Friends of Francis Meeting Monday - Week 8, 17th June

I remind everyone that the next meeting of the ‘Friends of Francis’ (FoF) will be on Monday night (week 8), June 17th, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Middle Years building.

Draft Agenda

• Prayer 
• Principal and Facilitator update
• ‘Parents and Friends Association’ update across Catholic Education Office Wollongong
• Friends of Francis Draft Constitution
• New buildings - update / upcoming changes and future event ‘Opening of new buildings’
• Parents/Carers social
• Tell Them From Me Data - parent/carer, students, staff
• Request/s for financial support
• Upcoming events
• General Business

Please note that it is not too late to nominate to be one of the FoF facilitators within the new structure (FoF Facilitator, FoF Fundraising Facilitator and/or FoF Community Facilitator). 

Please email Bernadette Manchester manchesterb01@dow.catholic.edu.au (by 11 June) if you are interested in nominating or wish further information.

New buildings and Extraordinary Student Free Days

I’m delighted that the next two stages of our building program (Stages Five and Six) are on track for completion. A new Administration Block and Junior Years building will be completed in the coming weeks.

The opening of these buildings will be a significant change. From the second day of next term, students in K to 4 will move into the new classrooms, staff will have a new staff room, and our College Reception will be in a new location (off Guillemont Rd)  with a new College address will be 40 Guillemont Road. 

The move out of our existing staff rooms and administration dwellings and two 'extraordinary' student-free days have been approved by the Catholic Education Office to help cater for the move from demountables to new buildings.

On July 5, it will be a student-free day for students in K-11, and on July 22, it will be a student-free day for all students in K-12. 

The latest building designs and more details about viewing opportunities for parents/carers and members of the Saint Francis Catholic College community will be discussed at the next Friends of Francis meeting on Monday, June 17.

Details about new kiss-and-drop access and videos to help support the change will be provided soon.

Not surprisingly, we are very excited about the new buildings, but we understand the new changes will take some time for everyone to understand.

Please pay attention to newsletters and Compass alerts, for future updates.

Primary Athletics Carnival

I thank all staff, students, parent/carer volunteers and parent/carer/family spectators for your involvement in last week’s K-6 Athletics Carnival. Despite gathering clouds and looming rain, we got through the full program at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. I’d like to thank Miss Lauren Meli for her efforts in organising and running the carnival and Mrs Lowe for her guidance. Additionally, I recognise the efforts of all staff for their ongoing commitment.

It was wonderful to see so much joy, enthusiasm, and spirit on display throughout the day. An external company hired by the College for the day (one that has existed for over 30 years) commented on the carnival being one of the best they had attended. This is testimony to everyone in our community. Well done!

Prayer 

The following prayer is focused on ecological sustainability in line with last Wednesday’s ‘World Environment Day’ (June 5).

World Environment Day sees us acknowledge our profound connection to the Earth and allows us to reflect on the intricate web of life that sustains us and the urgent need to protect this delicate balance for our future.

As Pope Francis reminds us, caring for the land is a spiritual duty, and this year’s focus on land restoration calls us to action. Accordingly, let's reflect on our response to God's love shown through creation. As we mark World Environment Day, may we not merely reflect on our relationship with nature but also commit to tangible action. 

While humans have faltered, we can shape the future by nurturing the land. Let's grow trees, green our cities, and change our habits. Let’s commit to tangible action, embracing sustainable practices and advocating for change. No matter how small, every step leads towards a healthier planet for future generations.

Creator God,
You have made a world full of beauty,
an infinite expression of your wisdom and loving affection for all.
Fill us with awe and wonder for your unending creativity.
Give us the courage and strength to truly see the world as sacred so that we may work to protect it from devastation and exploitation.
May we not forget that what we have been given is not only for us but also for future generations. Let us cultivate a world teeming with life, where a safe, enriching environment is abundant enough for all so that God's love and glory may shine through for generations to come.
– Amen

(Prayer courtesy of Catholic Education Office Wollongong)