepping out of their comfort zones. 

Photos of the event will be shared in the following newsletter.

TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE COLLEGE

Buses - Please ensure you have read my letter on Compass earlier this week regarding bus travel. The College will be strongly advocating for additional bus services over the year - and pleasingly, we may already have had a win with a possible additional service to Willowdale. However, until we get the necessary outcome, I cannot stress enough the criticality of students having functioning Opal cards, which they tap on on every trip.

Bicycles - it’s great to see a number of students riding to, and from College. I emphasise that helmets must be worn when students ride to and from school.

Car entry to the College - please abide by our protocols and the signage inside and outside of the College gates. The safety of our staff and students is paramount.

Parking and car travel around the College -
we have had requests from local residents that our community members observe common sense and safely follow the parking signs around the College. Please help us by being safe and respectful to our local Edmondson Park community members. Double-parking and/or dropping students off in the middle of the road is unsafe. The local police attend our College in the morning and afternoon from time to time - and I state the obvious here - all road rules, and speed limits must be followed at all times.

Parent Carer Information Evenings

Following parent/carer feedback from 2023, various information evenings will be held in the first half of the term.

Here is the current schedule:

LA Religious Education Congress

Our Assistant Principal - Religious Education Identity Mission, Alex Mediati, our  K-4 Religious Education Coordinator, Jill Crescini and I have been selected by Catholic Education Wollongong to represent the diocese at an international Religious Education conference over the coming fortnight. 

During that time, Mrs Melissa Vella will be Acting Principal for Weeks 3 and 4 this term.

I’ve heard great things about the Los Angeles RE Congress. Apart from hearing from internationally renowned theologians, during our time in LA, we will be visiting local Catholic schools and engaging with initiatives such as “HomeBoy Industries”, developed by Father Greg Boyle and aimed at supporting trauma-abused young people who have had challenging experiences as gang members in LA.

Staffing Update

I have previously advised new staff joining us this year. Unfortunately, I must also advise that:

(i) Mrs Kellie Kells will leave us early next week to start a promotional position at an Independent school near Penrith. Mrs Kells has held various positions here at the College over a number of years and will be missed. I hope to advise a replacement in the not-too-distant future.

(ii) Miss Melissa Mangion has accepted a role at a Catholic College closer to her home. She will finish up with us next week. We wish her well.

(iii) Mr Brendan McMurdo will finish with us next week. Mr McMurdo looks to be able to work fewer days and concentrate on his passion of woodworking. We wish him well.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR – A STUDENT’S PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I ask You for help as I begin this new year.

Allow me to experience Your presence in the many blessings that You put before me on a daily basis. 

Help me recognise the new challenges and exciting opportunities this new year offers. 

Open my heart and mind to new friends, teachers and learning experiences. 

Help me to have a generous spirit so that I am enthusiastic in my studies, compassionate and kind in my dealings with others and willing to embrace new opportunities. 

Help me to be attentive to my teachers and let me experience Your presence in my new friends and the St Francis Catholic College Community.

Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year! Amen