HONOURING MOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES 

In the tapestry of family life, not every thread follows the same pattern. Some of us are shaped by the steady presence of our mums; others by women who stepped into that role with grace, generosity, and strength. Whatever form it takes, maternal love leaves a deep and lasting mark.

As a community we reflected this morning in our Mothers’ Day gathering on the way God's love is revealed through motherhood. Motherhood is a gift and we are so very thankful for what mothers and mother figures do. As our recently departed Pope Francis once reminded us, love is not confined to grand gestures or special occasions—it lives in the everyday: in words of encouragement, in acts of quiet service, in hands held and hearts listened to. That is the love we see in so many of the women we celebrate today.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, teaches us that saying "yes" to love is one of the most powerful things a person can do. This Sunday, we honour all those who have said “yes” with their lives—in the joyful, challenging, and ordinary moments that define motherhood.

To all mothers and mother figures in our community: we see you, we thank you, and we celebrate you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

BLESSED EDMUND RICE FEAST DAY

On Monday, our College community came together to celebrate the Feast Day of 

Blessed Edmund Rice—a significant figure whose legacy continues to inspire our commitment to faith, education, and justice. The whole-school Mass, celebrated by Father Bosco, brought students and staff together in a shared moment of reflection and gratitude.

Following the Mass, students participated in a range of activities designed to build connection and community. It was especially heartening to see students from different year levels interacting, collaborating, and forming new friendships. These moments

captured the essence of Edmund Rice’s mission—one of inclusion, respect, and care for one another.

The day was a reminder of the importance of creating a welcoming environment where every student feels seen, valued, and part of something greater. Thank you to everyone who helped bring the day to life and for upholding the spirit of Blessed Edmund in our school.

PARKING AND SAFETY AROUND THE COLLEGE

We continue to receive concerns from local residents about unsafe and illegal parking around the College, particularly on Vinny Road during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Cars stopping in No Stopping zones, blocking driveways, or parking too close to pedestrian crossings create serious safety risks for students and inconvenience for our neighbours. These rules are in place to protect our children—and they need to be followed.

We respectfully remind all families to park legally and considerately. Police and Council rangers patrol the area regularly, and fines may apply for those doing the wrong thing.

Let’s work together to keep our school zone safe, sensible, and respectful for everyone—especially our students.

Thank you for your support.

FRIENDS OF FRANCIS MEETING

The second Friends of Francis meeting for the year will occur on Monday night (6pm-7pm) 12th May, 2025 in the Staff Common Room.

With 2025 being the year of our School Cyclic Inquiry, there will be an opportunity during the meeting to not only have our normal meeting items - but to also provide feedback on proposed College directions for the next few years.

The more parents/carers there on the night the better - to give us genuine feedback on where we believe we should be heading in the future across faith, learning and wellbeing aspects.

TELL THEM FROM ME (TTFM) SURVEY 2025

Next week, the annual Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey will be launched. This important initiative provides students, staff, and families with the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences of school life at St Francis Catholic College.

The feedback gathered through the TTFM survey helps us better understand what we're doing well and where we can improve—both in the classroom and across the broader school environment.

Students will complete their survey in class on Thursday, while staff will take part in the coming weeks.

The Parent/Carer Survey will be made available via Compass mid next week and will remain open for two weeks. We strongly encourage all families to take the time to complete the survey—your insights and constructive feedback play a vital role in shaping the future of our College and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students. So look out for the Compass notice!

Thank you in advance for your support.

PRAYER FOR MOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES

A Prayer for Mothers and Those Who Mother

Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of mothers—those who gave us life, those who have nurtured us, and those who have guided us with wisdom, patience, and compassion.
We lift up to You all women who have embraced the call to love as a mother does—through birth, adoption, fostering, teaching, or simply by being present in someone’s life with care and devotion.

Bless those mothers who are with us now—strengthen them in their daily work and renew their spirit when they are weary.
Comfort those who mourn mothers who have passed, and be near to women who carry the ache of loss, longing, or unfulfilled dreams of motherhood.
May Mary, the Mother of Jesus, intercede for all who love and lead with a mother’s heart.

We entrust them to Your care, O Lord.
May they know they are cherished, honoured, and never alone.

–Amen.