ARTS AFTER DARK: WINTER EDITION

What an incredible evening we shared at Arts After Dark: Winter Edition! Held last week, the event brought together over 400 members of our community to celebrate the creativity and talent of more than 110 students from Kindergarten through to Year 11.

It was heartening to see such a strong turnout from families and friends — on a cold night, your support filled the outdoor Green with warmth and encouragement, and it meant the world to our performers. From music and dance to drama our students took to the stage with confidence and joy, and the sense of pride displayed was unmistakable.

These moments don’t just happen. They are the result of many hours of practice, teamwork, and the shared commitment of staff and students. I want to particularly acknowledge Mr Tannous, whose leadership and coordination were central to the success of the night. His passion for the arts and for providing students with meaningful opportunities to shine was evident in every part of the event.

One of the highlights for me was seeing the mix of year groups involved — from our youngest Kindergarten students to those in Year 11, all contributing to a genuine celebration of student voice, creativity and collaboration. It’s experiences like this that build confidence, connection and lifelong memories.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and supported the event. I thank all the staff involved and especially Bernadette Manchester for coordinating the BBQ with the Friends of Francis. Thanks to Mrs Kate Acosta, Mr Ray Tabet, Mrs Maria Dao and Mrs Zulamoski for their wonderful help on the night.

Everyone’s presence helped make the night so special. I look forward to seeing how Arts After Dark continues to grow and evolve as a key part of our cultural life at St Francis.

YEAR 5 PUBERTY INFORMATION EVENING

On Tuesday night, we welcomed Year 5 parents and carers to a special Puberty Information Evening held at the College. The event was well attended, with families gathering in the Hall for an engaging and informative session, while our Year 5 students participated in a parallel session in the Library.

We extend our sincere thanks to CatholicCare Wollongong for leading the evening. Their expertise and supportive approach helped guide both parents/carers and students through this important stage of development as our young people begin their journey into adolescence.

It was a valuable opportunity to open up conversations, provide accurate information, and support our students and families as they navigate the changes that come with puberty.

In particular, I thank  our PDHPE Leader of Leader, Miss Jessica Flegg for her coordination of the evening.

‘TELL THEM FROM ME’ SURVEYS – FEEDBACK MATTERS

The College has recently received data from the latest Tell Them From Me Surveys completed by parents/carers, students, and staff. Early analysis shows pleasing growth in several areas, including a 6% increase in students’ sense of belonging and a 5% reduction in reported bullying. There has also been a strong increase in cognitive challenge — reflecting our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning.

We were particularly encouraged by the many open-ended responses acknowledging the leadership team, the dedication of staff, and the growing impact of our focus on New Pedagogies for Deep Learning and critical thinking.

With over a thousand open comments and hundreds of responses, we’ll now take time to explore this valuable data more deeply. Naturally, some feedback is contradictory — for example, views on uniform policy range from requests for stricter enforcement to calls for a more flexible approach. Similarly, preferences vary between more Zoom opportunities for parent/carer/teacher/student conferences and more face-to-face engagement. This reflects the diverse realities of family and work life.

While not all feedback includes the specificity needed to take immediate action, we remain committed to listening with discernment and responding thoughtfully wherever possible.

As always, if you would like to discuss any aspect of College life further, please don’t hesitate to arrange a meeting with the Principal or a member of the senior leadership team.

CYCLIC INQUIRY - UNDERWAY AT THE COLLEGE

As part of the Continuous Catholic School Improvement (CCSI) processes supported by Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, this week our College commenced its formal Cyclic Inquiry.

This important process provides an opportunity to reflect on how we are progressing as a learning and faith community, to celebrate strengths, and to identify areas for further growth and improvement. It draws on evidence from a range of sources and engages us in thinking deeply about our impact — particularly in student learning, Catholic identity, and community engagement.

An expert panel of educational leaders and professionals, both internal and external to the system, are facilitating the Inquiry. Their role is to guide us through a structured and rigorous review that highlights how we are tracking, and where our priorities should lie as we move forward.

Staff, students and parents/carers will be interviewed in the coming week.

We look forward to sharing the insights, affirmations, and recommendations that emerge from this process in the coming weeks and months. This work aligns closely with our ongoing commitment to improvement and excellence in Catholic education.

PRAYER

Prayers for Refugees – 20th of June, World Refugee Day

Today, on World Refugee Day, we take a moment as a College community to pray for all those across the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or hardship. We remember especially families, children, and young people who seek safety, dignity, and a place to belong.

Prayer for Refugees 

(Adapted from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service)

Loving God,

As you once called your Son home from exile, we pray for all refugees and displaced people around the world.

Gather them from the four corners of the earth.

Grant peace to those who can return to the homes they left behind,
Grant courage to those beginning new lives in unfamiliar places,
Grant hope to those still waiting, longing for safety and stability.

May we open our hearts and communities to welcome those in need,
And may your justice and compassion guide all who work for peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon